Abstract: The invention provides Stat3 and Tyk2 targets that have importance for diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Stat3 and Tyk2 are also important as targets for drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Isolated compounds from adelostemma gracillimum refined fractions and compositions containing the compounds are provided by the present invention. Adelostemma gracillimum refined fractions and the extraction process thereof are also provided by the present invention. The uses of the compounds and the adelostemma gracillimum refined fractions for inhibiting the activities of NMDA receptor or amyloid-beta peptide, for improving memory, and for treating neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathological conditions or epilepsy are further provided by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutically active compounds and compositions as NMDA and MC receptor antagonists, which are useful in preventing and treating central nervous system disorders by inhibiting over-activation of NMDA and/or MC receptors. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative diseases and neuropathological disorders, methods of providing neuroprotection under stress conditions such as a stroke, methods of enhancing the brain's cognitive functions and methods of treating depression, anxiety and cachexia induced by a chronic disease in mammals and humans.

Abstract: The invention provides Stat3 and Tyk2 targets that have importance for diagnosis of neurode-generative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Stat3 and Tyk2 are also important as targets for drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutically active oxazolidine derivatives and compositions as NMDA antagonists, which are useful in preventing and treating central nervous system disorders by inhibiting over-activation of NMDA receptors. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative diseases and neuropathological disorders, methods of providing neuroprotection under stress conditions such as a stroke, and methods of enhancing the brain's cognitive functions in mammals and humans. For example, the compounds can prevent glutamate-induced neuro-toxicity by inhibiting the activities of the NMDA receptor in the presence of toxic doses of NMDA. In addition, the compounds can potentiate the calcium current in the presence of low dose of NMDA.

Abstract: Novel heterodimers of tetrahydroacridines and tetrahydroquinolinones are disclosed. The heterodimers are capable of acting as both acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. The heterodimers may be used to improve cognitive defects via treatment or prevention in both humans and non-humans.

Abstract: A polypeptide competitor or analogue for human Immunoglobulin E (IgE) low affinity sites comprises a polypeptide which has a sequence of amino acid which has a sequence of amino acids which is shown in Table I. This amino acid sequence corresponds to amino acids 340 to 439 of the epsilon heavy chain of IgE. A particularly preferred polypeptide competitor has a sequence of amino acids corresponding to amino acids 340 to 547 of the epsilon heavy chain of IgE as set out in Table V herein, which also shows the corresponding DNA sequence coding therefor. Such a polypeptide may also include additional short sequences at the beginning and/or end of the core sequence which are physiologically harmless and do not contribute to the ability of the core sequence to compete with native IgE for the low affinity receptor sites on human cells. The polypeptide may be produced synthetically or by expression from Escherichia coli containing a plasmid having a DNA segment coding for the polypeptide.

Abstract: A competitor for human Immunoglobulin E (IgE) comprises a polypeptide which has a core sequence of seventy-six amino acids which is shown, together with the corresponding DNA sequence coding therefor, in FIG. 2. This amino acid sequence, numbered 1 to 76, corresponds to amino acids 301 to 376 of the epsilon heavy cain of IgE. The polypeptide may also include additional short sequences at the beginning and/or end of the core sequence which are physiologically harmless and do not contribute to the ability of the core sequence to bind compete with native IgE for the high-affinity receptor sites on human cells. The polypeptide is indicated for the treatment of Type I hypersensitivity reactions such as hay fever. The polypeptide may be produced synthetically or by expression from Escherichia coli containing a plasmid having a DNA segment coding for the polypeptide.

Abstract: A solid-liquid separator and a process for washing the same wherein SS (sended solids) caught in space portions of a filter medium in a tank are caused to flow out from the space portions and be suspended while at least part of the filter medium is maintained in a fluidized state by air washing, and rapid drainage through a lower portion of the tank causes the SS in the suspended state to be rapidly removed without being again caught into the space portions of the filter medium.

Abstract: A biochemical reagent comprises an oligosaccharide, preferably one which has been liberated from an immunogenic glycoprotein or proteoglycan, which is immobilized on a carrier via an intermediate spacer molecule such as a lipid. The lipid molecule should preferably have at least two long lipid tails so that the oligosaccharide is held in spaced relationship to the carrier where is exhibits antibody-binding ability which is almost indistinguishable from that of the original glycoprotein or proteoglycan. The reagent has its application in biochemical testing of oligosaccharides and systems which bind to them.

Abstract: A waste water treatment process wherein an iron contactor or iron contact are immersed in a treatment tank, into which waste water flows. In the treatment tank sulfate reducing bacteria are made to coexist with activated sludge or biofilters, wherein a velocity of flow of agitating stream on the outer surfaces of said iron contactor or contactors is set at 10 to 20 cm/sec, under an aerobic treatment. Iron ions are made to elute from said iron contactor or contactors by utilizing electrochemical iron corrosion through the agency of oxygen concentration cells on the outer surfaces of said iron contactor or contactors on conditions that dissolved oxygen concentration in the treatment tank is 1 to 3.2 mg/l and the oxidation-reduction potential is -200 to -400 millivolts (mV). Under an anaerobic treatment, iron ions are made to elute by utilziing microorganism-corrosion on the outer surfaces of said iron contactor or contactors on condition that dissolved oxygen concentration in the treatment tank is 0 mg/l.

Abstract: A process for treating organic waste water in which a first step provided the stage precedent to a second step using an aerobic filter bed employs an upward flow type solid-liquid separator packed with a filter medium, with the SS (suspended solids) removal at the preceding stage being performed at a high SS removal rate and in a short time.

Abstract: Blood purification apparatus comprises a dead-end system in which blood from the patient is allowed to flow through one or more purification modules, such as a dialyzer, a hemofilter, a hemoperfusion column and an oxygenator, into a resiliently walled reservoir, which is conveniently a standard blood bag. The direction of flow of the blood is then reversed by exertion of sufficient pressure on the bag to push the blood back through the purification module to the patient's circulation. Thus, since the reservoir is of available capacity, being of resilient material for example, the capacity of the apparatus remains equal to the volume of extra-corporeal blood.

Abstract: A pack of seedling plants includes a sealed, sterile dish containing an agar gel in which seedlings have been raised from seed sown in the gel. The pack may also include a growing tray for which a pack of compost may be provided, and a transparent cover which together form a propagator into which seedlings may be transplanted from the dish. The dish may be fixed to a backing and the various components of dish and backing, tray and cover snap fitted one with another to form a convenient package which also has the advantage of being rearrangeable to provide a robust package for the mail-order market.

Abstract: An apparatus for directly monitoring microorganisms present in a liquid crises a window glass with one face in contact with the liquid. Near the other face is disposed a TV camera having an optical magnifying system for monitoring the microorganisms. A sample cell or a narrow space is formed on said one side of the window glass for direct introduction of a sample of the liquid. The sample is statically held in the cell even though the liquid is in movement. The sample is purged from the cell by feeding a cleaning fluid thereinto or by vibrating or otherside exerting physical movement on the cell, whereafter a new sample is introduced into the cell. Purging of the sample cleans the cell and is prevents it from being smudged with dregs, dirt or the like included in the liquid.

Abstract: A method of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from waste water by using an activated sludge including aerobic bacteria is disclosed. The waste water is fed continuously and gradually into a treatment basin in which the sludge is contained so that a mixed liquor consisting of the waste water and the sludge is formed therein. A cycle consisting of an agitating step and an aerating step is repeated at least two times and each cycle is finished within two hours, with the ratio of the agitating time to the aerating time being between one to one and to one. In the agitating step, the mixed liquor presents an anoxic condition and a succeeding anaerobic condition. Denitrification occurs in the anoxic condition and the aerobic bacteria release phosphorus in the anaerobic condition. During the aerating step, nitrification is caused while the bacteria excessively ingest phosphorus from the mixed liquor.

Abstract: Filtering apparatus comprising a stationary housing and a rotary filter d having a peripheral filter screen with elongated filter openings extending parallel to an axis thereof and disposed within the housing to define a space between the filter drum and the housing. A sludgy liquid supply means is provided for supplying the sludgy liquid from the inside of the filter drum onto the inner surface of the filter screen. Solid component adheres to the filter screen and liquid component passes through the elongated filter openings of the filter screen into the space, said solid component on the filter screen being discharged from the interior of the filter drum through the housing in the form of aggregations of filtration residue and said liquid component being discharged from the space through an outlet opening as filtrate.