Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to cytomegalovirus (CMV) latent transcripts, latency-associated polypeptides and antibodies directed against such polypeptide. The polypeptides are encoded by CMV DNA sequences and are produced specifically during latent infection. Also provided are methods of detecting CMV in a sample, particularly CMV in a latent state. The methods include RT-PCR-based methods and immunodiagnostic methods.

Abstract: Dispersibility of a respirable powder, administrable by inhalation, is increased by including a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polypeptide.

Abstract: Dispersibility of a respirable powder, administrable by inhalation, is increased by including a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polypeptide.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and compositions are provided for spray-dried, interferon-based dry powder compositions, particularly interferon-beta. The compositions are useful for treating conditions in humans that are responsive to treatment with interferons. In particular, the methods of the present invention rely on spray drying to produce stable, high-potency dry powder formulations of interferons, including but not limited to IFN-beta. Surprisingly, it has been found that IFN can be prepared in high potency, dry powder formulations by spray drying. Such dry powder formulations find particular utility in the pulmonary delivery of IFN.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a family of unique antimycotic lipopeptide compounds produced by Pseudomonas viridiflava. The lipopeptides are effective against both human and plant fungal pathogens, and are typically characterized by their ability to inhibit growth of Candida albicans. Representative lipopeptides of the invention have molecular weights of 1137, 1153, 1164 and 1181 daltons.

Abstract: In a composition which has an amorphous, undercooled, glassy phase containing a water-soluble or water-swellable substance in an amorphous form, a sugar, which is capable of existing as a crystalline hydrate, is used as an agent to dehydrate the amorphous phase by crystallization therefrom, and thereby enhance the glass transition temperature of the residual amorphous phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification and isolation of a promoter region from a raspberry genome. The promoter is operably linked, in a native raspberry genome, to the coding region of a raspberry E4 gene. The raspberry E4 gene promoter of the invention is capable of regulating moderate level, constitutive expression of a heterologous plant gene under its control. The invention is further directed to chimeric genes, cassette vectors, kits, transgenic plants, and methods employing a raspberry E4 promoter.

Abstract: A method of stably encapsulating a weak acid drug in liposomes, at a high concentration, is disclosed. The method employs a proton shuttle mechanism involving the salt of a weak acid to generate a higher inside/lower outside pH gradient. The weak acid compound accumulates in liposomes in response to this gradient, and may be retained in the liposomes by cation-promoted precipitation or low permeability across the liposome transmembrane barrier. Also disclosed is a reagent combination for practicing the method, and a liposome composition formed by the method.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E hepatitis. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of N-(ABCDE) hepatitis agent infection in primates. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. Methods are presented for the isolation of entire genomes corresponding to the N-(ABCDE) hepatitis agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric genes having (i) a DNA sequence encoding a product that is effective to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in fruit from the plant, and (ii) a promoter whose expression is induced during fruit ripening or by ethylene synthesis by the fruit, where the DNA sequence is heterologous to the promoter and the DNA sequence is operably linked to the promoter to enable expression of the product. The invention describes vectors and transgenic plants, vegetables, flowers and fruits carrying the chimeric gene, as well as methods related thereto.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified oligonucleotide primers designed to incorporate a cleavable moiety so that a 3' portion of the primer (linked to an extension product) can be released from an upstream 5' portion of the primer. Upon selective cleavage of the cleavable site, primer extension products that contain about five or fewer base pairs of the primer sequence are released, to provide more useful sizing and sequence information per fragment than extension products containing the entire primer.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for separating heteroduplex and homoduplex DNA molecules in a mixture. In the method, such a mixture is applied to a stationary reverse phase support. The heteroduplex and homoduplex molecules are eluted with a mobile phase containing an ion-pairing reagent and an organic solvent. The eluting is carried out under conditions effective to at least partially denature the heteroduplexes (e.g., thermal or chemical denaturing) resulting in the separation of the heteroduplexes from the homoduplexes. The method has many applications including, but not limited to, comparative nucleic acid sequencing, linkage analysis, evolutionary studies, forensics, identification of disease-causing gene mutations, genetic marker development and diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides 1,4-naphthoquinone compounds and a method for inhibiting tumor cell growth in a subject by administering such compounds. The compounds are represented by the structures: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.m COOX where m is 2 or 3 and X is H, methyl, or ethyl; R.sub.2 is halo or NHY, where Y is hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, hydroxylated lower alkyl, lower dialkylaminoalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or phenethyl; R.sub.3 is lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.m COOX, where m and X are as defined for R.sub.1 above; and R.sub.4 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower aminoalkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or phenethyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification and isolation of two different promoter regions from the raspberry genome. The promoter regions are operably linked, in a native raspberry genome, to the coding region of a raspberry dru1 gene. Promoters of the invention are capable of regulating moderate level, constitutive expression of heterologous plant genes under their control. The invention is further directed to chimeric genes, cassette vectors, kits, transgenic plants, and methods employing such promoters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric genes having (i) a DNA sequence encoding a product of interest, and (ii) a dru1 promoter, where said DNA sequence is heterologous to said promoter and said DNA sequence is operably linked to said promoter to enable expression of said product. The invention describes vectors, cells, plants, and fruits carrying the chimeric gene, as well as methods related thereto.

Abstract: The protease necessary for polyprotein processing in Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is identified, cloned, and expressed. Proteases, truncated protease, and altered proteases are disclosed which are useful for cleavage of specific polypeptides, and for assay and design of antiviral agents specific for HGV.