Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide of the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents SO3H or H; X represents an &agr;-amino acid or a single bond; Z1 and Z2 are the same or different and each represents an &agr;-amino acid; and Y represents OH or NH2. This peptide has plant growth factor properties.

Abstract: Controlled cessation of heart beat during coronary bypass surgery and other cardiac surgeries on a beating heart improves surgical technique, and is achieved typically by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve and administration of a combination of drugs.

Abstract: A method for the solubilization and/or naturation of a somatotropin involves contacting a somatotropin with a detergent composition and water under conditions effective to obtain a naturated somatotropin, wherein the detergent composition may be a C10, C12, C16 or C18 acyl glutamate, a C10, C14 or C18 alkyl sulfate, an alcohol ethoxy sulfate, lauroyl ethylenediamine-triacetic acid (LEDA), a C10 to C18 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, diphenyl disulfonate or an acyl amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds useful to inhibit tumor growth and to induce apoptosis. In general, the anti-cancer agents (ACA) are described by the formula: [ACA]n-X  [Formula I] wherein X is a linker group having 2-5 functional groups or is absent, n=1, and ACA is selected from the group consisting of Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, and Formula VI, as described herein. Other compounds described herein are defined by the Formula VII, as described herein.

Abstract: The invention concerns antimicrobial cyclic peptides and peptide analogs having relatively low hemolytic activity. Peptides of the invention are effective in killing and/or inhibiting growth of a number of microorganisms, including gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi and mycoplasma. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or killing such microorganisms, and therapeutic preparations for such inhibiting or killing.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of treating polycystic ovary syndrome in a subject in need of such treatment comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structural formula I: to the subject. The present invention further provides for a method for improving fertility and the response to in vitro fertilization (I.V.F.), comprising administration of therapeutically effective amount of compound of structural formula I to the subject. Further, the present invention provides for compositions useful in the methods of the present invention, as well as a method of manufacture of a medicament useful for treating polycystic ovary syndrome or for improving fertility or the response to in vitro fertilization (I.V.F.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions, in particular to compositions comprising calcitonin or a fragment or conjugate thereof and to methods for preparing such compositions. It also relates to oral formulations comprising the compositions and to shelf stable formulations of calcitonin or a fragment or conjugate thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands for melanocortin receptors. For example, the invention provides the melanocortin receptor peptide ligand Ac-Nlc-Gln-His-(p(I)-D-Phe)-Arg-(D-Trp)-Cly-NH2, (SEQ ID NO: 1), where the iodo group is unlabeled or radioactively labeled. The invention additionally provides methods of assaying for melanocortin receptors in a cell or tissue such as brain. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a melanocortin receptor ligand and to methods of administering the pharmaceutical composition to a subject. The invention further provides tetrapeptide ligands for melanocortin receptors and methods of altering melanocortin receptor activity.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides are provided. The cyclic peptides comprise a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptides and compositions for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Agents for preventing and treating thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura and various diseases that tend to cause bleeding due, presumably, to thrombocytopenia contain a parathyroid hormone (PTH) or at least one PTH derivative as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical and/or veterinary formulation for sustained release of a peptide agonist or analogue, comprising about 2-15% (w/w) of at least one peptide agonist or analogue other than deslorelin (on an active basis), about 0.5-3.5% (w/w) lecithin and the balance stearin. The formulation preferably comprises a GnRH agonist or analogue and is used for the treatment of various conditions where suppression of sex hormone levels is beneficial, particularly prostate cancer, ovarian and breast cancer, and benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for minimizing oxidative damage in an animal or human during or after malnutrition, underfeeding or fasting, especially during refeeding after undernutrition or malnutrition, and for minimizing oxidant damage during or after toxicity resulting from chemotherapy, alcoholism, irradiation therapy or chemical or environmental exposure to a toxic compound. Administration of an effective amount of a gut trophic growth factor (GTGF) effective for improving gut and/or systemic antioxidant status results in improved clinical condition and/or outcome for the patient or animal to which the GTGF has been administered. In the context of the present disclosure, GTGF includes fibroblast growth factors, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I, glucagon, glicentin, and glucagon-like peptide.

Abstract: Modulating agents comprising cyclic peptides, and compositions comprising such modulating agents are provided. The cyclic peptides comprise a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptides and compositions for modulating and/or directing neurite outgrowth in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions are described, which comprise: a) a peptide poorly soluble in aqueous physiological saline solution, as active ingredient; b) a non-ionic aromatic hydrotropic pharmaceutically acceptable agent; and c) a physiological aqueous solution.

Abstract: Storage-stable, citrus-flavored compositions comprising citral or a citral derivative as the flavoring agent and a plant extract as the stabilizing agent. The plant extract inhibits the formation of p-methylacetophenone, thereby preventing the development of off-flavors and off odors, and increasing the shelf life of the composition.

Abstract: Phosphopeptides which significantly reduce bone loss or weakening are provided by the invention. Also provided is a method for treating or preventing any condition associated with bone loss or weakening by administering the phosphopeptides by oral or injectable means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of pentapeptide analogs of LHRH. These compounds are useful in the treatment of disease conditions which are mediated by reproductive hormones, including benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate tumors, breast and ovaries tumors, cryptorchidism, hirsuitism, gastric motility disorders, dysmenorrhea, and endometriosis.

Abstract: A method of treatment for human patients with an acquired hypercoagulable state or acquired protein C deficiency associated with sepsis, purpura fulminans, meningococcal sepsis, bone marrow and other transplantations, severe burns, pregnancy, major surgery, severe trauma, or ARDS, which comprises administering activated protein C providing a highly selective therapeutic agent with a low potential for causing bleeding complications.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel histidine derivatives corresponding to the general formula (I) below: in which: R denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical containing from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, n is an integer ranging from 1 to 16, Q+ represents H+ or an organic or inorganic cation, and the addition salts with an acid. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the compounds of formula (I), as well as to the use of these compounds in cosmetics and pharmacy.

Abstract: Depsipeptides represented by the formula (1): (wherein: R1 is a straight or branched alkyl group of 5-20 carbon atoms or a straight or branched alkoxymethyl group of 5-15 carbon atoms; R2 is —A—B, —A—B—W, —A—B—W—D or —A—B—W—D—E, R3 is a hydroxyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a benzyloxy group, —Z, —Z—G or —Z—G—J, the above A, B, D, E, G and J independently each other are a residue of an amino acid selected from alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, lysine, hydroxylysine, arginine, cysteine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine and the like or an N—(C1-C4) alkyl derivative of these amino acid residues; the above W and Z independently each other are a residue of an amino acid selected from aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, alanine, serine or lysine) or pharmacologically acceptable