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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction of a recombinant plasmid which is capable of expressing a secretory truncated glycoprotein (Tgp) of Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in mammalian cells. The secretory Tgp of the present invention contains at least one epitope capable of inducing antibody response. The present invention contemplates the production and utilization of this secretory Tgp in a vaccine against chickenpox and/or shingles. The present invention is also directed towards the use of the secretory Tgp in diagnostic assays for detection of VZV. The present invention is also directed to first antibodies specific to secretory Tgp and to second antibodies specific to the first antibodies. These second antibodies are also useful in diagnostic assays for VZV.

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: The present invention provides a unique eukaryotic gene, called LAG1, which controls the longevity of eukaryotic cells. According to the present invention, overexpression of LAG1 in older cells has a rejuvenating effect which not only increases cellular life span but also reproductive capacity and cellular tolerance to stress factors such as starvation and low pH. Moreover, the present invention identifies two domains in LAG1 one having a life span limiting function and the other a life span extending function. Hence, according to the present invention, the longevity and tolerance to stress of cells is increased when provided with the wild type polypeptide or mutant LAG1 polypeptides which, for example, lack the "life span limiting domain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an exciplex formed from a .eta.-conjugated polymer and an electron donor or acceptor component. The present invention also relates to assemblies comprising said exciplex, their use in optoelectrical devices and method of enhancing optoelectrical properties of .eta.-conjugated polymers by forming said exciplex.

Abstract: Purified DNA encoding lyphocyte chemoattractant factor (LCF) and the recombinant proteins expressed from such DNA are disclosed. In addition, the invention provides methods for suppressing an LCF-CD4 interaction and screening candidate LCF agonists or antagonists. The invention also provides compositions and methods useful for stimulating proliferation of CD4+ T-cells in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides stem-loop oligonucleotides containing a double-stranded stem domain of at least about 2 base pairs and a single-stranded loop domain. The loop domains of the present oligonucleotides include at least one parallel binding (P) domain separated by at least about 3 nucleotides from a corresponding anti-parallel binding (AP) domain. Each P and corresponding AP domain of the present oligonucleotides can bind detectably to one strand of a defined nucleic acid target wherein the P domain binds in a parallel manner to the target and the corresponding AP domain binds in an anti-parallel manner to the target. The present stem-loop oligonucleotides can bind to both single-stranded and double-stranded target nucleic acids. The present invention also provides methods of using these oligonucleotides as well as kits and pharmaceutical compositions containing these oligonucleotides.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-soluble, lipophilic contrast-enhancing agents, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods for diagnostic analysis, particularly NMR or MRI analysis using these contrast-enhancing agents. The water-soluble, lipophilic contrast-enhancing agents are chelates of a paramagnetic, ferromagnetic or diamagnetic metal ion(s) complexed with completing acids which contain at least one short-chain fatty acyl moiety having from about 0 to about 6 carbon atoms in its structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to lactobacillus compositions and methods of employing said compositions for treating or preventing urinary tract infections. More particularly, this invention relates to the ability of certain strains of lactobacilli to adhere to uroepithelial or vaginal epithelial cells and to exhibit inhibitory activity against the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: Steroids of the formula: ##STR1## useful as cancer preventive agents, anti-obesity agents, anti-hyperglycemic agents, anti-aging agents, and anti-hypercholesterolemic agents and anti-auto-immune agents.

Abstract: A method is taught by which a sample can be analyzed for the selective determination of the total concentration of bilirubin (B.sub.t), the concentration of conjugated bilirubin (B.sub.c), the concentration of unconjugated bilirubin (B.sub.u), the concentration of unbound bilirubin (b), the concentration of unbound, unconjugated bilirubin (b.sub.u) using a unique combination of enzymatic and colorimetric methods in a single assay, so that the potentially neurotoxic, non-albumin bound, unconjugated fraction of total bilirubin in the sample (i.e., b.sub.u) can be measured in a simple, quick and accurate manner. A kit utilizing the same assay is also described. Both kit and methods will be of use to the clinician and general researcher. The B.sub.t, B.sup.c, B.sub.u, b and b.sub.u are determined using spectra, absorption or emission characteristics in combination with kinetic measurements of rates of reaction of chemical processes.

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.