Abstract: A method for delaying onset of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in an individual predisposed to developing the disease is disclosed. The method comprises administering a composition comprising an immunologically effective monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) coupled to a nonimmunogenic hydrophilic polymer that provides a hydration shell around the monoclonal antibody for inhibiting immune recognition thereof. Poly(ethylene glycol) is a preferred polymer. A method of reducing insulitis in an IDDM patient and a composition therefor are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the alleviation of symptoms associated with inflammatory disease states, and more particularly to the inhibition of inflammatory processes associated with the multiple sclerosis disease, by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of antibody substance immunologically reactive with the common .beta. chain (CD18) of human leukocyte integrins and/or competes with mAb 60.3 for binding to human LFA-1.

Abstract: Diagnostic/prognostic methods are provided for screening for pathologies wherein an alteration in estrogen metabolism is indicative of a pathology or a susceptibility thereto which comprise detecting and/or quantifying directly in tissues and body fluids of mammals abnormal levels of estrone metabolites and their glucuronide conjugates. Particularly preferred methods involve the use of the 16OHE1-, 2OHE1- or 2MeoE1-glucuronide fraction, i.e., the fraction which contains the metabolite and its 3-glucuronide conjugate. Methods of preparing reagents to detect said 16OHE1-, 2OHE1-, and 2MeoE1-glucuronide fraction in tissues and body fluids are disclosed as well as test kits for performing the disclosed assays.

Abstract: A process for improving the stability of an antibody or fragment thereof is disclosed. A gene encoding for an amino acid sequence of a variable domain of an antibody or fragment thereof to be modified is provided, and the amino acid sequence of the gene is compared with one of consensus tables 1-6. At least one codon of each pair of codons in the gene, which pair together code for disulfide bridge-forming cysteines, are modified so that all disulfide bridges present in the antibody as produced in a eukaryotic cell are absent from the modified antibody as produced in the method. At least one additional codon in the gene which codes for an amino acid other than a disulfide bridge-forming cysteine is also modified. A prokaryotic microorganism is transformed with the modified gene and additional variable domain DNA, and the modified antibody or fragment thereof is expressed in the prokaryotic microorganism.

Abstract: The use of anti-C5 antibodies to reduce the dysfunction of the immune and hemostatic systems associated with extracorporeal circulation procedures, such as, cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, is disclosed. The antibodies have been found to significantly reduce complement activation, platelet activation, leukocyte activation, and platelet-leukocyte adhesion associated with such procedures.

Abstract: Borna disease virus (BDV) causes a rare neurological disease in horses and sheep. A subtractive cDNA expression library was constructed with poly A-selected RNA from a BDV Infected MDCK cell line. A clone (B8) was isolated that specifically hybridizes to RNA isolated from BDV-infected brain tissue and BDV-infected cell lines. This clone hybridizes to four BDV-specific positive strand RNAs and one negative strand RNA in BDV-infected rat brain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the clone suggests that it represents a full length mRNA which contains several open reading frames. The Borna Disease Virus DNA sequences as well as proteins encoded by the BDV DNA sequences are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of reducing the effects of colon cancer tumors. Various agents are conjugated to monoclonal antibodies which are specific for colon cancer cells. The conjugates are administered to patients having colon cancer such that the effects of the cancer are reduced.

Abstract: The targeting capability of an antibody is enhanced using an antibody-enzyme conjugate and a separate soluble substrate-agent conjugate, wherein the targeted enzyme catalyzes the conversion of a soluble substrate, bearing at least one therapeutic or diagnostic agent, to a product comprising the agent, which accumulates at the target site for effective treatment or diagnosis. This method is useful for targeting any type of agent to a site to which an antibody can selectively bind, including use for imaging, e.g., tumors, infectious lesions, fibrin clots, myocardial infarctions, non-cancerous cells, damaged normal cells, atherosclerotic plaque, lymphocyte autoreactive clones, and for therapy, e.g., with drugs, toxins, immune modulators, radioisotopes or antibiotics.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of treating multiple sclerosis in animals, including humans, by the oral administration of bovine myelin.

Abstract: The thymidine kinase-lacking hybridoma of the invention has resistance to oaubain and an Ig-producing ability and is formed by fusing a chicken B lymphoblast cell with an immunized chicken spleen cell. The hybridoma can be used as parental cell line for cell fusion, and the fused cell is excellent in the production of IgG.

Abstract: The invention is directed generally to a DNA sequence coding for human cyclin A and in particular to antibodies, or antisera including such antibodies, which bind to human cyclin A as encoded by the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and which are useful in detecting cellular proliferation. The antibodies of the invention can be polyclonal or monoclonal, and are preferably generated by injection of purified human cyclin A into an animal host. The invention is particularly advantageous because it has been discovered that the gene encoding for human cyclin A is a site for integration of the hepatitis B virus associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, and by detecting human cyclin A through the use of the antibodies of the invention, one can detect and diagnose cell proliferation. Through the use of the present invention, cell proliferation and tumorigenesis can thus be detected at early stages, and such conditions can then be treated or inhibited by the use of anti-sense human cyclin A DNA.

Abstract: Novel compositions are provided that are derived from antigen-binding sites of immunoglobulins having affinity for cancer antigens. The compositions exhibit immunological binding properties of antibody molecules capable of binding specifically to a human tumor cell displaying a MDR phenotype. A number of synthetic molecules are provided that include CDR and FR regions derived from same or different immunoglobulin moieties. Also provided are single chain polypeptides wherein V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains are attached by a single polypeptide linker. The sFv molecules can include ancillary polypeptide moieties which can be bioactive, or which provide a site of attachment for other useful moieties. The compositions are useful in specific binding assays, affinity purification schemes, drug or toxin targeting, imaging, and genetic or immunological therapeutics for various cancers.

Abstract: A selective culture medium which permits simultaneous detection of total coliform and Escherichia coli in a test sample with a single growth phase incubation period. The culture medium includes the required components of: (i) carbon nutrients, (ii) a nitrogen nutrient, (iii) a source of metabolizable potassium, (iv) a source of metabolizable phosphate, (v) vitamins, (vi) minerals, (vii) amino acids, (viii) sodium pyruvate, (ix) a bactericidal system selective for non-coliform bacteria which includes methylene blue, erythromycin and an azide, and (x) a sensible indicator selectively metabolized by Escherichia coli to the exclusion of other coliforms.

Abstract: A process for extraction of myelin basic protein from myelin containing tissue, such as central nervous system tissue, which process comprises the following steps:extraction of the myelin basic protein from myelin containing tissue with an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of chloroform and compounds having a polarity similar to that of chloroform;incubation of the organic phase in the presence of a lower aliphatic alcohol or propylene glycol;transfer of the myelin basic protein from the lower aliphatic alcohol/organic solvent mixture to an aqueous phase with the aid of hydrogen ions (protons); andrecovery of the purified myelin basic protein. The invention also relates to the product obtainable by the process.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing thrombosis are disclosed. The methods comprise contacting a biological fluid of a subject with an antibody which binds specifically to the peptide liberated when thrombin receptors are activated.

Abstract: A method for promoting eating, the gain of weight or maintenance of weight in a subject. The method includes administering to the subject an effective amount of melanocyte concentrating hormone (MCH) or agonist thereof.

Abstract: A method of determining the proliferative status of a carcinoma is disclosed. One obtains a patient sample and then quantitatively analyzes the sample for NGAL gene expression product. The amount of NGAL expression product is compared with a standard curve to determine the S-phase value. The sample can be breast tissue or breast fluid aspirate. Alternatively, blood can by analyzed for this marker to diagnose metastasis.

Abstract: A method for reversing expression of malignant phenotype in cancer cells is described. The method comprises applying .beta..sub.1 integrin function-blocking antibody to the cells. The method can be used to assess the progress of cancer therapy. Human breast epithelial cells were shown to be particularly responsive.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is a method for producing a product with an enriched content of soluble dietary fiber, such as .beta.-glucan and/or pentosans from a raw material deriving from cereal grains, by using thermal, enzymatic or osmotic treatments or combinations of these. As a first step, suspending of milled cereal or a fraction of cereal in water and when needed, a limited proteolysis is performed in order to improve the solubility of the fiber. Temperature of the mixture is elevated, and the soluble fiber is precipitated with a polar organic solvent on solid carrier particles, which can derive from the raw material or are added in the suspension. A fine fraction, consisting primarily of starch, is separated from the more coarse fraction containing the precipitated fiber, by using methods based on the particle size or density.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the diagnosis of malignant cancer by detection of the mts-1 mRNA or the mts-1 protein, encoded by the mts-1 gene. The present invention contemplates the use of recombinant mts-1 DNA and antibodies directed against the mts-1 protein to diagnose the metastatic potential of several types of tumor cells, including, for example, thyroid, epithelial, lung, liver and kidney tumor cells. The present invention is also directed to mammalian cell lines and tumors with high and low metastatic potential which have been developed to serve as useful model systems for in vitro and in vivo anti-metastasis drug screening.