Abstract: The invention concerns medical use, a medical method and a pharmaceutical preparation. The invention allows the action of .beta.-lactam antibiotics to be targeted and their side effects to be reduced by inactivation of part of the antibiotic in a desired section of the digestive tract distal to the stomach by administering, separately from or simultaneously with antibiotic, and enzyme, such as .beta.-lactamase, which breaks down said antibiotic.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) employing an interphenylene 7-oxabicycloheptyl substituted heterocyclic amide prostaglandin analog thromboxane A.sub.2 receptor antagonist such as ifetroban, alone or in combination with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Abstract: An anionic macromolecular containing composition is disclosed that is capable of supporting conservation and differentiation of long-term bone marrow culture initiating cells in cultured mammalian hematopoietic cells. The composition disclosed is a mixture of glycoproteins, more specifically proteoglycans, which are of a molecular weight greater than 200 kD.

Abstract: Chemically-defined, non-polymeric valency platform molecules and conjugates comprising chemically-defined valency platform molecules and biological or chemical molecules including polynucleotide duplexes of at least 20 base pairs that have significant binding activity for human lupus anti-dsDNA autoantibodies.

Abstract: A process is provided for harvesting light absorbing compounds from the epidermal cells of a plant. The plant is subjected to artificial light having wavelengths in the range of 260 to 400 nm. The plant is ground to form a slurry and an enzyme is added to the slurry to breach the walls of cells in the plant to free the light absorbing compounds. A solvent added to the slurry extracts the light absorbing chemicals.

Abstract: An immune-enhancing food comprising a fruit body (sexual generation and nonsexual generation), a mycelium and a metabolite fluid of an Isaria-type insect-raised fungus (Cordyceps Japonensis) as a main ingredient of the food.

Abstract: A composition and method for the treatment of snoring comprising an effective amount of discorea villosa and zingiber officinale in a physiologically acceptable carrier, to be administered in the form of nasal drops or spray in the nasal passages of a subject prior to sleep.

Abstract: A homeopathic medicine comprises a homeopathic carrier solution which is prepared by mixing a base solution of alcohol and water in the ratio of 1 part alcohol to 9 parts water, and subsequently mixing in sea water, brain hormone and biologically active enzymes into the base solution in the proportion 9.times., 12.times. and 12.times., respectively. The homeopathic carrier solution is sequentially subjected to an alternating current and a direct current treatment which requires applying an alternating current of 20 milliamps at 10 volts and 10 KHz for a duration of 30 seconds and a DC current of 20 milliamps at 1,000 volts for 4 minutes. The active homeopathic ingredient is then added to the carrier solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a larger amount of crystal delta-endotoxin with a greater pesticidal activity as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The mutant may also have a larger crystal size as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The crystal delta-endotoxin produced by the mutant Bacillus thuringiensis will have an activity directed towards the same pest(s) as its parental Bacillus thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxin. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutant, compositions comprising such a mutant as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

Abstract: A method for maintaining hepatocytes in culture includes providing the hepatocytes with a support, the support including extracellular matrix, the support having a configuration that permits each of at least a portion of the hepatocytes to form at least one apical surface and at least two discrete basal surfaces.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition with beneficial effects in disorders which deal with cognitive, neurodegenerative and/or neuroimmune dysfunctions, especially the Alzheimer disease, characterized in that it comprises, as active ingredient, an isolated, natural hydrosoluble extract of the rhizome or leaves of Phlebodium decumanum, Polypodium aureum, Polypodium leucotomos, Polypodium vulgare, Polypodium trisereiale, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris crassirhizoma and Cyathea taiwamiana, and the liposoluble fraction derivates of said extract, together with an acceptable pharmaceutical vehicle.

Abstract: An agent for inducing a phytoalexin comprising a xyloglucan-oligosaccharide as an active ingredient thereof and a method for inducing a phytoalexin in a plant body comprising an application of a xyloglucan-oligosaccharide to the plant. The present invention is useful for promoting growth of a plant and maintaining freshness of a plant while a crop has been grown, or a vegetable or a fruit has been transported and/or stored.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of producing .beta.-1,3-glucan wherein a microbe capable of producing .beta.-1,3-glucan is cultured in a medium containing as a nitrogen source an ammonium salt of an organic carboxylic acid the microbe can assimilate wherein the .beta.-1,3-glucan is produced and accumulated, and then harvesting. The .beta.-1,3-glucan production method of the present invention does not require addition of a pH regulator such as calcium carbonate or alkali ions, since the medium does not decrease in pH because a microbe capable of producing .beta.-1,3-glucan is cultured in a medium containing as a nitrogen source an ammonium salt of an organic carboxylic acid which the microbe can assimilate. For this reason, cultivation is not adversely affected, nor does any salt form in the medium, aspects which facilitate purification of said glucan, offering an industrially excellent production method. Moreover, the method of the present invention makes it feasible to produce .beta.

Abstract: Insecticidal compositions, comprising normally-employed insecticides but comprising also an effective activity-enhancing amount of capsaicin or other capsaicinoid, especially in the form of capsicum, exhibit synergistic effects against numerous insects, including especially bud worms, boll worms, cabbage loopers, army worms, beet army worms, and beetles, and are especially effective on cotton, soybeans, common garden vegetables, and flowers, when sprayed on the insect or its habitat, especially as an aqueous solution, suspension, or emulsion. Larger crop stands may be effectively treated by aerial spraying from the usual crop-dusting airplane.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chemical modification of the sphingoid portions of glycosphingolipids. It has been possible by a series of reactions to introduce an amino group in the position of the carbon double-bond in the sphingoid portion after elimination of the long-chain aldehyde. Glycosphingolipids of the formula (2) and (3), where X and Y denote a group capable of coupling, are suitable for coupling to other molecules, preferably proteins. X preferably represents NH.sub.

Abstract: Novel Quinoa saponin pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The compositions are useful as immunological adjuvants, to stimulate nonspecific immunity, as well as to enhance an immunological response to a selected antigen. The Quinoa saponin compositions can also be used to enhance mucosal absorption of a drug administered therewith.

Abstract: A microgranular preparation having a core of biologically active material that is encapsulated by a water soluble film that is covered by an enteric coating of either an alkali soluble, acid insoluble polymer or a high molecular weight polymer whose structure is substituted with or contains windows of fatty acids or other material capable of being solubilized by intestinal juices. Useful for protecting pH sensitive and other biologically active materials from inactivation or contact with the stomach or rumen, and releasing the same in active form in the intestinal tract, particularly the duodenum.

Abstract: A method for controlling nutrient concentration levels in a fermentation broth containing bacteria or a yeast and a nutrient is disclosed. A computer calculates the nutrient consumption rate of the broth for selected intervals of time between successive samples in real time by comparing the nutrient concentrations of the samples. Thus, the computer having the capability to predict an estimated rate at which the nutrient concentration is expected to decrease at selected sample intervals. Further, adding fresh nutrient to the fermentation broth at a rate and quantity based on the estimated rate to control nutrient concentration levels. Furthermore, a means for obtaining a series of samples and measuring nutrient concentrations is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a herbal medicine by using a multi-enzyme to hydrolyze raw materials. The multi-enzyme system comprises cellulases, proteases, amylases, lipases and lysozyme, and may further comprise a supplementary enzyme, and a herbal medicine prepared by the process of the invention.

Abstract: Isolated porcine pancreatic cells, isolated populations of such cells and methods for isolating and using the cells to treat subjects with diseases characterized by insufficient insulin activity are described. The porcine pancreatic cells are preferably non-insulin-secreting porcine pancreatic cell having the ability to differentiate into an insulin-secreting cell upon introduction into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human subject. Such cells include embryonic porcine pancreatic cells obtained from embryonic pigs between about day 31 and day 35 of gestation. The porcine pancreatic cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, for example, by altering an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in the subject (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof).