Abstract: The present invention relates to a relaxin-like factor, its derivatives or analogs, and uses thereof. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising a relaxin-like factor, its derivatives or analogs, and relaxin wherein such composition exhibits an additive or synergistic effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the study and control of atherosclerosis through the modulation of LDL-proteoglycan binding at Site B (amino acids 3359-3369) of the apo-B100 protein in LDL. The invention encompasses methods of identifying compounds which modulate LDL-proteoglycan binding, methods of identifying compounds which modulate atherosclerotic lesion formation, and methods of modulating the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. The invention also encompasses mutant apo-B100 proteins and LDL which exhibit reduced proteoglycan binding while maintaining LDL-receptor binding, polynucleotides which encode these apo-B100 proteins, as well as cells and animals which express the mutant apo-B100 proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides and peptide analogues designed from HFE protein. In particular, it relates to peptides and peptide analogues designed from an alpha-1 region of HFE protein which lowers the binding affinity of transferrin receptor for transferrin. Such compounds mimic HFE protein function, and reduce iron uptake and/or accumulation by a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide of the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents SO3H or H; X represents an ?-amino acid or a single bond; Z1 and Z2 are the same or different and each represents an ?-amino acid; and Y represents OH or NH2. This peptide has plant growth factor properties.

Abstract: Use of fibrinogen multimers having at least 6 fibrinogen units as an ingredient for a fibrin sealant.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: A non-pyrogenic, endotoxin-free, stroma-free, blood substitute capable of being used in humans or other mammals to provide oxygen to tissue and to deliver carbon dioxide to the lung and a process for its preparation are described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns peptides as inhibitors of the binding of urokinase to the urokinase receptor. These peptides, which are preferably cyclic, are suitable as pharmaceutical agents for diseases that are mediated by urokinase and its receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates in providing a process for recovering a soluble protein having a higher recovery rate by suppressing the aggregation of the protein when a denaturing agent is removed from the solubilization treatment solution containing a solubilized protein; and providing a process for removing a denaturing agent from the above solubilization treatment solution in which the aggregation of the protein is suppressed.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: Cyclic depsipeptides represented by the formula wherein: R is a straight or branched alkyl group of 5-20 carbon atoms or a straight or branched alkoxymethyl group of 5-15-carbon atoms; A, B, D, E and F independently each other are alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, etc.; W and Z independently each other are aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid or glutamine; and m and n independently each other is 0 or 1, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. The present compounds are prepared according to a method conventionally used in peptide synthesis. The present compounds are useful as an agent for promoting the production of apolipoprotein E, a therapeutic agent for neurologic damages, a therapeutic agent for dementia, an agent for inhibiting the production of apolipoprotein B, an agent for promoting the production of apolipoprotein A1 or a therapeutic agent for hyperlipemia.

Abstract: The present invention provides illudin analogs of the general formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 have any of the values defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula I, intermediates and processes useful for preparing compounds of formula I, and methods comprising inhibiting tumor growth or treating cancer by administering one or more compounds of formula I.

Abstract: Submandibular peptides have been isolated and characterized and provide pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of anaphylactic reactions, endotoxic reactions and SIRS-induced shock.

Abstract: A fragment condensation process for the synthesis of analogs of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP), in which amino acid residues (22-31) form a synthetic amphipathic ?-helix, is provided.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient in need of insulin treatment, including the steps of introducing into the lower respiratory tract of the patient an effective amount of a therapeutic preparation in the form of a dry powder containing (a) insulin and (b) an enhancer compound which enhances the absorption of insulin in the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: A nueroprotectant composition wherein the active ingredient is pGLU-GLU-PRO-NH2 or a combination of pGLU-GLU-PRO-NH2 (EEP) and N-tert-Butyl-&agr;-(2-sulfophenyl)nitrone (SPBN) or other nitrone. A method of treating and preventing diseases and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and retina is also presented by administering the endogenous tripeptide EEP to a subject as a neuroprotectant or by administering EEP in combination with SPBN or other nitrone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery system wherein a “parachute” structure is coupled to a therapeutic compound. The “parachute” structure comprises hydrophilic branched molecules with a defined action diameter. The complex (a parachute structure coupled with a therapeutic compound) is either fixed at a cell membrane or delivered to a defined distance from the membrane within the cell. The membrane-anchoring/localizing effect of the parachute is achieved by hydrophilic structures linked with a branching unit of desired therapeutic compounds. Furthermore, the parachute structures can be connected by a spacer (e.g. &bgr;-amino acids, &ggr;-amino butyric acid, or poly-amino acids) instead of directly binding to the therapeutic compound, so that the therapeutic compounds can be localized within the cells at a defined distance from the cell membrane. A spacer containing a breaking point can determine the time span, during which the drug exhibits its therapeutic activity.

Abstract: Monomeric analogues of human insulin have a single substitution of the amino acid in 12th, 16th or the 26th position of the B chain of human insulin and may also have a terminal deletion in the B chain.

Abstract: New thyroid receptor ligands are provided which have the general formula in which: X is —O—, —S—, —CH2—, —CO—, or —NH—; Y is —(CH2)n— where n is an integer from 1 to 5, or cis- or trans-ethylene; R1 is halogen, trifluoromethyl, or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons or cycloalkyl of 3 to 7 carbons; R2 and R3 are the same or different and are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbons or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbons, at least one of R2 and R3 being other than hydrogen; R4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R6 is carboxylic acid, or esters or prodrugs; R7 is hydrogen or an alkanoyl or an aroyl. In addition, a method is provided for preventing, inhibiting or treating a disease associated with metabolism dysfunction or which is dependent upon the expression of a T3 regulated gene, wherein a compound as described above is administered in a therapeutically effective amount.

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 for cancer therapy or to increase immune cell infiltration into tumors. 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 the other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.