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 relates to a method for identifying a substance capable of disrupting an interaction between (i) a herpes simplex virus (HSV) ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, and (ii) proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof. The method comprises: (a) providing an HSV ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a first component; (b) providing PCNA, or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a second component; (c) contacting the two components with a substance to be tested under conditions that would permit the two components to interact in the absence of the substance; and (d) determining whether the substance disrupts the interaction between the first and second components.

Abstract: Peptides are used to define epitopes that stimulate HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against hepatitis B virus antigens. The peptides are derived from regions of HBV envelope, and are particularly useful in treating or preventing HBV infection, including methods for stimulating the immune response of chronically infected individuals to respond to HBV antigens.

Abstract: A method for immunoassay of a viral antigen is performed on a membrane precoated with an inert protein. Nonimmunological capture of antigen takes place by absorption onto the coated membrane. Captured antigen binds to a tracer which includes a label conjugated to a specific antibody, the inert protein concomitantly inhibiting nonspecific binding of tracer. The label may be an enzyme which converts a substrate to a detectable product or converts a blocked inhibitor to an inhibitor whereby a second enzyme is inhibited from converting a substrate to a product. The invention includes a kit of materials for performing an assay in accordance with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A strategically modified hepatitis B core protein is described, where an insert is provided, preferably in an immunodominant region of the nucleocapsid protein, containing a chemically reactive amino acid residue. The modified hepatitis B core protein or its aggregated nucleocapsid protein particles can be pendently linked to a hapten to form a modified nucleocapsid conjugate. Such a conjugate is useful in the preparation of vaccines or antibodies. The modified hepatitis B core protein can also be modified to include a T cell epitope.

Abstract: A novel immunosuppressive factor derived from mammalian bone marrow is described, which inhibits T lymphocyte activation and TNF-&agr; production by activated macrophages and also inhibits tumour and leukemia cell growth. The factor provides a novel therapeutic composition for treatment of tumours and of disorders associated with inflammatory reactions or T lymphocyte activation.

Abstract: The invention provides HCV NS5B polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding HCV NS5B polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing HCV NS5B polypeptides to screen for antiviral compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunological composition that includes at least two plasmids; each plasmid contains and expresses in vivo in host canine cells a nucleic acid molecule that encodes an antigen of a canine pathogen. The plasmids can include more than one nucleic acid molecule such that the plasmids can express more than one antigen. The composition can include a first plasmid that contains and expresses a nucleic acid molecule encoding canine parvovirus VP2 and a second plasmid that contain(s) and express(es) nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding canine distemper HA and/or F.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modulating the persistence of expression of a trans gene in an at least E4&Dgr; adenoidal vector in a cell. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting the cell with an at least E4&Dgr; adenoidal vector comprising (i) a transgene and (ii) a gene encoding a trans-acting factor, which is not from the E4 region of an adenovirus and which modulates the persistence of expression of the transgene. In another embodiment, the method comprises contacting the cell simultaneously or sequentially with (i) an at least E4&Dgr; adenoidal vector comprising a transgene and (ii) a viral vector comprising a gene encoding a trans-acting factor, which is not from the E4 region of an adenovirus and which modulates the persistence of expression of the transgene. In addition, the present invention provides a recombinant at least E4&Dgr; adenoviral vector for use in the method and a composition comprising the vector and a carrier therefor.

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: Disclosed are proteins indicative of breast cancer and of other cancers, and methods for their detection. Methods of the invention provide an improvement in cancer detection assays, especially in breast cancer detection assays.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of screening for targets for antiviral chemotherapy having anti-apoptotic activity, and compositions and methods of screening for antiviral compounds that interfere with the anti-apoptotic activity of such targets. The targets comprise viral polypeptides having anti-apoptotic activity, and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides. An example of such targets is a group of viral polypeptides of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) having anti-apoptotic activity, such as pUL36, pUL37S, and pUL37L, and the polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides. The antiviral compounds comprise polypeptide, polynucleotide, DNA, RNA, amino acid, nucleic acid, and chemical compositions, including the chemically modified forms of such compositions, that interfere with the anti-apoptotic function of the target polypeptides and polynucleotides, leading to the induction of apoptosis and, consequently, the prevention or inhibition of replication.

Abstract: A spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte cell line is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, this cell line is ATCC 12191. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of assaying the effect of a test tumor cell modulation agent is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a human stratified squamous epithelial cell culture, wherein the culture comprises human malignant squamous epithelial cells and spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes, wherein the culture forms a reconstituted epidermis. One then treats the epidermis with a test tumor cell modulation agent and evaluates the growth of the malignant cells within the epidermis.

Abstract: The invention concerns human monoclonal antibodies of the IgG isotype against human pancreatic islet cells which can be obtained by immortalizing human lymphocytes of prediabetics or diabetics, treating the culture supernatant of the immortalized cells with a conjugate of antibodies against human Fc &ggr; and a label, subsequently treating with human immunoglobulin, incubating with immobilized human pancreatic islet cells identifying an immortalized human cell culture which produces an antibody against pancreatic islet cells via determination of the label bound to the immobilized islet cells, isolating a human immortalized cell which produces this antibody, propagating this immortalized cell and isolating the monoclonal antibody produced by these cells. The invention also concerns a process for the isolation of an islet cell antigen to which such antibodies bind as well as a method for the determination of antibodies against an islet cell antigen of the pancreas.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for improving the stability of live virus vaccines containing, e.g., live varicella zoster, measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. Such improved stabilizers are aqueous solutions containing recombinant human serum albumin (rHA) as a component at from 1-100 g/l. Live virus vaccines as well as methods of preparing live virus vaccines containing the stabilizers are also provided.

Abstract: A method to reduce the physiologic effects of drugs in vivo by inducing specific anti-drug antibodies using drugs conjugated to carrier molecules so as to reduce a drug's toxicity and its physiologic effects upon the recipient. This method includes the treatment and prophylactic prevention of drug abuse, specifically for cocaine and nicotine, and to help reduce the toxic effects of drugs, such as anti-neoplastics.

Abstract: Covalent HCV NS4A-NS3 complexes comprising the central hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide, a linker, and the HCV NS3 serine protease domain, wherein the hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide is tethered by the linker to the amino terminus of the HCV NS3 protease domain.

Abstract: A strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) implicated in an epidemic of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, now called hepatitis E, is disclosed. The invention relates to the expression of the whole structural region of SAR-55, designated open reading frame 2 (ORF-2), in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed protein is capable of forming HEV virus-like particles which can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.

Abstract: aPL analogs that (a) bind specifically to B cells to which an aPL epitope binds and are disclosed. Optimized analogs lack T cell epitope(s) are useful as conjugates for treating aPL antibody-mediated diseases. Methods of preparing and identifying said analogs, methods of treatment using said analogs, methods and compositions for preparing conjugates of said analogs and diagnostic immunoassays for aPL antibodies are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vertebrate translation initiation factor (eIF-4AIII), that plays a role in the differentiation of an embryonic cell to an epideimal cell. This translation initiation factor interacts with BMP-4 in a positive regulatory loop. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of using the translation initiation factor, nucleic acids encoding the same, and corresponding antibodies and the like.