Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening molecules capable of inhibiting the survival of Helicobacter pylori in vivo by specifically inhibiting the activity of UreI, to the molecules identified by these methods, and to the use of these molecules to treat or prevent H. pylori infection.

Abstract: A novel bacterial blood group antigen binding (BAB) adhesin protein was isolated and purified, whereby said protein or fractions thereof bind specifically to Helicobacter pylori fucosylated blood group antibodies. The protein sequence of said adhesin is disclosed in this application. Simultaneously the DNA sequences for two genes, babA and babB, producing highly similar proteins, are disclosed. Said adhesin and/or DNA is useful for diagnose and therapy and/or profylax directed against H. pylori induced infections, e.g. gastritis and acid peptic disease.

Abstract: The present invention concerns immunogenic epitopes of Shigella-like toxins (SLTs), particularly the Shigella-like toxin of E. coli 0157:H7, their use as immunogens and in treatment or diagnosis, agents (for example antibodies and antigen-binding fragments) which specifically neutralise them, their use in treatment and diagnosis, and methods for same.

Abstract: A method for specifically immunoprecipitating albumin from a serum sample, using a “collapsible affinity matrix.” Also provided is a method for the co-removal of immunoglobulin using a “collapsible affinity matrix.” Removal of the highly abundant serum proteins, albumin and immunoglobulin, thereby improves the fractionation of the remaining serum proteins. Due to the collapsible nature of the matrix, less protein is trapped in the void space. Through specific removal of the abundant serum proteins by the collapsible affinity matrix and application of a two dimensional gel electrophoresis method, HiCap 2-D PAGE, the concentrations of a large number of low abundant serum proteins are estimated simultaneously, allowing the identification of several disease-related proteins in a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: The application discloses a method for the treatment of Heliobacter infection in a mammalian host, which comprises administration to said infected host of an immunologically effective amount of one or more Heliobacter antigen(s), optionally in association with a mucosal adjuvant.

Abstract: This invention satisfies needs in the art by providing intimin, the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) adherence protein, alone or as a fusion protein with one or more other antigens, expressed by transgenic plants and the use of those plants as vehicles for stimulating a protective immune response against EHEC and the one or more other antigens. Various plant species are transformed to protect various animal species and also humans against EHEC, against pathogens expressing intimin-like proteins, and against pathogens expressing any of the one or more other antigens to which intimin may be fused. The eae gene encoding intimin, a functional portion thereof, or a recombination that encodes a fusion protein is put under the control of a constitutive plant promoter in a plasmid and the plasmid is introduced into plants by the type of transformation appropriate for the particular plant species.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugate compounds comprising at least one heat shock protein or portion thereof including at least one immunostimulatory domain and at least one capsular oligosaccharide or polysaccharide of a pathogenic bacteria. The compound comprises oligosaccharides of the Meningococci C (MenC) group and a heat shock protein selected from M. bovis BCG GroE1-type 65 kDa hsp (hspR65), recombinant M. tuberculosis DnaK-type 70 kDa hsp (hspR70) and a heat shock protein from H. pylori. The invention also provides processes for producing conjugate compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate compounds, therapeutic compositions comprising conjugate compounds, and methods of inducing an immune response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 6 kDa host-defense polypeptide which is generated by proteolytic digestion of the lactoferrin molecule. The 6 kDa host-defense polypeptide has antimicrobial activity and also endotoxin-neutralizing activity. Also disclosed are functional variants of the 6 kDa host defense polypeptide, which include N-terminal and C-terminal truncations of the 6 kDa polypeptide, and other modifications of the polypeptide, such as amino acid substitutions which preserve or enhance activity.

Abstract: A modified bead having a structure represented by the formula B—X—A is disclosed, wherein B is a solid support preferably in the form of a bead, X is a spacer selected from the group consisting of poly(threonine), poly(serine), dextran, and poly(ethylene glycol), and A is an antibody. Using such modified beads in an immunoflow module, antigens can be captured and detected from food and environmental samples in about 30 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing monoclonal antibodies that are highly specific for (1) unique epitopes of Campylobacter jejuni (Cj) only and (2) epitopes conserved between Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli (Cc) outer membranes; to specific monoclonal antibodies made by the methods of the instant invention; and uses thereof. The invention is drawn further to immunogens comprising the outer membrane complexes of Cj and Cc.

Abstract: One end of a thin-tube type solid phase in which a receptor specific for a material or an organism to be measured which can induce a pH-change of substrate solution is immobilized is soaked in a sample solution and then taken out therefrom. The one end of the thin-tube type solid phase is disposed in a measurement cell and a sensing portion of a pH electrode disposed in the measurement cell is in the vicinity of the one end of the thin-tube type solid phase. The measurement cell and the thin-tube type solid phase are filled with a substrate solution so that a reaction takes place. Thereafter, the substrate solution in the thin-tube type solid phase is moved to the sensing portion by a solution feed pump. The output of the pH electrode at this timing is detected.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to screening or testing for insulin like growth factors, insulin like growth factor binding proteins and/or acid labile subunit by the use of a solid support. Blood is collected onto a solid support, such as paper, and subsequently the analytes of interest are extracted for testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of selecting nonpathogenic bacterial strains capable of binding to the receptor sites for tissue adhesion of pathogenic bacterial strains, comprising the steps consisting in: a) bringing the said receptors into contact in vitro with a bacterial strain to be tested; b) adding an antibody directed against the said receptors, the said antibody being optionally labelled in a detectable manner; c) in the case where the said antibody is itself not labelled in a detectable manner, adding an agent for detecting the antibody; d) detecting the presence of the complex formed between the said antibody and the said receptors.

Abstract: An improved assay method and device for use in such method in which soluble releasable reagents are used.

Abstract: A novel vaccine for immunizing animals against Pasteurella haemolytica infection is disclosed. The vaccine is composed of whole killed cells of P. haemolytica in a dosage effective to immunize an animal against the organism, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The killed cells of P. haemolytica are produced by irradiating viable cells with ultraviolet light for a sufficient period of time to kill the cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and prevention of ungulate diseases caused by the spirochete bacteria Treponema. The invention specifically relates to isolated cultures of this spirochete and isolated nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: This invention satisfies needs in the art by providing intimin, the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) adherence protein, alone or as a fusion protein with one or more other antigens, expressed by transgenic plants and the use of those plants as vehicles for stimulating a protective immune response against EHEC and the one or more other antigens. Various plant species are transformed to protect various animal species and also humans against EHEC, against pathogens expressing intimin-like proteins, and against pathogens expressing any of the one or more other antigens to which intimin may be fused. The eae gene encoding intimin, a functional portion thereof, or a recombination that encodes a fusion protein is put under the control of a constitutive plant promoter in a plasmid and the plasmid is introduced into plants by the type of transformation appropriate for the particular plant species.

Abstract: Methods for labeling mannose lectins on the surface of mammalian sperm cells are described, and methods of categorizing and quantifying the numbers of cells exhibiting particular labeling patterns are also provided. These methods provide ways of detecting whether or not a mammalian male patient has mannose lectin-correlated infertility, which is determined on the basis of the relative numbers of sperm cells labeled with particular labeling patterns. Methods for detecting capacitation-induced changes in the distribution of mannose lectins on mammalian sperm cells are also provided, and these methods can also be used to detect whether or not a mammalian male patient has mannose lectin-correlated infertility, on the basis of the comparative relative labeling in capacitated and non-capacitated sperm cell samples. In addition, the various methods are shown to be useful for determining whether chemical compounds have effects on mammalian sperm cell surface lectin distribution or acrosomal states.

Abstract: The present invention provides new tools and methods for identifying herbicides and potential herbicides which affect cell plate formation and development. A new protein, phragmoplastin, has been discovered which is associated with cell plate membrane vesicles during cytokinesis. By visualizing the phragmoplastin, one is able to examine the development of the cell plate particularly in response to herbicides or potential herbicides. One method of visualizing phragmoplastin employs immunocytochemical techniques with anti-phragmoplastin antibodies. Another method of visualizing phragmoplastin employs cells which are transformed with a DNA molecule which encodes a chimeric phragmoplastin protein comprised of phragmoplastin and a luminescent tag or protein, fused to the phragmoplastin protein. The phragmoplastin in such cells is visualized by examining the cells under conditions which cause the marker to become visible such as by fluorescent microscopy.