Abstract: A substantially pure, covalently linked human T cell reactive feline protein (TRFP) has been isolated from vacuum bag extract obtained by affinity purification of house dust collected from several homes with cats; DNA encoding all or a portion of the TRFP or peptide; compositions containing such a protein or peptide or portions thereof; and antibodies reactive with the TRFP or peptide are disclosed. Also disclosed are recombinant TRFP or peptide; modified or mutated TRFP peptides; their use for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A new bacteria species within the genus Streptococcus is disclosed, designated as Streptococcus sp PT DSM 8747. From this bacteria species a lipoteichoic acid LTA can be isolated which has a lipid anchor, galacto-furanosyl-beta-1-3-glycerol with different rests of fatty acids esterified to the two adjacent hydroxy groups in the glycerol moiety and a non-glycosylated, linear, unbranched GroP chain. The hydrophilic backbone may comprise 10 glycerophosphate units esterified with D-alanine in an extent of about 30%. The invention further concerns a pharmaceutical composition with the LTA, optionally together with a monokine and/or hyaluronidase, a method of treating cancer comprising administrating an antitumor effective amount thereof, a method of producing the LTA, and degradation products of the LTA and their use.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of sphingoglycolipid species that are indicative of multidrug resistance in certain types of cells, including cancer cells. The association of multidrug resistance with the expression of certain sphingoglycolipids provides a new method for identifying multidrug resistant cancers. In addition, it has been determined that reducing the levels of certain sphingoglycolipids results in enhanced chemosensitivity of drug resistant cancer cells. This offers the opportunity to develop new treatments for multidrug resistant cancers.

Abstract: A method diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient includes analyzing conformational changes in a band 3 protein of the patient yielding a time course of the conformational changes. One approach includes analyzing conformational changes in a band 3 protein by measuring band 3 Cl.sup.- /HCO.sub.3.sup.- exchange over time. In this approach a double exponential function is solved for two rate constant estimates by fitting the double exponential function to the time course. At least one of the rate constant estimates is used to determine whether the patient has Alzheimer's disease. A second approach includes analyzing conformational changes in a band 3 protein by measuring the emission spectrum of a stilbene bound to band 3, which emission changes in response to band 3 conformational changes. In this approach, a single exponential function is solved for a parameter by fitting the single exponential function to the time course obtained.

Abstract: A substantially pure, covalently linked human T cell reactive feline protein (TRFP) has been isolated from vacuum bag extract obtained by affinity purification of house dust collected from several homes with cats; DNA encoding all or a portion of the TRFP or peptide; compositions containing such a protein or peptide or portions thereof; and antibodies reactive with the TRFP or peptide are disclosed. Also disclosed are recombinant TRFP or peptide; modified or mutated TRFP peptides; their use for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid encoding Streptococcus pneumoniae IgA protease and an isolated polypeptide comprising Streptococcus pneumoniae IgA protease and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a multiple drug resistance protein of Aspergillus nidulans. Vectors and transformed host cells comprising the multiple drug resistance-encoding DNA of Aspergillus nidulans atrD are also provided. The invention further provides assays which utilize these transformed host cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Bifidobacterium strain isolate that is incorporated into food, beverages, animal feeds, and/or dietary supplements. It can be used to provide a healthful bacteria to human adults and non-human mammals. The bacterium acts as a probiotic. For example, the bacterium assists newborns in producing protective acetic acid and lactic acid, as well as antimicrobials and vitamins. The bacterium can also be used to reseed bacteria levels caused by diarrhea, chemotherapy, advancing age, antibiotics, or other causes.

Abstract: The invention provides spoIIIE polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encodig spoIIIE polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utlizng spoIIIE polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.