Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of use that comprise engineered IgA antibodies that, when administered to a host are secreted across the epithelium into the mucosal barriers of the body providing external passive immunotherapy against agents such as viral, bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens. Also disclosed are mini antibodies comprising the minimal transcytosis domains.

Abstract: Smart aerogel, an aerogel material doped with special bio-affinity compounds to providing means of unique collection, detection and identification of bioaerosols, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other bioaerosols. Aerogels, extremely low density and highly porous materials with a complex pore structure, are used as an intelligent detection material by incorporating specific bioaffinity pharmaceuticals directly into the matrix. The complex pore structure contains micropores, mesopores, and macropores in an open pore structure. The opening pore structure of the aerogel is used to create docking sites by linking high affinity pharmaceuticals that specifically bind only to certain bioaerosols. The high internal surface area of the aerogel and the extremely low density provides abundant receptor sites per unit mesopore for a high bioaerosol-receptor interaction, yet in a manner which will reduce possible damage and destruction to the bioaerosols captured.

Abstract: CAIP polypeptide, nucleic acid, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A process for purifying hepatitis B viral surface antigen comprising the preS2 peptide from the cells of a recombinant organism is carried out by a sequence of steps which includes the step of disrupting the cells using a buffer containing a chaotropic salt to obtain a cell homogenate and the step of alkalifying the cell homogenate to a pH ranging from 11.0 to 13.5.

Abstract: The invention comprises the nucleotide sequences comprising the FIPV S gene, or a fragment of this gene, which are modified in at least one of the antigenic regions A1 and A2 which are involved in enhancement, as well as the use of these sequences for the expression of modified proteins, and for the construction of recombinant viruses or expression plasmids, and the use of the recombinant viruses as vaccines against feline infectious peritonitis, the use of the expression plasmids as immunizing composition by direct injection of the said plasmids into cats, and the use of the modified proteins as vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed are plasmids that contain and express in vivo in a feline host cell nucleic acid molecules. The plasmid can include nucleic molecule(s) having sequence(s) encoding infectious peritonitis virus M; feline immunodeficiency virus env, or gag, or pro, or gag and pro, or env and gag and pro; rabies G; or feline leukemia virus env and/or gag. Compositions containing such plasmids, methods of use employing such plasmids, and kits involving such plasmids, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liposome or microsphere containing guaiac or other reagent is used in an immunoassay to detect an antigen or antibody. The guaiac or other reagent reacts with hemoglobin or other blood constituent to produce color indicating a positive result.

Abstract: Transglutaminase is allowed to act upon both a physiologically active protein (inclusive of a fused protein thereof with a peptide through acid amide bonding) and an amino group donor containing the polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide, polyamino acid or branched type sugar derivative moiety, whereby the physiologically active protein is modified without spoiling its inherent physiological activities, and may be improved in its qualification as a drug.

Abstract: The invention features an hepadnavirus cellular receptor and a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the receptor. The receptor is a 170 kD surface glycoprotein, and is referred to as the p170 receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for in vitro diagnosis of an infection by human cytomegaloviruses. The process consists of contacting cells possibly carrying the infection, with a monoclonal antibody reacting with a polypeptide of molecular weight 68,000, induced by human cytomegalovirus and which possesses a protein-kinase activity. The detection of the reaction is preferably carried out by immunofluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of predicting the therapeutic response of a drug directed towards a cancer in a human patient using samples of blood cells taken from the patient at different times. The method comprises the steps of culturing cells from the samples in a suitable medium; adding a stimulator of proliferation and an immuno-modulating drug of the cells to the culture; and assaying the proliferation of the cells in the culture; comparing the assay of proliferation with a previously made analysis demonstrating correlation between the proliferation of the cells and parameters of the therapeutic response of the drug in the human patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering an emulsion or suspension containing a supersaturated gas into a gas-depleted environment. The method generally comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion or suspension, exposing the emulsion or suspension to a gas at a pressure greater than 2 bar, and delivering the emulsion or suspension to a gas-depleted environment at ambient pressure.

Abstract: A novel immunosuppressive factor derived from mammalian bone marrow is described, which inhibits T lymphocyte activation and TNF-&agr; production by activated macrophages and also inhibits tumour and leukemia cell growth. The factor provides a novel therapeutic composition for treatment of tumours and of disorders associated with inflammatory reactions or T lymphocyte activation.

Abstract: A recombinant vector which can transform potato plants so as to confer upon the potato plant immunity against potato virus Y necrosis line is disclosed. The recombinant vector according to the present invention comprises a promoter which functions in a potato plant cell; an operably linked leader sequence of RNA4 of cucumber mosaic virus, which is located downstream of the promoter; and an operably linked sequence which encodes a coat protein of potato virus Y necrosis line, which is located downstream of said leader sequence; and the recombinant vector is capable of transforming potato plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modulating the persistence of expression of a trans gene in an at least E4&Dgr; adenoidal vector in a cell. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting the cell with an at least E4&Dgr; adenoidal vector comprising (i) a transgene and (ii) a gene encoding a trans-acting factor, which is not from the E4 region of an adenovirus and which modulates the persistence of expression of the transgene. In another embodiment, the method comprises contacting the cell simultaneously or sequentially with (i) an at least E4&Dgr; adenoidal vector comprising a transgene and (ii) a viral vector comprising a gene encoding a trans-acting factor, which is not from the E4 region of an adenovirus and which modulates the persistence of expression of the transgene. In addition, the present invention provides a recombinant at least E4&Dgr; adenoviral vector for use in the method and a composition comprising the vector and a carrier therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed are proteins indicative of breast cancer and of other cancers, and methods for their detection. Methods of the invention provide an improvement in cancer detection assays, especially in breast cancer detection assays.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic CDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5′- and 3′-noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: A method to reduce the physiologic effects of drugs in vivo by inducing specific anti-drug antibodies using drugs conjugated to carrier molecules so as to reduce a drug's toxicity and its physiologic effects upon the recipient. This method includes the treatment and prophylactic prevention of drug abuse, specifically for cocaine and nicotine, and to help reduce the toxic effects of drugs, such as anti-neoplastics.

Abstract: The invention provides segments of HSV-1 and HSV-2 glycoprotein B which include antigenic epitopes in the gB amino-proximal region that react with human antibodies in a type-specific manner, and epitopes in the gB carboxy-proximal region that cross-react with HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering an emulsion or suspension containing a supersaturated gas into a gas-depleted environment. The method generally comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion or suspension, exposing the emulsion or suspension to a gas at a pressure greater than 2 bar, and delivering the emulsion or suspension to a gas-depleted environment at ambient pressure.