Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides coding for the mature transcriptional regulators known as ivi-2 and ivi-3, as well as a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide designated as ivi-4. The polynucleotides were obtained from a genomic library obtained from the bacterial species Enterococcus faecalis.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immunogenic construct comprising as components (i) an inactive flavivirus or a derivative thereof, and (ii) at least one immunogenic component which is bonded to the flavivirus or adsorbed therewith. The invention further concerns a process for preparing the immunogenic construct and its use as a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing certain peptides containing methylated arginines that are followed by a glycine residue and that constitute immunogenic determinants of antibodies present in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, or Epstein-Barr virus and wherein the methylation is a prerequisite for reacting with said antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of said peptides for diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and related diseases, and diseases in which Epstein-Barr virus has been implicated.

Abstract: Novel calcium phosphate core particles, methods of making them, and methods of using them as vaccine adjuvants, as cores, as carriers of biologically active material, and as controlled release matrices for biologically active material are disclosed. The core particles may have a surface modifying agent and/or biologically active material, such as antigenic material or natural immunoenhancing factor, polynucleotide material, or therapeutic proteins or peptides, partially coating the particle or impregnated therein. The core particles have a diameter between about 300 nm and about 4000 nm, more particularly between about 300 nm and about 2000 nm, and even more particularly between about 300 nm and about 1000 nm, are substantially spherical in shape, and have a substantially smooth surface.

Abstract: A fluorescence polarization assay for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus utilizes a short peptide reagent probe derived from a conserved immunodominant region of gp45. The probe is N-terminally labeled, preferably with 6-carboxyfluorescein, and purified by HPLC, which reacts in a homogenous assay with anti-EIAV antibodies contained in the serum of field infected horses and ponies. The assay has a sensitivity of about 90 percent with a specificity approaching 100 percent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant thermostable enzyme which has a molecular weight of about 54,000-64,000 daltons and a pI of about 5.6-6.6, and releases trehalose from non-reducing saccharides having a trehalose structure as an end unit and a degree of glucose polymerization of at least 3. The enzyme has a satisfactorily-high thermostability, i.e. it is not substantially inactivated even when incubated in an aqueous solution (pH 7.0) at 85° C. for 60 min, and this facilitates the production of trehalose on an industrial scale and in a satisfactorily-high yield.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition comprising (i) at least one antigen or at least one in vivo generator of a compound comprising an amino acid sequence and (ii) at least one adjuvant comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable and water-soluble salt of an organic anion and a metal cation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the immunogenicity of an antigen, characterized in that the antigen is combined via stable interactions with a particulate vector, said vector containing: a non-liquid hydrophilic core, and, optionally; an outer layer of compounds chosen from the group comprising phospholipids and fatty acids. The present invention also relates to a product thereby obtained and to a pharmaceutical composition containing such product.

Abstract: The use of a peptide reagent for detecting the presence or absence of a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in a patient by testing for IgM antibodies, recognizing said reagent, in a biological sample from the patient according to a per se known method based on the formation of at least one antigen-antibody complex, is disclosed. The reagent contains a peptide recognized by at least one antibody to a peptide having the sequence of formula (II): Leu Glu Ile Lys Arg Tyr Lys Asn Arg Val Ala Ser Arg Lys Cys Arg Ala Lys Phe Lys Gln. The reagent enables such a primary infection to be detected very early.

Abstract: A method for objectively assessing and monitoring the relative health and homeostatic balance of a group of animals or the individual animals in the group as a basis for animal management decisions is provided. The objective assessment and monitoring method quantitatively determines the upper limit of normal for &agr;1-acid glycoprotein values in a selected body fluid of a selected species of animals. The &agr;1-acid glycoprotein levels of the animals to be evaluated are quantitatively determined and compared with the normal &agr;1-acid glycoprotein upper limit to identify animals whose immune systems or health has been compromised by stress or disease to provide a basis for animal management decisions to promote and maintain the optimum health and well being of the group.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions are disclosed which comprise at least one antigen formed by the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b or high molecular weight polyribosylribitol phosphate coupled to tetanus anatoxin.

Abstract: A signal amplification system comprises a bacterial multi-hybrid system, and more preferably a two-hybrid system, of at least two chimeric polypeptides containing a first chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a first fragment of an enzyme and a second chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a second fragment of an enzyme or a modulating substance capable of activating said enzyme. The first fragment is fused to a molecule of interest and the second fragment or the modulating substance is fused to a target ligand. The activity of the enzyme is restored by the in vivo interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand. Signal amplification is generated and, for example, triggers transcriptional activation. The signal amplification system is useful in a method of selecting a molecule of interest, which is capable of binding to target ligand, wherein the interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand is detected with the signal amplification system as a kit therefor.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing MHC class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in a mammalian host by immunization with non-replicating protein antigens. The compositions of the invention comprise a two-component complex including a particle component, which is not a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, or a micellar, multimicellar, or liposome vesicle composed of detergents and/or lipids, ranging in size from about 10 nm to about 50 &mgr;m, and a non-replicating protein antigen. The non-replicating protein antigen is attached to the particle component through a covalent or non-covalent association to form particulate protein antigen complexes and the complexes are administered to a mammalian host in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, in a CTL-stimulatory amount. The invention also provides non-replicating vaccines and methods of vaccinating a mammalian host for CTL immunity.

Abstract: A chimeric bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) that depends on a hepatitis C virus (HCV). The invention further relates to using the chimeric, infectious virus to screen for HCV NS3 inhibitor compounds in cell culture models or in animal models of viral infection.

Abstract: Transglutaminase is allowed to act upon both a physiologically active protein (inclusive of a fused protein thereof with a peptide through acid amide bonding) and an amino group donor containing the polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide, polyamino acid or branched type sugar derivative moiety, whereby the physiologically active protein is modified without spoiling its inherent physiological activities, and may be improved in its qualification as a drug.

Abstract: The bacteriophage has a high level of specificity to a certain specific pathogenic bacterium so that the bacteriophage can surely kill the pathogenic bacterium as a host through phogocytic action. The bio-bactericidal material containing the bacteriophage can be applied to food such as fresh food, etc., and to places, etc. or to even persons for cooking food material such as restaurants, school kitchens, etc., or any other thing which requires disinfection from pathogenic bacteria, and it can kill pathogenic bacteria. The bio-bactericidal material containing a cocktail of two or more different kinds of the bacteriophages can kill corresponding kinds of pathogenic bacteria concurrently. Further, the phage can infect only the pathogenic bacterium as a host bacterium, and does not infect persons, making it very safe and useful.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies from body fluids by means of an immune reaction with tissue transglutaminase (tTG), with tTG-containing compounds, the antigenic structures, immunoreactive sequences or analogues thereof. The method may be used in the diagnosis and therapy control of diseases associated with an immune reaction against tTG, tTG-containing compounds, the antigenic structures, immunoreactive sequences or analogues thereof. Therefore, the invention is also directed to the use of tTG and the above-mentioned substances in diagnosis and therapy control, preferably in the diagnosis and therapy control of chronically inflammatory diseases or autoimmune diseases, and more preferably, in the diagnosis and therapy control of sprue or coeliac disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fusion proteins, nucleotide sequences for creating them, and vectors containing the nucleotide sequences. The fusion proteins have a bovine herpesvirus protein linked to a biotherapeutic protein or reporter protein. They rapidly spread biotherapeutic or reporter protein throughout mammalian cells.

Abstract: The invention provides HARDS virus rDNA for expression in molecular clones. The expressed products are useful in immunodiagnostics, prophylactics, and therapeutics for the HARDS virus and related hantaviruses. Of particular interest are a type-specific epitope of the HARDS virus G1 protein, and dominant epitopes of the HARDS virus N protein cross-reactive with antibodies to the HARDS virus and the related hantavirus PHV, both expressed by cDNA clones according to the invention.

Abstract: Combinations of HCV antigens that have a broader range of immunological reactivity than any single HCV antigen. The combinations consist of an antigen from the C domain of the HCV polyprotein, and at least one additional HCV antigen from either the NS3 domain, the NS4 domain, the S domain, or the NS5 domain, and are in the form of a fusion protein, a simple physical mixture, or the individual antigens commonly bound to a solid matrix.