Abstract: A complex of magnesium maltol that can deliver magnesium via oral administration at a low cost. The magnesium maltol is formed by dissolving an amount of maltol in water. A solution of citric acid and magnesium oxide is added to the maltol, allowed to react, and then dried to obtain magnesium maltol. The approach may also be used to produce magnesium ethylmaltol. Cellular uptake studies demonstrate that both magnesium maltol and magnesium ethylmaltol provide a substantial uptake of magnesium and thus the complexes offer a route for magnesium supplementation such as that needed by patients with hypomagnesemia.

Abstract: A series of chimeric peptides that provide a mechanism for obesity treatment concomitant with T2DM in the form of dual agonism of the anorectic neuropeptide Y-receptor (Y2-R) and the glucoregulatory receptor GLP1-R. Preliminary results show that, dependent on the selected peptide, once-daily administration suppress FI in male and female rats can be reduced to 12-65% compared to baseline conditions before treatment, dependent on dose and age of animals, and glucose tolerance can be improved as well. Peptides also demonstrated Y1-receptor agonism, conferring protection on beta-islet cells against inflammatory damage. The peptides were designed by targeting serial anorectic pathways simultaneously and are promising candidates for modulating FI and glucoregulation in an efficacious and safe way.

Abstract: An assay and kit for detecting N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E) in a sample that uses a lipid binding protein, such as Saposin B, to capture A2E in the sample and assist in the extraction and measurement of A2E via mass spectroscopy. A2E thus serves as a marker for macular degeneration so that the assay and kit of the invention can be used to detect the presence or severity of macular degeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease or indication associated with accumulation of a bisretinoid, for example A2E. In many embodiments, the disclosed methods and compositions are useful in treating an eye disease, for example macular degeneration.

Abstract: A method for the avoidance of side effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists through vitamin B12 conjugation prior to administration. Vitamin B12 may be bound to a GLP-1R agonist, such as exendin-4 (Ex4), to provide enhanced proteolytic stability while retaining GLP-1R agonism. The conjugate (B12-Ex4) also improves glucose tolerance without producing anorexia and malaise. A GLP-1R agonist that is resistant to DPP-IV degradation and does not penetrate readily into the CNS, but retains the enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile on pancreatic ?-cells provide a pharmacological tool for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without eliciting unwanted hypophagia and nausea.

Abstract: A method for the avoidance of side effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists through vitamin B12 conjugation prior to administration. Vitamin B12 may be bound to a GLP-1R agonist, such as exendin-4 (Ex4), to provide enhanced proteolytic stability while retaining GLP-1R agonism. The conjugate (B12-Ex4) also improves glucose tolerance without producing anorexia and malaise. A GLP-1R agonist that is resistant to DPP-IV degradation and does not penetrate readily into the CNS, but retains the enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile on pancreatic ?-cells provide a pharmacological tool for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without eliciting unwanted hypophagia and nausea.

Abstract: A monomeric peptide that functions as an agonist for the glucagon receptor (GluR), the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1-R) and neuropeptide Y2 receptor (NPY2-R). The peptide thus targets three of the receptors involved glucoregulation and appetite regulation to more efficiently and completely facilitate weight loss in, among others, type II diabetic patients while also being capable of stimulating a reduction in appetite to complement the weight loss results.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease or indication associated with accumulation of a bisretinoid, for example A2E. In many embodiments, the disclosed methods and compositions are useful in treating an eye disease, for example macular degeneration.

Abstract: An assay and kit for detecting N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E) in a sample that uses a lipid binding protein, such as Saposin B, to capture A2E in the sample and assist in the extraction and measurement of A2E via mass spectroscopy. A2E thus serves as a marker for macular degeneration so that the assay and kit of the invention can be used to detect the presence or severity of macular degeneration.

Abstract: Improved delivery of zinc using haptocorrin or intrinsic factor modified to include a zinc binding sequence that can outcompete dietary zinc inhibitors such as phytin. Known zinc binding sequences can be assayed to determine competitiveness with respect to phytin and, if successful, incorporated into the B12 binding site of haptocorrin or intrinsic factor. Thus a method of producing functional human haptocorrin or intrinsic factor which binds to zinc includes the steps of modifying human TCN1 or GIF to comprise one or more zinc-binding site sequences, constructing a vector containing the modified human TCN1 or GIF sequence, and introducing the vector into a host cell for a time and under conditions sufficient for expression of the functional human haptocorrin or intrinsic factor. The resulting zinc binding complex can be orally administered to zinc deficient individuals to improve the amount of dietary zinc available to the individuals.

Abstract: Improved delivery of zinc using haptocorrin or intrinsic factor modified to include a zinc binding sequence that can outcompete dietary zinc inhibitors such as phytin. Known zinc binding sequences can be assayed to determine competitiveness with respect to phytin and, if successful, incorporated into the B12 binding site of haptocorrin or intrinsic factor. Thus a method of producing functional human haptocorrin or intrinsic factor which binds to zinc includes the steps of modifying human TCN1 or GIF to comprise one or more zinc-binding site sequences, constructing a vector containing the modified human TCN1 or GIF sequence, and introducing the vector into a host cell for a time and under conditions sufficient for expression of the functional human haptocorrin or intrinsic factor. The resulting zinc binding complex can be orally administered to zinc deficient individuals to improve the amount of dietary zinc available to the individuals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated antigen from Streptomyces coelicolor that is useful for developing, inter alia, vaccines against pathogenic bacteria of humans and animals. The present invention also relates to vaccines and antibodies developed using the isolated antigen. The present invention also relates to methods of using the antigen, vaccines, and antibodies of the present invention to detect, treat, and prevent infection and diseases associated with pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated antigen from Streptomyces coelicolor that is useful for developing, inter alia, vaccines against pathogenic bacteria of humans and animals. The present invention also relates to vaccines and antibodies developed using the isolated antigen. The present invention also relates to methods of using the antigen, vaccines, and antibodies of the present invention to detect, treat, and prevent infection and diseases associated with pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated antigen from Streptomyces coelicolor that is useful for developing, inter alia, vaccines against pathogenic bacteria of humans and animals. The present invention also relates to vaccines and antibodies developed using the isolated antigen. The present invention also relates to methods of using the antigen, vaccines, and antibodies of the present invention to detect, treat, and prevent infection and diseases associated with pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated antigen from Streptomyces coelicolor that is useful for developing, inter alia, vaccines against pathogenic bacteria of humans and animals. The present invention also relates to vaccines and antibodies developed using the isolated antigen. The present invention also relates to methods of using the antigen, vaccines, and antibodies of the present invention to detect, treat, and prevent infection and diseases associated with pathogenic bacteria.