Abstract: DNA encoding modified soluble human CD4 fragments whose ability to bind to the HIV gp120 envelope protein is different from the ability of soluble human CD4 fragments; modified soluble human CD4 fragments having altered gp120 binding ability, methods of making such fragments and methods of using such fragments.

Abstract: Immunotherapeutic methods for the treatment of patients infected with the AIDS virus are described. T lymphocytes which are histocompatible with the patient and specific for the AIDS virus are activated in vitro by exposure to AIDS virus-related epitopes. Activated T lymphocytes are expanded and inoculated into the patient in order to transfer T cell immunity directed against the AIDS virus epitopes.

Abstract: DNA molecules are taught which code for an odorant-binding protein which is synthesized solely in the lateral nasal gland. This protein, because of the broad range of odorants which it binds, can be used in many techniques for trapping odorants in either a liquid or solid medium. This protein bears some structural homology with other carriers of small lipophilic molecules from many other species; the carriers are known to transport specific lipophilic molecules.

Abstract: Plasmids carrying one or more genes which confer phage insensitivity upon Streptococcus lactis or Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis as well as Streptococcus cremoris bacteria in which the insensitivity is not destroyed at temperatures of up to 40.degree. C. are described. DNA fragments are also described which encode phage insensitivity. Such plasmids and DNA fragments are suitable for conferring phage insensitivity upon bacteria or food starter cultures containing bacteria.

Abstract: DNA constructs that are useful for providing secretory expression of heterologous polypeptides in yeast comprising a DNA sequence that includes a Kluyveromyces .alpha.-factor leader sequence linked to the heterologous polypeptide by a yeast processing signal. Constructs employing the K. lactis .alpha.-factor leader and processing signal sequences, with and without spacer, linked to prochymosin are exemplified.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for recovering hepatitis B surface antigen from recombinant Pichia pastoris cells comprising:(a) lysing said yeast cells in the presence of a buffered chaotropic salt and separating the hepatitis B surface antigen-containing supernatant from said lysed cells;(b) subjecting the heptatis B surface antigen-containing supernatant obtained in step (a) to conditions suitable to precipitate lipids and contaminant proteins from said supernatant;(c) subjecting the hepatitis B surface antigen-containing supernatant obtained in step (b) to diafiltration;(d) contacting the hepatitis B surface antigen-containing retentate obtained in step (c) with silica;(e) washing contaminant proteins from the resulting silica-adsorbed hepatitis B surface antigen with a buffer having a pH within the range of 6-8;(f) eluting the hepatitis B surface antigen from the silica with a buffered eluant having a pH within the range of 9.5-11.0 containing from 0.

Abstract: Nucleic acids and peptides are provided which can be used for detecting the status of functional T-lymphocytes as to stimulation and the time of stimulation. The nucleic acids and peptides may be provided by cloning and expression using recombinant techniques. These diagnoses may be used to determine whether T-cells are functional and the degree to which a T-cell population has been stimulated.

Abstract: An improved mutant vaccinia virus providing a pock and plaque size on RK13 cells that is approximately the same as those of the Lister original, having a proliferation potency on YTV cells that is approximately the same as that of the Lister original, and having a neurovirulence, assessed by a recovery of an intrabrain virus, that is lower than that of the Lister original; and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: This invention describes stable tat.sub.III cell lines. It is disclosed that by transfecting a preselected tat.sub.III cell line with a vector containing a sufficient amount of the HTLV-III LTR responsive to tat.sub.III gene products for trans-activation and an enhancer upstream of the tat.sub.III responsive segment, it is possible to express high levels of the tat.sub.III gene products. By including a preselected heterologous gene on this vector, it is also possible to express high levels of a desired gene product. A substantially pure protein comprising 86 amino acids and having an apparent molecular weight of about 14,000 dalton and exhibiting trans-activating activity is also disclosed. This protein and polypeptides having trans-activating ability, which is also disclosed, can be used to produce high levels of a desired gene product.

Abstract: An isolated gene coding for phenylalanine dehydrogenase of a microorganism belonging to a genus selected from the group consisting of the genera Bacillus and Sporosarcina origin; plasmids containing the gene; microorganism transformed with the plasmid, a process for the production of phenylalanine dehydrogenase using the microogranism; and a process for the production of L-phenylalanine using the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention is the isolation and purification of a newly discovered gene of the AIDS virus, HTLV-III, which encodes a protein which is immunogenic and recognized by sera of some HTLV-III seropositive people. Furthermore, the gene is highly conserved among all known HTLV-III isolates and exhibits a polymorphism at the 3' end which distinguishes molecular clones of the HTLV-III cell line from viral genomes of related viruses (i.e., other HTLV-III isolates, LAV, ARV, etc.).

Abstract: The hepatitis B virus preS2 antigen gene linked in one contiguous reading frame to the hepatitis B virus surface antigen gene has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizing an optimized plasmid construction. The expressed protein aggregates into a particulate form which displays the major antigenic sites encoded by both domains, thereby highlighting the utility of yeast as a host for the high level expression of the preS2 as well as the S domain. This protein is useful in in vitro diagnostic systems and as a vaccine for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus-induced diseases and/or infections.

Abstract: A carbohydrate-free polypeptide coded for by a human DNA sequence of 309 nucleotides is immunologically reactive with monoclonal antibody against the human DF3 breast carcinoma-associated antigen. The nucleotide sequence is also useful as a probe to reveal restriction fragment length polymorphisms in human DNA.

Abstract: A method of degrading keratinaceous material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the keratinaceous material with Bacillus licheniformis to form a fermentation media and then fermenting the media for a time sufficient to degrade the material. The method can be used to produce amino acids from keratinaceous material and to produce a hydrolyzed feather product useful as a feed additive from the keratinaceous material.A preferred keratinaceous material for carrying out the present invention is feather, and a preferred bacteria for carrying out the invention is Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1.

Abstract: A new viral strain from the cerebrospinal fluid of an HIV seropositive man is identified. The new strain, products derived from the new strain, a diagnostic method for detecting antibodies to the new strain in biological fluids, and a diagnostic kit for carrying out the method are described.

Abstract: Polypeptides that bind to CD2, the receptor on the surface of T-lymphocytes. Most preferably, the polypeptides bind to CD2 on the surface of T-lymphocytes and inhibit adhesion between T-lymphocytes and target cells. DNA sequences that code on expression in appropriate unicellular hosts for those polypeptides. Methods of making and using those polypeptides in therapy and diagnosis.

Abstract: A microbiological prevention of aflatoxin contamination in cereals and nuts is provided. Bacillus subtilis NK-330 and NK-C-3 effectively inhibit not only growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi including Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus but also production of aflatoxin by them.

Abstract: The present invention is related to providing a non-infectious molecular clone of a mutant HIV and HIV proteins useful as immunogens and reagents for diagnostic kit.

Abstract: DNA frangments containing an alkaline cellulase K gene, which comprise about 4.0, about 2.4 and about 1.9 kilo base pairs, respectively, each having a specific restruction map, recombinant plasmids containing any of these DNA fragments, and recombinant microorganisms harboring any of said plasmids.The alkaline cellulase K gene is derived from a bacterial strain which belongs to the genus Bacillus and is alkalophilic, that is, capable of revealing an optimum growth in an alkaline pH region.