Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate. Embodiments include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel RNA picornavirus that is called Seneca Valley virus (“SVV”). The invention provides isolated SVV nucleic acids and proteins encoded by these nucleic acids. Further, the invention provides antibodies that are raised against the SVV proteins. Because SVV has the ability to selectively kill some types of tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV and SVV polypeptides to treat cancer. Because SVV specifically targets certain tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV nucleic acids and proteins to detect cancer. Additionally, due to the information provided by the tumor-specific mechanisms of SVV, the invention provides methods of making new oncolytic virus derivatives and of altering viruses to have tumor-specific tropisms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for inducing regression of a tumor in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a lentogenic strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). A preferred viral strain of NDV for inducing regression of a tumor in a subject is a clonal strain of NDV, the NDV HUJ. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful for inducing regression of tumors in patients unresponsive to conventional anti-cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of neoplastic cells to chemotherapeutic agents by using a virus, a method of treating proliferative disorders with a virus and chemotherapeutic agents, and a method for preventing a neoplasm from developing drug resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. The virus is preferably a reovirus.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides methods for increasing the replication capacity of influenza viruses in hens' eggs and/or cell culture, recombinant and/or reassortant influenza viruses with increased replication capacity, and immunogenic and vaccine compositions comprising such recombinant and/or reassortant influenza viruses. In other aspects, the invention further provides nucleic acids encoding influenza genes associated with increased replication capacity, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids of the invention, methods for making influenza viruses with increased replication capacity, and kits useful for practice of the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of bicistronic DNA constructs for identifying compounds that inhibits IRES-dependent translation activity of an infectious enterovirus (EV) or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) without affecting CAP-dependent translation activity of a host subject. The compounds thus identified are useful in preparation of a medicament for treating EV or EMCV infection.

Abstract: Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by administering virus to proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway are disclosed. The virus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. The virus is selected from modified adenovirus, modified HSV, modified vaccinia virus and modified parapoxvirus orf virus. Also disclosed are methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by further administering a immunosuppressive agent.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting enteroviral antigens in the stomach of patients having symptoms consistent with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The presence of enteroviral viral antigens in the stomach of these patients is then correlated with the patients' symptoms to establish a diagnosis of CFS.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a novel hepatitis B surface antigen mutant and methods of detecting this mutant, and/or antibodies thereto, in patient samples. In particular, the mutant contains a substitution of amino acid threonine for the amino acid alanine at position 123 in the amino acid sequence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) protein.

Abstract: Nucleic acid oligomeric sequences and in vitro nucleic acid amplification and detection methods for detecting the presence of HAV RNA sequences in samples are disclosed. Kits comprising nucleic acid oligomers for amplifying and detecting HAV nucleic acid sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: Retroviral strains of the non-M, non-O HIV-1 group, in particular a strain designated YBE30, its fragments and also its uses as a diagnostic reagent and as an immunogenic agent. The HIV-1 viruses which differ both from the M group and the O group exhibit the following characteristics: little or no serological reactivity with regard to the proteins of the M and O groups and strong serological reactivity with regard to the proteins which are derived from the strain YBF30 according to the invention or the strain CPZGAB SIV; absence of genomic amplification when using primers from the env and gag regions of the M and O HIV-1 groups; genomic amplification in the presence of primers which are derived from the YBF30 strain according to the invention; and homology of the products of the envelope gene which is greater than 70% with regard to the YBF30 strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oncolytic adenoviruses having therapeutic applications. Recombinant chimeric adenoviruses, and methods to produce them are provided. The chimeric adenoviruses of the invention comprise nucleic acid sequences derived from adenoviral serotypes classified within the subgroups B through F and demonstrate an enhanced therapeutic index.

Abstract: Described are novel antibodies specifically recognizing conformation dependent epitopes of HCV glycoprotein E2 and that are capable aof neutralizing the binding of E2 protein onto susceptible cells. Furthermore, antigens and epitopes recognized by the above-described antibodies as well as polynucleotides encoding said antibodies are provided. Also provided are to vectors comprising said polynucleotides as well as host cells transformed therewith and their use in the production of said antibodies. In addition, pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions are provided comprising any of the aforedescribed antibodies, antigens, epitopes, polynucleotides, vectors or cells. Further described is the use of the aforementioned antibodies, antigens, polynucleotides and vectors in adoptive immunotherapy, preferably for the treatment or prevention of HCV infection during liver transplantation.

Abstract: There are provided methods for treatment of abnormal cells such as cancer cells in a mammal. The methods involve treating the mammal with virus selected from echoviruses and modified forms and combination thereof, which recognize ?2?1 for infectivity of the cells. There are also provided methods for screening viruses for use in a method of the invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: Snow Mountain Virus (SMV) belongs to the Norovirus genus of the Caliciviridae family. SMV is a genogroup II (GII) reference strain of human enteric caliciviruses associated with epidemic gastroenteritis. The positive sense RNA genome sequence of SMV was determined to be 7,537 nucleotides in length excluding the 3? polyadenylated tract. The genome is organized into three open reading frames. Pairwise sequence alignments showed SMV ORF1 is highly conserved with other GII noroviruses, and most closely related to GII strains Melksham and Hawaii viruses. Comparative sequence analyses showed the SMV is a recombinant norovirus. VP1/NP2 proteins assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus. Characterization of one clone that expressed VP1 but failed to assemble into VLPs, identified histidine residue 91 as important for particle assembly.

Abstract: An isolated antiviral peptide is characterized by the amino acid sequence GDEPLENYLDTEYF and a significant in vitro binding affinity for HIV-1 gp 120 and gp 41, and human CD4 cells. The peptide exhibits anti-retroviral activity in vivo, particularly anti-HIV-1 activity.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to compositions and methods for stimulating immune responses in vivo against a tolerogen. Novel biotechnological tools, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics and prophylactics, which concern chimeric or conjugated virus-like particles, and methods of use of the foregoing are provided for the study of B cell tolerance and the treatment or prevention of human diseases, which involve the onset of B cell tolerance, such as chronic viral infection, chronic inflammatory disease, and neoplasia.

Abstract: The invention relates to virus like particles, their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical screening and functional genomics. The invention further provides a variety of assay formats to be used with said virus like particles.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a LT-B blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In particular this invention provides methods for treating viral-induced systemic shock and respiratory distress.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions comprising and methods of identification and use of targeting peptides for placenta or adipose tissue. In certain embodiments, the targeting peptides comprise part or all of SEQ ID NO:5-11, SEQ ID NO:13-22 OR SEQ ID NO:144. The peptides may be attached to various therapeutic agents for targeted delivery. Adipose-targeting peptides may be used in methods for weight control, inducing weight loss and treating lipodystrophy syndrome. Adipose-targeting may also be accomplished using other binding moieties selectively targeted to adipose receptors, such as a prohibitin receptor protein complex. Placenta-targeting peptides may be used to interfere with pregnancy, induce labor and/or for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to placenta and/or fetus. In other embodiments, receptors identified by binding to placenta-targeting peptides may be used to screen compounds for potential teratogenicity.