Abstract: A water wettable permselective membrane for use in hemodialysis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration applications and a device containing the same are provided. The membrane having the above properties comprises a hydrophobic-base polymer, such as a polysulfone or polyethersulfone polymer, and a block copolymer additive wherein one of the blocks of the copolymer additive is a hydrophilic polymer and the other block is a hydrophobic polymer that is analogous in structure to the hydrophobic-base polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of compounds having affinity for certain cancer cells, e.g. lung carcinomas, colon carcinomas, renal carcinomas, prostate carcinomas, breast carcinomas, malignant melanomas, gliomas, neuroblastomas and pheochromocytomas. The compounds of the present invention can also bind with high specificity to cell surface sigma receptors and can therefore be used for diagnostic imaging of any tissue having an abundance of cells with sigma receptors. The present invention provides such compounds as agents for diagnostic imaging and for detecting and treating tumors containing the cancer cells described above.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns compositions and methods useful for the prevention or amelioration of autoimmune diseases. Specifically exemplified are compositions and methods useful in immunizing to prevent insulin dependent diabetes. In a preferred embodiment, diabetes is prevented by the parenteral administration of a composition comprising specific antigenic peptides of insulin and further comprising incomplete Fruend's adjuvant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vaccine for the immunization of a vertebrate, comprising:an avirulent derivative of a pathogenic microbe that expresses a recombinant gene derived from a pathogen of said vertebrate it being provided that said avirulent microbe does not normally exchange genetic material with said pathogen, to produce an antigen capable of inducing an immune response in said vertebrate against said pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides single-stranded circular oligonucleotides each with at least one parallel binding (P) domain and/or at least one corresponding anti-parallel binding (AP) domain separated from each other by loop domains. When more than one P or AP domain is included in a circular oligonucleotide of the present invention, the additional P or AP domains can constitute loop domains for a pair of corresponding P and AP domains, and vice versa. The present invention further provides single-stranded circular oligonucleotides with at least one Hoogsten antiparallel (HAP) domain. Each P, AP and HAP domain has sufficient complementarity to bind to one strand of a defined nucleic acid target wherein the P domain binds in a parallel manner to the target and the HAP or AP domain binds in an anti-parallel manner to the target. Moreover, the present single-stranded circular oligonucleotides can bind to both single-stranded and double-stranded target nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially pure antibody which specifically binds a LCF polypeptide and methods of using such antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peritoneal dialysis solution which comprises as an osmotically active agent an osmotically effective amount of a mixture of peptides, the mixture consisting substantially of peptides having a molecular weight of about 300 to about 2000 daltons, and an equivalent weight between about 150 to about 1500.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification, purification and characterization of novel factors which inhibit phagocyte activation, such as inhibiting polymorphonuclear neutrophil chemotaxis, degranulation and superoxide production. Disclosed are natural peptides purified from the bronchial environment and a variety synthetic peptides and analogues designed to have enhanced or longer-lasting phagocyte-inhibiting activity. The peptides and compositions of the present invention are contemplated for use in modulating inflammatory responses in a number of clinical settings, such as in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, acute lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, and for use as anti-proliferative agents such as in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming an N-.alpha.-amino protected amino acid fluoride in situ by reacting an N-.alpha.-amino protected amino acid with an ionic fluoride salt in the presence of a peptide coupling agent. It is also directed to the use of the amino acid fluoride thus formed in peptide synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of treating a disease that results from a deficiency of a biological factor which comprises administering to a mammal Sertoli cells and cells that produce the biological factor. In particular, the present invention describes a method of treating diabetes mellitus by transplanting pancreatic islet of Langerhans cells in conjunction with Sertoli cells to create an immunologically privileged site. A method of creating an immunologically privileged site and providing cell stimulatory factors in a mammal for transplants is further described by the present invention. The present invention further describes a method of creating systemic tolerance to foreign antigens. A method of enhancing the viability, maturation, proliferation of functional capacity of cells in tissue culture is further provided. A pharmaceutical composition comprising Sertoli cells and cells that produce a biological factor is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to use of Aedes aegypti densonucleosis virus (Aedes DNV or AeDNV) as a heterologous gene expression system. The invention described herein provides promoters from the Aedes aegypti genome such as the p.05, p7 and p61 promoters to generate expression vectors with cloning sites for insertion of heterologous genes. The invention further provides expression vectors comprising an AeDNV promoter operably linked to a heterologous gene and insect host cells comprising the vectors of the invention. Methods of producing recombinant proteins utilizing the vectors of the invention are also provided. The present invention further provides a kit containing the vectors of the invention for production of a recombinant protein.

Abstract: A thermal detector includes a transducer layer of semiconducting yttrium barium copper oxide which is sensitive at room temperature to radiation and provides detection of infrared radiation. In a gate-insulated transistor embodiment, a layer of ferroelectric semiconducting yttrium barium copper oxide forms a gate insulator layer and increases capacitance of the transistor or latches the transistor according to the polarization direction of the ferroelectric layer. The transducer layer may be formed as an amorphous semiconductor and deposited at room temperature by simple sputtering. The sensitive element can be incorporated into a thermal isolation structure as part of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the efficiency of a drug containing a free carboxy group, the improvement comprising esterifying said carboxy group to the hydroxy group of the glycerol portion of a glycerolphospholipid ester having the formula: ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl fatty acid acyl group having 4-26 carbon atoms or a hydrocarbyl heteroatom fatty acid acyl group having 3-25 carbon atoms, or ##STR2## and R is a naturally occurring polar head group characteristic of a glycerophospholipid isolated from endogenous sources;R.sub.3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl andR.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the diagnosis of malignant cancer by detection of the mts-1 mRNA or the mts-1 protein, encoded by the mts-1 gene. The present invention contemplates the use of recombinant mts-1 DNA and antibodies directed against the mts-1 protein to diagnose the metastatic potential of several types of tumor cells, including, for example, thyroid, epithelial, lung, liver and kidney tumor cells. The present invention is also directed to mammalian cell lines and tumors with high and low metastatic potential which have been developed to serve as useful model systems for in vitro and in vivo anti-metastasis drug screening.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of treating a disease that results from a deficiency of a biological factor which comprises administering to a mammal Sertoli cells and cells that produce the biological factor. In particular, the present invention describes a method of treating diabetes mellitus by transplanting pancreatic islet of Langerhans cells in conjunction with Sertoli cells to create an immunologically privileged site. A method of creating an immunologically privileged site in a mammal for cellular transplants is further described by the present invention. A pharmaceutical composition and compartmentalized kit comprising Sertoli cells and cells that produce a biological factor is also provided.

Abstract: A compound is provided of formula I: ##STR1## wherein n is 4-16, Det is an organic group comprising a radioisotope or capable of chelating a radioisotope, and Z.sup.- is one equivalent of a biologically acceptable anion, which compounds are useful to radiolabel cellular membranes, as of hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: Peptides corresponding to specific portions of the apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV) are provided. Most of the peptides correspond to the amino terminal region of apo A-IV. In addition, those peptides corresponding to the amino terminal portion of apo A-IV substantially correspond to a fundamental repeat unit of twenty two amino acids comprising:DYFTQLSNNAKEAVEQLQKTDV SEQ ID NO:88as well as homologs and analogs thereof. The peptides have eating suppressant properties when administered centrally or peripherally. The peptides may be used in compositions and methods for suppressing the appetite and controlling food intake.

Abstract: Described are proteins having molecular weights of 85 and 160 kDa, which proteins are responsive to cold acclimation or drought stress in plants. The cDNA for the 85 and 160 kDa proteins, designated CAP85 and CAP160, are disclosed. Transgenic cells, including microorganisms and plants, can be produced which express the CAP85 and CAP160 proteins and thereby advantageously enhance the cold or water stress tolerance in the transgenic organism. Freeze and desiccation damage can also be prevented by applying a cold acclimation protein to the organism needing such protection.

Abstract: A subtilisin which exhibits proteolytic activity at temperatures ranging from 75.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. The subtilisin has been given the name aerolysin because it was initially isolated from the hyperthermophilic archaeum, Pyrobaculum aerophilum. The amino acid sequence of aerolysin is disclosed as well as the nucleotide sequence which encodes the enzyme. Aerolysin and related modified enzymes are useful as high temperature detergent additives and, among other things, may be used in combination with a wide variety of other detergent agents.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more Bacillus toxin polypeptides by culturing methylotrophic yeast cells which have a gene(s) capable of expressing the Bacillus toxin polypeptide(s) in such cells under conditions that the gene(s) is/are transcribed is provided. The toxin polypeptide encoding segment of the gene(s) has a G+C content of about 40%-55%, and preferably comprises methylotrophic yeast codons. The preferred species of yeast for expressing such synthetic Bacillus toxin gene(s) is Pichia pastoris. Bacillus toxin polypeptides encoded by synthetic genes are expressed at high levels in transformed methylotrophic yeast cells. The toxin expressing cells may be administered as live cells or heat-killed whole cells to provide an insecticidal composition for killing susceptible insect larvae.