Abstract: This invention relates to methods, reagents, and kits utilizing metal chelates to inactivate nucleotide sequences, especially to inactivate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) products and to inactivate nucleotide sequences in a bioprocess and bioproduct. A novel metal chelate class is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cryptosporidium parvum (the cause of cryptosporidiosis) has become one of the most common enteropathogens causing diarrhea worldwide. Symptoms associated with cryptosporidiosis are very debilitating especially in the immunocompromised subject (e.g., AIDS patient). Clinical features include severe, chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, weight loss, etc. which lead to increased health care costs and increased mortality. There is described herein a method of inhibiting the severity of Cryptosporidium parvum infection by enterally administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Abstract: A method and kits for amplifying and detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a sample is disclosed. The method employs primers which have reactive pair members linked to them. The reactive pair members can be attached to a solid phase and/or detected by labeled conjugate.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising notochord and extracts thereof in therapeutic amounts. The invention more specifically relates to a method of treating arthritis in mammals, more particularly rheumatoid arthritis in humans through the enteral administration of notochord, notochord extracts or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, collagen obtained from sturgeon is enterally administered to a human at from 1.0 .mu.g to 1.05 gms per day.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the incidence of otitis media in infants and young children by enterally administering indigestible fructooligosaccharides. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for reducing the incidence of otitis media comprising administering to humans an indigestible fructooligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of 1-kestose, nystose and 1-.sup.F -B-fructofuranosyl nystose . The indigestible fructooligosaccharides can be produced through enzymatic synthesis, chemical techniques or isolated from plant materials and are administered in the form of a nutritional product, candy, tablets, chewing gums, lozenges, milk products, yogurts and the like. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the fructooligosaccharides have a DP of 2 to 20 and still more preferably are the fructooligosaccharides FG.sub.2, GF.sub.3, and GF.sub.4.

Abstract: A waveguide binding assay method involves detecting the scattering of light directed into the waveguide, the scattering being the result of scattering labels specifically bound to the waveguide within the penetration depth of an evanescent wave. The waveguide may be transparent plastic or glass and the binding is typically by oligonucleotide hybridization or immunological capture. Light scattering labels include colloidal metals or non-metals, including gold, selenium and latex. A light absorbing member consisting of dye or concentrated particles may also be employed to enhance signal. Real-time binding and dissociation can be monitored visually or by video imaging, such as with a CCD camera and frame grabber software. Hybridization mismatches of as few as one base can be distinguished by real-time melting curves.

Abstract: A method for debittering and reducing the allergenic reactivity of protein hydrolysates is disclosed, which method includes the providing of an aqueous solution of a protein hydrolysate, feeding the solution into a bed of siloxane, and collecting a first portion of the solution exiting from the bed. The first portion contains either a non-bitter or bitter fraction. A second portion of the solution exiting from the bed can be collected which contains the opposite tasting fraction of the hydrolysate. Preferably the siloxane is selected from the group comprising octa-siloxane and octadecyl-siloxane. Preferably the hydrolysate has a molecular weight of less than 10,000, and is derived from the group of hydrolysates comprising casein, whey and soy. Additionally, the bed preferably is of a depth of between 2 to 4 times the bed diameter. A more hypoallergenic protein hydrolysate product produced in accordance with the method of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the duration of diarrhea and recurrent episodes of diarrhea in humans by enterally administering indigestible oligosaccharides prophylactically. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method using indigestible oligosaccharides or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) to reduce the duration and recurrence of diarrhea in a human wherein between 0.5 grams and 5 grams of at least one FOS selected from the group consisting of 1-kestose, nystose, and 1.sup.F -.beta.-fructofuranosyl nystose is administered to said human per day. The indigestible oligosaccharides can be produced through enzymatic synthesis, chemical techniques or isolated from plant materials and are administered in the form of a nutritional product, candy, tablets, chewing gum, lozenges, milk, yogurts, fermented products and the like.

Abstract: Liquid beverages for supplementation of dietary calcium are disclosed. The beverages of this invention use calcium glycerophosphate as the source of calcium, acidulants, vitamin C and optionally, vitamin D.

Abstract: A method for reducing background caused by target-independent generation of amplification products, typically the products of a ligase chain reaction or a polymerase chain reaction, involves chemically "masking" or blocking the amplification probes or primers so that they cannot be extended or ligated until the occurrence of a triggering event which can be delayed until the amplification reaction is begun. The probe masks take the form of complementary blocking oligonucleotides that are incapable of serving as template themselves and inhibit random tailing of the probe/primers. The blocking oligo masks are denatured from the probes during amplification and preferably are effectively eliminated from competing for probes in the amplification reaction.

Abstract: A process of preparing 9-oxime erythromycin A using a mild acid catalyst such as acetic acid and a mildly polar solvent such as isopropanol is provided. In accordance with that process, erythromycin A is reacted with hydroxylamine in the presence of acetic acid and isopropanol. A process of the present invention can also be used to increase the E to Z isomeric ratio of synthesized 9-oxime erythromycin A.

Abstract: Treating mammals having ischemic bowel with a therapeutic quantity of pyruvate enterally or parenterally will retard neutrophil infiltration and retain morphology during and following the bowel ischemia. The pyruvate is introduced into the patient enterally or parenterally during the bowel ischemia or the succeeding bowel reperfusion and, preferably, prior to the bowel ischemia. The pyruvate dosage is from 1% to 20% by weight of the patient's caloric intake.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods of improving LCR and PCR amplification schemes by modifying at least one probe/primer end so that the probability of the probe/prirner contributing to spurious signal development is greatly reduced. Only after specific hybridization of the modified probe/primer with true target, are the modified ends "corrected" in a target dependent fashion to allow participation of the probe/primer in the enzymatic assembly reaction. Specific modifications depend on whether the assembly is done by ligation (as in LCR) or by extension/elongation (as in PCR).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oligonucleotides useful in detection, e.g., by ligase chain reaction (LCR) of target DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The present invention is also directed to methods of detecting target DNAs from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract: An enteral nutritional product for a person having ulcerative colitis contains in combination (a) an oil blend which contains eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3), and (b) a source of indigestible carbohydrate which is metabolized to short chain fatty acids by microorganisms present in the human colon. Preferably the nutritional product also contains one or more nutrients which act as antioxidants.

Abstract: Novel antifungal agents having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or --C(O)--R.sub.1 wherein R.sub.1 is alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 -alkyl, aryl, arylalkenyl, arylalkyl, aryl-aryl-, arylalkoxy-aryl-, aryloxyl-aryl-, aryl-aryl-aryl- or arylalkoxy-aryl-aryl-, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or prodrugs thereof, as well as (i) pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, (ii) methods of treatment using such compounds, and (iv) methods and fungal cultures useful in making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotide probes useful in detecting, e.g. by hybridization or the ligase chain reaction, Chlamydia trachomatis DNA in the presence of other related DNA. The present invention is also directed to methods of detecting Chlamydia trachomatis organisms in a sample using the ligase chain reaction.

Abstract: An antibacterial compound is disclosed having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is loweralkyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof, processes and intermediates useful in the preparation of the above compounds, as well as compositions containing the same and methods for their use.

Abstract: This invention discloses that certain fragments of a pulmonary surfactant protein exhibit unexpected surface activity. These protein fragments are useful in preparing formulations for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: A disposable reaction vessel for performing nucleic acid amplification assay. The disposable reaction vessel has a penetrable cap that can be penetrated by an automated pipettor to aspirate a portion of an amplified reaction product. The disposable reaction vessel contains the reagents necessary to perform a nucleic acid amplification assay. A patient specimen is added to the unit dose reagents in the disposable reaction vessel and the penetrable cap is closed. The disposable reaction vessel containing the reaction mixture and the specimen undergoes amplification, typically by placing it in a thermal cycler. After amplification the intact disposable reaction vessel is transferred to an automated analyzer where an automated pipettor penetrates the closure membrane and aspirates a portion of the amplified sample for further processing, without removal of the reaction vessel cap. This avoids the generation of potentially contaminating aerosols or droplets.