Disclosed herein, inter alia, are methods of use and composition of novel inhibitors that target the Smac binding site of a variety of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins that contain a Bir domain, including XIAP, cIAP1, cIAP2, or other IAP proteins.

This invention provides isolated and characterized secreted molecules from probiotic bacteria for use in compositions and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of infection by harmful pathogenic bacteria. The isolated secreted molecules can also be used in nutritional or medical food products which provide probiotics to the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal.

The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepine compounds of formula (I)-(VI). The invention also provides conjugates of the benzodiazepine compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention.

The present disclosure provides thirteen synthetic peptides which have been shown to be FGF18 agonists. These synthetic peptides and topical compositions for decreasing, eliminating, or suppressing hair growth are disclosed herein. Methods for reducing hair growth, improving the appearance of skin, kits, and related cosmetic formulations are also provided herein.

This invention provides isolated and characterized secreted molecules from probiotic bacteria for use in compositions and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of infection by harmful pathogenic bacteria. The isolated secreted molecules can also be used in nutritional or medical food products which provide probiotics to the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal.

Described herein are peptides from secretory phospholipase A.sub.2-IB and antibodies that can be used to reduce the contribution of the gastrointestinal tract to inflammatory processes including systemic inflammatory responses. Specifically, antibodies that bind specifically a peptide from secretory phospholipase A.sub.2-IB prevent death in a mouse model of LPS-induced endotoxemia. The antibodies described herein are particularly useful to treat systemic inflammatory response syndromes, including sepsis.

Disclosed herein are polypeptides and fusion polypeptides that have anti-angiogenic activity that can be used to inhibit tumor growth and tumor metastasis. The polypeptide consists of 9 or less consecutive amino acid residues (e.g., 8, 7, 6, 5, or 4) comprising the active core amino acid sequence DWLP, or an amino acid substitution variant thereof. Specific amino acid substitutions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the peptide consists essentially of 4-6 mers identified as exhibiting the activity of prosaposin A. Also disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions comprising the polypeptides and fusion polypeptides, and their use in the treatment, prevention, and inhibition of angiogenesis-related diseases and disorders such as cancer and cancer metastasis.

The present invention relates to peptides capable of forming a gel and to their use in tissue engineering and bioprinting. The present invention furthermore relates to a gel comprising a peptide in accordance with the present invention, to a method of preparing such gel and to the use of such gel. In one embodiment, such gel is a hydrogel. The present invention furthermore relates to a wound dressing or wound healing agent comprising a gel according to the present invention and to a surgical implant or stent comprising a peptide scaffold formed by a gel according to the present invention. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition, to a biomedical device or an electronic device comprising the peptide according to the present invention.

A substance which adds body to a food product, and a body-adding agent for food products that uses the substance are provided. More specifically, the body adding agent for food products is characterized by having as an active component a peptide, or a salt thereof, that is characterized in that the γ-glutamyl bond number is 2-4 and the peptide chain length is the γ-glutamyl bond number +1 to +2, a food product manufacturing method that uses the peptide, and a method for adding body to a food product, characterized by adding the peptide are provided.

Provided herein are antibacterial compounds, wherein the compounds in some embodiments have broad spectrum bioactivity. In various embodiments, the compounds act by inhibition of bacterial type 1 signal peptidase (SpsB), an essential protein in bacteria. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment using the compounds described herein are also provided.