Abstract: Methods for treating and/or limiting development of diabetes in a subject with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by inhibiting IgG-mediated activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in cells of the subject, by one or more of removing IgG from blood of the subject, blocking IgG from activating VGCCs in the subject; or blocking VGCCs in the subject are described, as are methods for identifying ALS patients at risk of developing diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a condition involving excessive adipogenesis. This method relates to selecting a subject having a condition involving excessive adipogenesis and administering to the selected subject a composition comprising a Thy1 protein or polypeptide fragment thereof, or an agent that enhances Thy1 expression, under conditions effective to treat the condition. The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a Thy1 protein or the fragment thereof and pharmaceutical formulations including such a protein or fragment thereof or an agent that enhances Thy1 expression and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also relates to methods of inhibiting adipogenesis and/or decreasing adipocyte size, as well as methods of screening a candidate compound for its ability to influence adipogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the characterization and production of denosumab.

Abstract: A compound formed from at least one component A comprising a binding domain for extra-cellular surface structures of a diseased proliferating cell that internalized upon binding of component A of said compound, and at least one component B, characterized in that component B is a polypeptide which amino acid sequence comprises a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) or comprises at least a partial sequence of the MAP, the partial sequence having maintained the binding function of the MAP to a microtubule.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating disorders associated with elevated levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands and other biomarkers. The invention also relates to methods of treating, delaying the progression of, or otherwise ameliorating a symptom of a disorder associated with elevated levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers using agents that interfere with or otherwise antagonize TLR4 signaling, including neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the generation of antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies including fully human monoclonal antibodies, that recognize Jagged 1 and/or Jagged 2, to antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies including fully human antibodies that recognize Jagged 1 and/or Jagged 2, and nucleic acid molecules that encode antibodies, e.g., nucleic acid molecules that encode monoclonal antibodies including fully human cross-reactive antibodies that recognize both Jagged 1 and Jagged 2, and to methods of making the anti-Jagged antibodies and methods of using the anti-Jagged antibodies as therapeutics, prophylactics, and diagnostics. The invention also relates generally to activatable antibodies that include a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and an antibody (AB) that specifically bind to Jagged 1 and Jagged 2, and to methods of making and using these activatable anti-Jagged antibodies in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic indications.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of and composition for treating a PE-type disorder in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a TTR polypeptide in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) where a TNF? inhibitor, such as a human TNF? antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is used to treat JIA. In particular, the invention is directed to methods and compositions relating to a fixed dosing regimen for treating JIA with a TNF? inhibitor.

Abstract: Fish sexual characteristics are determined by measuring the concentration in fish serum, plasma or whole blood of one or more peptide hormones of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily (TGF-? superfamily). The disclosed method and an accompanying field test kit may be used in sturgeon aquaculture to cull out young male fish so that increased time and resources may be devoted to the further rearing of female fish for caviar production. The method and test kit may also be used for wild fish life history studies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, uses and compositions for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. The invention describes methods and uses for treating psoriatic arthritis, wherein a TNF? inhibitor, such as a human TNF? antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is used to psoriatic arthritis in a subject. Also described are methods for determining the efficacy of a TNF? inhibitor for treatment of psoriatic arthritis in a subject.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions containing chimeric natriuretic peptides for treating chronic kidney disease alone, heart failure alone, or chronic kidney disease with concomitant heart failure are described. The therapeutic compositions have enhanced stability characteristics to facilitate storage and delivery by provisioning apparatuses under conditions of elevated temperature and mechanical stress. Methods for increasing the stability of therapeutic compositions containing chimeric natriuretic peptides are further described.

Abstract: A fusion protein including a targeting moiety, a cleavage site, and a cell membrane penetrating domain, a conjugate including the fusion protein and a bioactive molecule, and methods employing the fusion protein and the conjugate are provided.

Abstract: Medical systems and methods for treating kidney disease alone, heart failure alone, chronic kidney disease with concomitant heart failure, or cardiorenal syndrome are described. The systems and methods are based on delivery of a natriuretic peptide such as Vessel Dilator to a subject. Methods for increasing and maintaining peptide levels at a certain concentration include direct peptide delivery via either an external or implantable programmable pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of an autoimmune disease, an agent for the formation of regulatory T cells (TReg) in an organism and various methods in which the agents according to the invention are used.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of protein kinase inhibitors and more specifically to the use of inhibitors of the protein kinase c-Jun amino terminal kinase, JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, or of nucleic acids encoding same as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing same, for the treatment of various diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling, wherein these diseases or disorders are selected from autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancerous diseases, diabetes, including diabetes type 1 or type 2, inflammatory diseases, hair loss, including Alopecia areata, diseases of the lung, neuronal or neurodegenerative diseases, diseases of the liver, diseases of the spine, diseases of the uterus, viral infectious diseases and depressive disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of a skin disorder associated with detrimental TNF? activity, such as psoriasis. The invention includes methods for treating a skin disorder associated with detrimental TNF? activity, such as psoriasis, in a subject who has failed or lost response to prior biologic therapy, such as prior administration of etanercept. The invention further provides methods for determining the efficacy of a human TNF? antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, for the treatment of a skin disorder associated with detrimental TNF? activity, such as psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns antigen binding proteins and fragments thereof which specifically bind Oncostatin M (OSM), particularly human OSM (hOSM) and which inhibit the binding of OSM to the gp130 receptor but does not directly interact with site II residues. The invention also concerns a method of humanizing antibodies. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, screening and medical treatment methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering an IL8-CXCR1 pathway inhibitor (e.g., an anti-CXCR1 antibody or Repertaxin) alone or in combination with an additional chemotherapeutic agent such that non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cancer cells in a subject are killed. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of and isolating solid tumor stem cells in a patient (e.g., based on the presence of CXCR1 or FBXO21).

Abstract: Described herein are peptide compositions of a prominin-1, which have regenerative activity. As such the peptides are useful when regeneration is needed, for example, to enhance angiogenesis, increase VEGF binding to endothelial cells, promote vasodilation, enhance cell migration, enhance cell proliferation, stimulate neuronal growth, prevent neurodegeneration, and/or promote neuroregeneration.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating ovarian cancer. Specifically, the invention relates to administering a genetically modified T cell having alpha-folate receptor (FR-alpha) binding domain and CD27 costimulatory domain to treat ovarian cancer. In an embodiment, the FR-alpha binding domain is fully human, thereby preventing a host immune response.