Described are methods for determining whether a subject has been treated with exogenous somatotropin. The disclosure further relates to kits for determining whether a subject has been treated with exogenous somatotropin, and to the use of such kits for determining whether a subject has been treated with exogenous somatotropin.

The disclosure relates to nucleic acids that contain modifications at the 5′-end, 3′-end or 5′-end and 3′-ends, and compounds that can be used to make the modified nucleic acids are disclosed. The modified nucleic acids have improved expression, lower immunogenicity and improved stability compared to unmodified nucleic acids.

Provided herein are, in various embodiments, methods of detecting an acute inflammatory response associated with a viral infection in a patient, methods of predicting a likelihood of developing an acute inflammatory response (e.g., an acute respiratory distress syndrome) in a patient having a viral infection, such as a SARS-CoV2 infection, and methods of preparing a bodily fluid sample that is useful for performing the disclosed methods. The present invention also provides methods of treating a patient having a viral infection with a therapy that inhibits acute inflammation, such as acute inflammation mediated by the kinin-kallikrein system and/or the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).

An object to be achieved by the present in is to prepare a droplet using a protein that has not been known heretofore to form a droplet. The present invention provides a droplet including an assembly of a protein, wherein the protein is a PDI family protein and/or an artificial protein, and contains a thioredoxin-like domain.

Disclosed herein are methods of using relaxin polypeptides and analogs, or nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides to treat or inhibit atrial fibrillation.

Disclosed herein are methods of using relaxin polypeptides and analogs, or nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides to treat or inhibit atrial fibrillation.

Disclosed herein are immunoglobulin fusion proteins comprising a first antibody region, a first therapeutic agent, and a first connecting peptide; wherein the first therapeutic agent is attached to the first antibody region by the connecting peptide; and wherein the connecting peptide does not comprise a region having beta strand secondary structure. The connecting peptide may comprise an extender peptide. The extender peptide may have an alpha helical secondary structure. The connecting peptide may comprise a linker peptide. The linker peptide may not comprise any secondary structure. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising the immunoglobulin fusion proteins and methods for using the immunoglobulin fusion proteins for the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition in a subject.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I):

R.sup.1—C(═O)—W—X—Y—Z—N(R.sup.2).sub.2   (I)

or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

An improved method for coupling amino acids into peptides or peptidomimetics is disclosed that includes the steps of combining an amino acid, a carbodiimide, an activator additive, and a base at less than 1 equivalent compared to the amino acid to be activated; and carrying out the activation and coupling at a temperature greater than 30° C.

Transgenic microalgae expressing at least one exogenous biologically active protein. The protein-expressing microalgae are used for the oral delivery of the biologically active protein to the target organism in its intact and functional form. The exogenous protein, expressed in algae, is characterized by being biologically active, exerting at least one specific activity having a beneficial effect on the subject consuming the algae. The transgenic microalgae are used as animal food for aquatic or land animals welfare or as food supplement for human healthcare.