Abstract: Described here are procedures and kits for the selective detection of toxicants in environmental samples. Specifically exemplified are procedures and kits which are used to detect heavy metals. The presence of heavy metals is detected by observing the inhibition by the toxicant of a microbially produced enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a live virus vaccine against Newcastle Disease containing at least .sup.10 log 5.5 EID.sub.50 per dose of the strain NDW, deposited at the CNCM of Institut Pasteur in Paris under accession no. I-781.

Abstract: An acidic polycyclic ether antibiotic, having structure established by X-ray crystallography, is formed by fermentation of a novel microorganism, Actinomadura sp. ATCC 53676. This novel antibiotic is useful as an anticoccidial in chickens and as a growth promotant in cattle and swine.

Abstract: Kedarcidin chromophore, a non-protein chromophore isolated from kedarcidin antitumor antibiotic, is obtained from purified or partially purified kedarcidin by solvent extraction and chromatographic procedures. The chromophore is characterized and found to contain substantially all of the antitumor activity of kedarcidin.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent which is milk collected from a milk animal which has been immunized by a virus or viruses capable of growing in the digestive tract can be used to prevent a disease such as intractable diseases including multiple sclerosis, acute gastroenteritis and viral hepatitis, which are caused by said virus.

Abstract: Novel steroid compounds which are glycoside derivatives of 14.beta.-hydroxypregnane and 17.alpha.-acetoxy-6.alpha.-methylpregnane are described. The compounds have increased receptor potency when compared to their aglycone and beneficial renal effects.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the identification, characterization and inhibition of farnesyl protein transferases, enzymes involved in the farnesylation of various cellular proteins, including cancer related ras proteins such as p21.sup.ras. One farnesyl protein transferase which is disclosed herein exhibits a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 100,000 upon gel exclusion chromatography. The enzyme appears to comprise one or two subunits of approximately 50 kDa each. Methods are disclosed for assay and purification of the enzyme, as well as procedures for using the purified enzyme in screening protocols for the identification of possible anticancer agents which inhibit the enzyme and thereby prevent expression of proteins such as p21.sup.ras. Also disclosed is a families of compounds which act either as false substrates for the enzyme or as pure inhibitors and can therefore be employed for inhibition of the enzyme.

Abstract: Novel 6-deoxyerythromycin derivatives are disclosed, as are methods for their preparation and use as antiinfective agents. The compounds of the invention include 6-deoxyerythromycins and 6-deoxy-15-norerythromycins which are represented by the structural formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is selected from OH and H, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from H and CH.sub.3, as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of the above compounds. Additionally disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms which produce the compounds of the invention and means for the preparation of those microorganisms.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel multifunctional solid support reagent which is useful in solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Specifically, the reagent is used in a solid phase oligonucleotide process to chemically modify the 3' terminus of a synthetic oligonucleotide with any chemical functional group. The invention reagent can be used to construct 3' labeled oligonucleotide hybridization probes to detect the presence of a target polynucleotide in biological and clinical samples.

Abstract: Ethers and/or esters of D-desosamine having the formula ##STR1## whereinn represents 0 or 1; R and R', each independently, represent linear or branched alkyl having 1-30 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 5-21 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 4-10 carbon atoms, cycloalkylalkyl having 5-11 carbon atoms or phenyl or arylalkyl optionally substituted; or R can represent hydrogen when n=1 and R' can represent hydrogen when n=0, the number of carbon atoms of R, R' or R+R' being equal to 9 to 33 inclusive; or R represents the aglyconic part of erythralosamine and R' represents linear or branched alkyl having 9-30 carbon atoms or alkenyl having 11-21 carbon atoms; and the .alpha. and .beta. anomers, their mixture and their salts.These compounds are usefully employed as anti-bacteria and anti-fungus agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production and utilization of novel antibiotic compounds. These compounds are derivatives of the antibacterial agents tylosin and rosaramicin and exert a broad spectrum antibiotic activity toward several bacterial strains. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating bacterial infections are described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the presence of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed having the formulae: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group, consisting of radicals represented by the general formulae: ##STR2## wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and halogen; Z is oxygen, sulfur or --NH, Q is --CH or nitrogen; a is zero or an integer of from one to three; andwherein, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and straight chain, branched and cyclic hydrocarbyl radicals having from one to four carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with a hydroxyl radical; andwherein X is two hydrogen atoms or oxygen and B is selected from oxygen and nitrogen, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, with the proviso that when X is two hydrogen atoms, B is oxygen, and with the further proviso that when B is oxygen then R.sub.1 cannot be a phenyl or a substituted phenyl radical. Pharmaceutical preparations using these compounds and a method for inducing an adenosine response mediated by the adenosine A.sub.

Abstract: The compound having the formula: ##STR1## has antiviral activity, specifically in the prevention or treatment of infection by retroviruses, including HIV, and immunosuppressive activity, either as a compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a pharmaceutical composition ingredient, whether or not in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines. Methods of preventing or treating viral infections and modulating immune responses in vivo are also described.

Abstract: Reaction schemes for carrying out a variety of chemical synthesis are disclosed. The reactions produce .alpha.-(X)-sialosides wherein X is O, S, N or another compatible electron donating atom or molecular moiety. The reaction schemes include a relatively small number of steps to provide a yield with a relatively small amount of undesired .beta.-configuration product. Compounds synthesized are encompassed by the following general structural formula I. ##STR1## wherein R, R' and R" are each independently H, CH.sub.3, acetyl, or a disaccharide which is preferably lactose.

Abstract: Anthracycline glycosides useful as antitumor agents of formula XV: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, the other of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group and X is a hydrogen atom or a trifluoro acetyl group.

Abstract: Alkoxylated alkyl glucosides having quaternary nitrogen-containing ether substituents possess cationics utility combined with extreme mildness to skin and hair along with stable personal care compositions and processes.

Abstract: A disaccharide compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are as defined in the specification and a salt thereof are disclosed. The compound exhibits excellent antitumor activity and low toxicity and is useful as an antitumor agent.

Abstract: Three'-deaminodoxorubicin esters have been found to have excellent encapsulization efficiency in liposomes and to display high antineoplastic activity. The liposomal formulations have also been found to be quite stable.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing double-stranded DNA sequences is disclosed.