Abstract: A live non-virulent vaccine composition and method for preparing the same comprising a virulent microorganismal strain which contains at least two mutations, wherein the first mutation results in an auxotrophic mutant which requires for proliferation, a nutrient which is normally available in the host tissues in an amount required by the auxotrophic mutant for proliferation and the second mutation results in the inability of the auxotrophic mutant to specifically transport the required nutrient from host-tissues into the auxotrophic mutant thereby producing an attenuated strain.

Abstract: A plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system includes a number of process gas injection tubes and at least one dedicated clean gas injection tube. A plasma is used to periodically clean the interior surfaces of the deposition chamber. The cleaning is made more rapid and effective by introducing the clean gas through the dedicated clean gas injection tube. In this manner the clean gas can be introduced at a relatively high flow rate without detracting from the cleaning of the interior surfaces of the process gas injection tubes. As a separate aspect of this invention, a high-frequency signal is applied to both terminals of the coil during the cleaning process. This produces a plasma, mainly by capacitive coupling, which has a shape and uniformity that are well-suited to cleaning the surfaces of the deposition chamber.

Abstract: An element and method for easily performing liquid assays are disclosed. The element uses capillary action to draw a predetermined volume of a liquid sample into a reaction chamber charged with reagent, where reaction between the liquid sample and the reagent is monitored.

Abstract: A new method of measuring blood levels of immunophilin-binding pharmaceuticals, e.g., cyclosporins, rapamycins, and FK506 compounds is provided, comprising the novel step of displacing the pharmaceutical from its immunophilin by using a binding competitor, thereby eliminating the need for an extraction step and enhancing the simplicity and accuracy of the assay. Assay kits comprising a binding competitor and a receptor, e.g., a monoclonal antibody, which binds to the pharmaceutical but not significantly to the binding competitor are also provided, as are new uses of immunophilin-binding compounds as binding competitors in such assays.

Abstract: The present invention presents three B. burgdorferi membrane proteins: Oms28, Oms45, and Oms66, each of about 28, 45, and 66 kDa respectively; and with average single channel conductances of about 0.6, 0.22, and 9.7 nS, respectively. Also disclosed are the methods for purifying these proteins from B. burgdorferi, methods for producing antibodies to these proteins, and the resulting antibodies. These proteins and their immunogenic fragments, and antibodies capable of binding to them are useful for inducing an immune response to pathogenic B. burgdorferi as well as providing a diagnostic target for Lyme disease. Further disclosed are the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, the cloning of the genes encoding the proteins and their recombinant proteins, and methods for obtaining the foregoing. Other B. burgdorferi outer membrane spanning proteins (Oms) obtainable by the isolation and purification methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel methods and compositions for thrombolytic therapy. More specifically, a receptor with high affinity for plasmin has been characterized, purified, cloned, and expressed. This receptor can be used in combination therapies where it is administered prior to, concurrently with, or after a plasminogen activator. Also, this receptor can be bound to plasmin and administered to humans or animals in need of fibrinolytic activity. Additionally, the invention pertains to a novel immobilized form of plasmin which advantageously accumulates at the point where antifibrinolytic activity is needed.

Abstract: The apparatus according to the present invention is capable of maintain a plasma at relatively high pressure while preventing a window from being heated or sputtered by the plasma. The reaction chamber includes (1) an entrance window for guiding an electromagnetic wave such as a microwave or an RF to the reaction chamber, (2) a reaction room where film formation or etching for a substrate is performed by exciting a gas with the electromagnetic wave such as the microwave or the RF, and (3) an intermediate room arranged between the reaction room and the entrance window and having a pressure higher than that in the reaction chamber. The gas in the intermediate room is not excited with the electromagnetic wave such as the microwave or the RF.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel Borrelia, and OspA antigens derived therefrom. These antigens show little homology with known OspA's and are therefore useful as vaccine and diagnostic reagents. Multicomponent vaccines based on OspA's from different Borrelia groups are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic calibrators for immunological tests, analyte-specific epitopes being coupled to other proteins or to synthetic carriers.

Abstract: A recombinant polypeptide comprising a polypeptide which has added thereto a glycoxyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor structure, said polypeptide demonstrating a greater immune response than the corresponding polypeptide without the anchor. The polypeptide may be a parasite antigen such as a Plasmodium falciparum polypeptide. Recombinant vectors comprising the DNA sequence encoding the polypeptide with a glycolipid anchor addition sequence and host cells based thereon are also disclosed as well as vaccines and methods of inducing an immune response based on the polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in an environmental sample involves contacting the sample with a supercritical fluid to isolate nucleic acid from the microorganism, then detecting the presence of a particular sequence within the isolated nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may optionally be subjected to further purification.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for extracting a cell-bound protein of bacterial origin, useful in acellular vaccines, comprising contacting a suspension of the cell-bound protein with a flocculating agent prior to heat treatment.

Abstract: In a wet processing system included in a semiconductor device production line, a wafer carrier has bars formed with grooves for receiving the edge portions of wafers, and a pair of support plates each having a width smaller than the diameter of the wafers. The carrier reduces a volume required of a processing bath and promotes the smooth flow of aqueous solutions. Hence, the system reduces the consumption of chemicals and pure water as well as the cleaning time and other processing times.

Abstract: A CS31A protein capsule subunit having an aminoacid sequence modified by at least one heterologous peptide, the CS31A protein capsule comprising said subunit, and micro-organisms having the CS31A protein capsule with its subunit aminoacid sequence modified by at least one heterologous peptide, are disclosed. Methods for preparing said subunits, CS31A protein capsules comprising same, and micro-organisms having CS31A protein capsules, as well as the use thereof for preparing vaccines, producing peptides and preparing immunoassays, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and prevention of ungulate diseases caused by the spirochete bacteria Treponema. The invention specifically relates to isolated cultures of this spirochete and isolated nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: Vaccines for the induction of immunity to malaria, based on aluminum hydroxide-treated, lipid A- and malarial antigen-containing liposomes, are described. Vaccines of this sort are useful in both humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides encoded by the same, antibodies directed thereto and a method of preparing such polypeptides including: (a) inserting an isolated DNA molecule coding for a polypeptide which is immunoreactive with a 66 kDa polypeptide derived from Borrelia garinii IP90 into an expression vector; (b) transforming a host organism or cell with the vector; (c) culturing the transformed host cell under suitable conditions; and (d) harvesting the polypeptide. The isolated DNA molecule is preferably at least 10 nucleotides in length, and the method may optionally include subjecting the polypeptide to post-translational modification. The host cell can be a bacterium, a yeast, a protozoan, or a cell derived from a multicellular organism such as a fungus, an insect cell, a plant cell, or a mammalian cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to flagella-less strains of Borrelia and to novel methods for use of the microorganisms as vaccines and in diagnostic assays. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the present invention encompasses flagella-less strains of other microorganisms belonging to the genus Borrelia. Accordingly, with the aid of the disclosure, flagella-less mutants of other Borrelia species, e.g., B. coriacei, which causes epidemic bovine abortion, B. anserina, which causes avian spirochetosis, and B. recurrentis and other Borrelia species causative of relapsing fever, such as Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia turicatae, Borrelia duttoni, Borrelia persica, and Borrelia hispanica, can be prepared and used in accordance with the present invention and are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides encoded by the same, antibodies directed thereto and a method of preparing such polypeptides including: (a) inserting an isolated DNA molecule coding for a polypeptide which is immunoreactive with a 66 kDa polypeptide derived from Borrelia garinii IP90 into an expression vector; (b) transforming a host organism or cell with the vector; (c) culturing the transformed host cell under suitable conditions; and (d) harvesting the polypeptide. The isolated DNA molecule is preferably at least 10 nucleotides in length, and the method may optionally include subjecting the polypeptide to post-translational modification. The host cell can be a bacterium, a yeast, a protozoan, or a cell derived from a multicellular organism such as a fungus, an insect cell, a plant cell, or a mammalian cell.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of tetanus toxoid, which process comprises incubating purified tetanus toxin with 0.2 to 1% (v/v) formaldehyde in the presence of 0.005 to 0.25M lysine for from 24 to 32 days at a pH of from 6.0 to 8.0 and a temperature of from 30 to 45.degree. C.