Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising amino acid substituted and chemically modified analogs of hirudin are provided, together with methods for their production and use as antithrombotic and anticoagulant agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new active substance--amblyommin--for anticoagulant therapy and to a process for the isolation thereof from hard ticks. The isolated protein having a thrombin-inhibitory action has a molecular weight of 20000 to 30000 dalton, an isoelectric point between 5.05 and 5.65 and the partial amino acid sequencesIle-Leu-Phe-Thr-Gln-Gly-Asn-X-Gly-Glu-Leu-Glu-Asn-X-Phe-Glu-,Lys-Ile-Leu-Phe-X-Gln-Gly- andAla-Ser-Tyr-Ile-Val-X-Ser-Glu-Ser-Ile-Gln-Ile-Leu-X-Leu-Ser-Glu-Gly-Ile-in which each radical X can be identical or different and each represents a naturally occurring amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions of matter extracted from the well-known and readily available tropical marine invertebrate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, and designated herein as ecteinascidins 729, 743, 745, 759A, 759B and 770. These compounds are useful as antibacterial and/or antitumor agents in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hirudin variants having a modified peptide structure, relative to a parent hirudin variant. The new hirudin variants of the present invention display improve biological properties relative to the parent variant.

Abstract: Novel elgin mutants that differ from the natural eglins B and C by the replacement of one, two or three amino acids in the region of the active center (amino acids 45 and 46, Leu-Asp) by other amino acids are provided. The mutants, which can be produced by recombinant genetic engineering, have valuable pharmacological properties.

Abstract: A pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (Hez-PBAN) hormone, controlling sex pheromone production in moths and controlling melanizing in larvae, was isolated from the brain-suboesophageal ganglion complexes of adult corn earworm Heliothis zea. Hez-PBAN has 33 amino acide residues and a molecular weight of 3900; its amino acid sequence is unique among the fully characterized peptide hormones. Synthetic PBAN and related structures induced production of sex pheromone in ligated H. zea females and other moth species and melanization in larvae that resulted in morphological changes or death.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of dried earthworm powder which comprises the steps of leaving a species of living earthworms in fresh water or a slightly acidic aqueous solution until the alimentary canal thereof is freed of soil, wet-grinding the living earthworms, and freeze-drying and then vacuum-drying the resulting suspension under a vacuum of 10 mmHg or below for 10 to 100 hours while raising the temperature stepwise from -60.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. This dried earthworm powder may be combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to form pharmaceutical compositions which are useful for the treatment or prevention of hyperlipemia, diabetes, hypertension and hypotension in human beings.

Abstract: Applicant has isolated a Factor X.sub.a inhibiting substance from the salivary gland extract of the leech H.ghilianii. The extract is subjected to separation using both DEAE-cellulose and heparin-agarose chromatography resins eluting with an increasing salt gradient. The extract is subjected to affinity chromatography using Factor X.sub.a bound to an Affi-Gel-15 resin eluting with HEPES containing benzamidine. Reverse phase chromatography yields several purified peptides or proteins having Factor X.sub.a inhibiting activity. The properties and clinical compositions of these FX.sub.a inhibitors are described.

Abstract: Immunological methods are disclosed for diagnosing active human neurocysticercosis, including a serum test and a cerebrospinal fluid test. The serum test involves detecting an antibody in serum which recognizes at least one of three particular antigens isolated from Taenia solium larvae. The cerebrospinal fluid test involves detecting an antigen or antigens of larval origin, preferably by an ELISA technique.

Abstract: Immunological methods are disclosed for diagnosing active human neurocysticercosis, including a serum test and a cerebrospinal fluid test. The serum test involves detecting an antibody in serum which recognizes at least one of three particular antigens isolated from Taenia solium larvae. The cerebrospinal fluid test involves detecting an antigen or antigens of larval origin, preferably by an ELISA technique.