Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor belt cleaning apparatus for use with belt conveyors. The invention provides a conveyor belt cleaning apparatus (1) for use with a belt conveyor, the cleaning apparatus comprising a first arm (20a) and a second arm (20b) adapted to support a scraping blade (30), the first and second arms being rotatably mounted on a shaft (2) for independent rotation about an axis, the rotation of the arms causing corresponding positional adjustments of the scraping blade (30) with respect to the belt. The mountings (21a, 21b) of each arm (20a, 20b) on the shaft (2) includes a biasing means which, in use, acts to bias the arms towards the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes an intermediate arm (40) located midway between the first arm (20a) and the second arm (20b) one end of which is connected to the shaft (2) and the opposing end of which is connected to the scraping blade (30) to provide support for the scraping blade (30).

Abstract: A novel transcriptional regulatory element which was isolated from the MnSOD gene and which exhibits promoter-enhancer activity is disclosed. The promoter-enhancer activity of the element is further modulated by inflammatory mediators to regulate transcription. Methods of using the promoter-enhancer element to regulate gene expression, and therapeutic uses involving the promoter-enhancer element are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating disease conditions in humans associated with an antigen specific immune response by the human to an antigen such as a protein antigen (i.e. allergy and autoimmune diseases). Therapeutic compositions of the invention are reproducible preparations which are suitable for human therapy. Compositions of the invention comprise at least one isolated peptide having a defined sequence of amino acid residues and the composition is capable of down regulating an antigen specific immune response to an offending antigen in a population of humans subject to the antigen specific immune response. Compositions and methods of the invention may be used to treat sensitivity to protein allergens in humans and may also be used to treat autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, Grave's disease, Good Pasture's syndrome, thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding an allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p III, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Der p III activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 24,985 daltons is also described. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Der p III nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having an activity of Der p III. Peptides having an activity of Der p III can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to house dust mites.

Abstract: A method and composition for the encapsulation of hydrophilic molecules in submicron particles is disclosed. The particles are composed of a water-in-oil microemulsion surrounded by one or more biocompatible polymers.

Abstract: Formulations for controlled, prolonged release of bioactive molecules such as therapeutic proteins, peptides and oligonucleotides have been developed. These formulations are based on solid microparticles or nanoparticles formed of the combination of biodegradable, synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and copolymers thereof. Bioactive molecules are coupled to hydrophilic polymers such as polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol and formulated to provide controlled release. The bioactive molecules are more stable, less immunogenic and have improved release rate profiles with lower burst levels and increased drug loading relative to the same bioactive molecules lacking coupled hydrophilic polymers. The controlled release formulations can be administered by injection, by inhalation, nasally, or orally.

Abstract: Cells transformed to express on their surface a component which binds to an Fc receptor of an effector cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are expression vectors used to transform the cells. Once transformed, the cells bind to effector cells via the Fc receptor of the effector cell to stimulate an effector cell mediated immune response.

Abstract: Isolated cranberry seed oil and components thereof, in a form suitable for use as a foodstuff, dietary supplement, or pharmaceutical composition, are disclosed. The isolated cranberry seed oil or compositions comprising one or a combination of components derived from the cranberry seed oil can be used as anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antithrombotic, antioxidizing, antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunoregulatory agents. In addition, the invention features novel methods of extracting cranberry seed oil from cranberry seeds in a form suitable for adding to foodstuffs, dietary supplements, or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Novel genes and vectors exhibiting increased expression and novel splicing patterns are disclosed. The gene can comprise one or more consensus or near consensus splice sites which have been corrected. The gene can alternatively or additionally comprise one or more introns within coding or noncoding sequences. The gene can still further comprise modified 5′ and/or 3′ untranslated regions optimized to provide high levels and duration of tissue-specific expression. In one embodiment, the gene comprises the coding region of a full-length Factor VIII gene modified by adding an intron within the portion of the gene encoding the &bgr;-domain, so that the gene is expressed as a &bgr;-domain deleted Factor VIII protein. The novel Factor VIII gene can also be modified to correct one or more consensus or near consensus splice sites within or outside of the coding region.

Abstract: The invention relates to linear and cyclic peptide and pseudopeptide compounds useful as analgesics, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, the use of the compounds and the compositions in the treatment of pain, and commercial packages containing such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cyaniding reagents for binding to Fc&ggr;RI receptors, and methods and kits for use therefor are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for transforming cells, resulting in efficient and stable site-specific integration of transgenes, are disclosed. Transformation is achieved by providing an acceptor DNA containing two inverted lox sequences and a donor DNA containing the same two inverted lox sequences, and then contacting the acceptor and donor DNA with a recombinase (e.g., Cre or Flp) which causes recombination at the lox sequences contained in the DNAs. Prior to recombination, the acceptor DNA is preferably integrated into the genome of a cell, such as an embryonic stem cell or a fertilized egg. The acceptor DNA optionally may further contain a negatively selectable marker to allow for screening of cells which have undergone the desired site-specific recombination (e.g., DNA cassette exchange).

Abstract: Humanized antibodies are described which are specific to an Fc receptor (FcR). The humanized antibodies have at least a portion of a complementarity determining region (CDR) derived from a non-human antibody, e.g., murine, with the remaining portions being human in origin. The humanized antibodies can be used therapeutically as is or formulated as bifunctional molecules or immunotoxins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequences coding for the ryegrass pollen allergens Lol pIa and Lol pIb, purified Lol pIa and Lol pIb protein and fragments thereof, methods of producing recombinant Lol pIa and Lol pIb or at least one fragment thereof or derivative or homologue thereof, and methods of using the nucleic acid sequences, proteins and peptides of the invention.

Abstract: The oral vaccine of the present invention containing the HPV like particles is produced in edible transgenic plants and then administered through the consumption of the edible portion of those plants or after the purification of the particles. A DNA sequence encoding one of the HPV capsid proteins is isolated, inserted into the plasmid which comprises a plant-specific promoter and a gene for a selection marker, and then transferred to plant cells to give transgenic plants. Since the gene is expressed in a portion of the plants, the oral vaccine of the present invention can be produced in an inexpensive manner and administered in a simple method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in which preferably R3, R4 and R6 are each hydrogen; X is C═O or CH2; and R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C12)alkyl, (C3-C8)cycloalkyl and (C1-C12)alkyl(C6-C14)aryl; or R7 and R8 when taken together form a (C2-C7)alkylene group; or —NR7R8 together forms a (C2-C14)heterocyclic or substituted (C2-C14)heterocyclic. Such compounds modulate the activity of serine hydrolases and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: By virtue of the present invention, there is provided methods and compositions for interfering with the proliferation of cells infected and/or transformed by papillomaviruses. The processes and compositions of this invention may be used to treat any mammal, including humans. According to this invention, mammals are treated by the pharmaceutically acceptable administration of an E2ad/db protein, either directly or by gene transfer techniques, to reduce the symptoms of the specific papillomavirus-associated disease, or to prevent their recurrence.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding allergens of Dermatophagoides (house dust mites) particularly of the species Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, which are protein allergens or peptides which include at least one epitope of the protein allergen. In particular, DNA encoding two major D. farinae allergens, Der f I and Der f II and DNA encoding a D. pteronyssinus allergen, Der p I. In addition, the proteins or peptides encoded by the isolated DNA, their use as diagnostic and therapeutic reagents and methods of diagnosing and treating sensitivity to house dust mite allergens.

Abstract: Novel packaging cell lines which produce recombinant retrovirus, free of detectable helper-virus are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the cell lines and methods of producing recombinant retroviruses from the cell lines. Retroviruses produced by the cell lines include lentiviruses, such as HIV, capable of transfering heterologous DNA to a wide range of non-dividing cells. The packaging cells contain at least three vectors which collectively encode retroviral gag, pol, and env proteins, wherein the gag and pol genes are separated, in part, onto two or more different vectors. This is made possible by fusing Vpr or Vpx to pol proteins separated from gag so that the proteins are targeted to assembling virions. Among other advantages, the packaging cells provide the benefit of increased safety when used in human gene therapy by virtually eliminating the possibility of molecular recombination leading to production of replication-competant helper virus.

Abstract: A molecular complex comprising a gene encoding interferon releasably linked to a conjugate of a nucleic acid binding agent and a ligand which binds to a component on the surface of a cell. In a preferred embodiment, the gene encodes human IFN-&agr;, IFN-&bgr;, or IFN-&ggr;. The complex can be used to obtain targeted expression of interferon in selected cells either in vivo or in vitro.