Abstract: A carboxymethylmannoglucan comprising tetrasaccharide units represented by the following general formula (I) and salt thereof. Further, the invention discloses a carboxymethylmannoglucan derivative and salt thereof produced by subjecting part or the whole of mannose of the tetrasaccharide units to ring opening and subjecting part or the whole of glucose which constitute the main chain but have no mannose as a branch ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.12 each represent a hydrogen atom or a carboxymethyl group.The compounds are useful as carrier for delaying the disappearance of a drug in the blood and for enhancing the organotropism of the drug for a carcinoma.

Abstract: A dipeptidylaminopeptidase (dDAP enzyme) and a method for isolating it from the culture medium of the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum have been presented. The isolated dDAP enzyme has a pH optimum of about 3.5 and a mass of about 225 kDA. The dDAP enzyme has an activity which is somewhat similar to both DAP-I and DAP-III from this organism. Methods for using the dDAP enzyme to remove dipeptides from the N-terminus of recombinantly produced precursor proteins or peptides are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition for the treatment and inhibitation of snoring. The composition according to the present invention comprises a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from Rhizoma dioscoreae nipponicae and Zingiber officinale, and the second component comprises one of more plants selected from Zingiber officinale and the Dioscoreaceae, wherein the first component is different from the second component. The present invention further involves a preparation made by the anti-snoring composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for removing dipeptides from the amino terminus of precursor polypeptides to produce a polypeptide product is presented which comprises contacting the precursor polypeptide for sufficient time to remove the dipeptide with a dipeptidylaminopeptidase (dDAP) from the slime mold, Dictyostelium descoideum, which has a mass of about 225 kilodaltons and a pH optimum of about 3.5. The precursor polypeptides may be made recombinantly and may be analogs of naturally occurring polypeptides.

Abstract: A novel .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin, wherein at least equimolar D-glucose residues are attached to quercetin via the .alpha.-bond, has a satisfactory water-solubility, light tolerance and stability, and exerts the inherent activity of quercetin in vivo. The .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin is prepared by a process comprising subjecting a solution containing quercetin and an .alpha.-glucosyl saccharide to the action of a saccharide-transferring enzyme to form an .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin, and recoverying the resultant .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin. The .alpha.-glycosyl quercetin can be advantageously used in combination with other materials in food products, cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions as a highly-safe and natural vitamin P-enriched agent, yellow-color-imparting agent, antioxidant, deodorant, stabilizer, quality-improving agent, antiseptic, prophylactic agent, therapeutic agent and ultraviolet-absorbing agent.

Abstract: An aqueous mistletoe extract made from Korean mistletoe. The extract is useful in treating AIDS, cancers and other diseases where the immune system is suppressed. The extract is a pharmaceutical grade extract which has specific levels of lectins, viscotoxins and alkaloidal compounds which combine to provide the observed pharmacological activity. A lectin fingerprint of the extract is also provided.

Abstract: A production stimulator of nerve growth factor contains a new cyathane derivative of the form ##STR1## where R is either CHO or CH.sub.2 OH.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing natural base steroidal hormones and more especially estrogens and progesterone and estrogen-like and progesterone-like compounds and their derivatives which are derived in the form of phytohormones from herbaceous plants and formulated to provide a broad spectrum of estrogenic and/or progesterone activity for influencing physiological processes and biological functions. In particular, phytohormones (i.e. phytoestrogens and/or phytoprogesterone) are synthesized from herbaceous compounds selected from a group consisting of plants having a propensity for simulating estrogenic and/or progesterone hormonal activity that, when entering the bloodstream of a biological organism, either by means of oral ingestion, parenteral injection, or topical application, have a tendency to enhance, supplement and/or maintain estrogen and/or progesterone hormonal levels by means of replacement therapy within a biological organism.

Abstract: A process for the cultivation in continuous culture of a filamentous microorganism in a culture medium to which are supplied sources of carbon and other appropriate nutrients. The carbon or another nutrient source is supplied in an amount limiting to the growth of the culture and constitutes a limiting nutrient thereto. The development of an unwanted variant of the filamentous microorganism is restricted or delayed by supplying a first nutrient source to the culture as a limiting nutrient, and thus changing the nutrient supply to the culture in a manner such that a second nutrient source replaces the first nutrient source as the limiting nutrient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a topical anesthetic gel composition, comprising: (a) one or more topical anesthetic agents; (b) an adrenergic sympathomimetic compound; and (c) a pharmaceutical gel component. The present invention also provides a topical anesthetic gel composition, comprising: (a) tetracaine HCl, wherein said tetracaine HCl is contained in said composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 1.0% by weight, based upon the total weight of said composition; (b) epinephrine HCl topical solution, wherein said epinephrine HCl is contained in said composition in an amount of from about 0.04% to about 0.1% by weight, based upon the total weight of said composition; (c) cocaine HCl, wherein said cocaine HCl is contained in said composition in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 12.0% by weight, based upon the total weight of said composition; and (d) GELFOAM.RTM., wherein said Gelfoam.RTM. is contained in said composition in an amount of from about 6.0% to about 9.

Abstract: A common complication of vaginal delivery is the tearing of the muscles of the vagina and perineum. This tearing results in an irregular laceration which the surgeon must then repair. Current obstetrical practice is to prevent this irregular laceration by performing an episiotomy to create a regular laceration which is later sutured. However, both natural tearing of the vaginal and perineal muscles during delivery and surgical episiotomies are subject to further, more grave, complications. The use of medical therapy instead of surgical therapy will reduce the incidence of lacerations of the muscles of the vagina and perineum. The use of medical therapy for the relaxation of the muscles of the vagina and perineum is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biotransformation process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen or a .beta.-glucuronide group of the formula ##STR2## provided at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is a .beta.-glucuronide group.

Abstract: A novel species of microorganism of the genus Porphyromonas isolated from the gingival crevicular fluids of beagles, designated Porphyromonas crevioricanis and deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under accession number 55563.

Abstract: GRF(1-44)-NH.sub.2 is prepared by the trypsin catalyzed enzymatic coupling of Leu-NH.sub.2 to GRF(1-43)-OH. The latter compound may be obtained by recombinant DNA synthesis. Thus the present method provides an economical pathway to the clinically important GRF(1-44)-NH.sub.2 compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a physiologically active substance which inhibits plasma kallikrein production, improves peripheral blood flow, and exhibits analgesic, antiinflammatory and antiallergic action. The physiologically active substance of the present invention is prepared by activating various animals or animal tissues by means of inoculation with virus or tumor cells which act as a stressor, and then extracting the effective factor from the activated tissues. The substance exhibits a pharmacological action of inhibiting activity for production of plasma kallikrein and recovering and normalizing abnormal functions which are associated with the diseased state. The physiologically active substance and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention exhibit excellent regulating activity for biofunctions. They provide recovery and normalization of abnormal functions in living organisms in various diseased states.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an organic extract of the plant Cinnamon or a chemical constituent present in said plant, to prepare a pharmaceutical composition useful to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori and the urease activity of Helicobacter pylori. Most preferred chemical constituents are cinnamaldehyde and methoxycinnamaldehyde. The extract may be used either as a drink, with or without additional flavoring ingredients or transformed into a capsule. The invention also relates to in-vitro method for determininig the inhibition of urease activity of Helicobacter pylori using said organic extract of the plant or chemical constituents present in said plant.

Abstract: In a method of producing an immunopotentiator, a plant tissue material is extracted with hot water, the insoluble material is filtered, and the filtrate thereof is treated with glucoamylase to decompose a starch, thereby obtaining a water-soluble polysaccharide. Ammonium sulfate is added in a culture filtrate obtained by culturing any one of Asp Oryzae of the Aspergillaceae and Lentinus edodes of the Basidiomycetes to obtain an enzyme complex from the precipitate. The water-soluble polysaccharide and the enzyme complex are added together to cause them to react at a pH of 4.5 for 30 to 60 minutes and then at a pH of 6.0 for 30 to 60 minutes, thereby biologically modifying the water-soluble polysaccharide.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing insulin responsiveness and improving glucose tolerance in a mammal comprising administration of an effective amount of a cholinergic agonist; pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to orally ingestible, pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one pharmaceutical active and a taste masking component.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing mixtures of glyoxylate and a dialkyl aminomethylphosphonate and the subsequent production of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, also known as glyphosate. The process comprises preparing in situ a mixture of glyoxylate and a dialkyl aminomethylphosphonate (DEAMPA) by enzymatically reacting glycolic acid (glycolate) and oxygen in an aqueous solution in the presence of a dialkyl aminomethylphosphonate and catalysts consisting of glycolate oxidase and catalase. The resulting mixture can be hydrogenated and then subjected to hydrolysis to produce N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, a post-emergent phytotoxicant and herbicide.