Abstract: The present invention provides a means for increasing the serum half-life of a selected biologically active agent by utilizing transthyretin (TTR) as a fusion partner with a biologically active agent. Specifically, the present invention provides substantially homogenous preparations of TTR (or a TTR variant)-biologically active agent fusions and PEG-TTR (PEG-TTR variant)-biologically active agent fusions. As compared to the biologically active agent alone, the TTR-biologically active agent fusion and/or PEG-TTR-biologically active agent fusion has substantially increased serum half-life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide of linear, non-cyclic structure consisting of or comprising 17 to 23 amino acids, wherein the amino acids in positions 1 to 23, counted from the N-terminus, are as follows (1) G, S or lacking; (2) C or lacking; (3) K or R; (4) K or R; (5) Y, W or F; (6) K or R; (7) K or R; (8) F, W or L; (9) K or R; (10) K or L or lacking; (11) W, L or F; (12) K or R; (13) F, Y or C; (14) K or R; (15) G or Q; (16) K or R; (17) F, L or W; (18) F or W; (19) F, L or W; (20) W or F; (21) C or lacking; (22) F or G or lacking (23) G or lacking. Further, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the peptide of the invention, an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, a host cell which may be grown in cell culture comprising the vector of the invention, and a method of producing the peptide of the invention comprising culturing the host cell of the invention and collecting the peptide produced.

Abstract: Template-fixed ?-hairpin peptidomimetics of the general formula (I) wherein Z is a template-fixed chain of 4 ?-amino acid residues which, depending on their positions in the chain (counted starting from the N-terminal amino acid) are Gly, or of certain types which, as the remaining symbols in the above formula, are defined in the description and the claims, and salts thereof, have the property to agonize or to antagonize GPCR receptors such as CXCR3, urotensin and CCR10. They can be used as medicaments to treat or prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, dermatological disorders, endocrine system and hormone disorders, metabolic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, haematological diseases and cancer. These ?-hairpin peptidomimetics can be manufactured by a process which is based on a mixed solid- and solution phase synthetic strategy.

Abstract: The invention comprises peptidyl analogs that possess agonist or antagonist ghrelin activity, along with therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: A composite hydrogel comprises an amphiphilic triblock copolymer (ABA) and a loaded micelle bound by noncovalent interactions. The loaded micelle comprises a biologically active substance and an amphiphilic diblock copolymer (CD). The A blocks comprise a steroidal repeat unit (repeat unit 1) having both a backbone carbonate and a side chain bearing a steroid functional group. Each of the A blocks has a degree of polymerization of about 0.5 to about 4.0. The B block comprises a first poly(alkylene oxide) backbone. The C block comprises a second poly(alkylene oxide) backbone. The D block comprises a steroidal repeat unit (repeat unit 2) having both a backbone carbonate group and a side chain comprising a steroid functional group. The composite hydrogel is capable of controlled release of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a GPR40 activating agent containing, as an active ingredient, a novel compound having a GPR40 agonist action, a salt of the compound, a solvate of the compound or the salt, or the like, particularly, an insulin secretagogue and a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent against diabetes, obesity, or other diseases. [Means of Solving the Problem] A compound of Formula (I): (where p is 0 to 4; j is 0 to 2; k is 0 to 1; a ring A is an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a cycroalkyl group, a cycroalkenyl group, a spirocyclic group; a ring B is an aryl group, a heteroaryl group; X is O or —NR7—; and R1 to R7 and L are specific groups), a salt of the compound, or a solvate of the compound or the salt.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions comprising a synergistic fungicidal combination of a polyene fungicide and at least one lipopeptide and methods for using such compositions in controlling fungal pathogens.

Abstract: New mutant forms of TRIM5? comprising one or more mutations at amino acid positions corresponding to amino acids 324, 328, 330, 333, 335, 336 and/or 337 of wild-type human TRIM5? and which inhibit retrovirus replication are described. These mutants may be used, for example, in gene therapy applications for the prevention and/or treatment of retroviral infection and associated conditions, such as HIV-1 infection and AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of general formula (I), wherein ring A, ring B, R1, R2, R3, Z, and L1 are selected independently of each other and are as defined herein, to compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds as glucagon receptor antagonists and for the treatment or prevention of type 2 diabetes and conditions related thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound characterized by comprising a linker, an oxygen-concentration-responsive phosphorophore which is linked to a first end of the linker, and a fluorophore which is lined to a second end of the linker. In the compound, it is preferred that the triplet level of the phosphorophore be lower than that of the fluorophore. The compound can be used as an oxygen-responsive luminescent probe.

Abstract: Provided herein are zymogen activating molecules such as zymogen activating peptides, and methods of identifying and using these zymogen activating molecules such as zymogen activating peptides.

Abstract: The invention is directed to liquid enteral nutritional compositions comprising a protein fraction comprising more than 25 weight % and up to 80 weight % of a vegetable protein comprising at least a source of pea protein, and a fat fraction comprising (a) 8 to 15 weight % of linoleic acid; (b) 3.0 to 6.0 weight % of a combination of alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, wherein the amount of ALA is >2.5 weight % and the combined amount of DHA and EPA is ?2.5 weight %; (c) 10 to 20 weight % of at least one medium-chain fatty acid; and (d) 35 to 79 weight % of at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid. The compositions provide for a healthy and balanced diet, which is well-tolerated and minimises clinical complications that are frequently associated with the administration of enteral nutrition in patients using tube feeding, especially with respect to a reduced gastric emptying.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze) in food consumable by humans and animals are provided. Also provided are methods and systems for inactivating Aze in food and byproducts, as well as other methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders associated with Aze.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to ester insulin or derivatives thereof are provided. The compositions include GluA4-ThrB30 ester insulin, in which side chains of GluA4 and ThrB30 of native human insulin or an insulin analogue such as insulin lispro are covalently linked via a single ester bond. The ester insulin is efficiently folded, forming the desired disulfides. The ThrB30-GluA4 ester bond can be cleaved in vitro or in vivo to give the desired folded insulin with full biological activity. The ester insulin is readily prepared by total chemical synthesis, and amendable to cost-effective, large scale manufacturing. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and kits for use in practicing the subject methods. Also provided are methods of using the subject compositions and kits in the treatment of a variety of different disease conditions, particularly glucose metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula X-[Q-W—(CH?CH)n—(CH2)2-L]m (I) in which X represents a polymer; Q represents a linking group; W represents an electron-withdrawing group; n represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 4; L represents a leaving group; and m represent an integer of from 1 to 8. The compounds find use in the conjugation of biological molecules.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cell penetrating peptide. The cell penetrating peptide includes an amino acid sequence of Dn, in which D represents an aspartate residue and 2?n?15.

Abstract: There is described a composition comprising a therapeutically active imidazole, and derivatives thereof, and an agent active on a bacterial cell surface selected from the group consisting of one or more of colistin, nisin, D-cycloserine, fosfomycin, fosfomycin trometamol, fosfomycin disodium and polymixin B, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides 4-amino-4-oxobutanoyl peptides of Formula I and the pharmaceutically salts and hydrates thereof. The variables R, R1, R6-R8, R16, R18, R19, M, n, T, Y, and Z are defined herein. Certain compounds of Formula I are useful as antiviral agents. The 4-amino-4-oxobutanoyl peptides disclosed herein are potent and/or selective inhibitors of viral replication, particularly Hepatitis C virus replication. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more 4-amino-4-oxobutanoyl peptides and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Such pharmaceutical compositions may contain a 4-amino-4-oxobutanoyl peptides as the only active agent or may contain a combination of a 4-amino-4-oxobutanoyl peptides and one or more other pharmaceutically active agents. The invention also provides methods for treating viral infections, including Hepatitis C infections.

Abstract: Host RNA/viral protein interaction as a target of intervention in the replication of viruses, e.g., the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are described. The target being upstream of the final replication product, and being crucial to the viral replication, is less likely to be genetically altered to drug resistance. Peptides that intervene in this RNA/viral protein interaction are also described, as well as compositions containing the same and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is an inhibitor of the trypsin-like ?2/?2i sites of the proteasome. The inhibitor is characterized as being a peptide-based epoxyketone or vinyl sulfone that contains an arginine or 4-aminomethylene-L-phenylalanine at the C-terminus (i.e., at the P1 position). Methods for using the inhibitor to inhibit the activity of the ?2/?2i site of a proteasome and treat a proteasome-mediated disease or condition are also described.