Abstract: The invention features immunoreagents which neutralize the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) by binding to a novel conserved epitope of the HIV-1 gp120. These immunoreagents exhibit a broad neutralizing effect upon HIV attachment to host cells, and are therefore useful in the detection, prevention, amelioration and treatment of HIV disease, primarily AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and ARC (AIDS Related Complex). More particularly, the invention relates to novel human monoclonal antibodies selectively reactive to a conserved conformation dependent determinant of the HIV-1 gp120, derivatives thereof, cell lines that produce these antibodies, and the use of the monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives for the detection, prevention, amelioration and treatment of HIV related disease.

Abstract: Methods of identifying compounds that relax or stimulate arterial tension through their action on perivascular sensory nerve calcium receptors are described. Compounds identified through such methods are useful for the treatment of hypertension, hypotension and other diseases and conditions that alter normal physiological blood pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting a hormone or antihormone resistance in cancers. The invention is intended for use in medicine, biology and the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of the invention is to consistently improve the use of antihormones in the treatment of cancer so that unnecessary treatment can be avoided as much as possible. The aim is to develop a method which can be used to identify the type of cancer before corresponding antihormone treatment is given. This aim is achieved by measuring the immune reactivity of the hormone receptors of cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of diabetes involving free radicals. In particular, the present invention is directed to the treatment or prophylactic intervention of diabetes. The present invention demonstrates that MnSOD can play a protective role against cytokine killing, and provides strategies for engineering cell lines as islet surrogates for transplantation therapy of diabetes mellitus. Further, the present invention shows that &bgr;-cell destruction and dysfunction in adipogenic diabetes is mediated via fatty acids. Methods and compositions for ameliorating this disorder are provided herein.

Abstract: A test device for detecting or quantifying determining an analyte in a test solution includes an absorbent material having contact, liposome lysing and electrochemical measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned for contact with and uptake of the test solution. The liposome lysing portion is segregated from the contact portion and has a liposome lysing agent bound thereto. The liposome lysing portion is further either positioned between the contact portion and the electrochemical measurement portion, or partially or completely coincides with the electrochemical measurement portion. The electrochemical measurement portion comprises a first conductor comprising a plurality of fingers disposed on the absorbent material, and a second conductor similarly comprising a plurality of fingers disposed on the absorbent material, where the fingers of the first and second conductors are interdigitated to form an array.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the diagnosis and for the monitoring/screening of cartilage diseases by an MIA test, a suitable reagent for this as well as the use of antibodies to MIA to detect cartilage diseases.

Abstract: In a method of diagnosing a malignant disorder or its precursor stage, the percentage parts N.sub.i of blood cells in a size range of i=6 .mu.m to i=16 .mu.m in two blood samples of a patient, an arterial or capillary blood sample (A) and a venous blood sample (V) are determined based on the total number of blood cells in the arterial or capillary blood sample and the venous blood sample, the values obtained thereby a multiplied by a weighting factor .alpha..sub.1 and are then summed up and from the sums A and V, respectively the values x=A+V and y=A-V are calculated and the deviation of the values x and y from the values x and y of a healthy person are determined for diagnosing the disorder.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of PDK-1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding PDK-1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of PDK-1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of PDK-1 are provided.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of a novel xylanase gene obtained from the soilborne fungus Coniothyrium minitans, and denoted cxy1, is provided. The amino acid sequence of the encoded xylanase enzyme, denoted Cxy1, is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a blood component, e.g., fibrin monomer, from blood or plasma comprises a container (110) with a reaction chamber for receiving the plasma, where said reaction chamber is defined by an outer wall and comprises means for supplying said reaction chamber with an agent for converting the fibrinogen content of the plasma into a non-cross-linked fibrin polymer. The apparatus comprises furthermore a device for centrifuging the reaction chamber with the plasma and said agent to a degree sufficient for separating the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer from the plasma, for depositing said polymer on the outer wall of the reaction chamber, and for expelling the remaining plasma from the reaction chamber. The container (110) comprises means for supplying the reaction chamber with a solvent for dissolving said non-cross-linked fibrin polymer.

Abstract: A therapeutic method comprising counteracting or preventing pathologies mediated by IL-5, including those characterized by eosinophil infiltration, degranulation and inflammation, by administering to a mammal in need of such therapy, one or more compounds that bind to the eosinophil sulfonylurea receptor, optionally in combination with one or more topical anesthetics and/or glucocorticoids.

Abstract: A method of detecting malignant or pre-malignant conditions of the cervix, and test kits therefor, involves selecting a fraction of a cervical cell sample consisting predominantly of epithelial cells and determining characteristics indicative of the malignant or pre-malignant conditions therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the generation and use of ferric ions produced by acidophilic, chemoautotrophic bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process control system user interface. The user interface is useful for coupling a bioreactor to a process control system for controlling the environmental conditions of a cell culture within the bioreactor. The user interface includes one or more process control option selections, which, upon selection by the user, configure the process control system to a preset control algorithm profile in the process control system. The user interface presents the process control option selection to the user through a menu. The user interface further includes a selection for establishing one or more process control setpoints and a response control algorithm profile selectable by the user for controlling the system's approach to the setpoint.

Abstract: Transgenes for producing recombinant polypeptides transgenic bovine species. A transgene for producing recombinant polypeptides in the milk of transgenic bovine species comprises at least one expression regulation sequence, a secretory DNA sequence encoding a secretory signal sequence which is functional in mammary secretory cells of the bovine species and a recombinant DNA sequence encoding the recombinant polypeptide. Also included are methods for producing transgenic bovine species. The method includes introducing the above transgene into an embryonal target cell of a bovine species, transplanting the transgenic embryonic target cell formed thereby into a recipient bovine parent and identifying at least one female offspring which is capable of producing the recombinant polypeptide in its milk.

Abstract: A test device for detecting or determining an analyte in a test solution includes an absorbent material having contact, liposome lysing and electrochemical measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned for contact with and uptake of the test solution. The liposome lysing portion is segregated from the contact portion and has a liposome lysing agent bound thereto. The liposome lysing portion is further either positioned between the contact portion and the electrochemical measurement portion, or partially or completely coincides with the electrochemical measurement portion. The electrochemical measurement portion comprises a first conductor comprising a plurality of fingers disposed on the absorbent material, and a second conductor similarly comprising a plurality of fingers disposed on the absorbent material, where the fingers of the first and second conductors are interdigitated to form an array.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for aerobically cultivating yeast or bacteria in a culture medium of fed-batch, continuous or cell-recycling continuous cultures, wherein the carbon source concentration in the culture medium is maintained at a constant low level of under g/l. The carbon source concentration is maintained by measuring the carbon consumption of a culture of the yeast or bacteria in a preliminary experiment. The rate is determined between the time the culture is started and a time when the carbon source is exhausted. A feeding time is then determined wherein the activity of the yeast or bacteria in the presence of the carbon source does not change and a volume of the carbon source to be used in a first feeding (So) is set as So=.nu..times.T. Then, in a main culture, a first feeding of a volume of the carbon source (So) is added for the time (T), and the exhaustion of the carbon source is detected as an increase in pH or an increase in concentration of oxygen dissolved in the culture medium.

Abstract: A control method for operating aqueous Haematococcus spp., such as H. pluvialis, microorganism growth processes is disclosed which can maintain viable growth conditions of this microorganism which have heretofore not been easily reproduced in commercially valuable quantities. The primary control parameters are the degree of turbulence in the aqueous growth medium and the scale of the apparatus relative to the scale of the turbulent eddies in vessels which are partially filled with the aqueous medium directly affect conditions which are required for optimum growth: light exposure, nutrient supply, sedimentation rate, bulk temperature, gas exchange rate and cell integrity. These control elements can be cast in terms of the Reynolds number (N.sub.re), pH, temperature, amount of impinging light, and NO.sub.2 concentration, depending upon the operative chlorophyll growth stages of Haematococcus spp. and its photoadaptive stages of producing astaxanthin.

Abstract: This invention provides methods by which biologically derived DNA sequences in a mixed sample or in an arrayed single sequence clone can be determined and classified without sequencing. The methods make use of information on the presence of carefully chosen target subsequences, typically of length from 4 to 8 base pairs, and preferably the length between target subsequences in a sample DNA sequence together with DNA sequence databases containing lists of sequences likely to be present in the sample to determine a sample sequence. The preferred method uses restriction endonucleases to recognize target subsequences and cut the sample sequence. Then carefully chosen recognition moieties are ligated to the cut fragments, the fragments amplified, and the experimental observation made. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred method of amplification.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing contaminants from a gas, wherein the gas flows through a gas treatment chamber having a biological treatment zone and a chemical treatment zone. The amount of a chemical treatment agent that is introduced into the chemical treatment zone is adjusted in response to a sensed condition or conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for centrifuging and further automatically handling a container (110) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from blood. The container (110) comprises a cylindrical member (27) and a piston displaceable in said cylindrical member, said piston comprising a tubular piston rod (8) extending through a top wall (73). The piston divides the cylindrical member (27) into a first chamber (70) positioned above said piston between said piston and the top wall (73), and a second chamber positioned below said piston. The top wall (73) of the container comprises an extension (90) defining a circumferential slit surrounding the outer side of the piston rod (8), whereby one end of said slit communicates in the axial direction with the first chamber. In addition, the first chamber communicates through a plurality of channels with the second chamber.

Abstract: A cell growing device for in vitro cell population growth includes at least one hollow fiber cartridge having a plurality of capillaries at least one of which is selectively permeable. The flow of media out of a lumen of the cartridge is substantially blocked off thereby forcing media flowing into the lumen via an inflow opening to permeate across the capillaries of the cartridge and into the extracapillary space thereof.

Abstract: A test device for detecting or quantifying an analyte in a test sample includes an absorbent material having separate contact and measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned at or proximate to a first end of the absorbent material. The measurement portion has a receptor for a conjugate of an analyte analog and marker-encapsulating liposomes. In a method for using the test device, a binding material specific for the analyte is combined with the liposome-analyte analog conjugate and the test sample to form a test mixture. The mixture is incubated for a time sufficient to permit competition between any analyte present and the conjugate for the binding material. Following incubating, the mixture is allowed to traverse the absorbent material from the contact portion through the measurement portion of the absorbent material.

Abstract: A cell culture of correctly regulated .beta.-cells having enhanced secretion of insulin is described. A method of selecting such correctly regulated .beta.-cells is also described comprising the following steps:(a) providing a population of cells comprising .beta.-cells in which increased intracellular concentrations of calcium ions is correlated with the extracellular presence of glucose;(b) exposing the population to a vital calcium-activated labelling agent;(c) exposing the population to glucose in a concentration sufficient to result in secretion of the insulin; and(d) selecting from the population, cells which exhibit a higher level of intracellular free calcium or insulin secretion when exposed to said concentration.

Abstract: An improved method and fermentor for aerobic production of microbial cells and/or cell metabolites, having at least one ascending flow chambers and at least one descending flow chamber. The fermentor is especially useful in conducting high cell density fermentation processes which involves the controlled addition of an antifoam agent, for maintaining a predetermined and relatively high gas holdup within the fermentor or by release of the constituents of the microbial cells into the fermentor.

Abstract: A method for the cell-free synthesis and isolation of novel genes and polypeptides is provided. Within one embodiment, an expression unit is constructed onto which semi-random nucleotide sequences are attached. The semi-random nucleotide sequences are first transcribed to produce RNA, and then translated under conditions such that polysomes are produced. Polysomes which bind to a substance of interest are then isolated and disrupted; and the released mRNA is recovered. The mRNA is used to construct cDNA which is expressed to produce novel polypeptides.

Abstract: A unique hollow fiber multiple bioreactor system and method for the propagation of cells and the production of various cell propagation products is described. Simultaneous fluid flow through lumens of hollow fibers in bioreactors is maintained constant across multiple bioreactors so production is maintained essentially constant. The system and method include use of a flow block holder which allows a dissolved oxygen probe to be calibrated at the same pressure as the media in the bioreactor system.

Abstract: A droplet flow cytometer system which includes a system to optimize the droplet formation time delay based on conditions actually experienced includes an automatic droplet sampler which rapidly moves a plurality of containers stepwise through the droplet stream while simultaneously adjusting the droplet time delay. Through the system sampling of an actual substance to be processed can be used to minimize the effect of the substances variations or the determination of which time delay is optimal. Analysis such as cell counting and the like may be conducted manually or automatically and input to a time delay adjustment which may then act with analysis equipment to revise the time delay estimate actually applied during processing. The automatic sampler can be controlled through a microprocessor and appropriate programming to bracket an initial droplet formation time delay estimate.

Abstract: CD27 ligand (CD27L) polypeptide and DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in providing CD27L polypeptides. The CD27L polypeptide binds to the CD27 receptor.

Abstract: A micropropagation system and process for promoting the growth of plant tissue in a sterile environment is provided. The system includes a bioreactor in which the explant tissue is contained and grown. A plurality of fluid reservoirs are connected to the bioreactor for supplying sugar, nutrients, hormones, and water to the plant material. A controller and an analyzer are also included for automating the system by controlling flow rates and by monitoring media concentrations and levels within the bioreactor. Specifically, the controller is capable of monitoring system conditions and making the desired corrections by receiving data from the chemical analyzer. In particular, the controller is capable of calculating and maintaining volume levels of liquid growth media within the bioreactor chamber and maintaining the proper concentrations and proportions of components in the growth media.

Abstract: There is provided synthetic nucleic acid fragments for the altered expression of selected nutritionally-important proteins in plants. These nucleic acid fragments may be used to transform plants, particularly crop plants, to increase the lysine and methionine content of seeds or leaves. The invention is of significant interest for the nutritional improvement of corn which is low in lysine and sulfur amino acid-poor plants, such as corn and soybean. There is also provided chimeric genes, host cells, plants, seeds and microorganisms containing the nucleic acid fragment as well as methods for obtaining the expression of particular proteins in plants and microorganisms.

Abstract: A control method for operating aqueous microorganism growth processes is disclosed which can maintain viable growth conditions for many types of microorganisms which have heretofore not been easily reproduced in commercially valuable quantities. The primary control parameters are the degree of turbulence in the aqueous growth medium and the scale of the apparatus relative to the scale of the turbulent eddies in vessels which are partially filled with the aqueous medium directly affect conditions which are required for optimum growth: light exposure, nutrient supply, sedimentation rate, bulk temperature, gas exchange rate and cell integrity. These control elements can be cast in terms of the Reynolds number (N.sub.Re) and controlled dimensions of the apparatus (L.sub.K) in relationship to the scales of turbulent eddies to define the dissipation .lambda..sub.K as L.sub.K /L.

Abstract: A method of selecting cells with enhanced secretion of a secretory product is disclosed. The method comprises exposing a population of cells to a secretagogue to result in the secretion of a secretory product from the cells and selecting from the population, cells that exhibit increased amounts of intracellular free calcium when exposed to the secretagogue. The method enables the selection of correctly regulated .beta. cells that secrete appropriate amounts of insulin in response to varying glucose levels.

Abstract: A method for controlling and/or optimising a process in which a biological system comprising mixed cultures of microorganisms, biodegradable material, one or more biogenic fluorophores and optionally other soluble and/or insoluble and/or suspended substances in an aqueous environment is subjected to one or several separation processes and/or to chemical reactions and/or to biological treatment so as to obtain as a final product purified water which has a substantially lower content of biodegradable matter than the biological system, which method comprises monitoring the microbiological activity of the biological system and/or fluctuations thereof by on-line measurement of fluorescent emission and/or variations therein for at least one of the fluorophores in the system when irradiated with light and controlling one or several parameters of the process by using results from the measurement as measured variable(s) in an on-line automatisation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the effects of certain cell culture and/or production parameters on the carbohydrate composition of a cell culture-derived recombinant glycoprotein. The methods of the invention demonstrate a practical method for controlling levels of a sialic acid derivative, NGNA, in secreted recombinant glycoproteins which will be useful in a variety of bioprocessing systems.

Abstract: A method for aerobic production of microbial cells and/or cell metabolites in a fermentation vessel having at least a riser and at least a downcomer. The method is especially useful to conduct high cell density fermentation processes and involves the controlled addition of an antifoam agent, for maintaining a predetermined and relatively high gas hold up within the fermentor. Also disclosed are various types of fermentors for practicing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas measurement and control system which comprises a thermal conductivity CO.sub.2 sensor and a humidity sensor which produce separate and independent output signals which are compared in a microprocessor, thereby generating a humidity compensated carbon dioxide gas measurement which is accurate to within .+-.0.1%.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed facilitating the application of forces and measurement of dimensions of a test subject. In one arrangement the test subject is coupled to a forcing frame and controlled forces applied thereto by a series of guideways and sliders. The sliders, which contact the test subject are in force transmitting relation to a forcing frame. Tension, compression and bending forces can be applied to the test subject. Force applied to the test subject is measured and controlled. A dimensional characteristic of the test subject, such as growth, is measured by a linear variable differential transformer. The growth measurement data can be used to control the force applied. Substantially uniaxial stretching is achieved by placing the test subject on an elastic membrane stretched by an arrangement of members securing the elastic member to the forcing frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence and/or concentration of biomolecules, in particular DNA, by providing a boundary surface between an optically denser medium and an optically rarer medium. Biomolecules adsorb to the boundary surface and alter the characteristics of impinging light. The method and apparatus use surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to excite the biomolecules. The angle of incidence of the impinging light is maintained at the angle at which SPR occurs, thereby controlling the energy transferred to the biomolecules. The energy transferred to the biomolecules causes the biomolecules to generate excitation light which is reflected and monitored at the boundary surface. The angle of incidence is controlled by rotating a desk such that the intensity of the reflected light is always maintained at a minimum which ensures that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle at which SPR occurs.

Abstract: A method of feeding substrates into a tubular bioreactor incorporating a reacting vessel and a separating membrane in which the reaction and separation or collection can be continuously and surely effected in the same vessel with high efficiency.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of an analyte in a sample fluid utilizing an assay element which comprises at least one reagent layer. The assay method includes the steps of optically reading a signal producing species, e.g., a fluorescent label, a first time prior to depositing the sample fluid on the assay element and a second time, at the same wavelength and in the same location within the assay element after the sample fluid has been applied to the assay element and the sample analyte has interacted with the reagent(s) present in the assay element. The first, or dry, reading is corrected for relative humidity and/or temperature variations.

Abstract: An analyzer has a reaction disk for holding a plurality of reaction containers and a fluorophotometer for measuring fluorescence stemming from solutions in the containers. Most of the containers contain solid phases attached with antibodies but at least one container does not contain any solid phase. In normal operation of the analyzer, a test sample containing antigens and a latently fluorescent reagent such as an antibody labeled by an enzyme are added to a container containing a solid phase. In this container, a fluorescent substance is created through an enzyme reaction. Light is irradiated on the container and the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance is measured. While measuring test samples, fluorescence stemming from a reference sample, such as quinine sulfate, is measured to produce values for the reference sample by which measured values for the test samples are corrected.

Abstract: A device for determining the aerobic biodegradability in a composting installation of at least one product includes at least two reactors, a temperature device for maintaining the reactors at a temperature above the ambient temperature, a device for passing gas which contains oxygen through the reactors, a device for separately collecting outflowing gas from each of the reactors, a measuring/calculating device for determining the amount of CO.sub.2 in the outflowing gas of each reactor and a calculating device for determining the aerobic biodegradability of the at least one product based on the measured/calculated amount of CO.sub.2 in the outflowing gas of each reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and associated agents for measuring the presence and amount of advanced glycosylation endproducts in cells and fluids. The methods take advantage of the existence of receptors and receptor complexes for AGEs and include receptor-containing ligands comprising whole mesangial and other cells, mesangial cellular fragments and protein extracts therefrom. Competitive assays, sandwich assays and assays involving AGE antisera are disclosed. Numerous diagnostic applications are defined and test kits are also contemplated.

Abstract: A culture system comprising at least first and second culture medium tanks including a gas phase, a culture medium phase, at least one gas phase port, and at least one culture medium port. At least one culture vessel. First switching-over members have a plurality of culture medium flow passages connected between the tanks and the culture vessels. The culture medium phase of the first tank flows through the passages to the culture medium phase of the second tank via the culture vessel. Switching-over of the culture medium flow passages causes the culture medium phase of the second tank to flow through the passages to the culture medium phase of the first tank via the culture vessel. Gas supply section comprises at least two pressure chambers and at least two gas ports connected to the pressure chambers. Second switching-over members have formed therein a plurality of gas flow passages allowing a gas to flow from the gas control section to the gas phase in the first and second tanks.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for biological conversion (composting) of organic waste material, e.g. from kitchens or restaurants, involving use of a heat-insulated housing (1) having at least two separate chambers (7, 8). In the first chamber (7), organic material is introduced and treated in the presence of microorganisms until an intermediate stage of conversion into biomass only. A portion of the partially converted material, responsive to a certain temperature measured in the first chamber (7), is transferred for a final composting into the second chamber (8). Waste organic material is newly introduced into the first chamber (7) and treated therein together with a remaining portion of the partially converted material; thereby, because of the presence of a sufficient amount of active microorganisms in the first chamber (7), the process of conversion of the newly introduced waste material is started immediately.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automated sample preparation, DNA amplification and detection, which apparatus has heat-sinking, flat carriers for holding specimens and reagents, devices for heating and cooling and maintaining the specimen to or at any given temperature for any given time periods, and a computer to generate signals that control said temperatures and times.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of determining the presence of incompatibility-reaction-causing substances in blood products. There is also disclosed a method of inactivating incompatibility-reaction-causing substances in blood products to be applied therapeutically and prophylactically. For this purpose, a fraction obtained from human or animal blood is treated with pancreas enzymes bound to water insoluble carrier material and, optionally, the fraction is subjected to further fractionation and concentration.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a chemical reaction provides control of the temperature and volume of the reagents to improve the accuracy and precision in quantitative measurements of specific proteins and other immunochemistries in body fluids. The reaction occurs in a cuvette within a nephelometric optics module. A sensor senses the temperatures of reaction buffer liquids as they flow into the cuvette, and a heat exchanging device increases or decreases the temperatures of the buffer liquids. A control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor controls the heat exchanging device to maintain the temperature of the buffer liquids and the cuvette within a selected temperature range. The system may also include a sample pickup station, a sample probe for withdrawing a selected sample from the sample pickup station, a sample preparation station, and a sample transport for carrying said sample from the sample preparation station to the reaction cuvette.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automated sample preparation, DNA amplification and detection, which apparatus has heat-sinking, flat carriers for holding specimens and reagents, devices for heating and cooling and maintaining the specimen to or at any given temperature for any given time periods, and a computer to generate signals that control said temperatures and times.