Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of growth hormones and preservatives which do not interfere with the activity of the growth hormone.

Abstract: Novel activated peptides and conjugates thereof, useful in diagnostic assays and therapeutics, and processes for the preparation thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Cyclic pentapeptides are disclosed having the following formula (I) --Cyclo(-A.sub.1 -A.sub.2 -A.sub.3 -A.sub.4 -A.sub.5 -)-- wherein A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, A.sub.4 and A.sub.5, are amino acid residues. The pentapeptide has amino acid residues in positions 1-2-3 to form a .gamma.-turn, and amino acid residues in positions 3-4-5-1 to form a .beta.-turn in combination with the .gamma.-turn. D-.alpha.-amino acid residues are selected for A.sub.1, A.sub.3, and A.sub.5 and L-.alpha.-amino acid residues are selected for A.sub.2 and A.sub.4. Compounds having .gamma.-turns and .beta.-turns can be synthesized, regardless of the kinds of amino acid residues, and it is possible to synthesize compounds in which desired amino acid residues are introduced into sites of .beta.-turn and .gamma.-turn based on their importance from the viewpoint of biological activity. The present invention is therefore available for design of compounds having biological activity.

Abstract: Heparin binding proteins (HBP) are produced by male accessory glands and bind to sperm at ejaculation. The ability of accessory glands to produce HBP and sperm to bind HBP differs among males. Identifying the presence of a 21.5, 24 and 30 kDa heparin binding proteins in sperm membranes with a monoclonal antibody resulted in separating groups of bulls by 40% difference in fertility. Thus, fertility potential of a bull can be predicted by heparin binding protein content of sperm membranes.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the method is for analyzing the amount of methionine sulfoxide in a protein sample and includes the steps of contacting a protein solution with methionine sulfoxide reductase in the presence of a reducing reagent bearing a covalently-linked reporter tag, whereby the reducing reagent is oxidized. The oxidized reducing reagent formed, which is in proportion to the amount of methionine sulfoxide in the sample, is then quantified. A second embodiment of the method is for analyzing the amount of disulfide linkages in a polypeptide or protein sample. It proceeds in the same fashion as above, but in the absence of any enzyme. A novel fluorescently-labeled reducing agent, and kits to practice the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cyclic hexapeptide represented by the formula:cyclo?A--Asp(R.sup.1)--Y--NH--CHR.sup.2 --CO--C--D--Trp(N.sup.in --R.sup.3)--! (I)wherein A is a D-acidic-.alpha.-amino acid residue; Y is an acidic-.alpha.-amino acid residue; C is an L-.alpha.-amino acid residue; R.sup.1 is a group represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are independently H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, halogen or nitro, and may bind together to form a ring in cooperation with the adjacent carbon atom; R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl-C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylthio-C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkylthio-C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-5 alkoxy-C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkoxy-C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylthio, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkylthio, C.sub.1-5 alkoxy or C.sub.3-7 cycloalkoxy; R.sup.3 is H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, --COR.sup.4, --COOR.sup.5 or --CONHR.sup.6 ; when X.sup.1, X.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are all hydrogen atoms, R.sup.

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

Abstract: Polymer structures having a laminated surface and enhanced physical properties that can be used for packaging, athletic gear (e.g., padding, water sport equipment), gaskets, and protective garments are described. The structures include a core of a relatively high density material and one or more layers laminated to the surfaces of the core material of relatively low density polymer foam. The structures can be stiff or flexible. The foam layers improve the softness of the surfaces of the core material.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of biocatalysis technology for performing selective chemical reactions. In one embodiment, this invention relates to crosslinked protein crystal formulations and their use as catalysts in chemical reactions involving organic solvents. This invention also provides methods for producing crosslinked protein crystal formulations and methods using them to optimize chemical reactions in organic solvents, including those used in industrial scale chemical processes.

Abstract: T-cell epitopes of or derived from the TraT protein of E. coli have been identified and used in the preparation of complexes with immunogens to enhance or provide immune responses to the immunogens. The complexes can be prepared directly, by chemical linkage, or as fusion proteins. In the latter context, polynucleotides encode a fusion protein which a transformed host can express. The fusion proteins may be expressed intracellularly or exported to and expressed on the surface of the transformant host.

Abstract: This invention relates to peptide ligand discovery and is particularly directed to a method for the discovery of agonists for membrane bound receptors. The inventive detection system involves the use of a "tethered" ligand for probing receptor binding. The general detection system includes a membrane, a membrane bound receptor, and a chimeric ligand presenting molecule. This chimeric protein forms the tethered ligand and in turn includes a membrane domain, a linker domain, a ligand domain, and a cleavable terminal domain. The "ligands" of the system are exposed by the addition of a specific peptidase that cleaves at the designated sequence. The sequence of the ligand that produces signal as a result of the interaction between the agonist and receptor can be then be isolated using sib selection.

Abstract: Two new groups of A-21978C cyclic peptides, anhydro- and isomer-A21978C peptide derivatives, have antibacterial activity and are useful as intermediates. The two groups are prepared via transpeptidation of the parent cyclic peptides. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the new peptides as active ingredients and methods of treating infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria with the formulations are also provided.The invention also provides an antibacterial composition containing the new drug substance LY 146032 in substantially pure form.

Abstract: Using the chemiluminescent group-containing carbodiimide compound represented by the following formula or its quaternary ammonium salt as the label in the nucleic acid detection method or immunoassay, labeling can be made efficiently for a short time, a nucleic acid derived from nature can be labelled, and highly sensitive assay is enabled.

Abstract: Adrenomedullin which is a novel peptide having a hypotensive effect; proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (proAM-N20) corresponding to an amino acid sequence of an N-terminus of proadrenomedullin, having a catecholamine secretion inhibitory effect; proadrenomedullin N-terminal 10-20 peptide (proAM-N(10-20)) having a Na channel inhibitory effect, and a gene encoding these peptides are provided. In addition, according to the present invention, these peptides in a sample containing adrenomdullin or proAM-N20 in an unknown amount can be quantified by using an antibody against adrenomedullin, proAM-N20, or its fragment.

Abstract: A copper surface pickling process is improved by providing most of the oxidizing agent (such as hydrogen peroxide) used in the process in a separate bath following a primarily acid bath. The temperature of the separate hydrogen peroxide bath can be kept lower, which reduces hydrogen peroxide loss and therefore consumption. After the hydrogen peroxide bath, the copper surface is subjected to high pressure rinsing, including a final stage in which purified (e.g., distilled) water is used.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the nasal administration of drugs with reduced nasal irritation are disclosed.

Abstract: Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptides may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.

Abstract: A 69 kD protein, designated PM-1, is expressed in human pancreatic islet cells and a human insulinoma. The amino acid sequence of the protein has been determined. Autoantibodies to the PM-1 protein have been found in sera of prediabetic patients. Natural, synthetic or recombinant forms of the PM-1 protein can be used in immunochemical assays to detect anti-PM-1-autoantibodies and to identify patients at risk of developing diabetes.

Abstract: Abtides are provided. Abtides are peptides identified by a two-step process of screening random peptide libraries. In the first step, the target ligand is an antibody or receptor (or derivative thereof). The peptides identified in the first screening step are used as target ligands in the second screening step. The peptides identified in the second screening step are abtides. Abtides possess binding specificities that are similar to the binding specificities of the antibodies or receptors that are used in the first screening step. Abtides may be used in place of antibodies in many assays or therapeutic applications.Abtides binding to polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) are provided.Also provided are methods of obtaining abtides as well as diagnostic and therapeutic compounds containing abtides.