Abstract: The role of certain cellular kinases active during Human Cytomegalovirus infection is disclosed. These cellular kinases are useful to detect HCMV infection, and can be used to screen for cellular kinase inhibitors. Cellular kinases inhibitors, which effectively downregulate these key cellular components, serve as effective therapeutics against HCMV infection.

Abstract: We describe a regulated antigen delivery system (RADS) that has (a) a vector that includes (1) a gene encoding a desired gene product operably linked to a control sequence, (2) an origin of replication conferring vector replication using DNA polymerase III, and (3) an origin of replication conferring vector replication using DNA polymerase I, where the second origin of replication is operably linked to a control sequence that is repressible by a repressor. The RADS microorganism also has a gene encoding a repressor, operably linked to an activatible control sequence. The RADS described provide high levels of the desired gene product after repression of the high copy number origin of replication is lifted. The RADS are particularly useful as live bacterial vaccines. Also described is a delayed RADS system, in which there is a delay before the high copy number origin is expressed after the repression is lifted. The delayed RADS is also particularly useful for live bacterial vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides heterocyclic organic compounds that inhibit bacterial DNA polymerase IIIC and type II bacterial topoisomerase. The invention further provides compounds that are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of such heterocyclic organic compounds. Syntheses and uses of such heterocyclic organic molecules are also described.

Abstract: Cationic cytofectins and liposomes comprising the same are disclosed which are especially useful for delivering exogenous compounds into cells in vitro and in vivo. The liposomes may comprise (a) a neutral lipid such as dioleoylphosphatidyl-ethanolamine (DOPE) or similar lipid-like compounds such as 1,2-dioleoyl-oxiphosphatidylethanolamine or other lipid-like structures and (b) one or more of the cationic cytofectins provided herein. The invention provides transfection kits and methods for delivery of exogenous compounds into cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for separation of a particulate matrix from a solution while reducing loss of particles during separation steps. Methods are also disclosed for isolation of molecules of interest using affinity particles or beads, wherein at least one step of the isolation is conducted in the presence of a detergent. The presence of detergent reduces the loss of matrix particles and enhances reproducibility and yield of the molecule of interest. The invention makes possible the manual and automated processing of affinity beads, especially magnetic beads, in multi-well as well as single-well vessels with significantly reduced bead loss, as compared with similar processes conducted in the absence of detergent.

Abstract: A method of vaccinating poultry by spraying the poultry with an effective amount of a live avirulent derivative of an enteropathogenic enterobacteria is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alkanes for the contamination-free purification or separation of biopolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of biomass for the isolation of ccc plasmid DNA comprising culturing a bacterial transformant in a bioreactor containing an antibiotic-free batch medium under batch-conditions and, at the end of the batch phase, feeding under feed-back conditions the portion of a feed-back medium after the rise of the concentration of dissolved oxigen above a threshold-set point. Said feed-back medium comprises besides a carbon source a magnesium salt, preferably in concentrations above 20 mM. Preferably, the bacterial transformant is harvested after the end of the culture and frozen or freeze-dried. Also preferred is that ccc plasmid DNA is, optionally directly, isolated after harvesting the bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing, especially for filtering and removing, fluids and fluid remnants in a low-pressure chamber (1). The device comprises a vacuum pump (30) and a separator (16), whereby the low-pressure chamber is connected to the separator via a first line (10), and the low-pressure chamber is connected to the vacuum pump via a second line (20) so that the low-pressure chamber can be evacuated while bypassing the separator. The invention also relates to a low-pressure chamber for processing fluids which is equipped with a heating plate with holes for heating areas of the interior space of the low-pressure chamber.

Abstract: A composition for treating hepatic fibrosis and a method of using and manufacturing the composition are provided. The composition includes a quinazolinone derivative, preferably Halofuginone.

Abstract: Conjugates are disclosed comprising a broad range helper T cell epitope portion and a B cell epitope portion from a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which conjugates are capable of eliciting an immune response in an individual against the individual's endogenous CETP activity. The conjugates are useful in methods to inhibit CETP activity, to raise serum levels of high density lipoproteins, and to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A method for determining a volume of liquid is described, wherein the liquid is drawn from a vessel by means of a pipette or is delivered from a pipette into a vessel, respectively. In particular a method is described, wherein as the first step the volume of liquid contained in a vessel V1a is determined by a detector means. Then a volume of liquid V1act is drawn into a pipette and, subsequent thereto, the volume of liquid contained in the vessel V1e is determined again. Thereafter the volume of liquid actually drawn off V1act is calculated in accordance with the equation V1a−V1e=V1act. Subsequent thereto the difference between the volume of liquid actually drawn off V1act and a volume of liquid predetermined to be drawn off V1targ is calculated in accordance with the equation |V1act−V1targ|=V1diff. Then a comparison of the difference V1diff with a predetermined volume of liquid &egr;1 is conducted and an error message is displayed in case V1diff>&egr;1.

Abstract: Methods for detecting human parvovirus B19 in and removing it from biological samples such as blood are disclosed, together with reagents suitable for the purpose comprising binding moieties that recognize human parvovirus B19 and/or B19-like polypeptide and form a binding complex therewith. Preferred polypeptide binding moieties are particularly disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel lipid compounds suitable for the transport of biologically active substances or molecules in cells. A preferred compound according to the invention is L-lysine-bis-(O,O′-cis-9-octadecenoyl-&bgr;-hydroxyethyl)-amide dihydrochloride or one of its optical isomers. In addition, the invention concerns complexes of the novel lipid compounds with polyanions such as DNA and RNA, and ternary complexes of the novel lipid compounds with polyanion and polycations. Finally, the invention concerns liposome formulations made from biologically active substances and the novel lipid compounds, as well as methods of transporting polyanions, polycations or biologically active substances through biological membranes by means fo the novel lipid compounds.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a soluble recombinant fused protein which is stable in the mammalian circulatory system comprising a polypeptide which contains a recognition site for a target molecule, such as a complement receptor site, and is joined to the N-terminal end of an immunoglobulin chain. The invention is also directed to a construct comprising a plurality of peptides containing short consensus repeats having a complement binding site attached to a soluble, physiologically compatible, macromolecular carrier. The invention is particularly useful for inhibiting complement activation or complement-dependent cellular activation in mammals.

Abstract: Described are novel methods for producing microporous elements and microporous elements obtainable by such methods. Provided are also microporous elements including solid microparticles, which preferably modify the adsorptive properties of the microporous element. Described are also microporous elements which are linked to a support and/or a retainer as well as methods for their production. Filter elements comprising the above-described microporous elements are also provided. Furthermore, kits, diagnostic and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned microporous or filter elements are described. Furthermore, uses of the aforementioned microporous and filter elements in microfiltration, chromatography, adsorption/immobilization of organic and inorganic compounds as well as for the preparation and/or detection of such compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides: novel proteins, which are homologous to the first Kunitz domain (K1) of lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI), and which are capable of inhibiting plasmin; uses of such novel proteins in therapeutic, diagnostic, and clinical methods; and polynucleotides that encode such novel proteins.

Abstract: Nonobese Diabetic Mice (NOD mice) that do not develop diabetes may be bred to produce F1 offspring that develop a condition that closely mimics rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. The RA-like disease in the F1 mice, designated NOD-RA mice, is similar to human RA in clinical, radiological, histological and serological characteristics. The parents (F0) and their progeny (F1) are not diabetic and never develop hyperglycemia, and the parental mice (F0) do not themselves exhibit any symptoms of the RA-like condition that afflicts some of their progeny. The incidence, penetrance, gender domination, progression, and lifelong exacerbation of symptoms after pregnancy shown in the RA-like condition afflicting NOD-RA mice are all comparable to phenomena observed in the human disease. The NOD-RA mice provide a new spontaneous model of human RA that will be useful for studying rheumatoid arthritis and testing new drugs and reagents for treating or diagnosing the disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to peptides comprising a helper T cell epitope portion and a B cell epitope portion for eliciting an immune response against endogenous cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis.

Abstract: This invention provides: novel protein homologous of a Kunitz domain, which are capable of binding kallikrein; polynucleotides that encode such novel proteins; and vectors and transformed host cells containing these polynucleotides.