Abstract: A method for increasing the survival rate in hypercatabolic mammals following the onset of burn wound sepsis. The method comprises orally administering to the mammal, sufficient doses of ciprofloxacin to attain high concentrations in extra vascular fluid, and parenterally administering to the mammal, Pseudomonas immune globulin. The combination therapy of treating Pseudomonas burn wound sepsis with ciprofloxacin and Pseudomonas immune globulin results in a higher rate of survival than the treatment utilizing a single agent. This suggests a synergistic interaction between the two agents in the therapy of polymicrobial burn wound sepsis.

Abstract: A multiple blood bag system is disclosed having at least two blood bags and conduit means providing sealed flow communication between the bags and a filtering means integrally disposed between two of the bags for removing platelets and white cells from a red cell concentrate in the blood bag system. In the method of the invention a red cell concentrate is provided in one of the blood bags of the above system and an additive solution is mixed therewith. The mixture of the red cell concentrate and additive solution is passed through the filtering means from one of the bags to another.

Abstract: Immune serum globulins (ISG) can be made substantially free of infectious retroviruses by preparing the ISG from human plasma using a cold ethanol plasma fractionation process at a pH equal to or less than 5.4 and then storing the ISG at either of two specified storage conditions: (1) at a pH equal to or less than about 4.25 at a temperature of about 27.degree. C. for at least 3 days, or (2) at a pH equal to or less than about 6.8 at a temperature of about 45.degree. C. for at least about 8 hours.

Abstract: A device for making accurate, reproducible light reflectance measurements on an optically nonuniform specimen comprises means for holding the specimen in a fixed position. In one embodiment the specimen is illuminated by light sources that are arranged at acute angles relative to the specimen and (360.degree./N.+-.1.degree.) apart in azimuth, where N=the total number of light sources. The light sources are sequentially energized and deenergized to illuminate the specimen. A light detector receives light reflecting from the surface and generates an electrical signal, which is subsequently processed. In another embodiment the light sources are arranged in pairs in which the two light sources in a pair are simultaneously energized and deenergized and the pairs are sequentially energized and deenergized. A method for measuring reflected light is also provided.

Abstract: Platelet morphology in platelet concentrates is significantly enhanced by subjecting the platelets to a gentle heating step. Platelets heated at 37.degree. C. for one hour have at least a 25% increase in the number of disc-like forms over non-heated platelets. When subsequently infused in a patient, the treated platelets show a one hour post-infusion platelet corrected count increment of about 70% higher than non-heated control platelets.

Abstract: Preparation of active therapeutic proteins comprising two essential steps. In the first step an active protein source is treated under conditions sufficient to inactivate any viruses present (e.g. via heat or chemical treatment). In the second step, the treated active protein source of moderate purity is then treated under conditions sufficient to remove impurities as well as denatured (once active) proteins resulting from the viral inactivation step. In an illustrative embodiment, a biologically active protein such as antithrombin is treated under conditions sufficient to assure viral inactivation and minimal antithrombin deactivation. After the viral inactivation, the antithrombin is contacted with immobilized heparin to complex only the active antithrombin which is then eluted by known means and processed further (e.g., to include desired excipients and then freeze dried).

Abstract: A therapeutic method for producing bronchodilation in an individual for whom such therapy is indicated is disclosed. The method comprises administering to said individual an effective bronchodilation amount of certain derivatives of 15-deoxy-16-hydroxy-prostaglandin E.sub.1 esters.

Abstract: A test strip with a sample absorption capacity which can be preselected comprises a support member capable of supporting along at least two edges a reagent strip in which the support member also has absorbent material positioned to remove excess sample applied to the reagent strip. In a preferred embodiment an intermediate layer is also supported by the support member and positioned above the reagent strip. The intermediate layer removes components of the sample which would otherwise interfere with the analysis being made in the reagent strip. In a further embodiment of the invention a cover is applied to the support member, wherein the cover contains an opening for introduction of sample material.

Abstract: A test means for detecting the presence of a specific ion in an aqueous test sample and for determining its concentration comprises a substantially nonpolar, nonporous carrier matrix which is incorporated with an ionophore capable of selectively forming a complex with the ion under analysis. In addition, a counterion reporter substance is provided separately, which is capable of producing a detectable response, such as a change in or appearance of color or fluorescence in the carrier matrix. In use, the test sample containing the counterion reporter substance is contacted with the test means, the test means is washed and any detectable response associated with the test means is determined.

Abstract: A method of calibrating reflectance measuring devices, such as spectrophotometers, that incorporate automatic gain or sensitivity setting capability. According to the method, offset reflectance and reflectance of a secondary reflectance standard for several wavelengths are calculated and stored in a memory of a reflectance measuring device. A secondary standard is mounted in the reflectance measuring device and reflectances at a selected wavelengths from the secondary standard are read prior to measurement of the reflectance of the test sample. The stored offset reflectance and secondary reflectance for the operational wavelength are used to calculate true reflectance of the test sample.

Abstract: Extracellular enzymes can be recovered from a whole fermentation beer by adding to the whole beer a mixture of a polymer and an inorganic salt. This total mixture produces an enzyme-rich polymer phase and a cell debris-containing, enzyme-poor salt phase which can be separated to produce an enzyme-rich product from the polymer phase.

Abstract: A new compound, carboylamidobiotinylated horseradish peroxidase, is produced. It has utility in immunohistochemical measurement procedures.

Abstract: This invention contemplates a novel process for the preparation of solution stable alpha-amylase obtained from Bacillus licheniformis, and to the high potency liquid enzyme product prepared by this process. Typically, the enzyme-containing solution from a fermentation is concentrated and starch is added to the concentrate. Alternatively, a precipitation agent such as salt is added to the solution, and a cake containing the enzyme precipitates. The cake is then contacted with an aqueous solution containing starch to extract the enzyme out of the cake to provide a stable liquid enzyme product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the milk clotting ability and reducing the thermal stability of microbial rennet from Rhizomucor pusillus. The method involves treating the rennet with a methionine oxidizing composition and the anhydride of a dicarboxylic organic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new chromogenic amino acid esters and peptide esters of hydroxybenzo(iso)thiazoles and hydroxybenzopyrazoles, processes for their preparation and the use of the new esters as substrates for the analytical detection of esterolytic and/or proteolytic enzymes, for example in body fluids, the esters being incorporated into test agents, in particular test strips, in a suitable manner. The new esters are preferably used for the detection of leukocytes, in particular in urine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a non-carbohydrate sulfated matrix and the use thereof to isolate and purify blood clotting factors and other blood proteins by a procedure involving the adsorption of at least one of such factors and proteins onto the non-carbohydrate sulfated matrix followed by elution of such factors and proteins onto the non-carbohydrate sulfated matrix followed by elution of such factors and proteins from the matrix.

Abstract: Described is a method to stabilize or preserve acid-producing bacteria in a buffered solution. A carrier may be added that is not a specific substrate for the bacteria in order to give texture, most preferably the carrier being polyethylene glycol or sodium alginate. Optionally, other ingredients such as anti-oxidants, mold inhibitors, and/or salts may be added. These compositions may be stored at temperatures above freezing for a time from a few days up to about 2 months or longer.

Abstract: Compositions containing therapeutically or immunologically active proteins are rendered substantially free from infectious agents such as viable viruses and bacteria without substantial loss of therapeutic or immunologic activity by mixing the protein composition with a complex formed from transition metal ions, such as copper ions, and an angularly-fused, polynuclear heterocyclic arene having two nitrogen atoms in a "cis-ortho" relationship, such as phenanthroline, and a reducing agent such as a thiol or ascorbic acid or ascorbate salt or mixtures of ascorbic acid or ascorbate with a thiol in amounts and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to inactivate substantially all of the viruses and bacteria contained therein. Compositions containing therapeutically active proteins substantially free from viral and bacterial infectivity, which have heretofore been unattainable, can be prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not necessarily been vaccinated with a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to respiratory syncytial virus (e.g. minimum ELISA titer of at least 1:110,000). Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection or at risk of such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum antibody titers to respiratory syncytial virus. Resultant product has an ELISA anti-RSV titer of at least about 1:250,000.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the thermal stability of microbial alpha-amylase. The method involves adding a stabilizing amount of an amphiphile to the enzyme in its aqueous solution. Also included within the scope of the invention is the stabilized alpha-amylase formulation and its use in the liquefaction of starch.