Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic polypeptide having the amino acid sequenceM A K S M L S G I V F A G L V A A A A A - S S A N S A A N V S V L E S G P A V Q E - V P A R T V T A R L A K P L L L L S A L - A A T L A A A F L V L Q C F N I I S S N - N Q Q T S V R R L A A G G A C G D E E D - A D E G T S Q Q A S R R R R K P D T P A - A D K Y D F V G G T P V S V T E P N V D - E V L I Q I R N K Q I F L K N P W T G Q - E E Q V L V L E R Q S E E P I L I V A R - T R Q T L E G Y L G S Q A L A Q D G K T - A K E E K V E G G K T H R R Y K V K S S - D P G Y G F P Y T T V L D G V P V G T D - E D G Y V V E V L M K T G P H G G V D M - M T S T A S Q G K F C G V L M D D G K G - N L V D G Q G R K I T A V I G M L T Q P - D T E F R S G P G D D E D D E (SEQ ID NO:1)and fragments thereof,which polypeptides are capable of inducing an immune response against Eimeria parasites, and the DNA encoding such polypeptides, as well as recombinant vectors and recombinant viruses containing the said DNA or fragments thereof and transformed micr

Abstract: According to the present invention a vaccine can be prepared containing a mutant Serpulina hyodysenteriae which is defective in its production of biologically active hemolysin. The mutation by which Serpulina hyodysenteriae is made defective in its production of hemolytically active hemolysin is established by means of genetical engineering techniques. Such mutations comprise e.g. deletion of part or the entire gene coding for hemolysin and/or nucleotide sequences controling the production of hemolysin, or insertion of an extra nucleotide or polynucleotide into the gene encoding hemolysin and/or the nucleotide sequences controling the production of hemolysin, or a combination of said deletion and insertion. These vaccines are useful in the prevention of Serpulina infections in susceptible animals such as swine.

Abstract: Oral or peroral administration, including intragastrically, of killed whole pneumococci, lysate of pneumococci and isolated and purified PspA, as well as immunogenic fragments thereof, particularly when administered with an adjuvant such as cholera toxin provides protection in a host, animal or human, against pneumococcal infection, including colonization, and systemic infection, such as sepsis. The ability to elicit protection against pneumococcal colonization in a host prevents carriage among immunized individuals, which can lead to elimination of disease from the population as a whole.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein B1, and peptides formed therefrom, of Moraxella catarrhalis are described. A method for the isolation and purification of outer membrane protein B1 from a bacterial strain that produces B1 protein, e.g. Moraxella catarrhalis, comprises growing the bacteria in culture in iron-depleted medium to enhance the expression of the B1 protein, harvesting the bacteria from the culture, extracting from the harvested bacteria a preparation substantially comprising an outer membrane protein preparation, contacting the outer membrane preparation with an affinity matrix containing immobilized transferrin wherein B1 protein binds to the transferrin, and eluting the bound B1 protein from the transferrin. Disclosed are the uses of the B1 protein as an immunogen for vaccine formulations, and as antigens in diagnostic immunoassays.

Abstract: A method for the assessment of bone fragility and osteoporosis fracture risk characterized by:measuring in vitro the concentration of under-carboxylated osteocalcin in a biological fluid sample such as serum, plasma or urine;comparing the concentration of under-carboxylated osteocalcin in the test sample with the concentration in a control sample containing levels of under-carboxylated osteocalcin representative of the upper limit of the normal range, concentrations above this upper limit being indicative of increased risk of bone fracture.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent electron-rich aryl-substituted 1,2-dioxetane compounds are disclosed in which the aryl group is poly-substituted with suitable electron-donating groups such that the light-emitting pattern of the molecule results in a very high luminescent count, thus providing for a sensitive and precise assay for haptens, analytes, polynucleotides and the like. These substituted aryl-containing 1,2-dioxetane compounds can be used as direct labels in an immunoassay or when derivatized with an appropriate leaving group, can be used as a substrate for a enzyme immunoassay. The unusual chemiluminescence of the compounds allows the timing of the luminescent reaction to be exactly controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are short antigenic peptides of MOMP protein from Chlamydia trachomatis. They can be used to stimulate antigenic responses and to diagnose the presence of the bacteria.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved assays for the detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in humans and non-human mammals. The methods involve detecting the presence or absence of 14-3-3 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid from the tested organism. Elevated levels of 14-3-3 are indicative of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, in particular Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans or mad cow disease in bovines).

Abstract: Regions of the PspA protein of the R.times.1 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae have been identified as containing protection-eliciting epitopes which are cross-reactive with PspAs of other S. pneumoniae strains and which is cross-protective. One region comprises the 68-amino acid sequence extending from amino acid residues 192 to 260 of the R.times.1 PspA strain while another region comprises the C-terminal amino acid sequence extending from amino acid residues 293 to 588 of the R.times.1 PspA strain.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a non-instrumented assay giving quantitative and/or qualitative results. Specifically, the invention is directed to an assaying process wherein a first portion of binder supported on substantially the entire length of a solid is contacted with a sample suspected of containing analyte. The binder is a binder for at least the analyte. The first portion is also contacted with a tracer. The process includes contacting a second binder portion also supported on the solid with tracer. The second portion is juxtaposed to the first portion and has a known amount of analyte thereon. The amount of analyte in the sample is determined by comparing the visibility of tracer in the first and second portions. In a preferred embodiment, a third binder portion supported on the solid juxtaposed to the second portion is contacted with tracer. The third portion has a known amount of analyte thereon. The amount of analyte in the third portion is different from the amount on the second portion.

Abstract: Specific epitopic regions of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), a thyroid specific membrane autoantigen, have been identified within amino acid residues 456 to 933, 517 to 630, and 633 to 933 of the protein (SEQ ID NO:1), with at least one distinct binding region within TPO located from amino acid residues 592 to 613 (SEQ ID NO:3). The identification and production of these localized epitopes/epitopic regions provide specific diagnostic reagents for autoimmune thyroid disease.

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.

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.

Abstract: Mouse is immunized with an antigen of a lipid fraction originating from Mycoplasma fermentans. Its spleen cells are fused with mouse myeloma cells to prepare hybridomas. A hybridoma is selected, which produces a monoclonal antibody having reaction specificity to GGPL-III that is a phosphocholine-containing glycoglycerolipid specific to Mycolplasma fermentans. Mycoplasma fermentans is detected by using the obtained antibody.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is described a method of detecting the presence of toxins, which may traverse bacterial membranes in some manner, in environmental samples using an indicator bacteria such as E. coli K-12 and a fluorescent signal. The method includes:(a) obtaining a positive control signal by placing an indicator bacteria strain such as E. coli K-12 and a bactericidal peptide such as a cecropin in a suitable buffer containing a fluorescent marker for bacterial DNA such as SYTOX;(b) obtaining a negative control signal by placing only the indicator bacteria strain in the buffer containing the fluorescent marker for bacterial DNA;(c) obtaining a test signal by combining an environmental test sample with the indicator bacteria strain and the fluorescent marker for bacterial DNA in the buffer; and(d) comparing the signal generated by the test sample to that obtained for the negative control.

Abstract: A portable cassette is disclosed, for use in receiving, maintaining and growing biological cells ex vivo without exposing the cells to the external environment. The portable cassette is used in combination with a processor instrument that facilitates an initial inoculation of the cassette with cells of the kind to be grown and to distribute those cells in a predetermined pattern (e.g., uniformly) throughout a cell growth chamber. Thereafter, the portable cassette is used in combination with an incubator instrument that incubates the cell growth chamber so that the cells are optimally expanded. The same processor instrument then is used to harvest the expanded cells from the portable cassette. Both instruments are configured to condition the portable cassette during stages of the cell growth process, without disturbing the cassette's sterile system.

Abstract: Nucleic sequences from the genome of Salmonella Typhi include all or part of the genetic information required for the in vitro infection of cultured HeLa cells by Salmonella bacteria. Polypeptides encoded by these nucleic sequences are also described, as is the use of said polypeptides and nucleic sequences for implementing methods of in vitro Salmonella detection in biological samples which are thought to contain it.

Abstract: Method of assaying hapten in a sample, in which said sample is placed in contact with antibodies capable of recognizing hapten and with a predetermined quantity of a reagent capable of competing with said hapten-fixing antibodies. The reagent is a conjugate formed by a single-stranded fragment of nucleic acid with a compound capable of being recognized by said hapten-recognizing antibodies. The fixed or unfixed reactant is detected by antibodies capable of recognizing the nucleic acid fragment of said conjugate. Detection of said reactant by anti-fragment antibodies of said nucleic acid enhances, in particular, the sensitivity of the assay.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic apparatus for estimating an active Heliobacter pylori infectious agent in saliva, comprising in combination an immunoassay chamber in which a first portion of said saliva is subjected to serological test for antibody to said infectious agent and a chemical reaction chamber in which a second portion of said saliva is subjected to chemical analysis for an ammonia constituent thereof.

Abstract: An antibody specific for a target analyte is purified by affinity chromatography on a substrate bearing a low-affinity analogue of the target analyte. The antibody is displaced from the substrate by contact with a second analogue of intermediate affinity, which remains complexed with the antibody. This complex can be used in a conventional assay for the target analyte, which displaces the intermediate-affinity analogue. The complexed antibody is rendered more storage-stable because the second analogue protects the antibody binding reagion.