Abstract: Stabilized particle reagents suitable for use in turbidimetric immunoassays are disclosed. The stabilized particle reagents contain functionalized polymer particles in which the surface of the particle has been modified with a molecular surface modifier having the structure:R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n NH.sub.2in which: R is --H, --CH.sub.3 or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, and n is an integer between 2 and 10, inclusive. The stabilized particle reagents are resistant to premature or spontaneous aggregation during preparation or storage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a cereal plant cell or protoplast useful for regeneration of a water stress or salt stress tolerant cereal plant by transforming the cereal plant cell or protoplast with a nucleic acid encoding a late embryogenesis abundant protein. A transgenic cereal plant or cereal plant cell or protoplast transformed with a nucleic acid encoding a late embryogenesis abundant protein is also provided. An LEA protein gene, HVA1, from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was transformed into rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants. The resulting transgenic rice plants accumulate the HVA1 protein in both leaves and roots. Transgenic rice plants showed significantly increased tolerance to water stress (drought) and salt stress.

Abstract: The present invention provide nucleic acids encoding polypeptides which confer resistance to Xanthomonas spp. The nucleic acids can be used to produce transgenic plants resistant to the pathogen.

Abstract: Thermal transfer articles of the invention comprising a carrier, optionally a release layer, a color layer releaseably adhered thereto, and optionally an adherence layer on the bottom side of the color layer. Also methods for thermal transfer using such articles and signage made by such methods. The transfer articles of the invention 1) exhibit thermoplastic, low cohesive properties during transfer such that good image resolution and transfer is achieved and 2) are thermally crosslinked such that a durable image is formed.

Abstract: Peptides having high activity in the eliciting of a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gpl60 are described. The activation of 12-15 residue peptides by proteolytic degradation to shorter peptides is shown as are general techniques for characterizing such activation processes.

Abstract: The cDNA encoding safener binding protein (SafBP), also referred to as SBP1, is set forth in FIG. 5 and SEQ ID No. 1. The deduced amino acid sequence is provided in FIG. 5 and SEQ ID No. 2. Methods of making and using SBP1 and SafBP to alter a plant's sensitivity to certain herbicides or a plant's responsiveness to certain safeners are also provided, as well as expression vectors, transgenic plants or other organisms transfected with said vectors and seeds from said plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dimeric urethane compounds derived from monohydric alcohols, generally fatty alcohols, and a diisocyanate according to the following reaction scheme: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group of saturated or halogen substituted linear, cyclic or branch-chained hydrocarbons and R.sub.2 is a linear, cyclic or branch-chained alkyl or aminoalkyl group ranging from two to 200 carbon atoms, preferably two to 50 carbons, more preferably 6 to 36 carbons, said urethane compound being substantially free from terminal hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Liposome-encapsulated quinolones and specifically liposome-encapsulated ciprofloxacin dramatically enhances macrophage functions, induces NO production and augments the production of cytokines, rendering the composition an immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic agent with unique clinical potential. Liposome-encapsulated ciprofloxacin and other quinolones could be extremely useful in antimicrobial, anticancer and AIDS therapies. In such cases, the immunological status of the patient is often compromised or suppressed, making them susceptible to microbial infections and to the development of tumor growth. Selective augmentation of cellular immunity by activation of the microbicidal and tumoricidal activities of macrophages, induction of NO and cytokine production could be of primary importance to such patients in terms of protecting them against microbial infections and inducing their cellular host defense to tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding a metal ion resistance protein, which are expressible in plant cells. The metal resistance protein provides for the enzymatic reduction of metal ions including but not limited to divalent Cu, divalent mercury, trivalent gold, divalent cadmium, lead ions and monovalent silver ions. Transgenic plants which express these coding sequences exhibit increased resistance to metal ions in the environment as compared with plants which have not been so genetically modified. Transgenic plants with improved resistance to organometals including alkylmercury compounds, among others, are provided by the further inclusion of plant-expressible organometal lyase coding sequences, as specifically exemplified by the plant-expressible merB coding sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing the clinical manifestation of an autoimmune disease having the symptoms of uveoretinitis in a mammal in need of such treatment comprising orally administering to said mammal an effective amount of an autoantigen, e.g., S antigen (S-Ag), and/or biologically active fragments, or analogs thereof specific for uveoretinitis.Also provided is a pharmaceutical formulation useful for treating or preventing uveoretinitis in mammals comprising an effective amount of one or more of the foregoing autoantigen, fragments or analogs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of infections of Rev-binding primate lentiviruses are provided. These methods and compositions utilize the ability of Rev binding nucleic acids such as the SLII sequence from the HIV-1 Rev response element (RRE) to target therapeutic agents to the same sub-cellular location as primate lentiviruses which contain RRE sequences. In particular, the invention provides trans-acting ribozymes comprising Rev-binding nucleic acids less toxic than a full-length RRE, and molecules encoding them. The use of the compositions of the invention as components of diagnostic assays, as prophylactic reagents, and in vectors is also described.

Abstract: A single-stranded nucleic acid molecule which encodes an amino acid sequence comprising at least a portion of a T4 glycoprotein is provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences which comprise at least a portion of a T4 glycoprotein and are useful as a prophylaxis for treating a subject with acquired immune deficiency syndrome are provided. These amino acid sequences, which are capable of specifically forming a complex with a human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein and which are soluble in an aqueous solution may be administered to a subject infected with a human immunodeficiency virus so as to block the human immunodeficiency virus from binding to T4.sup.+ cells.Monoclonal antibodies directed to the water-soluble amino acid sequences of the present invention may be used as vaccines for immunizing a subject against acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic-engineering of plants for enhanced oxygen assimilation and utilization. More particularly, this invention relates to producing transgenic plants engineered to express oxygen-binding proteins such as, for example, hemoglobin, myoglobin, and hemoproteins. The engineered plants of the invention achieve quicker germination, are faster growing or maturing crops, produce higher crop yields, and/or contain higher levels of desired plant metabolites, particularly alkaloids.

Abstract: DNA sequences from potato which encode the enzyme solanidine UDP-glucose glucosyltransferase (SGT) are disclosed. Recombinant DNA molecules containing the sequences, and use thereof, in particular, use of an antisense DNA construct to inhibit the production of SGT and thereby reduce glycoalkaloid levels in solanaceous plants, e.g., potato, are described.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments encoding acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase enzymes to modify plant lipid composition are disclosed. Also disclosed are chimeric genes incorporating such nucleic acid fragments and suitable regulatory sequences may be used to create transgenic plants with altered levels of saturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The invention describes nucleic acid molecules encoding cytochrome P450-t proteins involved in the brassionosteroid synthesis in plants, transgenic plant cells and plants containing such nucleic acid molecules as well as processes for the identification of other proteins involved in brassinosteroid synthesis and processes for the identification of substances acting as brassinosteroids or as brassinosteroid inhibitors in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compounds, which are N.sup..delta. -substituted ornithine derivatives, having the formula (I)HOOC--CH(NH.sub.2)--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --NH--(X).sub.h --(CH.sub.2).sub.j --(CHOH).sub.k --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --(O).sub.n --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --Rin which R represents a hydrocarbon alkyl radical or a perfluorinated alkyl radical, X is a divalent radical chosen from --CO--O--, --CO--NH-- and --SO.sub.2 --, h, j, k, m and n are, independently, zero or 1 and p is zero to 4, a salt of a compound of formula (I), an optical isomer of D or L configuration thereof or a mixture thereof. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these compounds, to their use, especially in cosmetics, and to compositions, especially cosmetic compositions, comprising them.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilized live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, wherein the vaccine is substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. This stabilized live vaccine is extremely excellent in storage stability and heat resistance. Also disclosed is an improved stabilizer for a live varicella vaccine, comprising at least one member selected from gelatin and hydrolyzed gelatin, each being substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. The stabilizer can advantageously be used to stabilize a live vaccine containing a varicella virus. The substantial freedom of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions can be attained by masking Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions present in a live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, with a chelating reagent, or by using as a stabilizer gelatin and/or a gelatin derivative after being purified to remove Ca.sup.2+ ions and/or Mg.sup.2+ ions contained therein.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Jennifer`, characterized by its light violet flower color, numerous medium sized flowers, light to medium green foliage, narrow elliptical shaped leaves,small plant habit with weak growth habit, and medium flowering response.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of plant named `Sapphire Blue`, characterized by the combined features of large, intense lavender blue teasel-like flowers with a collar of spiny bracts, flowering commencing in June and continuing into August, and stems similar in color to the flower.