Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated polypeptide and derivatives thereof having protease biological activity for human precursor IL-1? and for a substrate comprising: R1—Asp—R2—R3 wherein R1 and R3 are independently any D or L isomer amino acid, R2 is Ala or Gly, and wherein the specific protease cleavage site is between Asp and R2. Inhibitor compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting Interleukin 1? protease activity are also disclosed. The inhibitor compounds comprise an amino acid sequence of from 1 to about 5 amino acids having an N-terminal blocking group and a C-terminal Asp residue connected to an electronegative leaving group, wherein the amino acid sequence corresponds to the sequence Ala-Tyr-Val-His-Asp.

Abstract: Benzimidazole derivatives and salts and prodrugs thereof are disclosed, together with methods for the treatment of cancers or viral infections in warm blooded animals by administration of these compounds. Such compounds may be used in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent and/or a potentiator.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the formula (1): wherein R? is hydrogen, methyl or NH2C(O)CH2—; R? and R?? are independently methyl or hydrogen; R adn Ry are independently hydroxy or hydrogen; R1 is hydroxy, hydrogen, or hydroxysulfonyloxy; R7 is hydroxy, hydrogen, hydroxysulfonyloxy or phosphonooxy; R2 is a novel acyl side chain. Also provided are novel formulations, methods of inhibiting fungal and parasitic activity, and a process for preparing dideoxy (R?H) forms of the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of inhibiting pathological conditions related to organ systems which respond to estrogen agonists comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula I wherein the variables A, B, Y, D, Z1, G and e are as described herein.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating inflammatory respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The method involves administration, preferably oral or pulmonary administration, of an active agent selected from the group consisting of resveratrol, pharmacologically acceptable salts, esters, amides, prodrugs and analogs thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing. Pharmaceutical formulations for use in conjunction with the aforementioned method are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides heparin antagonist peptides. The heparin-binding peptides of the present invention specifically neutralize heparin's conventional anticoagulant properties without causing deleterious hemodynamic side-effects or exacerbation of the proliferative vascular response to injury. More specifically, the heparin-binding compounds of the present invention are short-duration drugs to be used in elective or emergency situations which can safely and specifically neutralize heparin's conventional anticoagulant properties without causing deleterious hemodynamic side-effects or exacerbation of the proliferative vascular response to injury.

Abstract: A method of treating conditions associated with neuropeptide Y which comprises administering a compound of the formula ##STR1## to a mammalian subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A method of oxidatively coupling methane onto a manganese oxide molecular sieve comprising:(a) passing methane through a microwave plasma activation flow reaction zone onto a manganese oxide molecular sieve, whereby polymer-free methane coupled products are produced; and,(b) recovering the polymer-free methane coupled products.

Abstract: Peptides derived from the C terminal sequence of sorbin, but containing at least one D-amino acid residue, inhibit pepsin release and are therefore likely to be useful in the treatment of ulcers or oesophagitis. Their salts and substitution derivatives are also claimed as a pharmaceutical compositions containing them. A method for the treatment of a patient suffering from gastric ulcers or oesophagitis comprising the administration of said peptides, is also claimed.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyfluoropropionyl halide, which is characterized by oxidizing at least one dichloropentafluoropropane selected from 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane and 1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane by oxygen under irradiation with light and in the presence of chlorine.The polyfluoropropionyl halide can be obtained from the dichloropentafluoropropane industrially advantageously in good yield. Further, in a gas phase reaction, the polyfluoropropionyl halide can be obtained in a very high reaction yield without decomposition of the desired product and without corrosion of the material for the reactor or the glass for the light source portion even in a reaction for a long period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for photothermal detoxification of toxic organic compounds are provided. The apparatus comprises a means for maintaining the gas stream from the targeted source at a temperature of greater than 200.degree. C., an optional air pollution control device, a radiation source which emits radiation at a wavelength of less than 320 nm and an outlet for releasing the nontoxic reaction products to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and apparatus for performing ultrafast binding assays by capillary electrophoresis or other electroseparation techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first binding partner carries a detectable label and a second binding partner is modified to be highly charged. When used in combination with a sample containing an analyte with which both binding partners can interact and bind thereto, a three-membered complex is formed. The electrophoretic mobility difference between the unbound and complex-bound forms of labeled first binding partner is such that electroseparation and subsequent detection of an analyte can be accomplished. The compositions, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein also permit quantitative determination of the concentration of an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: A potassium aluminosilicate is used as a filtration media for filtering water to remove dissolved oxygen, hardness and other dissolved gases and impurities from the water, such as ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and sodium sulfite. The particular potassium aluminosilicate is a mesoporous amorphous material formed under ultraviolet light or sunlight to produce pore sizes of 60 .ANG. to 250 .ANG. at ambient temperatures (20.degree. C.-35.degree. C.) and in a low relative humidity (5%-20%). Sodium may be displaced in the zeolite media by potassium so that advantageous removal of impurities in the water occurs without introducing sodium into the water. The potassium aluminosilicate of the present invention may be used as a second stage filter to a first stage filter composed of strong base anion media charge with potassium carbonate or bicarbonate.

Abstract: Coated capillary electrophoresis columns and methods for their use in electrophoretic separations are disclosed. The coated capillary columns include a length of tubing having an interior surface having an interconnected polymeric coating. The interconnected polymeric coating includes a hydrophobic hydrocarbon polymeric functionality covalently bound to the interior surface and polyvinylalcohol interconnected with the hydrophobic polymeric functionality. Exemplary columns are prepared by causing a Si-OH reactive compound, having a hydrophobic polymeric functionality, to react with Si-OH functionalities on the interior surface of capillary columns. Then causing vinyl acetate to polymerize in contact with the hydrophobic polymeric functionality and hydrolyzing the resulting polyvinylacetate forms a coating of interconnecting hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers.

Abstract: A buffer and method useful for the analysis of glycoproteins by capillary zone electrophoresis. The buffer comprises water, a sugar complexing compound, a base compound for adjusting the pH, and a zwitterionic compound. An embodiment of the buffer comprises sodium borate as the complexing compound, sodium hydroxide as the base, and 3-cyclohexylamino-1-propanesulfonic acid as the zwitterionic compound. In the method, a selected glycoprotein is subjected to capillary zone electrophoresis. The proportion or the amount of the glycoprotein is determined by quantitative analysis of the resulting electropherogram.

Abstract: The fabrication method for ferroelectric domain reversals wherein domain reversals are definitely produced in the vicinity of the surface of a ferroelectric by radiating a charged particle beam onto the ferroelectric. An SiO.sub.2 film 2 whose electrical resistance is higher than that of LiNbO.sub.3 is deposited on the surface of a substrate which is exposed to an electron beam, thereby fabricating domain reversals which extend along the direction an electron beam radiation.

Abstract: Hydrogen cyanide is produced by reacting ammonia or urea and elemental carbon or a hydrocarbon while irradiating them with microwave energy.

Abstract: Spring-loaded electrically controllable polymeric gel actuators are disclosed. The polymeric gels can be polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, or polyacrylamide, and are contained in an electrolytic solvent bath such as water plus acetone. The action of the gel is mechanically biased, allowing the expansive and contractile forces to be optimized for specific applications.

Abstract: A gel capillary electrophoresis apparatus has gel capillaries (2) filled with gel (2a) that are fixed at both ends thereof on an upper plate 5 and a lower plate (6). The gel capillaries (2) are arranged coarse on the upper plate (5) for sample injection and dense on the lower plate (6) for fluorescence detection. The apparatus is made easy in the sample injection and high in the fluorescence detection efficiency so that throughput of analysis of DNA and the like can be increased, and is available for three-dimensional electrophoresis.

Abstract: An electrophoretic separation apparatus includes a capillary tube having a length, a cross section, an inlet and an outlet. A first reservoir containing a solvent and, upon injection, a solute is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and a second reservoir containing at least a solvent is also in fluid flow communication with the outlet, the capillary thereby being filled at least with the solvent. A first power supply means applies a separation potential between the first and second reservoirs and along the length of the capillary to thereby establish an electrophoretic flow of the solute therethrough. An electrically isolated conductor is juxtaposed to an external surface of the capillary tube and is connected to a second power supply. An electrostatic field is thereby applied across the cross section of the capillary tube to control the electroosmotic flow therein. The electrical isolation of the conductor prevents current flow between the power supply and the conductor.