Abstract: Immunogenic composition comprising at least one Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) and/or type 2 (HSV-2) peptide sequence hearing at least one epitope from glycoprotein D (gD) and/or glycoprotein B (gB), a pharmaceutical carrier and/or a human compatible adjuvant, peptide sequences and uses thereof for prevention or treatment of an HSV condition.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase preparation wherein the preferred hyaluronidase enzyme is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also disclosed is a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye, said method comprising the step of contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., a ?-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for treating ophthalmic disorders of the mammalian eye. Prevention of neovascularization and the increased rate of clearance from the vitreous of materials toxic to retina is accomplished by administering an amount of hyaluronidase effective to liquefy the vitreous humor of the treated eye without causing toxic damage to the eye. Liquefaction of the vitreous humor increases the rate of liquid exchange from the vitreal chamber. This increase in exchange removes those materials and conditions whose presence causes ophthalmological and retinal damage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an HSV-1-derived vector containing a DNA having a functional LAT promoter, or operative fragment thereof, a deletion in both copies of the HSV-1 LAT gene, and a deletion in both copies of the HSV-1 ICP34.5 gene. The HSV-1-derived vectors are non-neurovirulent and do not spontaneously reactivate from latency, and they optionally contain a functional HSV thymidine kinase gene, which can enhance the effectiveness against cancer of drug treatment with gancyclovir or acyclovir. Alternatively, the HSV-1-derived vectors contain at least one transcriptional unit of a LAT promoter sequence operatively linked to a nucleic acid encoding a preselected protein. In some embodiments, the preselected protein is a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide toxic for cells expressing the vector, for example, human interferon-?. Also, disclosed are kits for expressing in a mammalian cell a gene encoding a preselected protein, and mammalian cells containing the HSV-derived vectors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selectively inhibiting the growth of malignant cells in mammals, including humans. The method selectively inhibits the growth of malignant cells of all varieties, and is particularly useful in treating brain tumors and other malignancies of the central nervous system. The method employs HSV-1-derived vectors containing a DNA having a deletion in both copies of the LAT gene and both copies of the ICP34.5 gene of HSV-1. The vectors are delivered to malignant cells either in vivo or in vitro, in accordance with the method. The HSV-1-derived expression vectors are non-neurovirulent and do not spontaneously reactivate from latency, and they optionally contain a functional HSV thymidine kinase gene, which can enhance the effectiveness against cancer of drug treatment with gancyclovir or acyclovir.

Abstract: Described herein are peptide epitopes effective in the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), as well as vaccines and other therapeutic compositions including the same. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may include a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant to enhance the delivery and/or pharmacological efficacy of the epitope. Also described are methods for treating and preventing HSV with the aforementioned epitopes, such as by administering a vaccine including the same. Other methods describe the use of the TEPITOPE algorithm to identify epitopes that may be useful in the treatment of HSV and related or unrelated disease conditions.

Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for treating ophthalmic disorders of the mammalian eye. Prevention of neovascularization and the increased rate of clearance from the vitreous of materials toxic to retina is accomplished by administering an amount of hyaluronidase effective to liquefy the vitreous humor of the treated eye without causing toxic damage to the eye. Liquefaction of the vitreous humor increases the rate of liquid exchange from the vitreal chamber. This increase in exchange removes those materials and conditions whose presence causes ophthalmological and retinal damage.

Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for treating ophthalmic disorders of the mammalian eye. Prevention of neovascularization and the increased rate of clearance from the vitreous of materials toxic to the retina is accomplished by administering an amount of hyaluronidase effective to liquefy the vitreous humor of the treated eye without causing toxic damage to the eye. Liquefaction of the vitreous humor increases the rate of liquid exchange from the vitreal chamber. This increase in exchange removes those materials and conditions whose presence causes ophthalmological and retinal damage.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase preparation wherein the preferred hyaluronidase enzyme is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 4,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also disclosed is a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye, said method comprising the step of contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., a &bgr;-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provide a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of a mammalian eye without producing toxicity to the eye, the method comprising contacting with the vitreous humor an amount of a solution which contains hyaluronidase to provide a dose of at least 1 International Unit of hyaluronidase, the hyaluronidase being in purified form possessing intravitreal hemorrhage-clearing activity and being free from impurities that produce toxicity to the eye.

Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for treating ophthalmic disorders of the mammalian eye. Prevention of neovascularization and the increased rate of clearance from the vitreous of materials toxic to retina is accomplished by administering an amount of hyaluronidase effective to liquefy the vitreous humor of the treated eye without causing toxic damage to the eye. Liquefaction of the vitreous humor increases the rate of liquid exchange from the vitreal chamber. This increase in exchange removes those materials and conditions whose presence causes ophthalmological and retinal damage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selectively inhibiting the growth of malignant cells in mammals, including humans. The method selectively inhibits the growth of malignant cells of all varieties, and is particularly useful in treating brain tumors and other malignancies of the central nervous system. The method employs HSV-1-derived vectors containing a DNA having a deletion in both copies of the LAT gene and both copies of the ICP34.5 gene of HSV-1. The vectors are delivered to malignant cells either in vivo or in vitro, in accordance with the method. The HSV-1-derived expression vectors are non-neurovirulent and do not spontaneously reactivate from latency, and they optionally contain a functional HSV thymidine kinase gene, which can enhance the effectiveness against cancer of drug treatment with gancyclovir or acyclovir.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase preparation wherein the preferred hyaluronidase enzyme is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also disclosed is a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye, said method comprising the step of contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., a &bgr;-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of infectious diseases and ophthalmology. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccination against Herpes Simplex Virus which rely on preparations comprising a mixture of five, six, or seven HSV glycoproteins selected from the group consisting of gB, gC, gD, gE, gG, gH, and gI.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase is prepared wherein the preferred hyaluronidase is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye is carried out by contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., hyaluronidase, .beta.-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of infectious diseases and ophthalmology. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccination against Herpes Simplex Virus which rely on preparations comprising a mixture of five, six, or seven HSV glycoproteins selected from the group consisting of gB, gC, gD, gE, gG, gH, and gI.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase preparation wherein the preferred hyaluronidase enzyme is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also disclosed is a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye, comprising the step of contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., a .beta.-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: A method for molecularly crosslinking amino acid-containing polymers by photoactivating chemical crosslinkers which have been combined with the polymers. Collagen crosslinked by this method can be used as a bioadhesive for sutureless closures of the skin and eye or as a superhydrated material for contact lenses, moist bandage contact lens, lens or corneal implant material, or as a drug delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A process for obtaining Herpes Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein E (gE) from cells which have been infected or transformed with a recombinant Baculovirus is disclosed. The gE produced is then isolated and purified for use in immunotherapy against HSV infections.

Abstract: A method for molecularly crosslinking amino acid containing polymers by photoactivating chemical crosslinkers which have been combined with the polymers. Collagen crosslinked by this method can be used as a bioadhesive for sutureless closures of the skin and eye or as a superhydrated material for contact lenses, moist bandage contact lens, lens or corneal implant material, or as a drug delivery mechanism.