Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the enzymatic synthesis of &agr;-sialylated oligosaccharide glycosides. Specifically, in the disclosed methods, &agr;2,3-sialyltransferase is used to transfer an analogue of sialic acid, employed as its CMP-nucleotide derivative, to the non-reducing sugar terminus of an oligosaccharide having a fucosyl group in the penultimate saccharide unit to the non-reducing sugar terminus. The analogue of sialic acid and the oligosacchairde employed in this method are selected to be compatible with the sialyltransferase employed.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetic processes for the preparation of &agr;Gal(1→4) &bgr;Gal(1→4)Glc-OR trisaccharides.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetic processes for the preparation of the trisaccharide &agr;Gal(1→3)&bgr;Gal(1→4)Glc-OR compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of diarrhea and related conditions caused by pathogenic E. coli infection. More specifically, this invention is drawn to the unexpected discovery that by administering a composition which binds and removes the shiga like toxins (SLT) produced by pathogenic E. coli whenever an antibiotic is administered, improved treatment is provided. Novel compositions containing both antibiotic and toxin binding composition and methods of treatment which use simultaneous administration toxin binding composition whenever antibiotic is administered are provided. These compositions and methods kill the enteric E. coli organisms which produce the conditions and neutralize the SLT produced by the organisms and/or released from the organisms when they are killed. Thus, these compositions and methods are better able to ameliorate the symptoms of the infection and inhibit progression of this infection into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) than conventional treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the enzymatic synthesis of &agr;-sialylated oligosaccharide glycosides. Specifically, in the disclosed methods, &agr;2,3-sialyltransferase is used to transfer an analogue of sialic acid, employed as its CMP-nucleotide derivative, to the non-reducing sugar terminus of an oligosaccharide having a fucosyl group in the penultimate saccharide unit to the non-reducing sugar terminus. The analogue of sialic acid and the oligosacchairde employed in this method are selected to be compatible with the sialyltransferase employed.

Abstract: An electrospray apparatus employing multiple electrospray needles mounted on a rotatable plate sequentially delivers multiple sample streams to a mass spectrometer for analysis. The electrospray device includes an electrospray chamber, a rotatable needle supporting plate, a plurality of electrospray needles mounted on the plate, and a charger for applying a charge to droplets delivered to the electrospray chamber by the needles. The rotatable electrospray apparatus provides fast repetitive screening of simultaneously operating chromatography columns with a single mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Solid phase synthetic methods of forming sulfur-linked disaccharides and oligosaccharides are described, wherein a saccharide or oligosaccharide bearing a protected thiol-group at the anomeric carbon is immobilized onto a solid support at any position other than the anomeric carbon atom of the reducing sugar. The resultant immobilized thiol, or a derivative thereof, undergoes nuclcophilic saccharide addition to provide a di- or oligosaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel 1-galactose derivatives having a carbon- or nitrogen-containing aglycon linkage. The disclosed compounds inhibit binding of toxins, such as heat-labile enterotoxin or cholera toxin, to their receptors either in vitro or in vivo. The disclosed compounds also inhibit binding of enterovirulent organisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like), such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, to their cell surface receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the neutralization of shiga-like toxins (SLT) associated with enteric E. coli infection which methods inhibit progression of this infection into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel saccharide derivatives which inhibit binding of toxins, such as heat-labile enterotoxin or cholera toxin, to their receptors either in vitro or in vivo. Additionally, disclosed are compounds which inhibit binding of enterovirulent organisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like), such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, to their cell surface receptors.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of traveller's diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), using oligosaccharide compositions which bind E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT) and/or one or more serotypes of enterotoxigenic E. coli organisms. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of LT associated with traveller's diarrhea. This invention also relates to prevention of ETEC from colonizing the intestinal tract and inducing disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel 1-thiogalactose derivatives which inhibit binding of heat labile toxin (LT) and/or chlorea toxin (CT) to cell surface receptors either in vitro or in vivo. Additionally, disclosed are compounds which inhibit binding of enterovirulent microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like) such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli to cell surface receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for screening compound libraries using frontal chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry to identify and rank those members of the library that bind to a target receptor. The apparatus of this invention also permit a compound library to be rapidly screened to determine if any member of the library has a higher affinity for the target receptor relative to a pre-selected indicator compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel solid support matrices having a toxin-binding oligosaccharide covalently attached to a solid support through a linking arm which has at least 5 atoms separating the oligosaccharide from the solid support. The disclosed solid support matrices are useful for neutralizing toxins from disease-causing microorganisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel 1-thiogalactose derivatives which inhibit binding of toxins, such as heat-labile enterotoxin or cholera toxin, to their receptors either in vitro or in vivo. Additionally, disclosed are compounds which inhibit binding of organisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like), such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, to their cell surface receptors.

Abstract: Diagnostic and therapeutic compositions which comprise the .alpha.Gal(1-4).beta.Gal subunit are described. These compositions permit the rapid diagnosis and treatment of enteric infections caused by E. coli that produce shiga-like toxins (SLT).