Abstract: The present invention provides a method to diagnostically detect the variants of a given pathogen, such as HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B (HBV), Parvovirus B19, etc., with the use of a single detection probe.

Abstract: A group of compounds that inhibit HIV replication by blocking HIV entry was identified. Two representative compounds, designated NB-2 and NB-64, inhibited HIV replication (p24 production) with IC50 values <0.5 ?g/ml.

Abstract: Methods for maintaining a low vaginal pH, preventing the propagation of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 production during menstruation, preventing the shedding and dissemination of a herpesvirus and treating herpes lesions comprising administering to a human a formulation comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an insoluble micronized form of cellulose acetate phthalate or a cellulose acetate phthalate film or a cellulose acetate phthalate porous sponge. Also a method of treating Candida albicans infection comprising administering to a human female a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising micronized cellulose acetate phthalate and miconazole nitrate.

Abstract: A therapeutic product formed from a high concentration of white blood cells having a high degree of cell viability. The white blood cells are sequestered from their normal population presence in whole blood by placing the blood into a container and preventing coagulation of the blood, separating the blood into two components, one of which is extremely rich in white blood cells through the use of a reagent and centrifugation, sequestering the white cell concentration, and freezing the white cells.

Abstract: A complex comprising a starch and an active anti-HIV-1 or anti-HIV-2 ingredient of pomegranate juice that is adsorbed on the starch when the starch is in a water insoluble form. The complex inhibits HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection and blocks the binding of HIV-1 or HIV-2 to the CD4 receptor and the CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors. The complex is used in a method of preventing HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection comprising administering to a mucous membrane of a human a pharmaceutically effective anti-HIV-1 or anti-HIV-2 amount of the complex.

Abstract: A soft, pliable cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)—hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) composite film is provided which is generated by casting from organic solvent mixtures containing ethanol. The film rapidly reduces the infectivity of several sexually transmitted disease pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), herpesvirus (HSV), non-viral sexually transmitted disease pathogens (such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus ducreyi, Chlamydia trachomatis and Treponema pallidum) and bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). The film is converted into a gel/cream and thus does not have to be removed following application and use. In addition to being a topical microbicide, the film can be employed for the mucosal delivery of pharmaceuticals other than cellulose acetate phthalate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing Bloom's syndrome (BS) as well as determining whether a subject is a carrier of a mutated BLM gene. The present invention also provides one or more single-stranded nucleic acid probes and antibodies which may be formulated in kits, and used for diagnosing BS or determining whether a human subject is a carrier of a mutated BLM gene. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing the onset of BS in a subject in need of such treatment or prevention, as well as vectors and stem cells useful for such treatment or prevention. The present invention also provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding an enzymatically active BLM protein, a vector comprising this nucleic acid, a cell stably transformed with this vector, as well as a method for producing recombinant, enzymatically active BLM protein. A purified, enzymatically active BLM protein is also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A group of compounds that inhibit HIV replication by blocking HIV entry was identified. Two representative compounds, designated NB-2 and NB-64, inhibited HIV replication (p24 production) with IC50 values <0.5 &mgr;g/ml.

Abstract: A method of preventing HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection by administering to a human a pharmaceutically effective anti-HIV-1 or anti-HIV-2 amount of a tin or silicon protoporphyrin IX or tin or silicon mesoporphyrin IX, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting the tissue with an amount of Ov-ASP effective to induce angiogenesis in the tissue. The present invention further provides a method for screening for an anti-Ov-ASP factor, by contacting a factor of interest with Ov-ASP, and assessing the ability of the factor to inhibit angiogenic activity of Ov-ASP. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant expression vectors which express segments of deoxyribonucleic acid that encode recombinant HIV and HCV antigens. These recombinant expression vectors are transformed into host cells and used in a method to express large quantities of these antigens. The invention also provides compositions containing certain of the isolated antigens., diagnostic systems containing these antigens and methods of assaying body fluids to detect the presence of antibodies against the antigens of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, an isolated nucleic acid that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a nucleic acid that is complementary to a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, a purified KIAA0918 protein, a purified protein encoded by a nucleic acid that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a nucleic acid that is complementary to a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, a method of making KIAA0918 protein, an antibody specific for KIAA0918, a method for producing an antibody specific for KIAA0918 protein, a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918, and a host cell transformed with a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding KIAA0918. Also provided are methods for detecting the presence of and isolating hematopoietic stem cells in a heterogeneous cell suspension and for assessing gene expression in a tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porcine antigen that binds to human xenoreactive antibodies. The porcine antigen differs from the known porcine xenoantigens in that the antigen does not include an &agr;Gal epitope. The present invention also provides methods to purify the porcine antigen of the invention, as well as agents that bind to the antigen. The antigen may be used to generate antibodies against the antigen. The antigen is useful for detecting the presence of human xenoreactive antibodies against the antigen in blood and blood compositions, and antibodies against the antigen may be used to detect the presence of the antigen in samples. The invention also provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing a host rejection response to a porcine xenograft. Finally, a method to treat human blood or blood-derived compositions to reduce the level of human xenoantibodies is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding a camello protein. The present invention also provides a vector comprising nucleic acid encoding camello, a host cell transformed with the vector, and a method for producing recombinant camello protein. In addition, the present invention also provides a purified camello protein. Also provided by the present invention is nucleic acid probes and mixtures thereof specific for camello nucleic acid and antibodies immunoreactive with camello. The present invention also provides a methods for screening for agents which bind to the camello protein and the nucleic acid encoding the camello. Finally, the present invention provides a non-human, transgenic model for camello expression.

Abstract: A method for the screening of antiviral compounds targeted to the HIV gp41 core structure comprising capturing polyclonal antibodies from an animal other than a mouse directed against a trimer of a heterodimer containing an N-peptide and a C-peptide onto a solid-phase, mixing a compound to be tested with an N-peptide and then adding a C-peptide, adding the resultant mixture to the resultant polyclonal antibody coated solid-phase and then removing unbound peptides and unbound compound, adding a monoclonal antibody directed against the trimer of a heterodimer containing an N-peptide and a C-peptide and measuring the antibody binding of the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: An intravaginal bio-erodible microbicidal barrier device. The device comprises (a) at least one micronized compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and (b) at least one pectin, such as an apple pectin, and optionally at least one water soluble or water dispersible cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose. The device is prepared by a combination of foaming, freezing and freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: An intravaginal bio-erodible microbicidal barrier device. The device comprises (a) at least one micronized compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and (b) at least one water soluble or water dispersible cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose. The device is prepared by a combination of foaming, freezing and freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular or intracellular pathogenic virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of cells and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein, the inactivation process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of irradiation in the presence of (a) a mixture of a compound that quenches type I photodynamic reactions and a compound that quenches type II photodynamic reactions or (b) a bifunctional compound that is capable of quenching both type I and type II reactions, to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The composition is advantageously subjected to the irradiation and the mixture of compounds or bifunctional compound in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for irradiating cell-containing compositions, especially, red cell-containing compositions, wherein vitamin E or a derivative thereof is added to the cell-containing composition prior to, during or after such irradiation. Addition of vitamin E or a derivative thereof is protective of cells in such compositions, but not of virus. Cells irradiated using the inventive process show a reduced leakage of K+ from cells and also a reduced loss of negative charges from the cell membrane compared to cells subjected to the similar process wherein vitamin E or a derivative thereof are not used. In addition, red blood cells sterilized by this process are better preserved during storage and their life-time in the circulation in vivo is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A method of identification of differentially expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) which consists of synthesizing from a set of sequences of mRNA sets of fragments of complementary DNA (cDNA), which are separated with the aid of gel electrophoresis and the pictures of separation of the cDNA from different types of cells are compared and fragments with differential signal intensity are identified. For formation of the set of fragments the cDNA is cleaved with the aid of restriction nucleases. A method of cloning of differentially expressed mRNAs consists of synthesizing from sets of sequences of mRNAs from different types of cells sets of fragments of complementary DNA (cDNA) which are separated with the aid of gel electrophoresis, the pictures of the separation of the cDNA from different types of cells are compared, fragments of cDNA with different signal intensities are separated from the gel, amplified with the aid of a polymerase chain reaction and cloned to a plasmid or phage vector.