Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the treatment or prevention of neuronal loss in ischemia, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain and spinal cord trauma as well as for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Down's Syndrome by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of 10,5-(iminomethano)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (IDDC) or derivatives thereof to an animal.

Abstract: Several new, biologically active substances have been isolated from Hormothamnion enteromorphoides, a somewhat rare cyanophyte from Puerto Rico.Hormothamnion, a lipophilic metabolite from this alga, has the styrylchromone structure: ##STR1## Hormothamnion and, to a lesser extent, one of its homologs, are potent cytotoxins to some types of cancer cells and appear to exert this cytotoxic action by a selective inhibition of RNA synthesis.A peptide compound of about 11 to 12 amino acids has antimicrobial activity, particularly against Candida albicans. The peptide, which includes phenylalanine, serine and other aliphatic amino acids, has blocked carboxyl and amino termini.

Abstract: Disubstituted guanidines, e.g., N,N'-di-m-tolyl guanidine, N,N'-di-o-ethylphenyl guanidine, N,N'-di-m-ethylphenyl guanidine, and N,N'-di-o-iodophenyl-guanidine, exhibit a high binding affinity to phenylcyclidine (PCP) receptors. These guanidine derivatives act as non-competitive blockers to glutamate induced responses of the NMDA receptor by acting as blockers for the ion channel of the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex. These compounds thus exert a neuroprotective property and are useful in the therapeautic treatment of neuronal loss in ischemia, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and brain and spinal cord trauma as well as being useful for the treatment of epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Down's Syndrome and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The lamellar body solubilization test (LBST) is a rapid and simple indicator of fetal lung maturity. The amniotic fluid contains lamellar bodies, the presence of which can be correlated to maturation of lung tissue. The test is conducted by measuring a difference in an optical property (turbidity, light scatter, innate or added fluorescence) of a sample of amniotic fluid or other physical property affected by the presence of particulate bodies suspended in a liquid, either 1) kinetically (rate method) or 2) as an end point method (pre- and post-), due to the unravelling or solubilization of the lamellar bodies caused by subjecting the sample to a physical or chemical agent, e.g., detergent or heat. The change in that property either rate of change or delta, by the destruction of the lamellar body structure provides an accurate indication of the concentration and size of the lamellar bodies in the sample of amniotic fluid, which in turn provides a good indication of fetal lung maturity.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is H, Cl, F, Br, I or R.sub.1 S--, in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 linear or branched chain alkyl or halogenated linear or branched chain alkyl, andwherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and each is H-- or --OH,with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydroxy and the further proviso that when R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are all OH, R.sub.1 is other than methyl, are useful in inhibiting the growth of MTR kinase-dependent microorganisms and parasitic protazoans. The compounds wherein R is R.sub.1 S are novel, except those wherein R.sub.1 is methyl or isobutyl when R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are all OH.

Abstract: 12-(S)-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid is chemically extracted from the red alga Murrayella periclados. Fresh or frozen quantities of Murrayella periclados are first macerated and combined with a 2:1 mixture of chloroform and methanol. This results in an organic fraction containing lipid isolates. After filtration to remove extraneous solids, the organic fraction is evaporated to produce a tar. The tar contains 12-(S)-HEPE which is further purified as desired.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel starter medium for the commercial propagation of acid producing bacteria, such as those used in food fermentation processes. The compositions are unique in that they contain a highly effective buffering ingredient which is a sodium, potassium, or ammonium salt or double salt of a linear aliphatic dibasic acid having from three to seven carbon atoms. The salts are present in an amount sufficient to maintain the growth medium at pH levels of about 5.0 or above during the time in which the bacteria are multiplying in the culture medium. Disodium or diammonium succinate, glutarate, or adipate are materials which have been found to be particularly effective. These may be used in combination with nutrients such as whey, whey permeate, nonfat dried milk, yeast extract, and diammonium phosphate. The addition of trace quantities of certain metals promotes the growth and activity of the acid producing bacteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing appendages from seeds are described. The apparatus includes a chamber to contain the seed to be threshed. Mounted rotatively in the chamber is at least one filament spool means which, upon rotation, causes filament to be paid out and thresh the seed. Means are attached to the chamber to draw a gaseous medium through the chamber to suspend the seed with appendages in the threshing zone. After the appendages are removed, the appendage-free seed is discharged from the cylinder. The invention finds particular use in the threshing of seeds armed with appendages that are difficult or impossible to remove with existing seed threshing equipment.

Abstract: 1,3-Disubstituted-guanidines, e.g., of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are hydrocarbon groups which preferably are the same, e.g., 1,3-dibutyl-guanidine, 1,3-diphenyl-guanidine and 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine, are highly selective ligands for sigma brain receptors and are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of hallucination associated psychotic mental illness and chronic mental depression. Tritium labeled 1,3-di-(o-tolyl)-guanidine is useful as a screening tool for compounds having selective sigma receptor binding activity, as it is displaced from isolated mammalian brain membrane to which it is bound portionately to the activity of such a compound.

Abstract: The major iron-regulated protein of a pathogenic species of the genus Neisseria, the gonococcal congener of which (MIRP) protein has a molecular weight of approximately 37,000 daltons and consisting of about 340 amino acids, is isolated in an immunospecific antigenically substantially pure form suitable for use as a vaccine against the pathogenic species of the genus Neisseria effective to stimulate the production of a protective level of antibodies to the pathogenic species in a susceptible host, by the steps of:growing cells of that pathogenic species in an iron-depleted bacteriologic media;harvesting the thus-grown cells;disrupting the cells;separating the soluble portion of the cells from the insoluble portion; andselectivity solubilizing the MIRP from the insoluble portion of the disrupted cells with an aqueous cationic surfactant aqueous media, e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; andremoving residual contaminates in the MIRP fraction by chromatographic fractionation.

Abstract: A method of lowering the intraocular pressure in a human having abnormally high intraocular pressure, comprisingadministering systemically thereto an amount of melatonin effective to lower the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Methods for the management of bronchopulmonary insufficiency and other conditions are disclosed. The methods involve administration of an N-7-substituted derivative of theophylline selected from the group consisting of dyphylline, etophylline, proxyphylline and mixtures thereof. The derivative can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or in the lungs, concurrently with some form of theophylline or administered alone to a patient whose body has a known or an unknown theophylline content. Theophylline and the derivative can be administered in the same dosage form or in separate dosage forms. They can have the same route of administration or different routes of administration; for example, theophylline can be given orally, while the derivative is given as a zero-order intravenous infusion. A high total plasma concentration of methyl xanthine is achieved safely by using a combination of theophylline and one or more of the derivatives.