Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a bioassay consisting of an electrophysiological method and a cell culture system of dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons to screen and identify opioids with a high potential for use as "low- or non-addictive" analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to a specific group of opioid alkaloids and analogues thereof identified by the bioassay of the invention for the unique ability to activate only inhibitory, but not excitatory, opioid receptor function, for use as low- or non-addictive analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to the specific use of etorphine or dihydroetorphine of the opioid alkaloid family as low- or non-addictive analgesics and for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel branched peptides specific for the diagnosis and prevention of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH), as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More particularly, the present invention is directed to branched synthetic substituted and hybrid peptides containing at least one epitope which is effective in detecting NANBH-associated antibodies in patients with NANBH using immunoassay techniques. In addition, this invention provides immunoassays for the detection and diagnosis of NANBH using the subject peptides, vaccine compositions for prevention and treatment of NANBH or HCV infection as well as a method of treating or preventing NANBH and HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptidal fragments of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which interact specifically with a particular human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule to stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocyte immunity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II reactive antibodies and diagnosis of ATL (adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma) condition by the use of chemically synthesized peptide compositions. The peptide compositions comprise peptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to transmembrane and external segments of the envelope protein of HTLV-I/HTLV-II and mixtures thereof. The peptide compositions are highly immunoreactive with antibodies to HTLV in sera. The present invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous detection and diagnosis of ATL, HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by the use of chemically synthesized HTLV peptide compositions in conjunction with a chemically synthesized HIV (1 and 2) peptide composition. The present invention also provides a simple method to differentiate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections.

Abstract: Peptides are described which have the amino acid sequence of a fragment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which interacts specifically with a particular human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule, to stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocyte immunity. Such fragments can be used in a potential vaccine against AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), and for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection in body fluids of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), also known as a non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH) virus and to the diagnosis of NANBH by the use of a composition of synthetic peptides. Each of these peptides has an amino acid sequence corresponding to immunodominant regions of a fusion protein and a non-structural polypeptide of HCV, SOD/HCV C100 and a postulated HCV structural (core) protein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of a group of synthetic peptides in a prescribed sequence or their analogues for the detection of antibodies to HCV in body fluids. The detection method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and other forms of immunoassay procedures.

Abstract: A method of detecting in a sample CTL specific for a particular virus, e.g. HIV, comprises contacting the sample with a support carrying immobilized antibodies to a surface antigen on T cells; separating the support and attached materials; contacting the separated support with target cells matched to the HLA type of the source of the sample and with HLA matched peptide epitope of the virus that interacts with the CTL of interest; and monitoring lysis of the target cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection in body fluids of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), also known as a non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH) virus and to the diagnosis of NANBH by the use of a composition of synthetic peptides. Each of these peptides has an amino acid sequence corresponding to immunodominant regions of a fusion protein and a non-structural polypeptide of HCV, SOD/HCV C100 and a postulated HCV structural (core) protein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of a group of synthetic peptides in a prescribed sequence or their analogues for the detection of antibodies to HCV in body fluids. The detection method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and other forms of immunoassay procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection and diagnosis of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) ARC (AIDS Related Complex) and pre-AIDS conditions in body fluids by the use of a chemically synthesized peptide composition. The detection method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), and other forms of immuno assay procedures such as enzyme immuno blotting assay on nitrocellulose paper and hemagglutination assay using the peptide composition as the antigen. The preferred detection method is ELISA.The present invention also relates to a vaccine and a method for generating antibodies to HTLV-III in healthy mammals, including humans by the use of the chemically synthesized peptide composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid immunoagglutination method for direct determination of the presence of HIV in body fluids to detect early injectio by HIV. The method employs polyclonal anti-HIV 1gG purified from the sera of known HIV injected individuals and absorbed onto carboxylate modified latex beads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection and diagonosis of ATL (adult T cell leukemia/lypmphoma) condition by the use of chemically synthesized peptide composition. The peptide composition comprises peptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to segments of the envelope protein, p21, of HTLV-I and mixtures thereof. The peptide composition is highly immunoreactive with antibodies in sera of patients with ATL.The detection method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assey (ELISA), an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), and other forms of immunoassay procedures such as enzyme immuno blotting assay on nitrocellulose paper and hemagglutination assay using the peptide composition as the antigen. The preferred detection method is ELISA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection and diagnosis of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) ARC (AIDS Related Complex) and pre-AIDS conditions in body fluids by the use of a chemically synthesized peptide. The peptide has an amino acid sequence corresponding to a segment of the envelope protein, p41, of HTLV-III and has been found to be highly immunoreactive with antibodies in sera of patients with AIDS, ARC and pre-AIDS conditions. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of a chemically synthesized peptide containing therein a segment of about twenty-one (21) amino acids, or their analogues, in a prescribed sequence for the detection of antibodies to the HTLV-III virus in human body fluids of AIDS, ARC or pre-AIDS patients.