The purpose of the present invention is to provide (i) a method for maintaining or enhancing the activity of a cell mass separated from an epithelial tissue; (ii) a method for increasing the proliferation ability of cells in an epithelial tissue; (iii) a method for producing a cell mass employing these methods; (iv) a pharmaceutical composition containing the cell mass; and, (v) a method for treating a disease using the cell mass. The purpose is fulfilled by culturing a cell mass separated from an epithelial tissue or an epithelial tissue with a thermoreversible polymer.

Described is an antagonist of a mammalian P2X7R for use in the treatment of a hyperinflammatory syndrome in a mammalian patient, by primary lymph node targeted administration of the said P2X7R antagonist in the said patient to a concentration in the said targeted lymph nodes that is above the maximal tolerable plasma level of the said antagonist in the said mammal.

The invention provides a crystalline hydrochloride salt of 4-[2-(2,4,6-trifluorophenoxymethyl)phenyl]piperidine. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline salt, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline salt, and methods of using the crystalline salt to treat diseases.

An objective of the invention is to provide anti-C5 antibodies and methods of using the same. The invention provides anti-C5 antibodies and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-C5 antibody of the present invention binds to an epitope within the β chain of C5 with a higher affinity at neutral pH than at acidic pH. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding an anti-C5 antibody of the present invention. The invention also provides host cells comprising a nucleic acid of the present invention. The invention also provides a method of producing an antibody comprising culturing a host cell of the present invention so that the antibody is produced. The invention further provides a method of producing an anti-C5 antibody comprising immunizing an animal against a polypeptide which comprises the MG1-MG2 domain of the β chain of C5. Anti-C5 antibodies of the present invention may be for use as a medicament. Anti-C5 antibodies of the present invention may be for use in treating a complement-mediated disease or condition which involves excessive or uncontrolled activation of C5. Anti-C5 antibodies of the present invention may be for use in enhancing the clearance of C5 from plasma.

The present invention relates to compounds useful for the treatment or prevention of bacteria infections. These compounds have formula I: ##STR00001## The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing the compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of bacteria infections. Finally, the invention provides processes for making compounds of the invention.

Disclosed are compounds useful as inhibitors of the Wnt signalling pathway. Specifically, inhibitors of Porcupine (Porcn) are contemplated by the invention. In addition, the invention contemplates processes to prepare the compounds and uses of the compounds. The compounds of the invention may therefore be used in treating conditions mediated by the Wnt signalling pathway, for example, in treating cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, skin cancer, haematological tumors, lymphoma, carcinoma, and leukemia; or enhancing the effectiveness of an anti-cancer treatment.

A bioconjugate of an E. coli glucosylated O4 antigen polysaccharide covalently linked to a carrier protein and compositions thereof are provided. Also provided are recombinant host cells for producing the bioconjugate, and methods of producing the bioconjugate using the recombinant host cells. The recombinant host cells contain a nucleic acid encoding a glucosyl transferase capable of modifying the E. coli O4 antigen with glucose branching to produce the glucosylated O4 antigen polysaccharide. Bioconjugates of an E. coli glucosylated O4 antigen polysaccharide described herein can be used alone or in combination with one or more additional E. coli O-antigen polysaccharides to induce antibodies against an E. coli glucosylated antigen, and to vaccinate a subject against extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC).

Disclosed by the invention is a heterocyclic compound, an intermediate, and a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. Provided by the invention are a heterocyclic compound as shown in formula I, and a stereoisomer, a geometric isomer, a tautomer, a nitrogen oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, a metabolite, an ester, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof. The heterocyclic compound has a high P2X3 antagonistic activity, and has good selectivity, low toxicity, good metabolic stability and little taste influence.

##STR00001##

The invention pertains to host cells for producing a bioconjugate of an E. coli O18 antigen polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier protein. The host cells are characterized in that they comprise modified Wzy O-antigen polymerases with specific combinations of amino acid substitutions in one or more of positions 199, 377 and 395 as compared to the wild type Wzy O-antigen polymerase of SEQ ID NO: 1, which modified Wzy O-antigen polymerases improve the yield and glycosylation pattern of the O18 bioconjugates produced by the host cells. The invention further relates to methods wherein the host cells are used to produce a bioconjugate of an E. coli O18 antigen polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier protein, compositions comprising these bioconjugates, including multivalent compositions comprising bioconjugates of additional O antigen polysaccharide-serotypes.

The disclosure relates to a method for protecting a kidney from renal injury. For example, acute renal injury may be associated with decreased or blocked blood flow in the subject's kidney or exposure to a nephrotoxic agent, such as a radiocontrast dye. The methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to a subject in need thereof.