Abstract: A method of locating an inhibitory/instability sequence or sequences within the coding region of an mRNA and modifying the gene encoding that mRNA to remove these inhibitory/instability sequences by making clustered nucleotide substitutions without altering the coding capacity of the gene is disclosed. Constructs containing these mutated genes and host cells containing these constructs are also disclosed. The method and constructs are exemplified by the mutation of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Rev-dependent gag gene to a Rev-independent gag gene. Constructs useful in locating inhibitory/instability sequences within either the coding region or the 3' untranslated region of an mRNA are also disclosed. The exemplified constructs of the invention may also be useful in HIV-1 immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis.

Abstract: Three new HIV-1 isolates HIV-1 D747(ECACC V92082718), HIV-1 D757(ECACC V92082719) and HIV-1 D760(ECACC V92082720) are disclosed, which represent a further independent subtype of the HIV-1 family and have been recovered from Indian patients which at the time when the virus was isolated showed no typical AIDS symptoms. Also disclosed are vaccines against HIV-1 infections by this subtype and a process for producing the same, as well as the use of the HIV-1 infection, as well as for differential diagnosis.

Abstract: Novel synthetic peptides are provided which are candidate vaccines against HIV-1 and which are useful in diagnostic application. The peptides comprise an amino acid sequence of a T-cell epitope of the gag protein of HIV-1, specifically p24E linked directly to an amino acid sequence of a B-cell epitope of the V3 loop protein of an HIV-1 isolate and containing the sequence GPGR, and/or the gp41 containing the sequence ELKDWA. Multimeric forms of the tandem synthetic peptides are provided.

Abstract: This patent relates to the obtaining of two pharmaceutical forms--pulvis and ampules of the veterinary medical preparation "Enterogenin". The bioactive ingredient of the preparation is isolated by fractionation of pig small intestinal mucosa cell, extraction with acetic acid, sedimentation with ethyl alcohol, ion-exchange chromatography and diaflo ultrafiltration in the range of 0.5-2 kDa. The bioactivity of the preparation is related to two nucleopeptides: guanosine tripeptide and adenosine heptapeptide. The basic criterion for the biological action of "Enterogenin" pulvis and ampules is the activation of biosynthesis of nucleic acids and specific proteins in the muscles, liver, intestines and spleen.

Abstract: This invention relates to the selection and preparation of synthetic peptides which stimulate helper T lymphocyte response to HIV in a wide range of human subjects. These multideterminant peptides are, therefore, useful for the production of vaccines against HIV infection and for diagnostic procedures to test for HIV seroconversion.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapy and prophylaxis against HIV-induced AIDS, as well as methods for ascertaining the susceptibility of an individual to HIV-induced AIDS, the invention being based on the discovery that AIDS results from gp120 of HIV mimicking the antigen-presenting component of the immune system, thereby spuriously activating certain CD4+ T cells in susceptible individuals, leading to a condition similar to graft versus host disease, the condition being treatable by eliminating the responsible T cells, for example.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof, having binding specificity for both endoglin expressed on human vascular endothelial cells and on murine endothelial cells. Antiangiogenic therapy in mammals can be effected by administering to the mammalian host a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-endoglin monoclonal antibody, or fragment thereof, which is conjugated to at least one angiogenesis inhibitor or antitumor agent. The composition is useful for treating tumor and angiogenesis-associated diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides assays for the presence or absence of CD4+ T cell subpopulations carrying particular V.beta. components of the T cell receptor (TCR-V.beta.) in persons infected with HIV, including amplification of mRNA from T cells with primers specific to each TCR-V.beta. to detect the presence or absence of each TCR-V.beta. in a sample and primers for use in such amplification assays are disclosed. The invention also provides assays of antibody-containing fluids of a person infected with HIV to determine the immunodeficiency where the fluid is suspected to contain an antibody having a paratope specific to an epitope on a TCR-V.beta.. The invention also provides a binding agent specific to a paratope where the paratope is specific to an epitope on a TCR-V.beta.. The invention also provides a method of assay of the fluids of a person infected with HIV to determine the immunodeficiency of the person which utilizes a binding agent specific to complexes containing anti-TCR-V.beta. antibody bound to TCR-V.

Abstract: Immunoconjugates comprising the monoclonal antibody TXU-5/B53 linked to pokeweed antiviral protein or bioactive subunits thereof are provided which are effective for the treatment of mammalian HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for aerobically cultivating yeast or bacteria in a culture medium of fed-batch, continuous or cell-recycling continuous cultures, wherein the carbon source concentration in the culture medium is maintained at a constant low level of under g/l. The carbon source concentration is maintained by measuring the carbon consumption of a culture of the yeast or bacteria in a preliminary experiment. The rate is determined between the time the culture is started and a time when the carbon source is exhausted. A feeding time is then determined wherein the activity of the yeast or bacteria in the presence of the carbon source does not change and a volume of the carbon source to be used in a first feeding (So) is set as So=.nu..times.T. Then, in a main culture, a first feeding of a volume of the carbon source (So) is added for the time (T), and the exhaustion of the carbon source is detected as an increase in pH or an increase in concentration of oxygen dissolved in the culture medium.

Abstract: A low profile, two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed that has a contact responsive non-tacky fastener system comprising a fastener that is attached to the ostomy appliance and a landing zone component that is attached to the peristomal area of the user. The fastening layer of the fastener system is preferably multiply releasable and refastenable against the non-tacky target, and preferably has a 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 3 kN/m and a dynamic shear strength of greater than 2 kN/m.sup.2 when in contact with the target surface.

Abstract: A sustained-release matrix for dental application includes either an anti-microbial agent or a colorant that is released from the matrix when the matrix contacts water. The preferred matrices include a water-soluble polymer and a water-insoluble support resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for culturing a virus including the steps of (A) providing cells from a cell line susceptible to infection by the virus and a specimen; (B) treating the cells with a compound of formula RC(O)Q, wherein Q is R, OR, OX or X, each R is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to about 10 carbon atoms and wherein X is hydrogen or a cation; (C) inoculating the treated cells with the specimen; and (D) incubating the inoculated cells to allow viral growth to proceed.

Abstract: A composition is provided which contains a non-naturally occurring peptide or polypeptide comprising at least two or more, and preferably all four amino acid sequences -Asp-Pro-Arg-Leu-Glu-Pro- SEQ ID NO: 6; -Asp-Pro-Lys-Leu-Glu-Pro- SEQ ID NO: 7; -Asp-Pro-Ser-Leu-Glu-Pro- SEQ ID NO: 8; and -Asp-Pro-Asn-Leu-Glu-Pro- SEQ ID NO: 9. This composition, including a number of additional optional peptides or polypeptides, and in a variety of forms, demonstrates a biological activity of inducing antibodies that react with most HIV-1 Tat proteins and impairing the multiplication of HIV-1. Also provided are synthetic genes encoding these peptides, recombinant viruses and commensal bacterium carrying these genes, transfected host cells, and polyclonal or other types of antibodies produced by immunizing other mammals with these aforementioned compositions. Methods for making and using such compositions to lower the viral level of HIV-1 are described.

Abstract: Vitaminized air fresheners and room deodorizers are disclosed which permit occupants to directly receive and enjoy the benefits of vitamins with little or no effort intra-nasally. A method for the continuous release of a vitamin containing composition for the delivery of discrete droplets intra nasally absorbed vitamins such as, but not limited to A, C, and D is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator having a quantity of stored gas in a pressure vessel, and a quantity of gas generant stored within a generant housing having at least one port in its longitudinal end. Within the generant housing the gas generant is retained within a porous sleeve. This sleeve is spaced inward from the non-porous generant housing, such that a free flow area is formed between the sleeve and the generant housing. The inflation gas created by the gas generant will thus flow radially outward through the sleeve, and then be turned to flow longitudinally toward the port(s) in the generant housing. Providing the free flow area reduces the pressure drop across the generant sleeve, resulting in less slag being forced through the sleeve to be entrained within the created gas flow. Additionally, the changes in direction forced upon the created gas flow to exit the generant housing cause additional amounts of slag to be removed from the created gas flow. This results in a hybrid inflator having reduced solid emissions.

Abstract: The article of the present invention is an analog of a particular object which has substantially the same size, shape and rotational inertia of the object while having the density of the medium of which the object is within. The analog encompasses a signal generator which may be used to analyze various properties of the object. More specifically, the article of the present invention is an analog of a food particulate undergoing aseptic processing wherein the food particulate is a constituent of a heterogeneous food such as soup or yogurt with fruit. The analog has substantially the same size, shape and rotational inertia of the actual food particulate while the article has the density of a fluid. The analog encompasses a signal generator which may be used to measure the residence time of the analog in a holding tube of an aseptic processing machine. The article also has the thermal conductivity of the food particulate.

Abstract: In a method for producing gelatin from collagen-containing raw material, the raw material is ground and mixed with water to form a slurry; the slurry is treated with an acid and heated in order to expose the collagen in the raw material; the pH and the temperature of the slurry are adjusted once more; the slurry is separated into a liquid portion and a solid residue; and the gelatin is recovered from the liquid portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for minimizing heat degradation of a vapor decontaminant in a vaporizer by selectively operating a plurality of vaporizer heaters to provide a decreasing heat gradient through the vaporizer. A method and apparatus are also provided for selectively operating a plurality of preheaters, in series, for preheating a carrier gas entering a vaporizer in a flow-through decontamination system, and for maintaining a predetermined carrier gas temperature. A further method and apparatus are provided for fine-tuning chamber pressure in a high flow rate closed-loop flow-through vapor phase decontamination system.

Abstract: A method and an extractor for pressing out plasma and buffy coat from a collapsible blood container (1), in which blood has been divided, by centrifugation, into a plasma layer, a buffy coat layer and a layer of red blood cells. The plasma and then the buffy coat are pressed out each through a separate outlet tube (2) or through a common outlet tube (2), which is connected to the top portion of the blood container, a pulsating pressure being applied to a top section of the blood container (1) during the end phase of the pressing-out of buffy coat. The extractor has a stationary support surface (6) and a movable pressing member (7), between which the blood container is suspended and subjected to a compressive force in order to press out the plasma and then the buffy coat through the outlet tube (2).