Abstract: A novel surface exposed protein of Haemophilus influenzae or related Haemophilus species is described. The protein named protein D is an Ig receptor for human IgD and has an apparent molecular weight of 42,000. Protein D can be detected in all of 116 encapsulated and non-encapsulated isolates of H. influenzae studied. The protein from all strains shows in addition to the same apparent molecular weight immunogenic similarities since protein D from all strains interacts with three different mouse monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal human IgD. A method for purification of protein D is described. Cloning of the protein D gene from H. influenzae in E. coli is described as well as the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence.

Abstract: An improved food delivery system comprises an insulated container and plates that will either generate heat to keep food hot during delivery, or absorb heat to keep food cold during delivery. This combination will hold food for extended periods of time either above a desired elevated temperature, or below a desired lower temperature.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule which encodes a mutant HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein comprising a V3 loop deletion and a C4 domain.sub.(W.fwdarw.X) point mutation wherein X is an amino acid residue other than tryptophan, and the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein encoded thereby.The subject invention further provides a method of obtaining partially purified antibodies which specifically bind to the CD4-binding domain of HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein, the partially purified antibodies produced thereby, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same. Finally, the subject invention provides methods of treating HIV-1-infected subjects, and of reducing the likelihood of HIV-1-exposed and non-HIV-1-exposed subjects' becoming infected with HIV-1 using the pharmaceutical compositions of the subject invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for inducing tolerance to T-cell mediated immunity. Particularly, tolerance is induced in a recipient mammal to a transplanted organ or tissue. Tolerance is induced by treating the recipient mammal with a MHC antigen which has been modified to render an immunosuppressive effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-infectious immunotherapeutic containing retroviral particles devoid of outer envelope proteins or containing selected antigens isolated from a retrovirus. There is also provided a vaccine effective against HIV. In one aspect, the immunogen is useful for immunizing an individual previously infected by a retrovirus including HIV, so as to induce immunoprotective factors protective against progression of the infection. In another aspect, the vaccine is useful for vaccinating an individual not previously infected with HIV in order to prevent subsequently acquired infection. In another aspect, there is provided a method of rendering a viral immunogen non-infectious. The immunogen may also be used to produce antibodies for passive immunotherapy, alone or in conjunction with active immunotherapy, in individuals infected with a retrovirus, including HIV, preferably those individuals exhibiting low levels of antibodies to retroviral gene products other than the outer envelope.

Abstract: Red blood cells or derivatives thereof such as ghost preparations, whole cell membrane preparations or fragments thereof, can act as a potent carrier for orally administered antigens. Mucosal immunity in particular can be effectively induced against such viruses as influenza when adsorbed to chicken red blood cells and orally administered.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for real-time monitoring and control of chemical sterilant concentration during all phases of a sterilization cycle by employing semiconductor-based sensor modules to selectively detect and measure the actual sterilant concentration in real time. In response to the transmitted concentration values, the sterilizer control system controls critical environmental parameters to maintain concentration levels within acceptable ranges for given time periods to assure sterilization efficacy and that the sterilant has been properly exhausted at completion of the cycle. The selectivity, sensitivity and accuracy of the semiconductor sensor are optimized by calibrating the sensor to baseline environmental parameters and by adjusting the sensor concentration reading when environmental parameters change during the sterilization cycle, by programming a new baseline value for the sterilant concentration at the new condition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and compositions for stimulating in an individual an influenza A virus protective response which is subtype cross-protective. Influenza A virus NS1 protein, or a T cell epitope thereof, is administered to the individual in an amount sufficient to stimulate the virus protective response.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting production of bacteria which constitutively express PBP2' or bacteria which inducibly express PBP2' in the presence of a .beta.-lactam antibiotic, by administering an effective amount of an extract of tea to the bacteria. The tea extract contains at least one active principle of dried tea and being extractable from processed dried tea with hot water and this active principle is capable, on administration, of restoring the activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of a .beta.-lactam antibiotic. Preferably, the extract of tea can be administered to a human or animal subject together with a .beta.-lactam antibiotic.

Abstract: In a method for producing gelatin from collagen-containing raw material, the raw material is ground and mixed with water to form a slurry; the slurry is treated with an acid and heated in order to expose the collagen in the raw material; the pH and the temperature of the slurry are adjusted once more; the slurry is separated into a liquid portion and a solid residue; and the gelatin is recovered from the liquid portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for minimizing heat degradation of a vapor decontaminant in a vaporizer by selectively operating a plurality of vaporizer heaters to provide a decreasing heat gradient through the vaporizer. A method and apparatus are also provided for selectively operating a plurality of preheaters, in series, for preheating a carrier gas entering a vaporizer in a flow-through decontamination system, and for maintaining a predetermined carrier gas temperature. A further method and apparatus are provided for fine-tuning chamber pressure in a high flow rate closed-loop flow-through vapor phase decontamination system.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of enhancing the immunogenicity of an envelope virus glycoprotein in a host organism. The method comprises administering to the host a composition comprising the virus envelope glycoprotein and at least one oligopeptide derived from the amino acid sequence of the envelope glycoprotein, wherein the oligopeptide contains or corresponds to virus-neutralization epitopes. The method and compositions are useful for vaccinating against viruses, such as HIV, SIV, HTLV-I, HTLV-II, or any retrovirus capable of inducing AIDS in its natural host.

Abstract: A method and an extractor for pressing out plasma and buffy coat from a collapsible blood container (1), in which blood has been divided, by centrifugation, into a plasma layer, a buffy coat layer and a layer of red blood cells. The plasma and then the buffy coat are pressed out each through a separate outlet tube (2) or through a common outlet tube (2), which is connected to the top portion of the blood container, a pulsating pressure being applied to a top section of the blood container (1) during the end phase of the pressing-out of buffy coat. The extractor has a stationary support surface (6) and a movable pressing member (7), between which the blood container is suspended and subjected to a compressive force in order to press out the plasma and then the buffy coat through the outlet tube (2).

Abstract: Polypeptides which include at least one antigenic and/or immunogenic determinant of the envelope protein (env) of the HIV-2 virus and their production by recombinant DNA technology and the DNA sequences, expression vectors and transformed single-cell organisms used in this process are provided. A method for the detection of HIV antibodies or HIV viruses in human sera or in other biological fluids is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biologically mutant forms of the cell growth regulatory factor Oncostatin M. The Oncostatin M mutants of the invention comprise deletion, substitution and insertion mutants and may be prepared using recombinant DNA, in vitro mutagenesis and heterologous expression techniques. Oncostatin M mutants may be useful in eliciting Oncostatin M biological responses and, as such, may find a variety of therapeutic uses including but not limited to the treatment of neoplasias.

Abstract: A device for encapsulating plastic waste such as plastic syringes with attached needles, lancets or blood test strips, having a melt chamber to receive the waste, means to elevate the temperature within the melt chamber, a reciprocating compaction head to compact the melted waste to form a plastic slug with the needles encapsulated within the slug, where the compaction head has a shoulder whereby the slug becomes attached to the compaction head when hardened. The hardened slug is then removed from the melt chamber during the retraction of the compaction head. Preferably, an ejection cam slides the plastic slug partially off the compaction head for easy removal.

Abstract: A method of producing active immunity against a viral disease in an animal subject comprises administering to the subject a vaccine conjugate consisting essentially of a live virus and a neutralizing factor bound to the live virus. The neutralizing factor is selected from the group consisting of antibodies and antibody fragments. The live virus is one capable of producing disease in the subject, and the antibody or antibody fragment is one capable of neutralizing the live virus. Preferred subjects are birds, a preferred virus is Infectious Bursal Disease Virus, and a preferred route of administration to birds is by in ovo administration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging made up of at least one inner, containing an alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage based on anethole, in which the inner foil of said packaging is made up of a film of polyamide including aromatic units.The packaging is preferably intended to contain weakly alcoholic beverages and the polyamide results from the polycondensation of meta-xylylenediamine with adipic acid.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelope proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use and composition of materials which, when added to oral fluid samples, make such samples suitable for use with microparticle-based immunoassays. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of reducing false positives in assays for the detection of an analyte in an oral fluid sample. The method involves providing an oral fluid sample combined with a bile acid or salt where the bile acid or salt is present in a concentration sufficient to reduce the rate of occurrence of false positives in said oral fluid based immunoassays.