Abstract: The present invention relates to novel recombinant polypeptide antigens that may comprise subunit vaccines against rotavirus infection. Further, the present invention relates to methods for use of said antigens in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of rotavirus infection.

Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an array of electric devices that includes attaching a platform including a micro-channel structure to a substrate. The method includes injecting first and second solutions into the micro-channel structure to form at least three liquid film columns, where the first and second solutions include different solvent composition ratios and the liquid columns each, respectfully, include different solvent composition ratios. The method further includes detaching the platform the substrate, removing solvent from the liquid film columns to form thin film columns, and treating the thin film columns under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns. The solvent is removed from the thin film columns and the thin film columns are treated under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns.

Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.

Abstract: Chimeric parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) are provided that incorporate a PIV vector genome or antigenome modified to encode a chimeric glycoprotein incorporating one or more heterologous antigenic domains, fragments, or epitopes of a second, antigenically distinct HPIV. These chimeric viruses are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and are useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an immune responses against one or more PIVs, and, optionally against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric PIV genome or antigenome which includes a HPIV vector genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous genome segment(s) encoding one or more antigenic determinant(s) of a heterologous PIV to encode a chimeric glycoprotein.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding the neurotrophic protein known as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a truncated version of PEDF referred to as rPEDF, and equivalent proteins, vectors comprising such nucleic acids, host cells into which such vectors have been introduced, recombinant methods for producing PEDF, rPEDF, and equivalent proteins, the rPEDF protein and equivalent proteins of rPEDF and PEDF-BP, -BX and BA, and the PEDF protein produced by recombinant methods. Effects and uses of these variants on 1) neuronal differentiation (neurotrophic effect) 2) neuron survival (neuronotrophic effect) and 3) glial inhibition (gliastatic effect) are described.

Abstract: An EPR imager and spectrometer includes pulse generating system for generating broadband pulses having an RF carrier frequency that is not highly absorbed by biological samples. The pulse generating system includes up and down chirp convertors for frequency modulating a carrier frequency pulse and compressing the frequency modulated pulse to form a broadband excitation pulse of high energy. Such a machine could form the basis of a clinical imaging device capable of high sensitivity to free radical species in human patients.

Abstract: A new amino derivative, N.sup..alpha. -tert-butoxycarbonyl-N.sup..epsilon. -(N-bromoacetyl-.beta.-alanyl)-L-lysine (BBAL), has been synthesized as a reagent to be used in solid-phase peptide synthesis for introducing a side-chain bromoacetyl group at any desired position in a peptide sequence. The bromoacetyl group subsequently serves as a sulfhydryl-selective cross-linking function for the preparation of cyclic peptides, peptide conjugates and polymers. BBAL residues are stable to final HF deprotection/cleavage. BBAL peptides can be directly coupled to other molecules or surfaces which possess free sulfhydryl groups by forming stable thioether linkages. Peptides containing both BBAL and cysteine residues can be self-coupled to produce either cyclic molecules or linear peptide polymers. Such peptide derivatives are useful in preparing potential peptide immunogens, vaccines and therapeutics, and for substances such as peptides linked to polymers, plastics, enamels and ceramics.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing latent viral infection is described. The method utilizes an agent such as OKT3 to stimulate CD3 receptor complex on T-cell line so that the latent virus harbored in the T cells is expressed and then the virus is identified by standard techniques.

Abstract: A hydrocephalic drainage valve consisting of a hollow shank with a pointed conical tip. The shank has an intake port adjacent the conical tip. A ball check valve in the shank is urged by a coiled spring toward closing relationship with the port. A hollow set screw is adjustably mounted in the shank to vary the biasing force on the valve ball. In one form, for manual implantation, a sleeve is slidably mounted on the shank, has a centrally apertured enlarged head and has implantation enlarged threads near the head. The head has aligned opposite radial grooves which are engageable by a manual insertion tool. In other forms, for pneumatic insertion, the shank has an enlarged head, employed as a driving piston in a pneumatic insertion tube.