Provided are ADAM9 modulating peptides and methods for using the same to modulate ADAM9 biological activities in vitro and/or in vivo, to inhibit ADAM9 biological activities associated with diseases or disorders in subjects, to decrease inflammation, and to inhibit undesirable cellular proliferation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the ADAM9 modulating peptides include modifications of one or more amino acids of the human ADAM9 prodomain amino acid sequence, and in some embodiments the ADAM9 modulating peptides include other modifications such as but not limited to the addition of PEG groups.

The present invention is directed to treatment of cervical dystonia using a modified BoNT/A, including a modified botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) for use in treating cervical dystonia, wherein the modified BoNT/A is administered by intramuscular injection to an affected neck muscle of a subject, wherein the modified BoNT/A is administered by way of a unit dose of 750 pg to 17,000 pg of modified BoNT/A, wherein at least a single unit dose is administered to the affected neck muscle, wherein the total dose administered during the treatment is up to 170,000 pg of modified BoNT/A, and wherein the modified BoNT/A comprises a BoNT/A light-chain and translocation domain, and a BoNT/B receptor binding domain (H.sub.C domain). Also provided are associated methods, uses, unit dosage forms, and kits.

Provided are modified cells that can alter the glycocalyx of cancer cells. The modified cells include modified lymphocytes that have a one or more plasma membrane-coupled glycocalyx-editing enzymes. The modified lymphocytes include modified immune cells. The modified immune cells include T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. The modified immune cells may also express a chimeric antigen receptor. Methods of using the modified cells to alter the glycocalyx of cancer cells, and for cancer therapy, are also provided.

The present invention is directed to a modified botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) for use in a method of treating blepharospasm in a subject, wherein the modified BoNT/A is administered by intramuscular injection at a plurality of sites of the face of the subject, the method comprising: a) administering a unit dose of the modified BoNT/A to the lateral upper orbicularis oculi muscle proximal to a first eye of the subject; b) administering a unit dose of the modified BoNT/A to the medial upper orbicularis oculi muscle proximal to the first eye of the subject; and c) administering a unit dose of the modified BoNT/A to the lateral lower orbicularis oculi muscle proximal to the first eye of the subject, wherein the unit dose of the modified BoNT/A is at least 240 pg (preferably 240 pg to 8,000 pg) of modified BoNT/A, wherein the total dose administered during the treatment is up to 24,000 pg of the modified BoNT/A, and wherein the modified BoNT/A comprises a BoNT/A light-chain and translocation domain (HN), and a BoNT/B receptor binding domain (HC domain).

The present invention includes a composition and method of allosterically potentiating the activity of neurolysin comprising contacting the neurolysin with an amount of a histidine-containing dipeptide that is an allosteric that increases the activity of neurolysin.

A novel composition and method of treating cancer is described herein. The novel composition is comprised of an RNA aptamer directed to binding Adam8 to decrease expression. The RNA aptamer may be Apt-1 or Apt-1-26nt. Administration of the RNA aptamer exhibited decreased cancer cell growth and metastasis in cancers associated with increased expression of Adam8.

The present disclosure provides a gel composition comprising: a porous scaffold and a gel coating. The porous scaffold is filled with a biological tissue or a biological cell, and the gel coating covers the porous scaffold. The present disclosure further provides the manufacturing method and the use of the foregoing gel composition, especially the use as an implant for xenotransplantation or allotransplantation.

A water-soluble unit dose detergent article including a water-soluble film and a laundry liquid detergent composition, wherein the detergent composition includes: a non-soap surfactant system including anionic non-soap surfactant and nonionic surfactant wherein the anionic non-soap surfactant includes more than 0% and less than 20% by weight of the anionic non-soap surfactant of an anionic non-soap surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphate, alkoxylated alkyl sulphate, and a mixture thereof; a metalloprotease; and up to 15% by weight of the composition of water.

The invention relates to identification and characterization of recombinant DNA and polypeptides for specific Bt toxin receptors. In particular, the Bt toxin receptors of the invention include those derived from the Lepidopteran super family including the species Trichoplusiani ni, Pseudoplusia includens, Helicoverpa zea, and Spodoptera frugiperda. The receptors of the invention further include those derived from the Coleopteran super family and particularly from the species Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The recombinant DNA and polypeptides so provided are useful in the identification and design of novel Bt toxin receptor ligands including novel or improved insecticidal toxins for use in a variety of agricultural applications. Materials and methods for identifying novel toxins are also disclosed herein. The invention also provides methods for selecting toxins to combine to control insect populations by manipulating Bt toxin receptor.