Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of agents across the blood brain barrier while allowing their activity once across the barrier to remain substantially intact. The agents are transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. In some embodiments the agents are therapeutic, diagnostic, or research agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device consisting of cross-linked nanofibrillary fibrin supported on and rooted to a microporous nonwoven fabric consisting of a biocompatible synthetic polymer material. An active ingredient is advantageously dispersed in the fibrin layer. The fibrin layer does not have a haemostatic function, but is suitable for retaining the active ingredient and releasing it with controlled kinetics. The device forming the object of the invention, preferably in the form of patches, is useful for in vitro cell cultures or for treating tissues damaged by wounds or necrosis, such as cardiac walls bearing the sequelae of infarction, or a tissue damaged by a diabetic ulcer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting pathologic angiogenesis and/or cell proliferative disorder. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises an effective amount of LECT2 protein or analogue thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

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 invention features methods of treating or preventing congestive heart failure by administering a polypeptide containing an epidermal growth factor-like domain encoded by a neuregulin gene.

Abstract: A nutritional Composition for a subject, comprising prolactin identical or similar or analogous to prolactin found in a natural food source, and at least one protective layer, wherein release of said prolactin from the composition in said subject is the result of an environmental event.

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

Abstract: The invention provides for methods of protecting neurons within the enteric nervous system (ENS) comprising administering an EGF receptor agonist, such as heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF). These methods include reducing damage of ENS neurons in patient s suffering from an intestinal injury. In addition, the invention provides for increasing intestinal motility in a patient suffering from an intestinal injury comprising administering HB-EGF. The invention also provides for methods of inducing neurite growth within the ENS in a patient suffering from intestinal injury comprising administering HB-EGF.

Abstract: A multiphasic microfiber for a three-dimensional tissue scaffold and/or cellular support is provided in one aspect that includes at least one biocompatible material. The multiphasic microfiber optionally has a first phase and at least one distinct additional phase and is formed by electrohydrodynamic jetting. Further, such microfibers optionally have one or more biofunctional agents, which may be surface-bound moieties provided in spatial patterns. Multiphasic microfibers formed in accordance with the disclosure may form, in some cases, three-dimensional fiber scaffolds with precisely engineered, micrometer-scaled patterns for cellular contact guidance, which may thus support and/or promote cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, repair, and/or regeneration for tissue and bioengineering applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are ligand dimers, compositions thereof, as well as methods of their use. The ligand dimers provided can comprise at least one ligand to a Her receptor and can be used to force dimerization of specific receptor pairs. The forced dimerization of specific receptor pairs can be used to control (e.g., promote or inhibit) signaling, and, therefore, the ligand dimers provided can also be used in various forms of treatment in which such signaling control is beneficial to a subject. It follows that methods for controlling signaling are provided as are various methods of treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating GABA release in a subject are provided. A preferred embodiment provides a composition containing an effective amount of an ErbB4 ligand to enhance or promote GABA release, i.e., GABAergic transmission. The ErbB4 ligand can be an agonist ligand or an antagonist ligand depending on the disorder to be treated. Methods for treating neurological disorders are also provided. Representative disorders that can be treated include, but are not limited to schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression and anxiety, insomnia, stroke, pain, bipolar, autism, or a combination thereof. By increasing GABA release a sedative effective can be induced in the subject. Methods for inducing a stimulatory effect in a subject are also provided. In these methods, an effective amount of an ErbB4 antagonist ligand is administered to the subject to reduce or inhibit GABA release in the subject.

Abstract: There is provided a spray base material that can be safely used with a sense of security, that prevents leakage of liquid from a spray container, that is sprayable under any condition (when inverted, for example), that is sprayable to achieve uniform coating of the surface of an object (surface to be sprayed) without scattering, that causes no dripping from a sprayed surface, and that is safe when sprayed on a skin surface and the like; and a spray base material with an excellent sprayability that can include both hydrophilic and hydrophobic low-molecular compounds such as physiologically active compounds and perfume components to be used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and cosmetics, and that has a sustained release property.

Abstract: A complex essentially comprising a protein having an action of binding to a membrane-bound HB-EGF to promote the uptake of the membrane-bound HB-EGF by cells, and a carrier.

Abstract: Improvements on the basic method used for BEAMing increase sensitivity and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The improvements have permitted the determination of intrinsic error rates of various DNA polymerases and have permitted the detection of rare and subtle mutations in DNA isolated from plasma of cancer patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of functionalized nanoparticles for drug delivery, comprising a type of polymer nanoparticles, a polymer stabilizer coating, and a drug, wherein said polymer stabilizer coating is coated on the surface of said type of polymer nanoparticles, and said drug is conjugated to said polymer stabilizer coating. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the nanoparticles; and provides a method for treating an ischemic or degenerative disease, comprising administrating an effective amount of the type of functionalized nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods of protecting, preventing and reducing intestinal injury in a human subject suffering from or at risk for shock, hemorrhagic shock or hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) comprising administering heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF). The invention is also related to methods of inhibiting deterioration of intestinal blood flow and methods of preserving and increasing intestinal blood flow by administering HB-EGF to a human subject. In addition, the methods of the invention should improve the clinical outcome of human subject suffering from or at risk for shock, hemorrhagic shock or hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions), methods of making such novel compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: A comprehensive, single agent cosmetic cream or lotion containing a high number of ingredients that target anti-aging in a defined manner. The cream or lotion contains a high number and variety of active substances that demonstrate excellent safety and efficacy in all of the various defined categories of skin aging, including but not limited to wrinkles, abnormal pigment or brown spots due to aging of the skin and an unexpectedly high efficacy in the reduction of redness and acne and rosacea blemishes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of determining the prospects for survival of a melanoma patient. This method involves providing a biological sample from a patient diagnosed with melanoma, determining the level of an indicator of Wnt/?-catenin activation in the sample, comparing the level of the indicator of Wnt/?-catenin activation in the sample against a standard level of the indicator of Wnt/?-catenin activation correlated to survival of melanoma, and determining a patient's prospects for survival of melanoma based on the comparison. The present invention also relates to a method of improving survival of melanoma patients, decreasing metastases in melanoma patients, decreasing proliferation of cancer cells in melanoma patients, decreasing melanoma recurrence in melanoma patients, and/or decreasing tumor size in melanoma patients. This involves selecting melanoma patients and subsequently determining and monitoring therapy based on their level of Wnt/?-catenin activation.

Abstract: Methods are presented for the therapeutic administration of angiocidin in the treatment of cancers such as glioma, breast cancer, and leukemia. Methods are also presented for inducing growth arrest and/or apoptosis of tumor cells, as well as inducing differentiation of tumor cells to inhibit tumorigenicity and to confer a non-tumor or healthy phenotype.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions), methods of making such novel compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods of treating, abating and reducing the risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in an infant are disclosed. Preferred methods include administering an EGF receptor agonist, such as HB-EGF or EGF, within 24 hours following birth or following the onset of at least one symptom of NEC, in an amount effective to reduce the onset or seventy of NEC.

Abstract: The use of nanoparticles of inorganic materials (e.g., synthetic smectite clays) in ophthalmic and otic pharmaceutical compositions is described. The nanoparticles are utilized as biologically inert carriers or depots for ophthalmic and otic drugs. The nanoparticles may also be utilized to modify the rheological properties of the compositions, so as to enhance the viscosity or flow characteristics of the compositions and/or increase the retention time of the compositions in the eye or ear.

Abstract: Tissue regeneration or grafting is promoted utilizing a structure including a multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material which includes a purified collagen barrier sheet material derived from natural collagen-containing tissue, the barrier sheet material including a barrier layer with an outer smooth barrier face and a fibrous face opposite the smooth barrier face. The structure further includes a matrix layer of collagen sponge material adjacent to the fibrous face. The matrix layer of collagen sponge material is resorbed by a body of a subject at a substantially faster rate than the barrier sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing neural stem cell numbers or neurogenesis by using prolactin. The method can be practiced in vivo to obtain more neural stem cells in situ, which can in turn produce more neurons or glial cells to compensate for lost or dysfunctional neural cells. The method can also be practiced in vitro to produce a large number of neural stem cells in culture. The cultured stem cells can be used, for example, for transplantation treatment of patients or animals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases or conditions. In addition, since neural stem cells are a source for olfactory neurons, the present invention also provides methods of increasing olfactory neurons and enhancing olfactory functions.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of neuroinjury in a post-acute window or in a chronic period following neuroinjury.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a porous ceramic scaffold having an organic/inorganic hybrid composite coating layer containing a bioactive factor is disclosed. The method includes; forming a porous ceramic scaffold, mixing a silica xerogel and a physiologically active organic substance to prepare an organic/inorganic hybrid composite, adding a bioactive factor to the organic/inorganic hybrid composite, and filling the organic/inorganic composite containing the bioactive factor into a pore structure of the porous ceramic scaffold, thereby coating the porous ceramic scaffold. In accordance with the method, the porous ceramic scaffold may be uniformly coated with the organic/inorganic hybrid composite while maintaining an open pore structure, and stably discharge the bioactive factor over a long period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogel type cell delivery vehicle composition for wound healing and to a preparation method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hydrogel type cell delivery vehicle composition in which non-ionic surfactants, growth factors or substance-P, human-derived cells, and the like are distributed in aqueous media, to a use thereof for wound healing, and to a preparation method thereof. The hydrogel type composition of the present invention appropriately delivers cells and/or substance-P to the wound part, and has moistening effects, effects of preventing contraction of the wound, and effects of protecting cells, and can be used in an easy and convenient manner. The cells in the composition are delivered to the wound part to effectively heal the wound when the composition of the present invention is applied to or injected into the wounded body part.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for purifying a target protein group. The method comprises the steps of contacting a sample comprising at least 95% of the target protein group and at most 5% of contaminating proteins with a library of binding moieties having different binding moieties, binding the contaminating proteins and a minority of the target protein group to the library of binding moieties, separating the unbound target protein group from the proteins bound to the library of binding moieties and collecting the unbound target protein. The collected target protein is more pure than the target protein group in the sample.

Abstract: The invention comprises 1) an oral composition, including an oral rehydration composition or solution, comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from epidermal growth factor (EGF) and agonists to the epidermal growth factor receptor, 2) a kit comprising an oral rehydration composition containing an effective amount of a compound selected from epidermal growth factor and agonists to the epidermal growth factor receptor, and 3) methods for the treatment and prevention of dehydration and diarrhea, and enhancing intestinal healing, reducing bacterial colonization, reducing the incidence of weight loss, increasing food uptake, enhancing rehydration, and enhancing mucosal healing in an animal having diarrhea.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers, compositions thereof, and polyplexes comprising said polymers. In particular, cationic polymers, pegylated versions thereof, and polynucleotide containing polyplexes comprising such polymers are provided. The invention further provides methods of using said polymers and polyplexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing cardiomyogenesis in mammalian cells, particularly embryonic stem cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Reversible gel protein formulations, including pharmaceutical formulations, that inhibit protein aggregate formation are described, along with containers, e.g., a vial, ampoule or bottle; or an apparatus or device, e.g., a syringe, comprising such formulations. Also described are methods for inhibiting protein aggregation in a protein-containing sample and methods for inhibiting particle formation in a protein-containing sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment methods and methods for sustained delivery of one or more exogenous factors to desired nervous system sites. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of biodegradable microspheres to deliver exogenous factors, such as the morphogenic factor, sonic hedgehog (Shh), to the site of spinal cord injury. In certain embodiments, the Shh-releasing microspheres are administered together with stem cells, which may be spinal cord neural stem cells. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to regrowth of neural cells in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating neuropathies.

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: Cosmetic and therapeutic compositions for skin care, containing a transgenic plant extract containing a growth factor, or a growth factor purified from transgenic plants, or a mixture of growth factors derived from transgenic plants as extracts or in purified form, for use in topical therapeutic and/or cosmetic applications. Importantly, this invention makes safer growth factors available for use for cosmetic and topical treatment. These growth factors do not carry the risk of unwanted contaminants and transmissible agents that can result from animals or animal cell based expression systems, and the recombinant growth factors that plant expression systems provide are post-translationally modified proteins.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating mucus hypersecretion in airways or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs), the pharmaceutical composition including an epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In addition, a combined preparation capable of respectively administering the pharmaceutical composition and chemotherapeutics is provided.

Abstract: Polypeptides of the neuregulin (NRG) heparin binding domain (N-HBD) and nucleic acids coding therefor are disclosed. In particular, fusion polypeptides are produced that comprise, as a targeting structure, a N-HBD polypeptide, fragment, homologue or functional derivative and a protein to be targeted. This is fused to a polypeptide or peptide being targeted (P<SUB>trg</SUB>) to cell surfaces rich in heparan sulfate proteoglycans to either activate or inhibit interactions at tyrosine kinase receptors. A preferred fusion polypeptide comprises an N-HBD, a spacer and the extracellular domain of erbB4, one of several receptors signaled by NRG, which is potent NRG antagonist. Such products are used to treat diseases or conditions where either agonism or antagonism at tyrosine kinase receptors has beneficial effects, including cancer and a multitude of diseases of the nervous system.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a taxane or taxoid, such as paclitaxel, and a protein, such as albumin or a metal-transferrin, such as gallium-transferrin, can be prepared by combining an aqueous protein solution with a second solution containing the taxane or taxoid, a non-ionic surfactant, and an alcohol; adjusting the pH of the combined solutions to between about 7.9 and about 8.3; and purifying the pH-adjusted solution to remove solutes having a molecular weight less than 10,000 Da. Such compositions can be prepared that are substantially free of non-ionic surfactants, such as Cremophor EL, and are useful in the treatment of cancers, such as breast cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of 4-amidino benzylamine derivatives as cosmetic ingredients and to cosmetic compositions, as well as to non-therapeutic methods for the cosmetic treatment of the skin and the scalp. Said derivatives and compositions can be used as urokinase inhibitors to prevent and restore damage of the epidermal barrier. Barrier abnormalities and disruptions respectively are often the starting point of a dry skin state, of itching, of dandruff and of the perception of sensitive skin. These 4-amidino benzylamine derivatives can be used for topical skin and scalp care applications in form of creams, lotions, gels, shampoos and the like.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence in the preparation of a medicament for the regeneration of tissue, preferably for the treatment of a wound. Further the invention relates to compositions comprising such peptides, and use of said peptides in both medical and nonmedical (cosmetic) applications.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of growth factors, which are effective on mesothelial cell proliferation, used in a sterilized carboxymethylchitosan pharmaceutical composition employed to reduce postoperative adhesions severity. The present invention also provides a method to inhibit postoperative adhesions severity.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of heart failure in a mammal. Accordingly, the invention is directed to establishing a dosing regimen whereby the therapeutic benefits conferred by administration of a neuregulin such as glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) or a subsequence thereof are maintained and/or enhanced, while concomitantly minimizing any potential side effects.

Abstract: The invention provides products of manufacture, e.g., biomaterials and implants, for cartilage maintenance and/or formation in-vivo, in-vitro, and ex-vivo, using nanotechnology, e.g., using nanotube, nanowire, nanopillar and/or nanodepots configured on surface structures of the products of manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed is the characterization and purification of DNA encoding a numerous polypeptides useful for the stimulation of glial cell (particularly, Schwann cell) mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel polypeptides which may have use in stimulating glial cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Methods for the synthesis, purification and testing of both known and novel polypeptides for their use as both therapeutic and diagnostic aids in the treatment of diseases involving glial cells are also provided. Methods are also provided for the use of these polypeptides for the preparation of antibody probes useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use in diseases involving glial cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to covalent conjugates between endoperoxides and small peptides and organic compounds that bind to molecular cavities on the transferrin or lactoferrin receptor, and the use of compositions comprising these conjugates to treat cancer, hyperproliferative disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating diseases and disorders of the muscle tissues in a vertebrate by the administration of compounds which bind the p185erbB2 receptor. These compounds are found to cause increased differentiation and survival of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle.

Abstract: A therapeutic combination for improved mobilization of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and methods of use thereof are described. The therapeutic combination comprises G-CSF and an inhibitor of the EGFR signaling pathway. The role of EGFR is established by several lines of evidence, including use of quantitative trait locus analysis to map the chromosomal location of the non-G-CSF enhancement of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells mobilization. Further, several different modes of inhibiting EGFR signaling all provide for an enhanced G-CSF induced mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: A transmembrane fusion protein including ubiquitin or a ubiquitin-like protein, a membrane translocation sequence linked to the C-terminus of the ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like protein, and a biologically active molecule linked to the C-terminus of the membrane translocation sequence is disclosed herein. A polynucleotide encoding the transmembrane fusion protein, a recombinant expression vector including the polynucleotide sequence, a cell transformed by the recombinant expression vector, and a method of delivering the biologically active molecule into a cell using the transmembrane fusion protein are also disclosed.