Abstract: A method of providing a continuous, buffered, low-leaching phosphorus fertilization of field plants in soil has been developed. The method is broadly applicable to field soils, but is particularly well-suited to soil that has inherently low phosphorus (P) retention ability, including sandy soils, peats, and mucks. The invention describes the use of phosphorus (P) fixed to alumina (Al) as a fertilizer and phosphorus buffer in field soils. The Al—P. when incorporated into soil in a concentration between 0.25 and 20% by weight/volume, will release P from the Al using a dynamic solid phase solution phase exchange equilibrium driven by plant uptake of P, thus providing P for plant growth, while also minimizing P leaching from the soil. The Al—P buffer/fertilizer can be applied and incorporated into field soils prior to planting of crops, grass, or other plants requiring P for growth, or may be incorporated into exposed soil between growing plants to buffer against P leaching and runoff.

Abstract: A purified form of a gel-forming component of psyllium seed husks is disclosed, along with a process for obtaining the gel-forming fraction from psyllium seed husks. Methods of using this gel-forming fraction as a laxative and hypocholesterolemic agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A live, infective stock of a new human papillomavirus, HPV IU, is provided. HPV IU is related to but distinct from HPV MM7 and HPV LVX82. An isolated nucleic acid comprising the genome of HPV IU is also provided. Methods of using HPV IU to develop and test HPV vaccines and HPV antiviral agents are also provided.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences which encode ecdysone receptors have been isolated and expressed in host cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides pathogen-resistant transgenic plants and methods of making the plants. The transgenic plants display enhanced resistance to a variety of fungal, bacterial and viral plant pathogens due to expression of a gene that increases the unsaturated fatty acid content of the plant's cells, as compared with an equivalent, but non-transformed plant. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a plant expressing a heterologous &Dgr;-9 desaturase gene from yeast, which particularly increases cytosolic quantities of 16:1, 16:2 and 18:1 fatty acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: R represents hydrogen or is a C-3 to C-6 cycloalkyl or C-4 to C-10 straight or branched carbon chain alkyl-cycloalkyl or a group —B—D, where B is C-2 to C-10 straight or branched carbon chain alkyl and D is hydroxy or alkyloxy or 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 2,3-dialkyloxypropyl or 2,2-dialkyl-1,3-dioxolane-5-methyl, where alkyl is C-1 to C-10 straight or branched carbon chain; W represents CH(CH3)CH2—, C(CH3)2CH2—; Z represents hydrogen, —NHCOR2, —NHCONR2R3 or —NHSO2R2 or —NHSO2NR2R3 or —NHCOOR4 wherein R4 is alkyl of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl groups may be the same or different and contain from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, alkoxyaryl, cycloalkyl of from 3 to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for obtaining a plant cell of a multicellular plant, the plastids of which cell have been stably transformed by a foreign DNA of interest. These methods employ selectable markers some of which are nonlethal, some of which are designed to insert into the plastid genome and some of which are designed to be expressible only from the plastid genome and not from the nuclear genome. This invention also provides cells and multicellular plants the plastids of which have been stably transformed by a foreign DNA of interest.