Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor belt cleaning apparatus for use with belt conveyors. The invention provides a conveyor belt cleaning apparatus (1) for use with a belt conveyor, the cleaning apparatus comprising a first arm (20a) and a second arm (20b) adapted to support a scraping blade (30), the first and second arms being rotatably mounted on a shaft (2) for independent rotation about an axis, the rotation of the arms causing corresponding positional adjustments of the scraping blade (30) with respect to the belt. The mountings (21a, 21b) of each arm (20a, 20b) on the shaft (2) includes a biasing means which, in use, acts to bias the arms towards the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes an intermediate arm (40) located midway between the first arm (20a) and the second arm (20b) one end of which is connected to the shaft (2) and the opposing end of which is connected to the scraping blade (30) to provide support for the scraping blade (30).

Abstract: A novel transcriptional regulatory element which was isolated from the MnSOD gene and which exhibits promoter-enhancer activity is disclosed. The promoter-enhancer activity of the element is further modulated by inflammatory mediators to regulate transcription. Methods of using the promoter-enhancer element to regulate gene expression, and therapeutic uses involving the promoter-enhancer element are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating disease conditions in humans associated with an antigen specific immune response by the human to an antigen such as a protein antigen (i.e. allergy and autoimmune diseases). Therapeutic compositions of the invention are reproducible preparations which are suitable for human therapy. Compositions of the invention comprise at least one isolated peptide having a defined sequence of amino acid residues and the composition is capable of down regulating an antigen specific immune response to an offending antigen in a population of humans subject to the antigen specific immune response. Compositions and methods of the invention may be used to treat sensitivity to protein allergens in humans and may also be used to treat autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, Grave's disease, Good Pasture's syndrome, thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding an allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p III, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Der p III activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 24,985 daltons is also described. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Der p III nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having an activity of Der p III. Peptides having an activity of Der p III can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to house dust mites.

Abstract: A method and composition for the encapsulation of hydrophilic molecules in submicron particles is disclosed. The particles are composed of a water-in-oil microemulsion surrounded by one or more biocompatible polymers.

Abstract: Formulations for controlled, prolonged release of bioactive molecules such as therapeutic proteins, peptides and oligonucleotides have been developed. These formulations are based on solid microparticles or nanoparticles formed of the combination of biodegradable, synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and copolymers thereof. Bioactive molecules are coupled to hydrophilic polymers such as polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol and formulated to provide controlled release. The bioactive molecules are more stable, less immunogenic and have improved release rate profiles with lower burst levels and increased drug loading relative to the same bioactive molecules lacking coupled hydrophilic polymers. The controlled release formulations can be administered by injection, by inhalation, nasally, or orally.

Abstract: Cells transformed to express on their surface a component which binds to an Fc receptor of an effector cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are expression vectors used to transform the cells. Once transformed, the cells bind to effector cells via the Fc receptor of the effector cell to stimulate an effector cell mediated immune response.

Abstract: Isolated cranberry seed oil and components thereof, in a form suitable for use as a foodstuff, dietary supplement, or pharmaceutical composition, are disclosed. The isolated cranberry seed oil or compositions comprising one or a combination of components derived from the cranberry seed oil can be used as anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antithrombotic, antioxidizing, antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunoregulatory agents. In addition, the invention features novel methods of extracting cranberry seed oil from cranberry seeds in a form suitable for adding to foodstuffs, dietary supplements, or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Novel genes and vectors exhibiting increased expression and novel splicing patterns are disclosed. The gene can comprise one or more consensus or near consensus splice sites which have been corrected. The gene can alternatively or additionally comprise one or more introns within coding or noncoding sequences. The gene can still further comprise modified 5′ and/or 3′ untranslated regions optimized to provide high levels and duration of tissue-specific expression. In one embodiment, the gene comprises the coding region of a full-length Factor VIII gene modified by adding an intron within the portion of the gene encoding the &bgr;-domain, so that the gene is expressed as a &bgr;-domain deleted Factor VIII protein. The novel Factor VIII gene can also be modified to correct one or more consensus or near consensus splice sites within or outside of the coding region.

Abstract: The invention relates to linear and cyclic peptide and pseudopeptide compounds useful as analgesics, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, the use of the compounds and the compositions in the treatment of pain, and commercial packages containing such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: GDF promoters (e.g., GDF-8 promoters) are described. Also described are methods of using the GDF promoters to regulate tissue-specific gene expression, and to identify compounds which regulate GDF expression.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cyaniding reagents for binding to Fc&ggr;RI receptors, and methods and kits for use therefor are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for transforming cells, resulting in efficient and stable site-specific integration of transgenes, are disclosed. Transformation is achieved by providing an acceptor DNA containing two inverted lox sequences and a donor DNA containing the same two inverted lox sequences, and then contacting the acceptor and donor DNA with a recombinase (e.g., Cre or Flp) which causes recombination at the lox sequences contained in the DNAs. Prior to recombination, the acceptor DNA is preferably integrated into the genome of a cell, such as an embryonic stem cell or a fertilized egg. The acceptor DNA optionally may further contain a negatively selectable marker to allow for screening of cells which have undergone the desired site-specific recombination (e.g., DNA cassette exchange).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the typing of HLA alleles. The sequence of exon 2 and exon 3 of the alleles HLA-B*3913, HLA-B*1406 and HLA-B*51new and of exon 2 of the alleles HLA-DRB1*0820, HLA-DRB1*04new and HLA-DRB4*01new are disclosed. The present invention also relates to methods of typing of such alleles. According to a particular embodiment, typing of alleles is achieved by: i) amplifying a relevant fragment of the alleles with at least one suitable set of primers; ii) hybridizing the amplification product of step i) to at least one probe that specifically hybridizes to a target region comprising one or more polymorphic nucleotides in said relevant fragment; and iii) determining from the result of step ii) the absence or presence of the alleles in the sample. The present invention further provides primers and probes to be used in such methods of typing alleles. Diagnostic kits comprising such primers and probes are also included within the invention.

Abstract: Humanized antibodies are described which are specific to an Fc receptor (FcR). The humanized antibodies have at least a portion of a complementarity determining region (CDR) derived from a non-human antibody, e.g., murine, with the remaining portions being human in origin. The humanized antibodies can be used therapeutically as is or formulated as bifunctional molecules or immunotoxins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequences coding for the ryegrass pollen allergens Lol pIa and Lol pIb, purified Lol pIa and Lol pIb protein and fragments thereof, methods of producing recombinant Lol pIa and Lol pIb or at least one fragment thereof or derivative or homologue thereof, and methods of using the nucleic acid sequences, proteins and peptides of the invention.

Abstract: The oral vaccine of the present invention containing the HPV like particles is produced in edible transgenic plants and then administered through the consumption of the edible portion of those plants or after the purification of the particles. A DNA sequence encoding one of the HPV capsid proteins is isolated, inserted into the plasmid which comprises a plant-specific promoter and a gene for a selection marker, and then transferred to plant cells to give transgenic plants. Since the gene is expressed in a portion of the plants, the oral vaccine of the present invention can be produced in an inexpensive manner and administered in a simple method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in which preferably R3, R4 and R6 are each hydrogen; X is C═O or CH2; and R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C12)alkyl, (C3-C8)cycloalkyl and (C1-C12)alkyl(C6-C14)aryl; or R7 and R8 when taken together form a (C2-C7)alkylene group; or —NR7R8 together forms a (C2-C14)heterocyclic or substituted (C2-C14)heterocyclic. Such compounds modulate the activity of serine hydrolases and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: By virtue of the present invention, there is provided methods and compositions for interfering with the proliferation of cells infected and/or transformed by papillomaviruses. The processes and compositions of this invention may be used to treat any mammal, including humans. According to this invention, mammals are treated by the pharmaceutically acceptable administration of an E2ad/db protein, either directly or by gene transfer techniques, to reduce the symptoms of the specific papillomavirus-associated disease, or to prevent their recurrence.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions and methods of using the same to simultaneously treat eye surface inflammation and dry eye are disclosed. The ophthalmic preparation contains a tetracycline compound in aqueous solution. The preparation preferably further includes a balance of electrolytes sufficient to maintain or restore essentially normal levels of conjunctival mucus-containing goblet cells and corneal glycogen. These electrolytes can include potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate.