Abstract: The invention is directed to purified and isolated concanavalin A-binding proteins from chondrocytes that are not present in dedifferentiated cells from chondrocytes. The invention is also directed to a purified and isolated chondrocyte membrane protein, (CMP), which is a concanavalin A-binding protein, with a molecular weight of about 76 kD in SDS-PAGE. After treatment with endoglycosidase, CMP has an apparent molecular weight of about 67 kD. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and several internal amino acid sequences are given for CMP. These proteins can be used in assays, methods, or treatments involving differentiation of chondrocytes and the control of cartilaginous osteogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for affecting the immune system in animals and humans. The methods and compositions include the administration of prolactin agonists to an immunosuppressed animal or human thereby stimulating the immune system. In addition, the present invention includes a vaccine adjuvant comprising the administration of a prolactin agonist with the vaccine.

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: This invention relates to the use of neuronotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), ciliary derived neuronotrophic factor (CNTF), brain derived neuronotrophic factor (BDNF), neuronotrophin-3 (NT-3), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor .varies. (TFG-.varies.), transforming growth factor .beta. (TGF-.beta.) and others to prevent drug-induced neuropathy.

Abstract: Pentapeptide antibiotics of the formula ##STR1## wherein W, Z, X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and T represent the relative portions of an antibiotic of the dalbaheptide group (glycopeptide antibiotics), Y represents a carboxyacid group, a functional derivative of a carboxyacid group or a hydroxymethyl group. The invention includes the salts of the above represented pentapeptide antibiotics with acids or bases as well as their inner salts.

Abstract: A method for processing waste material converts organic matter such as non-pretreated infectious hospital wastes, hazardous wastes, refinery wastes, paper wastes and other similar gaseous, liquid, or solid organic wastes, into hydrogen and carbon by photodecomposition. The waste material is converted by exposing the organic waste materials to a sufficiently intense field of radiation which causes the decomposition, or breakdown, of the organic materials into their component elements. Because the environment within the reaction chamber is controlled to minimize the presence of oxidizing agents, the decomposition products, primarily carbon and hydrogen, can be withdrawn and collected for subsequent use.

Abstract: A process for the solid phase synthesis of peptides containing a C-terminal aza-amino acid, for example the decapeptide goserelin, which comprises:(i) reacting an active ester or imidazolide of an N-protected aza-amino acid either with an appropriate reactive solid support in the case of the synthesis of a peptide containing a C-terminal aza-amino acid, or with a peptide which is attached to a solid support in the case of the synthesis of a peptide containing a non-C-terminal aza-amino acid;(ii) carrying out further conventional solid phase peptide synthesis steps to add sequentially further amino acids, to form a peptide with the required amino acid sequence bound to the solid support;(iii) cleaving the peptide from the solid support, and optionally(iv) reacting the product so formed with hydrazine to remove any acyl groups which have been formed on serine, arginine, tyrosine, threonine or hydroxyproline during the synthesis.

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: Detection of lead present in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) adding a lead recovery agent to an assay solution containing lead from the sample; (b) adding to the assay solution a disulfide enzyme which is inhibited in the presence of lead; and (c) correlating the activity of the disulfide enzyme to the amount of lead in the sample. The lead recovery agent enhances the sensitivity and accuracy of the assay such that the assay can be readily automated for detection of lead in whole blood using commercially available automation systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating obese mammals or preventing obesity from occurring in mammals. This method involves administering to the mammal an effective amount of growth hormone in combination with an effective amount of IGF-I. Preferably, the growth hormone is given so as to have a maintained, continual therapeutically effective presence in the blood, such as by continuous infusion or frequent injections, or by use of a long-acting formulation.

Abstract: A formulation for IGF-I is disclosed that is useful in treating hyperglycemic disorders and, in combination with growth hormone, in enhancing growth of a mammal. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a formulation of growth hormone and IGF-I from the IGF-I formulation. The IGF-I formulation comprises about 2-20 mg/ml of IGF-I, about 2-50 mg/ml of an osmolyte, about 1-15 mg/ml of a stabilizer, and a buffered solution at about pH 5-5.5, optionally with a surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical process for preparing antibiotic L 17392 (deglucoteicoplanin) and its salts with bases and acids by submitting a teicoplanin compound or a teicoplanin-like compound to controlled strong acid hydrolysis in the presence of an organic aprotic solvent, and a purification thereof.

Abstract: L-lysyl-glycyl-histidine and metal complexes thereof, for example, L-lysyl-glycyl-L-histidine: copper (II).The L-lysyl-glycyl-L-histidine and salt thereof have a fibroblast proliferation promoting activity and then it is useful as a wound healing agent.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the proliferation rate of hepatocytes in a subject by administering to the subject the free tripeptide of the composition SDK (serine-aspartic acid-lysine) or the salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for enhancing the immune response of an animal to an infectious disease vaccine wherein the composition comprises prolactin. Preferably, the composition is human prolactin and the animal to be vaccinated is, as well, human.The present invention further relates to a composition for enhancing the immune response of an animal to an infectious disease vaccine wherein the composition comprises prolactin cDNA. Human prolactin cDNA is preferred.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preventing hyperalgesia and other undesirable side-effects associated with the administration of growth factor, including nerve growth factor, utilizing an antagonist capable of inactivating excitatory opioid receptor-mediated functions on neurons in the nociceptive pathway. In addition, this invention relates to a composition comprising a growth factor and an antagonist capable of inactivating excitatory opioid receptor-mediated functions on neurons in the nociceptive pathway.

Abstract: A method for treating septic shock by administering a retroinverted tetrapeptides of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or the side-chain of threonine; R.sub.1 is the side-chain of arginine, leucine or glutamine; and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a metabolically perishable acyl group; with the proviso that when R.sub.1 is the side-chain of arginine, R cannot be the side-chain of threonine; diastereo-isomeric forms and pharmacologically acceptable salts, esters and amides thereof.

Abstract: Agents for suppressing the motor activity of gastrointestinal tracts, which comprise glicentin as an active ingredient. They can be used as an adjunct for use in examination of gastrointestinal tracts by radiography or endoscopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations for inhibiting the growth of bacterial microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutic composition containing urodilatin as an active substance and optionally pharmaceutically usual diluents, excipients, fillers or adjuvants for treating pulmonary and/or bronchial diseases.