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. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV2 strain.

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. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV1 strain.

Abstract: This application discloses a multivalent opsonophagocytosis assay that does not rely on counting of bacterial colonies to determine bacteria viability following opsonophagocytosis. Instead, the method uses a metabolic colorimetric indicator to determine if viable bacteria are present. Also disclosed are arrays that can be used to determine the viability of bacteria following opsonophagocytosis.

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: Compositions and methods for the detection of Taenia solium and the diagnosis of T. solium infection are described. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the antigenic T. solium polypeptides gp50a, gp50b and gp50c are provided. The compositions contain synthetic antigenic polypeptides of larval origin prepared using the sequences described herein. Probes and primers for the detection or amplification of T. solium nucleic acid molecules are also described. The polypeptides can be administered to a human or animal to protect against T. solium infection. In addition, the polypeptides are useful as research tools for studying T. solium and as reagents in assays for the detection of T. solium antibodies in a biological sample. The methods are sensitive and specific assays that utilize the stable recombinant or synthetic antigenic polypeptides or nucleic acid molecules encoding the larval polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are indwelling medical devices suitable for introduction into the body of a subject, wherein the indwelling medical devices comprise one or more surfaces on which a bacterial biofilm can form, and an effective amount of a bacteriophage composition carried by one or more of the surfaces, wherein the bacteriophage composition inhibits formation of the bacterial biofilm on the indwelling medical device. Also disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting the formation of bacterial biofilms on indwelling medical devices.

Abstract: A protective barricade system to prevent persons from accidentally falling through holes in roofs or floors or from the edges of stairwells, balconies, or pitched roofs. The barricade system comprises a plurality of barricade brackets that are spaced apart and can be releasably attached to the underlying surface.

Abstract: Various technologies are described by which the usable portion or threshold value of a sigmoid curve is found. Such techniques can be useful, for example, when determining the concentration or presence of a substance in a test sample. Various techniques can avoid variability in results.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a dimorphic fungus, including differentiating a dimorphic fungus from other fungi are disclosed. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of a fungus, such as an internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS2) nucleic acid sequence of a dimorphic fungal rDNA, is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the nucleic acid indicates the sample was contacted by the fungus. Determining whether the nucleic acid sequence is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between a dimorphic probe, species-specific probe, and/or microbe-specific probe and a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to the ITS2 region of fungal rDNA. Kits and arrays for carrying out these methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are nucleic acid molecules which encode multiple highly conserved epitopes from HIV-1 proteins, and optionally also epitopes from CCR5; usually also included sequences that encode spacers between two or more of the epitopes. Some of the provided nucleic acid molecules further include sequences that encode targeting domains, useful for targeting the encoded protein into a pathway for enhancing epitope presentation in a vertebrate immune system. Also described are multivalent proteins encoded for by these nucleic acid molecules. The disclosure also encompasses immunogenic compositions that comprise one or more of the nucleic acid molecules, and/or one or more of the proteins encoded thereby, as well as methods of inducing an immune response against HIV-1 in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition containing one or more of these molecules. Also provided are cultured host cells containing within them one or more of the described nucleic acid molecules.

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: A reagent and method for the specific and highly sensitive detection of C. parvum in which the reagent is an antibody for a soluble C. parvum sporozoite antigen and the method is an immunoassay in which the antibody is used to detect or quantify C. parvum sporozoite antigen in a sample. The sample is treated to cause excystation of C. parvum oocytes, thereby releasing a C. parvum sporozoite antigen, and combined with antibodies specific for the sporozoite antigen under conditions to form an antibody-antigen complex. Detection of the complex indicates the presence of C. parvum in the sample. The assay allows recognition and detection of C. parvum in turbid samples, and due to a lack of crossreactivity with other Cryptosporidium species, is specific for C. parvum contamination or infection. The assay is highly sensitive, allowing for the detection of less than 100 oocysts per milliliter of sample.

Abstract: This invention, in one aspect, relates to synthetic immunoreactive peptides. These peptides are approximately 20-25 amino acids in length which are portions of the N termini of the M proteins of the most prevalent United States (U.S.) Group A Streptococcus (GAS) serotypes. At least some of the synthetic peptides can be recognized by M type-specific antibodies and are capable of eliciting functional opsonic antibodies and/or anti-attachment antibodies without eliciting tissue cross-reactive antibodies. In another aspect, it relates to compositions or vaccines comprising these synthetic serotype-specific peptides, including polypeptides and proteins. The invention may also be isolated antibodies which are raised in response to the peptides, compositions or vaccines. The invention further relates to kits for using the peptides, compositions, or antibodies.

Abstract: Antibodies to various fungal antigens are disclosed, including monoclonal antibody 9B4 that selectively binds an antigen of Stachybotrys chartarum spores not found in Stachybotrys chartarum mycelium. The antibodies may be used in a variety of methods, such as detecting the presence of fungal antigens in the environment or within a sample obtained from an animal or plant, or testing the effectiveness of an agent in binding an antigen.

Abstract: A rock bolt includes a hollow body and a gap along a length of the hollow body. At least one strain gauge is affixed to an inner surface of the rock bolt and is accessible from the gap. The rock bolt may include a data logger within the hollow body and coupled to receive signals from one or more strain gauges, and to record these signals in a memory. The data logger may comprise a data port adapted to be accessible from the outside of a bore hole into which the rock bolt is inserted. The data logger also may include at least one of a visual and auditory alarm. A graphic user interface software program can be used to download data from the data logger and set certain operating parameters of the data logger.

Abstract: Provided are Nocardia farcinica-specific primers comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1-39. Provided is a polynucleotide represented by SEQ ID NO:41 and SEQ ID NO:40. Further provided is a method of identifying a Nocardia farcinica infection in a subject with the primer identified by SEQ ID NO:1-39, or detecting the presence of a polynucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:40 or SEQ ID NO:41. Also provided is a method of identifying Nocardia farcinica infection in a subject by amplifying DNA from the subject using a Nocardia farcinica-specific primer comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1-39. Further provided is a kit for identifying Nocardia farcinica comprising a Nocardia farcinica-specific primer comprising SEQ ID: NO:1-39 and a kit for identifying Nocardia farcinica comprising a Nocardia farcinica specific primer capable of amplifying SEQ ID NO:41.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a group of new oligonucleotides sequences with human tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF-?) inhibiting activity, which includes DNA sequences and RNA sequences. These oligonucleotides or aptamer can specifically be bound to TNF-? and inhibit the cytoxicity of TNF-? to L929 cells. Therefore, the aptamer of the present invention may be used to detect TNF-? and provide a therapeutic method for diseases related to the increasing level of TNF-?. Compared with other TNF antagonists such as monoclonal antibody and soluble receptor, the present invention has high specificity, high affinity, quick penetration to target tissue, rapid plasma clearance, and lower immunogenecity. Turthermore, it can be used repeatedly and keeps high concentration in target tissue and the like. It has the advantages of affinity and specificity similar to monoclonal antibodies and also has permeability and pharmacokinetics characteristics similar to small molecular polypeptide.

Abstract: An automated microscope and computer system captures a set of images for a capture area in a plurality of focal planes. The images can then be integrated into composite images for browsing to simulate viewing an item, such as a biological sample, under a microscope. A corrective filter can be constructed from the images to avoid an effect called “tiling.” Before capture, variable focal plane error can be avoided by collecting z locations for a set of points in the capture area. During image browsing, entire composite images can be loaded into memory in compressed form. Compressed image portions can be pre-decompressed to avoid delay as a browsing user navigates throughout the composite images. Pre-decompression can be done by a thread separate from the thread performing navigation operations.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using enterovirus-specific primers for the detection and identification of enterovirus infection. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules and kits useful for detection and diagnostic testing of enterovirus infection in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling an arthropod pest population that include an eremophilane sesquiterpene pest control agent (such as, nootkatone or 13-hydroxy-valencene) and a dialkyl-substituted phenol pest control agent (such as, carvacrol) are disclosed. The compounds present in the compositions may be isolated from natural sources, semi-synthesized from naturally occurring compounds, or completely synthesized. The pest control compositions may be applied directly to a pest or the locus of a pest, and function as topical or ingestible pest toxins.