Abstract: The invention provides for synthetic ligands that bind to class I receptor tyrosine kinases. The ligands are analogous in structure to naturally occurring ligands. The modified ligands however, have eliminated the mid-sequence (B) domain present in the native ligands and replaced it with a peptide bridge which links the amino (A) and carboxy (C) domains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing melanins, their precursors and their analoges, hereinafter referred to generically as melanins. According to the invention, melanins are produced in amounts greater than about 3.3 grams wet weight per liter of growth medium. The enhanced production of melanin can be achieved by manipulating the constituents of the growth medium, and/or attenuating fermentations conditions, and/or by genetically engineering microorganisms to produce melanins, and/or mutating the microorganisms.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for killing cells in fermentation mixtures in order to prepare the fermentation mixture for processing to recover or extract a desired product from the fermentation mixture. A preferred method of this invention comprises in either order, adjusting the pH of the fermentation mixture to a value equal to or less than about two pH units below the pK.sub.a of the compatible organic acid using a mineral acid, and adding a sufficient amount of a compatible organic acid and/or organic acid salt to the mixture to effect a substantially complete cell kill. The method of this invention is useful for killing microorganisms such as yeast, bacteria or fungi in any culture or fermentation mixture and is particularly useful in systems where it is desired to kill the cells without lysing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treatment of waste water which is characterized by removal of both organic substances and phosphorus from phosphorus-containing organic waste water by novel microorganisms that are fortified in phosphorus-incorporating and/or accumulating abilities.

Abstract: A process for preparing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing at least 4,000 ppm of organically bound germanium based on the dry weight of the yeast is described.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of altering and regulating the gene expression of cells, by means of contacting the cells with a nuclease capable of degrading extra-cellular DNA and/or RNA. The nuclease will degrade the extra-cellular nucleic acids (NA) into nucleotides or oligonucleotides which are too short to have substantial affinity for the chromosomal DNA.By means of this method, cultures of cells have been created with desirable properties, including greater phenotypic uniformity and higher levels of cell reproduction.This invention also comprises a culture of cells which has been treated by this method, and cells descended from cells which have been treated according to this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing bacteria capable of degrading hydrocarbons, such as petroleum or petroleum products and methods for their use.

Abstract: The present invention concerns products and methods particularly useful for activating and analyzing non-dividing cell nuclei. The featured products include activating egg extracts, cytostatic factor (CSF) extracts, kits containing these extracts, and a microchamber microscope slide useful in analyzing nucleus activation.

Abstract: A treatment composition for treating contaminated material is disclosed which has water, coal, and an alkali metal carbonate. In another aspect an additional ingredient is a seaweed derivative. A method for making such a treatment composition for treating contaminated material has been developed which includes introducing water into a first tank, blending in alkali metal carbonate in the first tank with the water to form a first composition, adding coal to the first composition and blending them together forming a base composition, introducing one half of the base composition from the first tank into a second tank, introducing an amount of seaweed derivative into the second tank equal in volume to the amount of base composition in the second tank, and blending the contents of the second tank together producing the treatment composition.

Abstract: The extracellular domain of RPTP.beta. is the ligand for contactin and its binding results in neurite growth and differentiation. The invention encompasses compounds that mimic, enhance, or suppress the effects of the ligand for contactin, assays for the identification of such compounds, and the use of such compounds to treat neurologic diseases including those characterized by insufficient, aberrant, or excessive neurite growth, differentiation or survival.

Abstract: The half-life of a Type I, II and III non-compartmentalized intracellular proteins is increased in living eukaryotic cells by contacting the cells with a regulator having an amino-terminal amino acid residue which is the same or similar to the amino-terminal residue of the intracellular protein. The regulator is a dipeptide, a small polypeptide or a carboxyl-terminal derivative of an amino acid. The dipeptide or small polypeptide has an N-terminal amino acid residue which is Arg, Lys or His for the Type I protein, Phe, Leu, Trp, Tyr or Ile for the Type II protein and Ala, Ser or Thr for the Type III protein. The carboxyl-terminal derivative of an amino acid may be an amino acid modified at its C-terminus by the addition of a group selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and isobutyl. The amino acid modified is the N-terminal amino acid residue of the dipeptide or small polypeptide for the respective Type I, II and III proteins.

Abstract: Compounds of the formulaR.sup.1 --NH--A Iwherein R.sup.1 is an acyl moiety of a C.sub.12-40 aliphatic carboxylic acid, A is the residue of a oligopeptide devoid of one amino group, and --NH--A contains at least one positively charged amino acid, or derivatives thereof can be used for transferring anionic macromolecules into cells.

Abstract: Heteropolysaccharide biopolymers well adopted as thickening agents are improvedly produced by microbially fermenting a carbohydrate nutrient medium, said nutrient medium comprising an oil-in-water emulsion of a discontinuous oily phase dispersed within a continuous aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method for controlling infections caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. The method comprises using protease inhibiting compounds, preferably serine protease inhibitors, to inhibit excystation, invasion, and parasite maturation and development. The method is directed to therapeutic treatment of mammals, such as humans, exposed to C. parvum, and additionally as a prophylactic treatment in immunocompromised subjects at high risk for contracting cryptosporidiosis.

Abstract: The invention features screening methods which can be used to identify agents, known as vasoprotective agents, which inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell activation and/or proliferation or enhance vascular endothelial cell activation and/or proliferation or activate estrogen responsive genes in vascular cells. Preferred vasoprotective agents are relatively vasospecific, i.e., their effect on one or more types of vascular cells is more pronounced than their effect on other cell types. Treatment with such vasospecific agents will generally be associated with fewer undesirable side-effects than treatment with estrogen.The methods of the invention are screening assays in which candidate agents are examined to identify vasoprotective agents. One type of screening assay involves examining the effect of a candidate agent on cell proliferation and/or cell activation. Another type of screening assay involves examining the effect of a candidate agent on the expression of a gene which is responsive to estrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bidifobacteria strains having tolerance in the gastrointestinal environments and to a method for culturing the same. The strains of the invention are Bifidobacterium longum (ATCC 55815, 55816, 55817, 55818) which have tolerances against bile salt, acid and oxygen and which have been obtained through mutagenesis and screening for tolerances against bile salt, acid and oxygen by using acid-tolerant Bifidobacterium longum Y1 and Y2 strains (ATCC 55813 and 55814) isolated from healthy infant feces as the parent strains. The strains of the present invention show excellent growth under aerobic condition in the presence of skim milk without supplement of other growth promoting substances. This oxygen-tolerant property is favor for their industrial production.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved surfactant formulation for enhancing the extent of a bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil, especially hydrocarbon contaminated soil that has been subjected to nutrient assisted bioremediation previously. The formulation includes a mixture of methadienes and methadiene alcohols, certain surfactants and a hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A plant cell suspension culture to derive azadirachtin-producing cells is described. The culture overcomes the disadvantages of the present processes of seed extraction. The culture allows for the continuous production of azadirachtin that is free of pathogens and toxins, independent of environmental conditions. It yields a predictable quantity and quality of bioactive product and permits continuous production at a desired, contained location.

Abstract: An agent for promoting the proliferation of Bifidobacterium which comprises an indigestible substance which is prepared by heating a starch in the presence of a mineral acid and a small amount of water to prepare a pyrodextrin and hydrolyzing the pyrodextrin in the presence of an acid; and use of the indigestible substance for promoting the proliferation of Bifidobacterium in the intestine. Foods containing the indigestible substance promote the proliferation of Bifidobacterium in the intestine and can be very excellent health foods.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the proliferation of B cells by using inhibitors of phosphotyrosine phosphatase can be used to regulate the immune response and to treat diseases such as leukemias or lymphomas marked by malignant proliferation of B cells. The use of such inhibitors can be combined with radiation, which produces a synergistic effect. Several types of inhibitors can be used, including: (1) compounds comprising a metal coordinate-covalently bound to an organic moiety that can form a five- or six-membered ring; (2) compounds in which vanadium (IV) is coordinate-covalently bound to an organic moiety such as a hydroxamate, .alpha.-hydroxypyridinone, .alpha.-hydroxypyrone, .alpha.-amino acid, hydroxycarbonyl, or thiohydroxamate; (3) coordinate-covalent complexes of vanadyl and cysteine or a derivative thereof; (4) nonhydrolyzable phosphotyrosine phosphatase analogues; (5) phostatin; and (6) 4-(fluoromethyl)phenyl phosphate and esterified derivatives.

Abstract: A nutrient medium used in fermentation for increasing the yield of cells or microorganisms is provided. The formulation provided increases the yield of the fungus Lagenidium giganteum two- to three-fold over known media. The medium contains peptone, yeast extract, Proflo.RTM. cottonseed flour, glucose, palm oil, cholesterol, CaCl.sub.2 and MgCl.sub.2.

Abstract: An improved method for producing natamycin by fermentation is disclosed.

Abstract: Generation of Fe.sup.+2 for water treatment and treatment process using same.

Abstract: The present invention concerns products and methods particularly useful for activating and analyzing non-dividing cell nuclei. The featured products include activating egg extracts, cytostatic factor (CSF) extracts, kits containing these extracts, and a microchamber microscope slide useful in analyzing nucleus activation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a deterioration inhibitor for an emulsion-type processing oil comprising, as an active ingredient, a culture of a bacterial species selected from the group consisting of Aerococcus viridans BC-A-4 (Acceptance No. FERM BP-5041) and Bacillus brevis BC-A-69 (Acceptance No. FERM BP-5041) and Bacillus brevis BC-A-3124 (Acceptance No. FERM BP-5043) and a method for inhibiting deterioration of an emulsion-type processing oil comprising adding such deterioration inhibitor to the emulsion-type processing oil and then allowing the bacteria contained in the deterioration inhibitor to proliferate. Since the propagation of the putrefying bacteria in the emulsion-type processing oils can be suppressed by the proliferation of the bacteria contained in the deterioration inhibitor, the working life of the emulsion-type processing oil can be prolonged.

Abstract: The use of bacterial lipases which show an immunological cross-reaction with the antibodies to the lipase produced by the microorganism Pseudomonas spec. DSM 6483 and/or Pseudomonas cepacia IAM 1057 for producing drugs for the therapy of maldigestion is described.

Abstract: A method of producing foreign gene products which comprises (1) transforming animal cells either (a) by using two plasmids, namely a plasmid containing the MMTV LTR and a foreign gene encoding a physiologically active substance inserted therein downstream from the LTR and a plasmid containing the LTR and a glucocorticoid receptor protein gene inserted therein downstream from the LTR, or (b) by using one plasmid comprising the LTR, a glucocorticoid receptor protein gene located downstream from the LTR, another LTR and a foreign gene encoding a physiologically active substance located downstream from the latter LTR, and (2) cultivating the transformed animal cells in a medium containing glucocorticoid in an amount effective for inducing mRNA transcription.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the bacterial reduction of industrial gases using perfluorocarbons (PFCs) is disclosed. Because perfluorocarbons (PFCs) allow for a much greater solubility of gases than water does, PFCs have the potential to deliver gases in higher concentrations to microorganisms when used as an additive to microbial growth media thereby increasing the rate of the industrial gas conversion to economically viable chemicals and gases.

Abstract: A process is described for the growth of anaerobic thermophilic heterotrophic methanogens belonging to the species Pyrobaculum islandicum and Pyrococcus furiosus to high cell densities under steady state conditions.

Abstract: A nutrient culture medium which isolates antibiotics and other microbial growth inhibitors during culturing of a microorganism is shown. The culture medium includes an aqueous dispersion of nutrient materials and an effective amount of an isolating substance or substances capable of isolating antimicrobial materials during culturing of a microorganism.The isolating substances are selected from ion exchange resins and non-functional adsorbent resins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting the effects of selected growth factors and pharmaceuticals on the growth and development of hair follicles by assaying hair follicle cell proliferation and cellular collagenolytic factor secretion. In particular, isolated hair follicle cells maintained as intact functioning folliculoids are embedded in a three-dimensional culture system, and exposed to the chemical agent of choice. The effect of this agent can then be determined with respect to its ability to modify cellular proliferation or secretion of proteolytic factors. Each determination involves the use of a separate assay.

Abstract: An antitumor agent is provided by including, as an active ingredient, a polysaccharide-glycan complex obtained by treating a Gram-positive bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium strains with a cell wall lytic enzyme produced by a bacterium belonging to the genus Achromobacter.The polysaccharide-glycan complex has no toxicity and causes no side effect. Being water-soluble, it is easily formulated into any arbitrary dose form, such as an injectable solution. It can easily be prepared from an easily available starting material.

Abstract: Streptomyces avermitilis lacking branched-chain amino acid transaminase activity and/or branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase activity, methods for preparation thereof, and use thereof to produce natural and non-natural avermectins useful as parasiticides.

Abstract: Expression of mammalian target genes is achieved by employing chromosomal target DNA, either native primary cells or YACs in a yeast host, where the YACs include a fragment of a mammalian chromosome, the fragment comprising the target gene. Employing homologous recombination, an amplifiable gene is integrated into the mammalian fragment at a site to allow for amplification. In the same step, or one or more steps, as desired, the mammalian gene and/or the transcriptional system may be modified by in vivo mutagenesis. The resulting construct from homologous recombination may then be transformed into a mammalian expression host and integrated into the host genome, either randomly or by homologous recombination. The amplifiable gene may then be amplified by an appropriate agent providing for multiple copies of the target gene and the expression host grown to provide for high yields of the desired wild-type or modified protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to erbB-2 ligands and functional derivatives thereof which are capable of binding to the erbB-2 oncogene product. The present invention further pertains to anti-ligand molecules capable of recognizing and binding to the erbB-2 ligand molecule and to screening assays for such ligands. The present invention additionally relates to uses for the erbB-2 ligand, the anti-ligand molecules and the screening assays.A method for inhibiting the growth of adenocarcinoma cells in a human, which cells overexpress the oncogene erbB-2, which entails administering to said human an amount of a 30 kDa glycoprotein effective to inhibit the growth of said cells.

Abstract: Streptomyces avermitilis lacking branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase activity and avermectin B O-methyltransferase activity, method for preparation thereof, and use thereof to produce natural and non-natural B avermectins useful as parasiticides.

Abstract: Mutants of Streptomyces avermitilis lacking ability to produce glycosylated avermectins and lacking branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase activity, method for preparation thereof, and use thereof to produce natural and non-natural avermectin aglycones useful as parasiticides.

Abstract: A mutant of the genus Escherichia is described, the .alpha.-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity of which is deficient or reduced, and/or the phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase and/or glutamate dehydrogenase activities of which are amplified. The mutant is useful in the fermentative production of L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: A medium is prepared for counting propionic bacteria under anaerobic conditions. The medium contains a complex culture medium composed in particular of a casein hydrolysate and a yeast extract, supplemented with at least one lithium compound, such as lithium lactate, and at least one polyol and/or one or more antibiotics. The counting of the bacteria in a biological sample is carried out by incubation of a sample or decimal dilutions of it in a counting medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a composition comprising of a metal chelated macrocyclic amido amines or mixtures thereof represented by the structural formula: ##STR1## where R is selected from linear or branched alkanes with 8 to 22 carbons, linear or branched alkenes with 4 to 22 carbon atoms;T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are independently selected from ethylene, trimethylene, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x where x is an integer from 1 to 10;MaQb is a metal compound wherein M is a cation selected from cations of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mn; and,Q is an anion selected from nitrate, phosphate anions; and a and b are integers from 1 to 3 necessary to satisfy the valence requirements of M and Q.a phosphorous source, and a diluent.

Abstract: A substrate bioavailability enhancing chemical mixture and bioremediation method is disclosed which increases substrate availability in microbial bioremediation and results in increased biodegradation efficiency and completeness while significantly shortening operating time. The mixture contains a surfactant, an emulsifier, an emulsifying solvent, a sequestering agent, and a pH control agent. A preferred mixture also contains a biocatalyst which stimulates the reproductive cycle and rapid multiplication of microbes and thus increases the number of microbes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter useful for enhancing the viability of hybridomas in culture which comprises a partially purified, cell-free extract derived from a medium conditioned by mitogen-stimulated macrophages, the extract being substantially free of the macrophage stimulating mitogen which had been added to the medium, and having within it a component characterized by the ability to enhance the viability of hybridomas in culture, and by an apparent molecular weight in the range from about 35,000 to about 45,000. Also provided are methods of preparing the composition of matter, and methods for enhancing the viability of hybridomas in culture.

Abstract: A method for culturing fungal and plant cells in a culture medium containing an elicitor to increase production of a metabolite produced by the cells. For example, tobacco leaves produce the metabolite nicotine and the nicotine is produced in significantly greater amounts when the tobacco is cultured in a elicitor-containing medium. The elicitor is an oxidized Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), or a glycosylated BSA, or an oxidized lysozyme, or glycosylated lysozyme or azetidine-2-carboxylic acid. Further, metabolite production is increased 1000% over the production of the metabolite when an elicitor is not added during the culturing method.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for implanting encapsulated cells in a host comprising exposing cells to restrictive conditions for a sufficient period of time to establish a desired cell property in response to the restrictive conditions and implanting the encapsulated cells in a host, the cell property being substantially maintained following implantation. Also provided are cells produced by exposure to restrictive conditions.

Abstract: A method for stimulating microbial dechlorination of the unflanked para-chlorine substituent of PCBs having one or two unflanked para-chlorine substituents in an active PCB-contaminated sediment having a population of microorganisms capable of para-dechlorinating PCBs involves incubation of the sediment with a fluorochlorobiphenyl compound such as 2,6-difluoro-4-chlorobiphenyl that has a para-chlorine at position 4, hydrogens on positions 3 and 5, and fluorines on positions 2 and 6, for a time and under conditions sufficient to decrease the levels of PCBs containing unflanked para-chlorines.

Abstract: Microorganisms modified such that their growth in selective media is dependent upon the inhibition of a medically important target function are provided and utilized in methods for the screening of potential medically important compounds.

Abstract: Applicants describe methods for purifying human ApoE or analog thereof from recombinant bacterial cells with minimal protein aggregation and degradation during the purification process. The invention involves the addition of neutralized fatty acids to the medium during cell disruption and the use of a non-ionic detergent during the purification process. Additionally applicants describe a method for increasing the production of ApoE or analog thereof in a bacterial host by adding to the culture medium neutralized fatty acids, fatty acid precursors, triglycerides, triglyceride precursors or acetate. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic uses of the ApoE analog are described.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified retro-retinoid compound characterized by a molecular mass of about 302 daltons. Also provided by this invention is a method of enhancing the growth of a cell in a vitamin A reduced environment which comprises contacting the cell with an effective growth enhancing amount of a compound having a structure: ##STR1## wherein the configuration of the C6, C8, C10 and C12 double bond independently is Z or E and the absolute configuration at C-14 is independently R or S; wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkyl halide, alcohol, ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acid halide, amide, nitrile, or amine; and wherein R.sub.2 is hydroxyl, halide, alkoxy, ester, alkyl, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, nitrile, amine, azide, alkyl halide, acid halide, acid azide, or amide; or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are replaced by a 14, 15-oxirane group; and wherein the retro structure is alpha or gamma.

Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a composition comprising a phosphorous source, a diluent and a compound or mixtures thereof represented by the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a linear or branched alkane having about 8 to about 22 carbons, a linear or branched alkene having about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms; T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3 are independently ethylene, trimethylene, or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x, where x is an integer from 1 to 10; Q is HNO.sub.3 or H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 ; and, n is an integer from 0 to 10.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing living cellular material in a reaction zone having a membrane in contact with an aqueous medium. The concentration of nutrient in samples from the process is measured using a spectrometric instrument to obtain spectral data characteristic of nutrient components. This spectral data is analyzed using a chi-squared mathematical technique to determine the unknown concentration of nutrient components in said samples. Then the rate at which nutrient is fed to the reaction zone is altered based on the determination of concentration of nutrient components as required to optimize the process.