Abstract: A method and test of detecting occult blood in a stool or other physiologic fluid sample which offers novelty in that the reaction is carried out in the organic phase selected from the group consisting of methylene dichloride, petroleum ether, and dioxane in an aqueous/organic bi-phase system wherein the sample of occult blood is added to the aqueous phase, the bi-phase system is mixed by emulsification and a standard color-forming reaction involving organically soluble hemoglobin (heme), peroxide, and dye is carried out in the organic phase. Optionally, a filter paper porous only to organic solvents may be introduced to initially separate the aqueous and organic phases and further a device for mixing and separating immiscible liquids having two chambers telescopable into one another may be utilized. The reaction involving hemoglobin is carried out in acetic acid to produce heme which is later solubilized by the organic solvent.

Abstract: A method of producing 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) by nitrosation of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-urea utilizing as a nitrosating agent dinitrogen trioxide (N.sub.2 O.sub.3) in molar excess of theoretical wherein the molar excess of N.sub.2 O.sub.3 ranges from 10-200% and preferably from 10-20%. The nitrosation reaction is conventionally carried out in the cold from 0.degree. C to -20.degree. C and a non-aqueous solvent is utilized. The preferred non-aqueous solvent is of the chlorinated variety; i.e., methylene dichloride. Other preferred solvents include related halogenated compounds such as ethylene dichloride, nitro-compounds such as nitromethane, acetonitrile, and simple ethers such as ethyl ether. Other less preferred but operable compounds include esters such as ethyl acetate, simple ketones such as acetones, and chloroform.

Abstract: An apparatus for low temperature ashing of specimens is provided. The specimens to be ashed are first freeze dried and then reduced to an ash by a radio frequency (RF) excited gas plasma in a device which includes a reaction chamber, means to reduce the pressure in the chamber, means communicating with the chamber for supplying a stream of reaction gas thereto, and an RF means including a driven and receiver antenna pair with an annular antenna around the chamber and a planer antenna associated with the end wall of the chamber.

Abstract: 5,6-Dihydro-6-alkoxynitidine compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub. 2 are selected independently from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl groups, H and benzyl or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken together are methylene and R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are selected independently from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl groups, H and benzyl are anti-leukemic agents.

Abstract: A vaccine and method of protecting wild carnivores and especially foxes from rabies virus which comprises setting out and orally administering an immunizing dose of an attenuated liquid antirabies vaccine, said vaccine being enclosed in a bite-permeable hydrophobic plastic container or sheath and said container being surrounded by an acceptable meat bait for the carnivore such as cured sausage. An elongated shape for both the container and bait is preferred. Acceptable vaccines for utilization include ERA/BHK-21 and PRI virus and a plastic elongated polyethylene tube is preferred for the container holding the attenuated vaccine. An effective amount of a temperature stabilizer for the vaccine may be added for operating temperatures of 27.degree..sup.+C. and these temperature stabilizers are selected from purified casein hydrolysates.

Abstract: Treatment of the .alpha. and .beta. anomers of 2'-deoxy-6-selenoguanosine with alkyl halides, p-nitrobenzyl bromide, and 5-chloro-1-methyl-4-nitroimidazole under basic conditions has produced the desired products, which are 2'-deoxy-6-R-selenoguanosines where R is the substituent group [2-amino-6-R-seleno-9-(2-deoxy-.alpha.- and .beta.-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)purines] and R is preferably lower alkyl or aryl. The animal test screening indicated substantial activity for several members of this group of compounds against mouse leukemia L-1210.

Abstract: A method and resulting temperature sensitive (ts) recombinants which may be produced by modifying wild-type influenza A viruses by utilization of chemically mutagenized donor viruses possessing ts lesions and shut off temperatures in the area 37.degree.-38.degree. C. Such a recombinant virus has been produced that contains the surface H3 antigen of influenza A/Hong Kong/1968 (H3N2) virus and a temperature-sensitive (ts) lesion derived from a ts mutant of influenza A/Great Lakes/1965 (H2N2) virus. Additional donor viruses include influenza A/Hong Kong/1968-ts-1[A], influenza A double recombinant 10B, and influenza A/Hong Kong/1968-ts-1[E]. When utilized as a vaccine, these temperature-sensitive recombinant viruses have the facility to develop only mild symptoms, but the infection induces complete resistant to influenzal disease produced by challenge with a virulent wild-type virus. The temperature-sensitive donor mutant is prepared chemically by growth of the virus in the presence of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Abstract: The method of utilizing .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated amino acids, acyl, and N-acyl derivatives as linking agents in the solid phase synthesis of peptides with the corresponding production of carboxyl terminal amides. Preferred unsaturated amino acids are dehydroalanine and dehydrobutyrine which are constituents in naturally occurring amides such as nisin and subtilin. The synthesis follows conventional lines of R. B. Merrifield et al including blocking of the amino nitrogen, with the exception that the release agent contains an amount of water equimolar to the reactant .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated amino acid.

Abstract: The preparation of N.sup.5 -methyltetrahydrohomofolic acid and alkali metal salts thereof is from homofolic acid starting material (HFA) by catalytic reduction with platinum oxide in the dark under hydrogen at a slight overpressure to produce tetrahydrohomofolate (THHF), them immediately reacting this product with formaldehyde to produce 5,11-methylenetetrahydrohomofolate and reducing this methylene intermediate without isolation with sodium borohydride to give the desired 5-methyltetrahydrohomofolate in the disodium salt form. The 5-methyl product is recovered by precipitating side products at a pH of about 3.8 with acetic acid and refrigerating the product filtrate overnight at about 3.degree.-10.degree.C. The filtrate containing the product 5-methyltetrahydrohomofolate (5-MeTHHF) is treated with charcoal, concentrated to an oil and the 5-methyl product is precipitated with absolute ethanol.

Abstract: The use of catalytic hydrogenolysis to selectively deblock protected moieties in sulfur containing compounds has not been a practical process due to poisoning of the catalyst by the sulfur compound. It has now been found that catalytic hydrogenolysis of sulfur compounds can be successfully carried out by conducting the reaction in liquid ammonia as solvent.

Abstract: A facile process for the production of Ftorafur [1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil] which comprises reacting 2,4-bis-trimethylsilyl uracil with 2-chlorotetrahydrofuran to produce 1-tetrahydro-2-furanyluracil at low temperatures in a dry non-aqueous solvent, e.g. a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent such as methylene chloride. Subsequently the desired final product is produced by direct fluorination of the uracil ring as the last step utilizing a fluorinating agent such as trifluoromethylhypofluorite. This step is conducted in the cold and again in the presence of a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent such as chloroform. Ftorafur has been utilized as a pyrimidine analog for the management of carcinoma in the breast and large intestine and with less side effects than 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).