Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composition highly containing .alpha.-lactalbmin. This process comprises adjusting, to pH of 2-4 or 5 or higher, cheese whey, acid casein whey or rennet casein whey; contacting the whey with an ion exchanger, to produce an exchanger-passed solution; and then, concentrating and/or desalting the exchanger-passed solution, if necessary after the exchanger-passed solution is adjusted to a pH of 4 or lower. According to the present process, it is possible to efficiently produce a high .alpha.-lactalumin content composition at low cost and in a simple and easy manner on an industrial scale. The resultant high .alpha.-lactalumin content composition can be used for food materials and medical materials.

Abstract: Human IGF-I or effective analogues thereof are used for preventing or treating cardiac disorders. Compositions are also provided that comprise human IGF-I or effective analogues thereof together with additional proteins or peptides such as other growth factors, hormones, binding proteins or receptors for enhancing or improving the desired effects of IGF-I or its effective analogues and possibly pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent for the prevention or treatment of cardiac disorders.

Abstract: A method for the healing of wounds caused by corneal injury as the result of, for example, corneal ulcer, corneal epithelial defect, keratitis, xerophthalmia, which comprises locally administering to a patient in need thereof an effective wound healing amount of interleukin-6, either alone, or in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ophthalmic excipients.

Abstract: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) derivatives represented by the general formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein R.sub.1 represents Ser or a D-.alpha.-amino acid residue of 4 or less carbon atoms;R.sub.2 represents a tetrapeptide chain which contains at least one water-soluble .alpha.-amino acid residue;R.sub.3 represents a tripeptide chain which contains at least one water-soluble .alpha.-amino acid residue; andR.sub.4 represents an aromatic amino acid residue or an amide thereof,except that R.sub.1 is Ser when R.sub.2 is His-Leu-Asn-Ser, R.sub.3 is E-F-Gwherein E is Arg or His, F is Lys or His, G is Lys, Leu or Gln, are disclosed.The parathyroid hormone derivatives of the present invention are stable and have high biological activity, therefore they are useful as drugs for bone diseases and the like.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents for the digestive tract diseases which comprise glicentin as active ingredients.

Abstract: A novel method for the sequential degradation from the N-terminus of small samples of proteins or peptides. The released amino acids may be detected by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for stabilizing human interferon, including pharmaceutical compositions useful in topical applications for the treatment of disorders such as Condyloma acuminata. Amine stabilizing agents such as primary aliphatic amines and anionic stabilizing agents such as lithium organo sulfates protect human interferons from degradation and provide enhanced storage stability. These stabilizing agents containing interferon can be added to appropriate pharmaceutical carriers for topical applications. The topical products also exhibit enhanced storage stability.

Abstract: A human placental collagen composition for use in soft tissue augmentation comprising an aqueous suspension of a homogenized nonirradiation-sterilized mixture of type I and type III human placental collagen, wherein the type III collagen constitutes less than about 10% by weight of the mixture.

Abstract: High concentration collagen compositions having improved persistence when administered for soft tissue augmentation are prepared from both cross-linked and non-cross-linked collagen starting materials. Suspensions of the starting materials are subjected to vigorous mechanical disruption to reduce the average collagen fiber size to below a threshold level which enhances the injectability of the composition. Thus, both enhanced injectability and enhanced persistence may be achieved using the same formulations.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising Oncostatin M and congeners thereof, as well as methods for their preparation and methods for their use are provided. The compositions may be prepared by isolation from natural sources, or by recombinant means in either prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, the DNA and polypeptide sequences for Oncostatin M are disclosed. The compositions find use in modulating growth of cells, in particular inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, and stimulation of normal cell growth, especially cells involved in hematopoiesis. Cell growth inhibition compositions may additionally include an adjunctive agent comprising at least one of a transforming growth factor, tumor necrosis factor, or an interferon. Receptors having high affinity for Oncostatin M may additionally be used to screen polypeptides for Oncostatin M-like activity. Methods for use of antibodies to the compositions and probes specific for Oncostatin M mRNA as a means for detecting tumor cells are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of human growth hormone, or any functional analogue therof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of hypoglycemic unawareness in diabetes mellitus. Preferably the human growth hormone, or any functional analogue thereof, is administered repeatedly, which could be daily. The daily dose is between 1-10 IU and could be given at a dose of 4 IU daily during one week. The invention also relates to a method for treatment and prophylaxis of hypoglycemic unawareness by administration of human growth hormone, or any funtional analogue thereof.

Abstract: TGF.beta. is used to increase the numbers of stem cells in a subject's peripheral blood. Then the subject's blood is drawn and the stem cells removed. After myelosuppressive therapy is administered to the subject, the stem cells are administered to the subject. An alternate method provides for TGF.beta. administration to a donor subject whose blood is drawn and from whose blood the stem cells are removed; after a recipient subject receives myelosuppressive therapy, the stem cells are administered to the recipient subject.

Abstract: A formulation suitable for inducing bone formation contains about 0.5 .mu.g to about 5 mg of transforming growth factor-.beta. and about 140 mg to about 50 g of tricalcium phosphate and excludes a bone morphogenetic cofactor. In another embodiment, the formulation contains about 0.5 .mu.g to 5 mg transforming growth factor-.beta., about 140 mg to 50 g of tricalcium phosphate particles, and an amount of amylopectin ranging from about 01:1 to 1:1 amylopectin:tricalcium phosphate.

Abstract: Fetal growth is promoted and fetal growth retardation is reduced in mammals by increasing in a maternal host during pregnancy the active concentration of IGF-1 and /or IGF-2 and/or analogues thereof. The active concentration of IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 and/or analogues thereof may be increased either by directly administering to the maternal host IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 and/or analogs thereof or by administering another compound which, upon being so administered, causes an increase in the active concentration of IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 and/or analogues thereof in the maternal host.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound comprising:(1) a polypeptide moiety havinga) an identifying number of amino acids for SPAAT,b) an elastase binding activity; and(2) an extracellular matrix protein bound to the polypeptide moiety.Also provided is a method of inhibiting an elastase comprising contacting the elastase with a polypeptide moiety having:(1) an identifying number of amino acids for SPAAT;(2) a collagen binding activity; and(3) elastase binding activity.

Abstract: The invention features a method of preventing or treating a peripheral neuropathy that results from a systemic disease (e.g., post-polio syndrome) or a toxic agent (e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent), and that is not caused by an abnormal insulin level in a mammal. The method involves administering a neuropathy-reducing amount of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or insulin-like growth factor-III (IGF-III) to the mammal.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: The improved pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) contains a human atrial natriuretic peptide as an effective ingredient. It will combat ARDS against which no therapeutics have been found effective.

Abstract: A transparent adjusted milk whey protein is prepared by a method in which milk whey protein is purified and then the pH of a solution containing the milk whey protein is adjusted to not higher than 4 or not lower than 6. The solution may be heated to a temperature not lower than 55.degree. C. before or after adjusting the pH. Further, an adjusted milk whey product is prepared by a method in which the pH of a solution containing milk whey protein is adjusted to not higher than 4 or not lower than 6 and the solution is heated at a temperature not lower than 55.degree. C. and cooled to a temperature not higher than 10.degree. C., or a method in which the pH of a solution containing purified milk whey protein is adjusted to not higher than 4 or not lower than 6 under such a condition as salt content of the solution is 0 or not higher than 50 mM, and the solution is heated at a temperature not lower than 55.degree. C. and cooled to a temperature not higher than 10.degree. C.

Abstract: The protein materials of the invention are essentially those obtained through reaction of a concentrated aqueous solution of type I and/or type III collagens and elastin or elastin peptides having a molecular weight above about 10,000, which can be dissolved in water. Preferred ratios of collagen reactants to elastin reactants in the process of the invention are in the range 1:10. The materials of the invention are obtained through solubilization of elastin.