Abstract: This application is the expression and purification of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) MSP-142. The method of the present invention produces a highly purified protein which retains folding and disulfide bridging of the native molecule. The recombinant MSP-142 is useful as a diagnostic reagent, for use in antibody production, and as a vaccine.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for preventing and treating sepsis in humans and animals. Surgical patients, low birth weight infants, and burn and trauma victims can be treated prophylactically. Methods for treating acute infections are provided with advantages over current therapeutic approaches.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of B. microti infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a B. microti antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Antigenic epitopes of such antigens are also provided, together with pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of B. microti infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides and antigenic epitopes are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing activated natural killer (NK) cells comprising the steps of administering to a population of cells which includes lymphocytes and monocytes, an effective amount of an NK cell activating cytokine or a NK cell activating flavonoid, wherein said NK cell activating cytokine is not IL-2 or IFN-&agr;; and administering a compound effective to inhibit the production or release of hydrogen peroxide selected from the group consisting of histamine, other H2 receptor agonists, and serotonin.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for detecting the deficiency of magnesium tightly bound to cellular membranes, i.e. magnesium binding defect, which deficiency is associated with certain abnormal physiological states e.g., salt-sensitive essential hypertension or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the levels of essential amino acids in seeds of plants, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of the seeds. The method comprises manipulating the metabolic pathway of the amino acid to provide an increased source of the target free amino acid and, concomitantly, over-expressing a preselected gene coding for the protein containing the target amino acid, such that there is accumulation of protein-bound target amino acid. A complementary protein sink is thus produced. The present invention is particularly useful in increasing levels of methionine, lysine and threonine in seeds.

Abstract: A highly digestible, good preference, relatively high-quality fermented formula feed which is obtainable by mixing a soybean feed material and a wheat splinter capable of decomposing phytin in an amount of not less than that of the soybean feed material, d.s.b., and subjecting the mixture to a lactic acid fermentation under humid conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to unglycosylated, prokaryoticauly-expressed MHC polypeptides, methods of producing these polypeptides, and complexes consisting essentially of an isolated MHC component and an antigenic peptide associated with the antigen binding site of the MHC component. These complexes are useful in treating deleterious immune responses, such as autoimmunity.

Abstract: An envelope protein of the etiologic agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a method for its preparation are disclosed. Proviral DNA is transferred into a host cell after engineering into an expression vector which produces the envelope protein. A method of testing human blood for the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus using the AIDS envelope protein is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of encapsidating a recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid to obtain a yield of encapsidated viruses which substantially comprises encapsidated recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid. The method of encapsidating a recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid includes contacting a host cell with a recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid which lacks the nucleotide sequence encoding at least a portion of a protein necessary for encapsidation and an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid which encodes at least a portion of one protein necessary for encapsidation under conditions appropriate for introduction of the recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid and the expression vector into the host cell and obtaining a yield of encapsidated viruses which substantially comprises an encapsidated recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid.

Abstract: This invention provides a fibrin sealant dressing, wherein said fibrin sealant may be supplemented with at least one composition selected from, for example, one or more regulatory compounds, antibody, antimicrobial compositions, analgesics, anticoagulants, antiproliferatives, anti-inflammatory compounds, cytokines, cytotoxins, drugs, growth factors, interferons, hormones, lipids, demineralized bone or bone morphogenetic proteins, cartilage inducing factors, oligonucleotides polymers, polysaccharides, polypeptides, protease inhibitors, vasoconstrictors or vasodilators, vitamins, minerals, stabilizers and the like. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and/or using the unsupplemented or supplemented fibrin sealant dressing.

Abstract: The immunoglobulins of the present invention are useful therapeutic immunoglobulins against mucosal pathogens such as S. mutans. The immunoglobulins contain a protection protein that protects the immunoglobulins in the mucosal environment.The invention also includes the greatly improved method of producing immunoglobulins in plants by producing the protection protein in the same cell as the other components of the immunoglobulins. The components of the immunoglobulin are assembled at a much improved efficiency. The method of the invention allows the assembly and high efficiency production of such complex molecules.The invention also contemplates the production of immunoglobulins containing protection proteins in a variety of cells, including plant cells, that can be selected for useful additional properties. The use of immunoglobulins containing protection proteins as therapeutic antibodies against mucosal and other pathogens is also contemplated.

Abstract: A plant expression vector is constructed to cause the expression of an amino-terminal portion of the Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin gene in plant cells and the vector is used to create transgenic plants expressing the toxin. A truncated form of the toxin is used, with carboxy-terminal prolines added for stability. A translational enhancer sequence derived from the untranslated leader sequence from the mRNA of the coat protein gene of alfalfa mosaic virus coat protein gene is placed between a promoter and the toxin gene to increase translational efficiency. The transgenic plants produced are toxic to Lepidopteran pests and can transmit that trait to their progeny by normal Mendelian inheritance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-infectious immunotherapeutic containing retroviral particles devoid of outer envelope proteins or containing selected antigens isolated from a retrovirus. There is also provided a vaccine effective against HIV. In one aspect, the immunogen is useful for immunizing an individual previously infected by a retrovirus including HIV, so as to induce immunoprotective factors protective against progression of the infection. In another aspect, the vaccine is useful for vaccinating an individual not previously infected with HIV in order to prevent subsequently acquired infection. In another aspect, there is provided a method of rendering a viral immunogen non-infectious. The immunogen may also be used to produce antibodies for passive immunotherapy, alone or in conjunction with active immunotherapy, in individuals infected with a retrovirus, including HIV, preferably those individuals exhibiting low levels of antibodies to retroviral gene products other than the outer envelope.

Abstract: A perfusion device such as a liver assist device containing a housing defining a perfusion inlet and a perfusion outlet, a porous membrane structure mounted within said housing to define a perfusion compartment and an adjacent hepatocyte compartment, and porcine hepatocytes isolated from a porcine liver by retrograde perfusion.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing beer having a reduced content of purine compounds by using wort having a reduced content of purine nucleosides as a result of decomposing purine nucleosides into purine bases by using nucleoside phosphorylase or nucleosidase, or decomposing purine nucleosides into purine bases during fermentation and having the purine bases metabolized by yeast.

Abstract: A nucleotide sequence is provided for the VR-2332 virus, which is capable of causing Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. The nucleotide sequence includes protein coding regions that are inserted into recombinant vectors for the host expression of viral proteins according to a variety of vaccination techniques. Diagnostic assays utilize fragmentary sequences or oligonucleotides to selectively identify the VR-2332 nucleic acids by hybridization or PCR amplification reactions that distinguish VR-2332 nucleotide sequences from other PRRS-causative viruses which are immunologically distinct from VR-2332.

Abstract: A novel surface exposed protein of Haemophilus influenzae or related Haemophilus species is described. The protein named protein D is an Ig receptor for human IgD and has an apparent molecular weight of 42,000. Protein D can be detected in all of 116 encapsulated and non-encapsulated isolates of H. influenzae studied. The protein from all strains shows in addition to the same apparent molecular weight immunogenic similarities since protein D from all strains interacts with three different mouse monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal human IgD. A method for purification of protein D is described. Cloning of the protein D gene from H. influenzae in E. coli is described as well as the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence.

Abstract: A variant HBsAg protein of fragment thereof displaying the antigenicity of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen is dicslosed, in which the variant protein of fragment thereof (vHBsAg) comprises a modified `a` determinant in which there is an amino acid other than glycine at position 145 of the HBsAg sequence. A vaccine comprising the vHBsAg is provided, as is a kit for diagnostic in vitro detection of anti-vHBsAg antibodies and an antibody preparation comprising anti-vHBsAg antibodies.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for the insitu cleaning of a chamber in which process gas is injected into the chamber through gas injection ports. Separate gas injection ports through which process gas and the cleaning gas are injected into the chamber are provided. The process gas is injected into the chamber, such as a plasma chamber, through a first gas injection port while the cleaning gas, which cleans the residue left by the process gas during the deposition process, is injected into the chamber through the second gas injection port that is separate from the first gas injection port through which the process gas is injected. The separation of the gas injection ports provides an equalized pressure within the jet screw ports for the process gas and the interior of the chamber. This allows the jet screw ports to be maximally cleaned and reduces the frequency of replacement of the jet screw ports in the chamber.