Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptides of a four helix bundle formed of two dimerized helix-loop-helix motifs, wherein either both have a sequence according to SEQ. ID No. 1, SEQ. ID No. 2, SEQ. ID No. 3, SEQ. ID No. 4, SEQ. ID No. 5, or SEQ. ID No. 7, or one has a sequence according to SEQ. ID No. 6, and the other one has a sequence according to SEQ. ID No. 1, SEQ. ID No. 2, SEQ. ID No. 3, SEQ. ID No. 4, SEQ. ID No. 5 or SEQ. ID No. 7.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of diagnosing or treating a biological subject, such as a person or animal, comprising the steps of subjecting at least a microsample of the subject's tissue to a physiological perturbation and measuring the response of the microsample to the perturbation using optical coherence tomography (OCT). In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of glucose in the microsample is perturbed, as by providing the subject with a high glucose drink, and subsequently monitoring at a high sample rate in a microsample by OCT. Pathology, such as diabetes, can be diagnosed by deviation of the concentration vs. time response over several cells (micro-oscillation) from the micro-oscillation in the cells of a healthy subject. Other applications include diagnosing or treating de-hydration and diseases that cause changes in the osmolyte concentrations and thus the osmotic pressure in the cells in tissue.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to analogs of peptides corresponding to class I MHC-restricted T cell epitopes and methods for their generation. These analogs can contain amino acid substitutions at residues that directly interact with MHC molecules, and can confer improved, modified or useful immunologic properties. Additionally, classes of analogs, in which the various substitutions comprise the non-standard residues norleucine and/or norvaline, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber-shaping peptides that are capable of interacting with self-assembling peptides to form protein structures. The present invention also relates to methods of forming protein structures using the fiber-shaping peptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to new kahalalide antitumoral compounds, in particular to analogues of kahalalide F, useful as antitumoral, antiviral, antifungal agents and in the treatment of psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides analogues of duocarmycins that are potent cytotoxins. Also provided are peptidyl and disulfide linkers that are cleaved in vivo. The linkers are of use in forming prodrugs and conjugates of the cytotoxins of the invention as well as other diagnostic and therapeutic moieties. The invention provides prodrugs and conjugates of the duocarmycin analogues with the linker arms of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of peptidic conjugates containing Gly-His-Lys for producing dermatological or cosmetological compositions for stimulating hair growth or stopping hair fall.

Abstract: The invention relates to SAEP II peptide dimers that mimic polymyxin B i.a. in its ability to bind non-covalently the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria with high affinity, and therefore to detoxify LPS. The dimeric structure is maintained by a pair of disulphide bonds between two cystein residues present in the peptide sequence, which does not exceed 17 amino acids and essentially comprises cationic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. The peptides in the dimers may have a parallel or anti-parallel orientation. SAEP II dimers are useful for treating or preventing septic shock and related disorders generated by Gram-negative bacteria infection. The invention also relates to LPS-peptide complexes in which LPS and SAEP II diners are non-covalently bound together. These complexes are useful as vaccinal agents against Gram-negative bacteria infection.

Abstract: A system for generating an image of ultrastructural biomarkers from a biological sample is provided. The system includes a grid onto which a sample to be imaged may be placed and a cryogenic reservoir into which the grid and sample may be immersed for vitrification of the sample. The system also includes a stage onto which the grid and sample may be situated for subsequent imaging in a high contrast imager to permit identification of ultrastructural biomarkers therein. A method for generating an image of ultrastructural biomarkers from a biological sample is also provided. The generated image of ultrastructural biomarkers may be used subsequently for screening and monitoring diseases, evaluating drug and therapeutic efficacy, and assessing risks associated with a drug or therapeutic candidate, among other things.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 is (C1-8)alkyl, (C3-7)cycloalkyl, {(C1-6)alkyl-(C3-7)cycloalkyl} or Het, which are all optionally substituted from 1 to 3 times with halo, cyano, nitro, O—(C1-6)alkyl, amido, amino or phenyl, or R1 is C6 or C10 aryl which is optionally substituted from 1 to 3 times with halo, cyano, nitro, (C1-6)alkyl, O—(C1-6)alkyl, amido, amino or phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, useful as an inhibitor of the HCV NS3 protease.

Abstract: Disclosed are protease inhibitors for coronaviruses and SARS-CoV, or picornaviruses, and the use of these protease inhibitors for preventing, reducing, ameliorating and treating a disease or condition caused by coronaviruses and SARS-CoV, or picornaviruses. Also disclosed are methods of reducing or preventing the spread of coronavirus, or picornaviruses, and preventing or reducing the replication of coronavirus, or picornaviruses, with the compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of inhibitors of the HIV-1-PR homodimer which do not create resistance, by blocking the folding of single monomers with the help of peptides which attach to highly-conserved sites of the monomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing for the presence of infectious disease agents or host genetic markers comprising applying a device comprising an absorbent and porous material onto the introitus of a female patient; encouraging air drying of at least a portion of the collected vaginal discharge while the device is proximate to the introitus; and determining the presence of infectious disease agents or host genetic markers in the at least partially dried vaginal discharge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide sequence, a phage, an artificial protein or a chimeric molecule having a binding ability to titanium, silver, silicon, necessary to confer higher capacity of titanium, silver, silicon material with the use of soft matters, or to provide a complex of a peptide, a phage, an artificial protein or a chimeric molecule, and titanium, having the peptide sequence and functional peptide sequence. By bringing into contact a population of phage wherein said phage of said population collectively express a library of different peptide sequence, recovering titanium bound to phage particles via peptide sequence by centrifugation, proliferating the obtained phage particles in bacteria, and repeating panning operation and concentrating titanium binding phage clones. Among the phage clones, peptide RKLPDAPGMHTW (SEQ ID NO: 3) and the like is identified.

Abstract: The use of at least one GnRH analogue for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of side effects of ovarectomy or symptoms associated with reproductive senescence in female mammals, in particular urinary incontinence, hot flushes, and skin/hair changes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-HIV composition and to the method for producing it. The composition of the present invention comprises a polyanion and a molecule capable of inducing the exposure of the CD4i epitope of the gp120 viral protein. The polyanion may be chosen, for example, from the group consisting of heparin, heparan sulphate, and a polyanion equivalent to heparin or to heparan sulphate. The molecule capable of inducing the exposure of the CD4i epitope of the gp120 viral protein is a CD4 peptide or a derivative thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of said composition for producing a medicinal product, in particular a medicinal product intended for the treatment of AIDS.

Abstract: Peptide-based compounds including heteroatom-containing, three-membered rings efficiently and selectively inhibit specific activities of N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases. The activities of those Ntn having multiple activities can be differentially inhibited by the compounds described. For example, the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome may be selectively inhibited with the inventive compounds. The peptide-based compounds include at least three peptide units, an epoxide or aziridine, and functionalization at the N-terminus. Among other therapeutic utilities, the peptide-based compounds are expected to display anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention refers to the field of medicine and can be applied as a substance capable of regulating glucose level while treating and preventing diabetes mellitus. There is proposed a biologically active new tetrapeptide lysyl-glutamyl-aspartyl-tryp-tophane of general formula Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp-NH2 capable of regulating the glucose level, and pharmacological substance containing an effective amount of tetrapeptide lysyl-glutamyl-aspartyl-tryptophane of the general formula Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp-NH2. There is proposed the method of prevention and/or treatment of the diabetes mellitus, which consists in administering to a patient of the pharmacological substance, containing as an active peptide agent an effective amount of Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp-NH2 tetrapeptide in doses of 0.1-30 ?g/kg of the body weight at least once a day for a period necessary for attaining a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The embodiments provide compounds of the general formulas I-XIX, as well as compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a subject compound. The embodiments further provide treatment methods, including methods of treating flaviviral infection, including hepatitis C virus infection and methods of treating liver fibrosis, the methods generally involving administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a subject compound or composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I): (wherein R1 is a lower alkyl substituted by a lower alkoxy or a heterocyclic group, or a heterocyclic group; R2 is a lower alkyl optionally substituted by a phenyl; and R3 is a lower alkyl optionally substituted by a halogen, a lower alkoxy or a phenyl, or a fused polycyclic hydrocarbon group), which is well absorbed orally, exhibits durability of good blood level and has potent calpain inhibitory activity.