Abstract: Transgenic swine in which the normal expression of &agr;(1,3) galactosyltransferase is prevented in at least one organ of tissue type. The absence or inactivation of this enzyme prevents the production of carbohydrate moieties having the distinctive terminal Gal&agr;1-3Gal&bgr;1-4GlcNAc epitope that is a significant factor in xenogeneic, particularly human, transplant rejection of swine grafts.

Abstract: A retina implant to be implanted into an eye having an eye ball with an exterior and an interior, a sclera, a lens, and a retina is disclosed. The implant comprises a chip adapted to be implanted into the interior of the eye in contact with the retina. The chip, when in an implanted condition, has a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing the lens for receiving an image projected onto the retina. The chip, further, comprises a plurality of electrodes for stimulating retina cells. The electrodes are located on the side of the chip having the pixel elements thereon, such that the chip is adapted to be implanted into a subretinal space of the eye. The implant, further, comprises a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy. The receiver coil is coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into the receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying the chip.

Abstract: Methods of inducing tolerance including administering to the recipient a short course of help reducing treatment or administering a short course and methods of prolonging the acceptance of a graft by administering a short course of an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: The invention provides a swine which is homozygous for a major histocompatibility complex haplotype and at least 60% homozygous at all other genetic loci and such animal is propagatable, and a cell or an organ derived therefrom. The invention also provides a method for providing a swine which is homozygous at swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) A, B, C, DR, and DQ, and in which at least 60% of all other genetic loci are homozygous, as well as a method of inducing tolerance in a recipient mammal of a first species to a graft from a donor mammal of a second species.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, insulated panel for use in the construction industry. The integrated panel includes an integrity reinforcing truss disposed between upper and lower surface panels for enhancing the overall strength of the integrated panel. An adhesive insulating material is preferably disposed between the surface panels to assist in bonding the elements of the integrated panel into one piece. The strength and integrity of an integrated panel may be varied to satisfy the needs of a particular application through varying the dimensions and materials of the structural elements.

Abstract: In general, the invention features, a method of inducing tolerance in a recipient mammal, e.g., a human, of a first species to a tissue obtained from a mammal, e.g., a swine, e.g., a miniature swine, of a second species, which tissue expresses an MHC antigen, including inserting DNA encoding an MHC antigen of the second species into a bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell from the recipient mammal, and allowing the MHC antigen encoding DNA to be expressed in the recipient.

Abstract: Methods of inducing tolerance in a recipient mammal to an antigen or to a graft which expresses the antigen. The methods typically include providing a cell from the recipient mammal which presents the antigen, and allowing the cell to produce or display the moiety in the recipient mammal, thereby inducing tolerance to the antigen.

Abstract: Transgenic swine in which the normal expression of &agr;(1, 3) galactosyltransferase is prevented in at least one organ of tissue type. The absence or inactivation of this enzyme prevents the production of carbohydrate moieties having the distinctive terminal Gal&agr;1-3Gal&bgr;1-4GlcNAc epitope that is a significant factor in xenogeneic, particularly human, transplant rejection of swine grafts.

Abstract: Composite framing members for use in building construction include reinforced concrete columns and beams surrounded by a pair of steel shells. A layer of protective material is applied to the interior surface of at least one shell prior to assembly of the shell to provide the final integrated framing member with superior insulating or fire resistance and survivability characteristics. Additionally, the steel shells impart greater structural strength and integrity than the reinforced concrete columns and beams could alone. Furthermore, the concrete cores, aided by the protective coating, function as a heat sink, absorbing heat and allowing the entire framing member a longer structural life that it would have if the steel or concrete were used alone.

Abstract: In general, the invention features, a method of inducing tolerance in a recipient mammal, e.g., a human, of a first species to a tissue obtained from a mammal, e.g., a swine, e.g., a miniature swine, of a second species, which tissue expresses an MHC antigen, including inserting DNA encoding an MHC antigen of the second species into a bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell from the recipient mammal, and allowing the MHC antigen encoding DNA to be expressed in the recipient.

Abstract: The invention features a method designed to lengthen the time an implanted organ (a xenograft) survives in a xenogeneic host prior to rejection. Preparation of the recipient for transplantation includes the following steps: First, the recipient is administered low dose radiation. Second, an antibody preparation that binds T cells and NK cells is injected into the recipient. Third, natural antibodies are absorbed from the recipient's blood by hemoperfusion of an organ of the donor species. Fourth, hematopoietic stromal tissue of the donor species is administered to the recipient. Fifth, donor hematopoietic stem cells are injected into the recipient. Finally, the xenograft organ is implanted into the recipient mammal. Best results are obtained when all steps are used in combination.

Abstract: Transgenic swine in which the normal expression of .alpha.(1,3) galactosyltransferase is prevented in at least one organ of tissue type. The absence or inactivation of this enzyme prevents the production of carbohydrate moieties having the distinctive terminal Gal.alpha.1-3Gal.beta.1-4GlcNAc epitope that is a significant factor in xenogeneic, particularly human, transplant rejection of swine grafts.

Abstract: A genetically engineered swine cell having a transgene encoding a human HLA protein.

Abstract: Methods of inducing tolerance including administering to the recipient a short course of help reducing treatment or administering a short course and methods of prolonging the acceptance of a graft by administering a short course of an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: A method of preparing swine donor tissue which includes hematopoietic stem cells and T cells for transplantation into a recipient mammal other than a swine. The method includes the swine donor tissue with an antibody which binds the epitope recognized by the mAb 2-6-15 monoclonal antibody. The binding facilitates depletion of T cells about as efficiently or more efficiently than does the mAb 2-6-15 monoclonal antibody and results in about the same or less depletion of stem cells as does the mAb 2-6-15 monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The invention features methods of replacing thymus function and inducing immunological tolerance.

Abstract: Purified DNA encoding porcine IL-10, porcine IL-10, and methods of inducing immunological tolerance and inhibiting graft versus host disease.

Abstract: In general, the invention features, a method of inducing tolerance in a recipient mammal, e.g., a human, of a first species to a tissue obtained from a mammal, e.g., a swine, e.g., a miniature swine, of a second species, which tissue expresses an MHC antigen, including inserting DNA encoding an MHC antigen of the second species into a bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell from the recipient mammal, and allowing the MHC antigen encoding DNA to be expressed in the recipient.

Abstract: An access panel assembly with a door and multi-functional frame which prevents sagging and warping of the door from the frame, and which is more safely and easily installed in both new and existing building structures. Flush mounting of the door to either face of the frame is achieved by a symmetrical mechanism wherein the inner edge of all four sides of the frame opening contains a molded, shallow groove which is equidistantly located from the two faces of the frame. The door contains on its underside a plurality of molded tabs, wherein each edge of the door has one or more tabs located adjacent thereto. The molded tabs are resilient so that they deflect when the door is press-fitted into the frame from either face. The molded tabs slide into the shallow grooves and hold the door firmly in place. Further, the door also contains one or more knockouts on the underside thereof, wherein each knockout is positioned near an edge of the door.

Abstract: A concrete slab, and a building construction system employing the concrete slab, in which the slab is formed in a casting or extrusion process to include a plurality of longitudinally extending core passages, and a groove extending transversely across one end face thereof. A plurality of invention slabs are stacked side by side to form a continuous wall structure, a plurality of conventional cored floor slabs are arranged with their one ends supported on the upper ends of the invention wall slabs, and concrete slurry is poured into the interface between the wall slabs and the floor slabs to fill at least some of the vertical core passages in the wall slabs and at least portions of the horizontal core passages in the floor slabs to form a continuous reinforcing concrete frame within the wall and floor.