Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode transferrin receptor proteins of Moraxella, such as M. catarrhalis or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce recombinant transferrin receptor proteins Tbp1 and Tbp2 of the strain of Moraxella free of other proteins of the Moraxella strain for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: Protective high molecular weight (HMW) proteins are produced recombinantly by expression from E. coli by using a promoter effective in E. coli and a nucleic acid molecule which contains a modified operon of a non-typeable strain of Haemophilus. The modified operon contains the portion only of the A region which encodes the mature HMW protein and the complete B and C regions of the operon. Enhanced levels of expression of the HMW proteins can be achieved by including the E. coli cer gene, a further copy of the portion of the A region of the operon encoding the mature protein or both in the expression vector. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the hmw1 and hmw2 genes and HMW1 and HMW2 proteins, respectively of several non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae strain have been identified.

Abstract: Polymer modified bituminous compositions which are stable against phase separation are provided at greater levels of incorporation of elastomeric polymer having a conjugated diene structure, such as styrene-butadiene rubbers, and/or cross-linking agent, specifically sulfur, by incremental addition of elastomeric polymer and/or cross-linking agent into the bitumen at elevated temperatures of about 150° to about 220° C.

Abstract: A vector comprising a first DNA sequence which is complementary to at least part of an alphavirus RNA genome and having the complement of complete alphavirus DNA genome replication regions, a second DNA sequence encoding a paramyxovirus protein, particularly a respiratory syncytial virus fusion (RSV F) protein or a RSV F protein fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with RSV F protein, the first and second DNA sequences being under the transcriptional control of a promoter is described. Such vector may be used to produce an RNA transcript which may be used to immunize a host, including a human host, to protect the host against disease caused by paramyxovirus, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, by administration to the host. The RNA transcript may be formed by linearization of the vector through cleavage at a unique restriction site in a plasmid vector and then transcribing the linear molecule.

Abstract: Attenuated strains of Leishmania are provided in which at least one gene contributing to virulence of the strain and expressed in both the promastigote and amastigote forms of the strain is functionally disabled, such as, by deleting at least a portion of the gene or by mutagenesis of the gene. The attenuated strain may be used for administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain or as a diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: Sulfurous gas streams comprising hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide, such as produced as a by-product of the rayon-forming process, are processed to recover the components in a useable form. The gas stream first is contacted with an aqueous sodium hydroxide to dissolve out hydrogen sulfide and some of the carbon disulfide. The dissolved carbon disulfide is driven off from the solution and condensed as a liquid concentrate. Carbon disulfide remaining the gas stream is recovered, such as by condensation. The aqueous sodium sulfide solution which remains from removal of carbon disulfide is concentrated and the pH is adjusted, as necessary, to a value at which the sodium sulfide is predominantly in the form of sodium bisulfide. The concentrated sodium bisulfide solution is capable of reuse in the rayon-forming process along with the liquid concentrate of carbon disulfide.

Abstract: A process for de-watering foodstuffs, such as leafy vegetables, includes moving the foodstuffs along a path, creating an upwardly moving air vortex which intersects the path, thereby raising the foodstuffs upwardly from the path while swirling them in a vortical manner. The foodstuffs raised above the path are received in one end of a duct, the other end of which deposits them on a conveying means. Preferably, the foodstuffs are moved by an air-permeable transport means such as an endless belt. The upwardly moving vortex is created by an air blower which forces air through a tubular portion that contains helically oriented vanes having a tighter and tighter helix in the downstream direction.

Abstract: Attenuated strains of Leishmania are provided in which at least one gene contributing to virulence of the strain and expressed in both the promastigote and amastigote forms of the strain is functionally disabled, such as, by deleting at least a portion of the gene or by mutagenesis of the gene. The attenuated strain may be used for administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain or as a diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: Acellular pertussis vaccines comprise purified toxin or toxoid thereof, filamentous haemagglutinin, pertactin and fimbrial agglutinogens formulated to confer protection to at least 70% of members of an at-risk population. The fimbrial agglutinogens may be prepared from a Bordetella strain, particularly a B. pertussis strain, by a multiple step procedure involving extraction of the fimbrial agglutinogens from cell paste and concentrating and purifying the extracted material.

Abstract: A vector for eliciting an immune response to a host comprising a gene encoding the gp140 protein of the primary isolate of HIV-1, BX08, under the control of a promotor for expression of the protein in the host, specifically plasmid pCMV.gp140.BX08. Murine and human MHC class 1-restricted binding motifs contained in BX08 are identified.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition capable of producing a respiratory syncytial (RS) virus specific immune response in a host immunized therewith comprises purified, inactivated RS virus which is substantially free from cellular and serum components and which is non-infectious, non-immunopotentiating, immunogenic and protective. The virus is grown on a vaccine quality cell line and harvested virus is purified under non-denaturing conditions to be substantially free from cellular and serum components. The purified RS virus is inactivated using &bgr;-propiolactone, a non-ionic detergent, particularly n-octyl-&agr;-D-glucopyranoside and n-octyl-&bgr;D-glucopyranoside, or ascorbic acid. The immunogenic composition may be formulated as a vaccine for in vivo administration to a human host. The immunogenic composition also may be used in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A multi-valent immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by both Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Such composition comprises at least four antigens comprising at least one antigen from Haemophilus influenzae, and at least one antigen from Moraxella catarrhalis. Three of the antigens are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus and a 200 kDa outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The multi-valent immunogenic composition may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may also include non-virulent poliovirus and PRP-T, to provide a component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: A video surface is constructed by adjoining a large number of flat screen display devices together. Each screen on this surface is controlled by its own computer processor and these processors are networked together. Superimposed over this surface is a tiling of transparent touch-sensitive screens which allow for user input. The resulting display is thin, has a very high resolution, appears to be a single large screen to the user, and is capable of supporting many different types of human-machine interaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a skin care composition, use of the composition, particularly on unexposed skin areas, and an apparatus for applying the composition to such unexposed and hard to reach skin areas. The composition is most suitable for application to unexposed skin to alleviate dryness, itchiness, odor and/or bacterial growth and comprises from about 0.5 to about 3.0% by weight skin-protectant agent, from about 0.5 to about 3.0% by weight preservative, from about 25 to 50% by weight alcohol, and the remainder being water.

Abstract: Autologous promoters are used to effect expression of gene products in Bordetella strains. Hybrid Bordetella genes are constructed comprising a Bordetella gene, particularly one encoding a Bordetella antigen, fused at an ATG codon to a native but autologous Bordetella promoter or other Bordetella strain. Genes and promoters from B. pertussis are preferred. B. pertussis, containing the hybrid gene by insertion into the chromosome of the organism by homologous recombination at specific loci, effects expression of the protein for which the Bordetella gene codes at a production rate different from that achieved for the homologous gene. Specific strains and plasmids are described.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbpl or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: An isolated and purified lactoferrin receptor protein is isolated and purified from bacterial pathogens, including Moraxella and Neisseria, and has a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 90,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Such lactoferrin receptor protein may be provided in combination with a lactoferrin receptor protein from the bacterial pathogen of a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 105,000 daltons. The lactoferrin receptor protein may be produced by providing a solubilized membrane preparation from the bacterial pathogen containing lactoferrin receptor proteins, non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and other contaminants, complexing the lactoferrin receptor proteins with lactoferrin and purifying the resulting complexes substantially free from the non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and the other contaminants, and separating the novel lactoferrin receptor protein from the complexes.

Abstract: An isolated and purified lactoferrin receptor protein is isolated and purified from bacterial pathogens, including Moraxella and Neisseria, and has a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 90,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Such lactoferrin receptor protein may be provided in combination with a lactoferrin receptor protein from the bacterial pathogen of a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 105,000 daltons. The lactoferrin receptor protein may be produced by providing a solubilized membrane preparation from the bacterial pathogen containing lactoferrin receptor proteins, non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and other contaminants, complexing the lactoferrin receptor proteins with lactoferrin and purifying the resulting complexes substantially free from the non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and the other contaminants, and separating the novel lactoferrin receptor protein from the complexes.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, for immunization to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a major outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a MOMP or a MOMP fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with MOMP and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.