Abstract: Disclosed is a method of stimulating bone growth at a site in a subject in need of osteoinduction. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agonist of the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor to the site.

Abstract: There are provided a genomic DNA comprising 4 exons encoding the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and 3 introns ligating them, and a splicing variant of said genomic DNA; as well as a DNA having the base sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 and a promoter activity and the fragment thereof, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods to detect of modulators of the Receptor for Advanced Glycated Endproducts (RAGE). The invention comprises a method for detection of RAGE modulators comprising: adsorbing a RAGE ligand onto a solid surface; adding a compound of interest and a protein comprising RAGE or fragment thereof, to the preadsorbed ligand; adding an antibody which binds to RAGE or fragment thereof and a secondary antibody which binds to the anti-RAGE antibody; measuring the secondary antibody bound to the anti-RAGE antibody; and comparing the amount of RAGE bound to the ligand in the presence of varying amounts of the compound of interest. In an embodiment, the fragment of RAGE is sRAGE. In one aspect, the invention use of compounds detected by the method for treatment of AGE-related syndromes including complications associated with diabetes, kidney failure, lupus nephritis or inflammatory lupus nephritis, amyloidoses, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, inflammation, and erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of A? in the brain of a patient. Such methods entail administering agents that induce a beneficial immunogenic response against the amyloid deposit. The methods are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Preferred agents including N-terminal fragments of A? and antibodies binding to the same.

Abstract: A method for screening substances which are useful as effective components of prophylactic or therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases caused by the binding of an aberrant protein and a valosin-containing protein, wherein the aberrant protein and the valosin-containing protein and the candidate substance are made to coexist, and the substance that shows inhibitory action on the binding of the aberrant protein and the valosin-containing protein is identified, is provided.

Abstract: Human semaphorin 6A-1, a novel gene involved in neuronal development and regeneration mechanisms, is described.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel polypeptide useful in the field of medicines, a novel DNA which encodes the novel polypeptide, a recombinant DNA molecule which contains the novel DNA, a transformant transformed with the novel DNA or the recombinant DNA molecule, a process for the purification of the novel polypeptide, a process for the production of the novel polypeptide, an antibody which recognizes the novel polypeptide, an oligonucleotide complementary to the novel DNA and a novel screening method. Particularly this invention provides a novel polypeptide which is Fas ligand or a fragment thereof. This novel polypeptide can be used as an effective ingredient of a medicament for regulating the apoptosis in a living body. This novel polypeptide is obtained by identifying a DNA fragment which encodes the novel polypeptide, transforming a desired host with a recombinant DNA molecule which contains the DNA fragment and purifying the novel polypeptide produced by the resulting transformant.

Abstract: Multipotent neural stem cell (MNSC) progeny are induced to generate cells of the hematopoietic system by placing the MNSC progeny in a hematopoietic-inducing environment. The hematopoietic-inducing environment can be either ex vivo or in vivo. A mammal's circulatory system provides an in vivo environment that can induce xenogeneic, allogeneic, or autologous MNSC progeny to generate a full complement of hematopoietic cells. Transplantation of MNSC progeny provides an alternative to bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat blood-related disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of stimulating bone growth at a site in a subject in need of osteoinduction. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agonist of the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor to the site.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encoding a novel potassium channel polypeptide, KCNQ5, that is expressed primarily in brain and skeletal muscle is described. The new polypeptide has been cloned and isolated from a human brain cDNA library and is a member the KCNQ family of potassium channels. The provided human KCNQ5 nucleic acid sequence and encoded polypeptide can be employed for diagnostic, screening and therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remedy for neuropathy, such as nerve injury, nerve degeneration, and hypofunction upon nerve grafting, which contains as the active ingredient galectin-1 having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or its derivative; a protein having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or one having a homology of 90% or more at the amino acid level with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and carrying a disulfide bond(s) at least between Cys at the 16-position (Cys 16) and Cys at the 88-position (Cys 88) among cystein residues at the 2-position (Cys 2), 16-position (Cys 16), 42-position (Cys 42), 60-position (Cys 60), 88-position (Cys 88) and 130-position (Cys 130); and a process for producing the galectin-1 or its derivative protein by using an affinity column having an antibody to the above protein.

Abstract: The invention features methods of treatment and diagnosis using NRG-2 polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies. The invention also provides novel NRG-2 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding TfR2 polypeptides, or fragments thereof, and isolated TfR2 polypeptides encoded thereby. Further provided are vectors containing the nucleic acids of the present invention, host cells transformed therewith, antisense oligonucleotides thereto and compositions containing antibodies that specifically bind to invention polypeptides. Methods of detecting TfR2 protein in a cell are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the Human genome, the GPCR peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the GPCR peptides and methods of identifying modulators of the GPCR peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a peripheral marker or marker of blood brain barrier integrity and methods of using them in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of a variety of diseases. The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, compositions, kits, and assays useful in determining the integrity or permeability of a blood brain barrier. The various embodiments of the present invention can be used to identify subjects at risk for developing a disease associated with increased permeability of the blood brain barrier, as well as to provide insight on the ability of an agent or agents to pass the blood brain barrier. Preferably, increased levels of S100? protein are used alone or in combination with other markers of diseased state in order to diagnose and prognosticate permeability of the BBB.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel assay methods for identifying compounds that may have both estrogen agonist and antagonist properties. In particular, the assay use cells comprising promoters having an AP1 site linked to a reporter gene. Compounds capable of inducing or blocking expression of the reporter gene can thus be identified. The compounds may be further tested for the ability to modulate the standard estrogen response, as well.

Abstract: Use of natural human ?-interferon for the preparation of a medicament in liquid form to be administered through peroral route at dosages comprised between 100 UI and 500 UI/day, for therapy of viral infections, in particular viral hepatitis, neoplasia and immune diseases in humans and animals.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening for a compound for promoting wakefulness in a mammal. The method is practiced by providing a compound that is a PrRP receptor agonist and determining the ability of the compound to promote wakefulness. Also provided by the invention are methods of screening for a compound for promoting sleep in a mammal. The methods are practiced by providing a compound that is a PrRP receptor antagonist and determining the ability of the compound to promote sleep. In addition, the invention provides a method of promoting wakefulness in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering to a mammal an effective amount of a PrRP receptor agonist. The invention further provides a method of promoting sleep in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering to a mammal an effective amount of a PrRP receptor antagonist.

Abstract: FK506 and geldanamycin promote nerve regeneration by a common mechanism that involves the binding of these compounds to polypeptide components of steroid receptor-complexes other than the steroid hormone binding portion of the complex (FKBP52 and hsp90, respectively). These and other agents cause hsp90 dissociation from steroid receptor complexes or block association of hsp90 with steroid receptor complexes.