Abstract: A process for the preparation of immunogens or diagnostic reagents that mimic an antigen or a pathogenic organism specific to a disease, essentially characterized by the following operations: identification of at least one antibody that reacts with the antigen or pathogenic organism specific to the disease; construction of phage libraries which display on the surface of the capsid oligopeptides, expressed from random sequence oligonucleotidic inserts introduced into a gene coding for a phage capsid protein using genetic manipulation techniques (for example using a plasmid engineered for the purposes of the invention, the genetic map of which is shown in the figure); selection of the phages that display on the surfaces of the capsid antigenic oligopeptides recognized by said antibody; optional use of the selected phages and/or fragments thereof and/or their derivatives for the formulation of diagnostic kits for the specific pathogenic agent, or in general for the diseases, including immunological disorders typ

Abstract: Agricultural methods of biological control and organisms useful in such methods are disclosed, such as novel endophytic symbiotic Bacillus subtilis and methods of biologically controlling fungal diseases of plants. These strains are useful vectors for the delivery of their beneficial gene products to plants.

Abstract: A formed cream substitute for the addition to hot meals and a method for its preparation. The formed cream substitute for the addition to hot meals is formed by working 20 to 60% cream powder and 10 to 50% fat powder in a 15 to 50% matrix of pure fat. The cream substitute according to the invention can be provided in the form of lumps, in the form of cubes, or in the form of a granulate. The cream substitute can be stored well at room temperature and has, on a weight basis, a higher effectiveness than liquid cream.

Abstract: Cytotoxic lymphocyte-inducing lipopeptides comprising a peptide fragment having approximately between 10 and 40 amino acids and comprising at least one antigenic determinant and also comprising one or more chains derived from fatty acids and one or more modified steroid groups useful for immunizing a human or animal body against pathogenic agents such as viruses or parasites which fragment is preferably a fragment of the protein encoded by the ENV gene, by the NEF gene or by the GAG gene of HIV viruses.

Abstract: Therapeutic and prophylactic methods using Rh antibodies for delaying the progression of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a subject who is exposed to HIV, or infected by HIV.

Abstract: Artificial systems for the production of infectious human papillomavirus allow development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on replication and infectivity studies for diseases caused by these viruses. The artificial introduction of papillomavirus genomic DNA into an epithelial cell line. In particular, HPV type 18 genomic DNA is transfected into primary keratinocytes. Transfection is followed by clonal expansion of the transfected cells, and induction of epithelial stratification and differentiation in organotypic cultures resulting in the synthesis of virions. Virus particles synthesized were approximately 50 nanometers in diameter as observed by electron microscopy. In particular HPV18 virions produced by the system and purified by an isopycnic gradient were capable of infecting keratinocytes.

Abstract: This invention provides for recombinant single chain antibodies capable of specifically binding to a Lewis.sup.Y -related carbohydrate antigen and fusion proteins comprising these antibodies. More particularly, the invention provides for single chain Fv regions of the monoclonal antibody B3. The invention also provides for a method of improving the binding affinity of antibodies lacking a serine at position 95 of the V.sub.H region that involves mutating position 95 to a serine.

Abstract: E6-BP polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding E6-BP polypeptides, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inducing a Th1-like response against a pathogen in a neonatal host, which comprises administering to the neonatal host an effective amount of IL-12 and an antigen of the pathogen. Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of overcoming suppression of interferon-.gamma. (IFN-.gamma.) expression in a neonatal host due to exposure of the neonatal host to a pathogen or an antigen, which comprises administering to the neonatal host an effective amount of IL-12 and the antigen. The present invention also relates to a method of enhancing the cytokine expression against or in response to a pathogen in a neonatal host, which comprises administering to the neonatal host an effective amount of IL-12 and an antigen of the pathogen.

Abstract: A cosmetic or pharmaceutical, particularly dermatological, composition including an effective amount of laminarin or laminarin-derived oligosaccharides as the active ingredient. It has been discovered that laminarin, oligosaccharides derived therefrom and compositions containing same have stimulating, regenerating, conditioning and energising effects on human dermis fibroblasts and human epidermis keratinocytes. Said composition is useful in cosmetics and pharmacology.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter comprising a defective interfering virus particle, wherein said particle naturally occurs in a human infection and wherein said particles has a naturally occurring core antigen internal deletion. Provided is a pharmaceutical composition, comprising defective interfering virus particle and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Provided is a method for preparing defective interfering virus, comprising the steps of: (1) introduce a defective interfering virus and a complementing plasmid expressing a wild type virus core antigen and optionally containing a drug resistance gene, into a recipient cell; (2) selecting for stably transfected colonies; (3) growing the drug resistant cells and screening for the production of virus DNA replication; and (4) collecting defective interfering virus particles from the medium. Further provided is a vaccine, comprising a defective interfering virus particle.

Abstract: A holographic image produced by the impression of a shim onto a metallic ink coating comprising a plurality of metallic particles suspended in a resinous ink binder. A resinous or substantially tactile and nonresilient undercoat can be applied to the substrate also to receive the impression of the shim and to create more distinct holographic imagery. A substantially clear overcoat can also be applied over the metallic ink coating to enhance the reflectivity of the image.

Abstract: A reagent for immunologically detecting rheumatism containing as an antigen at least one mammalian protein selected from among ezrin, radixin and moesin and/or a peptide composed of at least nine consecutive amino acid residues found in the amino acid sequences of ezrin, radixin and moesin; and a method of detecting autoantibodies present in the serum of a rheumatic. An immunological reaction using this reagent enables precritical or early diagnosis of rheumatism. An immunological detection using the above autoantigenic proteins is convenient and reliable as an early serodiagnostic method based on rheumatism-specific antigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a basic protein and a basic peptide composition which can be administered orally and has the ability to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, strengthen bone and inhibit bone resorption. Said basic protein has the following properties: (1) a molecular weight distribution of is 2,000-24,000; (2) an isoelectric point distribution of is 7.5-11; and (3) it is comprised of more than 10% of basic amino acids. Said composition can be obtained by the following steps: After milk, or raw material derived from milk, is loaded onto a cation exchange resin column, a fraction is obtained by eluting with an eluent of 0.1-1.0M salt concentration, precipitate removed by (i) heating to over 75.degree. C., (ii) by adding alcohol so that the final concentration thereof is 10-50% or (iii) by adding salts so that the final concentration thereof will be more than 0.2M; and the supernatant thereof containing the basic protein fraction recovered.

Abstract: It is known to isolate MHA from a reaction mixture obtained by the addition of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) to methyl mercaptopropionic aldehyde (MMP) and the hydrolysis of the methyl mercapto propionic aldehyde cyanohydrine (MMP-CH) obtained thereby with sulphuric acid, in which the reaction mixture is brought into contact with a substantially non-water-miscible organic solvent, in order to form an extraction solution having the solvent and MHA transferred from the reaction mixture, and the MHA is obtained as an extract from this extraction solution by concentration. The simplest and most economical process of the invention concerning the processing of the reaction product which facilitates the production of a highly concentrated product with an extremely low dimer, oligomer and by-product content, is characterised in that the concentration is conducted in such a way that the remaining extract contains less than 4 wt % and preferably less than 2 wt % of water.

Abstract: Vaccines against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) have been produced by attenuation of wild type strains of the virus selected from the group of attenuated NADC-8, attenuated NADC-9 and attenuated NVSL-14. These vaccines are useful in monovalent, bivalent or polyvalent vaccines.

Abstract: Improved vaccine compositions and methods of making same are provided, which vaccines are characterized by an antigen from a pathogen and an effective adjuvanting amount of Interleukin-12. These IL-12 adjuvanted vaccines are capable of increasing the vaccinated host's cell mediated immune response to provide an increased and protective immune response to the pathogen. Also disclosed are methods for vaccinating hosts by administering a vaccine containing an antigen from a pathogenic microorganism and co-administering an adjuvanting amount of IL-12. Vaccines or therapeutic compositions directed against a cancer may also be adjuvanted with IL-12 according to this invention.

Abstract: Metal binding polypeptides which include an amino acid sequence coding for a variable region of a monoclonal antibody which immunoreacts with a mercury cation and nucleotides which include a nucleic acid sequence coding for the variable region are provided. The invention is also directed to fusion proteins which include a phage coat protein or portion thereof and the monoclonal antibody heavy chain variable region. The invention also provides bacteriophages which include the fusion protein in their coat. In addition, methods for detecting, removing, adding, or neutralizing mercuric cations in biological or inanimate systems through the use of the mercury binding polypeptides are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies against heart muscle actin, processes for the production of such antibodies and their use.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for heat stripping an optical fiber cable having a polymer coating and an optical fiber. A heat source is applied to the polymer coating causing the polymer coating to be heated rapidly to a break temperature, thereby causing the polymer coating to dehydrate, expand and burst outward detaching itself completely from the underneath optical fiber. The heat source is subsequently applied along the optical fiber cable causing the corresponding polymer coating to curl off and expose the optical fiber.