Abstract: The present invention relates to the bioupgrading of crude oil is directed to a process for decreasing the acidity of an acidic crude oil, comprising contacting an acidic crude oil with a mixture nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group comprising ammonia, ammonia hydroxide, amines and the salts thereof, and in the presence of lipase enzyme, under conditions of suitable temperature and pressure sufficient to form the corresponding amide. The resulting naphthenic acid derived amides can then be processed normally in a refinery using such processes as cracking or hydrotreating and converted to hydrocarbon, ammonia and carbon dioxide without causing damage to the refinery infrastructure. This enzyme process is done at reduced temperatures (40-60° C.) and pressures requiring less energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of microorganisms (biocatalysts), or catalysts derived from these organisms (enzymes), to improve the quality of crude oil and bitumen as an attractive alternative to current upgrading methods. The invention identifies and characterizes the microorganism species, in particular, N. muscorum (UTEX 2209) and Kocuria rhizophilia (ATCC533), that have the capability to biochemically convert organic acids into chemical species that do not possess corrosive properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of microorganisms (biocatalysts), or catalysts derived from these organisms (enzymes), to improve the quality of crude oil and bitumen as an attractive alternative to current upgrading methods. The invention identifies and characterizes the microorganism species, in particular, N. muscorum (UTEX 2209) and Kocuria rhizophilia (ATCC533), that have the capability to biochemically convert organic acids into chemical species that do not possess corrosive properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the bioupgrading of crude oil is directed to a process for decreasing the acidity of an acidic crude oil, comprising contacting an acidic crude oil with a mixture nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group comprising ammonia, ammonia hydroxide, amines and the salts thereof, and in the presence of lipase enzyme, under conditions of suitable temperature and pressure sufficient to form the corresponding amide. The resulting naphthenic acid derived amides can then be processed normally in a refinery using such processes as cracking or hydrotreating and converted to hydrocarbon, ammonia and carbon dioxide without causing damage to the refinery infrastructure. This enzyme process is done at reduced temperatures (40-60° C.) and pressures requiring less energy.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of suppressing inflammatory responses, inducing tolerance to an antigen, and suppressing cell adhesion, e.g., involved in metastasis, by the administration of lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof, in particular, peptides capable of binding terminally linked &agr;-sialic acid(2→6)&bgr;Gal- and/or &agr;-sialic acid(2→3)&bgr;Gal-groups on structures or molecules comprising such groups. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof useful for suppressing inflammatory responses, inducing tolerance to an antigen, and suppressing cell adhesion, e.g., involved in metastasis. In particular, peptides capable of binding terminally linked &agr;-sialic acid(2-6)&bgr;Gal- and/or &agr;-sialic acid(2-3)&bgr;Gal-groups on structures or molecules comprising such groups are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of traveller's diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), using oligosaccharide compositions which bind E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT) and/or one or more serotypes of enterotoxigenic E. coli organisms. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of LT associated with traveller's diarrhea. This invention also relates to prevention of ETEC from colonizing the intestinal tract and inducing disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and other conditions associated with C. difficile infection, using oligosaccharide compositions which bind C. difficile toxin B. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization of C. difficile toxin B associated with such conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of cholera and related conditions using oligosaccharide compositions which bind V. cholera toxin and/or one or more serotypes of the organism V. cholera. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of V. cholera toxin and/or organisms from the intestinal tract.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of traveller's diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), using an oligosaccharide-containing composition. The composition contains an oligosaccharide sequence covalently attached to a pharmaceutically acceptable solid, inert support through a non-peptidyl compatible linker arm. The oligosaccharide-containing composition binds E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT). More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of LT associated with traveller's diarrhea.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of suppressing inflammatory responses, inducing tolerance to an antigen, and suppressing cell adhesion, e.g., involved in metastasis, by the administration of lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof, in particular, peptides capable of binding terminally linked .alpha.-sialic acid(2.fwdarw.6).beta.Gal- and/or .alpha.-sialic acid(2.fwdarw.3).beta.Gal-groups on structures or molecules comprising such groups. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of cholera and related conditions using oligosaccharide compositions which bind V. cholerae toxin and/or one or more serotypes of the organism V. cholerae. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of V. cholerae toxin and/or organisms from the intestinal tract.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of cholera and related conditions using oligosaccharide compositions which bind V. cholerae toxin and/or one or more serotypes of the organism V. cholerae. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of V. cholerae toxin and/or organisms from the intestinal tract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of suppressing inflammatory responses, inducing tolerance to an antigen, and suppressing cell adhesion, e.g., involved in metastasis, by the administration of lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof, in particular, peptides capable of binding terminally linked .alpha.-sialic acid(2.fwdarw.6).beta.Gal- and/or .alpha.-sialic acid(2.fwdarw.3).beta.Gal- groups on structures or molecules comprising such groups. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of suppressing inflammatory responses, including tolerance to an antigen, and suppressing cell adhesion, e.g., involved in metastasis, by the administration of lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof, in particular, peptides capable of binding terminally linked .alpha.-sialic acid (2.fwdarw.6).beta.Gal- and/or .alpha.-sialic acid(2.fwdarw.3).beta.Gal-groups on structures or molecules comprising such groups. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of cholera and related conditions using oligosaccharide compositions which bind V. cholerae toxin and/or one or more serotypes of the organism V. cholerae. More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of V. cholerae toxin and/or organisms from the intestinal tract.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of traveller's diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by enterotoxogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), using an oligosaccharide-containing composition. The composition contains an oligosaccharide sequence covalently attached to a pharmaceutically acceptable solid, inert support through a non-peptidyl compatible linker arm. The oligosaccharide-containing composition binds E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT). More specifically, the invention concerns neutralization and removal of LT associated with traveller's diarrhea.