Abstract: Apparatus and method for studying cellular processes comprise a vessel having a base including a layer comprising a scintillant substance and which is adapted for attachment and/or growth of cells. Cellular processes are examined by scintillation proximity assay using a reagent labelled with a radioisotope.

Abstract: A method of purifying cyclitols, particularly inositol, from mixtures including simple and complex carbohydrates begins by reducing the concentration of carbohydrates other than cyclitols to facilitate separation and crystallization of the cyclitol in high purity. Other carbohydrates can be removed or depleted from a mixture by adding a microorganism to the mixture which preferentially consumes carbohydrates but not cyclitol.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an extract of prunella or at least one prunella saponin. This extract or this saponin is used for the preparation of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical and/or dermatological composition. Said composition makes it possible to regulate the renewal and differentiation of the keratinocytes and has an anti-aging activity, an anti-inflammatory activity, especially in inflammations caused by ultraviolet radiation, or an anti-allergic or anti-free-radical activity. It also enables the epidermis of normal skin to be kept in good condition, especially by maintaining the functional role of the skin, in particular as a protective barrier, and makes it possible to prevent or treat dry skin, especially ichthyotic skin, and to treat psoriasis.

Abstract: Bacteria capable of reducing the concentration of sulphur black dye in a substrate when contacted with the substrate are provided. The subject bacteria may be either aerobic or anaerobic and reduce the concentration of sulphur black dye in the substrate through either bioadsorption or biodegradation of sulphur black dye.

Abstract: NADH oxidase is shown to be a target for a variety of uses in diagnosis and therapy. Particularly, the NADH oxidase associated with neoplastic cells is immunologically and biologically different from NADH oxidase associated with normal cells. Thus, the presence of tumor cells in patients can be monitored by monitoring the NADH oxidase of serum. In addition, use of the NADH oxidase associated with tumor cells provides opportunities for assays for screening drugs which are specific for neoplastic cells and can serve as anticancer drugs or growth inhibitors.

Abstract: A process is provided for screening for a malignant tumor. The process comprises the steps of determining the amount of GlcNAc transferase V activity in a tumor sample by reacting the GlcNAc transferase V in a tumor sample with an acceptor substrate and a sugar nucleotide donor to produce a detectable change, and detecting the change. The acceptor substrate is an oligosaccharide, a glycopeptide or a glycoprotein having the structure GlcNAc .beta.1-2Man .alpha.1-6Man-R.sub.1. R.sub.1 is GlcNAc .beta.1-4GlcNAc with or without fucose or a synthetic linker. The sugar nucleotide donor is uridine diphospho-N-acetylglycosamine. The amount of GlcNAc transferase V activity in the sample is thereby determined. A determination of the malignancy of the tumor is made by comparing the amount of GlcNAc transferase V activity in the sample with an amount of GlcNAc transferase V associated with normal tissues or with known malignant tumors. A diagnostic kit for screening for a malignant tumor is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel bis-naphthalimides characterized by having a linker containing a heteroatom, their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and various methods of using the bis-naphthalimides. Particularly preferred bis-naphthalimides have a linker of about 8-16 atoms where the heteroatom is oxygen, sulfur, sulfur oxide or sulfur dioxide. The bis-naphthalimides provided herein have exceptional DNA binding properties and demonstrate cytotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo tumor models, in particular, against melanoma.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric liquid crystals prepared from a polysaccharide and a solvent, preferably water, which are used to deliver nutrients, perfumes, flavors, drugs and other ingredients in foods, cosmetics, household soaps, health care products e.g. bar or liquid soaps, toothpaste, shampoos, creams, and lotions and other preparations. The encapsulated active vehicle comprises:(a) from about 0.001% to about 60% of an active; and(b) from about 40% to about 99.999% of a stable polymeric liquid crystal consisting essentially of:(1) from about 10% to about 90% of a solvent; and(2) from about 10% to about 90% of a polysaccharide having a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000.

Abstract: A fluorescence analysis system detects light transmitted from wells in a sample plate. One embodiment of the system includes a single light detector. A reflector is capable of receiving light from any one of several detection emitters and of reflecting the light toward the light detector. One reflector includes a prism which is mounted on a stepping motor. The prism is selectively rotated so that it faces each detection emitter in turn. The light from several wells in a row is directed toward the light emitter by rotating the prism to face, one-by-one, each of the emitters corresponding to the wells. The detection emitters include one end of an optical fiber bundle. The other end of each bundle is positioned near the wells, with each bundle positioned by a different well to carry light from that well to the corresponding emitter. A collimating lens is positioned between each detection emitter and the rotating prism to focus light from the emitter onto the prism.

Abstract: The specification discloses methods for modulating cellular metabolism in a subject, modulating being desirable to mitigate a condition of the subject. Disclosed methods include processes for administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein one and only one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 is a straight-chain or branched-chain .omega.-hydroxyalkyl (5-8C), or is a branched-chain (.omega.-1)-hydroxyalkyl (5-8C), or is an (.omega.-1)-oxoalkyl (5-8C), or is an (.omega., .omega.-1) or (.omega.-1, .omega.-2)-dihydroxyalkyl (5-8C), or is an alkenyl substituent (5-8C), and the other is alkyl (1-12C) optionally containing one or two non-adjacent oxygen atoms in place of C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rapid, efficient, inexpensive screening and diagnostic procedure for detecting avermectin/milbemycin resistance in parasitic nematodes. The procedure is designed for field use. The method entails the incubation of nematode sensillum with specific visible or fluorescent dyes that intercalate and diffuse in membranes of sensory neurons on the outer surface of wild-type nematodes but which do not bind or have reduced binding in resistant nematodes. The method is particularly directed to ivermectin resistant parasitic nematodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method useful in separating non-high density lipoproteins, referred to as "non-HDLs", from biological fluids containing them. A porous carrier is provided which contains a non-HDL precipitating agent. One need only contact the sample of interest to the carrier for one minute or less, after which the precipitated non-HDLs are no longer present in the sample being tested. The applications of the method include the ability to determine high density lipoproteins in the sample without interference from non-HDLs.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using human cells. Specifically, the method detects differences between potassium channels in cells from Alzheimer's patient and normal donors, and differences in intracellular calcium concentrations between Alzheimer's and normal cells in response to chemicals known to increase intracellular calcium levels.

Abstract: A test article for determining coagulation capability in a blood sample comprises a porous membrane having a coagulation initiator and substrate impregnated therein. The pore dimensions and composition of the membrane may be selected so that only blood plasma can pass into the interior of the membrane, where coagulation is initiated. Alternatively, the substrate may be selected to have an emission and/or excitation wavelength which is not absorbed by hemoglobin. The substrate is activated by a component of the coagulation pathway, typically thrombin, and produces a detectable signal upon activation. By utilizing membrane matrix materials which are substantially free from interference with the coagulation pathway, accurate results can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention sorts microorganism populations from a mixture which contains more than one microorganism population. Microorganisms of different types vary in size, shape, and surface charge characteristics. These characteristics we believe contribute to the rate of migration for microorganisms under the influence of an electric field. Microorganisms of the same population (genus and species) will migrate similarly. By applying an electric field in a direction opposite the direction of fluid flow, separation is enhanced.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods to render cells non-adhesive and/or non-immunogenic with respect to macromolecules typically encountered in culture media or in physiological media. The invention method comprises contacting cells with an effective amount of a composition comprising a polycationic species having water-soluble polymer chains grafted thereon.

Abstract: A morphinone reductase enzyme and related process provide for the preparation of hydromorphone from morphinone and hydrocodone from neopinone or codeinone. The enzyme has no significant activity with compounds of similar ring structure, has a molecular weight of approximately 81 kilodaltons and is composed of two identical subunits. The enzyme uses NADH as a cofactor and displays no significant enzymatic activity in the reverse direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649. More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: Light-colored lower alkyl oligoglucosides having a low polyglucose content can be obtained in short reaction times by a process in whicha) aqueous glucose sirup is added to a mixture of a lower alcohol and an acidic catalyst at elevated temperatures via an inline mixer,b) the water present in the reaction mixture and the water released are azeotropically distilled off continuously andc) after the addition of glucose sirup, the reaction mixture is subjected to heating until at least 99% of the glucose is reacted.

Abstract: The CTD kinase of sporozoan parasites displays a specificity distinct from the analogous activity in mammalian cells. Methods of diagnosing blood borne Plasmodium parasites, and of testing the susceptibility of Plasmodium parasites to anti-malarial drugs, are based on this specificity.