Abstract: Novel DNA probe sequences for detection of HIV in a sample in a solution phase sandwich hybridization assay are described. Amplified nucleic acid hybridization assays using the probes are exemplified.

Abstract: Immunoassays for the detection of antibodies to HCV are provided which employ "C" domain antigens. Immunoassay kits comprising such antigens are also provided.

Abstract: A deodorant porous polymer having excellent deodorant effects is provided. The deodorant porous polymer is in the shape of substantially uniform particulates or an aggregate thereof, and is obtained by the hydrolysis and polycondensation of at least one alkoxide selected from the group consisting of inorganic alkoxides and metal alkoxides through the use of a sol-gel method. Also provided is a deodorant fibrous material that includes a fibrous substrate and a deodorant porous polymer as mentioned above, which is combined with the fibrous substrate in the physically-combined state and/or the chemically-combined state.

Abstract: The dental implant system of the present invention has a decreased surface contact angle and includes a biocompatible titanium implant which has been treated by the plasma cleaning and sterilization process of the present invention.An implant that has experienced plasma cleaning and sterilizing has improved retentive abilities over traditionally cleaned implants. The surface of the implant is now free of all organic debris, has increased wettability, contacts more bone-forming cells upon placement, and has stronger bonds between the metal surface and the bone-forming liquid cells. As a result, the implant becomes more intimately involved with the surrounding bone and tissue structure.The implant is comprised of an inert, biocompatible titanium material that is designed of such dimensions and angulations to maximize contact the bone cells and subsequently attach a well-suited mechanical prosthetic system to it.

Abstract: Magnetic record media are described that have an overlying or underlying magnetically saturable high permeability keeper layer in addition to a high coervicity magnetic layer in which magnetic signals are stored. These media are used in magnetic signal processing devices whose transducers are capable of generating a keeper layer-saturating bias flux. In signal reproduction the bias flux magnetically forms a saturation zone in the nature of virtual gap in the keeper layer that directs signal flux between the media and the transducer.

Abstract: Muteins of biologically active proteins such as IFN-.beta. and IL-2 in which cysteine residues that are not essential to biological activity have been deleted or replaced with other amino acids to eliminate sites for intermolecular crosslinking or incorrect intramolecular disulfide bridge formation. These muteins are made via bacterial expression of mutant genes that encode the muteins that have been synthesized from the genes for the parent proteins by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis.

Abstract: Recombinant vectors which are effective in expressing DNA sequences encoding specific fragments of diphtheria toxins at high levels in recombinant host cells are disclosed. Both a fragment consisting of the enzymatically active A chain of diphtheria toxin and a fragment consisting of both the A portion and a B portion partial sequence are constructed by use of this recombinant vector.

Abstract: Polypeptides that are synthesized or expressed directly in microorganisms, include an amino acid sequence that is homologous to at least a portion of gp70 envelope protein of FELV, and are immunogens that elicit or prime a humoral response in cats and immunize cats against FeLV infection. The microbially produced polypeptides are exemplified by a group of E. coli-expressed fusion proteins that comprise a portion of the trp leader peptide and a portion of the trp E protein fused to various portions of a subgroup B gp70 envelope protein. The synthesized polypeptides are exemplified by polypeptides that are homologous to segments of the hydrophilic domains of the gp70 protein.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies are prepared and characterized which bind selectively to human breast cancer cells, are IgGs or IgMs, and when conjugated to ricin A chain, exhibit a TCID 50% against at least one of MCF-7, CAMA-1, SKBR-3, or BT-20 cells of less than about 10 nM. Methods for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating human breast cancer with the antibodies or immunotoxins made therefrom are described.

Abstract: Polypeptides that are synthesized or expressed directly in microorganisms, include an amino acid sequence that is homologous to at least a portion of gp70 envelope protein of FELV, and are immunogens that elicit or prime a humoral response in cats and immunize cats against FeLV infection. The microbially produced polypeptides are exemplified by a group of E. coli-expressed fusion proteins that comprise a portion of the trp leader peptide and a portion of the trp E protein fused to various portions of a subgroup B gp70 envelope protein. The synthesized polypeptides are exemplified by polypeptides that are homologous to segments of the hydrophilic domains of the gp70 protein.

Abstract: Substantially pure, intracellularly produced, soluble recombinant ricin toxin A (RTA) is recovered from transformed cells by disrupting the cell membrane, removing insoluble cell membrane materials from the disruptate, adjusting the pH of the cell membrane material-free solution to 6 to 6.5 and the conductivity to 1.25 to 1.75 millisiemens, passing the adjusted solution through a bed of SP-cellulose cation exchanger, and eluting the substantially pure RTA from the bed.

Abstract: A machine for transferring liquids to and from the wells of assay trays in a controlled, automated manner and a solid phase assay tray for use with the machine. The machine includes a horizontally translatable table (15) that holds the tray (46), a plurality of liquid dispensing manifolds (54) for dispensing liquids into the tray wells (50) and an aspirating manifold (65) for aspirating liquid from the well. The dispensing and aspirating manifolds are mounted on a vertically translatable head (16) above the table. Each dispensing manifold is equipped with a row of dispensing tubes (56) and is connected via a pump (58) to a liquid container (62). The aspirating manifold is equipped with a row of aspirating tube (66) and is connected via a pump (69) to a waste liquid receptacle (73). A microprocessor (85) controls the movements of the table and manifolds and operates the pumps.

Abstract: The working surfaces of nickel-coated substrates for rigid magnetic discs are polished in a single-step process that employs a polishing composition comprising an aqueous suspension of unlubricated aluminum oxide powder having a hexagonal crystal shape and a nominal particle size of 1 to 10 microns, and colloidal aluminum oxide.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies having conformation-dependent specificity for native dsDNA, as exemplified by the IgM antibody produced by murine hybridoma ATCC No HB 8329. These antibodies are used to detect DNA duplex formation in DNA hybridization tests.

Abstract: Muteins of biologically active proteins such as IFN-.beta. and IL-2 in which cysteine residues that are not essential to biological activity have been deleted or replaced with other amino acids to eliminate sites for intermolecular crosslinking or incorrect intramolecular disulfide bridge formation. These muteins are made via bacterial expression of mutant genes that encode the muteins that have been synthesized from the genes for the parent proteins by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis.

Abstract: Plated magnetic recording material, such as magnetic tape, composed of a thin layer of ferromagnetic metal and a base film layer are made by plating a passivated smooth continuous surface such as the surface of a cylindrical mandrel or an endless belt with a plate of ferromagnetic metal, applying the base film layer to the plated surface, and stripping the resulting laminated composite from the surface. The smoothness of the surface of the ferromagnetic metal layer depends on the smoothness of the continuous surface rather than on the smoothness of the surface of the base film stock.

Abstract: HLA typing based on restriction length polymorphism is carried out by: digesting an individual's HLA DNA with a restriction endonuclease that produces a polymorphic digestion pattern with HLA DNA; subjecting the digest to genomic blotting using a labeled cDNA hybridization probe that is complementary to an HLA DNA sequence involved in the polymorphism; and comparing the resulting genomic blotting pattern with a standard. This technique may be adapted to make paternity or transplant or transfusion compatibility determinations or to make disease association correlations to diagnose diseases or predict susceptibility to diseases. Locus specific cDNA hybridization probes, particularly probes for genes of Class II loci (D and DR loci), for use in the typing procedure are described.

Abstract: Methods for producing substantially pure pyranosone from pyranose, especially glucosone from glucose. A pyranose-2-oxidase enzyme which is free of substantially all glucosone-utilizing enzyme contaminants which are measurably active at a selected pH between about 4.4 and 7.0 is reacted in solution with a pyranose and oxygen to produce the corresponding pyranosone. Hydrogen peroxide co-produced in the reaction is maintained at a concentration below about 10.sup.-3 M, by substantially pure catalase. The reaction is carried out at the selected pH. The methods and reagents are also applicable to producing xylosone from xylose, 5-ketofructose from sorbose, and mixtures of 2-ketogluconic and isoascorbic acid from delta-gluconolactone.

Abstract: A P. obtusus strain AU124 having the identifying characteristics of NRRL No. 15595, the strain produces high levels of pyranose-2-oxidase.

Abstract: A substantially pure pyranose-2-oxidase preparation obtained from P. obtusus, and preferably from a high-producer strain thereof. The preparation is substantially free of glucosone-utilizing enzyme contaminants having measurable activity at a pH between about 4.4 and 7.0.