Abstract: The nucleotide sequences of the genomes of eleven molecular clones for non-subtype B isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are disclosed. The invention relates to the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from these sequences and their use in diagnostic methods and as immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a live mutant Leishmania in the preparation of a vaccine and to vaccine formulations for use in immunizing mammals, such as dogs and/or humans. The mutant Leishmania comprises at least one defective cysteine proteinase gene.

Abstract: A method of measuring the physical and chemical properties of tissue or cells and a device for the same is provided, with which the physical and chemical environment of the tissue or cells can be changed arbitrarily corresponding to experimental necessities. The device comprises a system 40 for keeping the physical and chemical environment surrounding the biological tissue or cells constant, a system 50 for arbitrarily changing the physical and chemical environment, observation systems 10 and 20 for observing the physical and chemical properties of the tissue or cells, and a system 30 for comparing the change of the physical and chemical properties of the tissue or cells before and after changing the physical and chemical environment. The observation system 10 is a potential measurement device for measuring the electrophysiological properties of the tissue or cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to thermography and, in particular, to a method of using infrared thermography to monitor physiological and molecular events that elicit a thermogenic response in animals (including humans), plants, tissues, cells and cell-free systems. The present method can be used for screening, identifying, and ranking drug candidates for multiple diseases, disorders and conditions.

Abstract: This invention satisfies needs in the art by providing intimin, the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) adherence protein, alone or as a fusion protein with one or more other antigens, expressed by transgenic plants and the use of those plants as vehicles for stimulating a protective immune response against EHEC and the one or more other antigens. Various plant species are transformed to protect various animal species and also humans against EHEC, against pathogens expressing intimin-like proteins, and against pathogens expressing any of the one or more other antigens to which intimin may be fused. The eae gene encoding intimin, a functional portion thereof, or a recombination that encodes a fusion protein is put under the control of a constitutive plant promoter in a plasmid and the plasmid is introduced into plants by the type of transformation appropriate for the particular plant species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunological test kit and immunoassay using a first immobilized antibody having affinity for a specific antigen. The invention is characterized by a second and third antibody being specific for different determinants of the antigen and modified with cross-linkable oligonucleotides. For detection, the oligonucleotides are amplified, whereby only such oligonucleotides will be amplified which have been cross-linked to each other. In this way unspecific background is avoided and detection is possible down to single molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides, prolyl tripeptidyl-peptidases, and active analogs, active fragments or active modifications thereof, having amidolytic activity for cleavage of a peptide bond present in a target peptide having at least 30 amino acids. Isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding isolated prolyl tripeptidyl-peptidases are also provided, as are methods of reducing growth of a bacterium by inhibiting a prolyl tripeptidyl-peptidase.

Abstract: Three hemoglobin-response genes in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans are disclosed. The expression of these genes is specifically induced when the organism is exposed to hemoglobin during disseminated infections. The invention relates to the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of these hemoglobin-response genes. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods, kits and compositions which employ the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for assessing the risk of peptic ulcer by determining the presence and topographic phenotype of gastritis in an individual, by determining quantitatively the pepsinogen I and gastin-17 concentrations in a serum sample from the said individual, selecting a method-specific reference value and cut-off value for respective analyte, assessing the topography and phenotype of gastritis based on a comparison of the pepsinogen I and gastrin-17 concentrations so determined with their respective method-specific reference and cut-off values, and correlating the so assessed gastritis phenotype with the risk for peptic ulcer. Preferably also Helicobacter antibodies are determined in the sample.

Abstract: The invention features non-transformant immortal avian cells, in particular derived from avian tissues, i.e., other than blood or hematopoietic cells, particularly fibroblasts and epithelial cells, for instance of embryos. The avian cells are immortalized by the SV40 T+t gene in the dependence of the MTI promoter. In particular they integrate the pDAMT vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoassays, binding assays, solid phase substrates (12) and other devices with an antigen or antibody or ligand or receptor (11) embedded into a solid phase substrate (12). The antigen or antibody is mixed with a molten thermoplastic and formed into the solid phase substrate (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broadly reactive vaccine against Gram-negative bacteria which is composed of a biological glycan-pilus conjugate. The conjugate core is a common pilus type to which is attached the glycan of choice in vivo. Pooling of these bioconjugates produces a multivalent vaccine. These pili give high bronchial titers when delivered by the intranasal route. Mice vaccinated with pure glycosylated P. aeruginosa strain 1244 pili in this manner are protected against respiratory challenge with P. aeruginosa strain 1244. The present invention further relates to a DNA and amino acid sequence of a new gene, pilO, which is capable of glycosylating pilin of Gram-negative bacteria and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of delivering a protein to domestic poultry by administering to the poultry by whole body spray an effective amount of a live avirulent derivative of an enteropathogenic bacterium that contains a recombinant gene encoding the protein.

Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for creating recombinant agfA fimbrin genes and performing chromosomal gene replacements within Salmonella, creating Salmonella strains which carry the recombinant agfA genes at the native position in the chromosome. One embodiment of the invention is exemplified by the expression of a model epitope (PT3) obtained from the GP63 protein of Leishmania major, by formation of recombinant agfA genes encoding PT3 fusion proteins recombined at 10 different sites throughout the agfA gene. These fusions are shown to be expressed in the thin aggregative fimbriae on the surface of bacterial cell. The agfA fimbrin of Salmonella (CsgA for E. coli) provides a flexible and stable vehicle for the expression of foreign epitopes in enterobacteriaceae and the subsequent thin aggregative fimbriae (curli) expression product provide an ideal organelle for presentation of the foreign epitopes at the cell surface.

Abstract: The use of an assay for adenylate kinase in an in vitro test for the effect of external conditions on the growth characteristics of bacterial cells. Such tests in particular include tests for the sensivity of a bacteria to an antibiotic or a biostatic agent, and tests to assess the growth stage and health of the bacteria. Methods of carrying out these tests and kits for effecting them are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and medicine, and more specifically to the field of cellular signal transduction. The present invention relates, inter alia, to methods for diagnosis, treatment, and identification of therapeutics for particular inflammation-related diseases or disorders characterized by an interaction between a PYK2 polypeptide and a natural binding partner.

Abstract: This invention relates to conjugates of the O-specific polysaccharide of E. coli O157 with a carrier, and compositions thereof, and to methods of using of these conjugates and/or compositions thereof for eliciting an immunogenic response in mammals, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, bacterial infections. More particularly it relates to the use of polysaccharides containing the tetrasaccharide repeat unit: (?3)-?-D-GalpNAc-(1?2)-?-D-PerpNAc-(1?3)-?-L-Fucp-(1?4)-?-D-Glcp-(1?), and conjugates thereof, to induce serum antibodies having bactericidal (killing) activity against hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) causing E. coli, in particular E. coli O157. The conjugates, and compositions thereof, are useful as vaccines to induce serum antibodies which have bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity against against E. coli, in particular E. coli O157, and are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by E. coli O157.

Abstract: Means for detection of bacteria of the genus Taylorella and biological applications thereof are described. In particular, the detection of T. equigenitalis and the treatment or prevention of infections caused by bacteria of this species are disclosed. Monoclonal antibodies which recognize an epitope of a bacterium of the species T. equigenitalis are disclosed. These monoclonal antibodies may be used to detect T. equigenitalis with certainty and by means of a single test.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene encoding a protein from merozoite of Babesia caballi, a recombinant protein of Babesia caballi, and an antibody capable specifically binding to a 48 kDa protein of rhoptry of Babesia caballi merozoite. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to stably prepare the 48 kDa protein of rhoptry of Babesia caballi and the gene encoding said protein in a large amount with the recombinant DNA technique. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing equine babesiasis which comprises either specifically detecting anti-Babesia caballi antibody present in equine blood by using the recombinant protein of present invention as an .antigen or detecting the presence of Babesia caballi merozoite in equine blood by using the antibody of the present invention.