Abstract: Specific drug delivery to tumor cells without affecting normal cells is a major challenge in cancer treatment. The present invention incorporates embedding nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) containing an anti-cancer therapeutic agent with chlorotoxin into a thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel network. Chitosan has mucoadhesive property which can be used in the targeting of the tumor cells with the mucin over expression. Chlorotoxin is a 36 amino acid peptide obtained from Leiurus quinquestriatus scorpion venom which binds preferentially to tumor cells of neuroectodermal origin but not to normal cells. The incorporation of chlorotoxin along with niosomes in the chitosan hydrogel is used as the second targeting strategy to further improve the specific delivery of drugs to tumor cells such as glioma.

Abstract: A method for designing a protein capable of binding in an RNA base selective manner or RNA base sequence specific manner is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel cytotoxic spliceostatin analogs and derivatives, to antibody drug conjugates thereof, and to methods for using the same to treat medical conditions including cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides novel guanylate cyclase-C agonist peptides and their use in the treatment of human diseases including gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation or cancer (e.g., a gastrointestinal cancer). The peptides can be administered either alone or in combination with an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase. The gastrointestinal disorder may be classified as either irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or excessive acidity etc. The gastrointestinal disease may be classified as either inflammatory bowel disease or other GI condition including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent, a treatment method and an inspection method for diseases caused by activation of neutrophils. More specifically, the invention relates to a neutrophil activation regulator which comprising a histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) as an active ingredient, and provides a therapeutic agent for diseases caused by neutrophil activation comprising the neutrophil activation regulator, a treatment method for diseases caused by neutrophil activation, and further an inspection method for diseases caused by neutrophil activation. The present invention is based on the neutrophil activation regulator including the HRG as an active ingredient. The present invention extends to the depressant agent for neutrophil-vascular endothelial cell interaction including the HRG of the present invention as an active ingredient, the treatment method for diseases caused by neutrophil activation and/or inflammatory diseases accompanied by neutrophil activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides embodiments which involve methods of providing a predetermined concentration of thymosin beta 4 (TB4) at a predetermined time, t, in a body portion of a live human patient. The methods can include determining a thymosin beta 4 treatment dosage (D) using Formula I: C=(A)D·t?B, wherein C is the predetermined concentration at time t, in ng/mL, D is the dosage of thymosin beta 4 administered in mg, t is the time elapsed after administration of dosage D in hours, A is about 30 to about 38, and B is about 0.5 to about 1; and administering the dosage (D) of thymosin beta 4 to the patient. Formula I may be, for example, C=(35.6)D·t?0.754??(Formula II).

Abstract: A compound having formula (I) or formula (II): for use in anticancer or anti-obesity.

Abstract: A novel anionic polysaccharides functionalized by at least one hydrophobic acid derivative. These novel anionic polysaccharides including hydrophobic groups have good biocompatibility and their hydrophobicity can be easily adjusted without detrimentally affecting the biocompatibility or the stability. A method of synthesis which makes it possible to produce them and to pharmaceutical compositions including them.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an oral composition useful for promoting collagen synthesis and the like. The present invention can provide an oral composition containing collagen or gelatin or a degradation product thereof, and hydroxyproline or a salt thereof. The weight ratio of alanine and hydroxyproline contained in the amino acids obtained by hydrolyzing the oral composition is preferably 1:1.5-150.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel conformationally-defined macrocyclic compounds that have been demonstrated to be selective modulators of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and subtypes, isoforms and variants thereof). Methods of synthesizing the novel compounds are also described herein. These compounds are useful as agonists of the ghrelin receptor and as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, central nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, hyperproliferative disorders and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compounds useful as insect repellents, compositions comprising such repellents, and methods of repelling an arthropod using such compounds and compositions. The disclosure further provides insect traps and method for identifying ligands and cognates for biological molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic silica-based ocular devices fabricated from a composite material comprising silica and a fibrillar protein, together with methods of making and using the ocular devices.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides and methods to prevent, control, and treat an inflammation, cancer and other disorders, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract and the lung by administering at least one agonist of guanalyte cyclase receptor either alone or in combination with a compound selected from i) 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) or a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; ii) mercaptopurine; or iii) an anti-TNF therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide analogues of ?-MSH and ?-MSH, comprising the amino acid sequence of human ?-MSH or ?-MSH, or variants thereof, and having a branched amino acid probe in the N-terminal part of the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides inventive polypeptides comprising a C terminal RAB binding domain (RabBD) of RAB family interacting proteins (FIPs) stabilized by peptide stapling, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided are methods for modulating RAB function comprising contacting an inventive stapled polypeptide with a RAB protein, and methods of treatment associated with modulation of RAB activity. The present invention also provides methods of making the inventive stapled polypeptides by ring closing metathesis of unstapled polypeptide precursors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a long chain fatty acid (LCFA)-like albumin-binding probe/ligand containing no hydrolysable bond and having an enhanced associating affinity with human serum albumin, which upon conjugation with an amino- or mercapto-containing short-lived drug and administration of the conjugate, significantly prolongs the life time of said drug without substantially interfering with its pharmacological activity. The invention further provides conjugates of said probe with amino- or mercapto-containing drugs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel particulate drug-delivery systems based on a polymer support containing at least one linear, branched or cross-linked polymer in a fraction of over 50 percent by weight in relation to the total weight of the support. The system is characterized in that at least one signal substance for transport through a biological barrier and at least one active ingredient are stored, the support, signal substance and active ingredient having no covalent links and no active-ingredient specific and signal substance specific coordinative links between one another.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to intradermal, transdermal, and/or transmembrane delivery of biologically active substances in the epidermis and/or through the skin, sub-dermal tissues, blood vessels and cellular membranes without causing damage to the cellular surface, tissue or membrane. The biologically active substances may have a molecular weight no less than about 5.8 kDa to about 2,500 kDa, such as Hyaluronic Acid (HA). The biologically active substances may be deposited in a dermal patch containing a red algae polysaccharide-based matrix, wherein the red algae polysaccharide is an extract of Chondrus crispus at 2% by weight of the dermal patch. The invention provides systems and methods for enhanced intradermal, transdermal, and/or transmembrane delivery of such biologically active substances using pulsed incoherent light. The invention further provides a device for the application of the pulsed incoherent light to cellular surfaces and membranes using those compositions and methods.

Abstract: A novel method of preventing or reducing ototoxicity in vertebrates undergoing treatment with therapeutically effective amounts of platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin or aminoglycoside antibiotics is disclosed herein. The method(s) comprise administering an effective amount of an otoprotective agent comprising Dihexa prior to, concomitantly with, or subsequently to administration of the platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent or aminoglycoside antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite matrix that includes a reinforcing textile portion having two surfaces coated over at least 90% of the respective surface areas thereof, by means of at least a first layer including at least one resorbable macro-molecule and having a collagen content of between 50 and 100 wt % relative to the total weight of the first layer; the invention also relates to a prosthesis including such a matrix and to a method for preparing said matrix.