Abstract: A method of therapeutic management of infertility by programming of controlled ovarian stimulation and assisted reproductive procedures is disclosed containing the steps of a) suppression of premature ovulation with an LHRH-antagonist in controlled ovarian stimulation and assisted reproductive techniques with multiple follicle and oocyte development; b) programming the start of controlled ovarian stimulation by the administration to a patient of progestogen only-preparations or, alternatively, combined oral contraceptive preparations; c) exogenous stimulation of the ovarian follicle growth; d) ovulation induction with HCG, native LHRH, LHRH-agonists or recombinant LH; and e) application of assisted reproduction techniques, especially of IVF, ICSI, GIFT, ZIFT or by intrauterine insemination by sperm injection, wherein onset of the patient's menstrual cycle and of controlled ovarian stimulation are programmed in order to perform oocyte pickup and fertilization procedures during Mondays to Fridays.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions containing endothelin receptor antagonists for emergency contraception.

Abstract: Peptides are provided having leptin receptor agonist activity. The peptides are useful for treating obesity, type II diabetes, appetite control after bariatric surgery, insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and hypothalamic amenorrhea, obesity-related infertility, among other diseases and conditions related to leptin deficiency and/or leptin resistance.

Abstract: Effective dosing regimens for neural stem cell proliferating and differentiating agents, kits comprising effective dosing regimens for neural stem cell proliferating and differentiating agents, and uses thereof are provided herein. Such kits and methods can be utilized acutely or chronically to treat a neurodegenerative disease or condition. Furthermore, the compositions and methods can be used continuously or intermittently in various dosing regimens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to increase oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells through administration of prolactin or a prolactin inducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and reagents for modulating ovulation in humans and non-human animals.

Abstract: Various nucleic acid-based matrixes are provided, comprising nucleic acid monomers as building blocks, as well as nucleic acids encoding proteins, so as to produce novel biomaterials. The nucleic acids are used to form dendrimers that are useful as supports, vectors, carriers or delivery vehicles for a variety of compounds in biomedical and biotechnological applications. In particular, the macromolecules may be used for the delivery of drugs, genetic material, imaging components or other functional molecule to which they can be conjugated. An additional feature of the macromolecules is their ability to be targeted for certain organs, tumors, or types of tissues. Methods of utilizing such biomaterials include delivery of functional molecules to cells.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods and reagents for the diagnosis of female infertility, prognostic indicators for female infertility, compounds for the treatment of female infertility, compounds and methods for contraception. Methods and compounds are based on the levels of ebaf in endometrial tissue. Methods for diagnosing endometrial receptivity and bleeding function by screening a biological sample such as an endometrial tissue sample, or bodily fluid for the presence of ebaf. A contraceptive compound containing an effective amount of ebaf and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A diagnostic kit for timing contraception containing reagents for screening a sample for the presence of ebaf. A method of treating endometrial irregularities by down-regulating the expression of ebaf.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for promoting sperm motility, promoting embryonic stem cell formation, promoting trophoblast formation, or promoting neuronal growth. The compositions and methods are based on peptide sequences that bind trophinin, inhibit bystin-mediated arrest of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, and promotes EGF receptor autophosphorylation.

Abstract: A method of treating infertility disorders by 1) administering an LH-RH antagonist, preferably Cetrorelix, in amounts to selectively suppress endogenous LH but not FSH secretion and 2) inducing follicle growth by administration of exogenous gonadotropin. The selective suppression OF LH allows FSH secretion to be at natural level S thereby not affecting individual estrogen development. The LH-RH antagonist can be given as a single or dual subcutaneous dose in the range of 1 mg to 10 mg, preferably 2 mg-6 mg. In multiple dosing posology, LH-RH antagonist can be administered subcutaneously in an amount in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mg of LH-RH antagonist/day . LH-RH antagonist is applied starting cycle day 1 to 10, preferably on day 4 to 8, and ovulation can be induced between day 9 and 20 of the menstruation cycle by administering rec. LH, native LH-RH, LH-RH agonist or by HCG. In addition rec.

Abstract: Provided are methods of diagnosing a medical condition associated with hypersensitivity to a female reproductive hormone in a subject, with the proviso that the medical condition is not estrogen dermatitis. The method is effected by administering into a skin of the subject at least one female reproductive hormone such as estriol or estrone, and monitoring a reaction to the female reproductive hormone on the skin, wherein a presence of the reaction above a predetermined threshold is indicative of the presence of the medical condition in the subject. Also provided are methods and computing platforms for treating the medical conditions associated with the hypersensitivity to the female reproductive hormone by desensitization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder or a predisposition to a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder by measuring the level or biological activity of soluble endoglin. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, using compounds that alter soluble endoglin levels or biological activity.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing endometriosis in a human subject comprising the steps of detecting a test amount of an antibody that specifically binds to SEQ ID NO: 6 polypeptide or a truncated peptide comprising an epitope of SEQ ID NO: 6 in a sample from the subject; and comparing the test amount with a normal range of the antibody in a control sample from a subject who does not suffer from endometriosis, whereby a test amount above the normal range provides a positive indication in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Abstract: A polymeric prodrug composition including a hydrogel, a biologically active moiety and a reversible prodrug linker. The prodrug linker covalently links the hydrogel and the biologically active moiety at a position and the hydrogel has a plurality of pores with openings on its surface. The diameter of the pores is larger than that of the biologically active moiety at least at all points of the pore between at least one of the openings and the position of the biologically active moiety.

Abstract: Oral, topical and injectable contraceptives, which are based on sperm protein 22 kDa (SP22) polypeptides and antibodies and infertility diagnostics are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable metastin derivative having excellent biological activities (e.g., a cancer metastasis inhibiting activity, a cancer proliferation inhibiting activity, a gonadotropin secretion promoting activity, a sex hormone secretion promoting activity). A metastin derivative produced by substituting a constituent amino acid in metastin can be improved in stability in the blood and can have an excellent cancer metastasis inhibiting activity, an excellent cancer proliferation inhibiting activity, an excellent gonadotropin secretion inhibiting activity, an excellent sex hormone secretion inhibiting activity and the like by binding the metastin derivative to polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: The use of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) in the preparation of a medicament for use in inducing ovulation in a female suffering from anovulatory infertility which comprises administering to said female a single dose of the at least one aromatase inhibitor. The use of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for the preparation of a medicament comprising a single dose of at least one aromatase inhibitor (AI) for administration to an ovulating female suffering from unexplained infertility or other types of ovulatory infertility early in one or more menstrual cycles. Such a medicament may also be administered to an anovulatory female in combination with a plurality of daily doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) whereby the dosage levels of FSH may be reduced. The use of AI in the preparation of a medicament for administration to a female who is a poor responder to FSH, which comprises a combination of a single dose of AI with a plurality of daily doses of FSH is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel ovulatory induction paradigm entails administration of hCG in combination with FSH during all stages of treatment, where the ratio of FSH to hCG is adjusted to optimize ovulatory stimulation and minimize complications. The use of compositions characterized by various FSH:hCG ratios enables the practitioner readily to tailor the treatment regimen and accommodate different therapeutic goals as well as individual patient responses to gonadotropin administration.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing endometriosis in a human subject comprising the steps of detecting a test amount of an antibody that specifically binds to SEQ ID NO:9 polypeptide or a truncated peptide comprising an epitope of SEQ ID NO: 9, in a sample from the subject; and comparing the test amount with a normal range of the antibody in a control sample from a subject who does not suffer from endometriosis, whereby a test amount above the normal range provides a positive indication in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing risk of miscarriage and/or premature birth, foetal abnormalities, cancer (e.g. prostate cancer) and inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) are disclosed which involve determining abnormal levels of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) in a body sample or, otherwise, determining the presence of a MIC-1 variant protein. Also disclosed are methods for reducing the risk of miscarriage and/or premature birth in pregnant subjects, and methods for treatment of inflammatory disease and/or cancer.

Abstract: A novel ovulatory induction paradigm entails administration of hCG in combination with FSH during all stages of treatment, where the ratio of FSH to hCG is adjusted to optimize ovulatory stimulation and minimize complications. The use of compositions characterized by various FSH:hCG ratios enables the practitioner readily to tailor the treatment regimen and accommodate different therapeutic goals as well as individual patient responses to gonadotropin administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) comprising administering glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), exendin, and analogs and agonists thereof, to subjects suffering therefrom.

Abstract: A method of delivering a drug composition comprises providing a carrier having a phosphatidylcholine component and a drug entrapped therein, and applying the composition to the skin for transdermal delivery of the drug, wherein the composition is stable at room temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a stable metastin derivative having excellent biological activities (a cancer metastasis-inhibiting activity, a cancer proliferation-inhibiting activity, a gonadotropin secretion-promoting activity, a sex hormone secretion-promoting activity, etc.). By replacing the constituent amino acids of metastin with specific amino acids in the metastin derivative of the present invention, the blood stability and solubility of the metastin derivative can be more improved, the gel tendency of the metastin derivative can be reduced, the pharmacokinetics of the metastin derivative can be improved, and the metastin derivative can exhibit an excellent cancer metastasis-inhibiting activity and cancer proliferation-inhibiting activity. The metastin derivative can also exhibit a gonadotropin secretion-inhibiting activity, a sex hormone secretion-inhibiting activity, etc.

Abstract: A method of preparing an oxidised polysaccharide-protein conjugate by oxidising a polysaccharide with an oxidising agent to form an oxidised polysaccharide and combining such oxidized polysaccharide with a protein. The oxidised polysaccharide is reacted with a protein to form a composition comprising a conjugate wherein the oxidised polysaccharide and the protein are conjugated via one or more imine bonds and wherein the oxidised polysaccharide comprises essentially no alpha-hydroxy aldehyde units. The conjugate may be used to provide sustained or latent activity of the protein.

Abstract: Metastin, compounds that promote the activity of metastin or its receptors and the like are excellent gonadal function improving agents, ovulation inducers or promoters, gonadotropic hormone secretion promoters, gonadotropic hormone secretion inhibitors, sex hormone secretion promoters, sex hormone secretion inhibitors, etc., and can be used as agents for preventing/treating sterility, hormone-sensitive cancers, endometriosis, etc. Metastin and its receptors are useful for screening for these pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A nanoemulsion and corresponding methods of making and using systems of single or blended high HLB value surfactant(s) for the emulsification of single or blended oils and vitamin E components in an aqueous phase are provided. The resulting nanoemulsions and methods of administering the nanoemulsions, including a corresponding kit, provide delivery of the nanoemulsions to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an optimal time for embryo implantation in mammals, particularly humans. In particular, the invention relates to a method for determining the optimal time for implantation of an embryo in a mammalian endometrium comprising detecting the levels of an endocannabinoid in the early, mid and late stage of the menstrual cycle in a subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the stabilization, storage and delivery of biologically active macromolecules, such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. In particular, this invention relates to protein or nucleic acid crystals, formulations and compositions comprising them. Methods are provided for the crystallization of proteins and nucleic acids and for the preparation of stabilized protein or nucleic acid crystals for use in dry or slurry formulations. The present invention is further directed to encapsulating proteins, glycoproteins, enzymes, antibodies, hormones and peptide crystals or crystal formulations into compositions for biological delivery to humans and animals. According to this invention, protein crystals or crystal formulations are encapsulated within a matrix comprising a polymeric carrier to form a composition.