Abstract: The present invention provides fusion polypeptides comprising polypeptide ligands that are modified by circular permutation and fused to at least one polypeptide fusion partner wherein such fusion polypeptides have new, improved or enhanced biological functions or activities. Such improvements include, but are not limited to, increased binding affinity, increased activity, increased agonist activity (super agonist), antagonist activity, increased accessibility, increased flexibility of the active site, increased stability, broader and/or changed substrate specificity, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide comprising a muscle function enhancing amino acid sequence which is derived from the S100 calcium binding protein family. Furthermore, the present invention provides said peptide for medical use, in particular, for treating or preventing disorders associated with muscular malfunction, such as skeletal muscle or cardiac muscle disorders. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising said peptide and a method for treating or preventing disorders associated with muscular malfunction using said peptide or said pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Described herein are novel compositions comprising multimodal TRAIL agents and cells engineered to express such multimodal TRAIL agents, including cells encapsulated in a scaffold or matrix, for use in the treatment of disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel kinocidin peptides comprising a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin, wherein the C-terminal portion encompasses an ?-helical secondary structure and further displays antimicrobial activity. The kinocidin peptides of the invention are derived from and correspond to a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin that includes a ??o core and that can be a CXC, CC, or C class chemokine. Structural, physicochemical and functional properties of this novel class of antimicrobial peptides and amino acid sequences of particular kinocidin peptides are also disclosed. The invention also provides related antimicrobial methods.

Abstract: Novel human interleukin-2 (IL-2) muteins or variants thereof, and nucleic acid molecules and variants thereof are provided. Methods for producing these muteins as well as methods for stimulating the immune system of an animal are also disclosed. In addition, the invention provides recombinant expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules of this invention and host cells into which expression vectors have been introduced. Pharmaceutical compositions are included comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a human IL-2 mutein of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The IL-2 muteins can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for use in treatment of cancer and in stimulating the immune response.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating cell-cell fusion by using agents that modulate expression, activity, or function of intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK4) channel. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods of the invention provide for inhibition of multi-nucleated osteoclastogenesis and cell-cell fusion, especially cell fusion involving macrophages. In such embodiments, the compositions can comprise inhibitory nucleic acids, monoclonal antibodies or small molecule inhibitors of the SK4 channels and find use in preventing and/or treating various diseases or disorders including bone loss, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or disorders, implant and transplant rejection, and cancer metastasis. In other embodiments, the compositions and methods of the invention provide for activation of cell-cell fusion. Also provided are methods to screen for SK4 channel modulators (inhibitors or activators) that modulate cell-cell fusion, particularly macrophage cell fusion.

Abstract: Provided are methods for activating an antigen-presenting cell and eliciting an immune response by inducing an inducible pattern recognition receptor adapter, or adapter fragment, and CD40 activity. Also provided are nucleic acid compositions comprising sequences coding for chimeric proteins that include an inducible CD40 peptide and an inducible pattern recognition receptor adapter or adapter fragment.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibody molecules having specificity for antigenic determinants of human OX40, therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing said antibody molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are various processes for the improved production of antibody producing organisms, antibody producing tissues, antibody producing cells and antibodies. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for rapidly producing antibody producing organisms, tissues, cells and antibodies derived from humans, organisms, plants or cells that are genetically altered to over-express certain proteins.

Abstract: Described are human binding molecules specifically binding to enterococci and having killing activity against enterococci, nucleic acid molecules encoding the human binding molecules, compositions comprising the human binding molecules and methods of identifying or producing the molecules. The molecules can be used, for example, in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and/or treatment of a condition resulting from Enterococcus.

Abstract: The invention provides soluble fusion protein complexes having at least two soluble fusion proteins. The first fusion protein is a biologically active polypeptide covalently linked to an interleukin-15 (IL-15) polypeptide or a functional fragment thereof. The second fusion protein is a second biologically active polypeptide covalently linked to a soluble interleukin-15 receptor alpha (IL-15R?) polypeptide or a functional fragment thereof. In the complexes of the invention, one or both of the first and second fusion proteins further includes an immunoglobulin Fc domain or a functional fragment thereof; and the first fusion protein binds to the soluble IL-15R? domain of the second fusion protein to form a soluble fusion protein complex. The invention further provides methods for making and using the complexes of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to C1ORF32 protein and its variants and fragments and fusion proteins thereof, pharmaceutical composition comprising same and methods of use thereof for treatment of immune related disorders and infections.

Abstract: An anti-granulysin antibody, or an scFv or Fab fragment thereof, capable of binding to an epitope region from R64 to R113 of granulysin and capable of neutralizing an activity of granulysin. The antibody may contain a sequence selected from the sequences of SEQ ID NO:82 to SEQ ID NO:195, or the antibody may contain a sequence selected from the sequences of SEQ ID NO:39 to SEQ ID NO:76. The antibody may be a monoclonal antibody. A method for treating or preventing an unwanted immune response disorder includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an anti-granulysin antibody capable of neutralizing the activity of granulysin. The unwanted immune response disorder may be SJS, TEN, or GVHD.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the anti-p40 antibodies, kits, cocktails, and use of anti-p40 antibodies for detection of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which specifically bind to PDGF-B. The invention further provides a method of obtaining such antibodies and nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention further relates to compositions and therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies for the treatment and/or prevention of PDGF-B mediated diseases, disorders or conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.

Abstract: An anti-IL-12 antibody that binds to a portion of the IL-12 protein corresponding to at least one amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of residues 15, 17-21, 23, 40-43, 45-47, 54-56 and 58-62 of the amino acid sequence of the p40 subunit of IL-12, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one anti-IL-12 antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof have applications in diagnostic and/or therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a platform technology for production of antigen binding polypeptides having specificity for a desired target antigen which is based on the conventional antibody repertoire of species in the family Camelidae, and to antigen binding polypeptides obtained using this technology platform. In particular, the invention provides an antigen binding polypeptide comprising a VH domain and a VL domain, wherein at least one hypervariable loop or complementarity determining region (CDR) in the VH domain or the VL domain is obtained from a VH or VL domain of a species in the family Camelidae.

Abstract: Provided is an antibody effective for treatment and/or prevention of gallbladder cancer. A pharmaceutical composition for treatment and/or prevention of gallbladder cancer contains as an active ingredient an antibody or a fragment thereof having immunological reactivity with a CAPRIN-1 protein or a fragment thereof comprising at least seven consecutive amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence of the protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of a disease susceptible to anti-EGFR treatment, comprising the step of administering, to a human being in nee thereof, a combination of an anti-EGFR agent and an anti-neutrophil-chemoattracta agent, wherein said anti-neutrophil-chemoattractant agent is administered in a dosage regimen that is sufficient to reduce one or more undesired dermatological side-effects the anti-EGFR agent. In one embodiment, the anti-EGFR agent is an anti-EGF antibody and the anti-neutrophil-chemoattractant agent is an anti-IL-8 antibody.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antibodies targeting LRP6 and compositions and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies specific for the CSF-1R, compositions comprising said antibodies and methods of treatment using such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are CD70 binding agents, such as humanized anti-CD70 antibodies and fragments and derivatives, that exert a cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunomodulatory on CD70 expressing cells, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the antibody, fragment or derivative. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of CD70-expressing cancers and immunological disorders, comprising administering to a subject the CD70 binding agents or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention, in at least some aspects, is of splice variants of heparanase, as well as diagnostic kits and methods of use, and therapeutic agents and methods of use based thereon, and antibodies specifically binding thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to purinergic receptors, to antibodies and related fragments thereof for binding to said receptors, to production of said antibodies and fragments and to sue of said antibodies and fragments for cancer detection and therapy. In particular the antibodies described bind specifically to non-functional P2X& receptors expressed by live cells.

Abstract: Provided is a bio-hybrid material that does not cause elution of nickel ions and has an excellent endothelialization ability, a production method therefor, and a stent. The bio-hybrid material (101) used includes an alloy part (11) free of Ni, an organic acid (12) having two or more active esters, and a cytokine (13). The alloy part (11) free of Ni forms an ester bond with the organic acid (12), and the organic acid (12) and the cytokine (13) are immobilized via an amide bond.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and methods for tethering proteins. For example, dimers of proteins, including SOD1 and DJ-1, are described, where the dimers are formed by the covalent bonding of a cysteine on the first monomer to a cysteine on the second monomer via a cyclic disulfide linker. The covalently attached dimers exhibit increased stabilization.

Abstract: Reduction of the energy burden in a step of drying hydrous low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC), reduction of water content of a cake obtained by dehydration, and others are targeted. More specifically, provided is a method for dehydrating hydrous L-HPC with a compression type dehydrator by feeding the hydrous L-HPC to a screw conveyer connected to the inlet of the dehydrator, including steps of: starting the operation of the conveyer to fill the conveyer and the dehydrator with the hydrous L-HPC, starting the operation of the filled dehydrator, and feeding the hydrous L-HPC to the conveyer, while discharging dehydrated L-HPC from an outlet of the dehydrator, wherein a feed rate of feeding the hydrous L-HPC to the conveyer is equal to a discharge rate of discharging the dehydrated L-HPC in terms of net weight of cellulose ether, and a method for producing L-HPC by using the above method.

Abstract: This invention concerns a biopolymer consisting of a polysaccharide composed of galactose (50-90%), glucose (1-25%), mannose (1-25%) and rhamnose (0.5-20%), which may additionally contain, in trace amounts, xylose, fucose, ribose, arabinose and/or fructose. The galactose-rich polymer also contains non-saccharide components, namely, acyl groups. This invention also concerns a process for the production of the galactose-rich polymer, by microbial fermentation using glycerol or glycerol-rich substrates as carbon source, and recovery of the polymer from the culture broth. From the process for the production of the galactose-rich polymer results the co-production of intracellular biopolymers, namely, polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Abstract: Provided are new partially hydrogenated nitrile rubbers which are distinguished by a specific ratio of viscosity to molecular weight, and also vulcanizable mixtures and vulcanizates based on said rubbers, and also the associated preparation processes. The partially hydrogenated nitrile rubbers lead to compounded formulations having advantageous processing properties in conjunction with excellent vulcanizate properties.

Abstract: A low temperature polymerization reactor for the production of butyl rubber by catalytic polymerization of isobutylene with small amount of a conjugated diolefin such as isoprene includes: an extended upper head with fluid deflector fixed to the top tube-sheet, the shapes of the head and deflector being optimized in order to reach a very homogeneous slurry velocity in the rows of tubes and to minimize the pressure drop due to the inversion of flow from up-flow to down-flow and to the entrance of the slurry in the tubes; an hemispheric bottom head with fluid deflectors placed between the impeller and the bottom itself and designed to minimize the pressure drop due to the inversion of flow from down-flow to up-flow; and straightening baffles inside the draft tube, which shape and dimensions are optimized to turn the radial velocity components produced by the rotation of the impeller into axial velocity components.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polyethylene polymer characterized by the following properties: A number average molecular weight Mn of at least 2.0*105 g/mol, a weight average molecular weight of at least 2.0*106 g/mol, a Mw/Mn ratio of above 6, and a strain hardening slope of below 0.10 N/mm at 135° C. It has been found that a polymer with these properties have be converted through solid state processing into films and fibers with good properties. A solid state processing process, films and fibers, and their use are also claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process to form an ethylene-based polymer, said process comprising polymerizing ethylene in the presence of at least one free-radical agent, and in the presence of a “metal alkyl-containing compound” selected from the group consisting of the following: i) at least one “Group II metal alkyl-containing compound,” ii) at least one “Group III metal alkyl-containing compound,” or iii) a combination of i) and ii). The invention also provides a composition comprising at least one ethylene-based polymer, prepared from a free-radical polymerization, and wherein the ethylene-based polymer has the following property: y>0.28567x?0.00032, wherein y=vinyl/1000C, as determined by 1H NMR, and x=mol % polymerized ?-olefin, as determined by 13C NMR.

Abstract: A method of production of modified conjugated diene-based rubber comprising a steps of using, as a polymerization initiator, an alkali metalated aromatic compound which has three or more carbon atoms which are directly bonded to alkali metal atoms and aromatic rings in one molecule so as to polymerize a monomer which contains at least a conjugated diene compound and reacting a compound of the following general formula (I) with an active ends of the obtained polymer is provided. (In the general formula (I), any one of R1 and R10 to R18 is an atom or reactive group which can react with the active ends of said polymer or a hydrocarbon group which includes either of the same, the remaining among R1 and R10 to R18 and R2 to R9 are respectively independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, or aryl group, and “j”, “k”, “m”, and “n” are integers of 0 to 100.

Abstract: An improved solution polymerization process wherein energy consumption is reduced comprising: i) injecting ethylene, solvent, catalyst, ?-olefins and hydrogen into at least one reactor to produce a polyethylene in a single liquid phase solution; ii) deactivating the single liquid phase solution; iii) passing the deactivated solution into a vapor/liquid separator forming a bottom stream of polyethylene rich solvent and a gaseous overhead stream; iv) passing not more than 40% of the gaseous overhead stream to distillation; v) condensing the remainder of the gaseous overhead stream to form a recycle stream, while generating low pressure steam; vi) passing the recycle stream through a means for oligomer removal; vii) passing the recycle stream through a lights separator; viii) passing the recycle stream through a purification step; ix) collecting the recycle stream in a recycle drum, passing the recycle stream through a pump and injecting a high pressure recycle stream into said reactors.

Abstract: Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers are described herein that can include high amounts of ethylene and exhibit desirable softening points and needle penetrations. The desirable combinations of softening points and needle penetrations in these propylene-ethylene copolymers allow them to have a broad operating window. Due their broad operating window, the propylene-ethylene copolymers can be utilized in a wide array of applications and products, including hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage drawing process for the drawing of polymeric elongated objects, containing a first drawing stage and a final drawing stage and optionally containing at least one intermediate drawing stage subsequent to the first drawing stage and prior to the final drawing stage, comprising in the following order the steps of: a. providing a polymeric elongated feed object; b. drawing the elongated object in the first drawing stage with a draw ratio of between 30% and 90% of the maximum drawing ratio achievable in the first drawing step; c. optionally drawing the elongated object in the at least one intermediate drawing stage with a draw ratio of between 30% and 90% of the maximum drawing ratio achievable in the at least one intermediate drawing step; d. drawing the elongated object in the final drawing stage with a draw ratio of at most 5, preferably of at most 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-chain branched elastic terpolymer capable of satisfying excellent processability and elasticity (flexibility) at the same time, which is obtained in the presence of a Group IV transition metal catalyst, and a preparation method thereof. The elastic terpolymer is a copolymer of ethylene, an alpha-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and a diene, wherein (i) its weight average molecular weight measured by GPC is 100,000 to 500,000, and (ii) x which is an ethylene content (% by weight) and y which is a crystallization temperature (K) of the copolymer measured when the ethylene content is X satisfy a relationship of 2.628x+100?y?2.628x+112.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a vinyl chloride polymer, and more precisely, a method of preparing a vinyl chloride polymer having excellent processability by raising a final polymerization temperature up to 5˜20° C. from an first polymerization temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer containing, as structural units, a structural unit derived from a sulfonic acid (salt) group-containing monomer and a structural unit derived from (meth)acrylic acid (salt), the copolymer being capable of expressing an excellent effect on the dispersion of hydrophobic particles. Also provided is a method of producing such (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer. A (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer of the present invention contains: 1 mass % to 20 mass % of a structural unit (a) derived from an ether bond-containing hydrophobic monomer (A) represented by a specific structure; 1 mass % to 50 mass % of a structural unit (b) derived from a sulfonic acid (salt) group-containing monomer (B) represented by a specific structure; and 30 mass % to 98 mass % of a structural unit (c) derived from (meth)acrylic acid (salt) (C).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing copolymers, by oxidatively polymerizing thiophene or substituted thiophene such as 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene or 3-hexyl thiophene in presence of a reactive surfactant, as aqueous dispersions using catalyst such as FeCl3 and peroxide as the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of an organic-inorganic hybrid composition is performed through three major steps. In addition, a product is generated from this organic-inorganic hybrid composition. In step one, a series of hydrolysis reactions and condensation reactions with a functional organosilane or a combination of functional organosilanes, in presence of water as a reactant for hydrolysis and a suitable acid or a base as a catalyst is performed in order to obtain the first intermediate. In step two, a hydroxyl group-capping intermediate is prepared via reacting a hydroxyl reactable chemical with a hydroxyl functional polymerizable compound. In the third step, a hydroxyl group-capping reaction is conducted with the first intermediate and the hydroxyl group-capping intermediate, so as to obtain the organic-inorganic hybrid composition. It may further include a polymerization step to form an organic-inorganic hybrid polymer composition by UV irradiation or other approaches.

Abstract: There is provided an epoxy resin composition having low viscosity and a high cationic curing property. An epoxy compound of Formula (1): (in Formula (1), A is an (n4)-valent C4-20 linear hydrocarbon group optionally containing an epoxy group, an (n4)-valent C4-20 cyclic hydrocarbon group optionally containing an epoxy group, or an (n4)-valent group of a combination of the linear hydrocarbon group and the cyclic hydrocarbon group; R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-10 alkyl group; n1 is an integer of 2 to 6; n2 is an integer of 2; n3 is an integer of 1; and n4 is an integer of 3 to 8). For example, A is an (n4)-valent organic group formed by removing (n4) hydrogen atoms from butane, pentane, or hexane, or an (n4)-valent organic group formed by removing (n4) hydrogen atoms from cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, epoxycyclohexane, alkyl-substituted epoxycyclohexane, bicycloheptene, or bicyclooctene.

Abstract: The provided are a polylactic acid-polyalkylene glycol copolymer and a composition comprising the same which have excellent crystallization rate, wherein the polylactic acid-polyalkylene glycol copolymer is prepared by melt-reacting polylactic acid with polyalkylene glycol of which one end group is substituted with a functional group and has improved eco-friendliness, injection moldability, and excellent heat resistance which makes it to be suitably applied to various molded articles requiring great heat resistance, such as disposables, kitchen utensils and containers, electric-electronic parts and automobile parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aromatic polycarbonate resin composition having a high molecular weight and less amount of a heterologous structure, retaining good qualities, and excellent in thermal stability, and an improved preparation process thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-arm polyethylene glycol derivative having a narrow molecular weight distribution. A multi-arm polyethylene glycol derivative represented by the formula (1): m[Z—YnCH2CH2OX—O-L-O—XOCH2CH2nY—Z]m??(1) wherein, L represents a group selected from a linear or branched alkylene, arylene, or cycloalkylene group having two or more carbon atoms and combinations thereof, which may have an ether bond in a chain; X represents a dehydroxylation residue of a linear sugar alcohol having 5 or 7 carbon atoms; m is the number of polyethylene glycol chains bonded to X and represents 4 or 6; n is the average addition molar number of oxyethylene groups and n represents an integer of 3 to 600; Y represents a single bond or an alkylene group which may have an ester bond, a urethane bond, an amide bond, an ether bond, a carbonate bond, a secondary amino group, a urea bond, a thioether bond or a thioester bond in a chain or at an end; and Z represents a chemically reactive functional group.

Abstract: Composite particles comprising core particles completely or partially coated with a precipitated polymer, where the d50 median diameter of the core particles is from 1 to 70 ?m and wherein the core particle is an inorganic material which does not include titanium dioxide are provided. A method to prepare the particles includes dissolution of a polymer in a solvent and precipitation of the polymer in the presence of a suspension of the core particles. Further provided is a layer by layer moulding process employing the composite particles and mouldings obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel catalysts for the production of cast polyamide, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-crystalline semi-aromatic polyamide comprising A-A-B-B units derived from (a) dicarboxylic acids consisting of a mixture of aromatic dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and (b) diamines consisting of a mixture of long chain aliphatic diamine and short chain aliphatic diamine, wherein (a-i) the aromatic dicarboxylic acid consists for at least 80 mole % of terephthalic acid, and (a-ii) the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid constitutes at least 5 mole % of the dicarboxylic acids, (b-i) the short chain aliphatic diamine constitutes at least 10 mole % of the diamines, and (c) the aromatic dicarboxylic acid and the long chain aliphatic diamine constitute 60-90 mole % of the total molar amount of dicarboxylic acids and diamines.