Abstract: Devices and methods are described for homogenization, processing, detection, and analysis of biological samples such as insects, fungi, bacteria, and plant and animal tissues. Multiple chambers in these devices permit different processing functions to be carried out at each stage, such that the resulting homogenized product can be further processed, purified, analyzed, and/or biomolecules such as metabolites, proteins and nucleic acids, or pharmaceutical products can be detected. The device can be used in a hydrostatic pressure apparatus, in which different activities, i.e. incubations, addition or renewal of reagent, and generation and detection of signal can be carried out in the appropriate chamber. The method improves the preservation of biomolecules from chemical and enzymatic degradation relative to conventional means. Additionally, this method enables automated sample preparation and analytical processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for detecting and/or monitoring biological molecules in a test sample. For example, the invention relates to methods and kits for detecting and/or monitoring HIV p24 antigen in human body fluid, biological toxins such as ricin or botulism in an environmental or biological sample, and prion protein from human, deer or bovine, such as PrPSC, in a biological sample. The antigen detection signal is boosted by amplification of a polynucleotide linked to a detector molecule using methods for nucleic acid amplification technology.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a capture assay to simultaneously screen for HBV, HCV and HIV nucleic acids in samples such as plasma. The nucleic acids including both viral DNA and RNA are purified from the plasma samples in a single extraction procedure. In one embodiment, a mixture of degenerate biotin-labelled PCR primers specific for the HBV, HCV, HIV-1 type M and HIV-1 type O are used to amplify any of these viruses which may be present in plasma. Amplified products are captured by hybridization to immobilized capture sequence, and thereafter detected. An internal control vector containing a synthetic fragment flanked by sequences corresponding to the HBV primers was designed to monitor sample recovery during extraction, amplification and detection. All major subtypes of HBV, HCV and HIV including HIV-1 type O have been confirmed and detected by the assay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds that are analogs of the natural product suksdorfin. Compounds of the present invention include those having Formula IV: wherein R20 through R26, M and Z are defined herein. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compositions for treating retroviral infections.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 through R.sup.6 are defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compositions for treating retroviral infections. Finally, a stereoselective method for synthesizing compounds of Formula I is described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds that are analogs of the natural product suksdorfin. Compounds of the present invention include those having Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are defined herein. The invention is also directed to methods of making these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including these compounds and methods of using the compounds to inhibit retroviral infections in cells and tissues of animals. A method for stereoselectively preparing compounds within the scope of the invention by catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some betulinic acid and dihydrobetulinic acid acyl derivatives according to the present invention have been found to have potent anti-HIV activity. Introducing a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 substituted or unsubstituted acyl group at the C.sub.3 -hydroxy group of betulinic acid and dihydrobetulinic acid produces the corresponding 3-O-acyl derivatives. The compounds of the present invention have the following formulae: ##STR1## where R may be a mono- or dicarboxylacyl group, substituted or unsubstituted, of from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, and R' may be hydrogen or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 substituted and unsubstituted alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are derivatives of 4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5'6'-bimethylenedioxy 2,2'-dimethoxycarbonyl biphenyl (DDB) which were synthesized and found to have anti-HIV activity. Of the compounds studied, 3,3'-dibromo DDB and 3-bromo-DDB initially exhibited the greatest anti-HIV activity.