Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, immunogenic compositions comprising a first antigen, at least two adjuvants, wherein a first adjuvant comprises a polymer derived from poly(lactides) and/or poly(lactide-co-glycolides), and wherein a second adjuvant comprises an imidazoquinoline, wherein said first antigen is encapsulated within, adsorbed or conjugated to, co-lyophilized or mixed with said first adjuvant, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein said composition elicits a cellular immune response when administered to a vertebrate subject. The invention also provides methods of producing immunogenic compositions, methods for producing a cytotoxic-T lymphocyte (CTL) response in a vertebrate subject, and methods of immunization.

Abstract: A perforating system has a perforating module comprising a unitary body of explosive. The explosive is contained within a non-explosive casing, or liner, having formed indentations and a cover thereover. The indentations, which will transform into explosively formed penetrators (EFP's) upon detonation, have a perimeter shape that allows for improved packing density, e.g., a hexagonal perimeter, which results in relatively little “dead space” wherein no perforating penetrators are generated. In operation, the module provides a relatively dense shot pattern and substantially reduced amount of post-detonation debris that could clog the perforations and/or require remedial clean-up or repeat perforation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel adjuvant compositions, which target the cellular and/or humoral arms of immunity. According to an embodiment of the invention, an oil-in-water adjuvant composition is provided that comprises: (a) water; (b) a metabolizable oil comprising at least one branched or unbranched long-chain hydrocarbon moiety; (c) a steroid; and (d) a saponin.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellular immune response in a vertebrate subject comprising administering to the vertebrate subject a vaccine composition comprising a protein particle antigen and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is disclosed.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions are described herein which comprise microparticles that further comprise a biodegradable polymer. The microparticle compositions also comprise a cationic polysaccharide and an immunological species selected from an antigen, an immunological adjuvant and a combination thereof. Also described are methods of making such compositions and methods of administering such compositions. Methods of modulating the release rate of immunological species from microparticles are also described. These methods comprise varying the ratio of the cationic polysaccharide relative to the biodegradable polymer within the microparticles.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which include biodegradable microparticles with entrapped or adsorbed antigens, in combination with submicron oil-in-water emulsions. Also provided are methods of immunization which comprise administering to a vertebrate subject (a) a submicron oil-in-water emulsion, and (b) a therapeutically effective amount of a selected antigen entrapped in a microparticle.

Abstract: Microparticles with absorbed polypeptide-containing molecules formed without the use of surfactant, methods of making such microparticle compositions, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like. Preferred polymers are poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolides), more preferable those having a lactide/glycolide molar ratio ranging from 40:60 to 60:40 and having a molecular weight ranging from 20,000 Daltons to 70,000 Daltons. Preferred polypeptide containing molecules are bacterial and viral antigens (including HIV antigens, meningitis B antigens, streptococcus B antigens, and Influenza A hemagglutinin antigens).

Abstract: Calcium phosphate is used as an adjuvant, with a high degree of antigen adsorption to the adjuvant. The invention is particularly useful for adjuvanting conjugated capsular saccharide antigens. Buffers, such as phosphate or histidine buffers, can advantageously be used in combination with the calcium phosphate, and compositions may have a pH in the range of 5.5 to 7.5.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and kits, as well as methods of stimulating immune responses and methods of immunization using the same. The compositions and kits comprise: (a) an antigen derived from Bacillus anthracis; (b) polymer microparticles comprising a biodegradable polymer; and (c) a polynucleotide-containing immunological adjuvant.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which include biodegradable microparticles with entrapped or adsorbed antigens, in combination with submicron oil-in-water emulsions. Also provided are methods of immunization which comprise administering to a vertebrate subject (a) a submicron oil-in-water emulsion, and (b) a therapeutically effective amount of a selected antigen entrapped in a microparticle.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. Also provided are microparticles in the form of submicron emulsions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb polypeptides, such as antigens, and nucleic acids, such as ELVIS vectors and other vector constructs, containing heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding biologically active macromolecules, such as polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and uses of the microparticle compositions for vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: Immunogenic HCV E1E2809 DNA compositions and methods of using the same are described. The compositions comprise HCV EIE2809 DNA adsorbed to cationic microparticles, such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb biologically active macromolecules, such as DNA, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Also provided are compositions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. Immunogenic compositions having an immunostimulating amount of an antigenic substance, and an immunostimulating amount of an adjuvant composition are also provided.

Abstract: A substrate card, in the form of a Metrocard®, farecard, keycard, passport, boarding pass or the like, presented for controlled gateway passage at an automatic reader, is photographed and the captured card image is digitized. The card then is heated to a point where trace explosive present on the card is subjected to an energetic reaction imparting a char smudge signature. The card is cooled and a second image is captured and digitized. The digitized images are subjected to a subtractor stage resulting in an isolated char smudge signature image possibly in the form of at least a partial fingerprint residue recognizable by a computer. Upon char image detection, which may include a fingerprint matching process, the computer directs the controlled gateway to restrain the card presenter and secure the card as evidence. The card may be pre-coated to avoid ignition and to enhance trace material adhesion.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which include bioadhesives in combination with adjuvants and antigens for mucosal delivery. Also provided are methods of making the compositions, as well as methods of immunization using the same.

Abstract: Microparticles with absorbed polypeptide-containing molecules formed without the use of surfactant, methods of making such microparticle compositions, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like. Preferred polymers are poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolides), more preferable those having a lactide/glycolide molar ratio ranging from 40:60 to 60:40 and having a molecular weight ranging from 20,000 Daltons to 70,000 Daltons. Preferred polypeptide containing molecules are bacterial and viral antigens (including HIV antigens, meningitis B antigens, streptococcus B antigens, and Influenza A hemagglutinin antigens).

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb biologically active macromolecules, such as DNA, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbed polynucleotide-containing species, compositions containing the same, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof are disclosed. The microparticles comprise (a) a biodegradable polymer, such as a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, or a polycyanoacrylate, (b) a cationic surfactant such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, (c) and a polynucleotide-containing species adsorbed on the surface of the microparticles, wherein the polynucleotide-containing species constitutes at least 5 percent of the total weight of said microparticles. Examples of polynucleotide-containing species include polynucleotide-containing immunological adjuvants, such as CpG oligonucleotides, and polynucleotide-containing species that encode polypeptide-containing antigens, such as RNA and DNA vector constructs.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb biologically active macromolecules, such as DNA, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which include biodegradable microparticles with entrapped or adsorbed antigens, in combination with submicron oil-in-water emulsions. Also provided are methods of immunization which comprise administering to a vertebrate subject (a) a submicron oil-in-water emulsion, and (b) a therapeutically effective amount of a selected antigen entrapped in a microparticle.