Abstract: The present invention is relevant to human medicine, and, in particular, to the use of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) in a pharmaceutical composition, said composition is administered through infiltration at the periphery of nerve trunks and/or ganglia, for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful, sensory-motor neuropathy, as well as ischemic neuritis. It is also relevant to an EGF containing composition, where this molecule can be formulated together with anesthetic or analgesic drugs, or encapsulated in microspheres, and their use for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful, sensory-motor neuropathy, as well as in ischemic neuritis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining a highly enriched TGF-beta protein fraction in activated form, from a liquid solution rich in proteins said to be soluble in the aqueous phase of milk and/or of whey, said method comprising the following steps; a) adjusting soluble proteins purified at a concentration between 5 and 30 g/liter of solution; b) precipitating part of the whey proteins by acidic treatment of the solution thus obtained to a pH ranging between 4 and 5.5 and at a temperature ranging between 55° C. and 68° C.; c) carrying out a microfiltration of the treated solution by diafiltration, so as to obtain respectively a microfiltration retentate and a microfiltrate; d) recuperating the microfiltration retentate containing the protein fraction highly enriched in TGF-beta; e) drying the microfiltration retentate which has been subjected to diafiltration to obtain a powder highly enriched in TGF-beta.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the use of secretagogue peptides repeatedly administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition that prevent and eradicate the deposition of pathological fibrotic material in parenchymal tissues of internal organs like the liver, lungs, esophagus, small intestine, kidneys, blood vessels, joints, and other systemic forms of cutaneous fibrosis of any etiopathogenesis. Additionally, these peptides prevent and eradicate deposition of amiloid and hyaline materials in any of their correspondent chemical forms and tissue manifestations in the brain, cerebellum, blood vessels, liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, joints and the skin, among others. By this way, cellular, tissular and organ dysfunctions generated by these depositions are corrected. The peptides of the present invention are infiltrated or topically applied, contributing to prevent and eradicate keloids and hypertrophic scars in the skin, derived as sequelae of burns and other cutaneous trauma.

Abstract: The invention relates to human medicine and to the use of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which is administered by infiltration into the periphery of nerve ganglia and/or trunks for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensory-motor neuropathy as well as manifestations of ischemic neuritis. The invention also includes a composition containing EGF which can be formulated together with anesthetics or analgesics or encapsulated in microspheres and to the use thereof for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensitive-motor-type diabetic neuropathy and the manifestations of ischemic neuritis.

Abstract: A method for reducing or substantially preventing formation of a trisulfide derivative of a polypeptide in a liquid medium containing the polypeptide ijn question comprises stripping the liquid medium with a gas, suitably a chemically unreactive gas such as nitrogen or argon.

Abstract: Whether the growth hormone (GH)/Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-I) axis exerts cardioprotective effects remains controversial; and the underlying mechanism(s) for such actions are unclear. Here we tested the hypothesis that growth-hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) directly activates cellular reparative mechanisms within the injured heart, in a GH/IGF-I independent fashion. Following experimental myocardial infarction (MI), rats were randomly assigned to receive, during a 4 week period, either placebo (n=14), rat recombinant GH (rrGH, n=8) or JI-38 (n=8; 50 ?g/Kg/day), a potent GHRH-agonist. JI-38 did not elevate serum levels of GH or IGF-I, but markedly attenuated the degree of cardiac functional decline and remodeling after injury. In contrast, GH administration markedly elevated body weight, heart weight, circulating GH and IGF-I, but did not offset the decline in cardiac structure and function.

Abstract: Peptides having a structure characterized by the presence of two loops constrained in cyclic structure by the presence of covalent bonds between amino acid side chains, the amino acid sequences of the first and the second loop being substantially homologues to that of loop 1 (residues 29-38) and of loop 4 (residues 92-97) of NGF, respectively, displaying nerve growth factor (NGF) agonist or partial agonist activity.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating sepsis and septic shock using a combination of ghrelin and growth hormone, and for using ghrelin to reduce organ and tissue injury and improve survival after combined radiation exposure and sepsis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides that inhibit APRIL and/or BAFF binding to BCMA, nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides, and compositions comprising the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for treating an immune-related disease or cancer using the polypeptides and compositions of the invention. The present invention also relates to methods for identifying inhibitors of APRIL/BAFF binding to BCMA and APRIL/BAFF signaling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and means for diagnosing or risk stratification of co-morbidities, particularly cardiovascular complications in diabetes patients. The invention particularly relates to a method for diagnosing whether a diabetes patient is suffering from a cardiovascular complication or is at risk of suffering from a cardiovascular complication, said method comprising the steps of (a) measuring, preferably in vitro, the level(s) of at least one cardiac hormone or a variant thereof in a sample from the patient, and (b) diagnosing the cardiovascular complication or the risk of suffering from cardiovascular complication by comparing the measured level(s) to known level(s) associated with the cardiovascular complication or risk. The present invention also relates to combining the measurement of markers comprising cardiac hormones, natriuretic peptides, inflammation-associated markers, angiogenesis-markers, and markers for platelet activation.

Abstract: NTNR?, NTNR? extracellular domain (ECD), NTNR? variants, chimeric NTNR? (e.g., NTNR? immunoadhesion), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to NTNR?-ligands, for example NTN, by providing NTNR? to the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel proteins with BAFF dominant negative antagonist, receptor antagonist activity and agonist activity and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention further relates to the use of the novel proteins in the treatment of BAFF or APRIL-related disorders.

Abstract: Purified BMP-2 and BMP-4 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair.

Abstract: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of cartilage-derived morphogenetic proteins (CDMP-1 and CDMP-2) from human and bovine cartilage extracts. These proteins exhibit chondrogenic activity and can be used to repair cartilage defects in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a protein produced from an alternative splice form of the human Ghrelin gene, an obesity and/or diabetes related gene.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining a highly enriched TGF-beta protein fraction in activated form, from a liquid solution rich in proteins said to be soluble in the aqueous phase of milk and/or of whey, said method comprising the following steps; a) adjusting soluble proteins purified at a concentration between 5 and 30 g/liter of solution; b) precipitating part of the whey proteins by acidic treatment of the solution thus obtained to a pH ranging between 4 and 5.5 and at a temperature ranging between 55° C. and 68° C.; c) carrying out a microfiltration of the treated solution by diafiltration, so as to obtain respectively a microfiltration retentate and a microfiltrate; d) recuperating the microfiltration retentate containing the protein fraction highly enriched in TGF-beta; e) drying the microfiltration retentate which has been subjected to diafiltration to obtain a powder highly enriched in TGF-beta.

Abstract: The present invention provides VEGF variants having one or more amino acid mutations in the KDR and/or FLT-1 receptor binding domains in the native VEGF sequence and selective binding affinity for either the KDR receptor or the FLT-1 receptor. Methods of making the VEGF variants and methods of using the VEGF variants are also provided.

Abstract: The current invention provides methods for molecule purification by RP-LC and RP-HPLC that uses unbranched terminal alkyldiols as eluting solvents. In particular, the present invention purifies molecules, particularly proteins and peptides, on reverse phase liquid chromatography columns using a buffer containing either 1,5 pentanediol, 1,6 hexanediol or 1,7 heptanediol.

Abstract: An agent for prevention or treatment of diseases involving degeneration or death of nerve cells, characterized by containing a growth hormone secretion promoting substance as an active ingredient, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA molecules which encode antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of at least the amino acid corresponding to Glu-119 in bovine growth hormone. The DNA molecules may be used to express the antagonists, either in cell culture, or in the cells of the patient of interest. The antagonist so expressed may be used to inhibit GH activity in a subject.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel genus of small peptides, much smaller than human TGF&agr;, was discovered as having TGF&agr; biological activity and therefore are useful as pharmacologic agents for the same indications as full length TGF&agr; polypeptide. There is further disclosed that TGF&agr; and consequently the genus of small peptides disclosed herein, was found to have therapeutic activity to stimulate hematopoiesis in patients undergoing cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy and to act as a cytoprotective agent to protect a patient undergoing cancer cytotoxic therapy from gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, such as mucositis and otherwise support the barrier function of the GI tract when it is harmed by cytotoxic therapy.

Abstract: The variants of human ciliary neutrophic factor (hCNTF) according to the present invention are characterized by substitution of phenylalanine 152 and/or lysine 155 with alanine. These variants have biological properties that render them important as the active principles of drugs for the treatment of diseases and pathologies involving the nervous system or other pathologies involving cells responding to the CNTF. FIG. 2 shows the results of simulation of haptoglobin secretion from HepG2 cells by CNTF and the variants described in the invention.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of patients in need of increasing insulin sensitivity by administration of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, in a low dose and the use of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, for the manufacturing of a medicament useful for increasing insulin sensitivity in low dose therapy. The patient is preferably a normal subject, i.e. not growth hormone deficient patient and/or a non-obese patients. By low dose therapy is preferably meant less than 0.008 mg/kg/day, preferably 0.007 mg/kg/day or less, more preferably 0.005 mg/kg/day or less and most preferably 0.003 mg/kg/day or less. The therapy is preferably performed during short term treatment, preferably less than one month.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: Peptides are provided that inhibit the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist peptides are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of compounds selected from GH, analogues thereof, and GH-releasing compounds, optionally in combination with lipid-lowering agents or therapy, for the preparation of a drug for treatment of mammals with familial hypercholesterolemia of homozygous form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric fatty body-GRF analogs with increased biological potency, their application as anabolic agents and in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiencies. The chimeric fatty body-GRF analogs include an hydrophobic moiety (tail), and can be prepared, either by anchoring at least one hydrophobic tail to the GRF, in the chemical synthesis of GRF. The GRF analogs of the present invention are biodegradable, non-immunogenic and exhibit an improved anabolic potency with a reduced dosage and prolonged activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for improving an action of an immunosuppressant, comprising insulin-like growth factor I or its analog as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Purified bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair.

Abstract: DNA sequences coding for a TNF-binding protein and for the TNF receptor of which this protein constitutes the soluble domain. The DNA sequences can be used for preparing recombinant DNA molecules in order to produce TNF-binding protein and TNF receptor. Recombinant TNF-binding protein is used in pharmaceutical preparations for treating indications in which TNF has a harmful effect. With the aid of the TNF receptor or fragments thereof or with the aid of suitable host organisms transformed with recombinant DNA molecules containing the DNA which codes for the TNF receptor or fragments or modifications thereof, it is possible to investigate substances for their interaction with the TNF receptor and/or for their effect on the biological activity of TNF.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided mutant human growth hormone proteins which exhibit enhanced affinity for growth hormone but lowered hormone activity, base sequences encoding the same and their production processes as well as uses of said proteins. The proteins according to the present invention, with their enhanced affinities for the growth hormone receptor, can inhibit the binding of growth hormone to its receptor, while they retain lowered growth hormone activities, thus finding application as a medicament for the treatment of acromegaly and gigantism.

Abstract: A novel growth factor, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The human, mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Human, mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of osteoporosis in mammals are disclosed. The compositions are suitable for parenteral administration and comprise Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions for use in the methods may also include bone antiresorptive compounds.

Abstract: Described are novel uses of GHRH-RP polypeptides for specifically activating Sertoli cell expression of stem cell factor and promoting spermatogenesis and fertility, and for inhibiting GHRH-RP activity to decrease or eliminate spermatogenesis and fertility. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions for such uses, and transgenic animals lacking expression of or expressing introduced DNA encoding GHRH-RP polypeptides.

Abstract: Drug which contains human growth hormones capable of recovering the renal function when administered to a patient who has renal insufficiency but has not yet undergone kidney dialysis. By administrating the drug, the loss of renal function represented by an extreme decrease in creatinine clearance or the reciprocal of blood creatinine level can be prevented and thus it can dispense with the dialytic treatment for patients with renal insufficiency.

Abstract: Human growth hormone variants and their nucleic acids are disclosed wherein the amino acid residues at positions 10, 14, 18, 21, 167, 171, 174, 176 and 179 have been replaced with other amino acids. Also claimed are vectors and host cells comprising these human growth hormone variants as well as processes for their preparation.

Abstract: Human growth hormone variants are disclosed having enhanced affinity for the growth hormone receptor. Also disclosed are human growth hormone variants conjugated to one or more chemical groups, such as poly(ethylene glycol), which is believed to prolong the in vivo half-life of the variants.

Abstract: Human growth hormone variants are disclosed having enhanced affinity for the growth hormone receptor. Also disclosed are human growth hormone variants conjugated to one or more chemical groups, such as poly(ethylene glycol), which is believed to prolong the in vivo half-life of the variants.

Abstract: Purified Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-9 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair, and in hepatic growth and function.

Abstract: Purified Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-9 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair, and in hepatic growth and function.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the control of body weight of animals including mammals and humans, and more particularly to materials identified herein as modulators of body weight, and to diagnostic and therapeutic uses of such modulators. In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to nucleotide sequences corresponding to the murine and human OB gene, and two isoforms thereof, and proteins expressed by such nucleotides or degenerate variations thereof, that demonstrate the ability co participate in the control of mammalian body weight and that have been postulated to play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and adiposity. The present invention further provides nucleic acid molecules for use as molecular probes or as primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. In further aspects, the present invention provides cloning vectors and mammalian expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of growth hormones and preservatives which do not interfere with the activity of the growth hormone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of the third alpha helix of such proteins (especially bovine or human GHs). These mutants have growth-inhibitory or other GH-antagonizing effects. These novel hormones may be administered exogenously to mammals. The antagonists may be used to reduce the activity of growth hormone in a mammal, especially one suffering from diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, a growth hormone secreting tumor, acromegaly, or gigantism.

Abstract: Endothelial cell growth factor is achieved through the application of recombinant DNA technology to prepare cloning vehicles encoding the ECGF protein and procedures are disclosed for recovering ECGF protein essentially free of other proteins of human origin. The product is useful for, among other purposes, diagnostic applications and as potential in the treatment of damaged blood vessels or other endothelial cell-lined structures.