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: Provided by the present invention are novel methods of factor IX protein recovery and purification.

Abstract: Viral morphogenesis, production, release or uncoating can be inhibited by effecting inhibition of prenylation of, or inhibition of post-prenylation reactions of, at least one viral protein. The use of inhibitors of prenylation, and post-prenylation reactions, for example, inhibitors of the mevalonate and prenyl group synthesis pathways, inhibitors of prenyl group transferases and mimics of the prenylation target CXXX box are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which contain N-methylated amino acid units and have improved water solubility. Medicaments in which the peptides according to the invention are contained can be used for the treatment of hormone-dependent tumours and hormone-influenced non-malignant disorders.

Abstract: Efficient methods and compositions are provided for the targeted delivery of effective concentrations of compounds, including nucleic acid molecules and oligonucleotides such as EGSs, ribozymes and antisense, proteins, peptides, carbohydrate, and synthetic organic and inorganic molecules, or combinations thereof, to cells, especially hepatocytes. In the preferred embodiment, the compound is an negatively charged oligonucleotide which binds in a stoichiometric ratio to a water soluble, positively charged macrocycle such as a porphyrin, which targets and protects the oligonucleotide. The porphyrin protects the compound to be delivered and delivers the compound preferentially to certain cells and tissue types. In another embodiment, the porphyrin has anti-human hepatitis virus activity, when administered alone, which is significantly enhanced when in combination with an antiviral compound, especially an oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active oxygen scavenging agent and a cancer chemopreventing agent both comprising a dried Grifola, a dry Grifola powder and/or a Grifola extract, and to a food or animal feed comprising the active oxygen scavenging agent or the cancer chemopreventing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method capable of increasing retinal and neural glucose oxidation by enhancing pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and therefore treats retinopathy and central nervous system disorders in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The current invention is a system and method of the treating of eye and nerve diseases using insulin pulses to a patient utilizing Chronic Intermittent Intravenous Insulin Therapy to achieve an increase in retinal and neural glucose oxidation by enhancing pryuvate dehydrogenase activity, therefore treating retinopathy and central nervous system disorders in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Abstract: Cyclosporine derivatives are disclosed which possess enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity over naturally occurring and other presently known cyclosporins and cyclosporine derivatives. The cyclosporine derivatives of the present invention are produced by chemical and isotopic substitution of the cyclosporine A (CsA) molecule by: (1) Chemical substitution and optionally deuterium substitution of amino acid 1; and (2) deuterium substitution at key sites of metabolism of the cyclosporine A molecule such as amino acids 1, 4, 9. Also disclosed are methods of producing the cyclosporine derivatives and method of producing immunosuppression with reduced toxicity with the disclosed cyclosporine derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for assaying for modulators of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention also provides means to sensitize a proliferating cell to a DNA base-damaging agent by administration of novel inhibitors of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention further provides polypeptides which interfere with the ability of Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes to cause a pause at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle in response to GADD45, and nucleic acids which encode such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel genes encoding an angiotensin converting enzyme, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2). The invention provides therapeutics, prognostic and diagnostics methods for treating blood pressure related disorders as well as various types of allergic conditions, among others. Also disclosed are screening assays for identifying compounds for treating and preventing these conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preserving the stability of a hemoglobin blood substitute comprising maintaining the hemoglobin blood substitute in an atmosphere substantially free of oxygen. The invention also involves a method for producing a stable polymerized hemoglobin blood-substitute from blood. The method of this invention includes mixing blood with an anticoagulant to form a blood solution, washing the red blood cells in the blood solution and then separating the washed red blood cells from the white blood cells. This method also includes disrupting the red blood cells to release hemoglobin and form a hemoglobin solution, which is then treated by high performance liquid chromatography to form a hemoglobin eluate. The hemoglobin eluate is then deoxygenated, contacted with a first sulfhydryl compound to form an oxidation-stabilized deoxygenated hemoglobin solution, and mixed with a cross-linking agent to form a polymerization reaction mixture, which is then polymerized.

Abstract: St. John's Wort has been indicated as a beneficial supplement to human diet. It has been traditionally provided as an extract, tincture, tea or capsule form, usually administered in amounts taken three times/day. It has been found that the manufacture of a tablet of this supplement material is a complex process, and that St. John's Wort extract is not amenable to wet tableting. A tablet which can be taken twice a day to provide a recommended supplemental level of St. John's Wort is described as comprising by weight of the tablet: 400 to 500 mg St. John's Wort extract as 57 to 75% by weight of the tablet, 1.0-5.0% by weight binder, 8-18% by weight dissolution regulator, up to 30% by weight filler, 0.2 to 5.0% by weight glidant, and 0.5 to 2.5% by weight lubricant/glidant. A process for manufacturing the tablet comprises the steps of a) mixing components comprising: 400 to 500 mg St. John's Wort extract as 57 to 75% by weight of the tablet, 1.0-5.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in certain tumor cells. The invention also relates to compounds identified by such methods. In addition, the invention relates to methods for the in vitro diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum and compounds useful in these methods.

Abstract: Hepatitis GB Virus (HGBV) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences, HGBV immunogenic particles, and antibodies which specifically bind to HGBV. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of bone healing and fracture repair comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a polypeptide analog of parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) and salts thereof, wherein amino acid residues 22-31 form an amphipathic &agr;-helix. Systemic administration is a preferred mode of delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immortalized precursor cell populations derived from embryonic stem cell populations and methods to produce such cell populations. Also disclosed is an assay to identify regulatory compounds capable of controlling cell growth for therapeutic and experimental use.

Abstract: “Minimalist” antimicrobial peptides are disclosed based on 50 to 80% &agr;,&agr;-dialkylated amino acids. The peptides are short, cationic, amphipathic, and possess a high helix propensity. Polar &agr;,&agr;-dialkylated amino acids are also disclosed. These peptides are easy and inexpensive to synthesize via solid-phase techniques. The peptides exhibit in vitro anti-bacterial properties at concentrations that are not lethal to normal mammalian cells. The peptides exhibit in vivo bioactivity against intracellular pathogens.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides are provided. The cyclic peptides comprise a classical cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptides and compositions for inducing apoptosis in cadherin-expressing cells, such as cancer cells, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stabilizing the content of glycated protein in a sample on a matrix material, which is characterized in that the matrix material is impregnated with boric acid buffer with a pH which is larger or equal to 10.5 or a transition metal salt as well as an appropriate matrix material, an element for collecting, transporting and storing sample material to be analyzed with such a matrix material and a system containing such an element and a sealable covering.

Abstract: A method for the generation of Ca++ independent antibodies against blood coagulation factors is described wherein an antibody selection strategy based upon small peptides comprising target sequences for limited proteolysis is employed. These antibodies which distinguish between intact and cleaved species of haemostatic protein provide novel tools for the isolation of intact haemostatic proteins.