Abstract: The invention provides an antibody or antibody fragment specific to a domain of a GIT targeting agent, such as a polyclonal antibody, monoclonal antibody, chimeric antibody, single chain antibody, a Fab fragment or a Fab expression library. In particular, the invention provides an antibody or antibody fragment, wherein the GIT targeting agent is selected from the group consisting of ZElan033 (PAX2 15 mer), ZElan088 (HAX42-2 20 mer) or ZElan053 (P31 D-form 16 mer). Numerous methods using these GIT targeting agent specific antibodies are disclosed.

Abstract: A unique turkey astrovirus has been isolated and sequenced. Primers and probes have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequence of the astrovirus and a reverse transcriptase PCR has been developed to detect the presence of avian astrovirus in commercial flocks. Furthermore, purified antigenic polypeptides have been synthesized from each of the open reading frames 1a,1b and 2 of the novel virus.

Abstract: A replication-competent recombinant Sabin type 1 poliovirus vector containing a sequence coding for multiple cloning site and 3C-protease cleavage site is provided. This vector makes it easy to introduce various vaccine genes from infectious viruses to the Sabin 1 poliovirus, and facilitates to produce chimeric Sabin 1 polioviruses that are expected to be powerful oral mucosal vaccines against several infectious viral diseases.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are provided which bind to heat-treated proteins of meats. The antibodies are useful in detecting the presence of an exogenous meat in a cooked or raw meat sample. Furthermore, the antibodies can be used to determine the end point temperature of a meat sample.

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: The invention is a series of synthetic virus-like particles comprising a heterologous conformational epitope useful in the characterization of human papillomavirus infection, and useful to vaccinate individual for protection against HPV 6 and HPV 11 infections, and assays employing the synthetic virus-like particles.

Abstract: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are common leukemias in both children and adults. Current treatment strategies are inadequate and often result in patient toxicity and relapse. Accordingly, the need exists for a T-cell-specific immunotoxin with sufficient stability and efficacy to eliminate cell populations associated with various T-cell malignancies. The present invention addresses this concern by providing a biotherapeutic agent (e.g., an immunoconjugate or immunotoxin) comprising a monoclonal antibody (MoAb TXU-7) specific to mammalian T-cell/myeloid antigen CD7 linked to the pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP). The CD7 antigen is expressed on human T-lineage lymphoid cells and leukemic progenitor cells in T-lineage lymphoid malignancies. PAP is a member of the hemitoxin group of toxins and inactivates ribosomes by the removal of a single adenosine from the conserved loop sequence found near the 3′ terminus of all larger RNAs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable region of the monoclonal antibody against the S-surface antigen of hepatis B virus and a gene encoding the same, a recombinant vector containing the said gene, and a transformant obtained from the said recombinant vector.

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: To elucidate molecular mechanisms in learning and memory, the expression of mRNAs in brains of rabbitsundergoing eyeblink conditioning was analyzed. Infusion of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D (ActD) into the cerebellar nuclei reversibly blocked learning but not performance of the CR. Differential display PCR (DD-PCR) analysis of cerebellar RNAs from trained and pseudo-trained rabbits identified a 207-bp band that was induced with learning. The fragment was used to isolate a cDNA from a &lgr;gt11 rabbit brain library containing a 1698-bp open-reading frame. The genomic sequence also has been obtained and is reported. The deduced amino acid sequence contains the KKIAMRE motif, which is conserved among cdc2-related kinases. These results suggest that there is a new category of cdc2-related kinases in the brain whose function may be important in learning and memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of retroviruses, designated by HIV-2, of which samples have been deposited to the ECACC under numbers 87.01.1001 and 87.01.1002 and to the NCIB under numbers 12.398 and 12.399. It relates also to antigens capable to be obtained from this virus, particularly proteins p12, p16, p26 and gp140. These various antigens can be used for the diagnosis of the disease, especially by contacting these antigens with a serum of a patient submitted to the diagnosis. It relates to immunogenic compositions containing more particularly the glycoprotein gp140. Finally it concerns nucleotidic sequences, which can be used especially as hybridization probes, derived from the RNA of HIV-2.

Abstract: A protein derivable from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) having a molecular size ranging between 43 Kd on SDS PAGE is described. The protein is soluble on sodium lauryl sarcosinate (SLS) and not heat modifiable. The protein can also be derived by recombinant methods. The protein in a vaccine provides immunity against multiple serotypes of APP.

Abstract: A variant tax gene of bovine leukemia virus enhancing ability to induce replication of bovine leukemia virus or a retrovirus related to the bovine leukemia virus which encodes a variant gene product containing one or more mutations selected from the group consisting of substitution of the 240th Ser for Thr, substitution of the 247th Asp for Gly, substitution of the 251st Thr for Ala, substitution of the 258th Asp for Gly, substitution of the 261st His for Arg, substitution of the 261st His for Tyr, and substitution of the 265th Ser for Gly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which can specifically and efficiently recognize hTERT protein; which is the catalytic subunit of telomerase, and provides a human chimeric antibody, a CDR grafted antibody, a single chain antibody, and a disulfide stabilized antibody each containing the monoclonal antibody. In addition, the present invention provides a method for detecting/quantitating hTERT protein using these antibodies, and provides diagnosis method, diagnosis agent, and therapeutic agent, for diseases, such as cancer, in which telomerase is involved using these bodies.

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: Variable domain murine T-cell receptor genes have been isolated and used to construct cloning and expression vectors. V&agr;, V&bgr;, and single chain V&agr;-V&bgr; fragments have been expressed as secreted domains in Escherichia coli using the vectors. The domains are secreted into the culture supernatant in milligram quantities. The single domains and the single chain T-cell receptors are folded into &bgr;-pleated sheet structures similar to those of immunoglobulin variable domains. The secreted fragments may be useful for immunization to generate anti-clonotypic antibodies, in vaccination or for high resolution structural studies. The genes encoding these domains may also serve as templates for in vitro mutagenesis and improvement of affinities of the TCR fragments for their interaction with cognate peptide-MHC complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which exhibit potent anti-retroviral activity. The peptides of the invention are derived from regions of viral fusion proteins referred to as HR1 and HR2. In particular, the invention relates to peptides referred to herein as DP107 and DP178 which comprise amino acid sequences corresponding to sequences found in the HR1 and HR2 regions, respectively of the HIV-1LAI gp41 protein. The invention further relates to “DP107-like” and “DP178-like” peptides that are derived from HR1 and HR2 regions, respectively, of other proteins, including DP107-like and DP178-like peptides derived from the HR1 and HR2 regions of the F1 subunit of the respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays for identifying the levels of both protease sensitive and protease resistant conformers of PrPSc in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the assay comprises determining levels of total PrPSc in a sample, subjecting the PrPSc fraction to treatment with a protease that selectively hydrolyzes the protease sensitive PrPSc (sPrPSc) conformers, and quantifying the levels of sPrPSc in the sample. The ability to detect sPrPSc allows early detection of prions, since the PrPSc in easily accessible biological samples such as blood is predominantly sPrPSc. The ratio of sPrPSc to rPrPSc also allows the identification of a particular prion strain in an infected sample.

Abstract: In this application are described vaccinia monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are mixtures of antibodies of the present invention, as well as methods of using individual antibodies or mixtures thereof for the detection, prevention, and/or therapeutical treatment of vaccinia virus infections in vitro and in vivo.