Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: DNA sequences coding for the DR-&bgr;-chain locus of human lymphocyte antigen complex and diagnostic typing processes and products related thereto. DNA sequences that code for the &bgr;-chain DR locus are useful in simple and efficient typing processes and products and for expression of polypeptides displaying an immunological or biological activity of the antigens of the HLA-DR &bgr;-chains for use in diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV cote antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: Peptides and other molecules which inhibit the assembly of the hepatitis B virus, methods of treatment, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the stabilization, storage and delivery of biologically active macromolecules, such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. In particular, this invention relates to protein or nucleic acid crystals, formulations and compositions comprising them. Methods are provided for the crystallization of proteins and nucleic acids and for the preparation of stabilized protein or nucleic acid crystals for use in dry or slurry formulations. The present invention is further directed to encapsulating proteins, glycoproteins, enzymes, antibodies, hormones and peptide crystals or crystal formulations into compositions for biological delivery to humans and animals. According to this invention, protein crystals or crystal formulations are encapsulated within a matrix comprising a polymeric carrier to form a composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of carbohydrate crosslinked glycoprotein crystals. Advantageously, such crosslinked glycoprotein crystals display stability to harsh environmental conditions, while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the glycoprotein backbone. According to one embodiment, this invention relates to methods for concentrating proteins that have been modified by carbohydrates and for releasing their activity at controlled rates. This invention also provides methods for producing carbohydrate crosslinked glycoprotein crystals and methods for using them in pharmaceutical formulations, vaccines, immunotherapeutics, personal care compositions, including cosmetics, veterinary pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines, foods, feeds, diagnostics, cleaning agents, including detergents and decontamination formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel hyaluronan receptor protein involved in cell locomotion or motility and in cell proliferation and transformation and to DNA sequences encoding this protein. The protein is designated Receptor for Hyaluronic Acid Mediated Motility or RHAMM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of carbohydrate crosslinked glycoprotein crystals. Advantageously, such crosslinked glycoprotein crystals display stability to harsh environmental conditions, while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the glycoprotein backbone. According to one embodiment, this invention relates to methods for concentrating proteins that have been modified by carbohydrates and for releasing their activity at controlled rates. This invention also provides methods for producing carbohydrate crosslinked glycoprotein crystals and methods for using them in pharmaceutical formulations, vaccines, immunotherapeutics, personal care compositions, including cosmetics, veterinary pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines, foods, feeds, diagnostics, cleaning agents, including detergents and decontamination formulations.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules and hosts transformed with them which produce polypeptides displaying HBV antigenicity and genes coding therefor and methods of making and using these molecules, hosts, genes and polypeptides. The recombinant DNA molecules of this invention are characterized by structural genes that code for at least one polypeptide displaying HBV antigenicity. In appropriate hosts these recombinant DNA molecules permit the production and identification of genes and polypeptides characteristic of HBV antigenicity and their use in compositions and methods for detecting HBV virus infections in humans and stimulating the production of antibodies against this infection.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules and hosts transformed with them which produce polypeptides displaying HBV anti-genicity and genes coding therefor and methods of making and using these molecules, hosts, genes and polypeptides. The recombinant DNA molecules of this invention are characterized by structural genes that code for at least one polypeptide displaying HBV antigenicity. In appropriate hosts these recombinant DNA molecules permit the production and identification of genes and polypeptides characteristic of HBV antigenicity and their use in compositions and methods for detecting HBV virus infections in humans and stimulating the production of antibodies against this infection.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules and hosts transformed with them which produce polypeptides displaying HBV antigenicity and genes coding therefor and methods of making and using these molecules, hosts, genes and polypeptides. The recombinant DNA molecules of this invention are characterized by structural genes that code for at least one polypeptide displaying HBV antigenicity. In appropriate hosts these recombinant DNA molecules permit the production and identification of genes and polypeptides characteristic of HBV antigenicity and their use in compositions and methods for detecting HBV virus infections in humans and stimulating the production of antibodies against this infection.

Abstract: Pasta-type paste containing ingredients (5, 7) in the form of heteroelements or occlusions, comprising a base layer (3) formed from wheat semolina and/or various cereal flours and water. The invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one additional heterogeneous layer (2, 4) consisting of a paste mixture (6) with the inclusion of ingredients (5, 7) superimposed on the essentially homogeneous base layer (3) which is free from incorporated ingredients (5, 7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue culture process for producing a large number of viable cotton plants in vitro from a specified tissue of cotton plant. The invention provides genotype independent, direct, multiple shoot proliferation and opens up new possibilities for micropropagation, selection of mutants and for producing genetically improved cotton plants by modern methods of agrobiotechnology and genetic engineering. The protocol provides an important step in the success of cotton improvement programmed, utilizing tissue culture technology.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of butyrate prodrugs derived from lactic acid for treating inflammatory bowel disease. The invention also relates to the use of those prodrugs for the treatment of a chemotherapy-induced mucocutaneous side effect in a patient. The invention further relates to the use of butyrate prodrugs for treating lung, colo-rectal or prostate cancer. And the invention also relates to the use of butyrate prodrugs to treat cystic fibrosis and to enhance the efficiency of gene therapy.

Abstract: This invention relates to anticoagulant and platelet inhibitory compositions, combinations and methods characterized by biologically active peptides which display the anticoagulant and platelet inhibitory activities of hirudin, or analogs thereof, for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The methods, compositions and combinations of this invention are advantageously useful for decreasing or preventing platelet aggregation and platelet activation in a patient or a biological sample. These methods, compositions and combinations are particularly useful in patients for whom standard heparin therapy is contraindicated due to a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or an antithrombin III deficiency. This invention also relates to methods, compositions and combinations for treating extracorporeal blood and for increasing platelet storage life.

Abstract: A temperature gradient calorimeter and method of calculating heats of reactions is disclosed. The calorimeter has a two dimensional array of reaction chambers located in a thermally conductive substrate. A first heat transfer medium is in thermal contact with the thermal conductive substrate and is located at one region of the array of reaction chambers. A second heat transfer medium is in thermal contact with the thermal conductive substrate and is located on the opposite side of the array from the first heat transfer medium. The first and second heat transfer mediums are at two different temperatures. That temperature difference produces a temperature gradient across the array of reaction chambers.The fluorescence intensities are measured for reactant samples located in the array of reaction chambers.

Abstract: A process for selecting DNA sequences that are optimal for the production of polypeptides in hosts transformed with those DNA sequences. These DNA sequences, which code for a variety of human and animal proteins, permit the high level expression of those products in host cells. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, DNA sequences optimal for the production of human somatomedin C are selected and employed to express that growth enhancing factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, bifunctional inhibitors of both platelet activation and thrombin. These bifunctional inhibitors are characterized by two domains -- a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitory domain and a thrombin inhibitory domain. The invention also relates to DNA sequences which encode the bifunctional inhibitors of this invention, recombinant DNA molecules which contain these DNA sequences and host transformed with these DNA molecules. The invention further relates to he recombinant expression of the bifunctional inhibitors of this invention by transformed hosts as well as to methods for purifying such recombinant bifunctional inhibitors. This invention also provides compositions and methods employing the novel bifunctional inhibitors alone or together with a fibrinolytic agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel biologically active molecules which bind to and inhibit thrombin. These molecules comprise a catalytic site directed moiety (CSDM) of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen or is characterized by a backbone chain consisting of from 1 to 100 atoms; R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted, monosubstituted, di-substituted and tri-substituted saturated ring structures; R.sub.2 is a bond or is characterized by a backbone chain consisting of from 1 to 5 atoms; R.sub.3 is a bond or is characterized by a backbone chain consisting of from 1 to 3 atoms; R.sub.4 is any amino acid; R.sub.5 is any L-amino acid which comprises a guanidinium- or amino-containing side chain group; R.sub.6 is a non-amide bond; and Y is characterized by a backbone chain consisting of from 1 to 9 atoms; or the formula: ##STR2## wherein R'.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted, mono-substituted, di-substituted and tri-substituted ring structures; R'.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to E2 trans-activation repressors which interfere with normal functioning of the native full-length E2 transcriptional activation protein of the papillomavirus. Native full-length E2 trans-activation protein activates transcription of papillomavirus only through binding to DNA, and it binds to DNA only in the form of a pre-formed homodimer--a pair of identical polypeptide subunits held together by non-covalent interactions. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are proteins, polypeptides or other molecules that dimerize with full-length native E2 polypeptides to form inactive heterodimers, thus interfering with the formation of active homodimers comprising full-length native E2 polypeptides, thereby repressing papillomavirus transcription and replication. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are advantageously used in the treatment of papillomavirus infections and their associated diseases.