Abstract: A gene and gene product that regulates the expression of the capsidal envelope genes of HTLV-III/LAV and that can be used to regulate the expression of heterologous (non-viral) genes as well is disclosed. This art gene consists of two exons and can be used in creating nucleotide segments, vectors and cell lines. A new method for screening for compounds that inhibit the replication of HTLV-III is also described and comprises:(1) transfecting a T-cell line with the HTLV-III art and env genes;(2) thereafter, adding a preselected compound to the transformed cell line in increasing concentrations; and(3) determining whether the compound effects the art function without being toxic to the cell.An additional parameter to use in diagnosis of AIDS disease is also described. The use of the art gene and gene product in AIDS therapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor is formed by a photosensitive layer containing a naphtylhydrazone compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X and Y are independently a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl group, lower alkoxy group, phenoxy group or arylalkoxy group; R.sup.1 is a naphtyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl group, allyl group, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or aralkyl group; and l and m are 1 or 2. The photoreceptor thus formed is not only highly sensitive but resistant to ozone deterioration, which markedly improves the durability thereof.

Abstract: A container capable of dewatering wet mixtures and for transportation which comprises (1) an external cylindrical container with openings therein having a hanging member in an upper portion thereof, wherein the hanging member can shut the upper portion of the external cylindrical container, and wherein the external cylindrical container has an easy to open and shut closure at a bottom portion and (2) an internal porous container for dewatering a wet mixture is described. This container permits dewatering, packing, storing and transporting operations to be easily achieved.

Abstract: DNA segments encoding the vpu gene and a vector encoding the vpu gene are disclosed. These sequences containing the vpu gene can be used to express a protein that has antigenic determinants that can be used to screen for people having the HIV-1 virus.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a method of producing D-ribose which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus having D-ribose producing ability in a medium, the microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus containing a DNA sequence participating in expression of a gluconate operon which is partly or wholly modified so as to highly express the gluconate operon in the microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, accumulating D-ribose, and collecting D-ribose thus obtained; (2) a novel microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus having D-ribose producing ability transformed with DNA which contains a DNA sequence participating in expression of a gluconate operon which is partly or wholly modified so as to highly express the gluconate operon in the microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus; (3) novel DNA in which a promoter of a gluconate operon of a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus is modified so as to highly express said gluconate operon in the microorganism belonging to the

Abstract: The present invention provides novel strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, No.145, No.116 and No.161.These strains produce an insecticidal crystal toxin which is useful as an active component in a insect pest-controlling agent.

Abstract: A protein of interest or a Met-protein, e.g. the N-Met analog of the protein of the interest can be efficiently separated from a mixture thereof by subjecting the mixture to a separation procedure utilizing the difference in the isoelectric points between the protein and the Met-protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunostimulant agent containing interleukin-2 and 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine or a salt thereof in combination, which shows a strong therapeutic effect by synergistic action and weak side effects. The immunostimulant agent may further contain another chemotherapeutic agent and/or another immunotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: Monovalent and multivalent recombinant pox viruses which express immunogenic proteins of pseudorabies viruses are provided for use as live vaccines against pseudorabies virus. DNA vectors for recombination with pox virus to introduce one or more genes into a pox viral genome are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating a heart disease which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of diadenosine 5',5'"-P.sup.1, P.sup.4 -tetraphosphate as an active ingredient in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The pharmaceutical composition is particularly characterized by having antiarrhythmic and coronary vasodilative activities. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a subject having a heart disease or particularly arrhythmia, which comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the propensity for an individual to be affected by a polyomavirus are disclosed. The methods include an assay wherein a biological specimen from a female is contacted with at least one probe capable of determining whether the female has been exposed to a polyomavirus. A method for prophylactically treating the female is also described.

Abstract: A method of forming modified preceramic polymers comprising mixing organopolysilanes having a plurality of Si--H functional groups with an effective amount of a metallocene compound, and allowing the mixture to undergo a dehydrogenative reaction is disclosed. Pyrolysis of the modified polymer provides in high yields ceramic residues that approach stoichiometric SiC in composition. Preferably the organopolysilane starting material contains a plurality of tertiary Si--H bonds and has the general formula of [(RSiH).sub.x (RSi).sub.y ].sub.n where the sum of the coefficients x and y equal 1, n is an integer greater than 1, R is a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkenyl group having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Viral protein T from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) is disclosed. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 17 kD and is produced by the vpt gene of HIV-1. This protein is antigenic. Vectors capable of expressing the vpt protein are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method of preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.

Abstract: A sandwich method, in which heparin coupled to a carrier, a sample and an antibody labeled with a labeling agent, brings about a high sensitivity for detecting and/or measuring FGF.

Abstract: Lymphotoxin (LT) mutein (genetically-altered LT) is disclosed that has the following amino acid sequence, or a portion of an active portion of said protein, where 10 to 21 amino acids of LT being deleted from N-terminus and which has Pro or Phe at the N-terminus: ##STR1## Wherein R.sub.1 is Pro or Phe, R.sub.2 is a peptide chain represented by the following sequence:Ala-Gln-Thr-Ala-Arg-Gln-His-Pro-Lys-Met-His-Leu,or a portion thereof and n is 0 or 1.The LT mutein can be recovered in a higher yield and purified more efficiently under mild conditions which does not harm the LT's biological activity, than the whole LT.

Abstract: Preceramic polymers are prepared by mixing an organosilicon oligomer or polymer containing a multiplicity of Si--H and/or Si--N functional groups with a borane in an organic solvent for a sufficient time for the reactants to react, wherein the molar ratio of the organosilicon polymer repeat unit to borane is 15 or less.

Abstract: A promoter of a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of Acremonium chrysogenum and a transformant which is obtained by using the expression plasmid containing the promoter and is capable of producing a cephalosporin are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polypeptide which shows higher IFN-.gamma. activity than intact IFN-.gamma. and a method of producing the same.The polypeptides not only possesses a remarkable antiviral activity, antitumor activity, immunopotentiating activity etc. but also is highly stable, therefore, it can be used advantageously as pharmaceuticals etc.

Abstract: Optically active derivatives of glycidol are disclosed. These novel compounds, (2S) and (2R) glycidyl m-nitrobenzenesulfonate and (2S) and (2R) glycidyl p-chlorobenzenesulfonate can be readily crystallized to high enantiomeric purity. Their use in other synthesis reactions is also described.