Abstract: An agent for susceptive diseases, which contains a polypeptide that has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing, strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human at a relatively-high dose. The agent treats and/or prevents malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases including atopies.

Abstract: Several forms of immunoregulatory substances are derived from monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that are specific for a T cell surface antigen, such as CD3, TCR, CD4, or CD8 on T cells. The substances include: a mixture of F(ab′)2 fragments (or other divalent binding molecules which lack Fc) which each bind noncompetitively to different monovalent antigenic epitopes on the same antigen; the F(ab′)2 fragment (or other divalent binding molecules which lack Fc) of a bispecific antibody which has each of its binding sites derived from one of the two MAbs that bind noncompetitively to monovalent antigenic epitopes on the same antigen; a conjugate including a polymeric backbone, such as polyethylene glycol (“PEG”), cellulose, dextran, agarose, or an amino acid copolymer or a liposome, that is coupled with the binding molecules, e.g., Fv, Fab, or F(ab′)2, which bind noncompetitively to monovalent antigenic epitopes on the same antigen.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which is specific to a polypeptide having a molecular weight of 18, 500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The monoclonal antibody is obtainable from hybridomas and can be used for the purification and detection of the polypeptide. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose.

Abstract: Cyclic penta- and hexa-peptide libraries containing one or more known amino acids, one or more randomized amino acids and a conformationally constraining element are disclosed. These peptide libraries may be used for screening for new bioactive peptides and for elucidating structural information pertinent to drug design.

Abstract: Peptides having general and specific binding affinities for the Src homology region 3 (SH3) domains of proteins are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, SH3 binding peptides have been isolated from phage-displayed random peptide libraries which had been screened for isolates that bind to bacterial fusion proteins having an SH3 domain and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Preferred peptides are disclosed which comprise a core 7-mer sequence (preferably, a consensus motif) and two or more, preferably at least six, additional amino acid residues flanking the core sequence, for a total length of 9, preferably at least 13, amino acid residues and no more than about 45 amino acid residues. Such peptides manifest preferential binding affinities for certain SH3 domains. The preferred peptides exhibit specific binding affinities for the Src-family of proteins. In vitro and in vivo results are presented which demonstrate the biochemical activity of such peptides.

Abstract: The useful cyclic peptides cyclo[Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Gly] and cyclo[Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Asp] are disclosed.

Abstract: Dehydrodidemnin B with useful biological activity has formula (1). It can be isolated from natural sources or synthesized, and it forms active derivatives.

Abstract: Systems and methods of synthesizing probes on a substrate are provided. One or more shift reticles are utilized to uniformly add monomers to the substrate at specified locations. The shift reticles are shifted relative to the substrate between monomer addition steps. Additionally, characteristics of the desired probes may be specified at synthesis time.

Abstract: Compounds having antagonistic activity on endothelin receptors can be effectively used for prophylaxis and/or treatment of hypofunction of organs which occurs in their surgery or transplant.

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 polypeptide 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: Disclosed are conjugates including a polymer backbone or microbead and binding molecules, such as Fv, Fab, or F(ab').sub.2 fragments of monoclonal antibodies or whole antibodies that are bound through their Fc carbohydrate moieties or have their Fc portion modified so that they cannot effect ADCC or complement-mediated cytolysis, and that are specific for a T cell surface antigen, such as CD3, TCR, CD4, CD8, or CD28 on T cells. The polymer or microbead is preferably made of cross-linked dextran, ficoll, latex, or agarose. The microbeads are preferably of 1 to 10 .mu.m in size, so that they can be suspended in in vivo fluids. These conjugates can be used to induce proliferation of T cells and immune stimulation, and to increase the antibody response against an administered antigen.

Abstract: Peptides useful in the regulation of calcium metabolism are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions of matter containing such peptides as well as a method for the regulation of calcium metabolism in a patient in need of such treatment. The peptides contain modified or unmodified portions of an amino acid sequence at the 8- to 32-positions of native calcination.

Abstract: The DNA encoding the cell surface receptor for thrombin has been cloned and sequenced. The availability of this DNA permits the recombinant production of thrombin receptor which can be produced at cell surfaces and is useful in assay systems both for the detection of thrombin and for the evaluation of candidate thrombin agonists and antagonists. Further, the elucidation of the structure of the thrombin receptor permits the design of agonist and antagonist compounds which are useful diagnostically and therapeutically. The availability of the thrombin receptor also permits production of antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the receptor per se or with specific regions thereof which are also useful diagnostically or therapeutically.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for cleaning a black powder firearm with a patch saturated with an aqueous emulsion. The aqueous emulsion includes a detergent, a lower alcohol and an essential oil. The saturated patch is loaded into a charged firearm with a projectile, and the firearm is then discharged.

Abstract: Several forms of immunoregulatory substances are derived from monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that are specific for a T or B cell surface antigen, such as CD3, TCR, CD4, or CD8 on T cells or membrane-bound immunoglobulins on B cells. The substances include: a mixture of F(ab').sub.2 fragments (or other divalent binding molecules which lack Fc) which each bind noncompetitively to different monovalent antigenic epitopes on the same antigen; the F(ab').sub.2 fragment (or other divalent binding molecules which lack Fc) of a bispecific antibody which has each of its binding sites derived from one of the two MAbs that bind noncompetitively to monovalent antigenic epitopes on the same antigen; a conjugate including a polymeric backbone, such as polyethylene glycol ("PEG"), cellulose, dextran, agarose, or an amino acid copolymer or a liposome, that is coupled with the binding molecules, e.g., Fv, Fab, or F(ab').sub.2, which bind noncompetitively to monovalent antigenic epitopes on the same antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cyclic peptide analogs containing a pseudo-bond, useful as platelet aggregation inhibitors. An example of a compound of this invention includes Cyclo[Ala.PSI.[CH.sub.2 NH]-Arg-Gly-Asp-.delta.-Glu](NHBn).cndot.CF.sub.3 CO.sub.2 H. These compounds inhibit the binding of fibrinogen to the platelet GPIIb-IIIa integrin receptor which inhibits platelet aggregation and therefore these compounds act as potent antithrombotics.

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 polypeptide 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: The present invention relates to new compounds of the general formula: Z-Xaa-Y', in which Xaa is an amino acid, Z is a protecting group and Y' is one of various types of ring structures. The new compounds have a modulating activity on serine proteases. The invention further relates to the use of the compounds in therapy and diagnosis and to a method of purifying the serine protease DPPIV.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal suffering from benign or malignant proliferative skin disease, e.g., melanoma or malignant skin metastases of melanoma, by topically administering to the mammal at the site of said diseased skin an effective amount of a somatostatin analog containing six or more amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for rheumatic disease comprising an anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, or the combination of an anti-Fas monoclonal antibody and a medical substance having an inhibitory effect of cell proliferation as an active ingredient. The anti-Fas monoclonal antibody of this invention reacts with the Fas antigen in synovial cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially the human Fas antigen specifically and expresses apoptosis on synovial cells.