Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibiotic peptides which possess antibacterial and/or antifungal activities causing no cytotoxicity, and to antibacterial and/or antifungal agents containing said peptides as active ingredients. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that a number of chemically-synthesized peptides which are derived from Tenecin, show superior antibacterial and/or antifungal activities, while causing no untoward effects, and they can be applied for the development of antibacterial and/or antifungal agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a radiodiagnostic agent to image arterial and venous thrombi, pulmonary emboli and lesions of atherosclerosis. A composition for a thrombus imaging agent, a method and kit for preparing a thrombus imaging agent, and a radiolabeling reagent for preparing the thrombus imaging agent are provided. Methods of using the thrombus imaging agent to detect thrombi are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified tandem LHRH-peptide vaccine preparation in which the amino acid glycine at position (6) of one or both LHRH decapeptides that constitute the tandem unit is substituted by a dextrorotatory amino acid that contains a side chain to whicha carrier compound can be coupled. In addition, the tandem LHRH-peptide can be brought into a tandem-dimer form which is also suitable for producing a vaccine that is effective against LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) also referred to as GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), for immunological castration, to inhibit or affect reproductive functions or to affect behaviour in vertebrates in general and in domesticated animals and man in particular.

Abstract: Synthetic pulmonary surfactants having antioxidant properties consisting of a complex of a polypeptide of 3-4 amino acid residues, with an antioxidant moiety, and a lipid consisting of one or more of the lipids associated with natural pulmonary surfactant were prepared. These surfactants are useful in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: A linear (i.e., non-cyclic) analog of biologically active amphibian bombesin, mammalian gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), or mammalian growth hormone releasing factor (GRF), having an active site and a binding site responsible for the binding of the peptide to a receptor on a target cell. Cleavage of a peptide bond in the active site of naturally occurring bombesin, GRP, or GRF is unnecessary for in vivo biological activity. The analog has one of the following modifications: (a) a deletion of an amino acid residue within the active site and a modification of an amino acid residue outside of the active site, (b) a replacement of two amino acid residues within the active site with a synthetic amino acid, a .beta.-amino acid, or a .gamma.-amino acid residue, or (c) a non-peptide bond instead of a peptide bond between an amino acid residue of the active site and an adjacent amino acid residue.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: The membrane permeating antibacterial peptide, PR-39, previously found only in the intestine, was purified from wound fluid and shown to possess syndecan-1 and syndecan-4 inductive activity specifically in mesenchymal cells. This is a newly recognized function that defines peptide containing syndecan-inducing activity, and that are known as synducins. Therefore a molecule with both antimicrobial and synducin activities is deposited in wounds where it can simultaneously reduce infection and influence the action of growth factors, matrix components, and other cellular effectors involved in wound repair. Synducins, including PR-39, and derivatives thereof, is therefore useful in the modulation of wound healing, as well as other disorders involving mesenchymal cells and cell surface molecular interaction, including metastatic disease, angiogenesis, restenosis, stasis or decubitis ulcers, and prevention of keloids.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel LHRH antagonists and complexes between these antagonists and VB12. The present invention is particularly useful for the oral administration of LHRH antagonists. The antagonists of the invention are selected from the group consisting of ANTIDE-1, ANTIDE-2 and ANTIDE-3.

Abstract: A peptide (QSP-9124) was synthesized corresponding to the 34 residue sequence of a peptide precursor to the bacteriocin LL-2 produced by Lactococcus lactis LLA-2.0. The precursor to native bacteriocin LL-2 is extensively modified by post-translational mechanisms. Serine and threonine residues are dehydrated and lanthionine and methyl-lanthionine sulfur bridges are formed between cysteine and several of the dehydrated serine and threonine residues. The synthesized peptide has greater anti-bacterial action against Listeria monocytogenes, than did the native, post-translationally modified protein LL-2. Antibacterial activity against several beneficial food lactobacterial strains was absent, so that the peptide is of value as a food preservative against L. monocytogenes.

Abstract: Synthetic pulmonary surfactant consisting of a complex of a polypeptide of 3-4 amino acid residues having alpha-helical structure and a covalently bound long chain acyl group. The peptides are useful when consisting of one or more associated lipids in combination in conditions associated with respiratory distress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification, purification and characterization of novel factors which inhibit phagocyte activation, such as inhibiting polymorphonuclear neutrophil chemotaxis, degranulation and superoxide production. Disclosed are natural peptides purified from the bronchial environment and a variety synthetic peptides and analogues designed to have enhanced or longer-lasting phagocyte-inhibiting activity. The peptides and compositions of the present invention are contemplated for use in modulating inflammatory responses in a number of clinical settings, such as in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, acute lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, and for use as anti-proliferative agents such as in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Calcitonin gene-related peptide and calcitonin regulate immune cell function and cytokine release and are useful in the treatment of immune cell and cytokine mediated, immune mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, treating viral infections, tumors and organ transplants.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to anti-fungal peptides derived from or based on Domain III (amino aids 142-169) of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and in vivo or in vitro uses of such peptides.

Abstract: A modified noble metal catalyst based calorimetric sensor for sensing non-methane hydrocarbons in an automotive exhaust gas stream includes a first sensing element (105) with an output that provides a signal (111) indicative of a concentration of indicative of non-methane hydrocarbons, hydrogen (H.sub.2), and carbon monoxide (CO). A compensating sensing element (107) has an output that provides a compensating signal (113) indicative of a concentration of hydrogen (H.sub.2) and carbon monoxide (CO). A circuit for combining the signal and the compensating signal provides a combined signal indicative of a measure of non-methane hydrocarbons in the automotive exhaust gas stream.

Abstract: A method of producing analgesia in nociceptive and neuropathic pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an omega conopeptide which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. Also disclosed are novel omega conotoxin peptides effective in producing analgesia.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides having an amino acid sequence that is the amino acid sequence of a human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) functional domain or a subsequence thereof, and variants of the sequence or subsequence thereof, having at least one of the BPI biological activities, such as heparin binding, heparin neutralization, LPS binding, LPS neutralization or bactericidal activity. The invention provides peptides and pharmaceutical compositions of such peptides for a variety of therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide represented by the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein A is Ala or Gly; B is Ile or Val; C is Asn or Ser; D is Thr or Ser; E is Leu or Tyr; each of F, I and J is Lys or Arg, and at least one of F, I and J is Arg; G is Met, Leu or Nle; K is Asn or Ala; L is Ser or Ala; M is Ile or Val; and N is --NH.sub.2 or Asn--NH.sub.2, excluding the combination where A is Ala, B is Val, C is Asn, D is Thr, E is Leu, K is Asn, L is Ser, M is Ile, and N is Asn--NH.sub.2, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to a bronchus-expanding agent or a blood-flow-improving agent comprising said peptide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing or inhibiting wound contraction in a subject having a wound comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide or a polypeptide. The invention provides, for example, a method of reducing or inhibiting wound contraction comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide having more than three consecutive basic amino acids. The invention also provides a method of reducing or inhibiting wound contraction comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide containing the sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid and a basic amino acid sequence or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide containing therein a sequence of six consecutive amino acid residues of which at least about four of the six amino acid residues are basic amino acid residues.

Abstract: A peptide which is a variant of the human growth hormone-releasing factor. The peptide, containing 23-28 amino acid residues, differs from its native counterpart at least at positions 8, 9, 16, 18, 24, 25, 27, and 28, and is potent in stimulating the release of growth hormone.

Abstract: An assay for screening snake venom for the presence or absence of platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAIs) based on specific receptor binding is described. Using this assay, the identification and characterization of PAIs in a wide range of snake venom samples was accomplished. The isolated and purified PAI from several of these active snake venoms is described and characterized. In addition, PAIs lacking the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) adhesion sequence but containing K.sup.* -(G/Sar)-D wherein K.sup.* is a modified lysyl residue of the formulaR.sup.1.sub.2 N(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CHNHCO--wherein each R.sup.1 is independently H, alkyl(1-6C) or at most one R.sup.1 is R.sup.2 --C.dbd.NR.sup.3 wherein R.sup.2 is H, alkyl(1-6C), phenyl or benzyl, or is NR.sup.4.sub.2 in which each R.sup.4 is independently H or alkyl(1-6C) and R.sup.3 is H, alkyl(1-6C), phenyl or benzyl, or R.sup.2 --C.dbd.NR.sup.