Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and their use in assays to determine the presence of Norwalk virus, Norwalk virus particles, or Norwalk virus-specific IgM, in a biological sample. One assay includes the steps of contacting the sample with a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to Norwalk virus particles in human stool; reacting the sample and the antibody for a time and under conditions that allow the formation of an immunocomplex between the antibody and any Norwalk virus in the sample; and detecting the immunocomplex, the presence of the immunocomplex indicating the presence of human Norwalk virus in the sample. Another assay is an IgM capture antibody immunoassay.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic cDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: A pharmaceutically acceptable liquid suspension system is provided for solid finely divided pharmaceutical actives incompletely soluble in water, the suspension system comprising water, xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: A formulation for inducing sustained regional local anesthesia in a patient comprising a substrate comprising a local anesthetic and an effective amount of a biocompatible, biodegradable, controlled release material prolonging the release of the local anesthetic from the substrate to obtain a reversible nerve blockade when implanted or injected in a patient, and an amount of colchicine effective to prolong the duration of the local anesthesia for a time period longer than that obtainable from the substrate without colchicine.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are methods for prenatally assessing risks of a pregnancy being affected by Down syndrome by testing maternal urine samples for levels of urinary gonadotropin peptide (UGP) elevated above normal. The methods employ immunoassays that are highly specific for UGP and have molar cross-reactivities of less than about 10% with intact hCG, with .beta.-subunit hCG, and with .alpha.-subunit hCG. The immunoassay methods of this invention are useful to test first trimester maternal urine samples. Among other benefits, first trimester prenatal screening provides the opportunity to terminate the pregnancy at an early gestational age, in the case of an unfavorable outcome.

Abstract: Encapsulated yeast composition especially developed for use with frozen doughs comprising food grade fibers having adsorbed thereon liquid cream yeast, the particles being coated with a continuous layer of impervious thermoplastic material, frozen dough containing the encapsulated yeast composition and the method for making the encapsulated yeast.