The disclosure provides compositions and methods for determining the propensity of a subject (e.g., a female human subject) undergoing embryo transfer therapy to benefit from administration of an oxytocin receptor antagonist, as well as for treating such patients accordingly. Using the compositions and methods of the disclosure, a subject undergoing embryo transfer therapy may be selected for treatment with an oxytocin receptor antagonist on the basis of a pre-treatment gene signature. Additionally or alternatively, a subject that is undergoing embryo transfer therapy and that has been administered an oxytocin receptor antagonist may be monitored following treatment to determine whether the subject is responding to the oxytocin receptor antagonist or if subsequent dosing is desirable. Exemplary oxytocin receptor antagonists useful in conjunction with the compositions and methods of the disclosure include pyrrolidin-3-one oxime compounds, such as (3Z,5S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[(2′-methyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]pyrrolidin-3-one O-methyloxime, among others.

The present invention relates to improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), as well as to polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such Nanobodies. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to methods for preparing such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such Nanobodies or polypeptides; to compositions comprising such Nanobodies, polypeptides, nucleic acids or host cells; and to uses of such Nanobodies, such polypeptides, such nucleic acids, such host cells or such compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Methods for non-invasive retrieval of viable (i.e., able to be fertilized) oocytes from the uterus via a combination of unique ovarian stimulation and uterine lavage technology. These methods may eliminate the need for an invasive surgical procedure. Embodiments include the use of a novel hormonal protocol, including the use of injectable gonadotropins, to induce the release of immature oocytes from the ovaries of a patient. The immature oocytes mature as they transit the fallopian tubes such that mature, viable oocytes may be collected from the uterus via a uterine lavage procedure. Further embodiments include the use of a novel hormonal protocol, including the administration of Prostaglandins, Estradiol, and/or Progesterone Blockers, to accelerate transport of oocytes through the fallopian tubes. Further embodiments include kits for uterine lavage, compositions suitable for triggering and inducing superovulation, and compositions suitable for accelerating tubal transport of mature oocytes in a female patient.

Methods for non-invasive retrieval of viable (i.e., able to be fertilized) oocytes from the uterus via a combination of unique ovarian stimulation and uterine lavage technology. These methods may eliminate the need for an invasive surgical procedure. Embodiments include the use of a novel hormonal protocol, including the use of injectable gonadotropins, to induce the release of immature oocytes from the ovaries of a patient. The immature oocytes mature as they transit the fallopian tubes such that mature, viable oocytes may be collected from the uterus via a uterine lavage procedure. Further embodiments include the use of a novel hormonal protocol, including the administration of Prostaglandins, Estradiol, and/or Progesterone Blockers, to accelerate transport of oocytes through the fallopian tubes. Further embodiments include kits for uterine lavage, compositions suitable for triggering and inducing superovulation, and compositions suitable for accelerating tubal transport of mature oocytes in a female patient.

The invention discloses compositions comprising bisdemethoxycurcumin and methods for managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associated conditions which include hormonal imbalance, obesity, hypothyroidism, hyperandrogenism, oxidative stress, inflammation, gut dysbiosis, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular complications, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The invention also discloses the potential of a curcuminoid composition comprising 20-80% w/w bisdemethoxycurcumin, 10-35% w/w demethoxycurcumin and 10-50% w/w curcumin for use in the therapeutic management of PCOS.

Compounds are provided that antagonize vasopressin receptors, particularly the V1a receptor products containing such compounds, as well as to methods of their use and synthesis. Such compounds have the structure of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable isomer, racemate, hydrate, solvate, isotope, or salt thereof:

##STR00001##

wherein A, B, G, R.sup.1, R.sup.1b, R.sup.1c, R.sup.2 and X are as defined herein.

Compounds are provided that antagonize vasopressin receptors, particularly the V1a receptor products containing such compounds, as well as to methods of their use and synthesis. Such compounds have the structure of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable isomer, racemate, hydrate, solvate, isotope, or salt thereof:

##STR00001##

wherein A, B, G, R.sup.1, R.sup.1b, R.sup.1c, R.sup.2 and X are as defined herein.

The present invention relates to the field of cell therapy, and specifically relates to a method for producing a mesenchymal stem cell population, the mesenchymal stem cell population and a culture supernatant thereof produced by the method, and a pharmaceutical composition containing such cells or the culture supernatant thereof. The present invention further relates to use of the mesenchymal stem cell population and the culture supernatant thereof for preventing and treating diseases.

The present invention relates to the field of cell therapy, and specifically relates to a method for producing a mesenchymal stem cell population, the mesenchymal stem cell population and a culture supernatant thereof produced by the method, and a pharmaceutical composition containing such cells or the culture supernatant thereof. The present invention further relates to use of the mesenchymal stem cell population and the culture supernatant thereof for preventing and treating diseases.

Some analogues (eg. 3-carbamoyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)pyridin-1-ium, 3-carboxy-1-isopropylpyridin-1-ium, 1-benzyl-3-carbamoylpyridin-1-ium, 3-carbamoyl-1-methylpyridin-1-ium and cyclopamine) are disclosed to treat female infertility as the compounds increase the percentage of primary follicles relative to primordial follicles compared to control samples.