Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of protection of the carboxy group in the chemistry of the compounds of .beta.-lactam type. According to such a method, the carboxy group is protected by being transformed into its corresponding phenyl-acetoxy-methyl ester, which is then removed by an enzymatic route by means of penicillinacylase.In particular, if the .beta.-lactam compound also bears a phenyl-acetamidic substitutent, this latter is simultaneously hydrolysed during the same step of removal of the carboxy function protecting group.

Abstract: A method is described for the purification of crude human interferon from solutions containing it, which comprises:a) the complete adsorption of the crude interferon in a column of siliceous material which has previously been disinfected with an aqueous solution of formaldehyde;b) the washing of the column with non-pyrogenic, sterile, deionized water;c) the removal of the extraneous residual proteins by the elution of the column successively with a 1.4 M aqueous solution of NaCl in non-pyrogenic, sterile, deionized water, and with an aqueous solution of acetic acid having a molar concentration of 0.001 M to 0.003 M;d) the elution of the interferon from the column with an aqueous solution of acetic acid having a molar concentration of from 0.01 to 0.03 M and finally,e) the recovery and lyophilization of the elution containing the purified interferon.

Abstract: A method of synthesis of a partially retro-inverso peptide incorporating at least one malonyl residue of formula (III) ##STR1## wherein R represents the side chain of an .alpha.-amino acid, is described which is characterized in that said malonyl residue is incorporated by condensing a 5-substituted-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione of formula (VI) ##STR2## wherein R' is the side-chain R wherein the functional groups, if any, are suitably protected, with an amino acid, amino acid amide, peptide fragment, or pseudo-peptide fagment wherein the terminal carboxyl group, if present, and the possible side-chain functionalities are suitably protected and the reactive amino group is tri-alkyl-silylated.The new compounds of formula (VI) and a process for the preparation of a partially retro-inverso tuftsin analog which involves use of said method and said intermediate are also described and claimed.

Abstract: This invention firstly provides a method for purifying particular compounds of peptide or pseudo-peptide structure in which the number of protonable basic functions is greater than the number of acid functions and which have a molecular weight of less than 1000 daltons, by ion exchange displacement chromatography. In the method of the present invention the stationary phase used is a cationic exchange resin or a cross-linked polymer matrix activated with acid groups; the transporter solvent used is water if the compound to be purified already possesses at least one net positive charge, or aqueous dilute solutions of inorganic or strong organic acids which protonate the basic groups of the peptide or pseudo-peptide to be separated without modifying the structure of the peptide compound, such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid, hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid; the displacer compound used is a triethylenetetraammonium salt.

Abstract: A new mono-silylating agent of general formula (I)(R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3)Si--NH--CO--O--Si(R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3) (I)is described as well as its use in the preparation of chromatographic supports based on silica with functional groups covalently bonded thereto, the so-called "bonded stationary phases".The new compounds are easy and safe to prepare from the coresponding mono-halosilanes with ammonium carbamate, and their use as silylating agents leads to stationary phases with a higher degree of surface coating than that attainable with the corresponding chlorosilanes.

Abstract: New retro-inverso analogs of thymopentin (TP5) and of its tripeptide fragment (TP5.sup.1-3) of general formula (I) ##STR1## are described wherein R is hydrogen or an acyl radical, and R.sup.1 is --OR.sup.2 or ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical, and the corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable acid- or base-addition salts.The new compounds are enzyme-resistant immunomodulatory peptides.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the use of a compound analogous to tuftsin, having the formula (I) ##STR1## or of a pharmaceutically acceptable base-addition or acid-additon salt thereof, as an adjuvant in order to potentiate, in a living organism, the antibody response against either natural or synthetic antigens, as well as with the novel compositions for vaccines which comprise one or more of said antigens together with an adjuvating amount of the compound of formula (I) or of one of its addition salts.

Abstract: New compositions containing a calcitonin as the active ingredient are described which are suitable for the intrarectal administration as soft gelatin capsules or microenemas, wherein the active principle, optionally admixed with a stabilizer, is dissolved in a liquid vehicle consisting of: (a) at least 70% by weight of a polyethylene or a polypropylene glycol or a mixture of polyethylene or polypropylene glycols with different molecular weights, having the consistency of a homogeneous fluid at room temperature, and (b) less than 15% by weight of a buffer in a pH range of from 4.5 to 6.5, and optionally (c) less than 15% by weight of an alcohol of 2 to 6 carbon atoms containing two or more hydroxy groups.The new compositions, which do not contain any absorption aid, give calcitonin plasma levels comparable to a conventional intramuscular administration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the immunolocalization of epitopes of non-glucidic nature, in cellular cultures, in tissue slices, or immobilized on such supports as nitrocellulose, by means of the incubation of the sample with specific antibodies for the antigen to be immunolocalized, belonging to the class of the IgM's, and sequential treatment of concanavalin A and with an enzymatic marker capable of binding with concanavalin A, such as, e.g., peroxidase. The method comprises, before the incubation, a suitable treatment of the sample under test, e.g., with periodic acid, in order to prevent concanavalin A from binding with the carbohydrates present in the sample.

Abstract: Process for the production of a protein correlated with the diphtheric toxin which comprises culturing in a liquid nutrient medium having a concentration of iron ions of from 0.05 .mu.g/ml to 0.5 .mu.g/ml, at a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 40.degree. C., in a neutral culturing environment and under aerobic conditions, a microorganism belonging to the Corynebacterium diphtheriae genus with two mutant phages encoding the protein correlated with the diphtheric toxin integrated in a nontandem mode in their chromosomes.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a new class of malonic acid derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, each independently, represent hydrogen or a carboxyl protecting group, and the residue R corresponds to the side-chain of the amino acids lysine, ornithine, tyrosine, cysteine, asparatic acid and glutamic acid wherein the additional functionalities are suitably protected. The new compounds of the present invention are useful for preparing analogues of biologically active peptides wherein the direction of some amide bonds in which the amino acids lysine, ornithine, tyrosine, cysteine, aspartic acid or glutamic acid are involved, has been reversed.

Abstract: New partially retro-inverted tuftsin analogues of general formula I ##STR1## wherein R represents the side-chain of the amino acids threonine, methionine or leucineR.sup.1 represents the side-chain of the amino acids lysine or arginineR.sup.2 is hydrogen or a metabolically labile acyl group,all the asymmetric carbon atoms are either of the S- or R-configuration, or, alternatively, the first, third, and fourth asymmetric carbons, starting from the N-terminal residue, are of the S-configuration while the second one is of the R- or (R,S)-configuration, and the corresponding pharmacologically acceptable salts, esters and amides. The new compounds which share the same pharmacological properties of tuftsin, are much more stable toward the enzymatic degradation than the parent molecule.

Abstract: A container provided for the controlled dispensing of powders and liquids which compress,a container body,an extremely threaded neck provided on said container body,a cylindrical, tubular extension member axially connected at one end to the externally threaded container neck,the cylindrical, tubular extension member having an inner base compressing a calibrated portion and terminating at the other end thereof in a divergent frustoconical outlet mouth portion,a rupturable transverse membrane diaphragm scalingly separating the calibrated portion from the outlet mouth portion,a circumferential groove provided on the outer surface of said tubular extension member, in the vicinity of the diaphragm,a cylindrical capsule acting as a scaling and rescaling device, the capsule having at one end thereof an internally threaded portion adapted for screw engagement with the externally threaded neck, andan elastic training ring circumferentially provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical capsule for spring-engagement

Abstract: Synthetic peptide with human interleukin 1 activity, which peptide can be used as a stimulant of the immune functions and can be defined by the general formula:Val-Gln-Gly-Glu-Glu-Ser-Asn-Asp-Lys-X (I)where: Val=L-valine; Gln=L-glutamine; Gly=glycine; Glu=L-glutamic acid; Ser=L-serine; Asn=L-asparagine; Asp=L-aspartic acid; Lys=L-lysine; X=cysteine (Cys), OH, NH.sub.2, a benzyl ester or an alkyl ester group having a number of carbon atoms from 1 to 7.

Abstract: Self-mixing cell for photometric and turbidimetric measurements, constituted by a hollow neck connected to a transparent polygonal chamber, the inner side surface of which is provided with a set of projections suitable to favor the mixing of the reactants and of the sample to be analyzed, if to the same cell an orbital or axial revolution movement is communicated. In particular, a cell is disclosed wherein the projections of the inner side surface of the chamber are the corners of a multifoil profile.

Abstract: Glycoproteinic conjugates having trivalent immunogenic activity obtained by binding, by a covalent bond, to a protein selected among CRM 197, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis toxin, at least an oligosaccharidic hapten derived from the capsular polysaccharide of a gram-positive bacterium and at least an oligosaccharidic hapten derived from the capsular polysaccharide of a gram-negative bacterium, and wherein said oligosaccharidic haptens are previously activated by introducing terminal esters.

Abstract: A colorimetric reagent formulation is disclosed for the determination of the ferric iron content of serum. The formulation consists of two aqueous solutions. One solution, acting as chromogenic reagent, consists of a buffer, a soluble salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, chromazurol S in acidic form, and either a cationic or nonionic surfactant. The other solution, acting as masking reagent, consists of a complexing agent and if desired the same components of the chromogenic reagent, which are able to prevent the formation of the complex between the chromazurol S, the surfactant and the iron. The complexing agent consists of a polycarboxylic organic acid or salt thereof.

Abstract: The process of the invention is useful for the preparation of L-.alpha.-aminoacids and is based on the use of an N-carbamyl-.alpha.-aminoacid compound which is contacted with a E.C.3.5.2.2, a dihydropyrimidine hydrolase, enzyme to form a D-hydantoin. The D-hydantoin is hydrolyzed and racemized to form the D-N-carbamyl-.alpha.-aminoacid and the L-N-carbonyl-.alpha.-aminoacid. The L-N-carbamyl-.alpha.-aminoacid is thereafter transformed into the corresponding L-.alpha.-aminoacid.

Abstract: A composition for determining the fibrinogen content in plasma by electroimmunodiffusion, said composition essentially comprising heparin and agarose.

Abstract: A process for preparing L-carnitine (I) wherein(a) diketene (II) is reacted with chlorine, and the chlorination product thus obtained is submitted to amidation by the methylester of an optically-active aminoacid, having formula: ##STR1## wherein R=CH.sub.2 A.sub.r or A.sub.