Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylaton endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging) which contain 2-alkylidene aminoguanidines and derivatives thereof. Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging) which contain novel amidrazones and derivatives thereof. Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and agents for preventing the staining of teeth caused by the nonenzymatic browning of proteins in the oral cavity. Both oral and parenteral administration ft the agents are disclosed. Suitable agents for the inhibition of nonenzymatic browning may be formulated as rinses and toothpastes, and include compounds capable of reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product resulting from the initial reaction of a target protein in the nonenzymatic browning reaction. Preferred agents are those having an active nitrogen-containing substituent, as well as amino acids, their esters and amides. These preparations may further include known anti-plaque agents such as chlorhexidine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting protein aging. Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent or compound capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation end products of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. Suitable agents may contain an active nitrogen-containing group, such as a hydrazine group. Particular agents comprise aminoguanidine, .alpha.-hydrazinohistidine and mixtures thereof. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: New and useful chromophores have been isolated from the reaction mixture of proteins exposed to reducing sugars in the presence of sulfite over time. The chromophores are believed to be intermediates in nonenzymatic polypeptide glycosylation. The measurement of this chromophore makes possible both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the presence of nonenzymatic browning. Diagnostic and test kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter useful as an antimicrobial agent. This composition of matter comprises an extract derived from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, said extract including a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of about 13,000 daltons, a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of about 29,000 daltons and a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of about 54,000 daltons. The extract also has oxygen-independent, antimicrobial activity for bacteria and fungi at a pH from about 5.0 to about 8.0 and at calcium ion concentrations up to about 10 mM, bactericidal activity at sodium chloride concentrations up to about 0.3M, and fungicidal activity at sodium chloride concentrations up to about 0.15M. Methods for preparing this composition of matter are also provided. Further provided are purified polypeptides useful as antimicrobial agents, and methods for producing these polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation end products of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: Fragments of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus are disclosed which exhibit selective expression of chimeric plant genes in plant tissue. Promoter fragment A exhibits selective expression in root tissue and the radical of the seed. Promoter fragment B exhibits constitutive expression in plant tissue other than root tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation end products of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and agents for preventing the staining of teeth caused by the nonenzymatic browning of proteins in the oral cavity. Both oral and parenteral administration of the agents are disclosed. Suitable agents for the inhibition of nonenzymatic browning may be formulated as rinses and toothpastes, and include compounds capable of reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product resulting from the initial reaction of a target protein in the nonenzymatic browning reaction. Preferred agents are those having an active nitrogen-containing substituent, as well as amino acids, their esters and amides. These preparations may further include known anti-plaque agents such as chlorhexidine.

Abstract: Five subdomains of the CaMV35S promoter are provided that cause tissue specific and/or developmentally regulated expression of chimeric genes in plants. These subdomains act as promoters for use in transformed plant cells, seeds and transgenic plants. Some of the subdomains require fusion to domain A for expression. Subdomains B2, B3, B4, and B5 exhibit expression when fused to the minimal promoter sequence in mature plants whereas only B2 and B3 confer expression in seeds and only B2, B3 and B4 confer expression at the seedling stage of development. The combination of subdomains B4 and B5 confers expression at all stages of development as does the B1+TGACG motif combination when each combination is fused with the minimal promoter sequence. The nucleotide sequence and DNA molecule that function as the enhancers are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter useful as an antimicrobial agent. This composition of matter comprises at least two polypeptides selected from the group consisting of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte, polypeptides having on apparent molecular weights of about 3,500 daltons, about 13,000 daltons, about 18,000 daltons, about 29,000 daltons, and about 54,000 daltons. The composition of matter has respiratory burst-independent, antimicrobial activity for bacteria and fungi at a pH from about 5.0 to about 8.0 and at calcium ion concentrations up to about 10 mM, bactericidal activity at sodium chloride concentrations up to about 0.3M, and fungicidal activity at sodium chloride concentrations up to about 0.15M. Methods for preparing this composition of matter are also provided. Further provided are purified polypeptides useful as antimicrobial agents, and methods for producing these polypeptides.

Abstract: Method of decreasing the production of thyroid hormones in animals by parenteral administration of defined quantities of cobalt protoporphyrin or cobalt mesoporphyrin.

Abstract: Cobalt protoporphyrin and cobalt mesoporphyrin are administered to animals to achieve weight loss and improve protein to fat ratio.

Abstract: A system and method for the operant conditioning of subjects using biofeedback includes means to measure a variable condition, such as posture, which is controllable by the subject. The apparatus sets criteria which, if not met, may result in a negative reinforcement, such as unpleasant audio tone or, if the criteria is met, will reward the subject. The criteria is automatically adjusted, upwards or downwards, in accordance with the subject's history of reaching, or not reaching, the criteria.One embodiment is a device for the training of patients with idiopathic scoliosis (curvature of the spine), as a replacement for a brace. The device includes two cables, one about the chest to measure breathing and the other longitudinally about the trunk to measure spine length. The variable lengths of the cables are converted to digital signals by rotary-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A cart for collection and safe disposal of low level radioactive wastes (LLRW) comprised of a compartment which is shielded to protect against exposure to radioactivity. The unique construction of the cart includes a sandwich construction of the compartment walls and ceiling wherein a thin layer of lead is sandwiched between coextensively bonded layers of methyl methacrylate polymer (Lucite).

Abstract: Method for limiting the production of estrogenic steroids by parenteral administration of selected amounts of cobalt protoporphyrin or cobalt mesoporphyrin.

Abstract: Method of reducing the production of gonadal estrogenic steroidal hormones in animals by parenteral administration of defined quantities of cobalt protoporphyrin or cobalt mesoporphyrin.