Abstract: The compounds of the invention are generally described by the formula: B1Z*2B3Z*4X*5Q6F7X8X9X10X11, ??(1) B1X2X3X4X5Q6F7X8X9X10X11, or ??(2) B1Z2B3X4Z5Q6F7Z8X9X10X11 ??(3) and the salts, esters, amides, and acyl forms thereof. Each position represented by a letter indicates a single amino acid residue: B is a basic of polar/large amino acid or a modified form thereof; X is a small or hydrophobic amino acid or a modified form thereof; X* is a small or polar/large amino acid or a modified form thereof; Z is a polar/large or hydrophobic amino acid or a modified form thereof; Z* is Proline or a polar/large of hydrophobic amino acid or a modified form thereof. As described below, one or more of the peptide linkages between the amino acid residues may be replaced by a peptide linkage mimic. These compounds may be used as molecular building blocks to create compounds that are optimized for inhibiting the protease activity of Botulinum b and tetanus toxins.

Abstract: A composition and methods of use for the decontamination of chemical agents, including chemical warfare agents. The decontamination composition is nontoxic, nonflammable and non-corrosive and includes an effective amount of a perfluorinated alkyl bromide or reactive perfluorinated alkyl bromide. The decontamination composition may include an oxidizer and a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising deglycosylated ricin toxin A-chain and method for making and using the composition.

Abstract: In this application are described Ebola GP monoclonal antibodies, epitopes recognized by these monoclonal antibodies, and the sequences of the variable regions of some of these antibodies. Also provided are mixtures of antibodies of the present invention, as well as methods of using individual antibodies or mixtures thereof for the detection, prevention, and/or therapeutical treatment of Ebola virus infections in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antigens that stimulate protective antibodies against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Also disclosed herein are proteins encoded by cssA and cssB genes as well as constructs containing the genes and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to gravity reactive braking systems. According to the invention there is provided a brake system to control speed in a forward direction for descending inclined surfaces and a brake system for controlling rollback when ascending an inclined surface. The speed pacer braking assembly includes a downhill activator for selectively engaging a disc brake system when a predetermined inclined is reach. The anti-rollback assembly comprises a pair of graded brake cam structures operatively disposed adjacent wheels wherein the natural pull of gravity and the configuration of the cams operate to allow passage of wheels in both directions when on flat surfaces and in only a single direction when on an incline. When on an incline, gravity operates to dispose cams relative to the wheels such that rotation of wheels in one direction is hindered by a thickening of cam body caused by rotation of cam about its axis.

Abstract: In 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: The invention described herein relates to methods for reducing and/or stopping bleeding or fluid loss from open wound, denuded tissue, or burned skin, comprising the step of applying to the open wound, denuded tissue or burned skin a gel-forming composition comprising at least one of the following compositions: a polyacrylic acid having the structural formula [CH2?CHCO2H]n, where n is between 10,000 and 70,000; a polyacrylic acid and a desiccated water soluble organic or inorganic base; polyacrylic acid and a desiccated poorly soluble basic salt, and a polyvinyl alcohol having the structural formula of [CH2?CHOH]n, where n is between 15,000 and 150,000.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid molecules having sequences that are unique to Bacillus anthracis and method of making and using thereof. Also disclosed are kits comprising the nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for simulating life-like conditions during eye surgery. The device includes a prosthetic head which includes an eye socket coupled to a fluid line adapted to create negative pressure or a vacuum in the eye socket. An eye for practicing surgical techniques can be placed in the socket and negative pressure used to hold the eye in the socket in a manner which feels analogous to the way an eye feels to a surgeon operating on a live human.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, the present invention provides methods and systems for detecting, measuring, or monitoring the presence of absence of at least one emotion in a subject from a speech sample obtained from the subject. In particular, the methods and systems of the present invention comprise extracting at least one feature from the speech sample, assigning the speech sample a score using a weighted frequency band scoring scheme, and comparing the score with a general reference model or a control. As disclosed, the methods, systems and computer programs of the present invention provide detection error rates of about 4.7% or less, preferably about 3.0% or less, more preferably about 2.0% or less, most preferably about 1.0% or less and thereby reduced the detection error rate by about 60.0% or more, preferably about 70.0% or more, more preferably about 80.0% or more, even more preferably about 90% or more, and most preferably 95.0% or more than the detection error rates of prior art methods.

Abstract: The invention is a method for detecting squalene in sera.

Abstract: Using CTL epitopes to the Ebola GP, NP, VP24, VP30, VP35 and VP40 virion proteins, a method and composition for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against infection with Ebola virus is described.

Abstract: A recombinant protein encompassing the complete envelope glycoprotein and a portion of the carboxy-terminus of the membrane/premembrane protein of dengue 2 virus was expressed in baculovirus as a protein particle. The recombinant protein particle was purified and found to provide protection against lethal challenge with dengue 2 virus in mice.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pharmacophore model for antimalarial activity and methods of making and using thereof. The pharmacophore comprises two hydrogen bond acceptor (lipid) functions and two hydrophobic (aromatic) functions. The pharmacophore model was made using a test set of tryptanthrin compounds which exhibit antimalarial activity. Also disclosed are tryptanthrin compounds having greater solubility and bioactivity as compared to prior art tryptanthrin compounds and methods of making and using thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating malaria in a subject.

Abstract: In this application is described a composition, Invaplex, derived from a gram negative bacteria for use in generating an immune response in a subject against one or more heterologous species or strains of gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: In this application is described the expression and purification of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (FVO) MSP-142. The method of the present invention produces a highly purified protein that 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: The invention relates to derivatives of pyrroloquinazolinediamine, more specifically derivatives of 7-(substituted)-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-F] quinazoline-1,3-diamines that are non-toxic and are also effective in the treatment of malaria, including P. falciparum and P. vivax strains. The derivatives are certain carbamate derivatives, succinimide derivatives, alkylcarboxamides derivatives and acetamide derivative, phthalimides, alkylamines and all other amide and imide derivatives and their 1-hydroxy analogs. The derivatives of the present invention are also soluble in common organic solvents to facilitate the purification in a large scale synthesis of the composition.

Abstract: A vaccine, effective in inducing the production of antibodies with which to immunize a second subject passively against infection by Gram-negative bacteria and LPS-mediated pathology, comprises a non-covalent polyvalent complex formed between purified, detoxified LPS derived from E. coli and purified outer membrane protein derived from N. meningitidis. The same vaccine will also actively immunize a host subject against Gram-negative bacterial infections and LPS-mediated pathology. Meningococcal infections are included among those Gram-negative bacterial infections protected against by the vaccine.

Abstract: We describe a bacterial delivery system for the delivery of DNA and antigens into cells. We constructed an attenuated bacterial vector which enters mammalian cells and ruptures delivering functional plasmid DNA and antigens into the cell cytoplasm. This Shigella vector was designed to deliver DNA to colonic surfaces, thus opening the possibility of oral and other mucosal DNA immunization and gene therapy strategies. The attenuated Shigella is also useful as a vaccine for reducing disease symptoms caused by Shigella.