Abstract: Certain bisamine compounds which have a cyclohexapeptidyl nucleus and which are found to have antibiotic activity with physical properties suitable for direct use in therapeutic compositions are described. A novel process for their preparation is also described.

Abstract: A chemoattractant protein called "eotaxin" is capable of attracting eosinophils and of inducing eosinophil accumulation and/or activation in vitro and in vivo. Various types of agents that inhibit or otherwise hinder the production, release or activity of eotaxin may be used therapeutically in the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1 mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity and methods for treating interleukin-1 mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The invention provides chemistry libraries containing fused 2,4-pyrimidinediones. The invention also provides methods for the construction of fused 2,4-pyrimidinedione containing libraries. The invention further provides methods for the identification of bioactive, fused 2,4-pyrimidinediones from those libraries.

Abstract: This invention represents a significant advance in prenatal diagnosis by providing urinary screening to detect fetal aneuploidies. Herein disclosed are methods for prenatally assessing risks of a pregnancy being affected by Down syndrome and other aneuploidies by testing maternal urine samples for levels of .beta.-core-hCG. Levels of maternal urinary .beta.-core-hCG above normal indicate a risk that the pregnancy is affected with Down syndrome, and in general risks of other fetal aneuploidies are indicated by either lower than normal or higher than normal maternal urinary .beta.-core-hCG levels. Assessments can be made based on urinary .beta.-core-hCG levels alone or in conjunction with levels of other urinary and/or serum markers, ultrasound parameters and other factors, such as, maternal age.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel catalase which is cloned from Bacillus theremoglucosidasius. The invention further provides a process for preparing catalase in high yield, which comprises constructing expression vectors and transformant cells with catalase genes cloned from microorganisms using genetic engineering technology, and obtaining the expression product. The invention also provides a novel recombinant plasmid and a novel transformant cell constructed in the process.In addition, the invention provides a composition for decomposing hydrogen peroxide contained in the residual disinfectant on contact lenses, which comprising the novel catalase of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides human cytokine signal regulators (CKSR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode CKSR. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with expression of CKSR.

Abstract: A DNA sequence encoding a lipase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2. The lipase has a trypsin-like catalytic triad including an active serine located in a predominantly hydrophobic, elongated binding pocket of the lipase molecule and, located in a critical position of a lipid contact zone of the lipase structure, an amino acid residue different from an aromatic amino acid residue, which amino acid residue interacts with a lipid substrate at or during hydrolysis, in which lipase variant of the amino acid residue has been replaced by an aromatic amino acid residue so as to confer to the variant an increased specific activity as compared to that of the parent lipase.

Abstract: Substances comprising disaccharides and substances comprising carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharides in substantially purified form, and methods of using same, are disclosed for the regulation of cytokine activity in a host. For instance, the secretion of active Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-.alpha.) can be either inhibited or augmented selectively by administration to the host of an effective amount of a substance of the invention. Thus, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and their use for the prevention and/or treatment of pathological processes involving the induction of active cytokine secretion, such as TNF-.alpha.. The invention also relates to the initiation of a desirable immune system-related response by the host to the presence of activators, including pathogens. The substances and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered daily, at very low effective doses, typically below 0.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of treating a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease in animals, including humans, by the oral administration of autoantigens, fragments of autoantigens, or analogs structurally related to those autoantigens, which are specific for the particular autoimmune disease. The method of the invention includes both prophylactic and therapeutic measures.

Abstract: Restriction enzymes are used to remove from DNA a complete and undamaged structural gene coding region for the expression of DNA polymerase I (polA) without the gene's natural promoter or with only a significantly damaged portion of the gene's natural promoter. Also by the use of restriction enzymes, a segment from a plasmid cloning vector is excised at a position adjacent to a promoter which is conditionally controllable and may be more powerful than the damaged or removed promoter. The gene for DNA polymerase I is enzymatically cloned into said vector at the position of said removed segment and adjacent to said conditionally controllable promoter. Multicopies of the cloned vector are introduced into a host baterial strain (E. coli). The host strain is then cultured so that the cell colony grows and replicates new generations containing replicated foreign plasmid. During such said replication the activity of said controllable promoter is repressed.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries are disclosed which are represented by Formula I: ##STR1## wherein: ##STR2## is a solid support; T'--L-- is an identifier residue; and --L'--II' is a ligand/linker residue. These libraries contain dihydrobenzopyrans of the formula ##STR3## which interact (i.e., as agonists or antagonists) with .alpha. adrenergic receptors, dopamine receptors, .sigma.-opiate receptors, and K.sup.+ channels and are inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase isozymes. They are useful in the treatment of ocular diseases such as glaucoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (S-ACTR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode S-ACTR. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding S-ACTR and a method for producing S-ACTR. The invention also provides for use of S-ACTR and agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding S-ACTR, in the prevention and treatment of cancers. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding S-ACTR for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of S-ACTR. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, or antibodies specifically binding S-ACTR.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mutant aspartase comprising the amino acid sequence of a wild-type E. coli aspartase wherein the amino acid residue at one of positions 25, 123, 421 and 463 is substituted. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the above mutant aspartase.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing or inhibiting apoptosis are provided by this invention. The methods require introducing into a cell which may undergo apoptosis a nucleic acid molecule coding for a gene product having crmA biological activity or a crmA polypeptide. This invention also provides compositions and methods for maintaining T cell viability in a subject infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), by administering to the subject an effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule coding for a gene product having crmA biological activity or the gene product itself.

Abstract: A method and test kit for determining milk production in bovines is described. The acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (ACS) production is determined and related to milk production. The method is useful in selection and/or breeding to enhance milk production. Recombinant microganisms, plasmids and ACS is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for the detection of analytes using the nuclear reorganization energy, .lambda., of an electron transfer process.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the systematic analysis of the structure and function of polypeptides by identifying active domains which influence the activity of the polypeptide with a target substance. Such active domains are determined by substituting selected amino acid segments of the polypeptide with an analogous polypeptide segment from an analog to the polypeptide. The analog has a different activity with the target substance as compared to the parent polypeptide. The activities of the segment-substituted polypeptides are compared to the same activity for the parent polypeptide for the target. A comparison of such activities provides an indication of the location of the active domain in the parent polypeptide. The invention also provides methods for identifying the active amino acid residues within the active domain of the parent polypeptide.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid from specific strains of Haemophilus influenzae is provided which encodes at least a portion of the D15 outer membrane protein of Haemophilus. The nucleic acid is used to produce peptides, polypeptides and proteins free of contaminant associated with Haemophilus for purposes of diagnosis and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid may be used in the diagnosis of Haemophilus infection. Antisera obtained following immunization with the nucleic acid D15 outer membrane protein or peptides also may be used for the purpose of diagnosis and medical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of a new gene, des, which encodes a M. tuberculosis protein named DES. The des gene appears to be conserved among different Mycobacteria species. The amino acid sequence of the DES protein contains two sets of motifs that are characteristic of the active sites of enzymes from the class II diiron-oxo protein family. Among this family of proteins, DES shares significant homology with soluble stearoyl-ACP desaturases. DES is a highly antigenic protein, which is recognized by human sera from patients infected with M. tuberculosis and M. leprae but not by sera from tuberculous cattle. Thus, the DES protein provides a useful tool for the serodiagnostic analysis of tuberculosis.