Abstract: The present invention relates to assays (and kits) for predicting the chances of success of pregnancy using in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by determining the level of a modulator of 11&bgr;-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11&bgr;-HSD) in a biological sample taken from a human female, for example in the environment of an oocyte, e.g. follicular fluid or granulosa cells. The amount of modulator (e.g. inhibitor) can be determined by reference to its effect on 11&bgr;-HSD activity and administration of a modulator (e.g. an 11&bgr;-HSD inhibitor) may increase the likelihood of pregnancy while 11&bgr;-HSD agonists may be potential contraceptive agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising: (i) a primer protion consisting of a contiguous sequence of from 10 to 50 nucleotides capable of hybridizing to (a) the target nucleic acid molecule represented by SEQ ID NO:1, or (b) to the complementary stand thereof; and optional (ii) a further portion comprising from 1 to 25 nucleotides joined to and immediately 5′ to the 5′ end of the primer portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to Interleukin-12 fusion proteins and nucleic acid constructs encoding them, and to the use of such fusion proteins and constructs in tumour therapy, especially therapy of leukaemia. More particularly it relates to carrying out such therapy by means of cell therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides from clinical isolates of cytomegalovirus encoded by the gB coding region which include at least one amino acid variation which is a substitution, insertion or deletion wherein the polypeptides otherwise retain the character of cytomegalovirus. The amino acid variations include changes to neutralizing epitopes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting production of bacteria which constitutively express PBP2' or bacteria which inducibly express PBP2' in the presence of a .beta.-lactam antibiotic, by administering an effective amount of an extract of tea to the bacteria. The tea extract contains at least one active principle of dried tea and being extractable from processed dried tea with hot water and this active principle is capable, on administration, of restoring the activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of a .beta.-lactam antibiotic. Preferably, the extract of tea can be administered to a human or animal subject together with a .beta.-lactam antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting the outcome of IVF which comprises:(i) determining the level of 11.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11.beta.-HSD) in a biological sample from a female patient; and(ii) predicting from the level of 11.beta.-HSD determined the probability of establishing pregnancy in said subject by IVF.It has been found that there is an inverse correlation between the levels of 11.beta.-HSD in the environment of the oocyte and subsequent establishment of pregnancy by IVF. The present invention also provides methods of screening female subjects for their suitability to take part in IVF programs, and kits to use in determining levels of 11.beta.-HSD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for detecting DNA, or a fragment thereof, that includes at least one sequence variation in relation to the sequence of a genomic region of a CMV strain that corresponds to the gB gene, with the proviso that the variation is not that found in the Towne strain of CMV, and that a CMV genome having the sequence variation would be capable of reproduction in a host system which supports reproduction of wild type CMV. The invention further relates to primers suitable for use in such a process.

Abstract: The invention provides oligonucleotides (A): and (B): and their derivatives. These oligos may be used as a pair of primers for the detection of HPV16 (SEQ ID NO:3) DNA in a sample, without false positives arising due to the presence of other HPV strains. Kits containing the primers and the use of the primers to screen populations are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to fractionating a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-protein adducts having different degrees of PEG substitution by partitioning the PEG-protein adducts in a PEG-containing aqueous biphasic system according to the degree of PEG substitution. A new PEG-gm-CSF obtained by the process is useful in pharmaceutical compositions for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods.

Abstract: An improved method of detecting, in a beta.sub.2 m containing clinical sample, a virus of the herpes group or an antibody to that virus, by assaying the sample with a reagent that will reveal the presence of the virus or antibody comprising, utilizing or removing the beta.sub.2 m prior to the assay by(1) removing beta.sub.2 m from at least the sample and reagent, or(2) contacting a sample that is to be assayed for virus with a reagent that reacts with beta.sub.2 m and which will form an anti-beta.sub.2 m/beta.sub.2 m/virus conjugate.