Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids (such as DNA immunization plasmids), encoding fusion proteins containing a destabilizing amino acid sequence attached to an amino acid sequence of interest, in which the immunogenicity of the amino acid sequence of interest is increased by the presence of the destabilizing amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding secreted fusion proteins, such as those containing chemokines or cytokines, and an attached amino acid sequence of interest, in which the immunogenicity of the amino acid sequence of interest is increased as a result of being attached to the secretory sequence. The invention also relates methods of increasing the immunogenicity of the encoded proteins for use as vaccines or in gene therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a means to deposit thin films and coatings on a substrate using an electron beam generated plasma. The plasma can be used as an ion source in sputter applications, where the ions are used to liberate material from a target surface which can then condense on a substrate to form the film or coating. Alternatively, the plasma may be combined with existing deposition sources including those based on sputter or evaporation techniques. In either configuration, the plasma serves as a source of ion and radical species at the growing film surface in reactive deposition processes. The electron beam large area deposition system (EBELADS) is a new approach to the production of thin films or coatings up to and including several square meters.

Abstract: This invention provides Pseudomonas exotoxin A-like chimeric immunogens that include a non-native epitope in the Ib domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Methods of eliciting an immune response using these immunogens also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Orthopoxviruses. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining B5 or A33 binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining B5 or A33 binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of these costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of Tell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one costimulatory molecule and greater than the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator to T-cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates novel methods and compositions for blocking transmission of Plasmodium vivax which cause malaria. In particular, Pvs25 and Pvs28 polypeptides, variants, including deglycosylated forms, and fusion proteins thereof, are disclosed which, when administered to a susceptible organism, induce an immune response against a 25 kD and 28 kD protein, respectively, on the surface of Plasmodium vivax zygotes and ookinetes. This immune response in the susceptible organism can block transmission of malaria.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse is disclosed herein whose somatic and germ cells comprise a disrupted IL-21 receptor gene, the disruption being sufficient to inhibit the binding of IL-21 to an IL-21 receptor, and a disrupted IL-4 gene, the disruption being sufficient to inhibit the production of IL-4 or the binding of IL-4 to the IL-4 receptor. A mouse homozygous for the disrupted IL-21 receptor gene and homozygous for the disrupted IL-4 gene has diminished B cell function. A method is disclosed for altering a B cell activity. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that interferes with the interaction of IL-21 with an IL-21 receptor, thereby altering the B cell activity. A method is also disclosed for of treating a subject with Job's disorder or atopic disease. A method is also disclosed for treating or preventing an allergic reaction in a subject. A method is also disclosed for treating a subject with an autoimmune or antibody mediated disorder.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing peptide standards for quantitative proteomics. In one disclosed embodiment, chimeric polypeptides that are a combination of mass tags for multiple proteins are expressed in a host cell that is grown on an isotopically-altered medium. The mass tags in the chimeric polypeptide are separated by specific cleavage sites (such as trypsin cleavage sites), and upon treatment with an appropriate protein cleavage agent (such as trypsin) the constituent peptide standards are released. Methods of mass spectrometric analysis that employ the disclosed chimeric polypeptides (or the peptide standards liberated therefrom) also are disclosed.

Abstract: A digester-evaporator interface for partially digesting a sample mixed in a solvent with an acid and for evaporating the solvent and the acid after partial digestion, said digester-evaporator including a digester portion and an evaporator portion.

Abstract: A (poly)peptide-Fc fusion molecule, such as an scFv-Fc fusion molecule comprising an scFv fragment and an Fc region from an antibody, related nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, and a method of inhibiting a viral infection in a mammal, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof the fusion molecule, wherein the fusion molecule binds to an epitope of a viral envelope protein that is inaccessible to whole immunoglobulin molecules due to molecular steric hindrance, or a nucleic acid, optionally in the form of a vector, encoding same, wherein the nucleic acid or vector is optionally contained within a host cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for coating a medical device comprising the steps of applying to at least a portion of the surface of the medical device, a bactericidal coating layer, wherein the bactericidal coating layer comprises a bactericidal agent; and applying to at least a portion of the surface of the medical device, a bacteriostatic coating, wherein the bacteriostatic coating layer comprises a bacteriostatic agent wherein the combination of the bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents are in an effective concentration to inhibit growth of microbial organisms relative to an uncoated medical device. The two antimicrobial agents are used to develop a kit comprising these compositions in one container or in separate containers. The kit is used to coat or flush medical devices prior to or after implantation in a mammal.

Abstract: Novel compounds and compositions containing (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate derivatives are disclosed. The compounds and compositions can be used as nutritional supplements to increase physical performance and as therapeutics to ameliorate symptoms of medical conditions, particularly neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's and similar conditions. Novel methods for making R-3-hydroxybutyrate derivatives also are disclosed. Exemplary methods employ a supercritical solvent, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, and employ a lipase catlyzed esterification or transesterification reaction to produce the (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate derivatives.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel post-transcriptional regulatory element that can function as an RNA nucleo-cytoplasmic transport element. The invention also provides for an attenuated HIV-1 hybrid virus for use as a vaccine and a kit incorporating the hybrid virus. The kit also includes instructional material teaching the use of the vaccine, where the instructional material indicates that the vaccine is used for the prophylaxis or amelioration of HIV-1 infection in a mammal; that the vaccine is to be administered to a mammal in a therapeutically effective amount sufficient to express a viral protein; where the vaccine will not cause clinically significant CD4+ cell depletion; and, the expression of the viral protein elicits an immune response to the attenuated HIV-1 virus. The invention further provides for a method for screening for post-transcriptional RNA nucleo-cytoplasmic transport element (NCTE) binding proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro and ex vivo methods of screening for modulators, homologues, and mimetics of lethal factor mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) protease activity, as well as methods of treating cancer by administering LF to transformed cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for using local heat to control gene expression. The heat shock protein (hsp) gene promoter is recombined with a selected therapeutic gene and expressed in selected cells. Local controlled heating is used to activate the hsp promoter, for example by using focused ultrasound controlled by MRI.

Abstract: This invention relates to conjugates of the Vi polysaccharide of S. typhi with the carrier Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant exoprotein A (rEPA), and compositions thereof, and to methods of using of these conjugates and/or compositions thereof for eliciting an immunogenic response in humans, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, S. typhi bacterial infections. The conjugates, and compositions thereof, are useful as vaccines to induce serum antibodies againt S. typhi and are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by S. typhi.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving encapsidation of transgene RNA using retroviral packaging and transfer vectors. An HIV-2 transfer vector, which includes the transgene, is introduced into a packaging cell that is also transfected with (or stably expresses) an HIV-2 derived packaging vector or a combination of packaging vectors. The packaging vector has mutations in packaging signal sequences that are both upstream and downstream of the 5′ splice donor site. The upstream mutation can be a functional deletion of a signal sequence located between the 5′ LTR and the 5′ splice donor site, while the downstream mutation can be a functional deletion of a signal sequence located between the 5′ splice donor site and an initiation codon of the gag gene on the HIV-2 genome. It can also be composed of a combination of two or more partial vectors. A transfer vector, which is introduced into the packaging cell line, has a mutation that renders its splice donor site non-functional.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in certain tumor cells. The invention also relates to compounds identified by such methods. In addition, the invention relates to methods for the in vitro diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum and compounds useful in these methods.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to CryoArrays, which permit the analysis of samples (such as protein, nucleic acid, virus, or cell samples) in arrays that are prepared at low temperatures. Because CryoArrays are constructed as a block of substantially columnar samples, the block can be sliced to provide a plurality of identical or substantially identical individual arrays. The individual arrays can be used for parallel analysis of the same array feature set, for instance with different probes or under different conditions. Also provided are methods of making CryoArrays, devices for making CryoArrays, and kits.