Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for generating a safe and effective oral smallpox vaccine for humans using a genetically defective strain of vaccinia virus to confer immunity following oral delivery of the vaccine. This invention is one that expands on current use of vaccinia virus propagation developed for gene therapy applications, and pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals packaging and formulation technologies. The vaccine invention can be delivered as a live virus with the ability to express viral proteins but unable to achieve complete, lytic virus replication, or it may be derived from such a virus, contain additional immunogens, or be delivered as viral antigens. Furthermore, the invention establishes innovative methods for formulation and packaging and for preclinical testing of the vaccine invention for safety, efficacy and potency with the use of human intestinal and other test cells and diagnostic test systems and kits.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding histatin polypeptides expressed in bovine tissues, including mammary gland and paratoid salivary gland tissues, are provided, together with genetic constructs and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Novel isolated plant polynucleotide promoter sequences are provided, together with genetic constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs in modulating the transcription of DNA sequences of interest are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.

Abstract: The process of the invention characterized in that to 100 parts by weight of a silicate powder having 2000-8000 m2/g specific surface, 1-10 parts by weight of gas-forming material with particle size of 10-100 &mgr;m and 0.5-15 parts by weight of montmorillonite, 0.5-2 parts by weight of alkali hydrogen phosphate or alkali dihydrogen phosphate or a mixture of alkali metal phosphate and sodium silicate in form of aqueous solution, 0.01-5 parts by weight of rare earth metal oxide or a mixture of such oxides were added, then the mixture obtained is homogenized, pre-dried, coated with 1-5 parts by weight of titanium oxide and/or titanium oxide hydroxide and/or aluminum oxide hydroxide, then subjected to heat treatment at 720-1000° C., and the mixture obtained is molded. The subject of the invention: also the product of the above process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive for stabilizing a water-containing liquid hydrocarbon fuel, which comprises an alcohol of 5-10 carbon atoms, 0.5-3 parts by weight, calculated for 1 part by weight of said alcohol, of a carboxylic amide of 5-10 carbon atoms, and 3-10 parts by weight, calculated for 1 part by weight of said alcohol, of a carboxylic acid of 5-10 carbon atoms. The invention also relates to a stabilized liquid fuel for an internal combustion engine, which comprises 10-40% by weight of water, 45-85% by weight of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and 5-15% by weight of an additive as defined above, all percentages being calculated for the total weight of said liquid fuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating selected conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems employing non-synaptic mechanisms. More specifically, one aspect of the present invention relates to methods and materials for treating seizure and seizure disorders, epilepsy, status epilepticus, migraine, spreading depression, intracranial hypertension; for treating the pathophysiological effects of head trauma, stroke, ischemia and hypoxia; for treating or protecting from the pathophysiological effects of neurotoxic agents such as ethanol; and for treating neurophsyciatric disorders and central nervous system edema by administering agents that modulate ionic concentrations and/or ionic gradients in the brain, particularly ion-dependent or cation-chloride cotransporter antagonists. Ion-dependent cotransport antagonists and combinations of such compositions with other agents for treating various conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the lubricant grease compositions, in particular to the compositions for the treatment of friction pairs, and can be used in the machine building for the treatment of friction units, and also during the exploitation of different mechanisms and machines for prolongation of interrepair time or for damage control (repair-restore operations).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for diagnosing urinary incontinence or a predisposition to urinary incontinence in a subject by determining the ratio of expression levels of MMPs/TIMPs in pelvic supporting tissue of the subject and comparing the ratio to a predetermined indicator. A diagnostic kit is also disclosed. Methods are disclosed for treating urinary incontinence by reducing proteolysis of collagen in pelvic supporting tissue of the subject and for identifying therapeutic agents in in vitro screens.

Abstract: Novel isolated polynucleotides that encode polypeptides involved in plant cell signaling are provided, together with DNA constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs for the modulation of cell signaling in plants are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.

Abstract: There is disclosed cDNA sequences and polypeptides having the enzyme lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT) activity. LPAAT is also known as 1-acyl sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase.

Abstract: There is disclosed cDNA sequences and polypeptides having the enzyme lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT) activity. LPAAT is also known as 1-acyl sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase.

Abstract: There is disclosed cDNA sequences and polypeptides having the enzyme CDP-diacylglycerol synthase (CDS) activity. CDS is also known as CTP:phosphatidate cytidylytransferase. There is further disclosed methods for isolation and production of polypeptides involved in phosphatidic acid metabolism and signaling in mammalian cells, in particular, the production of purified forms of CDS.

Abstract: An integrated liquid sample handling system for matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TF MS) is described. The integrated system comprises a miniaturized sample handling compartment containing a MALDI ionization surface for separating, chemically manipulating and detecting analytes by MALDI -TOF MS. The miniaturized integrated sample handling system disclosed herein is applicable to a wide range of analytical problems that require separation and/or chemical manipulation of a sample prior to mass analysis as part of the analytical procedure.

Abstract: Nucleoside compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein: B is a purine or a pyrimidine;X and X' are H, OH or F, provided that at least one is H;Y and Y' are H, OH, OCH.sub.3 or F, provided that at least one is H;Y' and Z together form a cyclic phosphate ester, provided that Y is H; orZ is ##STR2## where n is zero, one, two or three; and Z' is N.sub.3 or OCH.sub.3 ; provided that when X' and Y' are OH and Z' is N.sub.3, B is not cytosine, andwhen X' and Y' are OH and Z' is OCH.sub.3, B is not uracil, adenine or cytosine;and the pharmaceutically acceptable esters, ethers and salts thereof, have been found to have potent antiviral activity with a high therapeutic ratio.