Abstract: Methods of detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype are disclosed, for example to detect, type, and/or subtype an influenza infection. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of an influenza virus, is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the influenza virus nucleic acid indicates the presence of influenza virus. Determining whether the influenza virus nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between an influenza specific probe, influenza type specific probe, and/or subtype specific probe and an influenza nucleic acid. Probes and primers for the detection, typing and/or subtyping of influenza virus are also disclosed. Kits and arrays that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers also are disclosed.

Abstract: A handle assembly mounted to a dynamometer measuring device including a base mounted to an input location of the measuring device. A plurality of arms extend in a lineal direction from the base and are arranged in spaced and gap defining fashion. The arms deflect inward relative to one another upon being exerted by a compressing force and concurrent with outputting a signal through at least one strain gauge wire extending from an interior of each arm to the measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses isolated nucleic acids containing transcriptional units which encode a signal sequence of one flavivirus and an immunogenic flavivirus antigen of a second flavivirus. The invention further encompasses a nucleic acid and protein vaccine and the use of the vaccine to immunize a subject against flavivirus infection. The invention also provides antigens encoded by nucleic acids of the invention, antibodies elicited in response to the antigens and use of the antigens and/or antibodies in detecting flavivirus or diagnosing flavivirus infection.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to rabies virus, antigen binding portions thereof, and methods of making and using such antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof for treating rabies virus in a subject, are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses isolated nucleic acids containing transcriptional units which encode a signal sequence of one flavivirus and an immunogenic flavivirus antigen of a second flavivirus or of a chimeric immunogenic flavivirus antigen comprising sequence from more than one flavivirus. The invention further encompasses a nucleic acid and protein vaccine and the use of the vaccine to immunize a subject against flavivirus infection. The invention also provides antigens encoded by nucleic acids of the invention, antibodies elicited in response to the antigens and use of the antigens and/or antibodies in detecting flavivirus or diagnosing flavivirus infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a sampling apparatus that utilizes one or more cyclone separators to collect airborne particles from the atmosphere. In one representative embodiment, the sampling apparatus includes a collection-vessel retaining member that is adapted to be removably coupled to a collection vessel. The retaining member has an air-inlet conduit for permitting air to flow through the open end of the collection vessel and an air-outlet conduit for permitting air to exit the open end of the collection vessel. The air-inlet conduit and the air-outlet conduit are configured to cause air flowing into the collection vessel to establishes a cyclonic flow path, which causes airborne particles to separate out from the air stream and collect in the collection vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nasal drug delivery comprises a first tube in fluid communication with a means for generating a negative pressure and a second tube in fluid communication with an aerosol. The first tube is contacted with one nostril, the said second tube is contacted with the other nostril, and a negative pressure is applied to the first tube, producing a negative pressure within a nasal cavity and causing the aerosol to be drawn into the nasal passages and to deposit on an internal nasal surface.

Abstract: A safety device for measuring and indicating the level of a ladder having rungs extending between a pair of elongated ladder rails, the safety device comprising a housing dimensioned to be inserted into one of the rungs of the ladder, an electronic sensor disposed in the housing, a controller disposed in the housing, which is in electronical communication with the sensor, at least one indicator, and a power supply for supplying power to the device. The electronic sensor measures the inclination of the ladder to produce a measured inclination which the controller compares to a stored predetermined level value to produce a comparison signal. The at least one indicator receives the comparison signal and indicates to the user the comparison signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against avian or pandemic influenza. The compositions include adenovirus vectors comprising avian influenza antigens, recombinant adenovirus and immunogenic compositions comprising such recombinant vectors and adenovirus. Methods for eliciting an immune response against avian or pandemic influenza involving administering such adenovirus vectors or recombinant adenovirus are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and devices for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies and the diagnosis of disease, for example, syphilis, are described. In particular, a method for immobilizing a lipoidal antigen, comprising cardiolipin, lecithin, and cholesterol, on a solid support (such as a nitrocellulose membrane) is described. The ability to immobilize a lipoidal antigen on a membrane satisfies a long-felt need for a membrane-based assay for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies. Also described are immunoassay devices for concurrently performing treponemal and non-treponemal tests for syphilis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting and/or differentiating among Candida organisms, including C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, are disclosed. Exemplary methods involve screening a sample suspected of containing at least one or more Candida sp. for the presence or absence of a nucleic acid sequence specific for each such fungal pathogen. Some disclosed methods permit the rapid and simultaneous detection and identification of several fungal pathogens (e.g., up to 100 fungi) in a single sample.

Abstract: The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules containing transcription units which encode the flavivirus M and E protein antigens. The flaviviruses include Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue, yellow fever virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. The nucleic acids function to provide the M and E protein antigens when the nucleic acid resides in an appropriate host cell, especially when the host cell is the cell of a subject. The invention also encompasses a vaccine whose active agent is the nucleic acid. The invention further encompasses the cultured host cells when they contain within them nucleic acid molecules containing the transcription units. The invention in addition encompasses a method of immunizing a subject against flavivirus infection by administering to the subject an effective amount of a vaccine containing a nucleic acid molecule containing the transcription unit of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents and methods for the modulation of viability of bacteria. A process is provided wherein a protein sequence from A. americanum saliva effective in reducing the viability of gram positive, gram negative, or acid-fast bacteria and spirochetes including B. burgdurferi is administered. The inventive protein from A. americanum saliva has utility as a therapeutic for the treatment of an organism infected with bacteria, particularly the spirochete B. burgdorferi.

Abstract: The invention relates to live attenuated VDV1 (VERO-Derived Dengue serotype 1 virus) strains which have been derived from the wild-type dengue-1 strain 16007 by passaging on PDK and sanitization on Vero cells and nucleic acids thereof. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV1 strain.

Abstract: The invention relates to live attenuated VDV2 (VERO-Derived Vaccine Dengue serotype 2) strains which have been derived from the wild-type dengue-2 strain 16681 by passaging on PDK and Vero cells and nucleic acids thereof. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV2 strain.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a mask body with a perimeter. The mask has a use position wherein the mask body covers at least the mouth and nose and the perimeter is in contact with the face surrounding at least the mouth and nose. At least one ultrasonic sensor is supported on the mask body in detecting proximity to the perimeter. The ultrasonic sensor is operable to detect ultrasound. The ultrasonic sensor allows leakage around the perimeter of the mask body to be detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes, which are capable of interacting with the disclosed nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids encoding the reverse transcriptase or protease of HIV as disclosed herein. Thus, provided is an oligonucleotide comprising any one of the nucleotide sequences set for in SEQ ID NOS:1-89, and 96-104. Also provided are the oligonucleotides consisting of the nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-89, and 96-104. Each of the disclosed oligonucleotides is a probe or a primer. Also provided are mixtures of primers and probes and for use in RT-PCR and primary PCR reactions disclosed herein. Provided are methods for the specific detection of several mutations in HIV. Mutations in both the reverse transcriptase and the protease of HIV can be detected using the methods described herein.

Abstract: An enclosure is provided having openings for entry of rodents within the enclosure. There is arranged one or more applicators in the form of a suspended flexible web configured to contact rodents entering the chamber and having a chemical on the web for application to the rodents.

Abstract: Chimeric flaviviruses that are avirulent and immunogenic are provided. The chimeric viruses are constructed to contain amino acid mutations in the nonstructural viral proteins of a flavivirus. Chimeric viruses containing the attenuation-mutated nonstructural genes of the virus are used as a backbone into which the structural genes of a second flavivirus strain are inserted. These chimeric viruses elicit pronounced immunogenicity yet lack the accompanying clinical symptoms of viral disease. The attenuated chimeric viruses are effective as immunogens or vaccines and may be combined in a pharmaceutical composition to confer simultaneous immunity against several strains of pathogenic flaviviruses.

Abstract: Provided are antigenic polypeptides of HIV envelope glycoproteins which are constructed based on amino acid mutation of attenuated live vaccine of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus, DNA constructions and recombinant virus vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides, antibodies against said polypeptides as well as uses thereof in preventing and treating HIV infection. Said antigenic polypeptides and vaccines can induce high titer neutralization antibodies against HIV in organism.