Disclosed are protease inhibitors capable of inhibiting the protease activity of a S1 or a S8 protease at ambient pH, but where the inhibitor further has a pH dependent binding to the S1 or the S8 inhibitor meaning that a complex of a S1 and a S8 protease and the inhibitor dissociates when pH is lowered to a pH below 6.0, e.g. to a pH value in the range of 4.0 to 6.0; e.g. in the range of 4.5 to 6.0; e.g. in the range of 4.5 to 5.5; whereby the protease activity is released.

Disclosed are protease inhibitors capable of inhibiting the protease activity of a S1 or a S8 protease at ambient pH, but where the inhibitor further has a pH dependent binding to the S1 or the S8 inhibitor meaning that a complex of a S1 and a S8 protease and the inhibitor dissociates when pH is lowered to a pH below 6.0, e.g. to a pH value in the range of 4.0 to 6.0; e.g. in the range of 4.5 to 6.0; e.g. in the range of 4.5 to 5.5; whereby the protease activity is released.

The use of a C6 to C24 mono- and polyunsaturated acids or their derivatives thereof enzyme inhibitors particularly as P450 and esterase inhibitors in pesticide formulations.

The use of a C6 to C24 mono- and polyunsaturated acids or their derivatives thereof enzyme inhibitors particularly as P450 and esterase inhibitors in pesticide formulations.

An evaluation system for replication activity of HBV capable of visualizing and quantifying replication of HBV DNA in a short period of time inexpensively, safely, and rapidly and a method for evaluation using the system are developed and provided. Moreover, a novel composition for inhibiting HBV replication with a mode of action different from that of conventional anti-HBV drugs is developed and provided. A therapeutic agent for hepatitis B comprising as an active ingredient an HBV-Pol activity inhibitor consisting of a phosphorylation inhibitor that inhibits phosphorylation of a TxY motif present in Terminal protein region of HBV-Pol is provided.

An evaluation system for replication activity of HBV capable of visualizing and quantifying replication of HBV DNA in a short period of time inexpensively, safely, and rapidly and a method for evaluation using the system are developed and provided. Moreover, a novel composition for inhibiting HBV replication with a mode of action different from that of conventional anti-HBV drugs is developed and provided. A therapeutic agent for hepatitis B comprising as an active ingredient an HBV-Pol activity inhibitor consisting of a phosphorylation inhibitor that inhibits phosphorylation of a TxY motif present in Terminal protein region of HBV-Pol is provided.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a Clostridium difficile toxoid A and/or a C. difficile toxoid B, and methods of use thereof. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for eliciting an immune response in a human against a C. difficile infection. The method includes administering to the human an effective dose of a composition, which includes a C. difficile toxoid, wherein the composition is administered at least two times, and wherein the immune response against C. difficile toxin A and/or toxin B is sustained.

Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods to enhance RNA transcription in a cost-effective manner and uses thereof are provided. One of the most common enzymes for RNA transcription is T7 RNA polymerase. Many embodiments increase RNA yield in transcription reactions by adding ribonucleoside vanadyl complex (VRC) to the transcription reaction. Various embodiments use VRC at low concentrations in an RNA transcription reaction. Reactions in accordance with many embodiments are capable of increasing RNA yield by approximately 2-fold or more.

The present invention aims to provide a novel compound capable of promoting cell proliferation in a cell culture (particularly three-dimensional cell culture). The hydrazide compound represented by the formula (I);

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wherein each symbol is as defined in DESCRIPTION, or a salt thereof, and a composition containing same can remarkably promote cell proliferation, sphere formation, cyst formation and/or organoid formation, and can also remarkably inhibit the activities of kinase such as LATS1, LATS2 and the like.

Provided is a composition for preserving cell-free nucleic acids and/or cells in a biological sample and methods for use thereof. The composition comprises at least one volume excluding polymer, at least one osmotic agent and at least one enzyme inhibitor. The composition optionally further comprises at least one metabolic inhibitor. Further, provided is a kit comprising the composition, preferably in a blood collection tube, or the components of the composition.