Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid absorber, a method for preparing a fluid absorber, and a method for absorbing fluid from the skin. The disclosed method for preparing a fluid absorber generally comprises the steps of selecting a starch and an enzyme for hydrolysis of the starch, determining a fluid absorption optimum hydrolysis level for the starch, and ezymatically hydrolyzing the starch to approximately the optimum level thus determined. The starch alternatively may be hydrolyzed with acid hydrolysis without the use of an enzyme catalyst. The disclosed method for absorbing fluid from the skin includes the step of applying a fluid absorbing effective amount of a fluid absorber thus prepared. Absorption properties of the fluid absorber of the invention are comparable to or exceed those of commercially available skin fluid absorbers, such as talc and unmodified corn starch.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for treatment of bacterial infections of the eye is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for the infecting bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme. The carrier for delivering at least one lytic enzyme to the eye may be but is not limited to the use of an isotonic solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a partial hydrolysate of whey protein which contains bioactive peptides but does not have a bitter flavor. The hydrolysate is carried out using selective enzymes which produce the active peptides and is terminated at a degree of hydrolysis before substantial bitter flavors are created. There are also described novel peptides and a method of reducing systolic blood pressure through the administration of the peptides.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane, particularly in high yields, using a peroxidase enzyme site and reacting propane-2-nitronate at the enzyme under appropriate conditions. Peroxidases such as chloroperoxidase, soybean peroxidase and horseradish peroxidase are used. High yields include those amounts that increasingly aid in the manufacture of commercial quantities of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of desglucodesrhamnoruscin which comprises the enzymatic hydrolysis of Ruscus Aculeatus steroid glycosides (ruscosaponins) by means of crude hydrolases from aspergillus niger.

Abstract: A composition for treatment of bacterial infections of the eye is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for the infecting bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme. The carrier for delivering at least one lytic enzyme to the eye may be but is not limited to the use of an isotonic solution.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting vascular proliferation separately introduces components into the eye to generate plasmin in the eye in amounts to induce complete posterior vitreous detachment where the vitreoretinal interface is devoid of cortical vitreous remnants. The process administers a combination of lysine-plasminogen, at least one recombinant plasminogen activator selected from the group consisting of urokinase, streptokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, chondroitinase, pro-urokinase, retavase, metaloproteinase, and thermolysin and a gaseous adjuvant to form a cavity in the vitreous. The composition is introduced into the vitreous in an amount effective to induce crosslinking of the vitreous and to induce substantially complete posterior vitreous detachment from the retina without causing inflammation of the retina.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, W, X, Y, and Ar are as defined herein. Compounds of formula (I) are useful in the treatment of diseases or conditions characterized by cellular hyperproliferation. This invention also relates to means for the preparation of compounds of formula (I); formulations containing compounds of formula (I); and methods for the use of said compounds and formulations in the treatment of a disease or condition characterized by cellular hyperproliferation, including cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing proteoglycan extracts of algae and a process for preparing proteoglycan extracts from the algae.

Abstract: A method for treating a streptococcal infection is disclosed using a nasal spray. The spray comprises an effective amount of a lysin enzyme genetically coded for by a C1 bacteriophage capable of infecting a group C Streptococcal bacteria, and a nasal spray carrier for delivering said lysin enzyme to a mouth, throat, or nasal passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides combinatorial methods for rapidly generating a diverse library of glycorandomized structures, comprising incubating one or more aglycons and a pool of NDP-sugars in the presence of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase may be one that is associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites, or one which is putatively associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites. The glycosyltransferase may show significant flexibility with respect to its NDP-sugar donors and/or its aglycons. NDP-sugar donors may be commercially available, or may be produced by utilizing mutant or wild type nucleotidyltransferases significant flexibility with respect to their substrates.

Abstract: A tampon for treatment of Streptococcus Group B infections of the vagina is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for the infecting bacteria, and a carrier for delivering the lytic enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides RNA extraction reagents, methods and kits that are especially useful for extracting RNA. The reagents, methods and kits of the present invention are especially useful for extracting RNA, for example, cytoplasmic RNA, from difficult materials, from plants, especially, difficult plant tissues, such as those containing phenolics, tannins, polysaccharides (such as starch) and resins. Comparative high yields are obtainable according to the present invention when compared to conventional reagents and methods. The RNA preparations obtained in accordance with the present invention are also of high quality as demonstrated by superior A260/280 results and by gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: A method for treatment of bacterial infections of the eye is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for the infecting bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme. The composition may be in the form of an isotonic solution.

Abstract: Disease in plants caused by infection with cercosporin producing strains of Cercospora may be controlled by application of laccase. When applied to the locus of the plant, or parts or seed thereof, the cercosporin toxin produced by this pathogen is degraded by the enzyme, thereby preventing or minimizing damage to the plant. The laccase may be applied alone, or in combination with one or more laccase-producing microorganisms.

Abstract: This invention provides therapeutic compositions and combinations for the protection, treatment and repair of liver tissue. The invention relates to novel compositions and combinations comprising two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of S-adenosylmethionine, L-ergothioneine, and a substance selected from the group consisting of constituents of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), silymarin and active components of silymarin, whether naturally, synthetically, or semi-synthetically derived, and to methods of preventing and treating liver disease and of repairing damaged liver tissue. The invention also provides a method of administering these compositions and combinations to humans or animals in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a composition and a method for agriculture. The composition is a semisynthetic mixture (a) which includes (1) an organic compound which is essentially emitted in the fermentation of vegetable parts of the palm tree or related plant, (2) a vegetable material obtained from the palm tree or related plant and which has been ground, fermented, and stabilized, and (3) an organic compound emitted in minor quantity during the fermentation of the vegetable parts of the palm tree or related plant; and (b) a pheromone which is appropriate to control for the target insect. The method includes the application of the composition to a plantation of palm trees and related plants to be protected.

Abstract: The invention relates to matrix-forming amylose products for programmed release systems and a process for the preparation thereof. These amylose products have a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 5 to 10, a content of long-chain amylose of 20 to 40 wt. % on dry substance, a content of short-chain amylose of 40 to 80 wt. % on dry substance and a specific surface area of 0.4 to less than 1.0 m2/g.

Abstract: This invention provides a bacterial cellulose comprising ribbon-shaped microfibrils having a thickness of 10 to 100 nm and a width of 160 to 1000 nm or a bacterial cellulose comprising ribbon-shaped microfibrils having a thickness of 10 to 100 nm and a width of 50 to 70 nm. The former bacterial cellulose can be produced by culturing cellulose-producing bacteria in a culture medium containing a cell division inhibitor, and the latter can be produced by culturing the bacterium in a culture medium containing an organic reducing agent. The bacterial cellulose is modified from conventional bacterial cellulose in the major axis, and is improved in Young's modulus, etc. This invention provides a bacterial cellulose comprising ribbon-shaped microfibrils having a thickness of 1 to 9 nm and a width of 160 to 1000 nm or a bacterial cellulose comprising ribbon-shaped microfibrils having a thickness of 1 to 9 nm and a width of 50 to 70 nm.