Abstract: The present invention provides an antagonist peptide of interleukin-6 (IL-6), wherein the peptide comprises a amino acid sequence which is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7. The peptide of the invention is able to specifically bind IL-6R and compete for the binding of IL-6 to IL-6R, to block IL-6-induced signal transduction and therefore effectively inhibits IL-6-mediated antiapotopsis and angiogenesis, and further inhibits IL-6-mediated tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an NST500 compound of general formula (I): comprising the following components: X1—X2—{(X3)a/X4/X5}—X6, wherein: X1 stands for a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue comprising 6–20 carbon atoms; or a cysteine residue bound through a thioether bond to a prenyl group comprising 5–20 carbon atoms; said residue being linked to the adjacent component of the compound through an amide bond; X2 is 0; X3 comprises 1–6 amino acids, of which 1–6 are positively charged and 0–2 are negatively charged, the other amino acid residues being polar uncharged amino acids; X4 comprises 1–6 amino acids, of which 1–2 are aromatic amino acids, the other amino acids being selected among polar uncharged amino acids and hydrophobic aliphatic amino acids; X5 comprises 6–8 amino acids, of which 4–6 are positively charged and 0–2 are negatively charged, the other amino acid residues being polar uncharged amino acids, wherein the amino acids form a cyclic structure; X6 is a compound of general formu

Abstract: The present invention provides novel stabilized crosslinked compounds having secondary structure motifs, libraries of these novel compounds, and methods for the synthesis of these compounds libraries thereof. The synthesis of these novel stabilized compounds involves (1) synthesizing a peptide from a selected number of natural or non-natural amino acids, wherein said peptide comprises at least two moieties capable of undergoing reaction to promote carbon-carbon bond formation; and (2) contacting said peptide with a reagent to generate at least one crosslinker and to effect stabilization of a secondary structure motif. The present invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides stabilized p53 donor helical peptides. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for disrupting the p53/MDM2 binding interaction comprising (1) providing a crosslinked stabilized ?-helical structure; and (2) contacting said crosslinked stabilized ?-helical structure with MDM2.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the treatment or prevention of central nervous system (CNS) cell damage and functional damage in mammals due to demyelinating disease including multiple sclerosis. More specifically, the invention comprises a method of treating a demyelinating disease of the CNS in a mammal, the method comprising co-administering to the mammal, either sequentially or simultaneously, GPE or analogues or peptidomimetics or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an AMPA (?-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate)/kainate antagonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an anti-inflammatory agent.

Abstract: Tetrapeptide L-alanyl-L-glutamyl-L-asparagyl-L-proline of the general formula L-Ala-L-Glu-Asp-L-Pro is proposed as a biologically active compound stimulating the functional activity of neurones. The application of L-Ala-L-Glu-L-Asp-L-Pro tetrapeptide in medicine is proposed for the preparation of a drug stimulating the functional activity of neurones. There is proposed a pharmacological agent, which contains as its active base an effective amount of L-Ala-L-Glu-L-Asp-L-Pro tetrapeptide for its salts of the amino acid group (acetate, hydrochloride, oxalate) or its salts of carboxyl groups (the salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, lithium, zinc, magnesium, and also the salts of organic and inorganic cations-ammonium, triethylammonium). The agent is proposed for parenteral, intranasal and oral administration.

Abstract: A method for treating psoriasis of the skin of a patient employs topically applying to the affected skin a composition comprising at least one peptide copper complex. In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to such a method where the composition used therefor further comprises certain disclosed active agents, including active drug and active cosmetic substances. In a related aspect, further embodiments of the present invention are directed to compositions comprising at least one peptide copper complex and certain active drug and active cosmetic substances that render the compositions particularly effective in treating psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for regulating blood pressure in a hemodialysis subject using a vasopressin receptor agonist, so as to facilitate removal of excessive extracellular fluid in the subject.

Abstract: A method for treating rosacea of the skin of a patient employs topically applying to the affected skin a composition comprising at least one peptide copper complex. In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to such a method where the composition used therefor further comprises certain disclosed active agents, including active drug and active cosmetic substances. In a related aspect, further embodiments of the present invention are directed to compositions comprising at least one peptide copper complex and certain active drug and active cosmetic substances that render the compositions particularly effective in treating rosacea.

Abstract: Novel surfactant protein C esters suitable for preparing pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of infant respiratory distress syndrome and adult respiratory distress syndrome are described.

Abstract: Methods to elevate progenitor and stem cell counts in animal subjects using compounds which bind to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 are disclosed. Preferred embodiments of such compounds are of the formula Z-linker-Z? ??(1) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein Z is of the formula wherein A comprises a monocyclic or bicyclic fused ring system containing at least one N and B is H or an organic moiety of 1–20 atoms, Z? is of the formula —Ar(Y)j; wherein Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, and each Y is independently a non-interfering substituent and j is 0–3; and “linker” represents a bond, alkylene (1–6C) or may comprise aryl, fused aryl, oxygen atoms contained in an alkylene chain, or may contain keto groups or nitrogen or sulfur atoms.

Abstract: Group A streptogramin derivatives of general formula (I) in which: R1 represents a halogen atom or an azido or thiocyanato radical, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl radical, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, or the residue of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic, heterocyclic or heterocyclylaliphatic ester which may be substituted, and the bond --- represents a single bond (stereochemistry 27R) or a double bond, as well as its salts when they exist

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of ketol-acid reductoisomerase inhibitors for treating fungal diseases affecting crops. The invention concerns methods for treating crops against fungal diseases comprising applying a ketol-acid reductoisomerase inhibitor. The invention also concerns methods for identifying novel fungicidal compounds comprising a step which consists in identifying ketol-acid reductoisomerase inhibitors.

Abstract: Prodrug compounds of unstable inhibitors of the serine peptidase dipeptidyl peptidase IV, are used in the treatment of various disorders, especially of metabolic disorders. The Prodrug compounds can be used in the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance, glucosuria, hyperlipidaemia, metabolic acidoses, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy.

Abstract: UEA-1 Mimetics, pharmaceutical formulations comprising them, and their uses as targeting agents for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A stable protein formulation containing tryptophan or a tryptophan derivative or a salt thereof as a stabilizer.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing glycopeptide antibiotic derivatives having an amino-containing side chain. The multi-step process is conducted in a single reaction vessel without isolation of intermediate reaction products.

Abstract: Methods for increasing Schwann cell survival are disclosed. The methods of the invention are useful for the treatment of conditions such as peripheral neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the treatment of hypovolaemia or hypotension associated with therapeutic paracentesis, which method is characterised by the use of a peptide according to general formulae (I) or a salt thereof, wherin Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, Phe and Pro represent the amino acid residues asparigine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine, phenylalanine and proline respectively; Phe(X) represents a phenylalanine residue optionally substituted at the 4-position of the aromatic ring by a group selected from methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and methoxy; Y represents a group —(CH2)a—NH-Q, where a is 2–5 and Q is H or C(?NH)NH2; and R represents a chain of between two and for ?alpha-amino acid residues, at least one of which is glycine, as the active agent. The invention also provides uses of the peptide and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Compositions of purified biologically active Wnt proteins are provided. Wnt proteins are found to be hydrophobic and post-translationally modified by addition of a lipid moiety at a conserved cysteine residue. Methods for isolation of Wnt utilize detergents that maintain the solubility of the modified protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a T cell epitope or a mixture of T cell epitopes a polycationic peptide and a nucleic acid based on inosin and cytosin and its use as a vaccine.