Abstract: An igniter composition, and a method of manufacturing the igniter composin, comprised of an oxidizer dispersed in polyurethane resin using anhydrous acetone as a solvent. The polyurethane resin is cured at room temperature and granulated to form a granulated igniter. The granulated igniter may be blended with powdered magnesium. Preferably, the oxidizer is strontium peroxide and the amount of polyurethane resin is approximately 10 to 14 parts by weight and the amount of strontium peroxide is approximately 90 to 86 parts by weight, the ideal mixture is 12 part by weight polyurethane resin and 88 parts by weight strontium peroxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of purifying cholera toxin using a matrix with at least one ion chosen from among matrix with Ni.sup.+2, Co.sup.+2, Cd.sup.2 or Zn.sup.+2 immobilized thereon. It is possible thereby to selectively elute the B subunit for cholera toxin from the matrix.

Abstract: A process for making a liposome preparation comprised of liposomes that contain an encapsulated material is disclosed. The process comprises (A) providing a plurality of portions of a lipid or liposome formulation; (B) hydrating each of the plurality of portions with a solution comprising a material to be encapsulated; and (C) combining each of the plurality of portions to form a single liposome preparation. The liposome preparations can be used for drug delivery or as vaccines.

Abstract: A method of modifying esterases by substitution with histadine of at least one amino acid within 6 .ANG. of an active site serine provides esterases useful for detoxifying organophasphates.

Abstract: Provided is a breeding container which is adapted to be lethal to container breeding mosquitoes which contains:a walled structure defining an internal volume, the walled structure being constructed and arranged to contain an aqueous liquid within at least a portion of the internal volume;at least one opening in the walled structure disposed so as to allow mosquitoes to enter the walled structure;mosquito egg laying structure in the internal volume constructed and arranged such that female mosquitoes contact a surface of the mosquito egg laying structure; andan insecticide that is lethal to mosquitoes present in an amount sufficient to kill the female mosquitoes in contact with the surface. Also provided is a lethal mosquito breeding container kit and a method for controlling the population of container breeding mosquitoes.

Abstract: A label-based assay is described, through modifications of substrate strure and derivatization of serum albumin, which can be used to determine type A proteolytic activity without separation of products.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections, including particularly infections caused by bacteria, Mycobacteria and gi. A preferred group of compositions of the invention contain as active agents compounds containing pyridyl, quinolyl or benzoquinolyl ring systems substituted on the nitrogen-containing ring at the carbon opposite the nitrogen by a carbon bound to an oxygen which is also bound to a nitrogen through a saturated carbon or carbon chain, or, in the case of the pyridyl ring system, the substituent at the 4 position of the pyridyl ring may be an alkyl which may be substituted with halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino or alkylamino.

Abstract: A simple polymerase chain reaction procedure is described for the detection and differentiation of Shigella from other pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, such as EIEC and EPEC. Serotype specific primers derived from the rfc genes of different Shigella strains are used to identify the most prominents Shigella serotypes, such as S. sonnei, S. flexneria 1 through 5, and S dysenteriae 1. More than 95% of Shigellosis cases reported could be identified by the serotype specific primers described.

Abstract: The vaccines are prepared by isolating the Brucella genes complementing mutations in the purEK genes of Escherichia coli, physically mapping, determining the DNA sequence, constructing a defined deletion mutation by polynucleotide chain reaction (PCR), introducing a selectable marker into the deletion, and then selecting a purE mutant in Brucella arising by allelic exchange. The resulting Brucella require purines for growth because they lack the purE gene product that is required for the carboxylation of 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole.

Abstract: A fiber optic periodontal endoscope includes a lens and light housing assly attached to a handle end tip containing fiber optic bundles transmitting light from the source to illuminate the probe tip. The returning image traveling back through the handle along the fiber optic bundle is reflected off a mirror toward the magnification lens housed in a portion of the assembly which is at right angles to the light housing portion. The probe has two rotating joints, one between the tip and handle and the other between the assembly and handle to enable rotation of the lens for ease of viewing and additional rotation of the probe tip to allow for illumination and visualization at the side of the tip.

Abstract: A consensus poptide of 36 amino acids has been designed which acts as an immunogen raising antibodies against the proteins of all members of the E. coli family CS4-CFA/1. While the N-terminus of members of this family of organisms shows a high degree of identity, the remainder of the sequence of the proteins shows much less homology across the strains. The region of the protein represented in the subunit encompasses known linear B- and T-cell epitopes of CFA/I. The consensus peptide has a high level of homology to strains bearing six different colonization factors.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of antibodies against lipid A by using encapsulating slow-releasing delivery materials or devices containing concentrations of lipid A that are greater than could be given safely to humans in the absence of said materials or devices. The antibodies to lipid A can be used for binding the antibodies to the lipid A that are present in the lipopolysaccharide that coats the surface of the Gram-negative bacteria.

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, such as a mammalian expression plasmid, 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.

Abstract: Production of proteins in bacteria containing DNA sequences encoding proteins under the control of a temperature-regulated promotor is improved by growing the organisms at temperatures of less than 35.degree. C. until the late logarithmic phase. Thereafter the temperature may be raised to 36.degree. C. to 39.degree. C. Antigens produced by the method of the invention may be used as vaccines, as means for measuring efficacy of vaccines, as probes to detect antigens from clinical samples and for biochemical characterization of antigens.

Abstract: A method of detoxifying organophosphates using mutant cholinesterase which esists aging. The addition of oximes to the cholinesterase further retards aging of the cholinesterase.

Abstract: This invention includes a plurality of ambient sensors at least one human subject stimulator, at least one sensor adapted to detect the human subject response to the stimuli, and a controller programmed to receive information from the environmental or ambient sensors, to control the stimulators, and to record the human subject's response to the stimuli via the human response sensors. The invention can monitor and record, over a series of consecutive time periods, the human subject's vigilance, level of physical activity, and other physiological, physical, and chemical variables pertaining to the subject and his or her ambient environment. The invention can be used to prevent impairments in mental performance occurring due to fatigue or exposure to adverse environmental conditions or human subject condition.

Abstract: A surgical implant or external wound dressing which functions as both a hemostat and a device to safely and effectively deliver any of a number of pharmaceuticals to targeted tissue at a controlled rate is disclosed. The device generally comprises a carrier in the form of fibers, sutures, fabrics, cross-linked solid foams or bandages, a pharmaceutical in solid micoparticulate form releasably bound to the carrier fibers, and a lipid adjuvant which aids the binding of the microparticles to the fibers as well as their function in the body.

Abstract: The administration of sialidase inhibitors or sialic acid is useful as me for treating inflammatory conditions and for intervening in infectious processes in instances where pathogenicity of the disease-causing organism is increased by microbial surface interaction with host cells.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against the A chain of ricin have been found to be ective in protecting mammals from morbidity arising from exposure to ricin toxin. The neutralizing action of the antibodies does not appear to be mediated by complement or by immunoprecipitation. The antibodies of the invention are characterized as of isotype IgG1 having the binding characteristics which include: a) binding specifically to the neutralizing epitope of the ricin A chain and b) providing in vitro protection of at least 95% of EL-4 cells from 100 .eta.g/mL ricin challenge when said antibody is present in the tissue culture at a level of at least 1000 .eta.g/mL.

Abstract: A transportable life support system is for use in a battlefield and mass ualty situations and includes a base, a stretcher and a canopy. The base incorporates medical equipment that includes a ventilator, an oxygen source, an environmental control unit, a suction unit, a plurality of physiologic sensors, a intravenous fluid pump, a drug infusion pump, and a defibrillator. The medical equipment is controlled by a computer contained within the base. A monitor displays the vitals signs of the wounded patient. A receiver/transmitter is included in the base for transmitting information to, and receiving information from, a remote health care provider. The system can be run from internal rechargeable batteries or external power. The canopy may be a hard shell or a soft shell. With the canopy in place, the transportable life support system serves as a miniature preoperative holding area or a post operative recovery room.