Abstract: Virion-constrained nanoparticles comprising a shell of virion coat protein(s) surrounding an organic, inorganic and/or organo-metallic non-viral nanoparticle and methods of making and using.

Abstract: This invention provides: agents determined to be capable of specifically inhibiting the fusion of a macrophage-tropic primary isolate of HIV-1 to a CD4+ cell, but not a T cell-tropic isolate of HIV-1 to a CD4+ cell; and agents determined to be capable of specifically inhibiting the fusion of a T cell-tropic isolate of HIV-1 to a CD4+ cell, but not a macrophage-tropic primary isolate of HIV-1 to a CD4+ cell. This invention also provides: agents capable of specifically inhibiting the fusion of a macrophage tropic primary isolate of HIV-1 with a CD+ cell susceptible to infection by a macrophage-tropic primary isolate of HIV-1; and agents capable of specifically inhibiting the fusion of a T cell-tropic isolate of HIV-1 with a CD4+ cell susceptible to infection by a T cell-tropic isolate of HIV-1. The agents include but are not limited to antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a novel RNA sequence at the 3? terminal sequence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome RNA. Included in the invention are the 3? sequence, its complement, and their use for nucleic-acid based diagnostics and for developing and evaluating novel anti-HCV therapies. This sequence element, which is conserved among HCV genotypes, is likely to be essential for viral replication, and required for construction of full-length HCV cDNA clones capable of yielding infectious RNA, progeny virus or replication-competent HCV replicons. Such functional clones are useful tools for evaluation of therapeutic approaches and as substrates for developing candidate attenuated or inactivated HCV derivatives for vaccination against HCV.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HIV protein vpr or nucleic acid molecule encoding vpr are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by hyperproliferating undifferentiated cells such as cancer by administering such compositions. Methods of identifying compounds which have anti-HIV activity are disclosed, in particular, methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of vpr and of identifying compounds which inhibit vpr binding to the HIV protein gag.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of metal chelate-labelled peptide antigens, peptides obtainable by this process and their use in an immunological method of detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant expression vectors which express segments of deoxyribonucleic acid that encode recombinant HIV and HCV antigens. These recombinant expression vectors are transformed into host cells and used in a method to express large quantities of these antigens. The invention also provides compositions containing certain of the isolated antigens., diagnostic systems containing these antigens and methods of assaying body fluids to detect the presence of antibodies against the antigens of the invention.

Abstract: Method of inhibiting proliferation of cells using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Method of preventing lymphocyte activation using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual diagnosed with or suspected of suffering from autoimmune disease, diseases characterized by proliferating cells and graft versus host disease by administering vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof are disclosed. Conjugated compositions for delivery of active agents to the nucleus of cells are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions of attenuated dengue virus. More specifically, the attenuated virus is produced by serial passage in PDK cells. The invention also provides methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to induce protection against all four dengue virus serotypes by administration of attenuated dengue-1, dengue-2, dengue-3, and dengue-4 virus.

Abstract: The identification, separation, purification, and propagation of the HIV-1 virus is provided. Moreover, the preparation of antigens from HIV-1 is further provided. The identification of HIV-1 involves the purification of a virus sample from lymphocytes and contacting the sample with antibodies, which bind to HIV-1 viruses, is provided. The propagation of HIV-1 virus involves infecting uninfected T lymphocytes with the virus. Moreover, the preparation of antigens from HIV-1 involves the separation of protein components of a purified HIV-1 virus under denaturing conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and compositions for modifying a phenotype of a virus, such as viral tropism and host range, by iterative sequence recombination of variant viruses and selection of improved variants.

Abstract: The HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat significantly increases astrocytic expression and release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is expressed in the brains of patients with HIV-1-associated dementia, and is present in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with this condition. This present invention employs compounds, such as MCP-1 antagonists and partial agonists, as well as HIV-1 Tat-inhibitors in methods for treating and/or preventing HIV-1 associated dementia.

Abstract: Metal chelate-labelled peptide which has a maximum length of 50 amino acids and is coupled to at least one luminescent metal chelate at the amino terminus or/and at amino side groups, wherein the at least one luminescent metal chelate is present on the peptide at a predetermined position on the peptide.

Abstract: Cultured brain slices are treated with a free radical generator, in the presence of a lysosomal enzyme inhibitor (specifically an inhibitor of two cathepsins). The treated brain slices rapidly develop autofluorescent lipofuscin granules—a universal feature of brain aging. Other correlates of the aged brain are also induced by this treatment, thereby providing an in vitro model for (1) the study of brain aging; (2) assessment of anti-brain aging drugs; and (3) therapeutics directed at the clinical condition referred to as neuronal ceroidlipofuscinosis.

Abstract: An instrument for sequencing oligonucleotides is loaded with the products of four sequencing reaction mixtures. These products are a combination of A, C, G and T reaction products for several sequencing reactions. The products of the different sequencing reactions are labeled with fluorescent tags which are distinguishable one from the other on the basis of their excitation or emission spectra. After separation of the oligonucleotides by electrophoresis, the order of the detected peaks is used to call the base sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are selected indolocarbazole derivatives which are represented by the general formula: The compounds are useful for enhancing the function and/or survival of a trophic factor responsive cell. They inhibit interleukin-2 production and have immunosuppressive activity.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. One embodiment of the invention is the use of a non-prescription formulation containing 2.0 mg B12 and 0.4 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B6. Another embodiment uses a prescription strength formulation containing 2.0 mg B12 and 1.0 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a container (30) and conduits (32, 33, 36) associated with said container by adding a cleaning solvent to the container and circulating said solvent through said conduits back to said container. In accordance with the invention the cleaning solvent additionally is forced intermittently through a filter unit (1) containing an absorbent material, preferably active carbon (3), and then is allowed to flow through said conduits to said container, said container and conduits thus intermittently being flushed with clean solvent. The container may be a reaction vessel for chemical processes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using the apparatus for staining particular cell markers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible tube that is reversibly pinched into compartments with one or more clamps. Each compartment of the tube contains a separate reagent and is in selective fluid communication with adjoining compartments.

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that elicits a strong cellular immune response following infection and therefore has potential use as a vaccine vector. However, while infections by L. monocytogenes are fairly rare and can readily be controlled by a number of antibiotics, the organism can nevertheless cause meningitis and death, particularly in immunocompromised or pregnant patients. We therefore have endeavored to isolate a highly attenuated strain of this organism for use as a vaccine vector. D-Alanine is required for the synthesis of the mucopeptide component of the cell walls of virtually all bacteria and is found almost exclusively in the microbial world. We have found in L. monocytogenes two genes that control the synthesis of this compound, an alanine racemase gene (dal) and a D-amino acid aminotransferase gene (dat).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous processing apparatus and method for cleaning articles with a liquified compressed gaseous solvent mixture. The continuous processing apparatus includes three processing chambers including an entrance chamber, a cleaning chamber, and an exit chamber. The chambers are provided with hatches which are opened and closed at appropriate times to allow the articles to be cleaned to pass into and out of the chambers. The entrance chamber is used for evacuation of the incoming articles to remove the majority of the air and moisture from the articles. After evacuation of the incoming articles, the entrance chamber is pressurized and the articles pass into the cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber is maintained at a temperature and a pressure at which the liquified compressed gaseous solvent mixture is in a subcritical state and a liquid/gas interface exists between a liquid and a gas portion of the liquified compressed gaseous solvent mixture.