Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a purified pyridine-soluble extract of a microorganism and a refined detoxified endotoxin which is effective in producing an immunological response in warm blooded animals and humans. Methods of using the composition for these purposes are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for stabilizing a population of a mutant microorganism in a bioconversion system whereby growth of revertant cells is suppressed.The process involves limiting a nutrient which is essential for cell growth so that the cells selectively grow on a growth carbon source rather than on a non-growth carbon source which is present. The revertant cells being suppressed have a similar ability as the parent strain of the mutant microorganism to grow on the non-growth carbon source in the bioconversion system.The non-growth carbon source in the bioconversion system is metabolized to an extracellular accumulating quantity of a desired metabolite, e.g., toluene is converted to muconic acid.

Abstract: A mutant of Bacillus subtilis has been isolated which greatly facilitates gene cloning in this nonpathogenic microorganism. B. subtilis is a known protein secretor and can be used efficiently in commercial operations. Unlike the more commonly used clone-propagating organism E. coli., B. subtilis has the advantage of lacking pyrogenic substances in its cell envelope. However, chimeric plasmids for infection of B. subtilis have been difficult to prepare, and if E. Coli is used as an intermediate host to provide plasmid forms suitable for Bacillus transformation, the B. subtilis treats any E. coli-propagated DNA as foreign and preferentially attacks the insert portion of the plasmid. This attach results in loss of cloned genes and limits the use of B. subtilis as a cloning system. The B. subtilis recipient strain of this invention is, on the other hand, stably and efficiently transformed by E. coli-propagated plasmid DNA at high frequency.

Abstract: An enzymatic method for the analytical determination of creatine kinase in an aqueous liquid such as blood serum is described. The determination is made by measuring an optical density change using the reagents creatine phosphate, adenosine diphosphate, glycerol, glycerol kinase, .alpha.-glycerophosphate oxidase, a chromagen and a mercapto-containing creatine kinase activator. The mercapto-containing creatine kinase activator is added in encapsulated form or in low concentrations so as to preserve the activity of the chromagen.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of light-stable water-soluble complexes of antitumor antibiotics and binding protein and the resulting products. The antibiotics are of the anthracycline and anthraquinone classes, as defined. The binding protein is purified apo riboflavin binding protein from eggs. The complexes are prepared by admixing solutions of the antibiotic and protein in substantially equimolar proportions. The complexes are useful for preparing stable aqueous solutions of the antibiotics for oral delivery and for redox titrations of anthracyclines.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to theophylline having 5% or less cross-reactivity with caffeine and the continuous hybrid monoclonal cell lines for their production are provided. These antibodies are useful in a particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay for theophylline.