Abstract: Described herein are recombinant RVF viruses comprising deletions in one or more viral virulence genes, such as NSs and NSm. The recombinant RVF viruses, generated using a plasmid-based reverse genetics system, can be used as vaccines to prevent infection of RVF virus in livestock and humans. As described herein, the recombinant RVF viruses grow to high titers, provide protective immunity following a single injection and allow for the differentiation between vaccinated animals and animals infected with wild-type RVF virus.

Abstract: Methods of detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype are disclosed, for example to detect, type, and/or subtype an influenza infection. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of an influenza virus, is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the influenza virus nucleic acid indicates the presence of influenza virus. Determining whether the influenza virus nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between an influenza specific probe, influenza type specific probe, and/or subtype specific probe and an influenza nucleic acid. Probes and primers for the detection, typing and/or subtyping of influenza virus are also disclosed. Kits and arrays that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers also are disclosed.

Abstract: Administration of an HNO/NO? donating compound, such as Angeli's salt, increases myocardial contractility while concomitantly lowering left ventricular preload in subjects experiencing heart failure. Moreover, administration of the HNO/NO? donating compound isopropylamine (IPA)/NO (Na(CH3)2CHNHN(O)NO) surprisingly exhibited positive inotropic effects in subjects experiencing heart failure that were superior to those caused by the HNO/NO? donating compound Angeli's salt. Additionally, in contrast to the effects observed with NO? donors, administration of an HNO/NO? donor in combination with a positive inotropic agent did not impair the positive inotropic effect of the positive inotropic agent. Further, HNO/NO? exerts its positive inotropic effect independent of the adrenergic system, increasing contractility even in subjects receiving beta-antagonist therapy.