Abstract: Continuous cell lines have been established from adrenocortical corcinomas. The cell lines are maintained in fully defined serum-free, steroid-free mediums. The cells of the invention, as exemplified by NCI-H295 cells, express all of the major pathways of steroid-ogenesis, including formation of corticosteroids, mineralocorticoids and androgens.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a biosorbent for heavy metals having polyaminosaccharide sodiumphosphate as main ingredient prepared from microbial biomass using Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma or Micrococcus genus originating from industrial fermentations and biological treatment plants.

Abstract: An improved method for suppressing xenograft rejection in a host subject is disclosed. The method includes administering an immunosuppressant drug, where the drug or the amount of drug administered is, by itself, ineffective to suppress xenograft rejection. Effective xenograft suppression is achieved by also administering an ethanolic extract of Triterygium wilfordii or a purified triptolide component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is to methods of obtaining plant-derived compositions that inhibit apoptosis, the compositions obtained thereby, compositions comprising the composition, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Culture media, having low osmolarity, for establishing and maintaining hormone-secreting cells in long-term culture are disclosed. Cells are derived from tumorous or non-tumorous animal or human tissues including ovary, endometrium, trophoblast, pituitary, thyroid, and pancreas. The cells secrete into the culture media hormones such as estrogens, progestins, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin, thyroxin, glucagon, and insulin, depending on the tissue of origin of individual cell cultures. The cells proliferate in vitro for up to one year or longer, during which time they retain their hormone-secretion profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering antioxidants to cells and tissues and to compositions suitable for use therein. The invention also relates to methods of disease treatment involving the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The invention is a method and composition for treating diabetes using an extract derived from Heracleum lanatum and a species of Populus.

Abstract: A porous carrier for biocatalysts (a) comprising a water-insoluble inorganic filler and a polyolefine binder selected from polyethylene and polypropylene, (b) having open pores allowing cells to penetrate and grow within its pores, and (c) having a density above 1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: An aqueous composition, initially present as a two-phase gradient, useful for separation of two cell types, such as islet cells from acinar cells, is disclosed, as well as a method of separating the cells. The composition is comprised of a water soluble, metabolically inert substance which maintains density, osmolarity and pH in the presence of cells, and a physiological cold storage solution comprising viscosity modifiers to increase the viscosity and osmotically active impermeant agents for suppressing cold-induced cellular edema, and also comprising a physiological solution capable of maintaining viable cells. These solutions are present in various combinations in a concentration sufficient to provide a first solution with a density greater than both cell types in their natural state, and less than the second cell type after incubation in said solution, and a second solution having a density less than that of both cell types. The system is allowed to stand or is centrifuged to separate the cells.

Abstract: A method for treating urinary incontinence while avoiding concomitant liability of adverse effects associated with racemic oxybutynin is disclosed. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of (S)-oxybutynin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, substantially free of its R enantiomer. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising (S)-oxybutynin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, substantially free of its R enantiomer, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for preventing, stabilizing or causing regression of vascular leak syndrome is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a compound selected from the group consisting of a corticosteroid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, 15-deoxyspergualin and related compounds, and phospholipase A.sub.2 inhibitors.

Abstract: The rate of absorption of drugs across skin and other body membranes such as mucous membranes and the blood brain barrier is enhanced by adding to the drug composition a compound which enhances the rate. This compound may be a macrocyclic ester, diester, amide, diamide, amidine, diamidine, thioester, dithioester, thioamide, ketone or lactone. The macrocyclic ketone contains at least 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Ground germinated rice or an extract of polished rice or germinated rice are effective in preventing or treating ulcers.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition capable of stimulating growth and regeneration of epidermal cells. The composition comprises an aqueous, cell-free extract derived from epidermal cells.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting platelet aggregation with an agent which is able to normalize and enhance platelet reactivity without adversely affecting the bleeding time. The method additionally prevents adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of inulin, oligofructose or their derivatives as functional ingredients in functional food, functional feed, OTC and pharmaceutical composition to prevent mammary carcinogenesis or treat breast cancer.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes in wound healing or in the growth of artificial skin grown in vitro. The wound is contacted with (a) an effective amount of purified Clostridiopeptidase A collagenase that is substantially free from other proteinases and (b) an amount of a growth factor that increases the effects of said collagenase. The artificial skin is grown upon biomatrices previously synthesized by living cells and digested with Clostridiopeptidase A collagenase while in the presence of (a) an effective concentration of purified Clostridiopeptidase A collagenase substantially free from other proteinases and (b) a growth factor in a concentration effective to increase the effectiveness of said collagenase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cultured cells of Quillaja sp. For the preparation of active substances from Quillaja sp., such as saponins. The cells may either originate from a callus tissue culture or from a suspension cell culture. Preferred Quillaja sp. are species selected from the group consisting of Quillaja saponaria Molina, Quillaja smegmadermos, Quillaja brasiliesis. The invention further relates to active substances extracted from cultured cells of Quillaja sp. and to preparations comprising these active substances, or a non-dialysable or a dialysable fraction thereof, to methods for preparing the active substances and to various agents, comprising the dialyzable and/or the non-dialysable fraction of an extract of cultured cells of Quillaja sp. And having various properties.

Abstract: A cell culture unit is disclosed herewith comprising a shell having two ends with an elongated chamber them between. A liquid and a gas perfusion port are located on each end. Liquid perfusion fibers are connected to the liquid perfusion ports and gas perfusion fibers are connected to the gas perfusion ports. These fibers thereby define an extracapillary and intracapillary space. The cell culture unit further comprises means for communicating with the intracapillary space of the gas perfusion fibers, means for communicating with the intracapillary space of the liquid perfusion fibers, and means for communicating with the extracapillary space.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and chemically defined media for the cultivation of cells, particularly epithelial cells. Cells may be cultured with a varied calcium concentration. Furthermore, a calcium concentation in excess of 1.00 mM may be used in the practice of the present invention without loss of a proliferative cell population and maintianing high colony forming efficiencies. Population doubling times range from about 16 to about 33 hours. Cells may serially cultivated to achieve from about 20 to about 50 population doublings.