Abstract: A method is described for safely and effectively washing solid gels or films containing biological macromolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids. The method involves placing the gels in an open plastic container and decanting a wash solution horizontally so as to leave the gel at the bottom of the container without using external means to hold the gel down. The undamaged gel can then be safely removed and detection experiments can thus be carried out. A preferred apparatus for carrying out this method is also described and consists of an elongated open-topped side spouted tray.

Abstract: A partially cationized protein-containing substance that exhibits enhanced immunogenicity as compared to the native protein-containing substance and is useful in mammalian immunization by oral or parenteral administration.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing transmembrane transport of exogenous molecules. The method comprises contacting a membrane of a living cell with a complex formed between said molecules and ligands selected from biotin, biotin analogs and other biotin receptor-binding ligands, and/or folic acid, folate analogs and other folate receptor-binding ligands to initiate receptor mediated transmembrane transport of the ligand complex. The method is used for the efficient delivery of peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and other compounds capable of modifying cell function into plant, animal, yeast, and bacterial cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an amino acid residue or a residue of an oligopeptide in which the amino groups are optionally substituted by protective groups, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which are the same or different, are hydrogen atoms, a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, carboxyl or lower alkoxycarbonyl radicals or carboxamido groups optionally substituted by lower alkyl or, if R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are adjacent, can represent a --CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH-- radical, Z is a conjugated-through positively charged, bicyclic heterocyclic system and X is an anion of an organic or inorganic acid. The present invention also provides processes for the preparation of these compounds and diagnostic agents containing them for the determination of peptide bond-cleaving enzymes.

Abstract: Method of low temperature start-up of ammonia oxidation plants by passing hydrogen and oxygen over platinum containing gauzes bearing a platinum coating having a surface area in excess of about 50 cm.sup.2 /g, thereby heating them to temperatures which are sufficient for catalytic oxidation of ammonia.

Abstract: The invention comprises treatment of gastrointestinal disorders of parasitic protozoan and bacterial origin in immunocompromised and immunocompetent animals by administration hyperimmune milk products.

Abstract: A method for producing a human B-lymphocyte that is able to grow in cell culture and produces human monoclonal antibodies having binding specificity for tumor-associated antigens by exposing a human B-lymphocyte to a tumor cell antigen in a vaccine containing viable human tumor cells that have been made non-tumorigenic, and immortalizing the exposed B-lymphocyte by exposing to a transforming agent for sufficient time to transform the B-lymphocyte.

Abstract: A method for sensitizing multidrug resistant cells to antitumor agents comprosing contacting multidrug resistant cells, with an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1, 2 or 3, X is CF.sub.3, --O--CH.sub.3, Br, I, Cl, H, W and S--CH.sub.3 and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently of each other are --CH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OHCH.sub.2 OH, or NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 form a ring ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 is --CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.3, --H, CH.sub.2 OH and CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition and method for culturing and freezing cells and tissues without serum or serum products in the culture medium by substituting hyaluronic acid for the serum or serum products. The composition and method are especially well-suited for culturing and freezing embryos, ova and sperm. The present invention reduces the risk of transmittal of microorganisms such as viruses.

Abstract: The viability of cohesive sheets of cultured epithelial cells such as keratinocytes used as wound dressings is maintained or improved by storage at a temperature within the range of 8.degree.-25.degree. C., preferably 13.degree.-23.degree. C., for periods greater than 8 hours, preferably up to 26 hours. This method and the resulting product permits a significant increase in the shipping radius of cultured dressings manufactured in a central facility, and increases flexibility in scheduling of shipments and surgical procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhancer DNA segment, a gene fragment having (a) the enhancer DNA segment and (b) a structural gene such as human D, V and J gene, and a promoter. A hybrid DNA (1) having a phage DNA fragment from Charon 4A phage vector and human DNA fragments, a Charon 4A phage containing the hybrid DNA (1), a hybrid DNA (2) having a PBR322 fragment and human DNA fragment, a transformant of E. coli C600 strain transformed with the hybrid DNA (2), plasmid pSV2-H1G1 obtained by inserting a human DNA fragment into a vector pSV-2gpt, a transformant of E. coli MC 1000 strain transformed with the plasmid pSV2-H1G1 and a transformant of mouse myeloma cells J558L or NS-1 transformed with the plasmid pSV2-H1G1 are also provided.

Abstract: A polypeptide having bactericidal activity, particularly against gram-negative bacteria, has been isolated from pig intestine. The porcine cecropin has the amino acid sequence: H.sub.2 N-Ser-Trp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Thr-Ala-Lys-Lys-Leu-Glu-Asn-Ser-AlaLys-Lys-Arg-Ile-S er-Glu-Gly-Ile-Ala-Ile-Ala-Ile-Gln-Gly-Gly-Pro-Arg-COOh. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such poypeptides, or functional derivatives thereof, are useful in therapeutic and prophylactic methods for inhibiting bacterial growth.

Abstract: A method of preventing eosinophilia associated with certain immune disorders is provided. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an antagonist to human interleukin-5. Preferably, the antagonist is a blocking monoclonal antibody specific for human interleukin-5, or a fragment or binding composition derived therefrom.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides are produced by the controlled aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces silvensis, ATTCC No. 53525 or ATCC No. 53526. These compounds are antagonists of oxytocin and are useful in the treatment of preterm labor and vasopressin and are thus useful in the treatment and prevention of disease states wherein vasopressin may be involved, for example congestive heart failure, hypertension, edema and hyponatremia.

Abstract: Antigenic epitopes associated with the extracellular segment of the domain which anchors immunoglobulins to the B cell membrane are disclosed. For IgE, the epitopes are present on IgE-bearing B cells but not basophils or the secreted, soluble form of IgE. The epitope can be exploited for diagnosis.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a fibrinogen-specific monoclonal antibody wherein said monoclonal antibody: (a) binds to the isolated A.alpha. chain of fibrinogen, (b) does not prolong the conversion time of fibrinogen to fibrin by thrombin, (c) binds to fibrin and (d) does not crossreact with plasmin derived fibrinogen degradation products. The subject invention also covers the use of such a monoclonal antibody in an immunoassay for the determination of plasma fibrinogen levels in vitro.

Abstract: Disclosed are a family of synthetic proteins having affinity for a preselected antigen. The proteins are characterized by one or more sequences of amino acids constituting a region which behaves as a biosynthetic antibody binding site (BABS). The sites comprise 1) non-covalently associated or disulfide bonded synthetic V.sub.H and V.sub.L dimers, 2) V.sub.H -V.sub.L or V.sub.L -V.sub.H single chains wherein the V.sub.H and V.sub.L are attached by a polypeptide linker, or 3) individuals V.sub.H or V.sub.L domains. The binding domains comprise linked CDR and FR regions, which may be derived from separate immunoglobulins. The proteins may also include other polypeptide sequences which function e.g., as an enzyme, toxin, binding site, or site of attachment to an immobilization media or radioactive atom. Methods are disclosed for producing the proteins, for designing BABS having any specificity that can be elicited by in vivo generation of antibody, and for producing analogs thereof.

Abstract: Apolipoproteins are isolated from human blood plasma fractions which contain apolipoproteins by suspending these fractions in buffer solutions. The suspensions are subsequently incubated with a lower aliphatic alcohol, either with or without an organic solvent. The phase which contains the lipoproteins is separated and concentrated. The products obtained according to the procedure may be used primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, in particular hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of peptide analogues as inhibitors of their respective naturally occurring peptides. The structure of the peptide hormone analogues is exemplified by human humoral hypercalcemic factor (hHCF), wherein Lys.sup.13 or Lys.sup.11 is modified on the epsilon-amino group by biotin so as to produce HCF analogues which can inhibit the action of HCF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of peptide analogues as inhibitors of their respective naturally occurring peptides. The structure of the peptide hormone analogues is exemplified by human humoral hypercalcemic factor (hHCF), wherein Lys.sup.13 is modified so as to produce HCF analogues which can inhibit the action of HCF.