Abstract: An isolated and purified analog of Haemophilus influenzae Hin47 protein has a decreased protease activity which is less than about 10% of that of natural Hin47 protein and preferably substantially the same immunogenic properties as natural Hin47 protein. An isolated an purified nucleic acid molecule encoding the Hin47 analog may be provided in a recombinant plasmid which may be introduced into a cell which is grown to produce the Hin47 analog. Immunogenic compositions comprising the Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid may be formulated as vaccines for in vivo administration to a host, including a human, to confer protection against diseases caused by a bacterial pathogen, including Haemophilus species, such as Haemophilus influenzae, that produces Hin47 protein or a protein capable of inducing antibodies in the host specifically reactive with Hin47 protein. The Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid also may be employed in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing hypertrophic scar tissue in human skin comprising applying topically an effective amount of a non-toxic amine compound that is a transglutaminase inhibitor having a free amino group is disclosed. The amine compound that is a transglutaminase inhibitor is also selective for inhibiting Type III collagen peptide cross-linking.

Abstract: Differentially expressed Leishmania genes and proteins are described. One differentially expressed gene (A2) is expressed at significantly elevated levels (more than about 10 fold higher) in the amastigote stage of the life cycle when the Leishmania organism is present in macrophages than in the free promastigote stage. The A2 gene encodes a 22 kD protein (A2 protein) that is recognized by kala-azar convalescent serum and has amino acid sequence homology with an S-antigen of Plasmodium falciparum Vietnamese isolate VI. Differentially expressed Leishmania genes and proteins have utility as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, as tools for the generation of immunological reagents and the generation of attenuated variants of Leishmania.

Abstract: The in vivo chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer cells in a living animal is improved by first administering to the animal, a compound which inhibits normal cell proliferation while promoting malignant cell proliferation, specifically a potent antagonist selective for intracellular histamine receptors, in an amount sufficient to inhibit the binding of intracellular histamine to the receptors in normal and malignant cells. An enhanced toxic effect on the cancer cells from the chemotherapeutic agent is obtained while any adverse effect of the chemotherapeutic agent on normal cells, particularly bone marrow and gastrointestinal cells, is inhibited. In addition, long term continuous administration of the antagonist following administration of the chemotherapeutic agent results in at least amelioration of adverse side effects of chemotherapy on normal bone marrow and gastrointestinal cells.