Abstract: A diagnostic method for neurological and psychiatric disorders utilizes the cerebrospinal fluid incubated in the presence of 32-P labelled ATP and an appropriate protein kinase. After termination of the reaction, a sample is applied to gels for electrophoresis. Subsequent autoradiography results in a disease-specific protein pattern that can be used for diagnosis of disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, Parkinson disease, dystonia ataxia, schizophrenia, epilepsy brain tumors, brain irradiation, head trauma, and acute and chronic encephalitic and vascular disease.

Abstract: Purified glomerular proteoglycans are used as a basis for a diagnostic test for glomerulonephritis in humans involving an immunological reaction between the purified proteoglycans and patient sera. A new method for purification of glomeruli proteoglycan antigens is described using guanidine extraction.

Abstract: An insulin activity messenger material and its precursor material are disclosed which have been isolated from hapatic plasma membrane cells that have been incubated with an enzyme known as a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The messenger material comprises a carbohydrate-based compound that exhibits the ability to modulate the activity of the insulin-sensitive enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase, adenylate cyclase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase, and thereby effectuate the activity of insulin on the cellular level. The precursor material comprises an inositol containing glycolipid capable of phosphodiesteractic cleavage by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The enzyme phosphatidylinositol-glycan specific phospholipase C has also been purified and found to participate in many of the activities identified with respect to the messenger and its precursor.

Abstract: A mediator substance exhibiting inhibitory effect upon anabolic enzyme activity in mammals, is prepared by a method comprising gathering a sample of macrophage cells from a mammal, incubating a portion of the macrophage cells with a stimulating mateThis invention was made in the course of a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detection of protozoan parasites in blood or other specimen from their mammalian hosts. The method comprises nucleic acid hybridization of repetitive nuclear DNA fragments of the parasites. Hybridization probes have been prepared for this purpose by cloning the repetitive nuclear elements that are species-specific in appropriate vectors. The sensitivity of these probes has been increased by further sub-cloning to make them capable of cascade hybridization. The assay is highly specific and sensitive for detection of disease-causing protozoan parasites of the commonly occurring Trypanosomatidae of the genus Leishmania and genus Trypanosoma, as well as for malaria-causing protozoan and other parasitic microorganims of mammals.

Abstract: This invention relates to proteolytic enzymes with elastolytic properties from blood-sucking nematodes (hereinafter called HP enzymes). These enzymes are useful an anti-coagulants and as a means for dissolving fibrin clots. Because of their importance in the mechanism by which blood-sucking nematodes obtain nutrients from the host, HP enzymes would be an effective vaccine for prevention and treatment of these parasites. For the same reason, substances which inhibit HP enzymes would also be effective antithelminic agents.

Abstract: A method of treating patients in chronic pain or suffering from chronic cough over a prolonged period to provide systemic analgesia or central antitussive effect while simultaneously avoiding the onset of intestinal hypomotility. The method includes the oral administration to the patient of dosage units comprising in combination opioid analgesics or antitussives and selected opioid antagonists which are substantially devoid of systemic antagonist activity when administered orally.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the cloning and expression of Streptococcus pyogenes M protein genes, and, in particular, types 5, 6 and 24 genes in single-cell host organisms. The streptococcal M protein produced by the recombinant DNA techniques described herein may be formulated for use as immunogens in vaccines to protect against S. pyogenes infections. The gene for the M protein may further be employed as a molecular probe for the accurate identification of streptococci in infected body tissues and fluids.

Abstract: Anticoagulant is derived from hematin on standing in a slightly alkaline medium and may be isolated therefrom.

Abstract: Use of tin protoporphyrin and tin mesoporphyrin together with ultraviolet light in the treatment of psoriasis.

Abstract: A method of treating patients in chronic pain or suffering from chronic cough over a prolonged period to provide systemic analgesia or central antitussive effect while simultaneously avoiding the onset of intestinal hypomotility. The method includes the oral administration to the patient of dosage units comprising in combination opioid analgesics or antitussives and selected opioid antagonists which are substantially devoid of systemic antagonist activity when administered orally.

Abstract: A new and useful fluorescent chromophore has been isolated and identified which has been observed in proteins exposed to glucose over time, and whose fluorescent properties closely resemble those of the polypeptide after it undergoes advanced glycosylation. The chromophore has been structurally identified and named 2-furoyl-4(5)-(2-furanyl)-1H-imidazole, and is believed to be one of the end products of extended nonenzymatic polypeptide glycosylation, which results in the state known as nonenzymatic browning (NEB). The measurement of this chromophore makes possible both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the degree of aging. Diagnostic and test kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method of treating demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis by treatment with colchicine or colchiceine.

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, and may further be at least partially derived from amino acids. Particular agents comprise aminoguanidine, .alpha.-hydrazinohistidine and lysine. 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: Describes IgA binding protein isolatable from Group B streptococci, methods of isolation and use in immunological testing procedures.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which react specifically with a complementary rheumatic fever associated antigen on human B-lymphocytes derived from hybridoma cell line HB8783, process for preparing such antibodies, the use of antibodies for detecting rheumatic fever in mammals and test kit containing the antibodies.

Abstract: The compounds of the present invention are synthetic peptides useful in developing antisera against vertebrate or plant calmodulins. The peptides have chain lengths of from 8 to 15 amino acids arranged in linear N-terminal to C-terminal sequences which include either the amino acid segment asparagine-tyrosine-glutamic acid-glutamic acid-phenylalanine-valine-glutamine, corresponding to a minimal immunoreactive site of vertebrate calmodulin, or the segment asparagine-tyrosine-glutamic acid-glutamic acid-phenylalanine-valine-lysine, corresponding to the analogous amino acid regin of plant calmodulin.

Abstract: A process for sulphation and phosphorylation of a protein or peptide comprising contacting said protein or peptide with sulphuric or phosphoric acid in the presence of a non-aqeuous apolar organic solvent and contacting the resultant solution with a dehydrating agent is disclosed. Non-aggregating insulin products with bioactivity may be prepared by this process.

Abstract: Use of the novel compound tin diiododeuteroporphyrin and compositions containing it to inhibit heme mebabolism in mammals, to control the rate of tryptophan metabolism in mammals, and to increase the rate at which heme and iron are excreted by mammals.

Abstract: Use of the novel compound tin diiododeuteroporphyrin and compositions containing it to inhibit heme metabolism in mammals, to control the rate of tryptophan metabolism in mammals, and to increase the rate at which heme and iron are excreted by mammals.