Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleic acid composition comprising or consisting of at least one polynucleic acid containing 8 or more contiguous nucleotides corresponding to a nucleotide sequence from the region spanning positions 417 to 957 of the Core/E1 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 4664 to 4730 of the NS3 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 4892 to 5292 of the NS3/4 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 8 023 to 8 235 of the NS5 region of the BR36 subgroup of HCV type 3a; and/or the coding region of HCV type 4a starting at nucleotide 379 in the core region; and/or the coding region of HCV type 4; and/or the coding region of HCV type 5, with said nucleotide numbering being with respect to the numbering of HCV nucleic acids as shown in Table 1, and with said polynucleic acids containing at least one nucleotide difference with known HCV type 1, and/or HCV type 2 genomes in the above-indicated regions, or the complement thereof.

Abstract: A method of designing a new anti-CMV drug is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises (a) analyzing the binding of glycoprotein O to a glycoprotein O receptor and (b) designing a candidate drug that would competitively interfere with glycoprotein O binding to glycoprotein O receptor and (c) showing that the candidate drug competitively inhibits glycoprotein O binding to glycoprotein O receptor. A method of screening anti-CMV drugs, a vaccine effective to diminish CMV infection, and a method of diminishing CMV infection are also disclosed.

Abstract: Analyses of serum samples for the presence and amount of either of the two subunits of human Factor XIII protein are used as a means of eliminating a significant source of error that arises in the testing of serum and plasma. For serum samples, a negative result of an analysis for the presence of subunit a is a means of verifying that a sample is indeed serum, while a negative or positive result for subunit a serves to distinguish serum (negative) from plasma (positive). A positive result for the presence of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is either serum or plasma and not any other biological fluid. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is of the intended volume rather than having been reduced in volume due to improper sampling. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is also a means of verifying the dilution of a sample of either serum or plasma.

Abstract: Analyses of serum samples for the presence and amount of either of the two subunits of human Factor XIII protein are used as a means of eliminating a significant source of error that arises in the testing of serum and plasma. For serum samples, a negative result of an analysis for the presence of subunit a is a means of verifying that a sample is indeed serum, while a negative or positive result for subunit a serves to distinguish serum (negative) from plasma (positive). A positive result for the presence of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is either serum or plasma and not any other biological fluid. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is of the intended volume rather than having been reduced in volume due to improper sampling. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is also a means of verifying the dilution of a sample of either serum or plasma.

Abstract: The present invention features helper-dependent adenoviral vector elements, and helper adenoviral elements, that enhance the production and isolation of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors. Such elements include a modified packaging signal having low homology to, and preferably less activity than, a wild-type packaging signal, an E4 non-coding segment directly joined to the 5? ITR that confers a selective advantage, and stuffer region(s) that provide a helper-dependent adenoviral vector with a GC content of about 50% to about 60%. The modified packaging signal is preferably used in a helper virus to decrease recombination and generation of the virus. The E4 non-coding segment and the stuffer region(s) are preferably used in a helper-dependent adenoviral vector to provide the vector with a growth advantage over a helper virus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a heterogeneous immunoassay for detection of antibodies and antigens based on specific antigen-antibody immune complex formation with multiple antigen-bearing conjugate components. The invention further provides means for optimizing the assay format for the detection of both low and high-affinity antibodies, and provides means for quantitative detection of both antibody and the corresponding antigen present in a sample.

Abstract: Described is a carrier having a biomolecular interaction incorporated therein. The carrier is described as comprising a silica based glass and in an embodiment is a sol-gel derived glass. Also described are methods of incorporating biomolecular interaction within a carrier of the invention. Various types of biomolecular interaction are discussed as well as applications of carriers containing one or more biomolecular interactions.

Abstract: An in vivo replicative and recombined porcine adenovirus characterized in that it comprises a heterologous nucleotide sequence inserted into the porcine adenovirus in conditions enabling the latter to be replicated in vivo and to express the inserted heterologous nucleotide sequence, and in that the adenovirus genome comes from a 3 or 5 serotype (PAV-3 or PAV-5) adenovirus. Insertion occurs in a non-essential zone of the E3 region, preferably with deletion of said zone. The invention also relates to a recombined porcine vaccine comprising one such porcine adenovirus. The invention further relates to a serotype 3 or 5 porcine adenovirus vector that is replicative in vivo and is deleted in a non-essential region of the genome thereof. The invention also relates to a DNA fragment comprising all or part of the referenced SEQ ID NO.5 nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying recombinant HCV single or specific oligomeric envelope proteins selected from the group consisting of E1 and/or E2 and/or E1/E2, characterized in that upon lysing the transformed host cells to isolate the recombinantly expressed protein a disulphide bond cleavage or reduction step is carried out with a disulphide bond cleavage agent. The present invention also relates to a composition isolated by such a method. The present invention also relates to the diagnostic and therapeutic application of these compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a heterogeneous immunoassay for detection of antibodies and antigens based on specific antigen-antibody immune complex formation with multiple antigen-bearing conjugate components. The invention further provides means for optimizing the assay format for the detection of both low and high-affinity antibodies, and provides means for quantitative detection of both antibody and the corresponding antigen present in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substance which inhibits the binding between E2/NS1 protein of hepatitis C virus and a cell infectious with hepatitis C virus, a cell expressing CD81, or CD81. The present invention can provide a novel medicament which has an anti-viral effects such as an inhibitory action against HCV infection.

Abstract: A method for generating Sendai virus particles by transfecting the Sendai virus genome to a host expressing all genes for the initial viral replication has been developed, enabling the genetic manipulation of Sendai virus and effective utilization of said virus as the vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying a molecule from a library of molecules that inhibits binding of human immunodeficiency virus nucleocapsid 7 polypeptide (NCp7) to an oligonucleotide which comprises admixing an NCp7 polypeptide with at one labeled HIV-1 psi-site oligonucleotide and an amount of the molecule to be tested under binding conditions; and determining the amount of oligonucleotide bound to the NCp7 polypeptide, wherein a decrease in the amount of oligonucleotide bound in the presence of the molecule compared with the amount of oligonucleotide bound in the absence of the molecule indicates that the molecule inhibits binding of NCp7 polypeptide to the oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Chimeric flaviviruses that are avirulent and immunogenic are provided. The chimeric viruses are constructed to contain amino acid mutations in the nonstructural proteins of a flavivirus. Chimeric viruses containing the attenuation-mutated nonstructural genes of the virus are used as a backbone into which the structural protein genes of a second flavivirus strain are inserted. These chimeric viruses elicit pronounced immunogenicity yet lack the accompanying clinical symptoms of viral disease. The attenuated chimeric viruses are effective as immunogens or vaccines and may be combined in a pharmaceutical composition to confer simultaneous immunity against several strains of pathogenic flaviviruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical preparations and methods for treating individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The pharmaceutical preparations comprise an immunomodulating agent and a anti-retroviral compound. The pharmaceutical preparations are used to treat HIV infected patients, particularly for gastrointestinal complications arising from viral infection. In addition, the pharmaceutical preparations of the present invention have the effect of raising the levels of CD4+ single positive and CD4+ and CD8+ double positive T cells, thus promoting restoration and normalization of the immune system following HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions useful in diagnosing and treating hepatic disorders, especially those characterized by inflammation. The method comprises administration of an agent which prevents the interaction of MAdCAM with a MAdCAM binding partner or ligand. These compositions are useful in treating diseases or disorders involving ?4?7/MAdCAM blockade, as well as inhibiting a primary event in the inflammatory response such as blocking interactions between intercellular adhesion molecules and their ligands. Disorders treatable using the methods disclosed herein include infections, especially viral infections, iatrogenic disorders, cholestatic disorders, hereditary disorders, sarcoidosis, organ transplant, and the like. The diagnostic methods of the invention can be employed to detect the presence of a disorder or to monitor the course of therapy used to treat the disorder.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a thin incontinence pad or pantyliner, is disclosed which has an absorbent core formed from multiple layers of blended material for providing protection against involuntary urine loss. A method of forming the absorbent article is also disclosed. The absorbent article includes a liquid permeable bodyside liner, a liquid-impermeable baffle, and first and second absorbents positioned between the liner and the baffle. The first absorbent is a stabilized material containing a superabsorbent and has a predetermined basis weight. The second absorbent is also a stabilized material containing a superabsorbent. The second absorbent is positioned below the first absorbent and has a basis weight that is at least equal to the basis weight of the first absorbent.

Abstract: A particle size (or particle diameter) variable reactor comprises a granular substrate and a capturing unit fixed onto the surface of the granular substrate. The capturing unit comprises a rod-shaped body having a length of 810 nm or less, a configuration variable element which may be structurally transformed when stimulation is applied, and a capturing structured body which specifically captures an object to be captured. The particle size variable reactor is highly biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and can specifically act on and thus selectively capture its target alone. The reactor may preferably be used in various fields including medical and industrial fields.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nucleic acid sequence which encodes infectious hepatitis C virus of strain HC-J6CH, gentotype 2a, and the use of the sequence, and polypeptides encoded by all or part of the sequence, in the development of vaccines and diagnostics for HCV and in the development of screening assays for the identification of antiviral agents for HCV.