Abstract: A method of immunization, and compositions therefor, are provided for substantially preventing or reducing the symptoms of at least one infectious disease and at least one chronic immune mediated disorder. An immunogenic challenge which supplements the normal childhood immunization schedule can help ensure the proper maturation of the immune system and prevent the development of chronic immune mediated disorders, such as immune-mediated diabetes or SLE.

Abstract: The present invention is an assay for screening and identifying pharmaceutically effective compounds that specifically inhibit the uncoating of protein-coated double-stranded DNA viruses. Viral uncoating is monitored by fractionation and competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques.

Abstract: The invention concerns a viral regulation protein or a viral regulation protein fragment or the alpha interferon or the alpha interferon fragment which is carboxymethylated. The invention also concerns the preparation method and the use of the resulting product in a therapeutic method for treating the human or animal body, a pharmaceutical and vaccine composition containing, as active principle, one at least of the carboxymethylated proteins or fragments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lipid containing vector capable of fusing to a cell membrane and delivering a compounds contained therein to a cell, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A highly efficient method for generating human antibodies in particular which are specific to be RSV fusion protein which combines in vitro priming of human spleen cells and antigen boosting in SCID mice is taught. This method provides for very high human antibody titers which are predominantly of the IgG isotype which contain antibodies of high specificity and affinity to desired antigens. This method is well suited for generating human monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications as well as for rescue of human cells for generation of combinational human antibody gene libraries. Two human monoclonal antibodies, RF-1 and RF-2 which each possess an affinity for RSV F-protein≦2×10−9 Molar are taught as well as their corresponding amino acid and DNA sequences. These antibodies are to be used therapeutically and prophylactically for treating or preventing RSV infection, as well as for diagnosis of RSV in analytes.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a protein by culture of hybridoma cells, wherein said protein is an immunoglobulin, are disclosed. The methods involve culturing animal hybridoma cells in continuous presence of an alkanoic acid or salt thereof, which enhances protein production, wherein said alkanoic acid or salt thereof is present at 2 concentration range of 0.1 mM to 200 mM.

Abstract: Recombinant parainfluenza virus (PIV) are provided in which expression of the C, D and/or V translational open reading frame(s) (ORFs) is reduced or ablated to yield novel PIV vaccine candidates. Expression of the C, D and/or V ORF(s) is reduced or ablated by modifying a recombinant PIV genome or antigenome, for example by introduction of a stop codon, by a mutation in an RNA editing site, by a mutation that alters the amino acid specified by an initiation codon, or by a frame shift mutation in the targeted ORF(s). Alternatively, the C, D and/or V ORF(s) is deleted in whole or in part to render the protein(s) encoded thereby partially or entirely non-functional or to disrupt protein expression altogether. C, D and/or V ORF(s) deletion and knock out mutants possess highly desirable phenotypic characteristics for vaccine development. These deletion and knock out mutations changes specify one or more desired phenotypic changes in the resulting virus or subviral particle.

Abstract: The use of cortisol agonist for preparing a system for diagnosis of the Metabolic Syndrome and related conditions as belly fatness, insulin resistance including increased risk of developing senile diabetes, i.e., diabetes type II, high blood fats and high blood pressure, in which system the dose of cortisol agonist is in an interval where a difference is obtained in the inhibitory effect of the autoproduction of cortisol in individuals suffering from the Metabolic Syndrome, compared to normal values.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reducing recombination phenomena among nucleic acids. It also concerns the use of said method for producing defective viruses not contaminated by replication particles. The invention further concerns novel viral constructs.

Abstract: Binding of two members of a binding couple reveals epitopes which are revealed only after binding and the monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma cell line CG-10 directed against these epitopes bind to the bound couple at a significantly higher affinity than their binding affinity to either of the two members themselves when not bound to one another.

Abstract: Retroviral vector particle producing cells are provided, wherein the cell (a) has greater than 5 stably integrated copies of a retroviral vector construct; (b) produces greater than 10 infectious recombinant retroviral vector particles per cell per day; and (c) produces replication incompetent retroviral vector particles.

Abstract: Infectious bursal disease viruses were isolated from broiler chickens experiencing proventriculitis in, for example, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, and California. Chicken virus isolates Texas RB 3, Texas RB 4, HBS, F57-7, W/L 39, GAR 1, and the like have been isolated. These viruses are some of the major causes of this condition and can be utilized as or in a vaccine to prevent the disease condition. The viruses are a significant finding in the search for a causative agent for proventriculitis in broiler chickens and as such may be utilized in the development of a vaccine or vaccines. The viruses can be attenuated to be used as a modified live vaccine or utilized in an inactivated form in a killed vaccine.

Abstract: Methods of reducing pre-existing humoral immunity to a viral immunogenic therapeutic agent such as adenovirus, using immunoapheresis are disclosed. Antibodies specific for the viral immunogenic therapeutic agent are selectively removed from the blood of an individual prior to administration of the viral immunogenic therapeutic agent by reaction extracorporeally with an immunosorbent which specifically binds the antibody. After the antibody is selectively removed from the blood, the blood is reinfused into the patient and the viral immunogenic therapeutic agent is administered. The invention also provides kits and compositions for selective removal of anti-viral antibody.

Abstract: The invention allows, for the first time, to (almost) perfectly detect the various phases of a BDV infection in all species by combining a newly discovered test parameter, the circulating immune complexes (CICs) in the blood plasma, with already known parameters, antigen (AG) in white blood cells and antibodies (AK) in the plasma. All three parameters can be determined from a single blood sample. The detection of BDV-specific CICs described for the first time by the invention as the only infection markers with long-time persistence allows both the detection of healthy carriers (latent infections) and the evaluation of the development of the infection and of therapy results in the case of diseased individuals.

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing bacterial contamination of a viral vaccine is disclosed. The method comprises adding an effective preserving amount of a polybiguanide-containing preservative composition to a solution containing vaccine virus or virus antigen. The method is particularly useful in preventing or reducing bacterial contamination of process solutions involved in the manufacture of influenza vaccines.

Abstract: A composition which elicits antibodies to multiple known variants of Tat protein of HIV-1 of both the B and non-B clades contains the peptide R1-Asp-Pro-Asn-Leu-Asp-Pro-Trp-Asn-R2 SEQ ID NO: 23, and preferably an additional at least two variants of a peptide or polypeptide of the formula: R1-Asp-Pro-Y7-Leu-Glu-Pro-Trp-Z12-R2 SEQ ID NO: 8. In this composition, at least one of the two variants contains Arg at Y7 and Lys at Z12, and in at least a second of the two variants Y7 is Asn and Z12 is Asn. Vaccinal and pharmaceutical compositions can contain one or more such peptides associated with carrier proteins, associated in multiple antigenic peptides, or as part of recombinant proteins. Diagnostic compositions and uses are described for assessing the immune status of vaccinated patients.

Abstract: A lipid bilayer with affinity to an analyte, which directly signals binding by a changes in the light absorption spectra. This novel assay means and method has special applications in the drug development and medical testing fields. Using a spectrometer, the system is easily automated, and a multiple well embodiment allows inexpensive screening and sequential testing. This invention also has applications in industry for feedstock and effluent monitoring.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed whereby protease activity is directly linked to delivery of a transferable label to a target cell which expresses a protease, via fusion of viral display packages comprising the transferable label with the target cell. The methods can be used, inter alia, to identify proteases, including previously undiscovered proteases or variants of known proteases which may have altered substrate specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to five synthetic peptides of pre-M/M protein of Dengue-2 virus, corresponding to amino acid sequences 3-31, 45-67, 57-92, 69-93 and 103-124. The anti-peptide immune response was evaluated in mice. Recombinant fusion proteins were also obtained, including regions of pre-M/M protein. The presence of B cell epitopes in both mice and humans was demonstrated in the pre-M/M protein peptides. Peptides 3-31 and 103-124 elicited neutralizing antibodies against the four serotypes of Dengue virus. Virus-specific proliferative responses were demonstrated in mice immunized with non-conjugated peptides 3-31 and 57-92. Mice immunized with conjugated peptides 3-31, 57-92, and 69-93 were protected when they were challenged with Dengue-2 virus. Thus, the presence of sequential epitopes in Pre-M/M protein of Dengue-2 virus was demonstrated, as well as their relevance in the immune response against this flavivirus.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) comprising reverse transcriptase inactivated by photoinactivation used to evoke an immune response. The immune response may protect an individual from challenges with live virus. Alternatively, the inactivated HIV particles may be used to augment the immune response to HIV in an infected individual.