Abstract: A system and method for verification of nasogastric tube (NGT) placement is provided. A fiber optic light guide includes a proximal end with a light source connection and a distal end having a light emitting tip. The light guide is constructed and arranged for insertion into a lumen of the NGT. A stop that prevents the distal end of the light guide from exiting a distal end of the NGT. The stop is adapted to engage a connector on the proximal end of the NGT. The light emitting tip can comprises a radial emitter. The light source can emit light at approximately 650 nm with an output power of approximately 30W. The stop is located so that the distal end of the light guide is positioned at an offset from the distal end of the NGT when the stop engages the proximal end of the NGT.

Abstract: A double-stranded cDNA molecule which includes DNA encoding human manganese superoxide dismutase has been created. The sequence of one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which encodes human manganese superoxide dismutase has been discovered. Such molecules may be introduced in procaryotic, e.g., bacterial, or eukaryotic, e.g., yeast or mammalian, cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce human manganese superoxide dismutase or analogs thereof which may then be recovered. By this invention, human MnSOD gene fragments from various plasmids may be ligated to yield a complete genomic human MnSOD gene fragment. Human MnSOD or analogs thereof may be used to catalyze the reduction of superoxide radicals, reduce reperfusion injury, prolong the survival time of isolated organs, or treat inflammations.

Abstract: A double-stranded cDNA molecule which includes DNA encoding human manganese superoxide dismutase has been created. The sequence of one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which encodes human manganese superoxide dismutase has been discovered. Such molecules may be introduced in procaryotic, e.g., bacterial, or eukaryotic, e.g., yeast or mammalian, cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce human manganese superoxide dismutase or analogs thereof which may then be recovered. By this invention, human MnSOD gene fragments from various plasmids may be ligated to yield a complete genomic human MnSOD gene fragment. Human MnSOD or analogs thereof may be used to catalyze the reduction of superoxide radicals, reduce reperfusion injury, prolong the survival time of isolated organs, or treat inflammations.

Abstract: An improved and efficient process for the production of recombinant human insulin by folding of a proinsulin hybrid polypeptide is provided.

Abstract: This invention provides plasmids for expression of human superoxide dismutase of analogs thereof. The invention further provides a method of producing enzymatically active human MnSOD or an analog thereof by introducing plasmids for expression of human MnSOD into procaryotic or eucaryotic cells and growing the resulting cells under suitable conditions, including conditions wherein the production medium is supplemented with Mn.sup.++. The invention additionally provides a method of recovering purified enzymatically active MnSOD from procaryotic and eucaryotic cells. Human MnSOD or analogs thereof may be used to reduce reperfusion injury, prolong the survival time of isolated organs or treat inflammations or bronchial pulmonary dysplasia.

Abstract: A novel analog of human superoxide dismutase which comprises the non-acetylated, non-glycosylated form of natural human superoxide dismutase having the ser-met amino acid sequence attached to the N-terminus and a mixture comprising this analog and non-acetylated, non-glycosylated superoxide dismutase having an amino acid sequence identical to that of natural human superoxide dismutase are provided. Methods of catalyzing a chemical reaction using the novel analog and mixture are provided.

Abstract: An improved plasmid for the production of superoxide dismutase on an analog thereof which upon introduction into a suitable host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a gene encoding superoxide dismutase or the analog. The plasmid is a double-stranded DNA molecule which includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal binding site; an ATG initiation codon; a second restriction enzyme site; a gene encoding superoxide dismutase or the analog; an origin of replication and a gene associated with a selectable or identifiable phenotypic trait manifested when the plasmid is present in the host. The distance between the 3' end of P.sub.L O.sub.L and the 5' end of the N utilization site is less than about 80 base pairs.

Abstract: An expression plasmid has been constructed which includes DNA encoding human manganese superoxide dismutase. Such plasmids may be introduced into host cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce enzymatically active human manganese superoxide dismutase or analogs thereof which may then be recovered. A method of producing an enzymatically active analog of human manganese superoxide dismutase by supplementing the culture media with Mn.sup.++ has been developed.

Abstract: A double-stranded cDNA molecule which includes DNA encoding human manganese superoxide dismutase has been created. The sequence of one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which encodes human maganese superoxide dismutase has been discovered. Such molecules may be introduced in procaryotic, e.g., bacterial, or eukaryotic, e.g., yeast or mammalian, cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce human manganese superoxide dismutase or analogs thereof which may then be recovered. Human MnSOD or analogs thereof may be used to catalyze the reduction of superoxide radicals, reduce reperfusion injury, prolong the survival time of isolated organs, or treat inflammations.

Abstract: An improved plasmid for the production of superoxide dismutase which upon introduction into a host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a gene encoding superoxide dismutase. The plasmid which includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal binding site; an ATG initiation codon; a second restriction enzyme site; a gene encoding superoxide dismutase; an origin of replication and a gene associated with a selectable or identifiable phenotypic trait manifested when the plasmid is present in the host. The distance between the 3' end of P.sub.L O.sub.L and the 5' end of the N utilization site is less than about 80 base pairs.

Abstract: An improved plasmid for the production of superoxide dismutase which upon introduction into a host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a gene encoding superoxide dismutase. The plasmid includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal binding site; an ATG initiation codon; a second restriction enzyme site; a gene encoding superoxide dismutase; an origin of replication and a gene associated with a selectable or identifiable phenotypic trait manifested when the plasmid is present in the host. The distance between the 3' end of P.sub.L O.sub.L and the 5' end of the N utilization site is less than about 80 base pairs.

Abstract: A method of producing enzymatically active eucaryotic superoxide dismutase or an analog thereof in a bacterial cell which contains and is capable of expressing a DNA sequence encoding the superoxide dismutase or analog thereof comprising maintaining the bacterial cell under suitable conditions and in a suitable production medium. The production medium is supplemented with an amount of Cu++ so that the concentration of Cu++ in the medium is greater than about about 2 ppm.The invention also concerns methods of recovering purified enzymatically active eucaryotic superoxide dismutase or analogs from bacterial cells producing the superoxide dismutase or analog.