Abstract: The present invention is in the field of pneumococcal capsular saccharide conjugate vaccines. Specifically, a multivalent Streptococcus pneumoniae immunogenic composition is provided with various (for instance 9 or more) conjugated capsular saccharides from different S. pneumoniae serotypes, wherein the composition comprises conjugated capsular saccharide 18C which is less than 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15 or 10% O-Acetylated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound comprising a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for protecting a thiol group in a thiol compound wherein X, X? and Y are as defined herein. The protecting group methodology of the present invention allows straightforward and selective protection of thiol groups. Cleaving of the thiol group to regenerate the thiol functional group is also facile and controllable. The present invention further provides an analogous protecting group methodology directed to protection of disulfide groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, disclosed are assays that detect one or more markers selected from the group consisting of Prostatic acid phosphatase, Lactotransfenin, Soluble erythropoietin receptor, Von Willebrand factor, Soluble endothelial protein C receptor, and Beta-2-glycoprotein 1 as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in renal injuries.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to developing a glycan markers capable of detecting a hepatic disease, and more specifically to developing a glycan marker indicating a hepatic disease-state. Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to developing a glycan marker capable of distinguishing hepatic disease-states with the progress of hepatocarcinoma. The present inventors identified, among the serum glycoproteins, glycopeptides and glycoproteins in which a glycan structure specifically changes due to a hepatic diseases including hepatocarcinoma and provide these as novel glycan markers (glycopeptide and glycoprotein) specific to hepatic disease-states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1—H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X?, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.

Abstract: Techniques to glycosylation are described, and more particularly to the production of glycosylation structures that are resistant to enzymatic degradation, thereby modulating one or more of their biological properties or those of therapeutic moieties incorporating them, and in particular to reacting activated carbohydrate substrates containing fluorine, such as 3-fluoro sialic acid compounds, with sugar acceptors to produce covalent conjugates of the sugar acceptor and one or more of the sialic acid compounds.

Abstract: The invention describes specific sialylated structures present on human stem cells and cell populations derived thereof. The invention is especially directed to methods to control the status of stem cells by observing changes in sialylation of the cells; and control of potential contaminations of biological materials; and reagents and methods used in connection with the cells in order to avoid alterations of the cell glycosylation by contaminating materials. The invention is further directed to novel stem cells, the glycosylation of which has been specifically altered.

Abstract: A method for the modification of an amino acid, protein or peptide is disclosed. The method comprises reacting a carbon-carbon double bond-containing compound with an amino acid, a protein or a peptide containing an allyl sulfide group in the presence of a catalyst which promotes olefin metathesis, to form a modified amino acid, protein or peptide. Preferred carbon-carbon double bond-containing compounds include carbohydrates.

Abstract: Novel stable, concentrated, biologically active and ready-to-use lipid-comprising drug delivery complexes and methods for their production are described. The biological activity of the complexes produced are comparable to the formulations prepared according to the prior art admixture method and upon purification, the complexes produced by the method of this invention are 50 to 500 fold more concentrated than the complexes formed by admixture. The method described herein provides for the large scale production of lipid-comprising drug delivery systems useful for gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating diseases, particularly cancer, associated with differential expression of cancer-associated targets (CAT) in disease cells compared to healthy cells are provided. Also provided are antagonists and agonists of CAT, and methods for screening agents that modulate CAT level or activity in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring a glycan-marker glycoprotein, by which liver disease can be detected with higher accuracy than is possible with conventional methods. Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for examining liver disease, by which liver disease can be detected with higher accuracy than is possible with conventional methods. Disclosed is a method for measuring at least one glycoprotein selected from alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and Mac-2-binding protein (M2BP) contained in a sample collected from a subject, comprising: measuring AGP binding to a first lectin selected from AOL and MAL, when the glycoprotein is AGP; and measuring M2BP binding to a second lectin selected from WFA, BPL, AAL, RCA120, and TJAII, when the glycoprotein is M2BP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres comprising protein signal precursor molecules, or a carrier protein bonded to signal precursor molecules, wherein said signal precursor molecules are activatable to generate a detectable signal whilst remaining bonded to the carrier protein. Also disclosed is a method of making such microspheres comprising the steps of mixing protein molecules with a matrix former in solution; adding a reducing reagent to the mixture; removing the reducing reagent; and removing the matrix former to leave microspheres of protein molecules. Also disclosed are bioassay methods using the microspheres to provide signal amplification, including an amplification cycling procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a fibromodulin (FMOD) peptide (FMOD-P), a composition and a formulation comprising a FMOD-P, optionally with a TGF-? isoform, or comprising FMOD with a TGF-? isoform. The present invention also provides methods of making and using the FMOD-P, composition, or formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents containing binding moieties conjugated to dextran moieties, methods of making such reagents, and use of such reagents in a variety of molecular and cellular assays.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori, one of the most common human pathogens, is associated with the development of human chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The invention relates to a ?1,6-glucan-containing Helicobacter pylori compound comprising the structure of Formula (I): wherein R is a ?-DDHep-3-?-L-Fuc-3-?-GlcNAc trisaccharide substituted with an ?1,6-glucan linked to an ?1,3-DD-heptan, and wherein the last DD-Hep residue of ?1,3-DD-heptan is capped with ?-GlcNAc residue. Compositions comprising the compound, uses of the compound, and antibodies raised against the compound are also described.

Abstract: An isolated peptide of 12-20 amino acids in length comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the serine residue (S) at position 8 of SEQ ID NO:1 is phosphorylated, is provided. Also provided is a human monophosphorylated alpha-enolase isoform wherein the serine residue (S) at position 419 of the human alpha-enolase amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) is phosphorylated and in which other post-translational modifications may be present. Further provided are antibodies capable of specifically binding the peptide and/or the isoform of the invention. The peptide, the isoform and the antibodies of the invention may be used in the diagnosis and/or amelioration and/or treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: The invention relates to soluble selenium compositions and methods of production, separation and purification thereof. In particular the present invention provides methods of preparing water soluble selenoglycoproteins (e.g., via extracting selenoglycoproteins from selenium enriched yeast), methods of supplementing a selenium deficient composition via admixing water soluble selenoglycoproteins with the selenium deficient composition, compositions comprising the water soluble selenoglycoproteins and methods of administering the same.

Abstract: The present invention was made in view of an object to produce a novel proteoglycan-containing material, and find a novel use and/or a superior effect of the proteoglycan-containing material. The present invention provides a proteoglycan-containing material obtained from fish cartilage, wherein the proteoglycan-containing material comprises an acidic saccharide component having a molecular weight of not less than 2000 kDa. The proteoglycan-containing material provides advantageous effects for skin-moisturizing and skin anti-aging, including a superior skin fibroblast proliferation effect, an effect of enhancing and improving the skin barrier function, an effect of enhancing and improving the skin's capability to produce collagen, a dermis-thickening inhibition effect, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to isolated laminin-521, methods for making recombinant laminin-521, host cells that express recombinant laminin-521, and compositions containing laminin-521. Laminin-521 can maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency, enable self-renewal, and enable single cell survival of human embryonic stem cells. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with a matrix of recombinant laminin-521 (laminin 11), in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferate and maintain their pluripotency. It has also been discovered that human recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11) provides single cell survival of stem cells after complete dissociation into a single cell suspension. Useful cell culture mediums containing at most 3.9 ng/ml of beta fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing recombinant glycoproteins with high sialic acid content. More specifically, for UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE/MNK) enzyme where point mutation was induced by substituting arginine at position 263 by leucine only or by further substituting arginine at position 266 by glutamine, epimerase activity is constantly maintained, and overexpressed cells thereof experience an increase in intracellular cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-sialic acid content, irrespective of CMP-sialic acid concentration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a co-crystal of a Ras polypeptide which adopts a conformation having a pocket on the molecular surface of Ras and GTP or a GTP analog, a production method for the crystal, and a screening method for a Ras function inhibitor based on information about the conformation obtained by X-ray crystallographic analysis using the crystal. The object is achieved by focusing on a mutation which adopts a conformation having a pocket on the molecular surface of Ras, acquiring a mutant Ras polypeptide having introduced therein such mutation, producing a co-crystal of the mutant Ras polypeptide and a GTP analog, and further subjecting the co-crystal to X-ray crystallographic analysis to acquire structural information about the conformation including information about the structure surrounding the pocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multimeric (e.g., dimeric, trimeric) forms of peptide vectors that are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or efficiently entering particular cell types. These multimeric peptide vectors, when conjugated to agents (e.g., therapeutic agents) are capable of transporting the agents across the BBB or into particular cell types. These compounds are therefore particularly useful in the treatment of neurological diseases.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved process for the production of desired recombinant peptides from bacterial cells by using G-CSF as a novel fusion partner for their high level expression in these cells. The invention further provides an expression system comprising the fusion protein wherein the G-CSF is operatively linked to the peptide of interest via an enzymatic or chemical cleavage site which can be used to separate the fusion partner from the said peptide.

Abstract: A recombinant or isolated integrin heterodimer comprising a novel subunit ?10 in association with a subunit ? is described. The integrin or the subunit ?10 can be used as a marker or target of various types of cells, e.g. of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and fibroblasts. The integrin or the subunit ?10 can be used as a marker or target in different physiological or therapeutic methods. They can also be used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on flagellin adjuvant used to enhance immune responses directed against Streptococcus pneumoniae, in particular, to enhance immune responses to polypeptide antigens (e.g., PspA) and capsular polysaccharide from S. pneumoniae. In representative embodiments, the invention provides a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and one more polypeptide antigens from S. pneumoniae. In other embodiments, the invention provides a conjugate comprising a flagellin adjuvant covalently linked to a capsular polysaccharide from one or more serotypes of S. pneumoniae. Also provided are compositions comprising the fusion proteins and/or conjugates of the invention as well as immunogenic formulations comprising the inventive fusion proteins, conjugates and/or compositions. The invention also provides methods of producing an immune response against S. pneumoniae and methods of protecting a subject from S.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes for reducing the level of free carbohydrate from a solution of protein-linked carbohydrate (conjugate) and non-linked carbohydrate. In this process, the conjugate is adsorbed to a hydrophobic membrane while the carbohydrate is not. The conjugate is then desorbed from the membrane, yielding a solution that is substantially reduced in free carbohydrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating heat shock factor 1 (HSF1)-related diseases such as cancer and viral diseases, using a therapeutically effective amount of a RNAi agent to HSF.

Abstract: Neural outgrowth in the central nervous system is achieved by administering chondroitinase AC and/or chondroitinase B to degrade chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that inhibit or contribute to the inhibition of nervous tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) gD, gC, gB and/or gE recombinant glycoproteins having a particular pre-selected N-linked glycosylation pattern as the predominant N-glycoform. The present invention also provides methods of producing these recombinant glycoproteins in yeast, preferably Pichia pastoris, which may be glycoengineered to provide particular glycosylation patterns. The present invention further provides vaccines comprising gD and gC, and optionally gB and/or gE, at least one of which has a particular pre-selected N-linked glycosylation pattern as the predominant N-glycoform. The recombinant glycoproteins are produced by a method which, in one embodiment, comprises transforming a yeast of the genus Pichia with an expression vector containing a DNA encoding an HSV glycoprotein, which is under regulation of a promoter functional in a yeast of the genus Pichia, culturing the yeast in a medium, and recovering the recombinant glycoprotein from the obtained culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use and to a process involving at least one calix[n]arene derivative substituted by at least one acid functional group on the upper face and at least one aliphatic chain of variable length on the other face, as an additive for crystallization of a polar and/or positively charged molecule. The use and the process of the present invention have the advantage of enabling, facilitating and/or accelerating the crystallization of polar and/or positively charged molecules, especially of membrane proteins that are in solution or soluble, which had previously proved to be very difficult.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication are provided. Also provided are compositions and methods of treating an HCV infection; methods of reducing the incidence of complications associated with HCV and cirrhosis of the liver; and methods of reducing viral load, or reducing the time to viral clearance, or reducing morbidity or mortality in the clinical outcomes, in patients suffering from HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to siRNA and, in particular, to a method of effecting targeted delivery of siRNAs and to compounds suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: Disclosed are composites that comprise regenerated cellulose, a first active substance, a second active substance, and a linker. Methods for preparing the composites that involve the use of ionic liquids are also disclosed. Articles prepared from the disclosed composites and methods of using them are further disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are described for improvement of the serum half life of therapeutic nucleic acids by 3? conjugation to useful target proteins, or other large molecules with useful function. In one embodiment, a 3? A, C or G overhang is added to ds-DNA and the primary amines conjugated using biocompatible bifunctional linkers to proteins. The resulting nucleic acid-3? conjugates are serum nuclease-resistant and retained in vivo for long periods without rapid kidney clearance. Further, the choice of conjugate imparts additional functionality to the nucleic acid-3? conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide having a sequence of 7 to 20 amino acid residues, which is capable of modulating the immunosuppressive properties of a viral protein or a fragment thereof, against the host in which it is expressed (immunosuppression-modulatory sequence) when it substitutes the homologous sequence of the viral protein or fragment, the polypeptide including the minimum following consensus amino acid sequence: X1Y9Y10Y11CY12X2 wherein, X1 and X2 are selected to impact on the immunosuppressive properties, and Y9 to Y12 represent variable amino acid residues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of conjugates of glycosaminoglycanes (GAG) with biologically active molecules of varying nature, comprising small molecules and macro-molecules. In particular, the present invention relates to the conjugation of hyaluronic acid (HA) and its derivatives with polypeptides and proteins with a biological action, such as, for example, interferons, erythropoietins, growth factors, insulin, cytokines, antibodies and hormones. An object of the present invention also relates to isolatable intermediates obtained by the partial or total reaction of GAG with protected amino aldehydes in the conjugation process mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ability of PLUNC proteins, such as SPLUNC1 and SPLUNC2, to bind to sodium channels and inhibit activation of the sodium channels. The invention further relates to methods for regulating of sodium absorption and fluid volume and treating disorders responsive to modulating sodium absorption by modulating the binding of PLUNC proteins to sodium channels.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the preparation of conjugates of a variety of bioactive components, especially proteins, with water-soluble polymers (e.g., poly(ethylene glycol) and derivatives thereof), which conjugates have reduced antigenicity and immunogenicity compared to similar conjugates prepared using poly(ethylene glycol) containing a methoxyl or another alkoxyl group. The invention also provides conjugates prepared by such methods, compositions comprising such conjugates, kits containing such conjugates or compositions and methods of use of the conjugates and compositions in diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a nucleic acid, preferably binding to ghrelin, whereby the nucleic acid comprises a first stretch Box A, and a second stretch Box B, whereby the first stretch Box A comprises about 25 consecutive nucleotides, the second stretch Box B comprises about six to eight consecutive nucleotides, whereby a 3?-terminal stretch of nucleotides of the first stretch Box A hybridises with the second stretch Box B, whereby upon hybridisation a first double-stranded structure is formed, whereby such first double-stranded structure comprises a bulge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aptamer/drug conjugate complexes and the use of such complexes, together with a trigger compound, to inducibly release a drug. Through these complexes, the present invention provides a means for establishing a drug reservoir in a subject, whereby drug may be released as needed. One specific embodiment of the invention provides an aptamer/insulin conjugate complex from which insulin may be released by an innocuous, orally administrable trigger, such as quinine.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to single molecule sensitive probes for detecting RNA, and more particularly to multivalent fluorescent probes for detecting a single molecule of RNA in a cell. The present invention includes a RNA imaging probe comprising: a multivalent core comprising a plurality of attachment sites; a plurality of RNA/DNA chimeric oligonucleotides having a specificity for a target RNA, wherein a RNA/DNA chimeric oligonucleotide is bound to an attachment site of the multivalent core; and a plurality of fluorophores, wherein a fluorophore is bound to the RNA/DNA chimeric oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising cells producing glycoproteins with variant glycosylation patterns. The methods and compositions may be used in producing antibodies and proteins of therapeutic value.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for tissue regeneration without cell transplantation.

Abstract: Provided herein are N-linked glycan inhibitors, including modulators of N-linked glycan glycosylation, mannosidase, an N-linked glycan N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase, an N-linked glycan fucosyl transferase, an N-linked glycan galactosyl transferase, an N-linked glycan sialyl transferase, an N-linked glycan sulfotransferase, N-linked glycan glycophosphotransferase or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing low-iron Lf having improved antimicrobial activity and to a low-iron Lf having improved antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A polyion complex (PIC) or a PIC nanoparticle that may be easily prepared, and that is finally disappeared in vivo due to its suitable biodegradability while exhibiting high stability in vivo, an immunotherapy agent comprising the PIC nanoparticle to which various antigen proteins or peptides may be easily conjugated or incorporated and/or which may be easily mixed with the antigen proteins or peptides, as well as a process for preparing thereof are provided. Specifically, a polyion complex (PIC) comprising a hydrophobized poly(acidic amino acid) and a basic polypeptide, a nanoparticle thereof having a particle shape, an immunotherapy agent comprising the PIC nanoparticle, as well as a process for preparing the PIC, comprising steps of introducing a hydrophobic amino acid to a poly(acidic amino acid) to prepare a hydrophobized poly(acidic amino acid), and dissolving the hydrophobized poly(acidic amino acid) prepared to a buffer, and it is mixed with a basic polypeptide dissolved in a buffer.

Abstract: A Tat-based tolerogen composition comprising at least one immunogenic antigen coupled to at least one human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) trans-activator of transcription (Tat) molecule wherein the immunogenic antigen can be a foreign or endogenous antigen or fragments thereof. Additionally methods of suppressing organ transplant rejection and methods of treating autoimmune diseases are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein or peptide, the in vivo half-life of which is increased by maintaining in vivo sustained release, and to a method for increasing in vivo half-life using same. A fusion protein or peptide according to the present invention has excellent in vivo stability by binding a physiologically active protein or physiologically active peptide to an alpha-1 antitrypsin or alpha-1 antitrypsin mutant with one or more amino acids mutated to maintain the in vivo sustained release and to significantly increase the half-life thereof in blood (T1/2) compared to an inherent physiologically active protein or physiologically active peptide. Thus, a fusion protein or peptide according to the present invention can be useful in developing a sustained-release preparation of a protein or peptide drug.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel cyanine compound, represented by the following Formula 1, for labeling biomolecules, and a method for preparing the same. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, B, m and n are defined as above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibronectin based scaffold domain proteins that bind PCSK9. The invention also relates to the use of the innovative proteins in therapeutic applications to treat atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia and other cholesterol related diseases. The invention further relates to cells comprising such proteins, polynucleotides encoding such proteins or fragments thereof, and to vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the innovative protein.