Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising (a) botulinum toxin and (b) non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and its use of the treatment or prevention of dystonia, spasticity and/or wrinkles. Further, the present invention relates to a method for cosmetically smoothing or preventing wrinkles comprising the step of administering the present composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the specific uptake of a neurotoxin polypeptide into cells, the method comprising: incubating cells susceptible to neurotoxin intoxication with a neurotoxin polypeptide for a time and under conditions which allow for the neurotoxin polypeptide to exert its biological activity, the incubation comprising at least one of the following steps: (i) K+-mediated depolarization of the cells, (ii) a reduced neurotoxin polypeptide exposition time and/or (iii) agitation of the cells during neurotoxin polypeptide exposition, thereby enhancing the specific uptake of the neurotoxin polypeptide into said cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising (a) botulinum toxin and (b) non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and its use of the treatment or prevention of dystonia, spasticity and/or wrinkles. Further, the present invention relates to a method for cosmetically smoothing or preventing wrinkles comprising the step of administering the present composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the specific uptake of a neurotoxin polypeptide into cells, the method comprising: incubating cells susceptible to neurotoxin intoxication with a neurotoxin polypeptide for a time and under conditions which allow for the neurotoxin polypeptide to exert its biological activity, the incubation comprising at least one of the following steps: (i) K+-mediated depolarization of the cells, (ii) a reduced neurotoxin polypeptide exposition time and/or (iii) agitation of the cells during neurotoxin polypeptide exposition, thereby enhancing the specific uptake of the neurotoxin polypeptide into said cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel uses of recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting decreased duration of effect, in particular uses for the treatment of patients having experienced muscle-related disorders and/or injuries.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel uses of recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting decreased duration of effect, in particular uses for the treatment of patients suffering from a limited range of muscle extension, in particular from flexion contracture, in particular flexion contracture of the knee, and more particularly uses for the treatment of such patients having experienced a total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel uses of recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting decreased duration of effect, in particular uses for the treatment of patients having experienced tendon-related disorders and/or injuries.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel uses of recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting decreased duration of effect, in particular uses for the treatment of different forms of back pain, in particular recurrent low back pain.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polynucleotide encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising (i) a transcription factor domain and (ii) a cytoplasmic retention domain, separated by a linker comprising a neurotoxin cleavage site and to a fusion polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of the invention. Also contemplated is a vector comprising the polynucleotide of the invention and a host cell comprising the polynucleotide, vector or fusion polypeptide of the invention. Moreover, envisaged is a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample. In addition, the invention pertains to the use of the polynucleotide, vector, fusion polypeptide or host cell of the invention for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample. Finally, the invention relates to a kit for determining neurotoxin activity comprising the polynucleotide, vector, fusion polypeptide or host cell of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polypeptide having caspase activity comprising a large subunit and a small subunit wherein the caspase further comprises a neurotoxin cleavage site which upon cleavage activates the caspase activity. Also encompassed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as vectors or host cells comprising the polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample based on the polypeptide of the invention as well as the use of the polypeptide for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample, in general.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polypeptide having caspase activity comprising a large subunit and a small subunit wherein the caspase further comprises a neurotoxin cleavage site which upon cleavage activates the caspase activity. Also encompassed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as vectors or host cells comprising the polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample based on the polypeptide of the invention as well as the use of the polypeptide for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample, in general.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polypeptide having caspase activity comprising a large subunit and a small subunit wherein the caspase further comprises a neurotoxin cleavage site which upon cleavage activates the caspase activity. Also encompassed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as vectors or host cells comprising the polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample based on the polypeptide of the invention as well as the use of the polypeptide for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample, in general.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polypeptide having caspase activity comprising a large subunit and a small subunit wherein the caspase further comprises a neurotoxin cleavage site which upon cleavage activates the caspase activity. Also encompassed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as vectors or host cells comprising the polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample based on the polypeptide of the invention as well as the use of the polypeptide for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample, in general.

Abstract: Door and frame assemblies are disclosed by the present application. In one exemplary embodiment, the a door is connected to a door frame, such that the door is moveable between an open position and a closed position. Activation of a trigger causes a door frame coupling arrangement to couple the door frame to the door in a closed position to thereby inhibit movement of the door relative to the frame. In another exemplary embodiment, a door is coupled to a door frame by a hinge. The hinge is configured to move the door in translation as the door is rotated from the open position to the closed position. For example, the hinge may move the door downward, toward the sill, when the door is moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: The present application is directed to doors and door systems that are made from rot and/or swell resistant components. In one exemplary embodiment, every component of the door or door system is rot and/or swell resistant. In one exemplary embodiment, the door or door system remains rot and/or swell resistant after all hardware of the door or door system is installed.

Abstract: Door and frame assemblies are disclosed by the present application. In one exemplary embodiment, the a door is connected to a door frame, such that the door is moveable between an open position and a closed position. Activation of a trigger causes a door frame coupling arrangement to couple the door frame to the door in a closed position to thereby inhibit movement of the door relative to the frame. In another exemplary embodiment, a door is coupled to a door frame by a hinge. The hinge is configured to move the door in translation as the door is rotated from the open position to the closed position. For example, the hinge may move the door downward, toward the sill, when the door is moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A plumbing product is made by a dual phase casting process with a zinc-aluminum alloy having between 0.5%-4% or 6%-22% aluminum by weight. The alloy is shredded into chips and heated to liquid state, processed to a dual phase state and then injection molded to form the part. The part can be plated using conventional plating techniques.

Abstract: A procedure for making zinc particles of a size, shape and composition such that the particles can be subsequently used in a process for manufacturing zinc parts from such particles in either molten or powder form includes the initial step of heating zinc to a temperature at least as high as 720.degree. C. The molten zinc is passed through a screen having small openings, on the order of about 1/4".times.1/4" into a cooling region formed by a movable surface which is at a temperature of on the order of about -200.degree. C. The zinc forms small particles as it passes through the openings in the screen and essentially instantaneously solidifies as it contacts the movable surface. Thereafter, the solidified zinc particles are subjected to a grinding process to reduce their size to a powder having a surface area in the range of 2 mm.sup.2 to 20 mm.sup.2.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having at least in part the surface appearance of brass includes a ceramic barrier coating applied to a base layer of Cu/Ni/Cr. The ceramic barrier coating includes an initial layer of ZrCn and an additional layer which is a nitrite, carbide or oxide of Zr, Ti, Si, Al or Hf.

Abstract: A process to distinguish plumbing parts, either individually or as combined into a plumbing product, in which one of two types of coatings have been applied to the parts, with the parts being visually indistinguishable by the type of coating. The parts are illuminated with a non-visible light operating at a frequency which will be absorbed by only one type of coating. The parts may be coated with an essentially organic coating or an essentially inorganic coating. Only one of these coatings will absorb the non-visible light and such absorption will be displayed so as to distinguish between parts having the different types of coatings.