Abstract: A method of detecting an abnormal amount of a biomarker associated with biliary tract cancer in a subject can comprise: a) quantitating an amount of a fragment of prothrombin having an m/z value of about 4204 m/z in a biological sample from the subject; and b) comparing the quantitated value obtained in (a) with a threshold value.

Abstract: Compositions, materials, methods and kits for bone grafting are described. In some embodiments, a bone graft composition includes about 15% to about 20% by weight collagen, about 55% to about 70% by weight bioactive glass, and about 15% to about 30% by weight a calcium phosphate. The bioactive glass and the calcium phosphate together are about 80% to about 85% by weight of the bone graft composition. In some embodiments, a bone graft composition includes a collagen matrix and a plurality of bioactive glass particulates dispersed throughout the collagen matrix. The collagen matrix is about 20% to about 60% by weight of the bone graft composition, and the bioactive glass is about 40% to about 80% of the bone graft composition. In some embodiments, a majority of the bioactive glass particulates are about 53 ?m to about 425 ?m in size.

Abstract: The present invention describes an annexin derivative and a method of using the annexin derivative as a biosensor for real-time visualization of phosphatidylserine exposure, apoptosis, live-cell imaging and monitoring of cell health.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining concentrated sugar solution from polysaccharide enriched biomass by contacting biomass with water and at least one nucleophilic base to produce a polysaccharide enriched biomass comprising a solid fraction and a liquid fraction and then contacting the solid fraction with saccharification enzyme consortium to produce a saccharification product comprising at least about 7 percent by weight sugars in 24 hours. The methods include optionally adding at least one additive selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols, fatty acid esters, fatty acid ethoxylates, nonionic surfactants derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and a fatty acid, sodium lauriminodipropionate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, sodium tridecyl ether sulfate and a combination of these, such that enzyme loading of the saccharification enzyme consortium can be reduced.

Abstract: Methods for detection of the activity of proteolytic enzymes, particularly isopeptidases, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein encoded by any one of nucleic acids (i) to (iv): (i) a nucleic acid having a base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ii) a nucleic acid encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (iii) a nucleic acid encoding a dragline protein and having a sequence identity of 90% or more with the nucleic acid (i); (iv) a nucleic acid which encodes a dragline protein and hybridizes with a complementary chain of the nucleic acid (i) under stringent conditions, and a silk thread containing the protein.

Abstract: A pharmaceutically combined preparation can contain a therapeutic protein having SH-groups which are nitrosated and a compound containing thiol groups and having an average molecular weight of at most 10,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polypeptide comprising using a signal peptide, to nucleic acid constructs comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding the signal peptide and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which is foreign to the first nucleotide sequence. Furthermore, it also relates to expression vectors and host cells comprising the nuclei acid construct.

Abstract: A new approach for increase of ethanol yield during alcoholic fermentation via decrease of biomass accumulation by using ATP degrading enzymes is described. The part of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSB1 gene coding for cytosolic ATPase domain of ribosome associated chaperon cloned into expression cassette under control of the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GPD1) promoter was introduced into the S. cerevisiae BY4742 strain. The recombinant strains were tested for their ability to grow and produce ethanol during glucose anaerobic and aerobic cultivations. Strains overexpressing ATPase domain of SSB1 possessed decreased concentration of intracellular ATP. They accumulated elevated amounts of ethanol and were characterized by decreased biomass accumulation as compared to the wild-type strain under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Similarly, the apyrase gene apy from E. coli encoding ATP/ADP hydrolyzing phosphatase and ATPase domain of SSB1 gene of S.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by increased phosphorylation, such as inflammation and cancer. The invention also provides methods for the inhibition of increased phosphorylation in cells, tissues and organs. The methods utilize a phosphate acceptor compound (PAC). The invention also provides products comprising a PAC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phytases having at least 76% identity to a phytase derived from Hafnia alvei and comprises at least one modification in the amino acid sequence thereof. These phytase variants have modified, preferably improved, properties, such as, reduced protease sensibility, preferably they exhibit improved properties in respect of thermal performance, such as heat-stability (temperature stability, thermostability), steam stability, pelleting stability and/or temperature profile; and/or protease stability, in particular pepsin stability, pH profile, specific activity, substrate specificity, performance in animal feed (such as an improved release and/or degradation of phytate), susceptibility to glycation, and/or glycosylation pattern. The invention also relates to DNA encoding these phytases, methods of their production, as well as the use thereof, e.g., in animal feed and animal feed additives.

Abstract: Described are silk proteins derived from spider mite, more specifically derived from Tetranychus urticae. More specifically, described is the use of these proteins to make fibers, or fiber-composed material and the resulting fibers and materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to HCV variants, particularly variants that are resistant to a protease inhibitors such as VX-950. Also provided are methods and compositions related to the HCV variants. Further provided are methods of isolating, identifying, and characterizing multiple viral variants from a patient.

Abstract: Fatty acid 13-hydroperoxide lyase proteins which have been modified with respect to a previously described guava 13-hydroperoxide lyase and the nucleic acid sequences encoding these proteins. Also, recombinant nucleic acid molecules for expressing the modified 13-hydroperoxide lyases and methods of using such lyases in the field of organic synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising IGF-I or an IGF-I variant N-terminally linked to the C-terminus of a propeptide. The invention relates also to a method involving the use of the aforementioned fusion protein in the production of a lysine-PEGylated IGF-I or IGF-I variant. The method comprises the steps of cultivating a prokaryotic host cell comprising an expression vector containing a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein and causing the cell to express the fusion protein, recovering and PEGylating said fusion protein, cleaving said PEGylated fusion protein with IgA protease, and recovering lysine-PEGylated IGF-I or IGF-I variant. The invention relates also to a lysine-PEGylated IGF-I or IGF-I variant produced using the above method. In addition, the invention relates to a method for treating a neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's Disease using the lysine-PEGylated IGF-I or IGF-I variant and a composition comprising the lysine-PEGylated IGF-I or IGF-I variant.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence is provided, encoding at least one of a precursor of a lariat peptide, a processing factor of a lariat peptide, and an export factor of a lariat peptide, wherein the lariat peptide is a non-MccJ25 lariat peptide according to general structural formula (I) Also provided are biosynthesis systems useful for the synthesis of peptides according to formula (I), and methods of detecting and identifying nucleic acid sequences encoding the disclosed proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel variants of a protease derived from Nocardiopsis sp. (SEQ ID NO: 1) and closely related proteases, as well as their pharmaceutical use. The variants show improved performance in the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). The variants may be combined with a lipase and/or an amylase. Other examples of medical indications are: Treatment of digestive disorders, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, diabetes type I, and/or diabetes type II.

Abstract: The invention provides novel peptide prodrugs that contain cleavage sites specifically cleaved by human kallikrein 2 (hK2). These prodrugs are useful for substantially inhibiting the non-specific toxicity of a variety of therapeutic drugs. Upon cleavage of the prodrug by hK2, the therapeutic drugs are activated and exert their toxicity. Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders are also featured in the invention.

Abstract: Prepared is an extract composition having an improved protein synthetic activity in a cell-free protein synthesis system using a mammalian cultured cell extract. An eukaryotic translation initiation factor and/or translational regulator are added to a cell-free protein synthesis system comprising an extract prepared from cultured mammalian cells and a template mRNA. These factors are one or more selected from the group consisting of eukaryotic translation initiation factors 4E (eIF4E), 2 (eIF2) and 2B (eIF2B), and eukaryotic translational regulator p97.

Abstract: Novel modified exendins and exendin agonists having an exendin or exendin agonist linked to one or more polyethylene glycol polymers, for example, and related formulations and dosages and methods of administration thereof are provided. These modified exendins and exendin agonists, compositions and methods are useful in treating diabetes and conditions that would be benefited by lowering plasma glucose or delaying and/or slowing gastric emptying or inhibiting food intake.