Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF); pharmaceutical compositions thereof and therapeutic and prophylactic methods to increase the hematocrit are disclosed herein. Increase in hematocrit and reticulocyte count is observed by IGF-I treatment alone or in combination with an other cytokine or growth factor. Also disclosed is the synergistic effect of EPO and IGF-I on hematocrit and reticulocyte count, and the use thereof for treating disease associated with a low erythropoietin level.

Abstract: Derivatized calcitonin molecules, pharmaceutical compositions comprising derivatized calcitonins, and methods of reducing serum calcium in a patient using the derivatized calcitonins are disclosed. The molecules are characterized by a derivatized amino terminus formed by combining a calcitonin with a cyclic, polycyclic or heterocyclic moiety. Multimeric forms of the molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reducing the extent of tissue ischemia and reperfusion injury in a warm-blooded mammal is disclosed which comprises administering by local, regional, or systemic perfusion to the site of a bodily injury subject to interval tissue ischemia in said mammal a small but effective amount of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) sufficient to reduce the extent of said tissue ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Abstract: The cytostatic, cyclic peptides; phakellistatin 4, phakellistatin 5, phakellistatin 6, phakellistatin 7, phakellistatin 8 and phakellistatin 9 were isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean sponge Phakellia costata. Structural determination was accomplished by utilizing high-field, 2D-NMR experiments and confirmed by results of FAB-MS/MS studies. The absolute configurations were deduced by analyzing the acid hydrolysates using chiral gas chromatographic analytical techniques. The new cyclic peptides were found to have significant in vitro P388 ED.sub.50 values which range between 0.18 .mu.g/ml and 4.1 .mu.g/ml.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind selectins, including endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1). Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for blocking adhesion of leukocytes to the selectins for the purpose of inhibiting inflammation as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics that bind selectins for the purpose of determining the site of inflammation in mammals which inflammation is mediated by the presence of one or more selectins.

Abstract: Tetrapeptides of general formula (I) deriving from dalbaheptide antibiotics ##STR1## wherein: W and Z represent the relative portions of the aglycon of an antibiotic of the dalbaheptide group (aglucodalbaheptides);Y represents a carboxylic group or a functional derivative of said carboxylic group;R and R.sub.0 each independently represent amino or a protected amino group;R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or a protecting group of the carboxylic function;and its salts with acids and bases as well as its inner salts.A process for producing the tetrapeptides of formula (I) from the corresponding dalbaheptides and aglucodalbaheptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treatment of humans exposed to bacterial endotoxin in circulation by administration of bactericidal/permeability-increasing (BPI) protein products. Serologically and hematologically verifiable alleviation of endotoxin mediated increases in circulating cytokines, fibrinolysis and coagulation factors and changes in lymphocyte counts are observed upon such treatment. Also observed is alleviation of endotoxin mediated decreases in systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and concomitant increases in cardiac index (CI).

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: A' is absent, Asn, Gln, Ala or Abu;A is absent or a D- or L-amino acid chosen from Arg, HArg, (Me.sub.2)Arg, (Et.sub.2)Arg, Abu, Ala, Gly, His, Lys, or an .alpha.-R' substituted derivative thereof, Dtc, Tpr and Pro;B is a D- or L-amino acid chosen from Arg, HArg, NArg, (Me.sub.2)Arg, (Et.sub.2)Arg and Lys or an .alpha.-R' substituted derivative thereof;Q is absent or a D or L amino acid chosen from Tyr, (Alk)Tyr, Phe, (4'W)Phe, HPhe, Phg, Pro, Trp, His, Ser, (Alk)Ser, Thr, (Alk)Thr, (Alk)Cys, (Alk)Pen, Ala, Val, Nva, Met, Leu, Ile, Nle and Nal, or an .alpha.-R' substituted derivative thereof;M is absent or Gly or a D- or L-amino acid chosen from Glu, Phe, Pro, Lys and Ser or, provided n is 1, B-Gly-Glu-Q;W is halogen or Alk;R' is Alk or PhCH.sub.2 ; ##STR2## wherein Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are linked via a covalent bond between L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 ; or Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides having specificity for fibronectin-binding and vitronectin-binding integrins, and in particular for .alpha..sub.5 .beta..sub.1 integrin. These peptides are characterized by having the ability to interfere with fibronectin binding to .alpha..sub.5 .beta..sub.1 integrin, to block attachment of cells expressing integrins to extracellular matrix proteins and to promote cell attachment when immobilized onto a surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a polypeptide represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, ester or salt thereof:His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Gln-NH-CHX-CO-A la-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Y SEQ ID NO: 13 (I)wherein X is hydrogen atom; or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy group, substituted or unsubstituted amino group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, and substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and Y is one of amino acids or peptides consisting of 1 to 16 amino acid residues counted from the N-terminal side of Leu-Ala-Ala-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Arg-Tyr-Lys-Gln-Arg-Val-Lys-Asn-Lys SEQ ID NO: 20, and (2) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, ester or salt thereof, which has remarkable c-AMP activity and is useful as a nerve activating agent.

Abstract: Methods and kits for reducing the transmission of infectious agents contained in biological fluid samples are provided. The methods include contacting the biological sample with a fixative solution containing a fixative present at a concentration sufficient to simultaneously disinfect the sample and fix analytes contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing the duration of detectable photon emission of a luciferase-luciferin reaction. The method provides a luciferase-luciferin reaction in which photon emission can be detected for up to and including eight hours. A method of the present invention can also be used to detect the presence of luciferase in biological samples. The present invention also provides a composition used in detecting the presence of luciferase in biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shark cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same, these extracts having anti-angiogenic properties (reduction of the area of blood vessels observed in vivo on experimentally induced tumors), tumor regressive activity in vivo as well as demonstrating a direct inhibitory effect on tumor cell lines. This process does not involve any denaturing solvent or product and does not involve the use of any enzymes. It consists of obtaining a blend of whole cartilage in an aqueous solution of neutral pH, preferably pure water, this blend being centrifuged and the pellet and supernatant kept for further processing. The pellet is lyophylized and tested for anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities in vivo and in vitro, with or without supernatant. The supernatant has been shown to have anti-angiogenic and tumor regressive activities in vivo. The composition of the supernatant has then been investigated by different ways.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, stabilized dispersions of collagen fibers that have been treated in order to inactivate infectious agents and methods of stabilizing such collagen fibers are provided.

Abstract: A potassium aluminosilicate is used as a filtration media for filtering water to remove dissolved oxygen, hardness and other dissolved gases and impurities from the water, such as ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and sodium sulfite. The particular potassium aluminosilicate is a mesoporous amorphous material formed under ultraviolet light or sunlight to produce pore sizes of 60 .ANG. to 250 .ANG. at ambient temperatures (20.degree. C.-35.degree. C.) and in a low relative humidity (5%-20%). Sodium may be displaced in the zeolite media by potassium so that advantageous removal of impurities in the water occurs without introducing sodium into the water. The potassium aluminosilicate of the present invention may be used as a second stage filter to a first stage filter composed of strong base anion media charge with potassium carbonate or bicarbonate.

Abstract: Systemic delivery of parathyroid hormone to a mammalian host is accomplished by inhalation through the mouth of a dispersion of an N-terminal fragment of PTH. It has been found that such respiratory delivery of the PTH fragment provides a pulsatile concentration profile of the PTH in the host's serum. PTH fragment compositions include dry powder formulations having the PTH present in a dry bulking powder, liquid solutions or suspensions suitable for nebulization, and aerosol propellants suitable for use in a metered dose inhaler.

Abstract: A method for effecting the initiation of a molecular process or reaction in a substance, which comprises bringing the substance into contact with a surface of a cold cathode device and applying an electric potential across the cold cathode device to cause electrons to be emitted from the surface thereof with an energy level sufficient to effect the initiation.

Abstract: Blood loss in a patient undergoing surgery, particularly thoracic or abdominal surgery, is reduced by administration of factor XIII. The factor XIII may be administered in combination with aprotinin.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition effective on contact with thrombin at a site of treatment in a patient as a tissue adhesive, hemostat or sealant, said composition comprising non-autologous, non-single donor mammalian fibrinogen that is capable of polymerizing when provided in solution at said site at a concentration of about 30 mg/ml thereof or less, to a fibrin network having therapeutically effective strength, wherein said composition contains less than about 30% (w/w), based on total protein mass present therein, of proteins other than fibrinogen, and further comprises a sufficient amount of one or more low molecular weight physiologically-compatible solutes such that said composition, if formulated as a lyophilized material, can be reconstituted therefrom at room temperature in sterile water for injection in about 30 minutes or less, at about 25 mg/ml of said fibrinogen. Additionally, methods for producing and maintaining said composition, and methods for the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-obesity proteins, which when administered to a patient regulate fat tissue. Accordingly, such agents allow patients to overcome their obesity handicap and live normal lives with much reduced risk for type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.