Abstract: Cytotoxic lymphocyte-inducing lipopeptides comprising a peptide part having between 10 and 40 amino acids approximately and comprising at least one antigenic determinant. The lipopeptides also comprise one or more chains derived from fatty acids and one or more modified steroid groups.Said lipopeptides may be used for immunizing the human or animal body against pathogenic agents such as viruses or parasites. The peptide part may, in particular, be a fragment of the protein encoded by the ENV gene, by the NEF gene or by the GAG gene of HIV viruses. DA.

Abstract: A variant of a LAV virus, designated LAV.sub.ELI and capable of causing. AIDS. The cDNA and antigens of the LAV.sub.ELI virus can be used for the diagnosis of AIDS and pre-AIDS.

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: Disclosed is a device to remove moisture from a side view mirror and adjacent side window of a vehicle. The device increases mirror clarity and can be installed on a side view mirror housing at the factory or as an after factory installation. The device prevents moisture from interfering with the operator's visual use of the mirror by utilizing the cleansing effects of existing air flow about the mirror housing during vehicle movement when it redirects the air flow past the mirror surface. The device also uses the air flow to prevent the build up of moisture on the adjacent side window of the vehicle. The device can be adapted to accommodate any existing vehicle mirror design that is incorporated into the door frame or in close proximity. The device is a semi-rigid mirror attachment that mounts on the mirror housing without obstructing the operator's field of vision.

Abstract: A new glycoprotein 5T4 has been identified in human trophoblast. The antigen and fragments thereof and, more particularly, antibodies that recognise the antigen or fragments thereof are of value in relation to cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly for the routine screening of cervical smears.

Abstract: This invention concerns peptides binding to antibodies which show neutralizing activity against different strains and clinical isolates of HIV-1 and which inhibit the fusion of cells infected with HIV-1. These peptides are combined with an adjuvant, as recombinant fusion proteins, chemically coupled to carrier molecules, as recombinant chimeric viruses or as recombinant antibodies.

Abstract: An analyte and a reactant 3 that reacts with the analyte either directly or indirectly are allowed to react with each other on the analytical areas A of a substrate 1 and signals originating from the reaction are detected. In at least a signal detection step, either a signal generation-related portion 4x or a detector is provided in a portion that is opposed to the substrate 1 and high and low areas are formed in either the substrate 1 or the opposed portion or both in such a manner that the distance from each analytical area A of the substrate to the opposed portion is shorter than the distance from each of the non-analytical areas B of the substrate to the opposed portion, whereby signals originating from the reaction in the analytical areas A will be detected at higher intensities than signals originating from the reaction in the non-analytical areas B.

Abstract: Short peptide of the formula:R.sup.a -Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-R.sup.b (I)where R.sup.a represents an amino terminal residue Ala- or D-Ala and R.sup.b represents a carboxy terminal residue -Thr or -Thr amide or a derivative thereof with an additional Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a peptide of formula (II):R.sup.1 -R.sup.2 -R.sup.3 -R.sup.4 -R.sup.5 (II)where R.sup.l is an amino terminal residue Thr-, Ser-, Asn-, Leu-, Ile-, Arg- or Glu-R.sup.2 is Thr, Ser or AspR.sup.3 is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys or TrpR.sup.4 is Tyrand R.sup.5 is a carboxy terminal amino group or a derivative thereof with a corresponding D- amino acid as the amino terminal residue, and/or a corresponding amide derivative at the carboxy terminal residue and/or additionally a Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.Such peptides bind to T4 receptors are useful in preventing viral infectivity by viruses which bind to the T4 receptors.

Abstract: A method for the rational design and preparation of vaccines based on HIV envelope polypeptides is described. In one embodiment, the method for making an HIV gp120 subunit vaccine for a geographic region comprises determining neutralizing epitopes in the V2 and/or C4 domains of gp120 of HIV as depicted in the figure. In a preferred embodiment of the method, neutralizing epitopes for the V2, V3 and C4 domains of gp120 are determined. Also described are DNA sequences encoding gp120 from preferred vaccine strains of HIV.

Abstract: An inflammatory cytokine is disclosed which has been isolated from cells that have been incubated with a stimulator material. The inflammatory cytokine comprises a protein that is capable of binding to heparin, inducing localized inflammation characterized by polymorphonuclear cell infiltration when administered subcutaneously and inducing in vitro polymorphonuclear cell chemokinesis, while lacking the ability to suppress the activity of the anabolic enzyme lipoprotein lipase, cause the cytotoxicity of cachectin/TNF-sensitive cells, stimulate the blastogenesis of endotoxin-resistant C3H/HeJ thymocytes, or induce the production of cachectin/TNF by primary thioglycollate-elicited mouse macrophage cells. A particular inflammatory cytokine MIP-1 has been isolated and has been found to comprise a peptide doublet of similar molecular weights of about 8,000 daltons, and to show a pI of about 4.6. The doublet has been resolved into its component peptides, MIP-1.alpha. and MIP-1.beta.

Abstract: Inhibition of UL42 stimulation of herpesvirus DNA polymerase activity is exhibited by novel compounds of the formulasW'--A.sub.1 --A.sub.2 --A.sub.3 --A.sub.4 --A.sub.5 --A.sub.6 --A.sub.7 --A.sub.8 --A.sub.9 --A.sub.10 --A.sub.11 --X ?SEQ. ID NO: 1!andY'--A.sub.12 --A.sub.13 --A.sub.14 --A.sub.15 --A.sub.16 --A.sub.17 --Z ?SEQ. ID NO: 2!that are useful as antiviral agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing genes encoding unique HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope proteins and their fragments, thereby allowing overexpression of these proteins in E. coli. The HIV envelope proteins and their fragments have been expressed at high levels as individual proteins or in fusion with other proteins. The HIV envelope proteins thus expressed in E. coli can be effectively used for the detection of exposure to HIV as well as the discrimination of HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Abstract: Immunogenic peptides containing amino acid residues which define a binding site to a CD4 receptor are disclosed. Antibodies to these peptides are also disclosed. Methods of reducing the ability of a gp12O env protein to bind to CD4 are also disclosed. Methods of treatment and prophylaxis using these antibodies and peptides are also described.

Abstract: A newly discovered family of AIDS-associated viruses, designated ARV, is described. The viruses were isolated from AIDS patients from San Francisco and (a) are type D retroviruses; (b) have Mg.sup.++ --dependent reverse transcriptase activity; (c) induce human multinucleated cells without immortalizing the cells; (d) are replicable in HUT-78 human T cells; and (e) induce viral protein(s) in HUT-78 that binds to Ig from AIDS patients. The infected HUT-78 cells and immunogenic polypeptides derived from the viruses are useful for diagnosing AIDS.

Abstract: An aerosol generator for producing fine droplets in large quantities is used in an apparatus which can produce small particles having a high degree of crystallization and large surface area. The aerosol generator includes a chamber having a porous filter and a solution, and air is supplied to an upper side of the filter. A low pressure driving force, such as by a vacuum, is supplied to the chamber below the filter to generate droplets. A pyrogenetic reactor dries and pyrolyzes the droplets produced by the aerosol generator to give ultrafine particles and an ultrafine particle collector collects the ultrafine particles obtained by the pyrogenetic reactor. The low pressure driving force moves the droplets through the pyroletic reactor.

Abstract: Diagnostic product and vaccine for Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and methods for making and using same, wherein viral polypeptide sequences from an AIDS associated retrovirus are expressed directly or as a fusion polypeptide in a prokaryotic or mammalian cell expression host to produce a diagnostic product which specifically binds complementary antibody produced by individuals afflicted with AIDS or a vaccine against AIDS which confers resistance to infection by AIDS associated retrovirus. The reverse transcriptase of an AIDS associated retrovirus is used separately or in a whole cell assay to identify compounds which selectively inhibit retroviral reverse transcriptase.

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. In one aspect, the immunogen is useful for immunizing an individual previously infected by a retrovirus including HIV, so as to induce factors against progression of the 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: The present invention provides a vaccine that can be administered to a mammal to cause immunoprotection in the mammal against a pathogenic organism that has an immunodominant epitope. The vaccine includes a modified form of the antigen in which the immunodominant epitope is located. In this modified form, the immunodominant epitope is immunodampened by any of a number of techniques. Examples of immunodampening techniques include addition of N-linked glycosylation sites, change of the net charge on the epitope, and substitution with a tolerated sequence. The vaccine also includes a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to an avirulent anti-rabies vaccine which consists of an avirulent mutant of an SAD strain of the rabies virus, the glycoprotein of which possesses in position 333 a naturally occurring amino acid whose codon differs from those of arginine by at least two nucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating individuals infected with HIV or at risk of being infected with HIV. The method comprises the step of administering to an individual infected with HIV or at risk of being infected with HIV, an effective amount of a phosphoaminolipid extract derived from bacteria. The phosphoaminolipid extract exhibits an immunomodulating effect in humans, promoting a stabilization or improvement in immune system function.