Abstract: The invention relates to a neurite-promoting factor released by glial cells, to related proteins and fragments thereof retaining their neurite-promoting activity, to DNAs coding for the amino acid sequence of the neurite-promoting factor and fragments thereof, to hybrid vectors containing such DNAs, to hosts transformed with such a hybrid vector, to processes for the preparation of the DNAs, vectors and transformed hosts, to processes for the manufacture of the neurite-promoting factor, related proteins and its fragments, and to their use in the treatment of lesions in the nervous system.

Abstract: Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is useful to neutralize non-lipopolysaccharide compounds capable of stimulating TNF production and has application in vitro and in vivo for therapeutics and prophylactic treatment. This use of BPI can be combined with the administration of materials, such as an enzyme, microorganism, living cells or cell fractions, encapsulated in alginate gels.

Abstract: A method for detecting Helicobacter pylori is disclosed which method involves contacting a sample suspected of containing Helicobacter pylori with a medium which provides for substantially selective growth of Helicobacter pylori, incubating the sample with the medium for a time sufficient for detection of Helicobacter pylori growth and detecting the growth and thereby reducing the presence of Helicobacter pylori within the sample. The methodology employs a wide range of a different culture mediums which are modified specifically for the selective growth and specific detection of Helicobacter pylori. A typical medium includes Columbia broth supplemented with urea and a pH indicator. The methodology provides for a relatively high degree of sensitivity (i.e., small numbers of bacteria present within a sample are detected) as well high selectivity (i.e., the method provides for a low percentage of false positives).

Abstract: Several natural polypeptides (basophil granule proteins, "BGP") derived from the cytoplasmic granules of human basophils, and modified forms thereof, are described. These polypeptides, the DNA which encodes them and antibodies which recognize them, are useful as diagnostics for, and treatments for, pathologies involving inflammatory and IgE-mediated responses, parasitic and helminthic infections, hypersensitivity reactions and certain types of leukocytic leukemias.