Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV gag and modifications of HIV gag are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules are codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through stimulation of neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled or air-cooled air conditioning system for corrosive industrial environments is disclosed. The system includes a corrosion-resistant lower or upper cooling module releasably connected to an external source of cool liquid or air and power, and a corrosion-resistant upper or lower blower module releasably connected to an external power source. The two modules are contained within a single corrosion-resistant enclosure. Each module is mounted on a removable frame for placement into either an upper or lower chamber of the enclosure. The system is designed to allow all major air-conditioning components to be quickly disconnected, and removed from the enclosure for maintenance, repair or replacement, on site with minimal work stoppage. The heavy-duty components used increase system durability, reduce component failure, and increase system life ultimately resulting in low cost of ownership.

Abstract: A lighted cap is described, comprising a cap having a crown and a bill, and a light structure rotatably fixed to a point on the bill. Rotation to a forward-facing direction for the light results in contacting a contact point that closes a circuit, thereby supplying power to the lamp in the rotatable light structure. The light is used for nighttime activities, such as fishing, when light is needed and a light-weight hat is desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for above-ground plant growth, and air root pruning which provides significant advantages over known methods of conducting above-ground plant growth and air root pruning.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a binding for a water recreational device, which comprises a system for lubricating portions thereof to assist the user in inserting his/her foot into the binding. Also disclosed are methods and kits relating to such lubricating binding system.

Abstract: Compositions and/or formulations containing minoxidil as an active ingredient in combination with other active agents and/or enhancer agents (e.g., saw palmetto extract and nettle root extract) are provided. The compositions and/or formulations increase the hair growth capability of the composition. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions to treat male patterned baldness and to stimulate hair growth on the scalp, including both the apex and frontal regions of the scalp.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved helper-dependent vector system for production of high capacity adenoviral cloning vectors. The invention makes use of the DNA size packaging constraints imposed on a pIX-defective Ad virion that prevent such virions from packaging DNA larger than approximately 35 kb. This constraint can be used to develop helper viruses that do not package their DNA. In one embodiment, the invention combines this methodology with the Cre-loxP helper-dependent system to decrease the quantity of contaminating helper virus in vector preparations. In another embodiment the invention is used for vector growth.

Abstract: Microtiter-like plates containing virtual wells formed by an arrangement of relatively hydrophilic domains within relatively hydrophobic fields are provided. Assay mixtures are confined to the hydrophilic domains of the virtual wells by the edges of the hydrophobic fields. The use of virtual wells allows one to perform homogeneous and capture and wash high throughput screening assays with assay mixtures having volumes on the order of about 100 nl to 10 &mgr;l. Virtual wells also provide a means of easily moving fluids, which is particularly useful for simultaneous additions needed for kinetic studies and flash detection and washing. Methods for controlling evaporation during the dispensing of reagents as well as during incubation of high throughput screening utilizing microtiter-like plates containing virtual wells are also provided.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: Synthetic polynucleotides comprising a DNA sequence encoding a peptide or protein are provided. The DNA sequence of the synthetic polynucleotides comprise codons optimized for expression in a nonhomologous host. The invention is exemplified by synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV env as well as modifications of HIV env. The codons of the synthetic molecules include the projected host cell's preferred codons. The synthetic molecules provide preferred forms of foreign genetic material. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity. This invention provides polynucleotides which, when directly introduced into a vertebrate in vivo, including mammals such as primates and humans, induces the expression of encoded proteins within the animal.

Abstract: This invention is a novel method for perfusion of a porous implant which achieves efficient interpenetration of desired factors into and removal of undesirable factors from the pores of the implant, cleaning of the implant, efficient passivation of the implant (inactivation of pathogens, microorganisms, cells, viruses and the like and reduction in antigenicity thereof), and the novel implant produced by such treatment. The process presents a system wherein the rate of pressure cycling, the fact of pressure cycling, and the amplitude of pressure cycling, results in highly cleaned tissues and other implants for implantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the problems with known cements by providing a composition comprising (a) microscopic anhydrous pellets or particles containing the most important components of biological fluids or synthetic biological fluids (SBFs), (b) bioactive glass or other bioactive ceramic particles and (c) an appropriate resin such as, but not limited to, bisphenol-alpha-glycidyl methacrylate (BIS-GMA), to form a bone-forming cement which enhances (accelerates) bone production and bone bonding.

Abstract: A device for displaying indicia is constructed to fit onto a mirror housing of an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle. The device, upon installation, displays a desired indicia facing the front of the vehicle without obstructing the view of the mirrored surface facing the rear of the vehicle. Variations in structure are provided. Preferred embodiments provide for removal of the device without harm to the mirror housing, and also provide for ready change-out of indicia. The invention also relates to kits and methods employing embodiments of the device.

Abstract: Devices, methods of using the devices, and kits are described that provide a protective barrier device between an air delivery structure of an air conditioning unit and the ceiling components that are adjacent to the air delivery structure. The device is a unitary water-impermeable structure having surfaces that act as barrier, preventing condensation collecting on the air delivery structure from passing to the sorrounding ceiling components. A preferred embodiment of the invention has a surface projecting into the space being cooled, said surface deflecting air from the adjacent ceiling structures, thereby reducing or preventing collection of dirt or other particles, or moisture, from depositing on the adjacent ceiling components.

Abstract: In the present invention, viruses, plasmids or both are constructed which contain viral DNA and lox sites positioned such that site-specific recombination between lox sites in separate plasmids results in generation of infectious viral DNA at high-efficiency in cotransfected host cells that have been engineered to express the Cre recombinase. Because of the high-efficiency and specificity of the Cre enzyme, suitably engineered plasmids can be readily recombined to produce infectious virus at high-efficiency in cotransfected 293 cells, without, at the same time, producing wild-type adenovirus, with the attendant problems for removal thereof. Use of recombinases besides Cre and recombinase recognition sites besides lox sites, and use of cells other than 293 cells are also disclosed and enabled, as are kits incorporating the site-specific vector system, as well as compositions and methods for using such compositions as vaccines or in gene therapeutic applications.