Abstract: The invention provides reagents and methods for diagnosing kidney disease in a human or animal.

Abstract: An agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of stress urinary incontinence, which contains a substance that activates a serotonin 5-HT2C receptor, an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of stress urinary incontinence, which contains a substance that stimulates an androgen binding site, and a method of screening for a drug for the prophylaxis or treatment of abdominal pressure incontinence, which includes electrostimulating the abdominal muscles or a nerve controlling them of an animal to increase the abdominal pressure, and measuring the leak point pressure at that time.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a urine sample has been obtained from a subject suffering from a kidney disorder involving kidney damage. The method is based on determining the level of a proteolytic enzyme in urine from the subject. Sample and optionally comparing this level with a reference value. The proteolytic enzyme preferably is a matrix metalloproteases, in particular MMP-2 or MMP-9. The method is particularly suitable for subjects with a condition or disorder that is associated with an increased risk of kidney disorders, such as diabetes. The method may adavnatageously be applied for early detection of kidney damage, in particular when the subject does not yet show any sign of microalbuminuria. The method may also be applied to a subject undergoing dialysis for determining whether the subject is suffering from remodelling of the peritoneal membrane. Thus, the method is particularly suited for patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of antibodies or binding portions thereof or probes which recognize an antigen of normal, benign, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof. These antibodies or binding portions thereof or probes can be labeled and used for detection of such cells. They also can be used alone or bound to a substance effective to ablate or kill such cells as a therapy for prostate cancer. Also disclosed is a hybridoma cell line which produces a monoclonal antibody recognizing antigens of normal, benign, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having anti-KS and anti-HIV pharmaceutical activity which comprises an HCG-like inhibitory protein and fragments or derivatives thereof, said protein and fragments thereof are isolated from a biologically active fraction of APL-HCG, wherein said protein has a molecular weight of about 3,500 or of about 13,000 Dalton, and wherein said protein and fragments thereof are adsorbed polypropylene plastic supports. A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and/or treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and HIV which comprises an therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the present invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method for the prevention, treatment and/or reduction of Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV expression in AIDS patients, which consists in administering the composition to the patient.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and/or modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for their isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them, DNA vectors expressing them, vectors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the purification and sequencing of isozymes of plasma hyaluronidase (pHAse) found in urine. Specifically, urine contains two hyaluronidases (HAses): 1) a 57 kDa HAse that is apparently the same as the 57 kDa HAse found in plasma; and 2) a 45 kDa HAse, which is found in urine but not plasma. The smaller urine isozyme is composed of two disulfide-linked polypeptides produced by endoproteolytic cleavage of the 57 kDa isoform. The present invention thus features a urinary hyaluronidase (uHAse) polypeptide and nucleotide sequences encoding a Chain A polypeptide and a Chain B polypeptide, the two polypeptides of which uHAse is composed. In a particular aspect, the uHAse is a human uHAse (huHAse), preferably a huHAse composed of the Chain A and B polypeptides having SEQ ID NOS: 2 and 4, respectively. In related aspects the invention features polynucleotide sequence encoding Chain A and Chain B polypeptides, preferably having the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 3, respectively.

Abstract: Urogenital sinus derived growth inhibitory factor is a protein having growth-inhibitory and antiprotease properties. The present invention relates to amino acid and nucleotide sequences for urogenital sinus derived growth inhibitory factor.

Abstract: Described is a peptide fragment which comprises the amino acid sequence 95-126 of ANF/CDD 1-126 (gamma-hANaP) and is formed in the kidney. The fragment urodilatin (ANF/CDD 95-126) has the following amino acid sequence: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent further peptide fragments of ANF/CDD 1-126 (gamma-hANaP). In the amino acid sequence R.sup.1 is Thr-Ala-Pro-Arg-Ser-Leu-Arg-Arg-Ser-Ser and R.sup.2 is Asn-Ser-Phe-Arg-Tyr. Further described are processes for the preparation and/or recovery of the new peptide fragment and a medicament containing urodilatin (ANF/CDD 95-126) as well as medical indications of the medicament.

Abstract: A method for growing epithelial cells in vitro using soluble proteins secreted by 804G and NBT-II rat bladder carcinoma cells. These proteins stimulate cell attachment and hemidesmosome formation in cells grown in contact with the proteins. The protein is purified from conditioned medium by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody generated against the protein. The purification of these proteins may be facilitated by culturing the cells under low serum or serum free conditions.

Abstract: Human urine trypsin inhibitor is provided as an agent for treating acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), preventing the infection with AIDS or preventing the onset of AIDS after such infection. It can be administered intravenously for the treatment and externally for the prevention.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method for detecting bladder cancer in a subject. The method preferably comprises first collecting a urine sample from the subject. The presence of a proteinaceous substance having a molecular weight of about 180 kDa according to its relative electrophoretic migration rate through detergent-containing polyacrylamide gel is then measured. This substance reversibly binds concanavalin A and is complexed with gamma globulin while in the urine. The gamma globulin complex binds to Staphlococcal protein A. Said proteinaceous substance, when present in detectable amount, is an indicator of bladder cancer.

Abstract: An aspartic acid rich protein isolated from human urine, as well as proteins having substantial homology thereto and active portions of the foregoing are effective modulators of mineralization in mammals. These proteins and peptides are useful as therapeutic agents, such as in the treatment of kidney stone disease. Hybridoma cell lines capable of producing monoclonal antibodies to these proteins and peptides and monoclonal antibodies produced by these hybridomas are disclosed. These monoclonal antibodies are also useful as therapeutic agents, such as in the treatment of osteoporosis, and further have utility as diagnostic agents. Other uses are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure describes novel immunosuppressive agents isolated from syncytiotrophoblast microvilli membranes by preparing a minutely subdivided and solubilized preparation of said membranes and isolating the unreduced N-linked oligosaccharides from an extract of said preparation.

Abstract: Soluble human IFN-gamma receptor extracellular fragment and salts, functional derivatives, precursors and active fractions thereof are provided in substantially purified form. They are useful as pharmaceutically active substances for protecting against the deleterious effects of IFN-gamma, e.g. in autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Human natural IFN-.beta.2/IL-6 receptor and its soluble extracellular fragment are provided in substantially purified form and are shown to stimulate and to enhance beneficial effects of IFN-.beta.2/IL-6, such as its antiproliferative activity. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against the soluble fragment of the receptor are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel glycoprotein with anticoagulant activity in human urine, a process for its preparation and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said glycoprotein for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases related to the disorders in the blood coagulation system.

Abstract: The bonded phases generated from the reaction of aliphatic and aromatic azidosilanes with silica gel are suitable for use as packings in solid phase extraction columns for cleanup of urine samples for analysis of acid metabolites of cannabinoids. Such bonded phases are unique in their ability to selectively retain the acid metabolites of cannabinoids from a urine sample matrix.

Abstract: Thrombin-binding substances are obtained by fractionating human urine by ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography using a thrombin-bound carrier, immune adsorption column chromatography, gel filtration, and/or molecular-weight fractionation. One of the substances has a molecular weight of 46,500.+-.6,000 in reduced condition and 39,000.+-.10,000 in unreduced condition by SDS PAGE and an isoelectric point at pH 5.0-5.3, while the other has a molecular weight of 40,000.+-.8,000 in reduced condition and 31,000.+-.10,000 in unreduced condition by SDS PAGE and an isoelectric point at pH 4.9-5.7. They have strong affinity to thrombin. They are capable of promoting the thrombin catalyzed activation of protein C and prolong clotting time. They are stable to denaturing agents (urea and sodium dodecylsulfate).

Abstract: Novel thrombin-binding substances (A) and (B) are disclosed. The thrombin-binding substances have the following characteristics:(a) molecular weight:Thrombin-binding substance (A):90,000-92,000 under reduced conditions55,000-58,000 under unreduced conditionsThrombin-binding substance (B):98,000-105,000 under reduced conditions60,000-65,000 under unreduced conditions(b) isoelectric point:Thrombin-binding substance (A): pH 6.0-6.8Thrombin-binding substance (B): pH 5.8-6.5(c) affinity: strong affinity to thrombin(d) activity:(1) capable of promoting the thrombin catalyzed activation of protein C(2) prolongs clotting time; and(e) stability: stable to denaturing agents (sodium dodecylsulfate and urea).The thrombin-binding substances are useful as a medicine for curing thrombosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for producing uromodulin, a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of 85 kilo daltons. This glycoprotein, which is isolated from crude urine, as well as its carbohydrate derivatives, are useful as immunosuppressive agents or anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: A method for assaying bone resorption rates by quantitating the concentration of peptide fragments derived from bone collagen, found in a body fluid. The method includes immunometric assay, fluorometric assay and electrochemical titration. The structure of specific peptide fragments having 3-hydroxypyridinium cross-links found in urine of Paget's disease patients and procedures for making monoclonal antibodies is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences comprising structural genes coding for (1) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence and properties of urogastrone and for (2) polypeptide analogs thereof which differ in terms of the identity and/or location of one or more amino acids, e.g., [Asp.sup.25 ] and Pro.sup.52, Pro.sup.53 ] analogs of urogastrone. Structural gene sequences may be provided with initial and terminal sequences which facilitate production of discrete protein products by selected host microorganisms as well as for expression by host organisms of fusion proteins, e.g., .beta.-lactamase-urogastrone and .beta.-galactosidase-urogastrone from which the desired products may be isolated.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions containing epidermal growth factor are stabilized against loss of biological activity in the presence of moisture by including in said compositions a stabilizing amount of water-soluble cellulose polymer, preferably methylcellulose or a hydroxy alkylcellulose such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: A bonded phase silica product of the formula: ##STR1## in which ##STR2## is the backbone of a silica gel or controlled pore glass, X is selected from --O--, --S--, ##STR3## each R and R.sup.1 are each independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and --CH.sub.2).sub.m COOR.sup.3, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is an integer of from 2 to 5, p is zero or one and m is an interger of from 1 to 4, is suitable for use in solid phase extraction for cleanup of urine samples for analysis of cannabinoids.

Abstract: The reaction product of silica gel or controlled pore glass and carboalkoxyalkyl silanes are suitable for use as packing in solid phase extraction columns for cleanup of urine samples for analysis of cannabinoids.

Abstract: A method for purifying erythropoietin is described. The method comprises treating partially purifying erythropoietin by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography to obtain homogeneous erythropoietin having a molecular weight of about 34,000 daltons on SDS PAGE and moving a single peak on reverse phase HPLC. The homogeneous erythropoietin protein preferably has a specific activity of at least 120,000 IU, more preferably at least 160,000 IU per absorbance unit at 280 nm.

Abstract: Chromatographic procedures are individually and jointly applied to the rapid and efficient isolation of biologically active proteins and especially glycoproteins such as recombinant erythropoietin present in the medium of growth of genetically transformed mammalian host cells. Illustratively, recombinant EPO is isolated from culture fluids by reverse phase chromatography employing a C.sub.4 or C.sub.6 column and elution with ethanol. Recombinant erythropoietin may also be purified by anion exchange chromatography employing, e.g., a DEAE resin, with preliminary selective elution of contaminant materials having a lower pKa than erythropoietin from the resin under conditions mitigating against acid activated protease degradation. Practiced serially, the two chromatographic procedures allow for high yields of biologically active recombinant erythropoietin from mammalian cell culture media.

Abstract: The invention relates to disinfectant urinal block means useful for collection of pooled urine and method of using the block means to provide in service release, of an antimicrobial agent component from the block means into the pool for effective inhibition of bacterial growth and consequent enzymatic degradation of wanted proteins contained in the pool.