Abstract: Novel peptide B-52653 having the formula: ##STR1## which is produced by cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces and being capable of producing B-52653 in a culture medium, whereby B-52653 is elaborated and accumulated in the cultured broth and is recovered.B-52653 is useful as a germicide or disinfectant, and a possibility of the present substance as an antifibrotic agent is suggested.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition suitable for extracorporeal treatment of whole blood comprises a dialyzable chemotherapeutic agent and a dialyzable fluorescable tracer means. The removal rate of the fluorescable tracer compound from treated blood during hemodialysis is a function of the removal rate of unreacted chemotherapeutic agent present. The residual chemotherapeutic agent concentration after hemodialysis is ascertained by measuring the concentration of the fluorescable tracer compound in a dialysate using fluorometric techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing the sufficiency of sterilization includes a test tube having a distal end in which a bacterial spore element is disposed. A sealed glass ampule containing a sterile liquid culture medium is disposed in the test tube and a plunger having a fenestration closed with a hydrophobic filter is fitted slidingly in the open end of the test tube. In use, the apparatus is exposed to sterilization, and thereafter the plunger is pushed down into the test tube to engage the ampule to slide the latter into engagement with an ampule-engaging means to thereby fracture or break the ampule so that the contents of the ampule are released into the test tube to contact the spore element, whereby the apparatus is then subjected to incubation, the sufficiency of the sterilization being thereby determined.

Abstract: Sensitive detection techniques and compositions for such techniques employing fluorescent proteins having bilin prosthetic groups as labels i.e. phycobiliprotein. The bilin containing proteins can be conjugated to ligands or receptors for use in systems involving ligand-receptor binding for the analysis, detection or separation of ligands and receptors. Particularly, one or more of the bilin containing proteins may be used as labels in conjuction with each other or other fluorescers for defining subsets of naturally occurring aggregations e.g. cells.

Abstract: An ophthalmic composition for use in the human eye comprising an aqueous solution of fluorexon whose pH has been adjusted to between pH 5.4 and 6.2 to deliver maximum fluorescence and additionally containing sufficient buffer to maintain that pH even after instillation into the eye.

Abstract: An agent for determining ristocetin cofactor (v.Willebrand factor) is described, which contains platelets which have been treated with a tanning agent, with a protease inhibitor and, optionally, with a dye-stuff, and ristocetin A.