Abstract: The present invention pertains to a Salmonella microorganism having an attenuating mutation which disrupts the expression of a gene located within the Spi2 pathogenicity island, and an auxotrophic mutation. The microorganism therefore has a double mutation which helps prevent reactivity of the microorganism while maintaining the effectiveness of the microorganism to elicit an immune response. The present invention also pertains to vaccine compositions and methods for treating and preventing a Salmonella infection in a patient.

Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.

Abstract: A method for identifying a microorganism having a reduced adaptation to a particular environment comprising the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of microorganisms each of which is independently mutated by the insertional inactivation of a gene with a nucleic acid comprising a unique marker sequence so that each mutant contains a different marker sequence, or clones of the said microorganism; (2) providing individually a stored sample of each mutant produced by step (1) and providing individually stored nucleic acid comprising the unique marker sequence from each individual mutant; (3) introducing a plurality of mutants produced by step (1) into the said particular environment and allowing those microorganisms which are able to do so to grow in the said environment; (4) retrieving microorganisms from the said environment or a selected part thereof and isolating the nucleic acid from the retrieved microorganisms; (5) comparing any marker sequences in the nucleic acid isolated in step (4) to the unique mar

Abstract: A series of genes from Streptococcus pyogenes are shown to encode products which are implicated in virulence. The identification of these genes therefore allows attenuated microorganisms to be produced. Furthermore, the genes or their encoded products can be used in the manufacture of vaccines for therapeutic application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines, in particular, to an attenuated gram-negative cell comprising the SP12 gene locus, wherein at least one gene of the SP12 locus is inactivated, wherein the inactivation results in an attenuation/reduction of virulence compared to the wild type of said cell, and to a carrier for the presentation of an antigen to a host, which carrier is the attenuated gram-negative cell, wherein the cell comprises at least one heterologous nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence coding for the antigen, wherein the cell is capable of expressing the nucleic acid molecule or capable of causing the expression of the nucleic acid molecule in a target cell.

Abstract: Novel waterglass compositions comprise a zirconium containing anionic aggregate, preferably potassium zirconium carbonate or ammonium zirconium carbonate, in a quantity sufficient to provide at least 0.5% as zirconium metal. The compositions can be dried and/or gelled to form optically clear interlayers useful in the production of fire resistant glass laminates. The incorporation of the zirconium containing aggregate improves the fire resistant performance of the laminates.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a series of virulence genes in E. coli K1, the products of which may be implicated in the pathogenicity of the organisms. The identification of the genes allows them, or their expressed products, to be used in a number of ways to treat infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines, in particular, to an attenuated gram-negative cell comprising the SPI2 gene locus, wherein at least one gene of the SPI2 locus is inactivated, wherein said inactivation results in an attenuation/reduction of virulence compared to the wild type of said cell, and to a carrier for the presentation of an antigen to a host, which carrier is said attenuated gram-negative cell, wherein said cell comprises at least one heterologous nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence coding for said antigen, wherein said cell is capable of expressing said nucleic acid molecule or capable of causing the expression of said nucleic acid molecule in a target cell.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a Salmonella microorganism having an attenuating mutation which disrupts the expression of a gene located within the Spi2 pathogenicity island, and an auxotrophic mutation. The microorganism therefore has a double mutation which helps prevent reactivity of the microorganism while maintaining the effectiveness of the microorganism to elicit an immune response. The present invention also pertains to vaccine compositions and methods for treating and preventing a Salmonella infection in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a Salmonella microorganism having an attenuating mutation which disrupts the expression of a gene located within the Spi2 pathogenicity island, and an auxotrophic mutation. The microorganism therefore has a double mutation which helps prevent reactivity of the microorganism while maintaining the effectiveness of the microorganism to elicit an immune response. The present invention also pertains to vaccine compositions and methods for treating and preventing a Salmonella infection in a patient.

Abstract: Peptides derived from S. pneumoniae are identified as virulence determinants and may be useful in the preparation of vaccines for the treatment of infection. The peptides may be used as antigens or in the preparation of attenuated microorganisms for use as live oral vaccines.

Abstract: Process for the production of an intumescent fire resistant layer by drying a waterglass solution on the surface of a glass substrate are carried out in the presence of a salt of a carbonic acid or an &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid such as potassium citrate. The drying is preferably carried out at a rate which reduces of pH of the solution by no more than 2 units during an initial drying period of 5 hours. The resulting interlayers provide improved fire resistance.

Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.

Abstract: A series of genes from Streptococcus pyogenes are shown to encode products which are implicated in virulence. The identification of these genes therefore allows attenuated microorganisms to be produced. Furthermore, the genes or their encoded products can be used in the manufacture of vaccines for therapeutic application.

Abstract: Double mutant Salmonella microorganisms help prevent reactivity of the microorganism while maintaining the effectiveness of the microorganism to elicit an immune response. Various specific combinations of mutants are beneficial.

Abstract: A method for identifying a microorganism having a reduced adaptation to a particular environment comprising the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of microorganisms each of which is independently mutated by the insertional inactivation of a gene with a nucleic acid comprising a unique marker sequence so that each mutant contains a different marker sequence, or clones of the said microorganism; (2) providing individually a stored sample of each mutant produced by step (1) and providing individually stored nucleic acid comprising the unique marker sequence from each individual mutant; (3) introducing a plurality of mutants produced by step (1) into the said particular environment and allowing those microorganisms which are able to do so to grow in the said environment; (4) retrieving microorganisms from the said environment or a selected part thereof and isolating the nucleic acid from the retrieved microorganisms; (5) comparing any marker sequences in the nucleic acid isolated in step (4) to the unique m

Abstract: A method for identifying a microorganism having a reduced adaptation to a particular environment comprising the steps of:(1) providing a plurality of microorganisms each of which is independently mutated by the insertional inactivation of a gene with a nucleic acid comprising a unique marker sequence so that each mutant contains a different marker sequence, or clones of the said microorganism;(2) providing individually a stored sample of each mutant produced by step (1) and providing individually stored nucleic acid comprising the unique marker sequence from each individual mutant;(3) introducing a plurality of mutants produced by step (1) into the said particular environment and allowing those microorganisms which are able to do so to grow in the said environment;(4) retrieving microorganisms from the said environment or a selected part thereof and isolating the nucleic acid from the retrieved microorganisms;(5) comparing any marker sequences in the nucleic acid isolated in step (4) to the unique marker sequ

Abstract: A method for identifying a microorganism having a reduced adaptation to a particular environment comprising the steps of:(1) providing a plurality of microorganisms each of which is independently mutated by the insertional inactivation of a gene with a nucleic acid comprising a unique marker sequence so that each mutant contains a different marker sequence, or clones of the said microorganism;(2) providing individually a stored sample of each mutant produced by step (1) and providing individually stored nucleic acid comprising the unique marker sequence from each individual mutant;(3) introducing a plurality of mutants produced by step (1) into the said particular environment and allowing those microorganisms which are able to do so to grow in the said environment;(4) retrieving microorganisms from the said environment or a selected part thereof and isolating the nucleic acid from the retrieved microorganisms;(5) comparing any marker sequences in the nucleic acid isolated in step (4) to the unique marker sequ