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: The present invention provides purified polypeptides useful as antimicrobial agents. These polypeptides comprise human polymorphonuclear leukocyte polypeptides having molecular weights of about 25,000 daltons, 29,000 daltons and 54,000 daltons. These polypeptides have respiratory burst-independent, antibacterial activity at a pH from about 5.0 to about 8.0, at calcium ion concentrations up to about 10 mM, and at sodium chloride concentrations up to about 0.3M.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modifying the lifespan of progeny cells of mammalian hematopoietic stem cells, particularly myeloid series cells, are provided. Transgenic nonhuman mammals also are provided which produce transgenic myeloid cells having an altered lifespan.

Abstract: The presence of clonal macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue represents an early stage of the disease in which clonal expansion of macrophages occurs due to HIV integration or other genetic mutation. Clonally expanded macrophages induce proliferation of surrounding tissue leading to cancerous tumor growth. The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosis of HIV- and non-HIV-associated clonal expansion of macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of cancers induced by clonal macrophage expansion and proliferation of surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An artificial plasma-like substance having at least one water soluble polysaccharide oncotic agent selected from the group consisting of high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch, low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch, dextran 40 and dextran 70, and albumin which is buffered by lactate and has a pre-administration pH of between 5 and 6.5 is disclosed. Also disclosed is an artificial plasma-like solution having at least two water soluble polysaccharide oncotic agents one of which is eliminated from the circulation slowly and the other of which is eliminated from the circulation quickly. Supplimentation of the plasma-like solution with certain ions is described. A system for administration of the plasma-like solution to a subject wherein the system comprises a first and second solution each having particular buffers is described. The plasma-like solution including cryoprotective adducts is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: Ligands in the form of N-acetyllactosamines which bind to endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) are disclosed. The ligand compounds can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and/or assay compositions used to alleviate inflammation and assay for the presence of (qualitative) and amount of (quantitative) ELAM-1 and thereby determine the presence, location and degree of inflammation.

Abstract: Ligands in the form of N-acetyllactosamines which bind to endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) are disclosed. The ligand compounds can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and/or assay compositions used to alleviate inflammation and assay for the presence of (qualitative) and amount of (quantitative) ELAM-1 and thereby determine the presence, location and degree of inflammation. The ligands are encompassed by general structural formula I as follows: ##STR1## wherein one of F and G is hydrogen and one is an N-acetyl neuraminic acid residue on the terminal unit and are both hydrogen on any other unit; J is hydrogen, a lactosylceramide or a linking group and K is hydrogen or a fucose residue and n is an integer of from 1 to 10 (preferably 3 or 4) with the proviso that n and K are defined such that at least one K is a fucose residue.

Abstract: A portable, battery powered, hand-held system for releasing a controlled dose of aerosol medication for inhalation by a patient including a durable body and a medication cassette inserted in the durable body. The cassette includes a housing for containing a canister of medication, bears an identification code, and permits the canister to be manually depressed to release a dose, e.g., a metered dose, when out of the durable body. The durable body includes an actuator mechanism for engaging an inserted cassette and its canister, and an actuator release mechanism for controlling the actuator mechanism to depress the canister for a selected period of time to release the desired dose of medication and then the release the canister. The actuator mechanism, includes a compression spring for depressing the canister and a torsion spring for reloading the compression spring. The torsion spring is reloaded by rotating the cassette from an open position for delivering aerosol to a closed position.

Abstract: A portable, battery powered, hand-held system for releasing a controlled dose of aerosol medication for inhalation by a patient including a durable body and a medication cassette inserted in the durable body. The cassette includes a housing for containing a canister of medication, bears an identification code, and permits the canister to be manually depressed to release a dose, e.g., a metered dose, when out of the durable body. The durable body includes an actuator mechanism for engaging an inserted cassette and its canister, and an actuator release mechanism for controlling the actuator mechanism to depress the canister for a selected period of time to release the desired dose of medication and then the release the canister. The actuator mechanism, includes a compression spring for depressing the canister and a torsion spring for reloading the compression spring. The torsion spring is reloaded by rotating the cassette from an open position for delivering aerosol to a closed position.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding atelopeptide collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugates. The atelopeptide collagen can be type I, type II or type III and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The collagen-polymer conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of inflammation and arthritis using protease nexin-I as an active ingredient are disclosed.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding biologically inactive, natural, biocompatible polymer to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide biocompatible conjugates. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object. The dehydrated, solid object can be ground into particles which can be suspended in a non-aqueous fluid such as an oil and injected into a living (preferably human) being for the purpose of providing soft tissue augmentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel assays for determining the ability of a test compound to inhibit intercellular adhesion mediated by a selectin receptor, such as the LHR. The assays involve contacting the test compound with the receptor and an isolated receptor-binding agent. The receptor-binding agent is a sulfated polysaccharide, a sulfated glycolipid, or a compound comprising the extracellular region of an endothelial cell surface glycoprotein. Also provided are compositions comprising a compound comprising the extracellular region of an endothelial cell surface protein, which is specifically recognized by lymphocyte homing receptors.

Abstract: Medical articles in the form of strings are formed by covalently binding collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugate formulations which are extruded to make the strings. The collagen may be recombinantly produced human collagen or collagen extracted from any source, such as a bovine source or human placenta, and purified and can be of various types and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having an average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The string can be designed to incorporate other components such as fluid, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors or cytokines. The strings contain large amounts of water when extruded and may then be dehydrated to form relatively solid but flexible strings.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Medical articles in the form of tubes are formed by covalently binding collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugate formulations which are used to make the tubes. The collagen may be recombinantly produced human collagen or collagen extracted from any source, such as a bovine or human placental source, and purified and can be type I, type II or type III and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The tube can be designed to incorporate other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors or cytokines. The tubes contain large amounts of water when extruded and then may be dehydrated to form relatively solid but flexible tubes which can be easily stored.

Abstract: DNA segments encoding two slightly different protease nexin I forms (PN-I.alpha. and PN-I.beta.) are cloned and expressed to provide practical quantities of PN-I for diagnostic and therapeutic use. PN-I is a serine protease inhibitor useful in controlling conditions mediated by proteolytic activity.