Abstract: Described is the modulation of the neovascularization and/or growth of collateral arteries and/or other arteries from preexisting arteriolar connections. Methods are provided for enhancing neovascularization and/or the growth of collateral arteries and/or other arteries from preexisting arteriolar connections comprising contacting organs, tissue or cells with a colony stimulating factor (CSF) or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said CSF. Furthermore, the use of a CSF or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said CSF for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing neovascularization and/or collateral growth of collateral arteries and/or other arteries from preexisting arteriolar connections is described.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. The present invention provides a recombinant vector which comprises DNA encoding amyloid ? and DNA encoding a Th2 cytokine, as well as a DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease which comprises this vector.

Abstract: IGF-I variants having an alanine, glycine, or serine amino acid residue at position 16, 25, 49 or at positions 3 and 49 of native-sequence IGF-I are provided that are useful to treat a disorder characterized by dysregulation of the GH/IGF axis in a mammal, such as a renal disorder.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and compositions for detecting and/or treating cancer based on detecting and/or administering an antibody, which can optionally be a bispecific antibody, having the immunoreaction characteristics of a cancer-associated autoantibody; an antigen for a cancer-associated autoantibody; or both an antibody having the immunoreaction characteristics of a cancer-associated autoantibody and an antigen for a cancer-associated autoantibody, in or to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A method for treating adult onset neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes by administering an effective dose of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and products for inducing Treg cells for immune suppression in connection with autoimmune disease and transplant rejection.

Abstract: Provided are caged compounds comprising a ligand that specifically reacts with a receptor not naturally present in mammals. The cage is released from the ligand upon illumination of the compound with light. Also provided are cells transfected with a gene of interest and a gene encoding a receptor, the gene of interest operably linked to a genetic element capable of being induced by the receptor when bound to a ligand, and the receptor not naturally present in the species of the cell. The cells also comprise a caged ligand of the receptor. Additionally provided are methods of inducing a gene of interest in the above cells. Also provided are methods of repressing a gene of interest in a cell using caged ligands of receptors. Methods are additionally provided for inducing elimination of a target sequence in a cell of a species, using a caged ligand and a recombinase.

Abstract: New devices and methods for diagnosis and compositions and methods for treatment of cancers use combinations of antimicrobial agents and agents that can reverse dormancy and hibernation pathways. We unexpectedly found that surprisingly low doses of anti-hibernation compounds can substantially inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro and can successfully treat cancers, including metastatic cancer. We also unexpectedly found that antimicrobial agents and anti-HDS compounds together can increase the degree of inhibition of cancer cell growth in a synergistic fashion. We conclude that combination therapy with antimicrobial agents and anti-HDS compounds can be effective in treating human patients with cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit RNA-containing virus, particularly the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the Hepatitis C Virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: Substituted fused [1,2]imidazo[4,5-c] ring compounds (e.g., imidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, imidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridines, and 6,7,8,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridines) with a —CH(—R1)— group in the fused ring at the 1-position of the imidazo ring, wherein R1 includes a functional group, for example, an amide, sulfonamide, urea, carbamate, ester, ketone, ether, a thio analog of the forgoing, sulfone, oxime, or hydroxylamine, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making the compounds, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of increasing hematopoietic stem cell production is disclosed. The method includes administering a TPO mimetic compound to a subject. Pharmaceutical compositions including a TPO mimetic compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ability of SAP to suppress fibrocytes. It also relates to the ability of IL-12, laminin-1, cross-linked IgG and IgG aggregates to suppress fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for suppressing fibrocytes using these proteins are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications including treatment and prevention of fibrosing diseases such as scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis and asthma. Finally, the invention includes assays for detecting the ability of various agents to modulate differentiation into fibrocytes. Such assays may also be used to diagnose scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, or other fibrosing diseases.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumor associated diseases by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) where the expression reduces the symptoms of the disease and compositions for mediation of enrichment-induced tumor resistance having brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are disclosed.

Abstract: Attenuated, replication-deficient viruses such as vaccinia viruses are used to deliver an exogenous viral, bacterial, parasitic or tumor antigen to an epidermal tissue such as the skin, lungs or gastrointestinal tract, which has been mechanically disrupted, in an amount effective to elicit or stimulate a cell mediated immune response. The epidermal tissue may be mechanically disrupted by a device such as a scarification needle or an abrader device. The epidermis may be mechanically disrupted prior to, at the same time, or immediately after the administration of the vaccine. The vaccine can be used to induce immunity against a pathogen, such as a virus, bacteria, or parasite, or against a cancer in a subject that has or is at risk of developing cancer. In some embodiments a co-stimulatory molecule, a growth factor, an adjuvant and/or a cytokine is administered before, with or after the viral vaccine. In some embodiments, the co-stimulatory molecule is co-expressed with the antigen by the virus.

Abstract: Polypeptide growth factors, methods of making them, polynucleotides encoding them, antibodies to them, and methods of using them are disclosed. The polypeptides comprise an amino acid segment that is at least 90% identical to residues 46-163 of SEQ ID NO:2 or residues 235-345 of SEQ ID NO:2. Multimers of the polypeptides are also disclosed. The polypeptides, multimeric proteins, and polynucleotides can be used in the study and regulation of cell and tissue development, as components of cell culture media, and as diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for regulation of metabolic events, such as those mediated by adiponectin and adiponectin agonists. The invention also provides screening assays for identification of biologically active agents, diagnostic and therapeutic agents, and other methods and reagents.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a human glycoprotein hormone having at least one, two, three, four, or five basic amino acids in the ?-subunit at positions selected from the group consisting of positions 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 20. The invention is also directed to a human glycoprotein where at least one of the amino acids at position 58, 63, and 69 of the ?-subunit of the human thyroid stimulating hormone are basic amino acids. The invention is further directed to a modified human glycoprotein hormone having increased activity over a wild-type human glycoprotein hormone, where the modified human glycoprotein comprises a basic amino acid substituted at a position corresponding to the same amino acid position in a non-human glycoprotein hormone having an increased activity over the wild-type human glycoprotein hormone.

Abstract: The invention provides novel fragments of proBNP and NTproBNP, particularly useful in prognosing or diagnosing acute heart failure, chronic heart failure or sepsis.

Abstract: It is described the use of thymosin alpha in combination with dacarbazine and optionally with Interferon alpha, for preparing a medicament for the treatment of malignant melanoma on stage IV characterized by distant unresectable metastases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immunogenic compositions (e.g., vaccines), the production of such immunogenic compositions and methods of using such compositions. More specifically, this invention provides unique immunogenic molecules comprising an HMGB1 polypeptide (e.g., an HMGB1 B-box polypeptide) and an antigen. Even more specifically, this invention provides novel fusion proteins comprising an isolated HMGB1 polypeptide and an antigen such that administration of these fusion proteins provides the two signals required for native T-cell activation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for making and using chimeric polypeptides that comprise a VEGFR-2 ligand. The chimeric molecules of the present invention retain VEGFR-2 binding activity and an enhanced angiogenic activity as compared to native VEGF-A.

Abstract: It is described the use of thymosin alpha in combination with dacarbazine and optionally with Interferon alpha, for preparing a medicament for the treatment of malignant melanoma on stage IV characterized by distant unresectable metastases.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating psoriasis in a subject by administering to a subject an antibody capable of binding to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to epitopes of sclerostin protein, and sclerostin binding agents, such as antibodies capable of binding to sclerostin, are provided.

Abstract: A G-CSF solution formulation which is substantially free from proteins as a stabilizer but which contains at least one amino acid or a salt thereof as a stabilizer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treatment growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency in a patient in need of such treatment. Compositions and methods include novel vaccines that provide immunogenicity for somatostatin and result in the increased release of endogenously produced growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic methods for a protecting an animal from a disease or condition that can be treated by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) wherein a composition comprising a cysteine variant of G-CSF is provided. Also disclosed herein are preferred cysteine variants of G-CSF for use in the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds inhibit serine protease, particularly the hepatitis C virus NS3-NS4A protease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for stimulating wound healing, and more particularly to a method for stimulating wound healing in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to a wound of the subject an effective amount for stimulating wound healing of a composition, wherein the composition comprises p43 having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or functional equivalents thereof. The composition used in the method of the present invention can be efficiently utilized for the wound healing, since p43, an effective ingredient of the composition, has an excellent effect on the wound healing by its action including the induction of macrophage/monocyte and endothelial cell re-epithelization, proliferation of fibroblasts or angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating heart failure and improving renal function, and/or preventing the advancement of heart failure into advanced stages, and methods of counteracting ischemia due to a myocardial infarction by providing improved methods of administering a therapeutically effective amount CGRP as a controlled release formulation. The therapies can be administered on an outpatient or inpatient basis and can further be used as maintenance therapies.

Abstract: Neuregulin, a known neuroprotein, has been found to ameliorate or prevent damage caused by mechanical or chemical assault to blood vessels and, when administered into the cerebral spinal fluid, can ameliorate damage to neuronal tissue caused by stroke or inflammation. Additionally, neuregulin has been found to be useful for enhancement of stem cell migration from the ventricle to the site of injury to the brain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nutritional composition comprising (a) at least 18 en % of proteinaceous matter; (b) at least 12 wt % of leucine, based on total proteinaceous matter; (c) a lipid fraction comprising at least a ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid selected from the group of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid; (d) an immune modulator; for improving the immune function in a mammal, preferably a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of ligands for the FLK-1 receptor for the modulation of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The invention s based, in part, on the demonstration that Flk-1 tyrosine kinase receptor expression is associated with endothelial cells and the identification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the high affinity ligand of Flk-1. These results indicate a major role for Flk-1 in the signaling system during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Engineering of host cells that express Flk-1 and the uses of expressed Flk-1 to evaluate and screen for drugs and analogs of VEGF involved in Flk-1 modulation by either agonist or antagonist activities is described. The invention also relates to the use of FLK-1 ligands, including VEGF agonists and antagonists, in the treatment of disorders, including cancer, by modulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for immunotherapy of cancer. Specifically, a method of cancer immunotherapy is described which results in the systemic liquidation of both solid and metastatic tumors whereever they reside in the body. The compositions include activated allogeneic Th1 cells that when administered appropriately lead to liquidation of tumors. The method includes administering priming doses of the therapeutic composition, ablation of a selected tumor lesion along with intratumoral injection of the composition and then infusion of the therapeutic composition. These steps enable the systemic liquidation of tumors secondary to immune cell infiltration and leads to immune-mediated tumor eradication.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the production, purification, and isolation of human growth hormone (hGH). More particularly, the invention relates to the production, purification, and isolation of substantially purified hGH comprising non-naturally encoded amino acids and hGH from recombinant host cells or culture medium including, for example, yeast, insect, mammalian and bacterial host cells. The process of the present invention is also useful for purification of hGH linked to polymers or other molecules.

Abstract: Compositions including a trimeric OX-40 fusion protein are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing the immune response of a mammal to an antigen by engaging the OX-40 receptor on the surface of T-cells involving administering to the mammal a composition comprising a trimeric OX-40 fusion protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: FSH mutant with increased glycosylation and longer half-life is described. The use of this FSH mutant for inducing folliculogenesis in human patients is also described.

Abstract: Polypeptide growth factors, methods of making them, polynucleotides encoding them, antibodies to them, and methods of using them are disclosed. The polypeptides comprise an amino acid segment that is at least 70% identical to residues 52-179 of SEQ ID NO:2 or residues 258-370 of SEQ ID NO:2. Multimers of the polypeptides are also disclosed. The polypeptides, multimeric proteins, and polynucleotides can be used in the study and regulation of cell and tissue development, as components of cell culture media, and as diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification of biological markers associated with an increased risk of developing Diabetes, as well as methods of using such biological markers in diagnosis and prognosis of Diabetes. The biological markers of the invention may indicate new targets for therapy or constitute new therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of Diabetes.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising gastrointestinal proliferative factor (GIPF) polynucleotides and polypeptides. The invention further relates to the therapeutic use of GIPF to prevent or treat conditions or disorders associated with the degeneration of the epithelial mucosa.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods for preventing post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (ERCP). The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising secretin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a transdermal patch formulation comprising hGH, at least one sugar, one amino acid or polyol, and a buffer, wherein the buffer maintains the pH of the formulation in the range of about 5 to about 9 and the formulation does not contain both glycine and mannitol.

Abstract: Chimeric somatostatin-based polypeptides, polynucleotides used to encode the polypeptides, the methods for isolating and producing the polypeptides and the uses thereof are provided. In addition, low cost adjuvants for enhanced immunogenic response are provided. Vaccinations that include both chimeric somatostatin-based polypeptides and novel adjuvants are included, useful in facilitating farm animal productivity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating the mobilization of stem cells, particularly for promoting or increasing the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to the use of adrenergic agonists that act in concert with a mobilization compound or agent. The mobilization agent(s) may act to decrease the expression or function of the chemokine, CXCL12, or may act to block or antagonize CXCR4. The invention also relates to methods of using these compounds or agents for enhancing the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells when harvesting of the stem cells is necessary for the treatment of diseases, disabilities or conditions whereby transplantation of such cells would be beneficial in ameliorating the symptoms associated with such diseases, disabilities or conditions. Methods of screening for novel agents and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK (SEQ ID NO: 2) residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of inducing production of vascular endothelial growth factor by a cell. The method includes contacting the cell with a CpG oligonucleotide, thereby inducing the production of vascular endothelial growth factor by the cell. The disclosure further provides a method inducing neovascularization in a tissue. This method includes comprising introducing a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide into an area of the tissue wherein the formation of new blood vessels is desired, thereby inducing neovascularization in the area of the tissue.

Abstract: A new receptor family has been identified, of activin-like kinases. Novel proteins have activin/TGF-beta-type I receptor functionality, and have consequential diagnostic/therapeutic utility. They may have a serine/threonine kinase domain, a DFKSRN or DLKSKN sequence in subdomain VIB and/or a GTKRYM sequence in subdomain VIII.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding cynomolgus monkey gp80, polypeptides obtainable from expression of these polynucleotides, compositions, recombinant cells, methods of making and using these polynucleotides, polypeptides, and compositions are useful in development of human therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polypeptide, comprising the amino acid sequence APAHRSSTFPKWVTKTERGRQPLRS (Seq. ID. No.1) or a fragment thereof, said fragment comprising at least 7 consecutive amino acid residues of Seq. ID. No.1.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for detecting cancer in an individual comprising autoantibodies to cancer-associated antigens. Specifically, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for detecting autoantibodies to cancer-associated antigen in a bodily fluid as well as use of said autoantibodies as a means to detect the presence of cancer-associated antigens.