Abstract: The present invention relates to antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of the third alpha helix of such proteins (especially bovine or human GHs). These mutants-have growth-inhibitory or other GH-antagonizing effects. These novel hormones may be administered exogenously to animals, or transgenic animals may be made that express the antagonist. Animals have been made which exhibited a reduced growth phenotype. The invention also describes methods of treating acromegaly, gigantism, cancer, diabetes, vascular eye diseases (diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of sickle-cell anemia, etc.) as well as nephropathy and other diseases, by administering an effective amount of a growth hormone antagonist. The invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more growth hormone antagonists.

Abstract: DTH-Effector cells are primed with carbohydrate antigens and used to enhance the cellular immune response. Tumors have been inhibited by DTH-Effector cells primed with epiglycanin and with synthetic T and Tn antigens. Either the DTH-Effector cells, or these tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens directly, may be used for tumor prophylaxis and therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising at least one mannan-binding lectin (MBL) subunit, or at least one mannan-binding lectin (MBL) oligomer comprising the at least one mannan-binding lectin (MBL) subunit, in the manufacture of a medicament for prophylaxis and/or treatment of infection. In particular the invention relates to prophylaxis and/or treatment of infection in an individual having an immunocompromised condition; and/or an individual being at risk of acquiring an immunocompromised condition resulting from a medical treatment. The present invention is particular relevant for prophylaxis and/or treatment of infection in individuals suffering from noutropenia, in particular as prophylaxis and/or treatment of infection in individuals receiving or going to receive chemotherapy or similar treatment.

Abstract: A method and a system for separating glycated hemoglobin from non-glycated hemoglobin, and a method for one-read quantitative determination of the glycated hemoglobin and % HbA1c that does not require an additional measurement of total hemoglobin.

Abstract: Cysteine-depleted CTL epitopes can elicit a stronger or more specific CTL response than the native, cysteine-containing CTL epitope of a disease associated antigen.

Abstract: A method for treatment or prophylaxis of disease caused by deficiency, in a subject, of an enzyme belonging to the heme biosynthetic pathway, the method comprising administering, to the subject, an effective amount of a catalyst which is an enzyme or an enzymatically equivalent part or analogue thereof. The disease is selected from the group consisting of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), ALA deficiency porphyria (ADP), Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), Harderoporphyria (HDP), Variegata prophyria (VP), Congenital erthropoetic porphyria (CEP), Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), and Hepatoerythropoietic porphyria (HEP).

Abstract: A method of immunization, and compositions therefor, are provided for substantially preventing or reducing the symptoms of at least one infectious disease and at least one chronic immune mediated disorder. An immunogenic challenge which supplements the normal childhood immunization schedule can help ensure the proper maturation of the immune system and prevent the development of chronic immune mediated disorders, such as immune-mediated diabetes or SLE.

Abstract: A method for regulating the production level of a desired protein in a transformed mammalian cell, comprising: a directly amplifiable gene sequence, in expressable form, which when expressed renders said cell more resistant to a toxic agent; a gene of interest, in expressible form, which encodes a desired protein foreign to said cell; and an anti-sense gene sequence, in transcribable form, encoding an anti-sense RNA capable of selectively hybridizing to at least a portion of the mRNA transcribed from said directly amplifiable gene sequence so as to inhibit the translation of said mRNA, such that a higher level of amplification of said directly amplifiable gene and said gene of interest can be achieved, if the cell is exposed to a sufficient level of the toxic agent, that in the absence of said anti-sense RNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel monodisperse or polydisperse compounds, in general named DNO (diamino acid N&agr;-substituted oligopeptides), preferably low molecular weight polypeptides, e.g., based on ornithine, lysine, diaminobutyric acid, diaminopropionic acid, aminoethylglycine or other amino acids or peptides having azobenzenes or other physicially functional groups, e.g., photoresponsive groups, as side chains. These compounds may be synthesized using solid phase peptide synthesis techniques. Materials, e.g., thin films, comprising such compounds may be used for optical storage of information (holographic data storage), nonlinear optics (NLO), as photoconductors, photonic band-gap materials, electrically conducting materials, electroluminescent materials, piezo-electric materials, pyroelectric materials, magnetic materials, ferromagnetic materials, ferroelectric materials, photorefractive materials, or materials in which light-induced conformational changes can be produced.

Abstract: DTH-Effector cells are primed with carbohydrate antigens and used to enhance the cellular immune response. Tumors have been inhibited by DTH-Effector cells primed with epiglycanin and with synthetic T and Tn antigens. Either the DTH-Effector cells, or these tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens directly, may be used for tumor prophylaxis and therapy.

Abstract: A protein containing one or more disulfide bonds, e.g., an antibody, is subjected to ultraviolet radiation to reduce one or more such bonds to reactive sulfhydryl groups; the resulting photoactivated protein is reacted with other chemical entity which is reactive with sulfhydryl, such as certain radiometals, chelating agents, drugs and toxins, so as to obtain a conjugate useful in, e.g., in vitro diagnosis, in vivo imaging, and therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the transformation of legumes of the genus Cyamopsis, in particular Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), by introducing a recombinant DNA sequence into at least one cell or protoplast and generating genetically modified explants using at least one selection or shoot growth medium comprising at least one compound selected from an auxin inhibitor, e.g. 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid (PCIB), a &bgr;-lactamase inhibitor, e.g. sulbactam, and an ethylene inhibitor, e.g. silver thiosulfate, so as to obtain genetically modified plant or part thereof containing in its genome at least one recombinant DNA sequence; to genetically modified plants produced by the method; and to the use of substances such as the &bgr;-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam to facilitate transformation of guar and other plants.

Abstract: An antigen which, as its major immunizing component, comprises a determinant of an adhesin polypeptide or an immunogenically active subsequence thereof or a precursor therefor which is convertible to an immunogenically active form, antibodies against which determinant react with the adhesin polypeptide produced by pathogenic adhesin-forming bacteria which adhere to mammalian tissue, antibodies against such antigen, and DNA expressing, as a principal gene product thereof, such antigen.

Abstract: Tension-type headache is treated by interacting with neuronal transmission in relation to pain in connection with headache in a way which prevents or decreases sensitization of second order nociceptive neurons. In particular, treatment is performed by administration of an effective amount of a substance which prevents or decreases central sensitization. Important examples of such substances are substances which interact with nitric oxide, such as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, such as L-NMMA or L-NAME or L-NIO or L-NNA. According to a broader aspect of the invention tension-type headache is treated by administration of substances which are effective in preventing or decreasing pain in connection with tension-type headache, such as the substances mentioned above.

Abstract: A functional linker for a polypeptide in which two alpha or beta globin-like domains are genetically fused is determined by screening a library of genetically fused polypeptides, in which the linker region is varied, for the ability to participate in the formation of hemoglobin-like protein, as measured by the protein's response to carbon monoxide. In a preferred embodiment, cells expressing the protein turn red as a result of carbon monoxide pressure.

Abstract: a monoclonal antibody which binds a human endothelial type plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) produced by dexamethasone-treated human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells may be used, inter alia, for determining PAI-1 protein abundance in tumor tissue or a sample of a body fluid. Measurements of this parameter may be useful in predicting the presence or metastasis of a tumor, or of predicting the progression of a known malignant tumor.

Abstract: A composition on basis of soybean ingredients contains (a) isolated soy protein, (b) soybean fibres, and optionally an additional protein source, a carbohydrate source, a fat source, flavouring agents, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements and other conventional additives, the amount of (a) being such that the protein content provides at least 15% of the total energy content of the composition, and (I) the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is at least 2 and (a) is at least 75 wt % of the total protein content, or (II) the ratio of (a) to (b) is at least 3. The composition is useful as partial or total diet for overweight or obese subjects and is furthermore useful for lowering the cholesterol level and the triglyceride level and for increasing the HDL/LDL-cholesterol ratio in serum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selectively killing tumor or metastatic cells within a defined compartment of the organism of a large mammal, in particular a human, said method comprising administering to a mammal an effective tumor—or metastasis-killing amount of a topoisomerase II poison except doxorubicin, and protecting non-tumorous tissue of the mammal against the toxic action of the topoisomerase II poison by administration of a bis-dioxypiperazine compound. In particular, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical kit for selectively killing tumor or metastatic cells within the central nervous system in a large mammal, in particular a human, said kit comprising: a) a dosage unit of a bis-dioxypiperazine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and b) a dosage unit of topoisomerase II poisons except doxorubicin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Activation of plasminogen to plasmin is inhibited by preventing the binding of a receptor binding form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator to a urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in a mammal, thereby preventing the urokinase-type plasminogen activator from converting plasminogen into plasmin. DNA fragments which encode for soluble, active fragments of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor are provided.

Abstract: DTH-Effector cells are printed with carbohydrate antigens and used to enhance the cellular immune response. Tumors have been inhibited by DTH-Effector cells primed with epiglycanin and with synthetic T and Tn antigens. Either the DTH-Effector cells, or these tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens directly, may be used for tumor prophylaxis and therapy.