The present invention provides a method for producing a compound library comprising two or more cyclic compounds represented by the formula (I), comprising a step of allowing a macrocyclase in vitro to act on two or more peptides represented by the formula (II): LP-X—(Xa).sub.m-Y—Z (II) wherein X represents a group represented by the formula (1), Y is a peptide residue consisting of four amino acids and/or analogs thereof and contains a group represented by the formula (2) (wherein R.sup.1 and B.sup.1 are as defined above, and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group), and LP is present or absent and, when present, represents a peptide residue consisting of 1 to 100 amino acids and/or analogs thereof, and forming the nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring A while eliminating LP, if present, to form the two or more cyclic compounds represented by the formula (I).

The present application describes structures, systems, and methods for modeling and analysis of single-strand break (SSB) signaling and repair in a cell-free system. Also provided are methods of making the SSB structures and SSB signaling and repair systems. Methods and systems for identifying modulators of DNA damage response (DDR) activity for SSB repair are also described as well as methods of inhibiting SSB repair.

An object of one present invention is to provide a food composition including, as an active ingredient thereof, Lactobacillus mucosae that has a function of improving a gut microbiota. An object of another present invention is to provide an increasing drug for the rate of bifidobacteria in the human intestine and a bifidobacteria proliferation promoting drug, including Lactobacillus mucosae as an active ingredient thereof. The one present invention provides a composition for improving the gut microbiota, including the bacterial cell or a culture of Lactobacillus mucosae as an active ingredient thereof. The other present invention provides an increasing drug for the rate of bifidobacteria in the human intestine and a bifidobacteria proliferation promoting drug, including Lactobacillus mucosae as an active ingredient thereof.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of protein and genetic engineering, and specifically discloses use of an erythropoietin human hepatocyte receptor B4 as a target in screening and preparing a biological formulation or medicament for increasing sensitivity to insulin. Also disclosed is use of an erythropoietin human hepatocyte receptor B4 in preparing an insulin-sensitized mouse model. On the basis of insulin signal regulation, a protein EphB4 capable of interacting with an insulin receptor (InsR) is found. The protein can interact with InsR, and insulin stimulation can promote the interaction between the two, which provides a basis for insulin resistance in the case of hyperinsulinaemia. Over-expression of EphB4 can promote degradation of InsR. Inhibition of EphB4 can enhance the sensitivity to insulin and improve insulin resistance.

The invention provides human AdipoR2 which is associated with the cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, gastroenterological diseases, cancer, hematological diseases, respiratory diseases, inflammation, neurological diseases, urological diseases. The invention also provides assays for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, gastroenterological diseases, cancer, hematological diseases, respiratory diseases, inflammation, neurological diseases, urological diseases. The invention also features compounds which bind to and/or activate or inhibit the activity of AdipoR2 as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.

A novel cytokine, U83A, is described, as are variant forms of the cytokine, having a wide range of agonistic and antagonistic activity against chemokine receptors. Uses of the chemokine in treatment of a range of diseases, including cancers and HIV/AIDS, are described.

The present invention relates to methods for treating an individual with high grade glioblastoma multiforme by preventing or disrupting the binding of CD95 to its ligand, CD95L, in vivo, whereupon that neutralization of CD95 activity reduces undesirable glial cell migration and invasion into body tissue.

Provided herein are compositions and systems for use in polymerase-dependent, nucleotide transient-binding methods. The methods are useful for deducing the sequence of a template nucleic acid molecule and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. The methods rely on the fact that the polymerase transient-binding time for a complementary nucleotide is longer compared to that of a non-complementary nucleotide. The labeled nucleotides transiently-binds the polymerase in a template-dependent manner, but does not incorporate. The methods are conducted under any reaction condition that permits transient binding of a complementary or non-complementary nucleotide to a polymerase, and inhibits nucleotide incorporation.

The invention relates to the field of biomedical and pharmacological research, in particular in the field of immunology, allergies, cancers, bone diseases and autoimmune diseases. The invention is based on the recent finding that SWAP-70 dimerizes, that the dimerization takes place via a specific, largely unique and limited region of the protein, and that this dimerization is central to the function of the protein (and probably the stability thereof). The invention provides a screening method which makes it possible to identify new active ingredients which, by accumulating at the dimerization domain and inhibiting SWAP-70 activity, suppress the supporting function of SWAP-70 in tumorigenesis, tumor cell migration and invasion, bone-degrading osteoclast activity, and the allergic reaction, as well as in autoimmune diseases. The object is achieved by a method for identifying a substance which inhibits the activity of SWAP-70, wherein the method comprises the following: contacting at least one test substance with SWAP-70, detecting the degree of dimerization of SWAP-70, selecting a test substance which inhibits the dimerization of SWAP-70.

In the present invention, among blood metabolites, amino acids, organic compounds and oxylipins that were statistically significantly differentiated from the control group, were selected from type 2 diabetes patients. Specifically, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine, lysine, citric acid, and uric acid, and 12-oxo ETE, 15-oxo ETE, 9-oxo ODE, and 20-carboxy leukotriene B4, which are oxylipins, were confirmed to have cutoff values of AUC>0.7. In addition, the blood metabolites showed a significant difference between a DME patient group and a non-DME patient group, and thus were confirmed to be usable for accurate diagnosis of DME.