Abstract: A pretreatment kit and a pretreatment kit for saliva in identification and quantitative determination of mutans streptococci by immunochromatography utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction, which can remove aggregation caused by mucin and chain formation of mutans streptococci in saliva in a simple operation and can efficiently flow out a complex of a labeled antibody and mutans streptococci from a porous membrane retaining the labeled antibody, contains (A) a 0.01 to 10 mol/L aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, (B) a 0.01 to 3 mol/L aqueous solution of tartaric acid and/or citric acid, and (C) a nonionic surface active agent and/or an amphoteric surface active agent, in which the component (C) is mixed with the components (A) and/or (B), or is provided separately, and at least one substance selected from the particular metallic salts is contained in at least one of the components (A), (B) and (C) in an amount of 5 to 25% by weight.

Abstract: The invention concerns Eisenia foetida polypeptides and peptides, particularly recombinant polypeptides, which are useful in tumour therapy, microbial infection, inflammation or immunology. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the above-mentioned polypeptides and peptides. Furthermore the invention concerns nucleic acids coding for said polypeptides and peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical use in an animal, preferably in a human. In one aspect, compositions and methods are provided for promoting cell growth, tissue repair and organ regeneration, preferably in vivo and in situ. The composition comprises a sterol compound dissolved in oil at a concentration at least 0.5% by weight. The compositions may be used in the treatment of various conditions caused by injury, diseases and aging. As shown clinically, the methodology disclosed in the present invention was used successfully to regenerate or clone a new organ through cultivation of regenerative stem cells in vivo and in situ.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a composition comprising a compound isolated from Dysidea species sponges that is capable of inhibiting serine proteases of the coagulation cascade. In particular, this composition inhibits the TF/VIIa complex of the coagulation cascade. The invention is also directed toward methods employing this composition as a part of anticoagulant therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous PEDF to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous PEDF inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor by assaying for the presence of PEDF within the tumor. The invention further provides a method of inhibiting endothelial cell migration, a method of stimulating the growth of hair in a mammal, a method for inhibiting the growth of a tumor, a method of inducing differentiation of a neuroblastoma cell, a method of slowing the growth of a neuroblastoma cell, and method of treating ischemic retinopathy in a mammal. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of PEDF.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for noninvasively obtaining intraductal fluid. The method includes the use of an intraductal fluid sampling device to contact the patient, provide compression, and deliver heat thereto according to predetermined cycle characteristics. The cycle characteristics, such as compression cycle times and compression rates, may be varied and controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of bio-active fraction from cow urine distillate as a bioavailability facilitator and pharmaceutically acceptable additives selected from anticancer compounds, antibiotics, drugs, therapeutic and nutraceutic agents, ions and similar molecules which are targeted to the living systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for accomplishing a noninvasive screen for breast disease markers, including breast cancer markers and cytologically abnormal cells. Intraductal fluid is noninvasively aspirated using compression, heating and suction cycles. The removed sample is thereafter assayed for the presence of cytologically abnormal cells and/or one or more breast disease markers. Sample size and intraductal mobility of breast disease markers may be enhanced by retrograde introduction of a carrier. Devices and assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel mammalian dihydroouabain-like factor is disclosed which substantially fails to cross-react with mammalian ouabain-like factor (OLF) for binding to anti-OLF antibody, but cross-reacts with plant-related dihydroouabain (dho) for binding to anti-dho antibody, has maximal u.v. absorbance at 196 nm, has a non-peptidic, non-lipidic chemical structure and a fully hydrogenated lactone ring, has a concentration-dependent Na+,K+-ATPase (sodium pump) catalytic inhibitory activity which is 10-fold lower than OLF and 3-fold higher than plant-related dihydroouabain, and a high pressure liquid chromatography elution time about the same as dho. This factor is useful for therapy for congestive heart failure. An antibody and antibody fragments having affinity for mammalian Dh-OLF but not for OLF, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods comprise the antibody and means for quantifying the antibody and are useful for treating a condition caused by high level of OLF or Dh-OLF.

Abstract: convenient methods for judging mouth odor with the use of an artificial mouth odor prepared by a convenient method which load any burdens neither on the operator nor on he subjects. Saliva collected immediately after wake-up is cultured under anaerobic conditions and head space components of the thus cultured saliva are analyzed, or anaerobic bacteria contained in the collected saliva are counted.

Abstract: Polypeptides of A1-Arg-A2-Cys-Tyr-A3-A4-X-A5-A6-Cit Cys-A7 (I) or their salts (wherein A1 is hydrogen or a residue of arginine, lysine, ornithine, citrulline, alanine, or the like; A2 is an aromatic amino acid residue; A3, A4 and A6 are each a residue of arginine, lysine, ornithine, citrulline, or alanine; A5 is a residue of tyrosine, phenylalanine, alanine, naphthylalanine, or citrulline; A7 is a lysine or arginine residue whose carboxyl group may be converted into amido; and X is a residue of D-ornithyl-proline, prolyl-D-ornithine, D-lysylproline, or the like, with the proviso that any one of A1, A3, A4, A5, A6 and A7 is a residue of alanine or the like or that X is citrulline or the like).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use as an immunomodulator comprising small molecular weight components of less than 3000 daltons, and having the following properties: a) is extractable from bile of animals; b) is capable of stimulating monocytes and macrophages in vitro; c) is capable of modulating tumor necrosis factor production; d) contains no measurable IL-1a, IL-1b, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, GM-CSF or IFN-gamma; e) has an anti-proliferative effect in a malignant mouse hybridoma cell line; f) shows no cytotoxicity to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; and g) is not an endotoxin. The invention also relates to a method of preparing the composition and its use as an immunomodulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides anticancer biological response modifier combinations. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination comprising: (i) a composition comprising small molecular weight components of less than 3000 daltons, and having the following properties: is extracted from bile of animals; is capable of stimulating monocytes and/or macrophages in vitro and/or in vivo; is capable of modulating tumor necrosis factor production and/or release; contains no measurable level of IL-1&agr;, IL-1&bgr;, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL4, GM-CSF or IFN-gamma; is not cytotoxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; is not an endotoxin; and (ii) one or more anticancer agent(s), wherein said combination has therapeutic synergy or improves the therapeutic index in the treatment of cancer over the composition or the anticancer agent(s) alone.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for prevention or treatment of premature ejaculation and/or hypersensitivity of sexual stimulation is provided, which contains a therapeutically effective amount of a purified essence of Bufonis venenum for prevention or treatment of dysspermia or the symptom of non-controlled ejaculation in male, due to premature ejaculation and/or hypersensitivity of sexual stimulation. The Bufonis venenum may be a purified essence of Bufonis venenum extracted by use of one or more organic solvent selected from a group consisting of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane or chloroform, and concentrated, and is purified and fractionated by use of silica gel column. The composition may be formulated in a pharmaccutically acceptable formulation of ointment, suspension, gel, spray, patch or solution.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for noninvasively obtaining intraductal fluid. The method includes the use of an intraductal fluid sampling device to contact the patient, provide compression, and deliver heat thereto according to predetermined cycle characteristics. The cycle characteristics, such as compression cycle times and compression rates, may be varied and controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for protecting and promoting cell growth and restoring physiological structure and function to mucosal tissue of the body, especially mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract. The composition can be used as a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical to treat a gastrointestinal disorder or to promote general health of an animal, preferably a human. The composition is in an oral dosage form and comprises edible oil homogenized with a sterol compound at a concentration of at least 0.5% by weight and edible wax at a concentration ranging from 3% to 30% by weight. The composition can also be used to deliver other active ingredients to the gastrointestinal tract for treating various diseases.

Abstract: A biodegradable biopolymer material consists of silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm; silk fibroin from wild silkworm; a composite material comprising silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm and silk fibroin from wild silkworm; or a composite material comprising either silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm or silk fibroin from wild silkworm and at least one secondary substance selected from the group consisting of cellulose, chitin, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, keratin from wool and polyvinyl alcohol. The material may be prepared by, for instance, casting an aqueous solution of domesticated silkworm silk fibroin on the surface of a substrate and then cast drying the applied solution. The biodegradable biopolymer material is effectively used as, for instance, a metal ion-adsorbing material, a sustained release substrate for a useful substance such as a medicine, a biological cell-growth substrate and a biodegradable water-absorbing material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and composition for treatment of lesions associated with viral infections, such as human Herpes simplex, by applying to the lesions an effective amount of a topical composition comprising: propolis extract in from about 0.5 to 10%, preferably about 1 to 8%, by weight; a skin protectant in from about 0.5% to 50% by weight; a penetration enhancing agent in from about 5 to 30%, preferably 5 to 25%, by weight; and an emulsifier in from about 1 to 20% by weight. The subject compositions possess enhanced activity in the treatment of such lesions in that they stop the outbreak at the stage of progression when they are applied and promote full healing, generally within 36 to 48 hours.

Abstract: A method of using fish ovarian fluid for culture and preservation of mammalian cells includes obtaining ovarian fluid from a fish, and culturing mammalian cells in media including a commercially defined medium and a nutrient medium, wherein the nutrient medium includes the fish ovarian fluid. The cells may initially be cultured in a commercial medium and a conventional nutrient medium prior to culture in the fish ovarian fluid. Living cells may also be preserved by obtaining ovarian fluid from a fish, isolating the living cells, and adding the fish ovarian fluid to the living cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for prevention and/or treatment of diseases in which 5- and 12-lipoxygenase activity contributes to the pathological condition, by administration of 12-methyletradecanoic acids alone and in conjunction with other therapeutic compounds. Methods to inhibit lipoxygenase-mediated inflammations are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating or alleviating the symptoms of subjects with psychological disorders, metabolic disorders, chronic stress-related disorders, sleep disorders, conditions associated with sexual senescence, aging, or premature aging by treating such subjects with IGF or mutant IGF either alone or complexed with IGFBP-3. Methods for increasing the levels of DHEA or DHEAS and treating or alleviating the symptoms of subjects with disorders characterized by low levels of DHEA or DHEAS by administering effective amounts of IGF or mutant IGF alone or complexed with IGFBP-3 are also provided. Methods for increasing the level of T4 and treating or alleviating the symptoms of subjects with disorders characterized by low levels of T3 or T4 by administering effective amounts of IGF or mutant IGF alone or complexed with IGFBP-3 are additionally provided. Also provided are methods for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by long term administration of IGF/IGFBP-3 complex.

Abstract: A milk protein hydrolysate which is preferably caseinoglycomacropeptide and/or a whey protein in a bioavailable form is used for the manufacture of a composition for the treatment or prevention of diabetes or syndrome X. The invention also relates to a method of treatment or prevention of diabetes or syndrome X utilizing such compositions, a method for assessing proglucagon gene expression and GLP-1 release by a cell line derived from an adenocarcinoma of human caecum.

Abstract: The use of a substance mixture comprising honey and olive oil for preparing a medicament for topical application is suggested.

Abstract: Diabetic inhibiting drink with an extract of silkworm protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel material for activating epidermal cell multiplication on which not only effective adhesion and multiplication of human and mammalian epidermal cells is accomplished also intercellular adhesion is promoted to form a plain cellular layer. The present invention provides a material for activating epidermal cell multiplication which contains silk fibroin of &agr;-type or &agr;-helix X-ray diffraction pattern as a principal constituent. The present material fulfills the principal requirements for activating epidermal cells of greatly improved cellular adhesion rate, multiplication, intercellular adhesion and growth of cell layers.

Abstract: Cryopreserved boar spermatozoa is much less fertile than that of other species, which could be due to damage to sperm membrane lipids during the cryopreservation process. Incorporation of selected lipids improves the survival of boar spermatozoa following cryopreservation. Liposomes were made from lipids extracted from head plasma membrane (HPM) of boar spematozoa or from selected lipids (SL) which contained specific phospholipids. At a fixed lipid concentration, fusion efficiency with spermatozoa as measured by flow cytometry and R18 dequenching was affected by lipid type, sperm concentration and incubation time. SL and HPM improved sperm viability (SYBR-14 and propidium iodide) and motility during cooling to 5C., with SL±egg yolk better than or equal to HPM (P<0.05). Post-thaw, egg yolk showed a strong cryoprotective effect.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel protein, PX3.101, which can be isolated from honey bee venom, antibodies against the polypeptide and nucleic acids encoding PX3.101 and fragments thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions based upon PX3.101 polypeptide and methods for using same in the treatment of various diseases, including various inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor be assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

Abstract: A method to improve the health and growth of suckling dairy calves on dairy farms includes supplementing calves' diets with a ruminal fluid preparation obtained from the rumen of a cow. This supplement provides the calves with the protection needed to develop faster and healthier. It also leads to a decreased incidence of scours in the treated calves.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising the ingredients of plants of species of the genera Stephania, Coix, Pinellia, Prunus, Phellodendron, Sophora, Tetrapanax, Stemona, Glycyrrhiza, Tripterygium, Forsythia and Siegesbeckia, wherein such compositions have analgesic, antipyretic, and antiinflammatory properties. The present invention also provides methods of using such compositions for treating various conditions and diseases, including joint swelling, joint pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A method for chemical modification of mammal urine and mammal blood is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor be assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising substantially purified salivary glycoproteins and carbohydrate ligands thereof which are useful in methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection. The invention also includes methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection comprising contacting a composition of the invention with a human patient. Additionally, the invention includes antibodies and kits useful in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a selection of herbal, organic and inorganic materials with curative effects combined in a powdered form for human ingestion. The demonstrated benefits on human female hormone regulation or replacement include return from irregular to regular and less painful menstrual cycles, raising estrogen and progesterone levels to normal levels through menstrual cycles, return to regular menstrual cycle hormone levels with apparent infertility cure, and return to normative metabolic response from apparent circulatory abnormalities such as excessive sweating, edema, cold hand and feet, stiffness and other such symptoms.

Abstract: A novel screening method for the identification of plants growing on fresh or decomposing bovine cattle dung for antimicrobial activity and tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Abstract: A propolis extract having a reduced peculiar odor is prepared by deceasing the amount of odorizing ingredients. This propolis extract can be used to prepare biologically active compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a propolis extract where the peculiar odor of propolis is reduced by decreasing the odorizing ingredients, a process to produce the propolis extract which comprises soaking propolis in a hydrophilic organic solvent to effect extraction and treating the liquid layer in the resultant extract with an anion-exchange resin, and a biologically active composition comprising the propolis extract.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating or alleviating the symptoms of subjects with psychological disorders, metabolic disorders, chronic stress-related disorders, sleep disorders, conditions associated with sexual senescence, aging, or premature aging by treating such subjects with IGF or mutant IGF either alone or complexed with IGFBP-3. Methods for increasing the levels of DHEA or DHEAS and treating or alleviating the symptoms of subjects with disorders characterized by low levels of DHEA or DHEAS by administering effective amounts of IGF or mutant IGF alone or complexed with IGFBP-3 are also provided. Methods for increasing the level of T4 and treating or alleviating the symptoms of subjects with disorders characterized by low levels of T3 or T4 by administering effective amounts of IGF or mutant IGF alone or complexed with IGFBP-3 are additionally provided.

Abstract: An oral preparation for use in patients with chronic renal insufficiency or other protein metabolic disorders and method of preparing the protein hydrolysate used therein. The oral preparation has a water soluble enzymatic protein hydrolysate rich in essential amino acids and low in salt content derived from a natural source such as algae, blue-green algae or fish. The water soluble protein hydrolysate is combined with a high calorie source such as natural bee honey. Approximately 5% to 30% of the protein hydrolysate is combined with 70% to 95% of natural bee honey to provide an optimum calorie to protein ratio. The oral preparation is administered in doses of 30 grams to 150 grams per day in one to four divided doses. The preparation maybe administered orally or through a nasogastric feeding tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a combination of natural drugs for treatment of diabetes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition containing 17 kinds of main natural drugs, i. e. Cordyceps, Bezoar bovis, Carthami flos, Astragali radix, Hirudo, Polygoni cuspidati radix, Polygonati falcati rhizoma, Euonymi lignum suberalatum, Corni fructus, Moutan cortex, Lycii cortex radicis, Lycii fructus, Atractylodis rhizoma alba, Atractylodis rhizoma, Coptidis rhizoma, Puerariae radix and Rehmaniae radix crudae.

Abstract: A method of processing big game scent, such as deer lures, comprising the steps of filtering a mixture of urine and feces through a series of successively finer filters in order to remove contaminants and pathogenic bacteria from the scent without destroying or denaturing the aromatic attractants. In a second embodiment, the mixture is heated to a temperature to destroy pathogens. A third embodiment is a combination of filtering followed by heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides an epidermal gel secretion of Arabian Gulf catfish which is useful in enhancing wound healing, alleviating muscle spasms and pain, and treating dermatological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising talc, silkworm excrement, and ingredients of plants of species of the genera Stephania, Coix, Pinellia, Prunus, Phellodendron, Sophora, Tetrapanax, Stemona, Glycyrrhiza, Tripterygium, Forsythia and Siegesbeckia, wherein such compositions have analgesic, antipyretic, and antiinflammatory properties. The present invention also provides methods of using such compositions for treating various diseases, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A protein isolated from crude extracts of Hirudo medicinalis is disclosed, which strongly inhibits the binding to collagen of platelets and their subsequent activation, which leads to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Additionally the protein prevents binding of von Willebrand factor to collagen. Described is a method for isolation and purification of the protein as well as its use for blocking collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. The new protein (Brandinin) has a molweight of approximately 15 kD, binds to collagen but has no collagen-cleaving activity. The protein is useful in the prophylaxis, prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseaeses and for coating of blood-contacting materials, rendering them thromboresistant.

Abstract: A method of producing a wound healing preparation comprising shocking a club cell producing creature such as an Ariid catfish to stimulate secretion of the contents of such club cells, collecting the secreted materials by collecting epidermal materials of the creature as a gel.

Abstract: Humate, a composition of primarily humic acids, carbon, and organic matter, is used as a human dietary supplement. The humate may be mixed with food, liquid drinks, or flavoring and ingested. The powder, granule, or water-soluble powder form of humate may also be mixed with other known dietary supplements such as multi-vitamins and be formed into capsules and tablets. The preferred humate is mined from the Menefee Geological Formation in Northwestern New Mexico.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ointment composition for prophylaxis and treatment of premature ejaculation in a male patient and more particularly to a composition for applying to the glans penis, which contains the alcohol and/or aqueous extracts of ginseng radix, angelicae gigantis radix, broomrape, cassiae cortex, asiasari radix and bufonis venenum as the essential galenic components and, if necessary, one or more additional components selected from the extracts of xanthoxyli fructus, cnidium fructus, caryophylli flos and moschus.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polypeptides with antithrombin activity obtainable from extracts of tissues or secretions of leeches of the order Rhynchobdellida, particularly of the species Theromyzon tessulatum. The polypetides have molecular weights of about 14 kD, 9 kD and 3 kD and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of thrombosis related disorders and events.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, nonimmunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding glycosaminoglycans or derivatives thereof, to hydrophilic synthetic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide biocompatible conjugates. Useful glycosaminoglycans include hyaluronic acid, the chondroitin sulfates, keratan sulfate, chitin and heparin, each of which is chemically derivatized to react with a hydrophilic synthetic polymer. The conjugate comprising a glycosaminoglycan covalently bound to a hydrophilic synthetic polymer may be further bound to collagen to form a three component conjugate having different properties. The hydrophilic synthetic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having an average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 100,000. The compositions may include other components such as fluid, pharmaceutically acceptable carders to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors or cytokines.

Abstract: The preparation of a saliva composition substantially viable for therapeutic use in saliva-deficient individuals involves exogenously treating saliva to inactivate microorganisms by contacting with chlorhexidine or ionizing radiation. Pharmaceutically active agents may be added to the saliva composition.