Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-10 alkyl;R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-10 alkyl;R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-10 alkoxyl, C.sub.1-10 alkyl and cyano;R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-10 alkenyloxyl, C.sub.1-10 alkoxyl, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.1-10 alkylcarbamic, C.sub.1-10 alkylcarbonyloxyl, carbonyl, hydroxyl, and --NHR.sup.5, andR.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-10 alkylcarbonyl. Such compounds are useful as selective antagonists of testosterone 5.alpha.-reductase 1.

Abstract: Novel fibrinogen receptor antagonists of the formula: ##STR1## are provided in which the claimed compounds exhibit fibrinogen receptor antagonist activity, inhibit platelet aggregation and are therefore useful in modulating thrombus formation.

Abstract: Crystalline and amorphous insoluble calcium salts of bisphosphonic acids may be formulated to provide compositions suitable for I.M. (intramuscular) and S.C. (subcutaneous) administration. As compared to solutions of the soluble salts of bisphosphonic acids, suspensions of the crystalline and amorphous calcium salts provide slow systemic release of the bisphosphonic acid and reduce tissue damage and localized pain and irritation when used in the treatment of disturbances involving calcium or phosphate metabolism, in particular, the treatment and prevention of diseases involving bone resorption, especially osteoporosis, Paget's disease, malignant hypercalcemia, and metastatic bone disease.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions containing fibroblast growth factor are stabilized against loss of biological activity by including in said composition a stabilizing amount of phytic add, phosvitin, phosphate buffer, (NH.sub.4).sub.6 P.sub.4 O.sub.13, Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10, Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 and Na.sub.3 P.sub.3 O.sub.9, adenosine tetra, tri, di and mono phosphate and related diadenosine compounds plus other single and multi-phosphorylated mono and di-nucleotides, poly-aspartic acid, poly-adenylic-guanylic add and related compounds, double stranded deoxyribonucleic add, single stranded deoxyfibonucleic acid and poly-glutamic acid. Medicinal compositions for topical use are combined with a viscous excipient such as a water soluble polysaccharide with said combination with a second stabilizier.

Abstract: A reusable dispensing package is provided for dispensing medication in the form of tablets, pills, capsules or the like, in a predetermined sequence, the package includes a hinged container into which is placed a disposable blister pack containing the medicament, the container having a spring-loaded button or a plunger attached thereto which is moved around the cover of the dispenser and when depressed releases a tablet or pill from the blister.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprised of gellan, carrageenan and mannan gums and a process for producing flexible films for encapsulation comprising the gellan, carrageenan and mannan gum composition. The mannan gums include the galactomannans and the glucomannans. Advantageously, soft capsules of the above composition are produced using the novel process. The composition comprises a blend of a gellan gum: (carrageenan/mannan gum) wherein the gellan gum concentration ranges from about 0.1 to 50 weight percent and the ratio of carrageenan/locust bean gum ranges from 3:1 to 1:3. Additional reagents are added to this gum blend to form a film-forming polymer composition useful in the production of gelatin-free capsules or microcapsules.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 17,000. A method of isolating the protein from Ornithodoros moubata and using the protein to prevent or delay blood coagulation by blocking the stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen is also described. The protein is useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention comprises fibrinogen receptor antagonist compounds, compositions containing them and methods for using them to inhibit fibrinogen binding to blood platelets. Compounds of the invention have the following formula ##STR1## wherein Z is ##STR2## X is COOH, CH.sub.2 SH or SH; R.sup.1 is Y--R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.3 is alkyl and Y is amino, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl or piperidinyl;R.sup.2 is H, alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl; andR.sup.4 is alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl group can be mono- or bi-cyclic.

Abstract: Glioma-derived growth factor is purified from the culture media used to maintain mammalian glioma cells. The protein stimulates mitogenesis of mammalian vascular endothelial cells and is useful for the promotion of vascular development and repair. This unique growth factor is also useful in the promotion of tissue repair.

Abstract: A fibrinogen receptor antagonist of the formula ##STR1## wherein XX represents a synthetic alpha-amino acid containing a linear side chain and ZZ represents a sequence of 1, 2, 3 or 4 amino acids.

Abstract: Fibrinogen receptor antagonists having the formula ##STR1## for example ##STR2##

Abstract: A protein isolated from crude Haementeria officinalis extract which blocks stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 16,000. A method of isolating the protein and using the protein to prevent or delay blood coagulation by blocking the stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen is also described. The protein is useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Abstract: The invention comprises proteinaceous substances isolated from crude Ornithodoros moubata extract which inhibit adhesion of platelets to collagen. These substances do not inhibit platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, and are therefore particularly useful for inhibiting adhesion of platelets to collagen when simultaneous inhibition of platelet adhesion to fibrinogen is undesired. They are particularly useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Abstract: An important intermediate for preparing cephalosporin antibiotics, 7-aminodesacetoxy cephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA), is prepared by a novel bioprocess in which a transformed Penicillium chrysogenum strain is cultured in the presence of an adipate feedstock to produce adipoyl-6-APA (6-amino penicillanic acid); and the in situ expression of an expandase gene, e.g., from Streptomyces clavuligerus, with which the P. chrysogenum has been transformed, converts the adipoly-6-APA by ring expansion to adipoyl-7-ADCA. The final product, 7-ADCA, is then prepared by cleavage of the adipoyl side chain using an adipoyl acylase. The entire synthesis, accordingly, is carried out using bioprocesses, and is efficient and economical.

Abstract: Cholesterol lowering compounds and compositions are formed from the photochemical treatment of the Zaragozic Acids followed by esterification. These compounds and compositions are active squalene synthetase inhibitors useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: A process for converting lipid-containing bacterial capsular polysaccharide, such as lipo-polyribosyl ribitol phosphate, lipo-PRP, into lipid-free, endotoxin-free polysaccharide, such as polyribosyl ribitol phosphate, PRP, by solubilizing polysaccharide-containing powder derived from culture media of bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae type b, cleaving covalently bound fatty acids from the polysaccharide, and removing the lipids, and endotoxin.

Abstract: A culture medium containing no complex animal components is useful for production of bacteria and inoculum development from which pharmaceutically important products are to be isolated.

Abstract: The invention is a highly efficient synthesis for making compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is a six membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing one or two heteroatoms wherein the heteroatoms are N; or NR.sup.6, wherein R.sup.6 is H or C.sub.1-10 alkyl;m is an integer from two to six; andR.sup.4 is aryl, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, or C.sub.4-10 aralkyl.

Abstract: Mutant human acidic fibroblast growth factor proteins are recombinantly produced having replaced cysteine residues with amino acids incapable of disulfide bond formation. The recombinantly produced mutant human acidic fibroblast growth factor proteins have improved biological activity in the absence of heparin when compared to wild-type recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract: A vaccine strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), tested in clinical trials, is capable of preventing chickenpox in children. This virus has been modified by the introduction into its genome of heterologous DNA which encodes an immunogenic polypeptide of another human pathogen. This heterologous polypeptide is expressed in cells infected by the recombinant virus. Such recombinant VZV is useful as a vaccine for chickenpox as well as for heterologous pathogens.