Abstract: An improved fermentation process for producing carboxylic acids, especially fumaric acid, is disclosed. The improvement comprises growing fungi of genus Rhizopus in the presence of an effective amount of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters having fatty acid residues of 12 to 24 carbons, and triglyceride mixtures.

Abstract: Optically active .gamma.-decalactone is produced by culturing a microorganism capable of hydrolyzing castor oil and effecting .beta.-oxidation of the resulting hydrolysate in the presence of castor oil or castor oil hydrolysate and a co-oxidant. The resulting .gamma.-hydroxydecanoic acid is lactonized to form .gamma.-decalactone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel transcriptional and translational activating sequence. The novel activating sequence can be either chemically synthesized or isolated on a 0.17 kb PstI-SacI restriction fragment from plasmid pKC203, a plasmid of E. coli JR225 (ATCC 31912). The activating sequence directs expression of the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase aac(3)IV and hygromycin phosphotransferase aph(4) genes present on plasmid pKC203. A series of expression vectors have been constructed in which the activating sequence directs the expression of beta-galactosidase or hygromycin phosphotransferase. These vectors can be readily modified and have been designed to facilitate the subsequent cloning and expression of any gene of research or commercial interest. The expression and cloning vectors have been transformed into E. coli and other host cells in which the activating sequence functions.

Abstract: A composition is used as a reagent in a method for measuring Antistreptolysin O (ASO) in a blood sample. The composition contains Streptolysin O (SO) at a pH outside the range of its hemolytic activity, e.g., outside the pH range of 5-9. At that pH the SO is reversibly inactivated while maintaining its hemolytic capacity. The composition is employed to measure ASO by mixing one or more samples of non-hemolyzed blood or serum with one or more known quantities of the composition with a known hemolytic capacity, incubating each mixture to allow reaction of any ASO in the sample with the SO, restoring the hemolytic activity of the SO by adjustment of pH to permit lysis and detecting the presence or absence of lysis in each sample.

Abstract: A method of modifying Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) with methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate is disclosed so that after conjugating the exotoxin to a monoclonal antibody (ab) such as the antibody to the transferrin receptor, the PE-ab conjugate becomes a highly potent immunotoxin suitable for use against human tumor cells. This same method has been used to conjugate PE to epidermal growth factor (EGF) to create a highly potent growth factor-toxin conjugate for use against cells having large numbers of EGF receptors. Also disclosed are the immunotoxin conjugates for Pseudomonas exotoxin coupled to anti-TFR (antibody to the transferrin receptor) and anti-TAC (antibody to the human T-cell growth factor receptor) and to EGF.

Abstract: Novel microbicidal compositions are provided which find use as preservatives, disinfectants, antigens and the like. Particularly, cationic oligopeptides of up to about thirty-five amino acids are provided having amino acid sequences substantially comparable to the amino acid sequences of cationic oligopeptides produced by macrophage. A conserved framework structure is provided.

Abstract: A carcinostatic agent having an immunopotentiating carcinostatic effect which contains as an active ingredient Eisenin (tripeptide) of the general formula:L-Pyroglu-L-Glu-L-Alawherein Pyroglu, Glu and Ala represent pyroglutamic acid, glutamic acid and alanine respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining animal cells in vitro in a substantially arrested state of proliferation with continuous secretion of cell product is disclosed. The cells are retained within a reactor vessel chamber in a semi-rigid matrix having interstices for passage of fluid nutrient medium. Fresh nutrient medium is supplied by perfusion into the matrix through relatively low porosity tubes which are suspended in the reactor chamber and which substantially traverse the matrix; expended medium and cell product is withdrawn through relatively high porosity tubes which also are suspended in the reactor chamber and which substantially traverse the matrix; and oxygenated gaseous medium is supplied by perfusion into the matrix through a selectively-permeable membrane disposed in the reactor chamber.

Abstract: A new acidic polysaccharide is isolated from a culture of cells of the algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The process for producing this polysaccharide is also disclosed. This substance exhibits antitumor activity and antiviral activity and induces the production of interferon.

Abstract: Stroma-free deoxy mammalian tetrameric hemoglobin is crosslinked with certain bis diaspirin esters and modified with pyridoxyl-5'-phosphate followed by reduction to produce bis-diamide covalently crosslinked, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate covalently modified tetrameric hemoglobin wherein the crosslinking and modifying bonds occur in the beta cleft. The modified crosslinked stroma-free tetrameric hemoglobin of this invention is a disease-free, oxygen transporting discrete molecular species, free from cell surface antigens, having use as a substitute for transfusion of red blood cells. This modified crosslinked stroma-free hemoglobin is a stable oxygen carrying protein capable of oxygen delivery to perfused tissue and advantageously remaining in the intravascular space.

Abstract: This invention relates to the conjoint use of asparagine or aspartic acid polymers, e.g. poly-l-asparagine or poly-l-aspartic acid polymers, or copolymers thereof, with aminoglycoside antibiotics to inhibit the nephrotoxicity associated with aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises a solution in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier of an immune serum globulin, said solution having an ionic strength and a pH to maintain the monomer content and the actual and latent anticomplement activity of the immune serum globulin such that the composition is intravenously injectable. Novel methods are disclosed for preparing the above composition.

Abstract: A new strain of the fungus Trichoderma viride designated as T-1-R9 is described. The new strain is an effective biocontrol agent for fusarium wilt of chrysanthemum.

Abstract: An immunotoxin conjugate, useful for treating malignant tumors in mammals, which consists of arsanilic acid and tumor specific antibodies covalently bound to a polyglutamic acid linking agent is taught. The conjugate selectively delivers arsanilic acid to a tumor, killing the tumor cells and exhibiting little or no toxicity to normal cells. The conjugate is effective in treating human pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions concerned with the a determinant of hepatitis B antigen, providing immunogens and antibodies. The immunogens can serve as vaccines.

Abstract: Plants susceptible to pathogenic fungi are contacted with a mutant strain of Pseudomonas putida, particularly Pseudomonas putida NRRL-B-12537 which produces iron complexing siderophores thereby affording protection from the fungi. The Pseudomonas competes with the fungi for iron found in the soil thereby inhibiting the fungi growth. The method is particularly effective in controlling Fusarium oxysporum Sp lycopersici on tomato plants.

Abstract: Hymenoptera venoms for vaccine immunization of human subjects are prepared by copolymerizing the venom with albumin using glutaraldehyde as the polymerizing reagent. Sufficient albumin is used to produce water-soluble copolymers of high molecular weight. The resulting water-soluble copolymers of molecular weights above 200,000 daltons are separated from the residual reagents, insolubles, and lower molecular weight polymers or copolymers.