Abstract: This invention provides a complex consisting essentially of prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and a retinoid which binds to retinol-binding protein, wherein the concentration of retinoid in the complex is from about 2.times.10.sup.-5 M to about 10.sup.-10 M and the concentration of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein is sufficient to maintain the retinoid concentration from about 2.times.10.sup.-5 M to about 10.sup.-10 M. This invention also provides a composition for enhancing the growth of human B cells in culture which comprises an amount of the complex of this invention effective to enhance the growth of human B cells and a nutrient medium. This invention further provides a method of enhancing growth of human B cells in culture comprising growing the cells in culture in a growth medium containing a concentration of the complex effective to enhance growth of the cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in destroying residual oxidative disinfectant, e.g., used to disinfect a contact lens, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting an oxidative disinfectant-containing liquid medium with a material selected from glutathione, oxidized glutathione and mixtures thereof, and a co-factor selected from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and mixtures thereof in the presence of glutathione reductase in an amount effective to promote the oxidation of the co-factor.

Abstract: Surfaces of polymeric materials are coated with a layer of thermally denatured fibrinogen. The fibrinogen may be treated with thrombin to produce fibrin, and additional fibrinogen and factor XIII added to produce a cross-linked fibrin coating. The resulting coated surface is stable, anti-thrombotic and resistant to platelet adhesion. Polymeric materials coated in this way are useful in constructing vascular grafts and prosthetic devices, and provide test systems useful in the study of thrombogenesis.