Abstract: A gene expression system is used to produce heterologous biologically active proteins, in particular bioactive granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor ("GM-CSF"), secreted from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera. The gene expression system includes a regulatory nucleotide sequence linked to a second nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous protein. The regulatory sequence, encodes a peptide which directs the secretion of the heterologous protein in bioactive form from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera. The regulatory sequence includes a signal sequence and a promoter sequence. The second nucleotide sequence, which encodes GM-CSF or a biologically active derivative of GM-CSF, may be either natural or synthetic. In particular, the invention relates to an expression system for secreting bioactive, non-glycosylated, oxidized, therapeutically useful GM-CSF from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera.

Abstract: A transformant, which harbors a recombinant vector containing a DNA which codes for human nerve growth factor 2 and a DNA which codes for the pro-region of a nerve growth factor at 5'-terminal of said DNA, produces human nerve factor 2 in stable and large amount in a culture medium.

Abstract: An attenuated enterovirus or rhinovirus, suitable for use as a vaccine, has a reversed base pairing in the part, or in a part corresponding to the part, of the 5' non-coding region of the genome of poliovirus type 3 Leon strain shown below: ##STR1## A suitable attenuated poliovirus has the bases G and C at positions 469 and 534 respectively for a type 1 or type 2 poliovirus or at positions 472 and 537 respectively for a type 3 poliovirus.

Abstract: In a method of producing a virus-safe biological preparation by heating while preserving a least 50% of its biologic activity, a biologially compatible tenside is added to the preparation before heating and heating is carried out in the presence of the same, whereupon the tenside, preferably, is eliminated.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for identifying inhibitors of mature protein hormone formation from a prohormone, and prophylactic and therapeutic uses of the inhibitors for treating diseases associated with elevated levels of the mature hormones, particulary sepsis, AIDS and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Analogs of Factor Xa (Factor Xai) which are inactive as proteases in the prothrombinase reaction are useful in treatment of diseases characterized by thrombosis. These antithrombotic agents can be conveniently prepared using recombinant techniques.

Abstract: A process and means for the design and the optimization of retroviral vectors transducing human .beta.-globin gene and .beta.-Locus Control Region (.beta.-LCR) derivatives, hereafter referred to as [.beta.-globin/LCR] retroviruses, which successfully meet the following criteria required for gene therapy applications: (1) stability of proviral transmission (low frequency of rearrangements similar to retroviral vectors considered stable in the art) upon infection of cell-lines and murine bone marrow cells, (2) improved viral titer, thereby allowing successful infection of bone marrow cells, and (3) high erythroid expression of the transduced human .beta.-globin gene, are described, along with specific constructs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the production of human superoxide dismutase and a novel protocol for enhancing efficiency of expression. The gene encoding for human superoxide dismutase is isolated and inserted into a vector in conjunction with a synthetic linker which provides for enhanced efficiency in translation. E. coli strain D1210 (pSODX8) was deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Sep. 27, 1983 and given Accession No. 39453. Yeast strain 2150-2-3 (pC1/1GAPSOD) and E. coli strains D1210 (pSOD11) and D1210 (pS2OR) were deposited at the A.T.C.C. on May 9, 1984, and given Accession Nos. 20708, 39679 and 39,680, respectively.

Abstract: A phosphacan proteoglycan molecule, or a functional derivatives thereof, binds to brain cells and to a number of cell adhesion molecules including Ng-CAM and N-CAM. Such proteoglycan molecules or functional derivatives, as well as nucleic acids coding therefore are useful in treating a subject having a disorder associated with conditions where it is desirable to promote nerve regeneration. The compositions and methods of the present invention are also useful for diagnosing and monitoring human tumors such as gliomas and astrocytomas.

Abstract: A plasmid having a temperature-sensitive replication origin which has the following properties:a) capable of autonomous replication in Corynebacterium and being retained in Corynebacterium; and,b) when a cell containing said plasmid is cultured at 31.degree. to 37.degree. C., replication of the plasmid is inhibited and at the same time, the plasmid is removed from the cell body; and a method for performing homologous recombination in Corynebacterium using the plasmid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences comprising all or part of the K. lactis TAL1 gene promoter or of a derivative thereof and having a transcriptional promoter activity. It also relates to the use of these sequences for expression of recombinant genes.

Abstract: The use of human Protein C for the prevention and treatment of deposition or aggregation of thrombocytes, microparticles of thrombocytes, and leucocytes is described. In addition, an improved method for the extra-corporeal treatment of body fluids is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions for the prevention and treatment of pathological conditions involving bone and dental tissue. The present invention also provides a method to promote bone repair and/or growth for the treatment of pathological conditions involving bone tissue, for example, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteopetrosis, and periodontal disease and fracture repair, and healing of bone defects by administering FGF-1 to an animal or human in need of treatment.

Abstract: Described is an improved process for fragmenting a biomaterial and isolating and recovering a component thereof. The preferred improved process includes the step of performing the fragmentation by nebulizing a liquid medium containing the biomaterial. A preferred process for fragmenting isolated DNA includes the step of nebulizing a fluid containing the DNA. This preferred process provides randomness superior to prior known DNA fragmentation methods, as well as other important advantages. An improved nebulization device is also described.

Abstract: Cation chromatography with solutions at pH less than 6.0 and low ionic strength can be utilized to purify human .alpha.-1 proteinase inhibitor (.alpha.-1 PI) from biological fluids including plasma and plasma fractions. The cation chromatography takes advantage of the fact that active .alpha.-1 PI does not bind to the cation column under these conditions but other proteins, including denatured .alpha.-1 PI and albumin, do. The effect is that active .alpha.-1 PI flows through the chromatography column leaving the contaminating proteins behind. Recovery of .alpha.-1 PI is high and improvement of purity is dramatic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a virus-safe blood coagulation factor XIII preparation, which is obtained by heating an aqueous solution containing the blood coagulation factor XIII having a specific activity of at least 2 U/mg of total protein, wherein the solution containing less than 10% of known stabilizers selected from the group consisting of sugars, polyols, amino acids, peptides and carboxylic acids, as well as less than 0.5 mol ammonium sulfate per liter, wherein the heating is effected for a period of time sufficient to inactivate infectious agents, preferably for a period of time of from 30 min to 100 h.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining a higher product expression in a producing mammalian cell line characterized by treating the original cell line with itself according to a fusion protocol known in the art. The production of protein products is performed in mammalian tissue culture, and the product could be therapeutic proteins or other molecules intended for human use. In particular, this invention relates to the use of cell fusion methods to obtain a stable high producing cell line.

Abstract: A method for the purification of proteins by displacement chromatography on ion exchange media using low molecular weight displacers is disclosed. Several classes of low molecular weight anionic species are exemplified, including aromatic rings having sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid moieties attached thereon, sulfated sugar derivatives, anionic antibiotics, and dendrimeric polymers. Novel compounds useful as displacers are dendrimers of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, n is 2 to 6 and similar dendritic polymers based thereon.

Abstract: Crosslinked hemoglobin preparations having chemically bound thereto superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase are provided, for use as oxygen carrying rescusitative fluids, e.g. blood substitutes. The enzymes crosslinked to the hemoglobin effectively scavenge super oxide and hydrogen peroxide to improve the performance of the fluid in respect of ischemia-reperfusion injury risks.

Abstract: A wound therapeutic mixture is formulated to work alone or in combination with human growth factors, and is useful for treatment of burns, open sores, incisions, and wounds. The mixture is comprised of a medical grade hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) and tissue culture grade plasma-fibronectin in combination with calcium, phosphate, uric acid, urea, sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium, all elements found in amniotic fluid. The mixture creates a moist healing environment which simulates the fetal in utero wound healing matrix. The therapeutic mixture can be sterile or contain an FDA acceptable preservative system. The compositions may be in the form of a liquid, creme, ointment, gel, hydrogel, hydrocolloid or dressing.