Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated protein comprising a filariid p22U protein. In a preferred embodiment, the filariid p22U protein selectively binds to immune serum which is derived from an animal that is immune to infection by Dirofilaria immitis. Such an animal can be immunized with a composition comprising third and/or fourth stage Dirofilaria immitis larvae. In a preferred embodiment, the filariid p22U protein is a Dirofilaria protein.

Abstract: Tissue which is suitable for transplant is treated with a growth factor and cells which populate the tissue and native cells must be removed, they cannot be "masked" reduce immunogenicity; this increases the longevity of the tissue upon transplant. The preferred growth factor is basic fibroblast growth factor, and the preferred cells are fibroblasts. The tissue can be an allograft or xenograft taken from a cow, pig or other mammal.

Abstract: Tissue which is suitable for transplant is treated with a growth factor and cells which populate the tissue and native cells must be removed, they cannot be "masked" reduce immunogenicity; this increases the longevity of the tissue upon transplant. The preferred growth factor is basic fibroblast growth factor, and the preferred cells are fibroblasts. The tissue can be an allograft or xenograft taken from a cow, pig or other mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: parasitic helminth asparaginase proteins; parasitic helminth asparaginase nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such asparaginase proteins; antibodies raised against such asparaginase proteins; and compounds that inhibit parasitic helminth asparaginase activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the observation that CD1 functions to present foreign and autoimmune antigens to a select subpopulation of T-cells. Based on this observation, the present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of a CD1-presented antigen in a sample, methods for purifying CD1-presented antigens, vaccines containing CD1-presented antigens, methods of blocking CD1 antigen presentation, methods of identifying and/or isolating CD1 blocking agents, methods of inducing CD1 expression, and T-cell lines for use in the methods disclosed herein. The CD1-presented antigens of the invention, unlike MHC-presented antigens, are non-polypeptide hydrophobic antigens. In particular, a CD1-presented antigen isolated from several mycobacterial species is a lipoarabinomannan (LAM).

Abstract: Genes which encode ACC synthase are identified for the geranium plant, specifically Pelargonium x hortorum cv sincerity. These genes are shown as modified to achieve a transgenic plant which resists wilting and the like as a result of reduced ethylene production. This alteration is reproduced by the transformed plant. Isolation of high quality mRNA is achieved through use and adaptation of a 2-butoxyethanol precipitation technique using large amount of initial tissue in order to achieve critical mass for precipitation.

Abstract: Immunogens derived from proteins isolatable from the L3 and L4 larval stages of nematodes parasitic in mammals, and including a protein of about 20.5 kD, are disclosed. The proteins of the invention are identified using biological materials verified to destroy or impair the parasitic nematode in an in vivo incubator. Cells, serum or fractions thereof obtained from immune natural hosts are validated in a method wherein a recoverable implant of the parasitic nematodes is used to assess the protective effect when these materials are provided passively to the animal incubator.

Abstract: The present invention provides for filariid nematode cysteine protease proteins; to filariid nematode cysteine protease nucleic acid molecules, in particular, Dirofilaria immitis L3 larval cysteine protease nucleic acid molecules and Onchocerca volvulus L3 larval cysteine protease nucleic acid molecules; to antibodies raised against such proteins, and to compounds that inhibit filariid nematode cysteine protease activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitors. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitors, and the use of such compositions to protect an animal from disease caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: The present invention provides for filariid nematode cysteine protease proteins; to filariid nematode cysteine protease nucleic acid molecules, in particular, Dirofilaria immitis L3 larval cysteine protease nucleic acid molecules and Onchocerca volvulus L3 larval cysteine protease nucleic acid molecules; to antibodies raised against such proteins, and to compounds that inhibit filariid nematode cysteine protease activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitors. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitors, and the use of such compositions to protect an animal from disease caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: Certain toxic compounds (T) such as, for example, compounds based upon diphtheria toxin, ricin toxin, pseudomonas exotoxin, .alpha.-amanitin, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), ribosome inhibiting proteins, especially the ribosome inhibiting proteins of barley, wheat, corn, rye, gelonin and abrin, as well as certain cytotoxic chemicals such as, for example, melphalan and daunomycin can be conjugated to certain analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to form a class of compounds which, when injected into an animal, destroy the gonadotrophs of the animal's anterior pituitary gland. Hence such compounds may be used to sterilize such animals and/or to treat certain sex hormone related diseases.

Abstract: Tissue which is suitable for transplant is treated with a growth factor and cells which populate the tissue and native cells must be removed, they cannot be "masked" reduce immunogenicity; this increases the longevity of the tissue upon transplant. The preferred growth factor is basic fibroblast growth factor, and the preferred cells are fibroblasts. The tissue can be an allograft or xenograft taken from a cow, pig or other mammal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining fatigue/surface crack features on metal surfaces is disclosed wherein the cracks may be empty, filled, or covered with a dielectric (e.g., paint). The present invention includes a microwave waveguide having an aperture for scanning over a surface and thereby characterizing changes in a standing wave within the waveguide when a crack is scanned. In particular, crack related data resulting from standing wave perturbations can be analyzed for determining crack geometric features such as crack width, crack depth, crack length and crack tips. These features are determinable with high precision in comparison to the size of the aperture. When locating and/or sizing the geometric features of a crack, voltage changes induced by higher order modes generated by various orientations of the crack in relation to the aperture are utilized for generating the crack related data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Trichinella diagnostic reagents that include a .beta.-tyvelose-containing composition and use of such reagents to detect Trichinella, and particularly Trichinella spiralis infections. The present invention also includes diagnostic kits based on such reagents and therapeutic agents based on the the knowledge that .beta.-tyvelose is produced by Trichinella spiralis parasites.

Abstract: Certain toxic compounds (T) such as, for example, compounds based upon diphtheria toxin, ricin toxin, pseudomonas exotoxin, .alpha.-amanitin, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), ribosome inhibiting proteins, especially the ribosome inhibiting proteins of barley, wheat, corn, rye, gelonin and abrin, as well as certain cytotoxic chemicals such as, for example, melphalan and daunomycin can be conjugated to certain analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to form a class of compounds which, when injected into an animal, destroy the gonadotrophs of the animal's anterior pituitary gland. Hence such compounds may be used to sterilize such animals and/or to treat certain sex hormone related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Trichinella diagnostic reagents that include at least one tyvelose-containing oligosaccharide, or functional equivalent thereof, and use of such reagents to detect Trichinella, and particularly Trichinella spiralis infections. The present invention also includes diagnostic kits based on such reagents and anti-Trichinella spiralis drugs based on the knowledge that tyvelose is produced by Trichinella spiralis parasites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated parasitic helminth nucleic acid sequences capable of hybridizing, under stringent conditions, to at least a portion of D. immitis nucleic acid sequence p4 and/or to at least a portion of D. immitis nucleic acid sequence p22U; to isolated parasitic helminth proteins that are encoded by such parasitic helminth nucleic acid sequences and that are capable of selectively binding to at least one component of immune serum capable of inhibiting helminth development; and to antibodies raised against such isolated parasitic helminth proteins. The present invention also relates to therapeutic compositions comprising such isolated nucleic acid sequences, proteins and/or antibodies. The present invention also includes methods to produce and use such nucleic acids, proteins, antibodies and therapeutic compositions capable of protecting animals from parasitic helminth infection and, particularly, from heartworm infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated parasitic helminth nucleic acid sequences capable of hybridizing, under stringent conditions, to at least a portion of D. immitis nucleic acid sequence p4 and/or to at least a portion of D. immitis nucleic acid sequence p22U; to isolated parasitic helminth proteins that are encoded by such parasitic helminth nucleic acid sequences and that are capable of selectively binding to at least one component of immune serum capable of inhibiting helminth development; and to antibodies raised against such isolated parasitic helminth proteins. The present invention also relates to therapeutic compositions comprising such isolated nucleic acid sequences, proteins and/or antibodies. The present invention also includes methods to produce and use such nucleic acids, proteins, antibodies and therapeutic compositions capable of protecting animals from parasitic helminth infection and, particularly, from heartworm infection.

Abstract: Certain toxic compounds (T) such as, for example, compounds based upon diphtheria toxin, ricin toxin, pseudomonas exotoxin, .alpha.-amanitin, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), ribosome inhibiting proteins, especially the ribosome inhibiting proteins of barley, wheat, corn, rye, gelonin and abrin, as well as certain cytotoxic chemicals such as, for example, melphalan and daunomycin can be conjugated to certain analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to form a class of compounds which, when injected into an animal, destroy the gonadotrophs of the animal's anterior pituitary gland. Hence such compounds may be used to sterilize such animals and/or to treat certain sex hormone related diseases.

Abstract: A diffuser introduces air into a conditioned space to obtain a desired indoor atmospheric environment. The diffuser has a diffuser body and an inlet through the diffuser body. The inlet has an inlet area to receive the air within the diffuser. The diffuser has a primary outlet through the diffuser body. The primary outlet has a fixed primary area to direct air from within the diffuser into the conditioned space. The diffuser has a secondary outlet through the diffuser body. The secondary outlet is provided to direct the air from within the diffuser into the conditioned space. The secondary outlet has a secondary area that is adjustable in size between a predetermined minimum secondary area and a predetermined maximum secondary area. The predetermined minimum area may be chosen to be zero to provide for a fully closed secondary outlet when the secondary area is adjusted to its minimum area. The diffuser may be implemented with a plurality of primary outlets and a plurality of secondary outlets.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time tracking of objects is disclosed. A region is repeatedly scanned providing a plurality of images or data sets having points corresponding to objects in the region to be tracked. Given a previously determined track for each object in the region, an M-dimensional combinatorial optimization assignment problem is formulated using the points from M-1 of the images or data sets, wherein each point is preferably used in extending at most one track. The M-dimensional problem is subsequently solved for an optimal or near-optimal assignment of the points to the tracks, extending the tracking of the objects so that a response to each object can be initiated by the system in real-time. Speed and accuracy is provided by an iterative Lagrangian Relaxation technique wherein a plurality of constraint dimensions are relaxed simultaneously to yield a reduced dimensional optimization problem whose solution is used to formulate an assignment problem of dimensionality less than M.