Abstract: A novel type of formulation for the topical administration of antigens and/or vaccines to mammals via mucosal membranes comprising one or more adjuvants/vehicles selected from (a) polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoesters, (b) polyoxyethylene castor oil, (c) caprylic/capric acid glycerides and (d) gangliosides in an amount of 0.01 to 15% (v/v) calculated on the total volume of the preparation. This formulation enhances the immunological response n a mammal following mucosal administration, e.g. nasal, oral, rectal or vaginal application.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially purified antigen derived from a first species of parasitic nematodes, which antigen is capable of providing protection to a host from parasitism infestation by a second nematode species, which may be the same as or different from the first nematode species, following vaccination of the host with the antigen, characterized in that the antigen is proteinaceous, has a pI between 3.8 and 4.4, can be bound by lentil lectin and Helix promatia and has a molecular weight of approximately 45 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Abstract: The invention provides vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human C-type lectin (human PAP-2) and polynucleotides which identify and encode human PAP-2. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies or antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing diseases associated with expression of human PAP-2.

Abstract: Provided herein is a nucleotide sequence encoding a CS2 pilin protein of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Also provided herein are the nucleotide sequences of coding sequences linked to the CS2 coding sequence, which other coding sequences must be expressed to allow the synthesis and assembly of the CS2 pili on the cell surface.

Abstract: The invention provides vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for inducing protective and/or therapeutic immune responses to an antigen in a mammal. In these methods, an antigen is administered to the mammal with a toxin of a Clostridium (e.g., C. difficile), or a fragment or derivative thereof having adjuvant activity.

Abstract: Receptors for the zonula occludens toxin of Vibrio cholera, as well as methods involving the use of the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pretreating heat stable proteins derived from a rendered animal material prior to performing an assay for their presence comprising (a) preparing a protein containing extract of the material, (b) removing substantially all or part of the gelatin from the extract and (c) concentrating the remaining protein such that it tests positive for protein by immunoassay at a dilution of greater than 1 in 6,000.

Abstract: A purified polypeptide which provides for initial binding of sperm to oocyte investments and has an active amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 (Cys-Gln-Ser-Leu-Gln-Glu-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Gln-Arg-Gln-Leu-Glu-Ser-A sn -Lys-Ile-Pro-Glu-Val-Asp-Leu-Ala-Arg-Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Phe-Met-Ser-Asn-Ile-P ro-Leu-Leu-Leu-Tyr-Pro-Gln-Asp-Arg-Pro -Arg-Ser-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-Lys-Ala-Asn-Glu-Asp-Val-Cys); or SEQ ID NO:13 (Cys-Glu-Ser-Leu-Gln-Lys-His-Leu-Ala-Glu-Leu-Asn-His-Gln-Lys-Gln-Leu-Glu-S er-Asn-Lys-Ile-Pro-Glu-Leu -Asp-Met-Thr-Glu-Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Phe-Met-Ala-Asn-Ile-Pro-Leu-Leu-Leu-Tyr-P ro-Gln-Asp-Gly-Pro-Arg-Ser-Lys-Pro-Gln -Pro-Lys-Asp-Asn-Gly-Asp-Val-Cys); or the shorter but biologically active SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:9 (Tyr-Pro-Gln-Asp-Arg-X-Arg-Ser-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-Lys-Ala-Asn, where X is Thr or Pro).

Abstract: A novel category of microorganisms has been identified from its ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence. That sequence, P36, is characteristic of this category of microorganisms, here termed metathermophiles. Methods for isolating samples of metathermophiles using the rDNA sequence are described.

Abstract: An nNOS associated protein designated PIN-1 (Protein Inhibitor of nNOS) has been identified. It physically interacts with nNOS and inhibits its activity. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that PIN-1 is a regulator of nNOS: it is physiologically associated with nNOS, and it inhibits its catalytic activity. The extraordinary evolutionary conservation of PIN-1 and preliminary evidence that it interacts with multiple proteins, suggests that it may be a major biological regulatory protein influencing numerous physiological processes.

Abstract: Use of an anti-cardiolipin antibody, anti-lipoprotein antibody or anti-.beta.2-glycoprotein I antibody together with an immobilized antibody thereof enables to accurately assay for a complex of .beta.2-glycoprotein I and an oxidized lipoprotein in a blood sample, according to a sandwich immunoassay. Thus, the oxidized lipoprotein in blood can be detected, whereby diagnosis of arteriosclerotic disease is enabled.

Abstract: The invention provides spoIIIE polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding spIIIE polypetides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing spoIIIE polypeptide for the protection against infection, particularly bacterial infections.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that can be used to (1) measure the level of polysaccharide in a sample; (2) measure the ability of a compound to degrade a polysaccharide; (3) measure the ability of a compound to modulate polysaccharide synthesis; and (4) identify or distinguish a polysaccharide, and hence organism, for diagnostic purposes in clinical medicine or research. The invention stems from Applicant's discovery that polysaccharides have multiple binding sites for polysaccharide binding moieties (PBM, e.g., wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)). In each method, one PBM links the polysaccharide to a substrate, and a tagged PBM is used to detect the polysaccharide. All of these methods can be carried out rapidly and quickly in the wells of a microtiter plate, thus permitting high through-put screening of samples or test compounds.

Abstract: A method for promoting bone growth in a patient (e.g., a mammal such as a human) said method including the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of adrenomedullin or an adrenomedullin agonist to said patient.

Abstract: A method for preventing and treating parasitic infections in animals by administering a lysine analog, such as EACA, to the animals on a continuous basis. In the preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention is directed to preventing and treating coccidial infections in poultry by adding EACA to the daily diet of a poultry flock. EACA may also be administered in ovo before hatching. The administration of EACA enhances the natural immune response of the poultry to the invading coccidial organisms and enables the poultry to combat the parasites without the need for antibiotics. Another aspect of the present invention involves preventing parasitic diseases in humans and animals by prophylactically administering a serine protease inhibitor, such as EACA, as an adjuvant in conjunction with a conventional vaccine effective against the target parasite.

Abstract: Disclosed is the invention relates to the use of serine protease having peptidyl peptidase activity in the formulation of vaccines for combating helminth parasites. The protease is derived from a fluke Fasciola hepatica.

Abstract: A method for large scale cultivation and attenuation of L. intracellularis bacteria by inoculating cells with L. intracellularis bacteria to infect the cells, incubating the infected cells in a reduced oxygen concentration and maintaining the infected cells in suspension. Anti-L. intracellularis vaccines are prepared from cultures grown in suspension. Diagnostic agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. More specifically, this invention relates to an assay for detecting antigen(s) associated with multiple sclerosis. The present invention also relates to the generation of hybridomas which produce monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the multiple sclerosis-associated antigens. The present invention's use is in diagnosing multiple sclerosis and in routine follow-up monitoring of multiple sclerosis patients as to disease progression or response to therapy.