Abstract: A pressure vacuum breaker cover assembly for protecting a vacuum breaker while simultaneously improving the appearance. The inventive device includes a pair of covers having a shell structure attachable to one another about a vacuum breaker. Each of the covers includes a lip that mates with the opposing cover lip, a plurality of apertures that allow the securing of the covers together with a conventional fastener, a lower cutout for receiving a lower pipe, and a side cutout for receiving an upper pipe from the vacuum breaker. The covers are preferably constructed of a STYROFOAM or polyfoam material for insulating and protecting the vacuum breaker and pipes. The exterior surface of the covers may be painted to match the exterior of the building structure.

Abstract: A pressure vacuum breaker cover assembly for protecting a vacuum breaker while simultaneously improving the appearance. The inventive device includes a pair of covers having a shell structure attachable to one another about a vacuum breaker. Each of the covers includes a lip that mates with the opposing cover lip, a plurality of apertures that allow the securing of the covers together with a conventional fastener, a lower cutout for receiving a lower pipe, and a side cutout for receiving an upper pipe from the vacuum breaker. The covers are preferably constructed of a STYROFOAM or polyfoam material for insulating and protecting the vacuum breaker and pipes. The exterior surface of the covers may be painted to match the exterior of the building structure.

Abstract: A portable DNA sequence is disclosed which is capable of directing intracellular production of metalloproteinanse inhibitors. Vectors containing this portable DNA sequence are also set forth, including the vector pUC9-F5/237P10 (ATCC Accession No. 53003). A recombinant-DNA method for the microbial production of a metalloproteinase inhibitor, which method incorporates at least one of the portable DNA sequences and the vectors disclosed herein.

Abstract: DNA molecules which encode pseudodimeric globin-like polypeptides with an asymmetric cysteine mutation suitable for crosslinking two tetramers, or which encode pseudooligomeric globin-like polypeptides comprising four or more globin-like domains, are useful in the preparation of multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified hemoglobin-like polypeptides containing multiple dialpha (or dibeta) domains. The present invention also relates to multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins comprising covalently joined hemoglobin-like moieties. Another aspect of the inention is directed at a purification method of hemoglobin-like polypeptides utilizing ion exchange chromatography.

Abstract: A portable DNA sequence is disclosed which is capable of directing intracellular production of metalloproteinanse inhibitors. Vectors containing this portable DNA sequence are also set forth, including the vector pUC9-F5/237P10 (ATCC Accession No. 53003). A recombinant-DNA method for the microbial production of a metalloproteinase inhibitor, which method incorporates at least one of the portable DNA sequences and the vectors disclosed herein is described.

Abstract: A connector adapter and dust cover therefor are pivotably connected by means of a pivot pin on the adapter and pivot arms on the dust cover whose distal ends engage the pivot pin. The pivot pin has a cam member located intermediate its ends, and the dust cover has a spring arm between the pivot arms whose distal end engages the cam member. In the closed position, the distal end of the spring arm engages the cam below its high point. In the fully open position, the distal end of the spring arm engages the cam beyond its high point. In both positions, the spring arm bears against the cam to resist dislodgment of the dust cover from either position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified hemoglobin-like compounds. The novel compounds include a globin-like polypeptide containing at least two di-alpha domains and multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins having a core hemoglobin-like moiety directly attached to at least two other hemoglobin-like moieties. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel polypeptides. Methods of making the multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins are also provided, as well as compositions containing the proteins.

Abstract: The alpha subunits of hemoglobin, which in nature are formed as separate polypeptide chains which bind noncovalently to the beta subunits, are here provided in the form of the novel molecule di-alpha globin, a single polypeptide chain defined by connecting the two alpha subunits either directly via peptide bond or indirectly by a flexible amino acid or peptide linker. Di-alpha globin may be combined in vivo or in vitro with beta globin and heme to form hemoglobin. Di-alpha globin is expressed by recombinant DNA techniques. Di-beta globin may be similarly obtained.

Abstract: The alpha subunits of hemoglobin, which in nature are formed as separate polypeptide chains which bind noncovalently to the beta subunits, are here provided in the form of the novel molecule di-alpha globin, a single polypeptide chain defined by connecting the two alpha subunits either directly via peptide bond or indirectly by a flexible amino acid or peptide linker. Di-alpha globin may be combined in vivo or in vitro with beta globin and heme to form hemoglobin. Di-alpha globin is expressed by recombinant DNA techniques. Di-beta globin may be similarly obtained.We further describe the production of tetrameric human hemoglobin and di-alpha/beta.sub.2 hemoglobin in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The synthesis of the protein is directed by a synthetic promotor consisting of two functional parts, an upstream activator sequence (UAS) that confers inducible transcription by galactose from a consensus yeast transcriptional initiation site.

Abstract: The alpha subunits of hemoglobin, which in nature are formed as separate polypeptide chains which bind noncovalently to the beta subunits, are here provided in the form of the novel molecule di-alpha globin, a single polypeptide chain defined by connecting the two alpha subunits either directly via peptide bond or indirectly by a flexible amino acid or peptide linker. Di-alpha globin may be combined in vivo or in vitro with beta globin and heme to form hemoglobin. Di-alpha globin is expressed by recombinant DNA techniques. Di-beta globin may be similarly obtained.

Abstract: A tracer, such as a radioisotope, is conjugated to a hemoglobin-like protein, such as normal hemoglobin, for use as an in vitro diagnostic imaging agent.

Abstract: The alpha subunits of hemoglobin, which in nature are formed as separate polypeptide chains which bind noncovalently to the beta subunits, are here provided in the form of the novel molecule di-alpha globin, a single polypeptide chain defined by connecting the two alpha subunits either directly via peptide bond or indirectly by a flexible amino acid or peptide linker. Di-alpha globin may be combined in vivo or in vitro with beta globin and heme to form hemoglobin. Di-alpha globin is expressed by recombinant DNA techniques. Di-beta globin may be similarly obtained.

Abstract: DNA molecules which encode pseudodimeric globin-like polypeptides with an asymmetric cysteine mutation suitable for crosslinking two tetramers, or which encode pseudooligomeric globin-like polypeptides comprising four or more globin-like domains, are useful in the preparation of multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulators of cellular gene transcription, particularly inhibitors of cellular gene transactivating factors and in particular to inhibition of gene transcription in a viral host cell that is subject to regulation by proteins or factors that originate from a virus as well as conjugates or fusion products of the inhibitors and internalization molecules, pharmaceutical compositions that can be used to alleviate or prevent the manifestation of disease states that are the result of unregulated DNA transcription as a result of transactivation, methods of treating diseases that are caused or exacerbated by the presence of transactivating factors, and regulated gene therapy to achieve long term drug delivery of the inhibitors of the present invention. This invention can be applied both to cells with genetic abnormalities or to cells infected with a virus. Preferably, at least one protein of the protein-protein interactions is a transactivating factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for delivering drugs to the body by binding them to hemoglobin. This technique stabilizes the drug and extends its half-life in the body. The drug may be chemically coupled to or adsorbed on the hemoglobin chain(s). Therapeutics are preferably linked to an artificial hemoglobin via a cysteine located deep within a cleft in the hemoglobin molecule.

Abstract: Multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins are obtained by crosslinking cysteines of the component tetramers, or by genetically fusing globin-like domains of one tetramer with those of another, by means of an interdomain spacer sequence. Artificial cysteines are introduced selectively in a single globin-like domain per tetramer to control polymerization.

Abstract: Polymeric carriers are polypeptides comprising at least one drug-binding domain that non-covalently binds a drug. A polymeric carrier may be attached to an antibody specific for desired target cells to form immunoconjugates that deliver a drug to the target cells in vivo. A polymeric carrier may be attached to a proteinaceous or a non-proteinaceous ligand or anti-ligand to form a conjugate useful in pretargeting protocols to deliver a drug to target cells in vivo. The carriers are derived from drug-binding proteins and produced through peptide synthesis or recombinant DNA technology.

Abstract: Polymeric carriers are polypeptides comprising at least one drug-binding domain that non-covalently binds a drug. A polymeric carrier may be attached to an antibody specific for desired target cells to form immunoconjugates that deliver a drug to the target cells in vivo. The carriers are derived from drug-binding proteins and produced through peptide synthesis or recombinant DNA technology.

Abstract: The present invention is a post-mix beverage dispensing valve for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two liquid beverage components. The present invention includes a valve main body having a gear pump secured thereto. The gear pump includes two sets of oval gears. One set of oval gears is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized carbonated water, and the second set is in fluid communication with a source of syrup. The valve body also includes solenoid operated pallet valves for each of the beverage components. Ratioing of the solenoid provides for simultaneous opening of both pallet valves whereby the pressurized carbonated water flows between the carbonated water gears and is swept thereby through the valve body to the dispensing nozzle. One gear of each gear pair is secured to a common rotating shaft. Pressurized carbonated water provides for the rotation of the syrup gears, thereby providing for the pumping of the syrup to the nozzle.