Abstract: A system for continuous production and removal of a biological substance from a dispersed cell culture. The system comprises a reactor adapted to maintain the cell culture under incubating conditions and means for pumping limited volumes of the culture fluid from the reactor and through an external substance separation device adapted to extract the substance in a limited time on a continuous basis without collection of, or damage to, the dispersed cells. Less than 5% of the total culture fluid volume is outside the reactor (Volume outside or Vo) at any time and a given dispersed cell is outside the protective environment of the reactor for less than about two minutes, as expressed by the following relationship, ##EQU1## In preferred embodiments the external device comprises a plurality of substance-extracting, porous, hollow fibers through which the culture fluid, substance, and dispersed cells are continuously passed.

Abstract: A multiple blood bag system is disclosed having at least two blood bags and conduit means providing sealed flow communication between the bags and a filtering means integrally disposed between two of the bags for removing platelets and white cells from a red cell concentrate in the blood bag system. In the method of the invention a red cell concentrate is provided in one of the blood bags of the above system and an additive solution is mixed therewith. The mixture of the red cell concentrate and additive solution is passed through the filtering means from one of the bags to another.

Abstract: Closed filtering system for relatively fast and efficient removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture. System comprises at least two blood bags in closed communication with each other via an intermediate filter assembly comprising a housing containing continuous filtering fiber. A preferred housing is tapered and the fiber preferably has a generally Y-shaped cross sectional area and it is adapted to permit substantial removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture with minimal red blood cell hemolysis when the mixture is diluted with preservative solution and passed from one bag to the other at a relatively high flow rate. Filtration is completed within 24 hours, preferably within 6 hours, of whole blood donation.

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: 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: 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: Blood bag having affixed thereto a label, portions of which are adapted to permit enhanced gas transmissibility between the interior and exterior of the bag. In preferred embodiments the affixed label has an outwardly facing surface adapted to provide useful information about the bag or bag contents and an inwardly facing surface having raised portions and depressed portions with the label generally adhering to the bag surface via only the raised or selected raised portions.

Abstract: A universal piercer device for a parenteral fluid dispensing container can be vented and non-vented, alternatively, for use with rigid and collapsible dispensing containers. The universal piercer device includes a venting passage with an air filter, and a reusable, fluid impermeable, pressure-sensitive adhesive seal. The venting passage can include a check-valve.

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: Closed filtering system for relatively fast and efficient removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture. System comprises at least two blood bags in closed communication with each other via an intermediate filter assembly comprising a housing containing continuous filtering fiber. A preferred housing is tapered and the fiber preferably has a generally Y-shaped cross sectional area and it is adapted to permit substantial removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture with minimal red blood cell hemolysis when the mixture is diluted with perservative solution and passed from one bag to the other at a relatively high flow rate. Filtration is completed within 24 hours, preferably within 6 hours, of whole blood donation.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for introducing anti-bacterial agents, for example, quinolone carboxylic acid derivatives into blood bag systems for preventing massive bacteria growth in stored blood and blood components. The quinolone carboxylic acid derivative can be added to a collection container before, during or after the collection of blood and blood components. The addition of a quinolone carboxylic acid derivative to blood bag systems allows for increase in storage time for blood and blood components without the threat of massive bacterial contamination.

Abstract: Method of treating an infection of dimorphic, highly chitinous fungi, the method comprising administering therapeutically effective amounts of a nikkomycin or derivative thereof. Treatment is especially suited for infections of medically significant fungi having cell walls with about 10-20% by weight chitin in the parasitic phase. Such fungi include Coccidiodes immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis.

Abstract: Human-nonhuman heterohybridomas capable of expressing IgM type antibodies can be screened to select hybridomas expressing IgM antibodies comprising human J chain components. Method comprises contacting separate samples of IgM antibodies (or IgM J chain components) from a given cell line with anti-human J chain antibodies and anti-non-human J chain antibodies to determine which antibody complexes with the J chain component of the samples, thereby identifying and permitting the early selection of a heterohybridoma expressing IgM having a human J chain component.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for treating gram negative septicemia/endotoxemia to decrease lung damage in a host by parenterally administering a therapeutically effective amount of antithrombin III and alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor.

Abstract: Closed filtering system for relatively fast and efficient removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture. System comprises at least two blood bags in closed communication with each other via an intermediate filter assembly comprising a housing containing continuous filtering fiber. A preferred housing is tapered and the fiber preferably has a generally Y-shaped cross sectional area and it is adapted to permit substantial removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture with minimal red blood cell hemolysis when the mixture is diluted with preservative solution and passed from one bag to the other at a relatively high flow rate. Filtration is completed within 24 hours, preferably within 6 hours, of whole blood donation.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a P seudomonas vaccine or had a Pseudomonas infection can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to four or, preferably, two of seven Fisher Immunotypes of Pseudomonas. Those plasmas with higher titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune serum globulin having high titers of antibody against all seven Fisher Immunotypes. The product may be treated to render it intravenously injectable and the so-prepared material is effective in treating patients with Pseudomonas infection. Also disclosed is a novel antibody preparation including minimum titers of the seven Fisher Immunotypes.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies specific to serotypic determinants on the flagella of a microorganism and found to be useful in inhibiting motility.

Abstract: A method for increasing the survival rate in hypercatabolic mammals following the onset of burn wound sepsis. The method comprises orally administering to the mammal, sufficient doses of ciprofloxacin to attain high concentrations in extra vascular fluid, and parenterally administering to the mammal, Pseudomonas immune globulin. The combination therapy of treating Pseudomonas burn wound sepsis with ciprofloxacin and Pseudomonas immune globulin results in a higher rate of survival than the treatment utilizing a single agent. This suggests a synergistic interaction between the two agents in the therapy of polymicrobial burn wound sepsis.

Abstract: A multiple blood bag system is disclosed having at least two blood bags and conduit means providing sealed flow communication between the bags and a filtering means integrally disposed between two of the bags for removing platelets and white cells from a red cell concentrate in the blood bag system. In the method of the invention a red cell concentrate is provided in one of the blood bags of the above system and an additive solution is mixed therewith. The mixture of the red cell concentrate and additive solution is passed through the filtering means from one of the bags to another.

Abstract: Immune serum globulins (ISG) can be made substantially free of infectious retroviruses by preparing the ISG from human plasma using a cold ethanol plasma fractionation process at a pH equal to or less than 5.4 and then storing the ISG at 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.