Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automated determination of immunofluorescent foci by means of an immunofluorescence assay using synthetic calibration particles, in addition to a system and kit for carrying out the method. In a preferred embodiment the method is characterized in that the immunofluorescent foci are gamma H2Ax foci.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting protein in plasma comprising contacting said plasma with a protease capable of digesting said protein into at least one detectable fragment and detecting said at least one detectable fragment using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a fine chemical in a non-human organism, like a microorganism, a plant cell, a plant, a plant tissue or in one or more parts thereof. The invention furthermore relates to nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, nucleic acid constructs, expression cassettes, vectors, antibodies, host cells, plant tissue, propagation material, harvested material, plants, microorganisms as well as agricultural compositions and to their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one or more Relaxin proteins in methods for diagnoses and treatment of multiple sclerosis. The invention also provides compositions for use in diagnosing or treating multiple sclerosis as well as the methods themselves. Kits for carrying out the methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention describes peptide ligands specific for human plasma Kallikrein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for the therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of Elastin comprising tissues. Therapeutic and cosmetic compositions comprising an elastin digest stimulate the endogenous production of Elastin and appear to enhance the elasticity of the skin and provide an external supply of peptide precursors of Elastin that penetrate into the tissue to which it is applied. The present invention describes compositions containing an elastin digest derived from proteolytic digestion of insoluble elastin derived from mammalian ligaments with a protein digesting composition, such as proteinase K. The elastin digest is a mixture of elastin peptides wherein the elastin peptide mixture comprises peptides of the sequence GXXPG, wherein X represents one of the natural amino acids. The elastin digest of the present invention may also comprise epitopes of cytokines, growth factors and di-peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for preparing progenitor cells having an increased adhesivity, wherein progenitor cells are contacted with an agonist of the CD47/IAP receptor thereby yielding progenitor cells presenting an increased adhesivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the field of drug delivery. More particularly, the invention relates to polypeptides derived from aprotinin and from aprotinin analogs as well as conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these polypeptides or conjugates. The present invention also relates to the use of these polypeptides for transporting a compound or drug across the blood-brain barrier of a mammal and in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological diseases.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for polymerizing non-immunogenic haptens into immunogens, which then can be used to stimulate anti-hapten antibody production in animals. Specifically, haptens with amine and/or carboxylic groups are polymerized into macromolecules by using cross-linking reagents, and the derived haptenic polymers are used to immunize animals for the production of anti-hapten antibodies.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for selecting a polypeptide ligand having a desired level of specificity for a target, wherein the polypeptide ligand comprises a polypeptide comprising at least three reactive groups, separated by at least two loop sequences, and a molecular scaffold which forms covalent bonds with the reactive groups of the polypeptide such that at least two polypeptide loops are formed on the molecular scaffold, comprising (i) screening at least two different sets of polypeptide ligands against the target, and selecting one or more ligands from each library which interact with the target; (ii) comparing the activity of the selected ligands with one or more paralogues or orthologues of the target; and (iii) further selecting one or more ligands according to their activity towards said one or more paralogues or orthologues; wherein said two or more different sets of ligands differ in the length of the polypeptide loops formed on the molecular scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, 22, 30, 34, 344, 358, 41, 44, 46, 48, 78, 376, 379, 80, 100, 101, 110, 111, 387, 112, 394, 114, 116, 117, 121, 395, 133, 135, 137, 426, 143, 147, 148, 149, 150, 152, 153, 154, 156, 160, 161, 162, 163, 166, 174, 178, 186, 194, 196, 202, 210, 213, 214, 217, 223, 227, 228, 233, 254, 271, 272 or 288, as well as peptides having the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several (e.g., up to 5) amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added, provided the peptides possess cytotoxic T cell inducibility. The present invention also provides drugs for treating or preventing a disease associated with over-expression of the CDH3, EPHA4, ECT2, HIG2, INHBB, KIF20A, KNTC2, TTK and/or URLC10, e.g. cancers containing as an active ingredient one or more of these peptides. The peptides of the present invention find further utility as vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic or antigenic polypeptide containing a translocation domain, a peptide epitope, at least one biologically active agent, and cleavage sites. These polypeptides are useful for activating T cell responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigens, more particularly antigenS of Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus (GAS)) bacterial pathogen which are useful as vaccine component for therapy and/or prophylaxis.

Abstract: The pharmaceutical composition includes at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and an active ingredient including an artificially synthesized peptide includes: (A) an amino acid sequence constituting a cell-penetrating peptide and (B) an amino acid sequence constituting the signal peptide in amyloid precursor protein (APP) or an N-terminal partial amino acid sequence or C-terminal partial amino acid sequence from the amino acid sequence constituting that signal peptide.

Abstract: Peptides able to inhibit or activate the translocation or function of ?PKC are identified. Administration of the peptides for protection or enhancement of cell damage due to ischemia is described. Therapeutic methods to reduce damage to cells or to enhance damage to cells due to ischemia are also described, as well as methods for screening test compounds for ?PKC-selective agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a non-naturally occurring BAFF-R glycoprotein having a deletion in the extracellular domain which results in an altered O-linked glycosylation pattern. The disclosure also provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating B-cell- and T-cell-mediated disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting non-specific binding in a step of detecting a substance in a biological sample. The invention provides a method of inhibiting non-specific binding in a step of detecting a substance in a biological sample, the method comprising: bringing a biotin-binding protein monomer not substantially having biotin-binding ability into contact with the biological sample, wherein in the step of detecting, a substance capable of specifically binding to the substance to be detected is immobilized to a carrier through binding between biotin and the biotin-binding protein before or after binding of the substance to be detected to the substance capable of specifically binding to the substance to be detected.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the biomedicine field and specifically concerns an enzyme-degradable polymer and the application thereof. To solve the problem of low sensitivity of the existing assay reagents, the present invention provides an enzyme-degradable polymer and the related application of the polymer. The present invention also provides hydrogels, nano-particles, fluorescent dye-labeled enzyme substrates and kits (packages) for detection or activity-analysis of biological enzymes based on the enzyme-degradable polymer. The formula of the enzyme-degradable polymer is P1-(aa)N-(AA)n-X X=[formula 1] wherein, (aa)N is a non-enzyme substrate domain, the N aa may be different (no correlation), and N is a non-negative integer; (AA)n is an enzyme substrate domain, the n AA may be different, and n is a non-negative integer; P1 is a protecting group of ?-amino or functional group; P2 is a protecting group of ?-amino; P3 is —NH2, a small molecule compound or a fragment of a polymer.

Abstract: A chlorotoxin conjugate detectable by fluorescence imaging that allows for intra-operative visualization of cancerous tissues, compositions that include the chlorotoxin conjugate, and methods for using the chlorotoxin conjugate.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptide derivatives (peptides and pseudo-peptides) and use thereof as vectors for molecules of interest. The invention also relates to conjugates containing a peptide derivative of the invention bound to a molecule of interest. The peptides and prodrug conjugates of the invention can be used to vectorise molecules of pharmaceutical or diagnostic interest, such as, for example, therapeutic molecules, imaging or diagnostic agents, or molecular probes, across cell membranes, and notably to promote their transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for targeting tumors, sites of injury and blood clots. The compositions and methods are based on peptide sequences that selectively bind to and home to tumors, sites of injury and blood clots in animals. The disclosed targeting is useful for delivering therapeutic and detectable agents to tumors, sites of injury and blood clots.

Abstract: Melanin or inorganic fertilizers are produced from fermentation leachates or from low-cost nutrient-rich solutions. The method for producing the melanin or inorganic fertilizer comprises repetitive trophic cycling in the controlled conditions of primary and secondary bioreactors. Nutrients are cycled between microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi and black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens. Polysaccharides are partly converted into natural melanins or inorganic fertilizer, which are difficult to biodegrade and hence accumulate in the bioreactors. The method can employ, as a source of nutrients, leachates produced from food waste or from sugar-rich liquid waste of the food industry. These leachates can be used raw or can be augmented with low-cost sugar-rich solutions such as molasses, hydrolyzed cellulose or starch. The method is inexpensive and does not require the use of expensive chemically-defined culture media.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variants of antigens comprising folate binding protein epitopes as a composition associated with providing immunity against a tumor in an individual. The variant is effective in inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes but preferably not to the extent that they become sensitive to silencing by elimination, such as by apoptosis, or by anergy, as in unresponsiveness.

Abstract: Adhesive polymeric compositions which can comprise dihydroxyphenyl moieties and derivatives thereof, and related methods of use.

Abstract: Polypeptides of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are substituents independently selected from substituted and un-substituted alkyl groups and substituted and un-substituted aryl groups, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Synthesis methods are also provided that do not use amino acids as starting materials, but instead employ imines and carbon monoxide as monomers that undergo transition metal-catalyzed alternating copolymerization to directly provide polypeptides using an acylcobalt catalyst with the following structural formula: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, phenyl, and substituted phenyl groups.

Abstract: In its various embodiments, the invention provides myelin basic proteins and fragments of that interfere with the fibril lization of peptides implicated in the amyloidoses, especially the amyloid-beta peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease (“AD”) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (“CAA”). Some embodiments provide methods of identifying additional interfering fragments. Others provide methods of identifying substances that modulate the interference. Further embodiments provide methods of preventing amyloidoses, especially AD and CAA by administering myelin basic proteins or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The identification and evaluation of mRNA and protein targets associated with mRNP complexes and implicated in the expression of proteins involved in common physiological pathways is described. Effective targets are useful for treating a disease, condition or disorder associated with the physiological pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to small cell penetrating peptides (CPP) derived from the scorpion toxin maurocalcine and to their use as vectors for the intracellular delivery of various drugs and agents.

Abstract: Provided are peptides imparting cell permeability to a lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing the cell permeability of a lipid membrane structure, and a lipid membrane structure which comprises, as a constituent lipid, a lipid bound to such a peptide and has cell permeability or shows enhanced cell permeability. The amino acid sequences of the peptides imparting cell permeability to a lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing the cell permeability of a lipid membrane structure are represented by: LX1X2X1X1X1L, LLX2X1X1X1L and LX1X2X1X1L (wherein L represents a leucine residue; X1 represents a polar amino acid residue; and X2 represents a polar, non-charged and branched chain amino acid residue).

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for preventing and/or treating Plasmodium falciparum infections, which comprises a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or represented by formula (1), and an adjuvant. X1-A-B-X2-Y-X3-(Y)n-X4-(Y)n-X5??(1) (In the formula, X1 represents the 1st to 7th amino acid residues in a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; X2 represents the 73th to 177th amino acid residues; X3 represents the 178th to 258th amino acid residues; X4 represents the 259th to 289th amino acid residues; X5 represents the 290th to 334th amino acid residues; A represents an 8-mer repeat sequence contained in a 47-kd region of SERA polypeptide of Plasmodium falciparum; B represents a sequence of a serine-rich region contained in a 47-kd region of SERA polypeptide of Plasmodium falciparum; Y represents any one selected from A-A, A-B, and B; and n is an integer of 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of diagnosing Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair comprising detecting a mutation in SHOC2 gene. One specific diagnostic mutation disclosed is an A-to-G transition at position 4 resulting in a mutation at position 2 of SHOC2 amino acid sequence from serine to glycine. The invention also provides related sequences and kits.

Abstract: Isolated proteins and nucleic acid sequence encoding such protein that interacts with a red blood cell to be invaded by a malaria parasite and link with a component of the actin-myosin based machinery of the malaria parasite are provided. In addition methods for identifying agents which inhibit the function of these proteins as chemotherapeutic and/or immunologic agents for treatment and prevention of malaria infections are provided. Compositions for treatment and prevention of malaria infections and methods for preventing and treating malaria infections are also provided.

Abstract: Immunogens against human extended-progastrin species comprise (A) a mimetic peptide comprised of (i) the amino acid sequence of a progastrin or a N- and/or C-terminal processed species of a progastrin joined to (ii) a 7 amino-acid spacer coupled to (B) an immunogenic carrier. Illustrative of the mimetic peptide/spacer combination are a 21 amino-acid peptide (SEQ ID NO.: 1) and other, related polypeptides (SEQ ID NOs.: 2-5). Pharmaceutical compositions containing such an immunogen display improved immunological properties, including the induction of effective antibody levels shortly after the administration of an initial course of immunogen. Levels of antibody thus elicited stay elevated for several months and readily elevate to higher levels upon subsequent boosting by a single injection of immunogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specific binding partner for holoTC having a specificity for holoTC over apoTC of at least 40-fold and an assay method for assaying for holoTC in a sample, the method comprising contacting the sample with a specific binding partner for holoTC and detecting the resultant conjugates.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that STM/Hop promotes proliferation of human glioblastoma-derived cells but not of normal astrocytes and that the proliferation requires the binding of STM/Hop to PrPc. The invention is directed to methods for treating cancer which rely on interfering with the Hop-PrPc interaction and to peptides, and antibodies raised against the peptides, which directly provide that interference. The invention is further based on the discovery that STI1230-245 peptide and its human homologue Hop23o-245 provide the desired interference with the STI1/Hop-PrPc interaction and inhibit the STI 1/Hop-induced proliferation of glioma and glioblastoma cells. The invention is thus further directed to methods of treating cancer that employ these peptides and functional derivatives thereof, and antibodies directed to the peptides and derivatives. The invention is further directed to means of treating cancer which involve reducing the effective amount of Hop or reducing the expression of Hop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for promoting organ development in warm blooded animals, and in particular in certain aspects a premature infant or foetus. Compositions and methods are also provided for the administration of at least one colony stimulating factor-1 protein (CSF-1), precursor, variant, analogue, derivative thereof, or combinations thereof, or otherwise, at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding colony stimulating factor-1 protein (CSF-1), precursor, variant, analogue, derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for screening an inhibitor of protein synthesis by measuring the level of relocalization of an SMN complex component from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Additionally, the invention provides a kit and a system for screening protein synthesis inhibitors in a cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides for modulate IGF-1 activity, a pharmaceutical composition comprising them as well as their applications as medicinal products and cell proliferation modulating agents in vitro.

Abstract: An acid-cleavable peptide linker comprising aspartic acid and proline residues is disclosed. The acid-cleavable peptide linker provides an altered sensitivity to acid-hydrolytic release of peptides of interest from fusion peptides of the formula PEP1-L-PEP2. The inventive linker, L, is described in various embodiments, each of which provides substantially more rapid acid-release of peptides of interest than does a single aspartic acid-proline pair. In an additional aspect, a method of increasing the stability of an acid cleavable linkage to acid hydrolysis is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer, especially carcinomas, such as pancreatic carcinoma. The invention discloses peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides that can be used to stimulate a CTL response against pancreatic and other cancers.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions and uses of conjugates of prodrug forms of 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (P2PDox) with antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof (ADCs), with targetable construct peptides or with other targeting molecules that are capable of delivering the P2PDox to a targeted cell, tissue or pathogen. Once delivered to the target cell, the ADC or peptide conjugate is internalized, a highly toxic 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (2-PDox) is released intracellularly. The P2PDox-peptide or ADC conjugates are of use to treat a wide variety of diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disease or infectious disease.

Abstract: A method of screening for template-fixed ?-hairpin mimetics and libraries including a plurality of these mimetics is provided. The template-fixed ?-hairpin mimetics are of the following general formula: R1-Cys-Z-Cys-R2??I wherein the two cysteine residues are bridged by a disulfide bond, thereby forming a cyclic peptide; R1 and R2 are di- or tripeptide moieties of certain types, as defined herein; and Z is a chain of n amino acid residues with n being an integer from 4 to 20 and with each of these n amino acid residues being, independently, derived from any naturally occurring L-?-amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to diagnosing the occurrence of heart failure, particularly in subjects who exhibit a normal body fluid level of a natriuretic peptide. The present invention further relates in part to assigning an outcome risk (e.g., worsening cardiac function or a mortality risk, a risk of rehospitalization) to a subject. The methods comprise performing one or more assays that detect one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of WAP4C, ESAM, LTBR, Mesothelin, and Syndecan-1 performed on a body fluid sample obtained from a subject, and assigning diagnosis or risk based, at least in part, on the result(s) obtained thereby.

Abstract: A peptide including the amino acids sequence X9CGYX13X14AX16X17X18MX20X21X22X23X24X25X26X27CPLCX32X33, a nucleic acid coding for the peptide, and/or a recombinant vector including the nucleic acid for the preparation of a drug intended for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions relating to novopeptides identified by the presence of frameshift mutations in tumor genes previously not identified as being oncogenic. The disclosed peptides can be used in the disclosed methods for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to optimized adhesins and nanoparticles to which said adhesins are bound. The invention furthermore relates to providing said nanoparticles by way of in vivo contrast agents, in particular for the diagnosis of bowel cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a target-activated cell/tissue-penetrating peptide for delivery of impermeable compounds (Target Activated Cell/tissue Translocation peptide for Impermeable Compound Strategy (TACTICS)), and the use thereof, and more particularly to a target-activated cell/tissue-penetrating peptide, which comprises (a) a protein transduction domain (PTD), (b) a masking domain and (c) a spacer having a cleavage site specific for a target cell/tissue enzyme and is provided with target selectivity so as to penetrate specifically into a target tissue, and to a conjugate of the peptide with a drug or drug-containing particles for imaging or therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Novel peptidic or peptidomimetic agents or small molecules for modulating the biological effect of a chemokine. According to the present invention, the therapeutic agents preferably are endowed with the capacity to bind to certain chemokines in order to modulate the biological interaction between the target ligand, chemokine, and the respective target receptor, chemokine receptor. These peptides may be described as agonist ligands or antagonists. Next, preferably certain peptides share consensus sequences are described which characterize the families or categories of these modulator peptides.

Abstract: Long acting parenteral pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of glatiramer are provided. In particular, the long acting pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of glatiramer acetate in depot form suitable for administering at a medically acceptable location in a subject in need thereof. The depot form is suitable for subcutaneous or intramuscular implantation or injection.