Abstract: Antigen and antibody vaccine composition effective in preventing hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes a peptide corresponding to a carboxyl terminal end region of the capsid protein encoded by the second open reading frame 2 of the HEV genome. The composition is effective in preventing HEV infection after vaccination. The antibody composition contains an antibody effective to block HEV infection of human primary hepatocytes in culture.

Abstract: The present invention defines an assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind specific DNA test sequences. The assay is also useful for determining the sequence specificity and relative DNA-binding affinity of DNA-binding molecules for any particular DNA sequence. Also described herein are potential applications of the assay, including: 1) the detection of lead compounds or new drugs via the mass screening of libraries of synthetic or biological compounds (i.e., fermentation broths); 2) the design of sequence-specific DNA-binding drugs comprised of homo- or hetero-meric subunits of molecules for which the sequence specificity was determined using the assay; and 3) the use of molecules for which sequence specificity was determined using the assay as covalently attached moieties to aid in the binding of nucleic acid or other macromolecular polymers to nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A low-noise, thin-film magnetic recording medium, and method of making the same, are disclosed. The medium has a multilayer magnetic-film construction, where the individual magnetic-film layers are isolated by a thin ferromagnetic film. The ferromagnetic layer is effective to reduce the medium noise and increase medium signal-to-noise ratio at least as much as a Cr isolation having the same isolation-layer thickness, but with substantially less reduction in overwrite.

Abstract: The present invention describes the production of interferon-.tau. proteins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The antiviral and anticellular proliferation properties of these proteins and polypeptides are disclosed. One advantage of the proteins of the present invention is that they do not have cytotoxic side-effects when used to treat cells. Structure/function relationships for the interferon-.tau. protein are also described. In one aspect, the invention includes ovine interferon-.tau.. In another aspect the invention includes multiple forms of human interferon-.tau..

Abstract: A combinatorial library composition and method for using the library to construct oligomers effective to bind to a selected ligand is disclosed. The library composition includes at least two sets of ar oligomer libraries, each library set having selected oligomer subunit positions filled by known subunits, and other subunit positions containing permutations of subunits. In the selection method, oligomers from each library set are identified, and a new permutation library formed of subunits corresponding to the highest binding affinity oligomers in each library is screened for binding affinity to the selected ligand.

Abstract: A target assembly for use in forming a protective overcoat in a magnetic recording medium is described. The assembly includes a centrally positioned target with inner and outer magnetic means adjacent the target. A sputtering shield is positioned between the target and the medium for controlling the amount and angle of material deposition on the medium. The assembly is effective to deposit an overcoat having a greater thickness in the inner landing zone of the medium than in the outer data zone. A method of using the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assaying bone collagen breakdown levels in a human subject useful to screen for the presence of bone resorption disorders. Also disclosed is a method for monitoring the progression and/or treatment response of a cancer condition which involves or has the potential to progress to a metastatic condition which involves abnormalities in bone resorption rates.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: A method for producing a high-density, position-addressable gene array is disclosed. The method includes contacting an array of different-sequence oligonucleotides having a unique, known combinatorial sequence associated with each position in the array with a set of extended gene probe templates which are complementary to the oligonucleotides at one of the template end regions. After hybridization, the oligonucleotides in the array are extended by strand-directed polymerization to form the probe array. Also disclosed is a probe array device formed by the method.

Abstract: A device for the dermal and transdermal delivery of liposomes or a formulation thereof. The device comprises an applicator element carrying a containment means to store the liposomes, a liposome delivery surface for the containment means to transfer the liposomes from storage to the skin when the surface is brought into operating proximity therewith and a detachable cover means for the surface. Preferably, the device comprises a screen covering the containment means. The screen is characterized in that it is sufficiently hydrophobic to constitute a barrier for preventing passage of the liposomes when the screen is not in contact with the skin. It also has a plurality of pores of sufficient diameter to allow passage of the liposomes through the screen when the screen is in contact with the skin.

Abstract: The present invention defines an assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind specific DNA test sequences. The assay is also useful for determining the sequence specificity and relative DNA-binding affinity of DNA-binding molecules for any particular DNA sequence. Also described herein are potential applications of the assay, including: 1) the detection of lead compounds or new drugs via the mass screening of libraries of synthetic or biological compounds (i.e., fermentation broths); 2) the design of sequence-specific DNA-binding drugs comprised of homo- or hetero-meric subunits of molecules for which the sequence specificity was determined using the assay; and 3) the use of molecules for which sequence specificity was determined using the assay as covalently attached moieties to aid in the binding of nucleic acid or other macromolecular polymers to nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A method for forming an overcoat having first and second layers in a magnetic recording medium is described. The first overcoat layer is deposited in a first sputtering chamber where the magnetic means for confining target plasma in the chamber are oriented to retain magnetic-field confinement about the target surface and to produce magnetic field lines between directly confronting portions of the confronting sputtering targets. The second overcoat layer is deposited under a nitrogen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention describes an expression vector useful for transfection of a selected mammalian host cell. The vector includes the following components: an Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) family of repeats; a copy of the EBV Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) gene that can be functionally expressed in the host cell; a eucaryotic DNA fragment, which provides the ability of the vector to replicate in host cells; and an expression cassette which comprises a promoter functional in said host cell, a coding sequence having 5' and 3' ends, where said coding sequence is functionally linked to said promoter, where said 5' end is adjacent the promoter and said 3' end is adjacent transcription termination sequences. The vector of the present invention is useful in the transfection of mammalian cells, including rodent and human cells. The vector is stably retained and replicates in concert with genomic sequences of the host cell, that is, the vector is typically replicated once per cell cycle.

Abstract: The present invention describes the production of interferon-.tau. proteins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The antiviral and anticellular proliferation properties of these proteins and polypeptides are disclosed. One advantage of the proteins of the present invention is that they do not have cytotoxic side-effects when used to treat cells. Structure/function relationships for the interferon-.tau. protein are also described. In one aspect, the invention includes ovine interferon-.tau.. In another aspect the invention includes multiple forms of human interferon-.tau..

Abstract: Method and composition for detecting one or more selected polynucleotide regions in a target polynucleotide. In the method, a mixture of sequence-specific probes are reacted with the target polynucleotide under hybridization conditions, and the hybridized probes are treated to selectively modify those probes which are bound to the target polynucleotide in a base-specific manner. The resulting labeled probes include a polymer chain which imparts to each different-sequence probe, a distinctive ratio of charge/translational frictional drag, and a detectable label. The labeled probes are fractionated by electrophoresis in a non-sieving matrix, and the presence of one or more selected sequences in the target polynucleotide are detected according to the observed electrophoretic migration rates of the labeled probes in a non-sieving medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to assess connective tissue, especially bone, metabolism in disease or to monitor therapy, which method comprises assessing the levels of native free collagen-derived crosslinks in biological fluids, especially urine. The method can be enhanced by concomitantly determining the levels of an indicator of bone formation in biological fluids of the same individual and assessing the differences between the degradation marker and the formation indicator. Antibodies which are specifically immunoreactive with forms of crosslinks which occur free in biological fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to assess connective tissue, especially bone, metabolism in disease or to monitor therapy, which method comprises assessing the levels of native free collagen-derived crosslinks in biological fluids, especially urine. The method can be enhanced by concomitantly determining the levels of an indicator of bone formation in biological fluids of the same individual and assessing the differences between the degradation marker and the formation indicator. Antibodies which are specifically immunoreactive with forms of crosslinks which occur free in biological fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating a compound capable of interacting specifically with a selected macromolecular ligand is disclosed. The method involves contacting the ligand with a combinatorial library of oligomers composed of morpholino subunits with a variety of nucleobase and non-nucleobase side chains. Oligomer molecules that bind specifically to the receptor are isolated and their sequence of base moieties is determined. Also disclosed is a combinatorial library of oligomers useful in the method and novel morpholino-subunit polymer compositions.

Abstract: A sputtering assembly for use in forming sputter deposited layers on a substrate is described. The assembly includes a pair of confronting sputtering targets for depositing sputtered layers onto the substrate and a movably mounted heating means for heating the substrate. A method of using the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a magnetic recording medium by sputtering a layer onto a substrate by DC-magnetron sputtering from a target while exposing the target to an RF signal is described. The RF signal is effective to extend the target utilization without significantly decreasing the sputtering rate. Also disclosed is an apparatus for use forming a medium in accordance with the method of the invention.