Abstract: A process of parthenogenic activation of mammalian oocytes which includes increasing intracellular levels of divalent cations in the oocyte; and reducing phosphorylation of cellular proteins in the oocyte. One method of accomplishing this is by introducing Ca2+ free cation, such as ionomycin, to the oocyte and then preventing phosphorylation of the cellular proteins within the oocyte by adding a serine-threonine kinase inhibitor, such as 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP).

Abstract: A novel protein which is useful as a diagnostic means for studies relating to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer (detection of cancer cells, estimation of the malignity, etc.) and for other medicinal and physiological purposes; a gene encoding the same; and an antibody, in particular, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein. MT-MMP-3, which is a pro MMP-2 activator having the ability to activate pro MMP-2 which is under expression specifically on the surface layer of a human cancer cell and falling within the category of MMP but being different from MT-MMP-1; a DNA containing the base sequence encoding the same; host cells transformed by the DNA; a process for producing a matrix metalloproteinase protein by using the host cells; a monoclonal antibody binding specifically to the matrix metalloproteinase protein; and use of the protein and antibody.

Abstract: A method of producing an effective immune response in an animal against a first rotavirus, by (1) identifying an animal susceptible to or having a first rotavirus infection; and (2) administering to the animal an isolated VP6 polypeptide of a second rotavirus sufficient to produce an effective immune response against the first rotavirus, the second rotavirus capable of infecting a different species than the first rotavirus.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing a disease includes administering a pharmaceutical composition containing a lysozyme dimer to a human or animal recipient in an amount effective for non-specific stimulation of the immune system or the regenerative mechanisms of the human or animal body, and wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of leukemia, hair growth disorder, a fish disease and a bee disease. The method can be used for treating or preventing such diseases as leukemia, hair growth disorder, a fish disease and a bee disease. In addition, the method can be used for immunomodulating a humoral response in a human or animal subject to immunosuppression, such as for positively affecting the primary humoral response of mammals immunized with an antigen after immunosuppression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of the likely presence of a virus in the environment. The detection is accomplished in a relatively rapid fashion that permits countermeasures to be taken to reduce the debilitating or deadly effects of the virus upon the target population. In one embodiment, the detection is accomplished by looking for the mass spectral signature or biomarker for a lipid, which is present in the cell cultures used to produce the virus. One biomarker that is considered particularly diagnostic for the presence of a virus is cholesterol.

Abstract: A method of labelling molecules which includes providing in a common medium a label molecule, a marker ligand able to bind a member of a specific binding pair, such as an antigen, a sbp member, an enzyme able to catalyse binding of the label molecule to other molecules, the enzyme being associated with the marker ligand; causing or allowing binding of the marker ligand to the sbp member; and causing or allowing binding of the label molecule to other molecules in the vicinity of the marker ligand bound to the sbp member. The marker ligand may be an antibody or any specific binding molecule, such as a chemokine or cytokine. A complementary member of the specific binding pair may be included, e.g. an antibody, or a diverse population of such sbp members, e.g. antibodies, may be included within which those which bind the counterpart sbp member, e.g. antigen, may be labelled and subsequently isolated for manipulation and/or use.

Abstract: A live hepatitis A virus (HAV) adapted to grow in MRC-5 cells is described, the HAV preferably characterized by suitable attenuation for effective vaccine administration to humans and animals without inactivation. Methods for adapting HAV to grow in MRC-5 cells, vaccine compositions comprising the attenuated HAV, and methods of vaccinating humans against HAV infection are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated small RNA virus capable of infecting insect species including Heliothis species, and to the nucleotide sequences and proteins encoded thereby. The invention contemplates uses of the virus in controlling insect attack in plants.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein presents an antigen-capture immunoassay that utilizes serum, plasma, milk, urine, saliva, or other bodily fluid samples to identify cattle infected with the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). The results of this assay allow an effective, reliable, quick, and cost efficient way to identify, and thereby remove, infected cattle and/or other ruminants from otherwise uninfected herds. The BVD virus causes an acute enteric disease with a variety of clinical manifestations, and is closely related to sheep border disease virus (BDV) and hog cholera virus (HCV). The traditional method of detecting infected animals, including persistently infected (PI) carriers, has been through the use of virus isolation procedures. While this older test methodology can detect infected animals, the virus isolation test can only be performed by highly trained technicians in a highly specialized laboratory facility.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated mutant hepatitis B surface antigen protein which comprises an amino acid sequence of a surface antigen protein of hepatitis B virus which infects humans, in which the amino acid at position 121 is not cysteine and. at least one of the amino acids at positions 120, 122, 123, 147, or 149 is not a conserved amino acid for its position. The invention also provides a method for detecting in a sample a mutant hepatitis B surface antigen protein or a particle containing the protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering an emulsion or suspension containing a supersaturated gas into a gas-depleted environment. The method generally comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion or suspension, exposing the emulsion or suspension to a gas at a pressure greater than 2 bar, and delivering the emulsion or suspension to a gas-depleted environment at ambient pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the induction of immune responses in mammals against enveloped animal viruses. More particularly, the invention provides vaccine compositions containing multiple MHC allotypes. By generating an immune response against these MHC molecules, virus or virus-infected cells expressing foreign MHC molecules can be attacked prior to infection of cells in the immunized host. In some embodiments, the vaccine compositions contain viral antigens and adjuvants as well. The vaccine compositions may comprise intact cells, cell-derived membrane preparations or recombinantly or chemically produced MHC molecules or fragments thereof.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and Fusion (F) glycoproteins isolated and purified from parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2 and 3, methods of producing the same, and uses thereof in immunogenic compositions and diagnostic embodiments. In particular, a trivalent vaccine containing HN and F glycoproteins from PIV-1, PIV-2 and PIV-3 generated an immune response capable of neutralizing each of the virus types. Modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for identifying apoptosis-modulating compounds using lipid bilayers are provided. One method involves contacting a compound of interest with a lipid bilayer which contains an ion-channel formed by an anti-apoptotic or pro-apoptotic polypeptide of the BCL-2 family and assaying for changes in the ion conductance properties of the channel, including ion selectivity, single channel conductance and rectification. A second method identifies compounds which can form ion channels in planar lipid bilayers and determines the ion selectivity and pH dependence of such channel formation, where apoptosis modulating activity is predicted based on comparing these channel forming characteristics with those of Bcl-2 family members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for immunizing birds using small volumes of vaccine. According to the invention, effective immunization can be accomplished with small, relatively concentrated quantities of inactivated vaccine administered by intradermal means.

Abstract: Viral morphogenesis, production, release or uncoating can be inhibited by effecting inhibition of prenylation of, or inhibition of post-prenylation reactions of, at least one viral protein. The use of inhibitors of prenylation, and post-prenylation reactions, for example, inhibitors of the mevalonate and prenyl group synthesis pathways, inhibitors of prenyl group transferases and mimics of the prenylation target CXXX box are disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinantly produced hepatitis GB Virus (HGBV) amino acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HGBV amino acid sequences and antibodies which specifically bind to HGBV. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HGBV recombinantly produced amino acid sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed test cells are useful for evaluating the carcinogenicity of a compound using a transformation assay. The test cell preferably is transfected with an oncogenic viral recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a transforming protein. Cell growth is scored to identify the presence or absence of a transformation characteristic, such as formation of foci, loss of growth factor or serum requirements or anchorage independence. The development of such a transformation characteristic indicates that the compound being tested is carcinogenic.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Ras-binding protein designated PRE1. PRE1 occurs naturally in various mammalian tissues and cell types. An isolated DNA encoding PRE1, vectors and cells containing the DNA, and PRE1-specific antibodies are also disclosed. Also disclosed is an in vitro screening method for identifying a substance which modulates PRE1-Ras binding, and an in vitro method for identifying a substance that modulates PRE1 gene expression.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the determination of an analyte in a sample liquid wherein the sample liquid is incubated with (a) a first receptor which binds to a first epitope that is only present once on the analyte and is immobilized on a particulate carrier material and (b) a second receptor which binds to a second epitope on the analyte and has at least two binding sites for the second epitope, the first epitope being different from the second epitope and the analyte is determined by means of the binding to both receptors.