Abstract: A device for removing grout from between a joint. The device comprises at least one handle member with at least one guide and at least one motor portion. The motor portion has at least one cutting member. The guide and the cutting member are aligned. The guide is adapted to guide the cutting member along the joint.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a major outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a MOMP or a MOMP fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with MOMP and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: A host is immunized against infection by a strain of Chlamydia by initial administration of an attenuated bacteria harbouring a nucleic acid encoding a Chlamydia protein followed by administration of a Chlamydia protein in ISCOMs. This procedure enables a high level of protection to be achieved.

Abstract: An extended release formulation of metformin hydrochloride is disclosed. The metformin hydrochloride is encased within polymeric film layers providing for gradual release of the metformin hydrochloride for over 12 and even 24 hours in the gastrointestinal tract and the blood plasma.

Abstract: Vectors containing a nucleotide sequence coding for an F protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a promoter for such sequence, preferably a cytomegalovirus promoter, are described. Such vectors also may contain a further nucleotide sequence located adjacent to the RSV F protein encoding sequence to enhance the immunoprotective ability of the RSV F protein when expressed in vivo. Such vectors may be used to immunize a host, including a human host, by administration thereto. Such vectors also may be used to produce antibodies for detection of RSV infection in a sample.

Abstract: Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbonhydrate fragments each linked to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inparts enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae which may be serotypes (1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F), or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype (A, B, C) W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from about 2 to about 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, LeY or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule.

Abstract: Attenuated strains of Leishmania are provided in which at least one gene contributing to virulence of the strain and expressed in both the promastigote and amastigote forms of the strain is functionally disabled, such as, by deleting at least a portion of the gene or by mutagenesis of the gene. The attenuated strain may be used for administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain or as a diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions including vaccines are described that comprise an outer membrane antigen extract of a strain of Chlamydia and are effective in protection against disease caused by Chlamydia infection The immunogenic compositions may comprise the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia which may be in a homooligomeric form or complexed with at least one other antigen of Chlamydia. The immunogenic composition may include an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) and the outer membrane antigen may be incorporated therein. The immunogenic compositions have utility as chlamydial vaccines and in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization is used to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a serine-threonine kinase (STK) of a strain of Chlamydia. A non-replicating vector, including a plasmid vector, contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a STK or a fragment of the STK that generates antibodies that specifically react with STK and a promoter sequence operatively coupled co the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the STK in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from gas streams by reaction with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur. The reaction is effected in a reaction medium comprising a non-aqueous Lewis base with a pKb value of about 6 to about 11.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligands are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and pseudo-&agr;-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine or terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and pseudo-&agr;-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen or antigens and adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric mircoparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody and protective responses.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode a FlaC flagellin protein of a strain of Campylobacter, particularly C. jejuni, or a fragment or an analog of the FlaC flagellin protein. The nucleic acid molecules may be used to produce proteins free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the FlaA or FlaB proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecules, proteins encoded thereby and antibodies raised against the proteins, may be used in the diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: Gas streams containing non-condensible gases (NCG's) including reduced sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and mercaptans, are treated to remove the NCG's from the gas stream. Following an optional initial gas-liquid contact to cool the gas stream to its adiabatic dewpoint and to remove particulates, the gas stream is subjected to an intimate gas-liquid contact with aqueous chlorine dioxide, in one or more contact stages, to oxidize the reduced sulfur compounds and other oxidizable compounds present in the gas stream, and then the gas stream is passed through an entrainment separator to remove entrained liquid droplets.

Abstract: Roofing membranes are provided with both high stiffness at high temperature (greater than 110 ° C.) and good flexibility at low temperature (less than −20 ° C.). Bituminous compositions may be more effectively used in such membranes at lower elastomer concentration than currently practiced, using conventional cross-linking reagents to prepare the modified bituminous compositions with a range of viscosities that are readily processed as compared with conventional non-cross-linked systems.

Abstract: Non-infectious, non-replicating immunogenic HIV-like particles are produced by stable long-term constitutive expression in mammalian cells by eliminating elements toxic to the mammalian cells. An expression vector contains a nucleic acid molecule comprising a modified HIV genome devoid of long terminal repeats and wherein Tat and vpr sequences are functionally disabled and a constitutive promoter operatively connected to the modified HIV genome for constitutive expression of the modified genome to produce the HIV-like particles.

Abstract: Oxygen permeation into a sealed container is determined both quantitatively or qualitatively by determining the intensity of color development of a reduced form of indigo-carmine dye in aqueous solution in the container.

Abstract: A greater yield of chlorine dioxide from a chlorine dioxide generating process is obtained by providing acidic or acidity-generating components in the product chlorine dioxide solution to provide a chlorine dioxide solution having a pH below about 5.5.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from gas streams by reaction with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur. The reaction is effected in a reaction medium comprising a non-aqueous Lewis base with a pKb value of about 6 to about 11. The reaction medium possesses a specific combination of properties: a) absorbs sulfur dioxide and reacts chemically therewith to form a reaction product; b) absorbs hydrogen sulfide; c) removes the hydrogen sulfide from the gas stream through contact of the gas stream with the reaction medium in the presence of free sulfur dioxide, and/or the reaction product; d) acts as a catalyst for the overall reaction of the hydrogen sulfide with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur; and (e) has the capacity to absorb sulfur dioxide in sufficient quantity to remove substantially all the hydrogen sulfide from the gas stream, notwithstanding short term variations in the stoichiometric balance between the hydrogen sulfide and the sulfur dioxide in the reaction medium.

Abstract: Attenuated strains of Mycobacterium, particularly species of the tuberculosis complex, have the mycobacterial cell entry (mce) gene functionally disabled. The gene may be disabled by an insertion into the gene which disrupts the mycobacterial cell entry function thereof of a selectable marker which is used for screen for homologous recombinants in which a double cross-over event has been effected. The attenuated strains may be used in the immunization of hosts against Mycobacterium disease.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles contain mutations to reduce gag-dependent RNA-packaging of the gag gene product, eliminate reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product, eliminate integrase activity of the pol gene product and eliminate RNase H activity of the pol gene product through genetic manipulation of the gag and pol genes. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis.