Abstract: Peptide family designated as xenonins, wherein the representative members can be isolated from the substance secreted from the skin of Xenopus laevis, and having precious pharmaceutical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues, for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as pain, e.g., as an analgesic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for preventing and/or treating injury or degeneration of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons by administering a neurturin neurotrophic factor protein product. The invention relates more specifically to methods for treating sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for reducing the impairment respiratory tract mucosal immunity associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. Also described are methods for reducing the rate of infection of the respiratory tract by pathogenic microorganisms associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. In addition, a method of reducing the atrophy or dysfunction of the GALT comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide is described. The specification further describes compositions for reducing or preventing the impairment of intestinal or respiratory tract mucosal immunity comprising a neuropeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to insoluble compositions containing acylated proteins selected from the group consisting of acylated insulin, acylated insulin analog, and acylated proinsulin, and formulations thereof. The formulations are suitable for parenteral delivery or other means of delivery, to a patient for extended control of blood glucose levels. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprised of an acylated protein complexed with zinc, protamine, and a phenolic compound such that the resulting microcrystal is analogous to the neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin crystal form. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that compositions of such acylated proteins have therapeutically superior subcutaneous release pharmacokinetics, and more extended and flatter glucodynamics, than presently available commercial preparations of NPH insulin.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include composites comprising a biomaterial having compounds thereon with enhanced cell binding with respect to collagen. These composites are useful for soft and hard tissue repair or reconstruction and for in vitro uses. Suitable compounds with enhanced cell binding include synthetic peptides that mimic the conformation necessary for recognition and docking of collagen binding species (such as cell surface receptors for collagen and fibronectin) and have the amino acid residues -Ile-Ala-folded in a &bgr;-bend.

Abstract: This invention relates to antagonists of calcitonin gene related peptide and in particular the invention relates to amino terminal modifications to peptides to improve their ability to bind to a member of the CGRP-receptor superfamily.

Abstract: Peptides having 8 to 15 amine acid residues and a molecular weight between 900 and 1600 Daltons. The peptides have a biological activity comparable to the protein BPC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting fibrosis in a patient. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a somatostatin, a somatostatin agonist or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said patient.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation in patients in need of such treatment by administering an effective amount of I-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-II (General Formula), wherein A is Ala, Gly, Val, Ser, Thr or absent, B is Ala, Gly, Val, Ser, Thr, or absent, C is Ser, Thr or absent, D is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, Leu or absent, E is Ser, Thr, Asp or absent, F is Ser, Thr, Asp or absent, G is Tyr or absent, H is Thr, Arg, Gly, Met, Met(O), Cys, Thr, Gly or absent and I is Cys or absent II is Cys, an amide group, an ester group or absent. At least one of the amino acids optionally is substituted by a monomeric or polymeric carbohydrate or derivative thereof, such substitution being accomplished through hydroxyl and/or amino acid and/or amido groups of the amino acids, and wherein the peptide composes at least 4 amino acid residues, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to new polypeptide compounds represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 is as defined in the description and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which have antimicrobial activities (especially, antifungal activities), inhibitory activity on &bgr;-1,3-glucan synthase, to process for preparation thereof, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, and to a method for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of infectious diseases including Pneumocystis carinii infection (e.g. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) in a human being or an animal.

Abstract: There is provided compounds of formula I, R1O(O)C—CH2—(R)Cgl—Aze—Pab—R  I wherein R1 and R2 have meanings given in the description, which are useful as prodrugs of inhibitors of trypsin-like proteases, such as thrombin, and in particular in the treatment of conditions where inhibition of thrombin is required (eg thrombosis) or as anticoagulants.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for reducing the impairment respiratory tract mucosal immunity associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. Also described are methods for reducing the rate of infection of the respiratory tract by pathogenic microorganisms associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. In addition, a method of reducing the atrophy or dysfunction of the GALT comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide is described. The specification further describes compositions for reducing or preventing the impairment of intestinal or respiratory tract mucosal immunity comprising a neuropeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: FabD polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such FabD and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such FabD for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such FabD and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence of FabD nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding Fab (Fatty acid biosynthesis) and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods, kits, and compositions for enhancing bone, cartilage and cartilage repair, bone and prosthesis implantation, and attachment and fixation of cartilage and cartilage to bone or other tissues, and chondrocyte proliferation comprising the administration of an effective amount of angiotensinogen, angiotensin I (AI), AI analogues, AI fragments and analogues thereof, angiotensin II (AII), AII analogues, AII fragments or analogues thereof or AII AT2 type 2 receptor agonists.

Abstract: Human myelin basic protein (h-MBP) has a molecular weight of 18.5 KD and contains 170 amino acid residues. Synthetic peptides ranging in length from about 8 to 25 residues and covering the entire length of the protein have been produced. Antibodies to h-MBP (anti-MBP) were found to be neutralized by the synthetic peptides, in vitro, which span the h-MBP from about amino acid residue 61 to about amino acid residue 106. The peptides, which cover both the amino (about residues 1 to 63) and carboxy (about residues 117 to 162) terminals of h-MBP did not neutralize purified anti-MBP. Intrathecal administration of peptide MBP75-95, either as a single dose, or as repeated injections for periods up to 10 weeks, produced complete binding-neutralization of free (F) anti-MBP with no change in bound (B) levels. A control peptide MBP35-58 had no effect on F or B anti-MBP levels. Intravenous administration of MBP75-95 resulted in significant decline of F and B CSF anti-MBP levels over a period of one month.

Abstract: A method for controlling immune reactions to a foreign tissue or a foreign cell in a recipient host mammal to enhance tolerance of the recipient host mammal towards a grafted foreign tissue or a grafted foreign cell. This method involves administering a transferrin and a foreign tissue or a foreign cell antigen from the same genetic donor to a previously immunosuppressed recipient host mammal.

Abstract: Human myelin basic protein (h-MBP) has a molecular weight of 18.5 KD and contains 170 amino acid residues. Synthetic peptides ranging in length from about 8 to 25 residues and covering the entire length of the protein have been produced. Antibodies to h-MBP (anti-MBP) were found to be neutralized by the synthetic peptides, in vitro, which span the h-MBP from about amino acid residue 61 to about amino acid residue 106. The peptides, which cover both the amino (about residues 1 to 63) and carboxy (about residues 117 to 162) terminals of h-MBP did not neutralize purified anti-MBP. Intrathecal administratin of peptide MBP(75-95), MBP(86-95), or MBP(82-98) produced complete binding-neutralization of free (F) anti-MBP with no change in bound (B) levels. A control peptide MBP35-58 had no effect on F or B anti-MBP levels. Intravenous administration of MBP(75-95), MBP(86-95), or MBP(82-98) resulted in significant decline of F and B CSF anti-MBP levels.

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: Compounds that provide protection against excitotoxic neuronal damage are selected from the group consisting of Arg-rich oligopeptides and compounds of formula 1: where R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, or alkoxy-alkyl; and R2 and R3 are each natural or artificial amino acid side chains.