Abstract: A protein antigen (SSP2) on the surface of Plasmodium sporozoites is disclosed as a candidate immunogen for vaccination against malaria. This use of this protein, which is distinct from the extensively characterized circumsporozoite (CS) protein, will also facilitate research into host immunological responses to malaria. This antigen is detected by a monoclonal antibody (NYS4) which is specific for a 140 kilodalton (kD) protein on the sporozoite cell surface. Immunoreactive genomic clones are described which express this surface antigen gene and the primary nucleic acid sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence derived from this DNA sequence are disclosed. Unique repetitive sequences of amino acids are described which further demonstrate the distinction between SSP2 and the CS protein. A synthetic peptide containing repeating epitopes of SSP2 derived protein antigen and which are substantially shorter in length than the intact antigen are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a method and algorithm for rapidly quantifying phagocytic functions using computer image analysis (CIA) of video light microscopic images. The method and algorithm involve sequential acquisition of bright field or phase contrast and epi-fluorescence video microscopic images of respective field, addition of the images, decision making, object referencing, morphological feature extraction, arithmetic operations, and statistical analysis. This invention provides significantly faster phagocytic functions analysis than manual microscopic examination and more detailed quantitative morphological data than flow cytometery.

Abstract: The invention is a device encompassing and warming the extremity of a wor in a cold wet environment. The device can take the form of a glove, sock and/or arm and/or leg warmer. The device contains a coil surrounding the extremity. The coil forms an envelope surrounding each extremity and each digit of an extremity. A water free, RF transmitting zone encompasses the coil envelope. The coil, extremity and RF transmitting zone combine to provide a resonant frequency with the operating frequency with which the coil is driven. The combination warms the interior of the extremity. The RF energy is provided from a source carried at some other point on the subjects body. The entire combination on each extremity and the power source can be encompassed in a shield layer which absorbs or reflects RF energy into the extremity.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide of the human malaria Plasmodium vivax, containing at st one repeat of a synthetic peptide having the amino acid sequence Ala-Gly-Asp-Arg (AGDR) which is a protective epitope found on the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of the sporozoites of the human maleria Plasmodium vivax. When a monoclonal antibody specific for this four amino acid sequence binds to the CS protein of the P. vivax sporozoite in vivo, infection is prevented. Also described are pharmaceutical formulations of these peptides.

Abstract: A novel immuno-dye reagent capable of detecting the presence of endotoxin in samples has been developed. The immuno-dye reagent comprises a solution of new methylene blue and an anti-endotoxin monoclonal antibody specific to a selected endotoxin. The immuno-dye reagent can be used in an assay to detect endotoxin by reacting the immuno-dye reagent with an endotoxin suspect pH adjusted sample, under hydrophobic conditions. The immuno-dye reagent can also be used in any application where binding of endotoxin is crucial, such as purifying endotoxin-contaminated solutions.

Abstract: A positive pressure blotting apparatus having a bottom section, at least middle section and a top section. A first volume of space is encompassed between the top section and the middle section. A positive pressure is maintained in the first volume of the apparatus. A second volume of space is encompassed between the middle section and the bottom section to capture eluate. An alignment means is used to align the top section to the middle section. A means is provided to apply positive pressure in the first volume. A hydropholic filter means for binding biological materials is positioned on or in the middle section, and a means is provided to secure the top, middle and bottom section together to form a pressure blotting apparatus.