Abstract: A method for treating sexual dysfunction in a patient taking antidepressant medication is described, comprising administering an effective amount of ginkgo biloba to the patient. A method for treating sexual dysfunction in a patient taking anti-hypertensive medication is described, comprising administering an effective amount of ginkgo biloba to the patient. A method for treating sexual dysfunction in menopausal or perimenopausal patients is described, comprising administering an effective amount of ginkgo biloba to the patient. A method for treating sexual dysfunction that is not caused by a medication is described. A method for enhancing sexual response and performance is described. The invention further encompasses an antidepressant composition for the treatment of a patient in need of antidepressant therapy which comprises an amount of antidepressant sufficient to alleviate the depression and an amount of Ginkgo Biloba sufficient to alleviate any sexual dysfunction associated with the antidepressant.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for cryopreserving somatic cells are provided. In one embodiment, a cell cryopreservation medium is provided which includes an effective amount of arabinogalactan to maintain the viability of cells upon freezing, storage and thawing. The cells may be cooled or frozen during storage to a temperature about or below 4.degree. C., for example, to about -196.degree. C. In one preferred embodiment, ultrarefined arabinogalactan is provided in the cryopreservation medium, optionally in combination with a second cryopreservation agent, such as dimethyl sulfoxide. The medium can be used for the cryopreservation of a wide variety of different cell types from different sources. For example, mammalian cells, including porcine, canine, human, equine, rodent and bovine cells can be cryopreserved in the medium. The presence of arabinogalactan in the medium protects the viability of cells in the medium during the process of freezing, storage and thawing.

Abstract: Methods using in vitro processes are disclosed for inducing or enhancing expression of enteric bacterial antigens or virulence factors. The methods, therefore, produce antigenically enhanced enteric bacteria. Also methods for using the antigenically enhanced bacteria are also disclosed, as well as vaccines containing the enteric bacteria. Specifically, a whole enteric bacteria or components thereof are provided by Helicobacter species. Also there are other enteric bacteria which are useful for the disclosed invention; such as Campylobacter jejuni.

Abstract: A solid or semi-solid culture medium, designated Campy-Cefex, for the isolation of Campylobacter species. The culture medium includes:(a) a nutrient medium with an energy source effective to support growth of Campylobacter;(b) agar;(c) blood;(d) a first selective agent selected from cycloheximide, its salts, or mixtures thereof; and(e) a second selective agent selected from cefoperazone, its salts, or mires thereof.In use, the sample to be analyzed is inoculated onto the Campy-Cefex culture medium, and subsequently incubated for a sufficient time and under conditions effective to promote growth of Campylobacter. Following incubation, the culture medium may then be examined for the presence of any colonies of Campylobacter.

Abstract: A method for enzymatically separating the non-inked cellulose fibers from the inked cellulose fibers in cellulosic materials. The cellulosic material, such as newsprint, is introduced into a first chamber containing a plastic canvas basket. This first chamber is in fluid communication, via plastic tubing, with a second chamber containing cellobiase beads in a plastic canvas basket. Cellulase is then introduced into the first chamber. A programmable pump then controls the flow rate between the two chambers. The action of cellulase and stirring in the first chamber results in the production of a slurry of newsprint pulp in the first chamber. This slurry contains non-inked fibers, inked fibers, and some cellobiose. The inked fibers and cellobiose flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereas the non-inked fibers remain in the first chamber because they are too large to pass through the pores of the plastic canvas basket. The resulting non-inked and inked fibers are then recovered.

Abstract: Novel non-crystalline, porous bioactive glass and ceramic materials that permit the in vitro formation of bone tissue when exposed to a tissue culture medium and inoculated with cells are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of treating bioactive glass materials to control pH so that when the glass is exposed to a tissue culture medium and then inoculated with cells, bone tissue growth occurs in vitro. The glass material disclosed is preferably formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: Bacteria which produce large amounts of a cellulase-containing cell-free fermentate, have been identified. The original bacterium (ATCC 55703) was genetically altered using nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) treatment to produce the enhanced cellulase degrading bacterium ATCC 55702, which was identified through replicate plating. ATCC 55702 has improved characteristics and qualities for the degradation of cellulosic materials.

Abstract: A fungal inoculum for bioaugmentation of soils contaminated with hazardous compounds or spawn for use in the edible mushroom industry is disclosed. A mechanically pelleted substrate that contains both structural and nutritive components forms the core of the fungal inoculum. The pelleted substrate core is coated with a hydrophilic material in which fungal propagules are dispersed. The biological potential of the fungal inocula can be enhanced by formulating the material composition of fungal inocula to meet the specific requirements of a particular fungus.

Abstract: Bacteria which produce large amounts of a cellulase-containing cell-free fermentate have been identified. The original bacterium (ATCC 55703) was genetically altered using nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) treatment to produce the enhanced cellulase producing bacterium (ATCC 55702), which was identified through replicate plating. ATCC 55702 has improved characteristics and qualities for the degradation of cellulosic waste materials for fuel production, food processing, textile processing, and other industrial applications. ATCC 55702 is an improved bacterial host for genetic manipulations using recombinant DNA techniques, and is less likely to destroy genetic manipulations using standard mutagenesis techniques.

Abstract: Bacteria which produce large amounts of cellulose-containing cell-free fermentate have been identified. The original bacterium (ATCC 55703) was genetically altered using nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) treatment to produce the enhanced cellulase producing bacterium (ATCC 55702), which was identified through replicate plating. ATCC 55702 has improved characteristics and qualities for the degradation of cellulosic waste materials for fuel production, food processing, textile processing, and other industrial applications. ATCC 55702 is an improved bacterial host for genetic manipulations using recombinant DNA techniques, and is less likely to destroy genetic manipulations using standard mutagenesis techniques.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel compound having the formula ##STR1## which exhibits antifungal activity.

Abstract: An isolated nitrogen activated c-Fos regulating kinase polypeptide (FRK) having a molecular weight of about 88-kD as determined by reducing SDS-PAGE, having threonine and serine kinase activity, phosphorylating the c-Fos activation domain at amino acid residue Thr 232 and having polynucleotide sequences and a method of detection for FRK are provided herein. Also described are methods for identifying compositions which affect FRK activity, thereby affecting c-Fos activation and subsequent activation of genes associated with AP-1 sites.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to isolates of Candida oleophila which are effective for the control of postharvest diseases in fruit and to biocontrol compositions which include such isolates. A method of utilizing the isolates to inhibit pathogens which cause postharvest diseases is also described. The organisms were isolated from the surface of tomato fruit and are useful for the control of a variety of fruit-rot pathogens in a variety of fruits.

Abstract: A process for the production of an extracellular peroxidase using confectionery waste is disclosed. The first step of the process requires culturing a piece of plant tissue containing extracellular peroxidase-producing cells from a plant of the genus Acer, more specifically Acer pseudoplantanus. The culture medium is a solid culture medium and the culturing step is carried out until a callus forms on the solid culture medium. Further, the plant cells produced in the callus are dispersed into a liquid culture medium to form a suspension of plant cell culture. The suspension culture medium contains confectionery waste products which provide 1 to 15% by weight of sugars (i.e. fructose, glucose and sucrose). The culturing of the plant cells in suspension in the liquid culture medium with the concomitant accumulation of the extracellular peroxidase in the liquid culture medium and separating the enzyme therefrom.

Abstract: The viability of bacterial cells after drying is improved by aging the culture in the stationary phase for periods of around six hours prior to drying. Further improvement may be obtained by culturing in a nitrogen deficient medium. The bacterial cells accumulate trehalose to protect the cells against drying out and other cell damage and the medium is further defined as having a higher than normal osmotic potential.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of treating a disease that results from a deficiency of a biological factor which includes administering to a mammal Sertoli cells and cells that produce the biological factor. In particular, the present invention describes a method of treating diabetes mellitus by transplanting pancreatic islet of Langerhans cells in conjunction with Sertoli cells to create an immunologically privileged site. A method of creating an immunologically privileged site in a mammal for cellular transplants is further described by the present invention. A pharmaceutical composition comprising Sertoli cells and cells that produce a biological factor is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing 4-hydroxy-cinnamyl alcohols by enzymatically oxidizing 4-allyl-phenols using vanillyl alcohol oxidase. The oxidase converts eugenol and chavicol to coniferyl alcohol and coumaryl alcohol, respectively. The vanillyl alcohol oxidase may be obtained from Penicillium simplicissimum.

Abstract: A process for forming spatially oriented neo-vascular capillaries comprising: (a) providing a combination ultra-thin film (UTF) pattern of at least one cell adhesion promoter and at least one cell adhesion inhibitor wherein the cell adhesion promoters have a linewidth of between about 50-490 .mu.m; (b) seeding the combination UTF pattern with endothelial cells at an initial seeding cell density; (c) adding a first medium for incubating the seeded endothelial cells until the endothelial cells are grown to confluency; (d) replacing the first medium with a second medium at confluency; and (e) allowing the endothelial cells to differentiate into spatially oriented neo-vascular capillaries.

Abstract: A method for solubulizing and refolding insoluble aggregates of HCV protease is presented. Insoluble aggregates of HCV NS3 protease are extracted from bacteria producing the aggregates. The aggregates of HCV NS3 are then solubilized in a buffer containing the denaturing reagent. Solubilized protease is then placed in an acidic buffer containing a reducing agent. The denaturing reagent is then removed from the buffer under acidic conditions. The pH of the buffer containing HCV NS3 protease is then raised in a step-wise manner to a pH of about 7-8 so as to produce properly refolded soluble, active HCV NS3 protease.

Abstract: Neotrehalose is prepared in a relatively high-yield by a process comprising allowing .beta.-galactosidase to act on a solution containing lactoneotrehalose to form neotrehalose and recoverying the resultant neotrehalose. The neotrehalose is a non-reducing oligosaccharide having a satisfiable stability and a rich- and high-quality-sweetness and is assimilated and utilized as energy source in vivo when orally administered. Neotrehalose in the form of crystal has a satisfiable handleability because it is readily soluble in water and substantially free of hygroscopicity. These render neotrehalose very useful in the fields of food-, cosmetic- and pharmaceutical-industries.