Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which recognizes lipopolysaccharide binding site of macrophage cell surface receptor CD14 and has binding activity to monocyte or macrophage cells. The monoclonal antibody suppresses the production of an inflammatory mediator such as TNF, IL-6 or NO at early stages by recognizing CD14, and competitively inhibiting its binding with LPS. Therefore, it is useful for pathology analysis and the treatment of sepsis.

Abstract: The invention provides a cinnamic acid derivative having a novel spacer introduced into cinnamic acid which is photodimerizable, a cinnamic acid-polysaccharide derivative photocurable with high sensitivity and efficiency obtainable by introducing the above cinnamic acid derivative into a host polysaccharide such as a glycosaminoglycan, and a photocrosslinked cinnamic acid-polysaccharide derivative obtainable by exposing the same cinnamic acid-polysaccharide derivative to ultraviolet light irradiation.

Abstract: A crystallizable, purified chondroitinase ABC having a molecular weight of about 100,000 dalton by the measurement of the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the measurement by the gel permeation chromatography method, having alanine as the N-terminal amino acid and proline as the C-terminal amino acid is disclosed. A process for the purification of the crystallizable purified chondroitinase ABC comprising removing nucleic acid from an surfactant solution extract obtained from cells of chondroitinase ABC-producing microorganisms and chromatographically treating by concentration gradient elution using a weak cation exchange resin or a strong cation exchange resin is disclosed. A composition comprising a chondroitinase and serum albumin, gelatin, or a nonionic surfactant is used to treat disc displacement. The enzyme is isolate from Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6896.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound which is a glycolipid analog having a novel structure represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein Z represents an imino group, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; m is an integer of from 3 to 12; and n is an integer of from 4 to 22; and shows a potent activity of inhibiting glycosidase and has potential physiological activities, for example, antiviral activity. The invention also provides a glycosidase inhibitor which comprises said glycolipid analog as an active ingredient.

Abstract: This invention provides (1) a reagent for endotoxin assay which comprises aprotinin and a limulus amebocyte lysate reagent, (2) a kit for endotoxin assay which comprises the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent and a reagent containing aprotinin, (3) a method for assaying endotoxin in a sample using the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent in which aprotinin is added to the lysate reagent and/or the sample, (4) a method for assaying endotoxin in a serine protease-containing sample using the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent in which the sample is allowed to contact with an aprotinin-immobilized insoluble carrier in advance of endotoxin assay, (5) a carrier for pretreating a serine protease-containing sample on which aprotinin is immobilized, (6) a method for inhibiting factor G activation in which aprotinin is added to the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent and (7) a factor G activation inhibitor which comprises aprotinin as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Dermatan sulfate compositions having certain characteristics have been found to have thrombolytic activity. Dermatan sulfate combined with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) enhances the thrombolytic activity of t-PA. Antithrombotic compositions containing dermatan sulfates can be used for treating various thrombotic diseases.

Abstract: A photocured crosslinked-hyaluronic acid contact lens which comprises a photocured crosslinked-hyaluronic acid derivative produced by the formation of a crosslinked cyclobutane ring by light irradiation from mutual photoreactive crosslinking groups of a photoreactive hyaluronic acid derivative in which the photoreactive crosslinking groups are linked to hyaluronic acid, wherein the photoreactive crosslinking groups are introduced into functional groups of hyaluronic acid via a spacer group, and the contact lens has a water content of 80 to 99% and shape compatibility and tissue affinity for the eyeball. A process for preparing a photocured crosslinked-hyaluronic acid contact lens which comprises molding the photoreactive hyaluronic acid derivative into a shape that fits to the eyeball, and subsequently irradiating the shaped product with light to effect crosslinking between the mutual photoreactive crosslinking groups.

Abstract: Photocurable glycosaminoglycan (GAG) derivatives and crosslinked glycosaminoglycans, which are highly safe and biocompatible, a method of preparing such photocurable GAG derivatives readily moldable by casting using a solvent when desired, by which method unreacted substances causative of adverse effects can be readily eliminated, and a method of producing the crosslinked GAGs and medical materials based on the photocurable GAG derivatives or crosslinked GAGs are provided. The photocurable GAG derivatives comprise a glycosaminoglycan and a photoreactive compound bound thereto and can be produced, for example, by subjecting hydroxyl or carboxyl groups of the glycosaminoglycan to esterification reaction or amidation reaction, respectively, with the photoreactive compound. The crosslinked GAGs are derived from the photocurable GAG derivatives by intermolecular crosslinking of the photoreactive compound bound thereto.

Abstract: A crystallizable, purified chondroitinase ABC having a molecular weight of about 100,000 dalton by the measurement of the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the measurement by the gel permeation chromatography method, having alanine as the N-terminal amino acid and proline as the C-terminal amino acid is disclosed. A process for the purification of the crystallizable purified chondroitinase ABC comprising removing nucleic acid from an surfactant solution extract obtained from cells of chondroitinase ABC-producing microorganisms and chromatographically treating by concentration gradient elution using a weak cation exchange resin or a strong cation exchange resin is disclosed. A composition comprising a chondroitinase and serum albumin, gelatin, or a nonionic surfactant is disclosed. The enzyme is isolated from Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6896.

Abstract: This invention provides a more functionalized artificial blood vessel which can be organized by independently designing its inner and outer surfaces and endowing them with respectively different biocompatibilities, as well as a process for producing the same.The artificial blood vessel comprises a tubular support having a layer of photogelled cinnamic acid-bound chondroitin sulfate coated on the inner surface thereof and a layer of photogelled coumarin-bound gelatin coated on the outer surface thereof. The process for producing the above artificial blood vessel comprises coating a layer of coumarin-bound gelatin on the outer surface of a tubular support and a layer of cinnamic acid-bound chondroitin sulfate on the inner surface of the support and irradiating each of the layers with light.

Abstract: Endotoxin (Et) can be specifically assayed by exclusively utilizing the factor C system reaction without being affected by factor G contained in a limulus amebocyte lysate reagent.The present invention provides: (1) a reagent for ET-specific assay which comprises a limulus amebocyte lysate reagent and an alkylglucoside; (2) a method of specifically assaying Et in a specimen using a limulus amebocyte lysate reagent, wherein an alkylglucoside is added to the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent and/or the specimen; and (3) a factor G activation inhibitor composition which comprises an alkylglucoside as an active ingredient capable of inhibiting the activation of factor G in limulus amebocyte by (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucan.

Abstract: This invention provides (1) a reagent for endotoxin assay which comprises aprotinin and a limulus amebocyte lysate reagent, (2) a kit for endotoxin assay which comprises the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent and a reagent containing aprotinin, (3) a method for assaying endotoxin in a sample using the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent in which aprotinin is added to the lysate reagent and/or the sample, (4) a method for assaying endotoxin in a serine protease-containing sample using the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent in which the sample is allowed to contact with an aprotinin-immobilized insoluble carrier in advance of endotoxin assay, (5) a carrier for pretreating a serine protease-containing sample on which aprotinin is immobilized, (6) a method for inhibiting factor G activation in which aprotinin is added to the limulus amebocyte lysate reagent and (7) a factor G activation inhibitor which comprises aprotinin as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A cartridge-type syringe in which a cartridge, having liquid medicine or the like sealed therein, is inserted in a holder having a discharge needle at its distal end, and the cartridge is advanced to cause the discharge needle to pierce it, thereby injecting the liquid medicine or the like into an object, and when a piston rod of the cartridge is pushed to cause the discharge needle to pierce, the liquid medicine or the like will not be discharged in error in a large amount. In particular, there is provided a releaseable lock mechanism by which when a piston rod 15 is pushed, the piston rod 15 advances together with a tubular body 11 of a cartridge 10 without moving a piston 14 within the tubular body 11.

Abstract: The present invention provides aminocyclopentane derivatives which are saccharide analogs having extremely high .alpha.-glucosidase inhibitory effects and novel structures and expected to be usable or applicable to drugs or agricultural chemicals. An aminocyclopentane derivative represented by the formula (1), wherein R.sub.1 represents H while R.sub.2 represents CH.sub.2 OH, or R.sub.1 represents CH.sub.2 OH while R.sub.2 represents H and R.sub.3 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, intermediates for the synthesis of the same, a process for producing the intermediates and a process for producing the aminocyclopentane derivative.

Abstract: An endotoxin stabilizing agent is provided, which is useful in order to maintain the endotoxin activity of a specimen or a reference standard in a stable state for a prolonged period of time and to prepare an endotoxin reference standard having a reduced intervial variation, being stable for a long time in the form of, in particular, a solution and withstanding repeated use. An endotoxin composition comprising the above-mentioned endotoxin stabilizing agent and endotoxin and a method for assaying endotoxin by using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Hepatocytes spheroids can be formed by culturing hepatocytes in a culture vessel using a lipid-bound glycosaminoglycan as a culture substrate. Floating spheroids of hepatocytes can be obtained efficiently, which are capable of maintaining liver-specific functions and of keeping the spheroid form stably for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A first object of the invention is to insure that medication filled syringe equipment can be kept sterile at all stages until use, is protected against malicious unauthorized use, can be packaged in a simpler way and can protect the medication to be in a stable form. A second object of the invention is to insure that an additional liquid such as an anesthetic, another medication in liquid form or a solubilizer can be aspirated by medication filled syringe equipment in an aseptic appropriate manner before injection. To attain these objects, the equipment of the invention comprises barrel 1, needle attaching portion 2 fitted with cap 11, plunger rod 22, and sealing device 31 as tube 32 of a heat-shrinkable film that is slipped over the area from the cap 11 through the barrel 1 to the basal head 23 of the plunger rod 22.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent for assaying an endotoxin which comprises limulus amoebocyte lysate and an antibody to (1 .fwdarw. 3)-.beta.-D-glucan sensitive factor or a reagent which comprises a lysate substantially free from (1 .fwdarw. 3)-.beta.-D-glucan sensitive factor. The reagent of the present invention makes it possible to assay an endotoxin originating from gram-negative bacteria contained in a biological sample such as blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid at an extremely high sensitivity without being affected by (1 .fwdarw. 3)-.beta.-D-glucan.

Abstract: The invention stabilizes single helix conformation (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucans by intramolecular crosslinking and provides (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucans showing stable biological activities. Thus, intramolecularly crosslinked (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucans having a stable single helix conformation are produced by introducing a functional group into hydroxyl groups of (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucans, then causing the thus-obtained functional glucans to take a single helix conformation, and subjecting these, either as such or after binding them to a receptor therefor, to intramolecular crosslinking between the functional groups introduced, if necessary followed by releasing the receptor therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed are a reagent for endotoxin-specific assay which comprises an insoluble carrier having immobilized thereon at least an endotoxin-sensitive factor derived from a limulus amebocyte; a kit for endotoxin-specific assay containing said reagent and a substrate for activated factor C or a substrate for clotting enzyme; a method for assaying endotoxin comprising applying a sample solution to said reagent to cause endotoxin in the sample to react with factor C in said reagent and determining a change of a substrate; and a process for preparing said reagent which comprises physically or chemically immobilizing at least an endotoxin-sensitive factor derived from a limulus amebocyte on an insoluble carrier. Endotoxin in a sample, even turbid or colored, can be specifically assayed with ease and rapidness without the influence of a (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-glucan.