Abstract: Chlorotoxin derivatives containing amino acid sequence X0X1CMPCXS1XS2XS3DHXS4XS5ARRCX2X3CCGGYGX4CFGYQC LCX5X6X7X8 wherein (i) the N-terminal X0X1 cluster is AM, 0M, or 00; (ii) the solubility XS1XS2XS3XS4XS5 cluster is FTTQT, FTTES, SSSQT, SSSES, FSSQT, FSSES, or FSSQS; (iii) the internal X2X3X4 cluster is DKR, RDK, KDR, IKY, HKW, DRK, LKQ, KKK; and (iv) the C-terminal X5X6X7X8 cluster is N000, R000, NR00, NRG0, NRGY, NRRR, or RRRR; 0 denotes a position where no amino acid is present; the chlorotoxin derivative has a relative human MMP-2 binding that is at least 1.62 times higher than the wild-type chlorotoxin of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising zinc, leucine, and omega-3 fatty acids, formulated for oral delivery; a kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition; and methods of promoting recovery of pelvic floor muscles in a postpartum female subject and of treating pelvic floor dysfunction in a female subject by administering the pharmaceutical composition to the a subject.

Abstract: A method of stimulating elastin and/or collagen production in the tissues of the vagina, comprising the steps of providing a composition including at least one of a water soluble zinc salt such as zinc sulfate and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPAR ?/?) agonist, and administering the composition to the tissue of the vagina. Compositions for stimulating 5 elastin and/or collagen production in the tissues of the vagina are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of stimulating elastin and/or collagen production in the tissues of the vagina, comprising the steps of providing a composition including at least one of a water soluble zinc salt such as zinc sulfate and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPAR 13/8) agonist, and administering the composition to the tissue of the vagina. Compositions for stimulating 5 elastin and/or collagen production in the tissues of the vagina are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing an abnormal early pregnancy in a mammalian subject by contacting a biological sample of the subject with a reagent that enables measurement of certain biomarker targets, e.g., human placental lactogen (hPL) and/or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In one embodiment, the mRNA of these biomarkers is measured in a biological sample, e.g., serum. The absolute levels of mRNA or protein levels, a ratio of mRNA to protein levels, or a pattern of multiple biomarker mRNA and/or protein levels or ratios are measured and a relation to the ratio or pattern of expression levels of the same biomarkers in the same biological fluid of a reference or control female mammalian subject having a normal intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) is determined. The presence of, absence of, or changes in expression levels, ratios or patterns of the biomarker(s) in relation to those of the reference or control correlates with a diagnosis of abnormal pregnancy, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ion channel modulators. In particular, the invention relates to ion channel modulators that are derived from haematophagous arthropods. The invention also relates to the use of ion channel modulators from haematophagous arthropods in the treatment and prevention of certain diseases and conditions in mammals, including humans.

Abstract: The present invention is a beam splitter for splitting an incident beam into first and second beams so that the first and second beams have a fixed separation and are parallel upon exiting. The beam splitter includes a first prism, a second prism, and a film located between the prisms. The first prism is defined by a first thickness and a first perimeter which has a first major base. The second prism is defined by a second thickness and a second perimeter which has a second major base. The film is located between the first major base and the second major base for splitting the incident beam into the first and second beams. The first and second perimeters are right angle trapezoidal shaped. The beam splitter is configured for generating equal optical path length beams.

Abstract: The present invention is a beam splitter for splitting an incident beam into first and second beams so that the first and second beams have a fixed separation and are parallel upon exiting. The beam splitter includes a first prism, a second prism, and a film located between the prisms. The first prism is defined by a first thickness and a first perimeter which has a first major base. The second prism is defined by a second thickness and a second perimeter which has a second major base. The film is located between the first major base and the second major base for splitting the incident beam into the first and second beams. The first and second perimeters are right angle trapezoidal shaped. The beam splitter is configured for generating equal optical path length beams.