Abstract: Blood bag system for separating whole blood into upper, middle, and lower components which can then be isolated from each other in an automated manner. The system comprises a primary or main blood bag having first and second outlet ports. The first outlet port communicates via tubing with a first satellite bag. The second outlet port communicates via tubing with a second satellite bag at one end and at the other end communicates with a tubular member extending into and toward the bottom of the main bag. In use whole blood is drawn into the main bag through an inlet port and centrifuged to form an upper, less dense plasma portion, a lower, more dense red blood cell (RBC) portion and an intermediate portion of buffy coat (including platelets). Pressure is then applied to the bag with the first outlet open and the second outlet closed to express all of the upper plasma through the first outlet port after which the first outlet port is closed and the second outlet is opened.

Abstract: Nikkomycin compounds have been found to be orally or parenterally effective as anti-fungals in animals. They may be used alone or, preferably, in combination with azole antimycotics for a synergistic anti-fungal effect.

Abstract: A closed blood filter system comprising a filter connected to at least one blood bag, the filter comprising a housing having peripheral support means adapted to hold the filter in place on top of a blood bag centrifuge bucket (cup) and above the blood bags during centrifugation of blood bag contents. In a preferred embodiment the filter is connected between two blood bags by blood bag tubing. A preferred filter housing is generally disk-like and includes an annular projection adapted to fit snugly on the shoulder of a cylindrical centrifuge bucket (cup) while allowing passage of a tubing connecting the top side of the filter with a blood bag held in the centrifuge cup and below the filter.

Abstract: Nikkomycin derivatives have been found to be orally or parenterally effective as anti-fungals in animals. They may be used alone or, preferably, in combination with azole antimycotics for a synergistic anti-fungal effect.

Abstract: Filtration of white blood cells (WBCs) directly from platelet rich plasma (PRP) rather than from subsequently made platelet concentrates (PC). Earlier filtration is effective at removing most WBCs with minimal platelet loss and permits storage of platelets for at least 5 days. The filtration is preferably done with a closed, ready-to-use system comprising a WBC filter disposed between a first blood bag and at least two empty secondary bags. A fourth bag may be included in the closed system to contain a platelet additive solution. System can remove at least 95% of the WBCs with less than 10% loss in platelets. In very preferred embodiments at least 99.5% of the original WBCs are removed by filtration prior to platelet storage.

Abstract: Soluble, intermediate length alcohols (C.sub.4 -C.sub.10) in aqueous solutions at low pH (4.0-7.0) can be used as virucidal agents for therapeutic biologically active protein preparations. Treatment with the alcohols is especially useful for proteins having activity not adversely affected by low pH.

Abstract: A fungicidal composition comprising a nikkomycin and an echinocandin B. Method of treating a fungal infection comprising administering therapeutically effective amounts of a combination of the nikkomycin and the echinocandin B. Composition and method are especially useful in treating infections of filamentous fungi. Combination of nikkomycin Z and cilofungin found to be synergistic against aspergillosis.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal infected with a dimorphic, highly chitinous fungi, the method comprising administering to the mammal therapeutically effective amounts of a nikkomycin derivative having the following structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: Nikkomycin compounds have been found to be orally or parenterally effective as anti-fungals in animals. They may be used alone or, preferably, in combination with azole antimycotics for a snyergistic anti-fungal effect.

Abstract: Controlled enzymatic treatment may be used to selectively degrade undesirable contaminants to a size or charge range which can be more readily removed by subsequent separation steps. Treatment is especially useful for purifying rDNA or monoclonal antibody culture products by using nuclease enzyme treatment to degrade undesirable residual nucleic acids to a molecular size or charge range sufficiently different from the product to be purified so that this difference can be exploited in a subsequent purification step (e.g. precipitation, size exclusion chromatography or ion exchange chromatography). The nuclease enzyme treatment is done in the presence of a detergent.

Abstract: An improved heat sterilizable blood bag system adapted for containing and mixing of different materials originally placed in separate but potentially communicating compartments. The improvement comprises of having a smaller squeezable compartment for one material attached to and capable of communicating with a larger compartment for the other material. The material in the smaller compartment is separated from the interior of the larger compartment by means of an externally manipulatable closure means which, when opened, permits mixture of the contents in the first compartment and contents of the second compartment when the smaller compartment is repeatedly squeezed.

Abstract: Method of preventing or treating a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Method comprises topical application of antibodies to P. aeruginos under conditions and in an amount sufficient to prevent or treat the infection in a mammal. In one embodiment, the antibodies are administrered in form of an aerosol. A preferred dosage for polyclonal antibody preparations (i.e. ISG or high titer P. aeruginosa ISG) ranges from 2 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg body weight of the mammal. A preferred monoclonal antibody dosage ranges from 0.02 to 1.0 mg/kg of body weight.

Abstract: Protein A is selectively isolated from an antibody--Protein A mixture by exposing the mixture to an anion exchange material under conditions sufficient to adsorb both components and then sequentially eluting the antibodies and protein A under conditions of increasing ionic strength. Resulting antibody preparations have less than about 15 ng of Protein A per mg of antibody.

Abstract: Blood and blood component container having in continuous communication therewith a receptacle adapted to receive and define a given component or sub-component when contents in the container are separated. In preferred embodiments, the container is a flexible bag having a tapered portion adjacent the receptacle to assist migration of a given component or sub-component into the receptacle during centrifugation and at least a portion of the container is supported by a cup-like device, the inner surface of which conforms to the outer surface of the bag and communicating receptacle.

Abstract: A generally flat, elongated edge-sealed polymeric blood bag having a length to width ratio of at least 2 to 1 and one end portion in tapering communication with a connected tubing. When the bag is filled with a mixture of blood components which are then separated, the tapering end portion expands to form a funnel-like guide for directing a separated component from the bag through the tubing in a substantially unobstructed manner. Bag is especially useful for separating and isolating the components of a neocyte/gerocyte red blood cell mixture.

Abstract: Microaggregate blood filter adapted to pre-filter aggregates larger than 150 microns without interfering with the on-going and continuous filtration of aggregates between 40 and 150 microns. Filter comprises a flexible housing having inlet and outlet ports and an interior nest of two generally cylindrical concentric outer and inner filter screens with a space between the screens. Blood to be filtered enters the housing from the top and is pre-filtered for aggregates larger than 150 microns by the inner screen. The inner screen defines a relatively large interior volume which allows filtered aggregates to collect by sedimentation at its lower portions in a manner that permits on-going, continuous, and unobstructed filtration of the blood through its upper portion for subsequent and final filtration through the outer 40 micron filter. A preferred filter has a transparent housing and built in drip chamber and can be primed without inverting the filter.

Abstract: Immune serum globulins (ISG) can be made substantially free of infectious retroviruses by storing the ISG in a liquid state at conditions of pH, temperature and time sufficient to inactivate substantially all infectious retroviruses. Preferred inactivation methods involve use of either of two specified storage conditions: (1) at a pH equal to or less than about 4.25 at a temperature of about 27.degree. C. for at least 3 days, or (2) at a pH equal to or less than about 6.8 at a temperature of about 45.degree. C. for at least about 8 hours.

Abstract: Closed blood bag system for long term storage of red blood cells (RBCs) without contamination due to storage. System comprises the combination of a white blood cell (WBC) filter in sterile communication with a plastic bag made from a film substantially free of blood extractable plasticizers. In use, an RBC preservative solution (preferably from within the closed system) is added to a mixture of RBCs and WBCs and the mixture is then passed through the filter to remove at least 98% of the WBCs. The filtered RBCs and preservative solution pass into the attached bag and can then be stored in the attached bag for up to 42 days.

Abstract: Lipid-enveloped viruses present in purified biologically active protein products obtained from blood or cell culture systems can be inactivated by contacting the products with caprylic acid at a non-ionized concentration, pH, temperature and ionic environment sufficient to inactivate the viruses without adversely precipitating or affecting the biological activity of the protein products.

Abstract: Double-protected needle assembly comprising a needle-handle portion and a needle-protecting portion. The needle-handle portion includes a bevel-tipped needle attached to and extending from it into the needle-protector portion. The needle protecting portion comprises a rigid, tamper proof member completely enclosing the needle and attached to the needle-handle portion at a resilient tear seal member adapted to break when a twisting force is applied to either the handle portion or the protecting member. The tear seal is adapted to remove liquid from the surface of the needle when the protector is withdrawn to expose the needle. Within the protector, but not attached thereto, is a relatively soft inner tubular enclosure completely enclosing the needle extending beyond its bevel tip and adapted to prevent contact of the bevel tip with any portion of the rigid protector during assembly or when the protector is removed.