Abstract: A method of staining bacteria comprises: working a polymethine dye on a sample in the presence of a substance capable of reducing nitrite ions to stain bacteria in the sample. A method of detecting bacteria comprises the following steps of: (1) working a polymethine dye on a sample by a method as described above to stain bacteria in the sample, (2) introducing the thus treated sample into a detecting part of a flow cytometer and irradiating cells of the stained bacteria one by one with light to measure scattered light and fluorescent light emitted from each of the cells; and (3) discriminating the bacteria from other components in accordance with an intensity of a scattered light signal and an intensity of a fluorescent light signal or a pulse width reflecting the length of particles to count the bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic depsipeptides, especially 18-membered cyclohexadepsipeptides of general formula (I) and the salts thereof, wherein R1 represents nitrobenzyl or R?R?N-benzyl—wherein R? and R? independently represent hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C4-alkyl, formyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, or hydroxy-C1-C2-alkyl-sulfonyl-C1-C2-alkyl, or, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, R? and R? form an optionally substituted monocyclic or polycyclic, optionally bridged and/or spirocyclic, saturated or unsaturated heterocycle containing between one and three other heteroatoms from the group of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, or R? and R? together form C3-C5-alkylene monocarbonyl or an optionally substituted diacyl radical of a C4-C6-dicarboxylic acid—and R2, R3 and R4 independently represent C1-C4-alkyl.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) where Ar and R are as defined herein, possess antibacterial properties.

Abstract: The invention is related to phosphorus substituted anti-viral inhibitory compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: An immobilized protein catalyst is prepared by applying an adhesive to a polymeric support, applying a layer of a globular protein over the layer of adhesive, binding a crosslinking agent to the protein layer, and binding the protein catalyst by reaction with the crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I: wherein D, R4, R3, L0, L1, L2, R2 and RC are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, useful as inhibitors of the HCV NS3 protease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-natural amino acids and polypeptides that include at least one non-natural amino acid, and methods for making such non-natural amino acids and polypeptides. The non-natural amino acids, by themselves or as a part of a polypeptide, can include a wide range of possible functionalities, but typical have at least one oxime, carbonyl, dicarbonyl, and/or hydroxylamine group. Also disclosed herein are non-natural amino acid polypeptides that are further modified post-translationally, methods for effecting such modifications, and methods for purifying such polypeptides. Typically, the modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides include at least one oxime, carbonyl, dicarbonyl, and/or hydroxylamine group. Further disclosed are methods for using such non-natural amino acid polypeptides and modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and other biotechnology uses.

Abstract: The invention refers to a synergistic pharmaceutical combination which comprises (a) a first pharmaceutical composition containing an antidiabetic or anti-hyperlipidemic active agent and one or more conventional carrier(s), and (b) a second pharmaceutical composition containing a hydroximic acid derivative of the formula I and one or more conventional carrier(s). The pharmaceutical combination is suitable for the prevention or treatment of, among others, diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing polyfunctionalized peptides and/or proteins at non-adjacent designated sites via native chemical ligation. In certain embodiments, the inventive method is a method for preparing a polyfunctionalized peptide comprising a peptidic backbone made up of four or more amino acids, wherein two or more non-adjacent amino acids are independently subsituted with a moiety having the structure: wherein A and L1 are as defined herein. In certain other embodiments, the inventive method allows the preparation of polyfunctionalized peptides having the general structure: wherein A, RP0, RP1, PX1, RX2, L1, to, s, t and q are as defined herein.

Abstract: Methods are provided for administering pirfenidone to a patient that has exhibited abnormal biomarkers of liver function in response to pirfenidone administration. The methods include administering to a patient pirfenidone at doses lower than the full target dosage for a time period, followed by administering to the patient pirfenidone at the full target dosage. The methods also include administering pirfenidone at the full target dose with no reduction and administering permanently reduced doses of pirfenidone.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions comprising a prodrug, the prodrug comprising a therapeutically active drug; and a peptide selected from the group consisting of the sequences: Ser-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Gln (SEQ ID NO:1);Gly-Lys-Ser-Gln-Tyr-Gln (SEQ ID NO:2); and Gly-Ser-Ala-Lys-Tyr-Gln (SEQ ID NO:3) wherein the peptide is linked to the therapeutically active drug to inhibit the therapeutic activity of the drug, and wherein the therapeutically active drug is cleaved from the peptide upon proteolysis by an enzyme having a proteolytic activity of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The invention further provides methods of making and using the claimed compositions.

Abstract: Semi-synthetic glycopeptides having antibacterial activity are based on modifications of the eremomycin, A82846B, vancomycin, teicoplanin, and A-40,926 scaffolds, in particular, acylation of the sugar moieties on these scaffolds with certain acyl groups; and/or conversion of an acid moiety on the macrocyclic ring of these scaffolds to certain substituted amides; or having a combination of an alkylation modification of the amino substituent on the amino-substituted sugar moiety on these scaffolds with certain alkyl groups or acylation modification of the amino substituent on the amino-substituted sugar moiety on this scaffold with certain alkyl groups, and conversion of the acid moiety on the macrocyclic ring of this scaffolds to certain substituted amides. Also provided are methods for the synthesis of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, and methods of use of the compounds for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating individuals having inflammation or preventing inflammation in individuals at risk for inflammation, more specifically individuals with chronic inflammation as evidenced by elevated C-reactive protein, serum fibrinogen, elevated platelet count and platelet activity, elevated blood glucose, any component or combination of components of the metabolic syndrome by using the selected immunoregulators. The present invention also includes a method for preventing the development of inflammation in individuals at risk for inflammation by using the selected immunoregulators, and for deferring progression of the inflammatory state to the more specific outcomes of the Metabolic Syndrome including diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and cancer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which inhibit the apoptotic activity associated with oxidative stress in many disease states. According to the invention, inhibition of chemical cleavage of PKC? by caspase-3 results in reduction of apoptosis. Novel peptide inhibitors with the amino acid motif Asp Ile Pro Asp (SEQ ID NO:5) are also disclosed. The peptides are useful as inhibitors of PKC?-mediated apoptosis and oxidative stress, and other diseases regulated by a catalytically active PKC?.

Abstract: Combinatorially generated peptides are provided that have binding affinity for polystyrene (PS). The peptides may be used to deliver benefit agents to various PS surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dietary product comprising ?-polyglutamic acid (?-PGA, H form), and/or one or more of its salts (i.e., ?-polyglutamate in Na+ form, ?-polyglutamate in K+ form, ?-polyglutamate in NH4+ form, ?-polyglutamate in Mg++ form, and ?-polyglutamate in Ca++ form) for use as a nutrition supplement.

Abstract: The invention features a method of treating deficiency of insulin in a patient, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof hedgehog protein or nucleic acid in an amount effective to raise the level of insulin in the patient.

Abstract: A method is presented for the preparation and use of fluorogenic peptide substrates that allows for the configuration of general substrate libraries to rapidly identify the primary and extended specificity of enzymes, such as proteases. The substrates contain a fluorogenic-leaving group, such as 7-amino-4-carbamoylmethyl-coumarin (ACC). Substrates incorporating the ACC leaving group show comparable kinetic profiles as those with the traditionally used 7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin (AMC) leaving group. The bifunctional nature of ACC allows for the efficient production of single substrates and substrate libraries using solid-phase synthesis techniques.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, bioactive polymers are provided which have (a) a hydrophilic bioactive portion and (b) at least one hydrophobic polymer group that is linked to the hydrophilic bioactive portion by a covalent linkage that contains a chain transfer agent residue. According to another aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided with bioactive surface by coating them with a coating material that contains such bioactive polymers.

Abstract: Methods for making an immunogenic conjugate that includes a hapten or an antigen covalently linked to a carrier. The methods include reacting a first agent with a dihydrazide resulting in a hydrazino-modified first agent, wherein the first agent is a hapten, an antigen or a carrier; reacting a second agent with a benzaldehyde compound resulting in a benzaldehyde-modified second agent, wherein the second agent is a hapten, an antigen or a carrier, provided that the first agent or the second agent is a carrier; and reacting the hydrazine-modified first agent with the benzaldehyde-modified second agent resulting in an immunogenic conjugate comprising a hapten or an antigen covalently linked to a carrier via a hydrazone linkage.