Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving fetal and child health and development through nutritional supplementation with, for example, sialic acid. Sialic acid can be provided to a female before, during and/or after pregnancy to improve the health and development of a fetus and/or child. The sialic acid can be in a variety of forms in the supplements.

Abstract: This invention describes a protein nanoparticle system for targeting siRNA or other drugs into tumors. The basis of the protein system is elastin-like peptides that self-assemble once exposed to the nucleic acid of the siRNA. Specific targeting peptides are fused to the core ELP structure by standard genetic engineering techniques. These targeting peptides confer specific binding of the nanoparticle to receptors on the surface of tumor cells and allow for uptake of the nanoparticle into the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monomeric and multimeric peptidic compounds which have antiviral activity, particularly against integrin-using viruses, more particularly against rotavirus. Further, the present invention refers to compositions comprising said peptidic compounds for medical use or for use as food additives.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide-based peroxidase inhibitors having the formula AA1-AA2-AA3, wherein AA1 is a positively charged, negatively charged or neutral amino acid, AA2 is a redox active amino acid, and AA3 is an amino acid possessing a reducing potential such that AA3 is capable of undergoing a redox reaction with a radical of amino acid AA2 or a retro or retro-inverso analog thereof. The result of such a combination is a highly effective inhibitor of peroxidase activity that has potent anti-inflammatory properties in widely diverse models of vascular disease and injury. Exemplary tripeptides effectively inhibit peroxidase mediated LDL oxidation, increase vasodilation in SCD mice, inhibit eosinophil infiltration and collagen deposition in asthma mice, inhibit acute lung injury, and decrease ischemic injury of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides that home to a joint of an animal, wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid motif selected from the group consisting of NQR and ADK. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having an arthritic joint, comprising the step of administering to said subject a pharmacologically effective dose of a composition provided herein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a series of 2-oxoamides based on dipeptides and pseudodipeptides, which were synthesized and their activities toward two human intracellular phospholipases A2 (GIVA CPLA 2 and GVIA 1PLA 2) and one human secretory phospholipase A2 (GV sPLA 2) were evaluated. Derivatives containing a free carboxyl group are selective GIVA cPLA 2 inhibitors. A derivative based on the ethyl ester of an ether pseudodipeptide is the first 2-oxoamide, which preferentially inhibits GVIA iPLA 2. The effect of 2-oxoamides on the generation of arachidonic acid from RAW 264.7 macrophages was also studied. It was found that selective GIVA cPLA 2 inhibitors preferentially inhibited cellular arachidonic acid release; in which one pseudodipeptide gave an IC50 value of 2 ?M.

Abstract: Provided is a homodimer of insulinotropic peptide analogues and method for preparation thereof and use thereof, wherein the insulinotropic peptide analogue comprises GLP-1 and Exendin-4. The homodimer of insulinotropic peptide analogues of the invention is made by conjugating two identical insulinotropic peptide analogue molecules at the C-terminal Cys residues via disulfide bond or PEG molecule. The homodimer of insulinotropic peptide analogues of the invention has superior stability and biological activity in vivo, and prolonged half-life in the circulation, and can be used for the preparation of hypoglycemic drugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group comprising a) a nucleic acid molecule having one of the nucleotide sequences presented in SEQ ID:NO 4 to SEQ ID:NO 8, b) a nucleic acid molecule that codes for a peptide having one of the amino acid sequences presented in SEQ ID:NO 12 to SEQ ID:NO 16, c) a nucleic acid molecule, the complementary strand of which hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule according to a) or b) and which codes for a peptide having antimicrobial activity, and d) a nucleic acid molecule, the nucleotide sequence of which deviates from the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid molecule according to c) because of the degenerated genetic code.

Abstract: Provided are improvements in and relating to pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration of polymeric biological drug substances and to methods of treatment using such compositions. In particular, an oral and/or mucosal pharmaceutical composition is provided, said composition comprising an enteric-coated drug substance, and also comprising an enteric-coated oligouronate, wherein said drug substance is a polymeric biological drug substance.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific cyclic peptides of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined in the specification, compositions and formulations including the peptides of the foregoing formula or salts thereof, and methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin-1 receptor-mediated or responsive diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes.

Abstract: Methods of using portions of the N-terminal domain of prion protein for binding hemin are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method comprises administering at least one isolated amino acid sequence comprising a peptide from the octarepeat region of PrPC to a solution containing hemin, wherein the isolated amino acid sequence is effective for forming one or more chemical bonds with hemin.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention provide for essential fatty acids which are substituted in specific positions to slow down oxidative damage by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and to suppress the rate of consequent formation of reactive products, for the purpose of preventing or reducing the damage associated with oxidative stress associated diseases such as neurological diseases and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Abstract: This invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of human GST-? using RNA interference. The RNA interference molecules can be used in methods for preventing or treating diseases such as malignant tumor. Provided are a range of siRNA structures, having one or more of nucleotides being modified or chemically-modified. Advantageous structures include siRNAs with 2?-deoxy nucleotides located in the seed region, as well as other nucleotide modifications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides and provides a polypeptide comprising the sequence EX2X3X4AX6X7EIX10 X11LPNLX16X17X18QX20 X21AFIX25X26LX28X29X30 PX32QSX35X36LLX39E AKKLX45X46X47Q (SEQ ID NO: 55). The present disclosure also relates to populations of polypeptide variants based on a common scaffold, each polypeptide in the population comprising the amino acid sequence EX2X3X4AX6X7EIX10 X11LPNLX16X17X18QX20 X21AFIX25X26LX28X29X30 PX32QSX35X36LLX39E AKKLX45X46X47Q (SEQ ID NO: 55), and methods for selecting a desired polypeptide having an affinity for a predetermined target from said population.

Abstract: Cyclodextrin compositions including one or more radiation polymerizable monomers and a cyclodextrin inclusion complex, the cyclodextrin inclusion complex including a cyclodextrin compound and an olefinic inhibitor of an ethylene generation in produce, are coated onto packaging materials and cured. Treated containers and treated package inserts having the cured cyclodextrin compositions are useful in packaging of respiring plant materials.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend, compounds, coatings, and materials containing the same, as well as articles made with, or coated with the same, and methods of making the same exhibiting improved antimicrobial properties and reduced platelet adhesion. Embodiments include polymers with antimicrobial and antithrombogenic groups bound to a single polymer backbone, an antimicrobial polymer blended with an antithrombogenic polymer, and medical devices coated with the antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend.

Abstract: Provided is an rtTA and single chain rtTA variants and uses thereof for inducible expression of a nucleic acid of interest. Nucleic acid molecules comprising an improved rtTA and/or sc rtTA sequence according to the invention are also provided, as well as vectors, replicons and cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A cylindrical column-shaped honeycomb adsorbent has a plurality of cell passages extending along an axial direction of the honeycomb adsorbent. The plurality of cell passages are configured so that a pitch of adjacent cell passages is within a range of 1.5 mm˜1.8 mm, and so that a thickness of a wall between the cell passages is within a range of 0.45 mm˜0.60 mm. With this configuration, the honeycomb adsorbent exhibits BWC (Butane Working Capacity) of 6.5 g/dL or greater. By mixing fibrous meltable core melting away during baking, the honeycomb adsorbent has macropores configured to have a volume of 0.15 mL/g˜0.35 mL/g with respect to an overall weight of the honeycomb adsorbent and metal oxide particles having a proportion of weight of 150˜250% with respect to the activated carbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods to separate and concentrate target protein species at a microliter scale and to generate reagents to those variants with exquisite selectivity for specific protein isoforms using only picograms of target material.

Abstract: An approach for forming a semiconductor device is provided. In general, the device is formed by providing a metal layer, a cap layer over the metal layer, and an ultra low k layer over the cap layer. A via is then formed through the ultra low k layer and the cap layer. Once the via is formed, a barrier layer (e.g., cobalt (Co), tantalum (Ta), cobalt-tungsten-phosphide (CoWP), or other metal capable of acting as a copper (CU) diffusion barrier) is selectively applied to a bottom surface of the via. A liner layer (e.g., manganese (MN) or aluminum (AL)) is then applied to a set of sidewalls of the via. The via may then be filled with a subsequent metal layer (with or without a seed layer), and the device may the then be further processed (e.g., annealed).