Abstract: The invention describes a method for extracting DNA from a sample. It involves contacting a sample with a separation reagent which permits differentiated solvation of DNA and protein. By adding a gel polymer, such as a silical gel polymer to the mixture of sample and separating reagent followed by agitation via, e.g., centrifugation, the DNA and protein are separated, with the gel acting as a block to prevent contamination of the DNA phase by the protein. Higher yields of DNA are obtained as compared to methodologies where the gel is not used. Additionally, the problems associated with the physical contact of the solvents, which are frequently carcinogens, are avoided. Also taught are kits which can be used in connection with the inventive method.

Abstract: Lymphotoxin (LT) mutein (genetically-altered LT) is disclosed that has the following amino acid sequence, or a portion of an active portion of said protein, where 10 to 21 amino acids of LT being deleted from N-terminus and which has Pro or Phe at the N-terminus: ##STR1## Wherein R.sub.1 is Pro or Phe, R.sub.2 is a peptide chain represented by the following sequence:Ala-Gln-Thr-Ala-Arg-Gln-His-Pro-Lys-Met-His-Leu,or a portion thereof and n is 0 or 1.The LT mutein can be recovered in a higher yield and purified more efficiently under mild conditions which does not harm the LT's biological activity, than the whole LT.

Abstract: A thermostable, very acidic protease, which has been named thermopsin, was purified to homogeneity from the culture medium of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius by a five-step procedure including column chromatographies on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Sephadex G-100, MonoQ (FPLC), and gel filtration (HPLC). The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain having proteolytic activity over pH range 0 to 11 at temperatures between 0.degree. and 100.degree. C., with maximal activity at approximately pH 2 and 90.degree. C. Antibodies directed against thermopsin have been prepared. Through studies using various aspartic protease inhibitors, thiol and metalloprotease inhibitors, and serine protease inhibitors, it was determined that, although similar to some aspartic proteases, the active site of thermopsin is clearly not identical to that of other aspartic proteases.

Abstract: A method of cleaving nucleic acids comprises contacting a nucleic acid to an oxoruthenium(IV) coordination complex. Examples of coordination compounds useful for carrying out the method include Ru.sup.IV (tpy)(bpy)O.sup.2+, Ru.sup.IV (typ)(phen)O.sup.2+, Ru.sup.IV (typ)(tmen)O.sup.2+, Ru.sup.IV (bpy).sub.2 (py)O.sup.2+, and Ru.sup.IV (phen).sub.2 (py)O.sup.2+.

Abstract: The preparation and use of polynucleotides and polypeptides corresponding to a novel gene expressed in fetal intestinal endoderm cells and the corresponding gene product, respectively, are disclosed. Expression of the gene, designated the intestinal oncofetal gene, is associated with neoplastic transformation in non-fetal intestinal cells other than adult crypt cells.Clone OCI-5 was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rocksville, Maryland 20852, U.S.A., on Aug. 18, 1988, and granted accession No. 40481.

Abstract: The present invention provides cobalamin acid hydrazides of the general formula:B--CO--NH--NH--R--CO--NH--NH).sub.x H (I)wherein B is a residue formed from a cobalamin by the splitting off of a --CONH.sub.2 group, R is a spacer and x is 0 or 1, as well as a process for the preparation thereof.The present invention also provides cobalamin conjugates of the general formula:B--d--CO--NH--NH--R--CO--NH).sub.x N.dbd.GP (II)in which B, R and x have the above-given meanings and d signifies the position of --CO--NH--, as well as a process for the preparation thereof. These cobalamin conjugates are very suitable for use in immunoassays, especially for the determination of cyanocobalamin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing carboranyl uridine nucleoside compounds and their diethyl ether adducts, which exhibit a tenfold increase in boron content over prior art boron containing nucleoside compounds. Said carboranyl uridine nucleoside compounds exhibit enhanced lipophilicity and hydrophilic properties adequate to enable solvation in aqueous media for subsequent incorporation of said compounds in methods for boron neutron capture therapy in mammalian tumor cells.

Abstract: There are disclosed derivatives of avermectin compounds wherein one or both of the 13-oleandrose saccharide groups lack the methyl group of the 3'- or 3"-methoxy. Such compounds are potent anthelmintic and antiparasitic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates, by way of novel industrial products which are useful in therapy, to the benzopyranone-.beta.-D-thioxyloside compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which: one of the substituents R or R' is an oxygen atom double-bonded to the corresponding cyclic carbon atom and the other is a group R.sub.1,the symbol represents a double bond conjugated to the CO group provided by one of the substituents R or R',X is a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which are identical or different, are each a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group or a phenyl group, it being possible for R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, taken together, to form a 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one group or a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9H-xanthen-9-one group with the benzopyranone group to which they are bonded, andY is the hydrogen atom or an aliphatic acyl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a substance Trehalostatin which is a white powder soluble in water but hardly or only slightly soluble in hexane, benzene, ethers and petroleum ether, shows no absorption maxima at 220 nm or above in its ultraviolet visible light absorption spectrum, is positive in Rydon-Smith reaction and negative in ninhydrin reaction, 3,6-dinitrophthalic acid reaction and Elson-Morgan reaction, has an Rf value of 0.37 in Merk Kieselgal 60 G.sub.254 thin layer chromatography using a 3:1:2 mixture of n-butanol, acetic acid and water as a developing solvent, and Rt of 11.0 minutes in YMC PA03 (0.7.times.27 cm) high performance liquid chromatography using 65% v/v acetonitrile (in H.sub.2 O) as a solvent at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, has a molecular weight of 366 and a specific rotatory power [.alpha.].sub.D of +115.degree., and presents an NMR spectrum described below:H-NMR/D.sub.2 O 3.3 (ppm), dd, 1H, 3.5 (ppm), m, 1H, 3.5 (ppm), t, 1H, 3.6 (ppm), d, 1H, 3.6 (ppm), d, 1H, 3.7 (ppm), d, 1H, 3.

Abstract: A method for improvement of a sensitivity of enzyme detection by irradiating enzymatic reaction components containing free radical contaminants with light ranging from the ultraviolet through the visible light spectrum prior to an enzyme detection reaction is disclosed.

Abstract: A targetable gene delivery system is provided for introducing foreign genes into mammalian cells. The system employs a soluble targetable DNA complex and utilizes receptor-mediated endocytosis to endow cell specificity. The soluble DNA-carrying complex is formed by non-covalently binding a ligand conjugate with the foreign gene. The conjugate, in turn, is formed by bonding receptor-specific ligands such as asialoglycoproteins to polycations such as polylysine through covalent bonds such as disulfide bonds. The system exhibits a high degree of cell specificity and offers potential for the treatment of inherited genetic disorders.

Abstract: An immune response-enhancing guanosine analog derivative having a structure that conforms to the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is oxygen (O) or sulfur (S); X is oxygen (O), sulfur (S) selenium (Se) or cyanimino (NCN); and R.sub.1 is an aldoglycoside is disclosed. Also disclosed are a composition containing the guanosine analog derivative as active ingredient and a method of using the composition for immunostimulation.

Abstract: A 1', 2,3,3',4,4'-hexa-O-methylsucrose compound is disclosed which is useful as an intermediate compound to make water-absorbent polyesters and polyethers. This compound may be used as an intermediate and oxidized to a dicarboxylic acid to make other novel polyesters or polyamides.

Abstract: A method for measuring diaphorase activity comprising mixing a sample comprising diaphorase with nitro blue tetrazolium, EDTA or a salt thereof, at least one of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and a surface active agent, to form an assay solution; and measuring an increase in absorbance, due to the formation of diformazan, in the assay solution and reagents used in a method for measuring diaphorase activity comprising a first solution, a second solution, EDTA, and a surface active agent, wherein the first solution comprises at least one of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and the second solution comprises nitro blue tetrazolium.

Abstract: Deoxyribonucleoside phosphonates, thiophosphonates and selenophosphonates are obtained by condensation of a difunctional phosphonylating reagent of the formulaR--PXY,in which R is an inert non-cytotoxic organic radical, X is chlorine or Y and Y is a secondary amino group, with a deoxyribonucleoside of which the 5-hydroxyl group and any exo-amino group presents in the base radical are protected, and further condensation with a nucleoside of which the 3-hydroxyl group and any exo-amino group present in the base radical are protected, and then oxidation. The thiophosphonates and selenophosphonates and the intermediates of the first condensation stage are new.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the expression of the HIV tat gene are disclosed comprising contacting tat RNA with oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide analog which can bind with at least a portions of the RNA. In accordance with the preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide analogs are designed to bind to portions of the tat RNA which are of significance to the expression of the gene coding for said RNA. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, methods of treatment of human immunodeficiency virus are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel S-adenosylmethionine derivatives useful as medicament are provided which are represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent straight or branch alkyl or alkenyl having 1-10 carbon atoms; m is 1-3; and A is an anion of inorganic or organic acids.

Abstract: A process for producing 5'-inosinic acid by culturing 5'-inosinic acid-producing bacteria in a medium containing inosine, and cane molasses, sucrose or glucose as the main carbon source and containing at least one of L-methylglycine, N,N-dimethylglycine, N,N,N-trimethylglycine and (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium in an amount effective to enhance the yield of 5'-inosinic acid, and harvesting the 5'-inosinic acid produced.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing an L-amino acid, which entails culturing bacteria producing the L-amino acid in a medium containing cane molasses, sucrose or glucose as a main carbon source and containing at least one substance selected from the group consisting of N-methylglycine, N,N-dimethylglycine, N,N,N-trimethylglycine and (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethyl ammonium in an amount effective to enhance the yield of the L-amino acid; and harvesting the L-amino acid, and wherein the L-amino acid is selected from the group consisting of L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-glutamine, L-arginine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-threonine, L-histidine, L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan, L-serine, L-ornithine, L-citrulline, L-tyrosine and L-leucine.