Abstract:
Mutant ob receptors have been made which a) lack a functional first CK-F3 domain; b) lack a functional second CK-F3 domain or c) lack a functional intracellular domain. These receptors may be used in various assays, such as a transactivation assay to identify novel ligands.
Abstract:
Proteins from the genus Photorhabdus are toxic to insects upon exposure. Photorhabdus luminescens (formerly Xenorhabdus luminescens) have been found in mammalian clinical samples and as a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes of genus Heterorhabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
Abstract:
Supercritical and near critical fluids are used to fractionate biomas materials in two steps. In the first step, the biomass is exposed to elevated pressure supercritical or near critical fluid to bring about disruption of the biomass. In the second step, the disrupted biomass is subjected to a multiplicity of supercritical or near critical fluid extraction steps, with different solvation conditions used for each fraction. Thus, fractionation of the biomass is effected.
Abstract:
A method of growing a paraffinophilic organism including providing a tank and introducing into the tank (i) sterile broth and (ii) a paraffin. The broth is then inoculated with a paraffinophilic organism that will grow and multiply in the broth by utilizing paraffin as its sole carbon source. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a broadly reactive vaccine against Gram-negative bacteria which is composed of a biological glycan-pilus sonjugate. The conjugate core is a common pilus type to which is attached the glycan of choice in vivo. Pooling of these bioconjugates produces a multivalent vaccine. These pili give high bronchial titers when delivered by the intranasal route. Mice vaccinated with pure glycosylated P. aeruginosa strain 1244 pili in this manner are protected against respiratory challenge with P. aeruginosa strain 1244. The present invention further relates to a DNA and amino acid sequence of a new gene, pilO, which is capable of glycosylating pilin of Gram-negative bacteria and uses thereof.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods and media for the isolation and presumptive identification of various bacteria. In particular, the organisms commonly associated with urinary tract infections are distinguished based on their colonial morphology and color.
Abstract:
This solid nutrient medium for cultivating microorganisms contains a copolymer of acrylonitrile and acrylamide and a liquid nutrient substrate in the following percent-by-weight proportions: copolymer of acrylonitrile and acrylamide: 5.0 - 30.0; nutrient substrate: 70.0 - 95.0. The method of obtaining a solid culture medium includes the purification of acrylamide and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide by recrystalization; preparation of the reactive mix composed of acrylonitrile, acrylamide, N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide, an acceptable solvent and an initiating system; polymerization over a period sufficient for the production of a copolymer retaining the form; its rinsing and saturation with water until equilibrium state; permeation with the nutrient substrate, where the components have these percent-by-weight proportions: acrylonitrile 5.0 - 50.0; acrylamide 5.0 - 50.0; N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide 0.01 - 0.60; initiating system 0.15 - 0.3; acceptable solvent residuum.
Abstract:
The procedure involves heat treatment of the plant juice, first in a temperature x time interval from 55 DEG C x 24 hours to 120 DEG C x 10 min., whereafter the plant juice is cooled to 50 DEG C - 60 DEG C and the pH value is set at 7.5 - 8.5 by addition of a base. Hereafter the plant juice is converted by enzymic hydrolysis by means of proteolytic enzymes such as proteases and peptidases, while keeping the pH value constant at 7.5 - 8.5 by continuous addition of base until the hydrolysis is over. By the procedure a medium is formed which is well suited as a nutritive substrate for vitamin and amino acid demanding micro-organisms, which form organic acids or amino acids. By the procedure it is possible in a cheap and simple manner to convert plant juice to organic acids or amino acids.
Abstract:
Vectors, improved host cells and improved methods for producing a heterologous protein by culturing an improved eucaryotic host cell of this invention transformed or transfected with a vector capable of directing the expression of the heterologous protein. An expression vector containing DNA encoding an anti-sense RNA to GRP78 protein-encoding mRNA is used to increase levels of heterologous proteins.
Abstract:
A plasmid which, when introduced into a suitable host cell and grown under appropriate conditions, effects expression of a gene on the plasmid and production of a polypeptide having HTLV-III reverse transcriptase activity. The plasmid is a double-stranded DNA molecule which includes in a 5' to 3' order the following: a DNA sequence which includes an inducible promoter; a DNA sequence which includes an ATG initiation codon; a portion of the Human T-cell lymphotropic virus III (HTLV-III) pol gene, said portion including a DNA sequence which encodes the polypeptide having HTLV-III reverse transcriptase activity; a DNA sequence which contains a gene associated with a selectable or identifiable phenotypic trait which is manifested when the vector is present in the host cell; and a DNA sequence which contains an origin of replication from a bacterial plasmid capable of autonomous replication in the host cell. The invention also provides a method for identifying substances which inhibit HTLV-III reverse transcriptase and a method for treating an HTLV-III virus-related disease.