Abstract: An herpes simplex virus wherein the herpes simplex virus genome comprises nucleic acid encoding a nitroreductase (NTR) is disclosed. Disclosed herpes simplex viruses are indicated to be useful in the treatment of cancer which may involve gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoparamunity inducers that are based on paramunizing viruses or viral components of a myxoma virus strain of diseased rabbits that show general symptoms of the disease. The invention also relates to a method for producing the inducers and to their use as drugs for the regulatory optimization of the paramunizing activities for use in the prophylaxis and therapy of various human and animal dysfunctions.

Abstract: A method is provided of producing an immunogenic complex comprising a heat shock protein (hsp) coupled to a heterologous antigenic polypeptide, which method comprises: (a) expressing the antigenic polypeptide in a cell which cell has been subjected to a stimulus which causes the induction of a heat shock response in said cells; and (b) recovering the antigenic polypeptide coupled to one or more hsps from said cell or the culture medium. Also provided are immunogenic compositions comprising a heat shock protein (hsp) derived from a non-mammalian eukaryote coupled to a heterologous antigenic polypeptide which composition is capable of inducing an immune response to said antigenic polypeptide in a human or animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of artificial CpG-containing single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), each of which is consisted of single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide DNA molecule containing one or more CpG(s), wherein said ODNs can stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) to produce antiviral substances. These ODNs can protect the cells against the attack from virus, wherein said virus is preferably selected from the group consisted of influenza virus and single-stranded positive strand RNA virus such as SARS virus, hepatitis C virus, dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Moreover, the antiviral use of artificial CpG ODNs and its use for treating and preventing viral infection are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or inhibiting viral infection of a cell and/or fusion between the envelope of a virus and the membranes of a cell targeted by the virus (thereby preventing delivery of the viral genome into the cell cytoplasm, a step required for. viral infection). The present invention particularly relates to the families of RNA viruses, including the arenaviruses, coronaviruses, filoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and retroviruses, having Class I membrane fusion proteins as the fusion proteins that mediate this fusion process. The present invention provides for a method of identifying a conserved motif or domain called the fusion initiation region (FIR) in these viruses. The present invention further provides for methods of preventing infection by such viruses, by interfering with their FIR. The present invention further provides for methods of treatment and prophylaxis of diseases induced by such viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting the entry of viruses, such as herpesviruses into a host cell. A conserved viral integrin-binding gB disintegrin-like domain has been identified that engages integrins and facilitates viral internalization into the host cell. Therefore, methods and compositions, such as antiviral agents encompassing the conserved gB disintegrin-like domain and antibodies thereto are described. These active agents interfere with the interaction between virions and cellular integrins, thereby inhibiting viral infection of a host cell.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides containing fragments of SARS CoV S protein and functional equivalents thereof. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, related expression vectors, related host cells, related antibodies, and related compositions. Methods of producing the polypeptide, diagnosing infection with a coronavirus, and identifying a test compound for treating infection with a coronavirus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier for immobilizing a bio-derived polymer, and especially, the present invention provides a carrier of diamond fine particle for immobilizing a DNA, RNA, protein and peptide, as well as a DNA chip substrate, a carrier for trapping virus and a vaccine. The carrier is prepared by the steps comprising: preparing an initial mixture including a diamond and a non-diamond by means of explosion of a detonating agent; subjecting the initial mixture to an oxidation treatment to obtain a suspension solution including the diamond; and separating a phase including the diamond. According to the present invention, after the oxidation treatment, a basic material having per se volatility or to generate a decomposed material having volatility is added, to neutralize with nitric acid, and thereby obtained diamond fine particle has a functional group on the surface thereof.

Abstract: An isolated water-soluble VP1 polypeptide of foot-and-mouth disease virus and a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide or nucleic acid and related methods of inducing apoptosis and treating an apoptosis-related disorder.

Abstract: A method of reversing a clinical episode of a disease which is generally considered incurable in a subject. The method includes providing an immune-globulin preparation containing a detectable titre of antibodies to the disease which is generally considered incurable and administering the immune-globulin preparation to the subject. Preferably, the immune globulin preparation is a pool of immune globulin fractions gathered from blood of donors living in an area where the disease is endemic. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture suited for use in practice of the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of a novel variant of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to methods for detecting, in patient samples, nucleic acids, antigens and antibodies directed against the same.

Abstract: There are provided methods for treatment of abnormal cells such as cancer cells in a mammal. The methods involve treating the mammal with virus selected from echoviruses and modified forms and combination thereof, which recognize ?2?1 for infectivity of the cells. There are also provided methods for screening viruses for use in a method of the invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a virus vector free of a serum, and a serum-free medium for cultivation of a virus producer cell which can be used for the method are provided. By cultivating a virus producer cell using a serum-free medium containing serum albumin, it is possible to cultivate the cell in a state equivalent to that in a serum-containing medium to produce a virus vector at a sufficient titer. The virus vector prepared from the virus producer cell cultivated in the medium exhibits gene transfer efficiency comparable to that of a conventional vector. The medium is useful for gene therapy and studies thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting HPV in a sample. This invention also provides related kits, systems, and computers.

Abstract: Snow Mountain Virus (SMV) belongs to the Norovirus genus of the Caliciviridae family. SMV is a genogroup II (GII) reference strain of human enteric caliciviruses associated with epidemic gastroenteritis. The positive sense RNA genome sequence of SMV was determined to be 7,537 nucleotides in length excluding the 3? polyadenylated tract. The genome is organized into three open reading frames. Pairwise sequence alignments showed SMV ORF1 is highly conserved with other GII noroviruses, and most closely related to GII strains Melksham and Hawaii viruses. Comparative sequence analyses showed the SMV is a recombinant norovirus. VP1/NP2 proteins assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus. Characterization of one clone that expressed VP1 but failed to assemble into VLPs, identified histidine residue 91 as important for particle assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV), a novel, atypical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of VS-FCV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for immobilization and optional stabilization of viruses whilst retaining the viral biological activity and the use of immobilized virus in therapy. In particular, the immobilized virus relates to immobilized bacteriophage and their use as an antibiotic or bacteriostatic agent and in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of animal health, in particular equine diseases caused by equine herpesvirus (EHV). The invention relates to artificial chromosomes comprising the genome of equine herpesviruses, methods of producing attenuated or virulent EHV with or without the insertion of foreign genes, EHV obtainable with said methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said viruses.

Abstract: The invention generally concerns compositions and methods for genetic vaccination with amyloid beta (A?) protein. Such vaccines may provide effective treatment for neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Vaccination methods are can be used to induce a Th2 type immune response directed to A?. This immune response id shown to substantially reduce A? concentration and A? plaque size in an Alzheimer's model system.

Abstract: An isolated antiviral peptide is characterized by the amino acid sequence GDEPLENYLDTEYF and a significant in vitro binding affinity for HIV-1 gp 120 and gp 41, and human CD4 cells. The peptide exhibits anti-retroviral activity in vivo, particularly anti-HIV-1 activity.