Abstract: A system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor configure the processor to receive an image of a metallographic sample of a product from a microscope, the image including dendritic structures in the metallographic sample; select a portion of the image; and perform morphological operations on the selected portion of the image to transform the image. The instructions configure the processor to overlay a plurality of concentric circles on the transformed image, measure circumferences of the circles, and count the number of intercepts of the circles and boundaries of the dendritic structures in the transformed image. The instructions configure the processor to determine parameters of the dendritic structures based on the measured circumferences and the number of intercepts. The instructions configure the processor to determine structural properties of the product based on the parameters of the dendritic structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gastrin derivatives comprising gastrin or an analogue or fragment thereof and a derivatisation group and therapeutic use thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a pharmaceutical combination comprising (a) an anti-inflammatory agent/anti-oxidant agent conjugate; and (b) an insulin secretogogue, an insulin sensitizer, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, a peptide analog, or a combination thereof. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of treating metabolic disorders with such conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of treatment of diabetes and relates to peptides that exhibit activity for both glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIP-R) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1-R) and are selective over glucagon receptor (Gluc-R). Specifically provided are GIP analogs with amino acid substitutions introduced to modulate activity for both GIP-R and GLP-1-R and maintain selectivity over Gluc-R.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and combinations for substantially inhibiting the opioid-induced internalization of GRPR in a pruritis specific neuron. Such methods and combinations provide a direct means of treating opioid-induce pruritis without compromising opioid analgesia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gastrin derivatives comprising gastrin or an analogue or fragment thereof and a derivatisation group and therapeutic use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming a solid, biodegradable implant in-situ in a body by administering a liquid pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a biocompatible, water-insoluble, biodegradable polymer and an effective amount of a therapeutic peptide covalently modified with one or more lipophilic or amphiphilic moieties, which are dissolved or dispersed in a biocompatible, water-soluble organic solvent. This invention also provides related compositions and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates biomedically useful compositions containing bioactive agents and biodegradable carbohydrate polyethers that exhibit reverse thermogelation properties in aqueous media. The microstructure structure and properties of the carbohydrate polyethers can be conveniently controlled with respect to functionality, molecular weight, polydispersity index, microstructure and tertiary structure, they can be customized for use in a variety of biomedical applications including drug delivery, cell delivery, surgical procedures and the like.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a nutritional composition for the treatment of disorders which are associated with malfunctioning in the uptake and use of food-derived energy in the human body. In particular, the invention concerns the use of a nutritional composition for the treatment of a disorder, which is mediated by a postprandial endocrine or neurological response in a human body, wherein the nutritional composition comprises one or more of a specific protein fraction, a specific carbohydrate fraction and a specific nutritional fiber fraction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to amphiphilic compounds, self assembling compositions formed from the amphiphilic compounds and methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: A therapeutic or bioeffecting film delivery system which includes nanoparticles having actives bound to or associated with the nanoparticles and which when administered allow the active to perform a therapeutic or bioeffecting function.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions of peptide analogs that are active in blood or cleavable in blood to release an active peptide. The peptide analogs have a general formula: A-(Cm)x-Peptide (SEQ ID NO: 76), wherein A is hydrophobic moiety or a metal binding moiety, e.g., a chemical group or moiety containing 1) an alkyl group having 6 to 36 carbon units, 2) a nitrilotriacetic acid group, 3) an imidodiacetic acid group, or 4) a moiety of formula (ZyHisw)p (SEQ ID NO: 50), wherein Z is any amino acid residue other than histidine, His is histidine, y is an integer from 0-6; w is an integer from 1-6; and p is an integer from 1-6; wherein if A has alkyl group with 6 to 36 carbon units x is greater than 0; and Cm is a cleavable moiety consisting of glycine or alanine or lysine or arginine or N-Arginine or N-lysine, wherein x is an integer between 0-6 and N may be any amino acid or none. The peptide analogs are complexed with polymeric carrier to provide enhanced half-life.

Abstract: Novel biodegradable compositions are disclosed. The biodegradable compositions include at least one hydroxyl-terminated component and at least one bioactive peptide in a linear chain. The compositions may be utilized as medical devices including drug delivery devices, tissue adhesives and/or sealants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to graft copolymers of polyvinyl sulfonic-co-vinyl alcohol)-g-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (P(VS-VA)-g-PLGA) with negatively charged electrolyte properties, their method of preparation and their use. These negatively charged graft copolymers are suitable for effective loading and sustained-release of especially positively charged drugs, proteins and peptides, and drug-loaded particles from these grafted co-polymers are especially useful as parenteral or mucosal drug delivery systems for pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising biologically active proteins linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of using such compositions in treatment of glucose-related diseases, metabolic diseases, coagulation disorders, and growth hormone-related disorders and conditions.