Abstract: Methods of screening candidate drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are provided. Employing tissue slices of mutant mouse hippocampal cells having an extra copy of a mutant form of the presenilin-1 gene, it is found that these cells have enhanced potentiation to tetanic stimuli. By subjecting both wild-type and mutant hippocampal cells to tetanic stimuli in the presence of a candidate drug, reduction of the enhanced potentiation of the mutant cells without significant change in the potentiation of the wild-type cells indicates a successful candidate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes and their encoded proteins which regulate neurite growth and the diagnostic and therapeutic use of such proteins (termed herein neurite growth regulatory factors). The proteins of the present invention include metalloproteases associated with glioblastoma cells. The metalloproteases of the invention have value in the treatment of nerve damage and of degenerative disorders of the nervous system.

Abstract: Precipitation fractionation of an aqueous extract of soybeans by addition of an organic solvent such as ethanol or molecular weight fractionation of the extract by ultrafiltration or size exclusion chromatography is appropriately combined with activated carbon filtration, cation- or anion-exchange resin treatment or other adsorbent (e.g., polyamide or octadecylsilica) treatment to provide a nicotianamine product of desired purity. The product is added to food and drink to provide health foods.

Abstract: This invention provides nARIA-based assays for defining whether a subject has or is predisposed to developing a neoplastic disease. This invention further provides a nARIA-based method for maintaining synaptic connections between a neuron and a target cell.

Abstract: A peptide has an amino acid sequence having more than 80% homology with the amino acid sequence listed as SEQ ID NO:4. A nucleic acid molecule has more than 80% homology with one of the nucleic acid sequences listed as SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. Ligands, anti-ligands, cells vectors relating to the peptide and/or nucleic acid molecule are also used.

Abstract: The biological effects of the cytokine TNF are mediated by binding to receptors on the surface of cells. This disclosure describes new proteins and polynucleotides that promote enzymatic cleavage and release of TNF receptors. Also provided are methods for identifying additional compounds that influence TNF receptor shedding. As the active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition, the products of this invention increase or decrease TNF signal transduction, thereby alleviating the pathology of disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein containing an intramolecular chaperone (IMC) like sequence linked to a target protein, preferably an insulin precursor. The present invention also relates to a process for obtaining a correctly folded insulin-precursor-contain chimeric protein, comprising, inter alia, contacting an incorrectly folded chimeric protein containing an IMC like sequence linked to an insulin precursor with at least one chaotropic auxiliary agent. The present invention further relates to an assay for screening an amino acid sequence for the ability to improve folding of an insulin precursor using a chimeric protein containing an IMC like sequence linked to an insulin precursor.

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: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human Y4 receptor, an isolated protein which is a human Y4 receptor, vectors comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human Y4 receptor, mammalian cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to the human Y4 receptor, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding human Y4 receptor, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to any sequences of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a human Y4 receptor, pharmaceutical compounds related to human Y4 receptors, and nonhuman transgenic animals which express DNA encoding a normal or a mutant human Y4 receptor. This invention further provides methods for determining ligand binding, detecting expression, drug screening, and treatment involving the human Y4 receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of promoting the maturation of monocytes comprising the administration of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor or scavenger and at least one monocyte maturation-promoting agent. A composition for promoting the maturation of monocytes is likewise disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition includes a compound effective to promote the maturation of monocytes and a ROS inhibitor or scavenger combined in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to natural compositions for lowering blood pressure, and treating various conditions associated with the occurrence of high blood pressure. These compositions can comprise two or more of the following ingredients in amounts which are effective to treat blood pressure conditions, e.g., (a) Hainan Holly leaf (e.g., Ilex hainanensis Merr.), (b) Chinese Hawthorn fruit (e.g., Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. or Crataegus cuneata Sieb. et Zucc.), (c) Garden radish seed (Raphanus sativus L.), and (d) Oriental persimmon leaf (Diospyros kaki L.f).

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are topical formulations of Interleukin-11 and methods for treating a variety of disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, and infectious colitis), mucositis (e.g., oral mucositis, gastrointestinal mucositis, nasal mucositis, and proctitis), necrotizing enterocolitis, inflammatory skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and contact hypersensitivity), aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis, esophagitis, peptic ulcers, gingivitis, periodontitis, and ocular diseases (e.g., conjunctivitis, retinitis, and uveitis).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a herbal health protective, promotive neutraceutical formulation for women, human expectant mothers and lactating mothers, and also relates to a process for the preparation of custom made herbal health protective, promotive nutraceutical formulations as food supplements to ameliorate the general health of females with optimum nutrients, said process comprises the base product of microwave oven roasted seed powders mixture from selected genera of Glycine, Phaseolus, Cicer, Psophocarpus, Mucuna, Triticum, Hordeum, Amaranthus, Chenopodium and Fagopyrum, fortified with the natural herbs/medicinal plants extract from the genera Centella, Withania, Pueraria, Asparagus, Chlorophytum, Boerhaavia, Sida, Saraca and also some other ingredients like pale sugar powder, jaggary, milk powder, coca powder, Elettaria cardamomum (Elaichi) powder, Piper longum (Pippali) fruit powder, Myristica fragrans (Jaiphal) fruit powder were also added to get the final nutraceuticals; the nutraceuticals are

Abstract: The present invention provides composition of matter for and methods of treating pain and drug abuse using novel chimeric hybrid molecules containing an opioid moiety of chemically modified morphine (3) that binds to and activates the human mu (?) opioid receptor, with the opioid moiety linked through a novel linker-hinge (4) to a substance P peptide fragment moiety (5) that binds to and activates the human substance P receptor. The hybrid alkaloid/peptide chimeric molecules produce clinically efficacious opioid analgesia with little or no development of opioid tolerance or formation of opioid dependence. The hybrid alkaloid/peptide analgesics may be administered intrathecally, systemically or orally.

Abstract: Mammalian signal peptides can be used to aid in the secretion of mammalian proteins that are normally not secreted. By inactivating signals normally present in the 3? UTRs of mRNAs encoding proteins that are normally not secreted from mammalian cells, the proportion of such mRNA molecules directed to free and cytoskeletal bound polysomes can be reduced.

Abstract: A newly identified heteromeric ligand of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-family, referred to hereinafter as “APBF” has been identified.

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 to methods for treatment of nerve cell death (degeneration) and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods of the invention include administering, an effective amount of GDF-1 alone or in combination with neurotrophin-3, to a patient in need of such treatment such as a person suffering from stroke or traumatic brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease.