Abstract: Based on the discovery that normal pregnant mice have a striking reduction in committed precursors of B lymphocytes, which could be documented in mice as early as day 6 of gestation, when IL-7 responding colony forming cells were reduced as much as two-thirds of normal levels, it has been determined that estrogen and other hormones elevated in pregnancy induce a specific modulation of lymphocyte formation during pregnancy and lactation. It is therefore possible to immunomodulate in a specific manner an animal by administration of hormones elevated during pregnancy, such as estrogen and estrogen-like compounds, or antagonists of estrogen. This has potential in the treatment of a number of disorders, especially those found in very high percentages of women as compared with men, such as many of the autoimmune disorders, as well as in immune tolerance during pregnancy, cyclic neutropenia, and osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method and kit for making a polysaccharide-protein Schiff base conjugate. A polysaccharide is oxidized with an oxidizing agent and combined with a protein in the presence of a macromolecular crowding agent to form a Schiff base. Preferably, the macromolecular crowding agent is a soluble linear polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, dextran, nonylphenol-ethoxylates, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the macromolecular crowding agent is a mixture of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. The microparticles or substantially dissolved microparticles are immunogenic and are useful for inducing an immune response when administered to humans or animals.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor-induced cellular proliferation is disclosed, also a method of producing the protein in virus-infected host cells, including purifying the protein such as by using C18 reverse phase HPLC. Additionally, therapeutic uses of the protein also are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to serine protease mutants of the chymotrypsin superfamily that are resistant to inhibition by their cognate inhibitors, and genes that encode the same. The present invention also relates to serine protease inhibitor mutants that inhibit the serine protease mutants of the present invention, and genes that encode the same. The serine protease, mutants and serine protease inhibitor mutants are useful as, e.g., pharmacological agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition containing the p40 subunit of interleukin-12, hereinafter referred to as p40/IL-12 and to methods of diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with disregulation of the immune system.

Abstract: An immunological serum and method of making same. The serum essentially consists of purified and concentrated materials, sometimes known as transfer factor, and immunoglobulins, expressed from the clotted blood of a donor group having known immunity. To produce the serum, a group of donors is chosen which includes known immunity, preferably to a wide variety of ailments. Blood is drawn from the donor group and allowed to clot. Thereafter, the blood is filtered to remove all cellular material, producing raw serum. This raw serum is then concentrated by removal of water. The concentrated serum is then sterilized, but not denatured, by freezing and gamma irradiation.

Abstract: A protein named PHBP-70 having a wound-healing activity which has a molecular weight of about 60-80 KDa by analysis with SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and can be obtained from the blood of the fetus and neonates of mammals including human beings. The protein PHBP-70 is a novel protein having a fibroblast proliferating activity and thus it is useful as a wound-healing agent.

Abstract: A method of treating patients suffering from aberrant conjunctival goblet cell mucous secretion associated with a disorder of or injury to the eye is disclosed. The method, which is based on the discovery that conjunctival goblet cell mucous secretion is under the control of the autonomic nervous system, includes administering to an affected eye of a patient a neural system stimulus or inhibitor for sensory, parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system function. Also disclosed are a therapeutic composition and an article of manufacture including the therapeutic composition useful for carrying out the method of the invention.

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, and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The immunological activity of certain bioactive substances is determined by treating a human peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) culture or a suspension of BALB/c mice resident peritoneal cells (RPC), with a solution of the substance to be tested in order to induce production of cytokines which then are determined according to standard identification methods; amplification of the results may be achieved by admixing, to the solution to be tested, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, preferably indomethacin. The method is also useful for determining the immunological response of a human individual to a therapy using a cytokine inducing substance.

Abstract: A method of retaining or multiplying vector DNA stably in an Escherichia coli host comprising the step of culturing the host having both recA and recJ mutations containing said vector.

Abstract: A coagulation active complex of Factor VIII fragments is produced by causing a coagulation inactive FVIII heavy chain to react with a coagulation inactive FVIII light chain in the presence of a complex forming agent. Thus, FVIII-HC and FVIII-LC are converted to coagulation active FVIII complex in the presence of metal ions, such as Mn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, or Co.sup.2+ or a component of the prothrombin complex or a substance having reactivity to compounds containing the group --SH and/or --S--S.

Abstract: A substantially homogeneous protein having cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activity is provided. Also provided is a therapeutically effective composition for treating a subject having cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: A method for preparing an immobilized enzyme conjugate, whereby the enzyme is treated with a polyfunctional amine reactive material for forming a treated enzyme-containing adduct before being immobilized on a solid support which has been contacted with a solution of a polyamine compound. The method is especially preferred for use with glucoamylase, fungal .alpha.-amylase and .beta.-amylase. Immobilized enzyme conjugates formed by use of this method include treated enzyme-containing adducts. The immobilized enzyme conjugates disclosed herein are more stable and the enzymes immobilized therein are more tightly-held than those otherwise obtained and provided.

Abstract: Recombinant vectors and methods for constructing ricin B are disclosed. The coding sequence for ricin B was cloned, disposed in suitable expression vectors and produced free of components normally accompanying this peptide. In addition, a novel means of reconstructing missing portions of coding sequence, and certain improvements in messenger RNA purification are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the metabolic state of neutrophils present in the body of a patient. In particular, the present invention involves the measurement of the rates of in vitro glycolysis in blood samples taken from individuals as a function of the number of selected cells present in the blood sample, including neutrophils and red blood cells. The physiologic information provided by the present method, which, for example, indicates whether an individual's neutrophils are in a quiescent, primed or activated state, allows the medical practitioner to attain a better understanding of the patient's condition and, consequently, assists in the diagnosis and formulation of proper treatment.

Abstract: A composition is provided, comprising purified alkaline gland fluid (AGF) from the alkaline gland of a cartilaginous fish. The invention also provides a purified protein of approximately 12 kD as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, that decreases sperm motility and can be purified from the alkaline gland of a cartilaginous fish. Further provided are purified proteins that increase sperm motility and can be purified from the alkaline gland of a cartilaginous fish. Particularly, purified proteins of approximately 160 kD, approximately 32 kD and approximately 18 kD as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under non-denaturing conditions increase sperm motility. A method of increasing sperm motility comprising the step of contacting sperm with an amount of the present purified AGF composition or purified proteins effective to increase the motility of the sperm is also provided.

Abstract: An N-terminal peptide sequencing method is disclosed in which a thiocarbamoyl compound is reacted with N-terminal amino acid of the sample to form a derivative of said amino acid which is then cleaved.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of alleviating restenosis, post-PTCA or other coronary arterial intervention, and more particularly, to the use of ancrod to prevent restenosis in the coronary arteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating gram-negative bacterial infections, using BPI protein products. Co-treatment, or concurrent administration, of BPI protein product with an antibiotic in treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections improves the therapeutic effectiveness of the antibiotic, including increasing antibiotic susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria and reversing resistance of the bacteria to antibiotics.