Abstract: Polypeptides comprising a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains being linked but incapable of associating with each other to form an antigen binding site, associate to form antigen binding multimers, such as dimers, which may be multivalent or have multispecificity. The domains may be linked by a short peptide linker or may be joined directly together. Bispecific dimers may have longer linkers. Methods of preparation of the polypeptides and multimers and diverse repertoires thereof, and their display on the surface of bacteriophage for easy selection of binders of interest, are disclosed, along with many utilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of use for a novel type I chemokine binding protein encoded by poxviruses and having amino acid sequence homology with the myxoma virus T7 interferon-.gamma. receptor homolog against disease syndromes associated with acute or chronic dysregulated inflammatory responses.

Abstract: The pleiotropic effects of TNF alfa in a wide variety of mammalian cell types is decreased and treated by administering glucosaminylmuramyl peptides with D-amino acid residue in a second or third position from the proximal end. New methods for nonspecific oral, vaginal, and topic inhibition is proposed. Inhibition of cytotoxicity of TNF alfa is also achieved.

Abstract: Regenerative thermal oxidizer in which a gas such as contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The apparatus includes a number of internally insulated, ceramic filled heat recovery columns topped by an internally insulated combustion chamber. Process air is fed into the oxidizer through an inlet manifold containing a number of hydraulically or pneumatically operated flow control valves (such as poppet valves). The air is then directed into the heat exchange media which contains "stored" heat from the previous recovery cycle. The process air is heated to near oxidation temperatures. Oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber, where one or more burners are located. The gas is maintained at the operating temperature for an amount of time sufficient for completing destruction of the VOC's.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase which is increased with respect to expression amount thereof in accordance with the differentiation of blood cells, and a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) coding for the same. The tyrosine kinase of the present invention can be advantageously used for screening chemical substances having the capability to inhibit or activate the tyrosine kinase activity of at least the tyrosine kinase of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new human clathrin-associated protein (CLAPH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode CLAPH. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of CLAPH, as well as diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transforming growth factor-.beta. receptor associated protein (TGFAS) and polynucleotides which identify and encode TGFAS. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of TGFAS.

Abstract: Polypeptide analogs, antibodies, diagnostic and therapeutic compositions as well as methods for detecting the presence of IL-8 and preventing the inflammatory response in patients are described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of causing the degradation of fibrin(ogen) (i.e., fibrin, fibrinogen, and related substances) by means of a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase, such as MMP-3. The method of the invention may be performed in vitro to provide diagnostic information characterizing fibrin(ogen) and the fibrinolytic physiology. The method may also be performed in vivo as a method of thrombolytic therapy in which a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase is administered to a subject to degrade thrombus in situ. The invention further provides compositions containing a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase for the performance of fibrinolytic or thrombolytic procedures. Also provided are kits which include a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase for performing fibrinolytic or thrombolytic procedures.

Abstract: Hybrid proteins having cross-linking and tissue-binding activities, DNA molecules encoding such proteins and methods for producing the hybrid proteins from recombinant host cells are disclosed. The hybrid proteins disclosed herein are useful in tissue sealant and wound healing formulations.

Abstract: A method and agents for endogenous control, treatment, management and prevention of preterm labor by inducement of endogenous nitric oxide synthase. The method for endogenous production of nitric oxide in myometrium involves administering to a pregnant mammal a cytokine, hormone or growth factor agent able to induce production of nitric oxide or nitric oxide synthase. A non-invasive diagnostic procedure for detecting the presence and/or impending onset of premature labor.

Abstract: A novel bronchial or bronchiolar epithelial cell from normal neonatal mammalian lung has been isolated, established and maintained for multiple passages in the absence of serum, without undergoing crisis or senescence. By careful manipulation of the nutritional/hormonal microenvironment we have been able to select, from a heterogeneous population, a single epithelial cell type which can maintain highly differentiated features in vitro. This cell type has characteristics of bronchiolar epithelial cells. A clonal line, RL-65, has been selected and observed for more than 3 years in continuous culture. It has been characterized by ultrastructural, morphological and biochemical criteria.

Abstract: Methods for establishing continuous SCF dependent lympho-hematopoietic progenitor cell lines capable of differentiating into erythroid, myeloid, and B lymphocytic lineages, and GM-CSF dependent neutrophil progenitor cell lines capable of differentiating into neutrophils but not into monocytes, mast cells, or basophils, by introducing into bone marrow, fetal spleen, fetal liver, or other hematopoietic myeloid cells nucleic acid encoding a dominant negative suppressor of a retinoic acid receptor-alpha and a selectable marker, and culturing the recombinant cells in culture medium containing SCF or GM-CSF, agents allowing for selective growth of the recombinant cells, and a level of retinoic acid of less than about 10.sup.-8 M to about 10.sup.-9 M in the case of establishing neutrophilic progenitor cell lines. Addition of a retinol compound induces the latter cell line to differentiate into neutrophils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mammalian retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger protein and active fragments thereof, which bind retinoblastoma protein.

Abstract: A novel heterodimeric haematopoietic cytokine formed from the Epstein Barr Virus-Induced protein 3 (EBI3) and the p35 subunit of Interleukin-12 (IL12) is disclosed. Substantially pure preparations of this EBI3/p35 cytokine, and antibodies thereto, are provided. In addition, isolated nucleic acids encoding the EBI3/p35 cytokine, and recombinant host cells transformed with these nucleic acids, are also provided. Methods of treating patients, using the EBI3/p35 cytokine or nucleic acids encoding the cytokine, are disclosed. The invention also provides for diagnostic assays for detecting pregnancy or threatened spontaneous abortion using antibodies to the cytokine.

Abstract: The present invention comprises human DNA compositions, including cDNA clones, with full sequences, called, KIRK-2 and KIRK-3, encoding proteins that confer potassium channel activity to membranes or recipient cell lines. The DNA compositions include structural genes coding for the potassium channel proteins, expression and replication plasmids or vectors containing the structural genes and host cells expressing those genes. Methods of screening compounds for potassium channel modulating activity are also described.

Abstract: Peptides of 10 to 40 or more amino acid residues in length and having the sequence X.sub.3 X.sub.4 X.sub.5 GPX.sub.6 TWX.sub.7 X.sub.8 (SEQ ID NO:252) where each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation; X.sub.3 is C; X.sub.4 is R, H, L, or W; X.sub.5 is M, F, or I; X.sub.6 is independently selected from any one of the 20 genetically coded L-amino acids; X.sub.7 is D, E, I, L, or V; and X.sub.8 is C, which bind and activate the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) or otherwise act as an EPO agonist, and methods for their use.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds a peptide coded by a nucleotide sequence coding for a variable region of .beta.-chain of an human T lymphocyte receptor, said nucleotide sequence having a nucleotide sequence selected from any of:the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID Nos. 2 to 19.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides novel human growth factor polypeptides, nucleotides encoding the growth factor polypeptides, and uses for the growth factor polypeptides and polynucleotides.