Abstract: Disclosed are novel multivalent ligands represented by the following structural formula: ##STR1## B is a multilinker backbone. n is an integer from two to about twenty.Each L is a covalent bond or linking group.Each P is a peptide having from about 10 to about 30 amino acid residues. At least two of the peptides P are a peptide derivative of an AHR of an angiogenic protein, a hybrid peptide, a peptide derivative of a hybrid peptide or a combination thereof. Each peptide and each linker or covalent bond is independently chosen. The disclosed multivalent ligands can be used to modulate angiogenesis in a mammal.Also disclosed are novel peptide derivatives of an AHR of an angiogenic protein, novel hybrid peptides, peptide derivatives of the novel hybrid peptides and polypeptide multivalent ligands thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for helping to prevent miscarriages during pregnancy, comprising administering an effective amount of a fetuin polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide-based compositions and methods for inhibiting and modulating the actions of CXC intercrine molecules. The antileukinate peptides described inhibit IL-8, GRO and MIP2.beta. binding to neutrophils and neutrophil activation. The peptides are particularly advantageous as they inhibit IL-8-induced enzyme release at a 25 fold lower concentration than is required to inhibit chemotaxis, which makes them ideal for treating various inflammatory diseases and disorders including, amongst others, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis. The invention further includes methods for inhibiting tumor cell growth by employing selected members of the disclosed group of peptides to inhibit .alpha.-chemokine binding to the tumor cell.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit occludin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. Within certain embodiments, the modulating agents may be used to increase vasopermeability. The modulating agents comprise at least one occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: This invention relates to new polypeptide compounds represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is as defined in the description and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which have antimicrobial activities (especially, antifungal activities), inhibitory activity on .beta.-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: Certain toxic compounds (T) such as, for example, compounds based upon diphtheria toxin, ricin toxin, pseudomonas exotoxin, .alpha.-amanitin, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), ribosome inhibiting proteins, especially the ribosome inhibiting proteins of barley, wheat, corn, rye, gelonin and abrin, as well as certain cytotoxic chemicals such as, for example, melphalan and daunomycin can be conjugated to certain analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to form a class of compounds which, when injected into an animal, destroy the gonadotrophs of the animal's anterior pituitary gland. Hence such compounds may be used to sterilize such animals and/or to treat certain sex hormone related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non water-soluble pharmaceutical carrier gel which adheres to mucosal surfaces and body tissues upon application and forms a film, providing protection and delivery of pharmaceutical to the site of application, surrounding body tissues, and bodily fluids. The gel comprises a volatile or diffusing nonaqueous solvent and at least one non-water-soluble alkyl cellulose or hydroxyalkyl cellulose. A bioadhesive polymer may also be added. The gel provides an effective residence time with ease of use. The residence time may be adjusted by adding a component which acts to adjust the kinetics of erodability of the carrier.

Abstract: This invention provides peptides of the formula R'-Glx-Glx-Lys-R" in which Glx is Glu or Gln. In particular, this invention provides the peptides Thr-Ala-Glu-Glu-Lys and Thr-Pro-Glu-Glu-Lys. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptides. The peptides of this invention are useful for immunomodulation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for use with substrates which are useful in the sustained delivery of bioeffecting agents are described. The compositions of the invention include a multicomponent complex which attaches a bioeffecting agent to a substrate with an anchor provided by a linker compound which also forms a cleavable linkage so that the bioeffecting agent's release into the area surrounding the substrate occurs in a sustained manner over an extended period of time. The methods of the invention involve providing a bioeffecting composition on the surface of a substrate so that a bioeffecting agent may be released in a sustained manner over time.

Abstract: Plant anti freeze proteins can advantageously be incorporated into frozen confectionery products, provided they have the capability of limiting the growth of ice crystals

Abstract: A chemical complex comprising divalent metal ions, preferably Ca.sup.+2 ions, and peptide-peptoid trimers in a fixed ratio and having a centrosymmetric crystalline structure wherein three divalent metal ions at the interior of the complex are coordinated with the peptide carboxylate and urethane oxygen atoms. The globular complex has a hydrophobic outer surface and is useful as an ionophore.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of AFPs from natural sources, said process involving the steps ofa) isolating an AFP containing juice from the natural source;b) heat treating the natural source or the AFP containing juice to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.;c) removing the insoluble fraction.

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: A modified surfactant of the PLURONIC.TM.-type compound and method for manufacture is disclosed. The surfactant compound has at least one PEO block attached at a first end to at least one PPO block, with at least one of the PEO block having an organic metal-chelating end group (R) attached to a second end, the remaining PEO blocks having an unmodified hydroxyl group at the second end. The metal-chelating group is charged with an metal-ion. A protein with a metal-affinity tag, e.g., a histidine tag, is then complexed with the metal-chelating group to form a complex of the modified surfactant, the metal ion, and the protein. The modified surfactant may be adsorbed upon a hydrophobic surface, charged with a metal ion, and then complexed with a protein with a metal-affinity tag. A surface with specific activity toward proteins is the presented, which is suitable for applications where a protein is immobilized upon a surface to give the surface specific protein activity.

Abstract: Peptide-lipid conjugates are incorporated into liposomes so as to selectively destabilize the liposomes in the vicinity of target peptidase-secreting cells, and hence, to deliver the liposomes to the vicinity of the target cells, or directly into the cells. The liposomes can thus be used to treat mammals for diseases, disorders or conditions, e.g., tumors, microbial infection and inflammations, characterized by the occurrence of peptidase-secreting cells.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I which act as amylin agonists with respect to certain desired amylin activities and as calcitonin agonists with respect to certain desired calcitonin activities are provided. Such compounds are useful in treating disturbances in fuel metabolism in mammals, including, but not limited to diabetes mellitus, including Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes. The present invention also relates to methods of treating Type I diabetes, treating Type II diabetes and to methods of beneficially regulating gastrointestinal motility comprising administration of a therapeutically effective among of one of the compounds. Also provided are pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Receptors 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: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the identification, characterization and inhibition of mammalian protein farnesyltransferases, enzymes involved in the farnesylation of various cellular proteins, including cancer related ras proteins such as p21.sup.ras. One protein farnesyltransferase which is disclosed herein exhibits a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 100,000 upon gel exclusion chromatography. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for the preparation of farnesyltransferase by recombinant means, following the molecular cloning and co-expression of its two subunits, for assay and purification of the enzyme, as well as procedures for using the purified enzyme in screening protocols for the identification of possible anticancer agents which inhibit the enzyme and thereby prevent expression of proteins such as p21.sup.ras.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of peptides known as xenoxins, wherein the representative members can be isolated from the secretions from the skin of Xenopus laevis. The present invention also relates to the members of the peptide family as well as to methods for preparing them and to the DNA sequences encoding them. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said xenoxins as well as to diagnostic kits containing xenoxins or containing anti-xenoxin antibodies.

Abstract: A woven papermakers fabric having a first system of yarns interwoven with a second system of yarns. The second system of yarns having a repeat which defines three successive knuckles on the paper carrying side of the fabric while maintaining vertical alignment of the first system yarns in the respective first and second layers of the first system by defining a single knuckle on the machine side of the fabric in each repeat. Preferably, the first system yarns are cross machine direction (CMD) yarns which repeat with respect to eight pairs of stacked machine direction (MD) yarns.