Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions of receptor ligand-containing antagonist complexes and methods of using them to treat diseases, disorders or conditions associated with the function or aberrant function of a cell surface receptor.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce &bgr; chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1&bgr;, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF&agr;, IL-1&bgr; and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oligonucleotides used as amplification primers and assay probes for species-specific detection and identification of the protozoan Perkinsus in shellfish. The oligonucleotides are designed to preferentially hybridize to what has been found to be a species-unique sequence in the target organism's genome. Preferential hybridization means, for example, that the inventive primers amplify the target sequence in P. marinus with little or no detectable amplification of target sequences of other species of protozoa such as P. atlanticus thereby making the assay species specific.

Abstract: The present invention relates to &bgr;-hCG, particularly &bgr;-hCG proteins having a sequence of amino acids 41-54, 45-54, 47-53, 45-57 and 45-58 and analogs and derivatives thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treatment and prevention of HIV infection by administration of a therapeutic compound of the invention. Such therapeutic compounds include hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides, analogs and derivatives of hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides, and nucleic acids encoding hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides. In a preferred embodiment, &bgr;-hCG peptides, particularly &bgr;-hCG peptides of amino acids 47-53, 45-57 or 45-58 are administered to a subject for treatment or prevention of HIV infection in that subject. The invention also provides methods for screening hCG preparations for activity in treating or preventing HIV infection. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration of Therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: A system for the generation of live, nonpathogenic infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA virus of the Birnavirdae family, using synthetic transcripts derived from cloned DNA has been developed. Independent full-length cDNA clones were constructed which contained the coding and non-coding regions of RNA segments A and B of IPNV, respectively. Segment A was modified to prevent the expression of NS protein. Synthetic RNAs of both segments were produced by in vitro transcription of linearized plasmids with T7 RNA polymerase. Transfection of CHSE cells with combined plus-sense transcripts of both segments generated infectious virus. The development of a system for producing NS protein deficient IPNV will greatly facilitate studies of viral pathogenesis, and the development of live attenuated vaccines for IPNV.

Abstract: A method of enriching fish food and live larval fish prey, especially Artemia nauplii and rotifers, with essentially highly unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, carotenoids and pigments. The live prey are allowed to ingest/adsorb dry soap powders of highly unsaturated fatty acids obtained from the waste stream of marine algae oil extraction. The live prey can be highly enriched in docosahexaenoic acid obtaining ratios of docosahexaenoic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid greater than about 2.0 to 1.0.

Abstract: A system for the generation of live, nonpathogenic Birnavirus such as infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA virus of the Birnavirdae family, using synthetic transcripts derived from cloned DNA has been developed. Independent full-length cDNA clones were constructed which contained the coding and non-coding regions of RNA segments A and B of IBDV, respectively. Segment A was modified to prevent the expression of NS protein. Synthetic RNAs of both segments were produced by in vitro transcription of linearized plasmids with T7 RNA polymerase. Transfection of Vero cells with combined plus-sense transcripts of both segments generated infectious virus as early as 36 hours post-transfection. The development of a system for producing NS protein deficient IBDV will greatly facilitate studies of immunosuppression, and aid in the development of live attenuated vaccines for IBDV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic compositions and methods for treating and preventing infection by an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV infection, using chemokine proteins, nucleic acids and/or derivatives or analogues thereof.

Abstract: Novel peptide hormones which influence the release of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland in fish are disclosed. Methods in which such peptides may be administered to fish to control their reproduction are also described. Furthermore, novel isolated cDNA encoding the precursor of the novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone is disclosed. The use of such cDNA in controlling the gonadal development and spawning of fish is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oligonucleotides used as amplification primers and assay probes for specific and sensitive for virulent strains of V. vulnificus. The target sequence of the probes and primers according to present invention is a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) transport gene (wza) of V. vulnificus. These probes can detect wza DNA or RNA in an unknown sample suspected to have pathogenic strains of V. vulnificus including human, animal, or environmental samples. The invention is also directed to in vitro-expressed protein from the cloned wza for production of polyclonal or monoclonal antibody that is specific for the wza gene product and will detect the V. vulnificus Wza protein in a sample comprising unknown protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a recombinant insect larvae and a process of manufacturing proteins utilizing insect larvae that allows for the selection of individual larvae for harvest at the point of their optimal expression of a protein of interest. This invention also provides for a process to manufacture proteins in larvae that does not require synchronization of the infection, growth and harvest larvae to optimally manufacture a protein of interest. The invention further provides for a process of producing interleukin-2 in larvae.

Abstract: Derivatives of o-nitromandelyoxycarbonyl (Nmoc) which are capable of releasing 2,5,-di(tert-butyl)hydroquinone (DBHQ) upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light, are disclosed, as well as, a method for producing DBHQ employing the same so as to allow rapid, reversible transient inhibition of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca.sup.2+ ATPases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with hematopoietic deficiency by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with hematopoietic deficiency by administration of hematopoietic cells, the numbers of which have been increased by contacting the cells with human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. The invention also provides assays for the utility of particular human chorionic gonadotropin preparations in the treatment or prevention of hematopoietic deficiencies or in the increasing of hematopoietic cell numbers in vitro. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration of are also provided.

Abstract: Fungi and fungal spores which are modified to confer a transmissible hypovirulent phenotype, related polynucleotides, and use of these fungi to control fungal diseases.

Abstract: Fungi and fungal spores which are modified to confer a transmissible hypovirulent phenotype, related polynucleotides, and use of these fungi to control fungal diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acetal derivatives of bicyclo?2.2.1!hepta-2,5-diene-7-one (norbornadienone) which are capable of releasing carbon monoxide upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, and a method for producing carbon monoxide employing the same.

Abstract: Novel peptide hormones which influence the release of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland in fish are disclosed. Methods in which such peptides may be administered to fish to control their reproduction are also described. Furthermore, novel isolated cDNA encoding the precursor of the novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone is disclosed. The use of such cDNA in controlling the gonadal development and spawning of fish is also described.

Abstract: DNA recombination can be effected through transposition by injecting a host with a transposition vector prepared from the terminal sequences of the Hermes element of M. domestica on either side of a structural gene to be expressed in the recombinant host. Transposition can be improved by use of a helper plasmid including the transposase gene of Hermes operably linked to a promoter sequence effective in the host.