Abstract: Immunogenic envelope glycoproteins are produced from enveloped virus, such as of the paramyxoviridae family, particularly PIV-3 and RSV, by culturing the virus in the substantial absence of exogenous serum proteins, isolating the virus from the tissue culture, solubilizing the envelope glycoproteins and isolating the solubilized envelope glycoproteins by chromatography.

Abstract: Immunogenic conjugate molecules comprising at least a portion of a capsular polysaccharide of a Streptococcus strain linked to at least a portion of an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus strain are provided in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is increased. Particularly capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae are linked to an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus influenzae strain, which protein may be the P1, P2 or particularly the P6 outer membrane protein. Conjugate molecules comprising the P6 protein linked to a capsular polysaccharide from an encapsulated pathogen other than Streptococcus also are described, in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is enhanced. Such conjugate molecules may be incorporated into immunogenic compositions for protecting a host against disease caused by the Streptococcus strain and preferably also the Haemophilus strain.

Abstract: An expression system for expressing gene products from recombinant Bordetella strains and specific nucleic acid molecules useful in transforming Bordetella strains for such expression are described. A nucleic acid molecule may comprise a Bordetella promoter operatively coupled to a heterologous gene encoding a non-Bordetella gene product with the heterologous gene transcriptionally regulated by the Bordetella promoter. The nucleic acid molecule may further comprise a further nucleic acid molecule encoding a leader sequence for secretion of the non-Bordetella gene product. Another nucleic acid molecule may comprise a Bordetella promoter coupled to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a non-Bordetella leader sequence for secretion of a gene product, which may be a Bordetella gene product or a non-Bordetella gene product.

Abstract: An isolated and purified non-denatured outer membrane protein CD which is that of or corresponds to that isolatable from a Branhamella strain, particularly B. catarrhalis, is isolated from a bacterial strain by fractionating a cell lysate formed by disrupting a cell mass of the bacterial strain by centrifugation to provide a pellet and a discard supernatant containing a large proportion of soluble bacterial proteins. The pellet is selectively extracted to remove the remaining soluble proteins, the membrane proteins other than CD and other contaminants such as lipopolysaccharide and phospholipids. The remaining CD-containing pellet is dispersed and solubilized and then fractionated by centrifugation to remove the remaining cell debris.

Abstract: An expression system for expressing gene products from recombinant Bordetella strains and specific nucleic acid molecules useful in transforming Bordetella strains for such expression are described. A nucleic acid molecule may comprise a Bordetella promoter operatively coupled to a heterologous gene encoding a non-Bordetella gene product with the heterologous gene transcriptionally regulated by the Bordetella promoter. The nucleic acid molecule may further comprise a further nucleic acid molecule encoding a leader sequence for secretion of the non-Bordetella gene product. Another nucleic acid molecule may comprise a Bordetella promoter coupled to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a non-Bordetella leader sequence for secretion of a gene product, which may be a Bordetella gene product or a non-Bordetella gene product.

Abstract: An immunogenic retrovirus-like particle which is non-infectious and non-replicating and which is useful as a candidate vaccine component against retroviral infections, including AIDS and ATLL, is produced by genetic engineering. A DNA molecule comprising a retroviral genome devoid of long terminal repeats is incorporated into an expression vector, which is introduced into mammalian cells for expression of the retrovirus-like particle.

Abstract: An expression system for expressing gene products from recombinant Bordetella strains and specific nucleic acid molecules useful in transforming Bordetella strains for such expression are described. A nucleic acid molecule may comprise a Bordetella promoter operatively coupled to a heterologous gene encoding a non-Bordetella gene product with the heterologous gene transcriptionally regulated by the Bordetella promoter. The nucleic acid molecule may further comprise a further nucleic acid molecule encoding a leader sequence for secretion of the non-Bordetella gene product. Another nucleic acid molecule may comprise a Bordetella promoter coupled to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a non-Bordetella leader sequence for secretion of a gene product, which may be a Bordetella gene product or a non-Bordetella gene product.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward nucleic acids encoding self-assembled, non-infectious, non-replicating, immunogenic retrovirus-like particles comprising modified HIV-1 genomes devoid of long terminal repeats and containing nucleotide sequences encoding chimeric envelope glycoproteins. Retrovirus-like particles containing chimeric envelope glycoproteins were expressed in mammalian cells by using inducible promoters. One preferred embodiment discloses the engineering of a series of expression vectors in which a synthetic oligomer encoding gp120 residues 306 to 328 (amino acids YNKRKRIHIGP GRAFYTTKNIIG) from the V3 loop of the MN viral isolate was inserted at various positions within the endogenous HIV-1.sub.LAI env gene. Expression studies revealed that insertion of the heterologous V3(MN) loop segment resulted in the secretion of fully assembled HIV-like particles containing chimeric LAI/MN envelope glycoproteins. Both V3 loop epitopes were recognized by loop-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward self-assembled, non-infectious, non-replicating, immunogenic retrovirus-like particles comprising modified HIV-1 genomes devoid of long terminal repeats and containing nucleotide sequences encoding chimeric envelope glycoproteins. Retrovirus-like particles containing chimeric envelope glycoproteins were expressed in mammalian cells by using inducible promoters. One preferred embodiment discloses the engineering of a series of expression vectors in which a synthetic oligomer encoding gp120 residues 306 to 328 (amino acids YNKRKRIHIGP GRAFYTTKNIIG) from the V3 loop of the MN viral isolate was inserted at various positions within the endogenous HIV-1.sub.LAI env gene. Expression studies revealed that insertion of the heterologous V3(MN) loop segment resulted in the secretion of fully assembled HIV-like particles containing chimeric LAI/MN envelope glycoproteins. Both V3 loop epitopes were recognized by loop-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward diagnostic kits and antigens useful for the detection of viral antigens in a test sample. The kit contains antigens obtained from self-assembled, non-infectious, non-replicating, immunogenic retrovirus-like particles comprising modified HIV-1 genomes devoid of long terminal repeats and containing nucleotide sequences encoding chimeric envelope glycoproteins. One preferred embodiment discloses the engineering of a series of expression vectors in which a synthetic oligomer encoding gp120 residues 306 to 328 (amino acids YNKRKRIHIGP GRAFYTTKNIIG) from the V3 loop of the MN viral isolate was inserted at various positions within the endogenous HIV-1.sub.LAI env gene. Expression studies revealed that insertion of the heterologous V3(MN) loop segment resulted in the secretion of fully assembled HIV-like particles containing chimeric LAI/MN envelope glycoproteins. Both V3 loop epitopes were recognized by loop-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: Immunogenic conjugate molecules comprising at least a portion of a capsular polysaccharide of a Streptococcus strain linked to at least a portion of an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus strain are provided in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is increased. Particularly capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae are linked to an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus influenzae strain, which protein may be the P1, P2 or particularly the P6 outer membrane protein. Conjugate molecules comprising the P6 protein linked to a capsular polysaccharide from an encapsulated pathogen other than Streptococcus also are described, in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is enhanced. Such conjugate molecules may be incorporated into immunogenic compositions for protecting a host against disease caused by the Streptococcus strain and preferably also the Haemophilus strain.

Abstract: A gas injection lance for use in metal refining is disclosed. The lance includes a tube having an inner diameter profile and a throttle member slidably received with the tube. The tube and throttle member define an annular gas flowpath. The throttle body may be moved axially within the tube to modify the characteristics of the flowpath.

Abstract: Nozzles for a refining lance are presented which are spaced upwardly from the head of the lance and supply post-combustion oxygen to the space above a molten metal bath undergoing refining. Each of the nozzles has a mouthpiece with two parallel sharp edges which are arranged in planes passing substantially through the axis of the lance and which are connected by slightly rounded edges. Above the mouthpiece of each nozzle is a converging part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for emptying metallurgical vessels, and in particular steelmaking converters containing metal and slag, whereby the slag is effectively separated from the metal during pouring. The apparatus includes at least on permeable refractory element located near the flow hole. An agitating gas is fed through the refractory element thereby creating a bubbling froth which effectively obstructs most of the slag from being carried along by the vortex which forms above the vertical flow hole.

Abstract: A nozzle for the refining of metals by oxygen blasting from above the melt is presented. The nozzle includes a nozzle head having a blast pipe therethrough upstream of the mouth of the nozzle. The blast pipe directs a jet of gas comprised, at least in part, of oxygen, having a supersonic speed onto the melt. The blast pipe includes an inner tube. The lower portion of the inner tube has a throat positioned between a convergent and divergent sections, this lower portion defining a laval nozzle. The blast pipe also includes an outer tube coaxial with the inner tube and having a greater cross section than the inner tube. The mouth of the inner tube is spaced back (downstream) from the mouth of the blast pipe. The inner and outer tubes are each provided with flow control valves, and are connected to sources of pressurized gas. Devices are provided to vary the cross sectional area of the mouth of the inner tube.

Abstract: A nozzle for refining metals or ferroalloys by oxygen blasting from above the melt is presented. The nozzle terminates at a nozzle head and includes at least one central blast pipe for directing a jet of oxygen having supersonic speed. A chamber is interposed between the mouth of the blast pipe and the mouth of the nozzle head. This chamber widens progressively from the mouth of the blast pipe, and narrows toward the mouth of the nozzle head. At least one opening from at least one lateral duct opens to the chamber in the vicinity of the blast pipe mouth. Each lateral duct is connected to a source of gas, and includes an inidividual flow control valve. Preferably, at least three lateral ducts are arranged symmetrically around the blast pipe mouth.

Abstract: A blast pipe for delivering refining oxygen to the space above a metal bath in a refining operation is presented. The blast pipe is positioned in a gas supply duct and is provided with a pressure regulating valve. The blast pipe comprises a fixed straight wall portion along which the gas flows in a linear path. The straight wall portion terminates at a sharp edge, constituting a portion of the blast pipe exit orifice. A bent wall segment is located adjacent to and downstream of the straight wall portion and connects the remainder of the straight wall portion to the exit orifice. The bent wall segment preferably has a convergent configuration, upstream of the sharp edge, and a divergent configuration downstream thereof. The exit orifice, in cross section, has the shape of a rectangle, one of the long sides of which constitutes the sharp edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for closing the discharge aperture of a metallurgical vessel is presented. This apparatus includes a closure element attached to a pivoted lever in order to prevent undesirable discharge of slag at the beginning and end of the casting process and during refining. The lever pivotally opens and closes the aperture by means of a piston rod and pressure cylinder. The closure element, preferably made from wood, is temporarily attached to the lever by a friction fit and is designed to be used only once.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the refining of a molten metal overlain by a slag and in which cold solids are introduced, e.g. in the form of metal scrap. According to the invention the heat necessary to melt the scrap and prevent undue cooling of the bath is generated by directing a jet of neutral gas entraining carbon against the surface of the melt perpendicularly thereto at Mach 1.5 to Mach 2.5, while refining oxygen is directed at the surface from jets inclined to the carbon entraining jet and the melt is bottomblown by neutral gas to prevent excessive foaming of the slag.