Abstract: Copper rod has an improved surface smoothness and substantially no surface oxides, which rod is suitable for drawing or rolling into wire. The copper rod is produced by a process which comprises the steps of forming a bath of molten pure copper, casting the molten copper into a cast bar, conditioning the bar for hot-rolling, hot-rolling the bar to form a hot-rolled rod, cooling the hot-rolled rod and chemically shaving and pickling the hot-rolled rod. The chemical shaving and pickling step is performed with a solution containing controlled concentrations of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Both the solution and the rod are maintained at elevated temperatures and the duration of the reaction is controlled. The interrelated process variables are regulated so that substantially all of the surface oxides and a desired amount of copper are removed from the surface of the hot-rolled rod.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of rheumatic diseases. More particularly, this invention relates to processes and compositions for treating rheumatic diseases by administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effect amount of gamma interferon.

Abstract: An enzyme for conversion of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate (2,5-DKG) to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLG) and a genetically modified organism that expresses all the fermentation enzymes needed to convert glucose to 2-KLG (a precursor to ascorbic acid) using the new enzyme are described. Preferably, the organism is Erwinia citreus, or a mutated strain of Erwinia citreus, unable to use 2,5-DKG or 2-KLG as a sole carbon source, into which the gene for a 2,5-DKG reductase, produced by Corynebacterium sp., SHS 752001, has been inserted. The preferred transformed organism expresses the fermentation enzymes Erwinia citreus normally expresses for fermentation of glucose to 2,5-DKG and, in addition, an enzyme Corynebacterium sp. SHS 752001 expresses for fermentation of 2,5-DKG to 2-KLG.

Abstract: A carbon fiber of high strength is disclosed, each filament of which is substantially circular in its cross-section but which has circumferential ruggedness which extends in parallel to an axis of the filament to form pleats. The ruggedness has a depth of more than 0.1 .mu.m.The carbon fiber is prepared by extruding a spinning solution of an aqueous polyacrylonitrile/pure zinc chloride solution of a specified polymer content into a coagulating bath at a specified draft ratio, followed by washing, drying and stretching at a total stretching ratio of 10-20 folds to form a precursor which is then subjected to conventional stabilizing and carbonizing steps.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, in which R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group,R.sub.2 represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, or ##STR2## R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, or ##STR3## R.sup.4 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, R.sup.5 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group,R.sup.6 represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or --COOR.sup.15,R.sup.7 represents hydrogen, halogen or lower alkyl,R.sup.8 represents a lower alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl group,R.sup.15 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl, and n is 0 to 8, n being 0 when R.sup.6 represents lower alkyl, are disclosed as an active therapeutic substances for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, allergic conditions and disorders related to loss of gastro-intestinal integrity.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods useful for the stabilization of interferons. More particularly, this invention relates to the formulation of gamma interferons with lactobionic acid in an acetate/glycine buffer.

Abstract: Surface antigens of swine mycoplasma, such antigens prepared by recombinant DNA methods, a swine mycoplasma vaccine, based on such antigens, methods of treating swine to prevent enzootic pneumonia using that vaccine, and diagnostic tests based on these antigens or antibodies raised against them for detecting the presence of swine mycoplasma infections in swine herds, and DNA sequences that code for such antigens are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing carbon fibers in a gaseous phase reaction comprising introducing a gas mixture comprising at least one carbon compound, at least one inorganic transition metal compound gas and at least one carrier gas into a reactor and subjecting the mixture to a temperature of 600.degree. C. to 1300.degree. C. in the reactor for inducing growth of carbon fibers.

Abstract: A method of treatment of emesis, anxiety and/or IBS in mammals, including humans, which method comprises administering an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:Ar--CO--Y--Z (I)wherein Ar is a group of formula (a): ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, hydroxy, amino optionally substituted by one or two C.sub.1-4 alkyl groups, thiol, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio; X is CH.sub.2, NR.sub.3, --O-- or --S-- wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.3-5 alkenyl, phenyl or phenyl C.sub.1-4 alkyl; or Ar is a group of formula (b): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 to R.sub.7 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, hydroxy, amino optionally substituted by one or two C.sub.1-4 alkyl, by C.sub.1-4 alkanoylamino or pyrrolyl, one of R.sub.4 to R.sub.

Abstract: A process for purifying a protein and particularly the purification of a protein, such as gamma interferon, that forms highly insoluble aggregates during the growth of host cells transformed with DNA sequence coding for the protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manhole cover lifter having a key to be located in the manhole keyhole and a lever arrangement to provide the mechanical advantage for lifting the manhole cover. The key may be directly attached to the lever, or indirectly attached thereto by a lifting bar.