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, charged species are exemplified, including aminoacids, peptides, 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 X is a common counter anion and similar dendritic polymers based thereon.

Abstract: A method of producing denatured bovine serum albumin (BSA) milk products is disclosed which provides a container for containing the milk products and a source of heating the container for a period of time and within a certain temperature range sufficient for producing the denatured BSA milk products without substantially diminishing either the flavor or the nutritional value of the milk products. It appears that the consumption of denatured BSA milk products, as opposed to consumption of non-denatured BSA milk products, will tend to reduce the likelihood of a person acquiring Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), atherosclerotic vascular disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, pernicious anemia, and other human autoimmune diseases.

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: The invention provides a method of separating a biomacromolecule which comprises the steps of providing a separation system including a filter element which comprises a composite filtration medium, the composite filtration medium comprising a filtration layer on the upstream surface of which are located insoluble stationary phase particulates, the particulates being capable of binding to a biomacromolecule or class of biomacromolecules, a reservoir containing a solution mixture comprising at least one biomacromolecule as solute, and a pump and associated tubing to form a closed loop assembly, and recirculation pumping the solution mixture through the filter cartridge so as to bind the at least one biomacromolecule to the stationary phase particulate so as to form a biomacromolecule:stationary phase particulate product.

Abstract: A process is described for producing M-CSF from bacteria. It includes: fermentation of bacteria containing M-CSF DNA; harvest of the fractions that contain the M-CSF protein (refractile bodies); primary recovery of the protein; solubilization and denaturation of refractile bodies; M-CSF refolding; purification by column chromatography and other methods; and formulation of the properly refolded M-CSF. This method is advantageous over prior methods in terms of yield and purity.

Abstract: Method for affecting viability of a eucaryotic cell by contacting the cell with a modulator of the activity of a PIF-1-type helicase in the cell. Such contacting specifically increases or decreases the specific activity of the helicase in the cell.

Abstract: The expression of Class II antigen expression by intestinal epithelial cells is modulated by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of TGF-.beta.2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a human MCP-1 derivative, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, wherein human MCP-1 has been modified such that the protein inhibits monocyte chemoattractant activity. Successful inhibition of the activity is found where the MCP-1 is modified in one or more of the following: a) the 28-tyrosine is substituted by aspartate, b) the 24-arginine is substituted by phenylalanine, c) the 3-aspartate is substituted by alanine, and/or d) the 2-8 amino acid sequence is deleted. The claimed MCP-1 derivatives can be administered to a patient in need of inhibiting MCP-1 monocyte chemoattractant activity. For example, the derivatives can be used to prevent restenosis, such as that which is common in a patient undergoing coronary artery angioplasty. The invention further relates to compositions and methods of inhibiting monocyte chemoattractant activity of MCP-1 employing the derivatives described.

Abstract: A process is described for generating conjugates of lipids and biologically active agents to produce compositions having therapeutic utility, such as drug delivery vehicles. The process involves mixing the reactive lipid with an appropriate amount of diketene to form an acetoacetylated lipid which is then isolated, dissolved in a suitable medium, and mixed with a nucleophilic-containing biologically active agent to form a biologically active agent-lipid conjugate. Alternatively, the acetoacetylated lipid can be mixed with a polyamine to form a cationic lipid.

Abstract: An isolated and purified substance called Acta having the following features: (a) a molecular weight of 60 kd to 70 kd in SDS-PAGE using 12.5% gel, (b) reacts with a monoclonal antibody which is secreted by hybridoma FERM BP-3482, (c) binds to chymotrypsin and (d) binds to DNA. Acta is used to diagnose cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for culturing at least two different cell types in close proximity are provided. A solid support having at least one depression wherein a controlled concentration of a selected cell type can be layered is employed in the invention.

Abstract: Method for diagnosing a cellular aging or inflammation condition of keratinocytes of the skin or a pilous follicle in a person, or for diagnosing the efficiency of a treatment intended to combat said condition. To this effect, the concentration or activity of certain markers (catalase, glutathion or glutathion peroxydase) is compared in the keratinocytes suspected of being pathological and the keratinocytes of a reference non pathological area. The pathological condition intensifies the activity of the catalase, or reduces the activity of other markers. Application particularly to the diagnosis of alopecia, and to the estimation of the efficiency of a treatment of baldness with minoxidil in a given individual.

Abstract: Human serum albumin obtained by gene manipulation techniques can be purified by a combination of specified steps in which a culture supernatant obtained from a human serum albumin-producing host is subjected to ultrafiltration, heat treatment, acid treatment and another ultrafiltration, followed by subsequent treatments with a cation exchanger, a hydrophobic chromatography carrier and an anion exchanger, and by salting-out to thereby obtain a pure form of human serum albumin which contains substantially no proteinous and polysaccharide contaminants, which is formulated into a pharmaceutical preparation. This process makes it possible to effeciently purify recombinant human serum albumin and to provide substantially pure human serum albumin which does not contain producer host-related substances and other contaminants and is sufficiently free from coloration.

Abstract: A stabilized conjugated peptide complex comprising a peptide conjugatively coupled to a polymer including lipophilic and hydrophilic moieties, wherein the peptide may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of insulin, calcitonin, ACTH, glucagon, somatostatin, somatotropin, somatomedin, parathyroid hormone, erythropoietin, hypothalamic releasing factors, prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormones, endorphins, enkephalins, vasopressin, non-naturally occurring opioids, superoxide dismutase, interferon, asparaginase, arginase, arginine deaminease, adenosine deaminase, ribonuclease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting carbohydrate-deficient glycoproteins in samples taken from subjects with metabolic disorders, such as alcohol abuse and subjects who display a syndrome of carrying abnormal levels of carbohydrate deficient glycoproteins. The method involves steps of reglycosylating with a fluorescent-conjugate deglycosylated glycoproteins in a sample of body fluid from a subject. A further step involves fluorometric detection of fluoresceinylated carbohydrates incorporated into truncated serum glycoproteins.

Abstract: An improved kinetic assay is provided for spectrophotometrically determining the dissolved carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) content of a body fluid (e.g., blood, plasma or serum), wherein at about pH 8.0 the CO.sub.2 is present substantially as bicarbonate ion (HCO.sub.3.sup.-). The assay sample is first subjected to a coupled reaction mixture containing phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) which enzymatically catalyzes conversion of HCO.sub.3.sup.- to oxaloacetate (OA). The OA produced is subjected to a second coupled reaction mixture containing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) which thereby reduces the OA to malate and oxidizes the NADH to NAD.sup.+. The CO.sub.2 level in the body fluid sample may indirectly be determined by spectrophotometrically measuring the change in NADH concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of monoclonal antibodies, wherein a sealed dialysis tube (18) is fixed within a roller bottle (10) to be immersed in a growth medium (24) contained within the roller bottle, the dialysis tube is filled with a culture of hybridomas (20) to the extent that a bubble (22) remains within the tube, and the bottle is rotated or otherwise moved in order to cause the bubble to oscillate back and forth from one end of the tube to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of unpigmented skin from flat fish as novel industrial source of collagen. As unpigmented skin, the ventral skin is used in particular, from sole, dab, turbot, brill. Native acid-soluble collagen is advantageously extracted and separated by precipitation from the supernatant. The invention makes it possible to improve the collagen yield at reduced cost while preserving the native properties of the protein, and in a reproducible manner.