Abstract: Antitumor antagonists that bind specifically to immune checkpoint regulators, angiogenesis pathway regulators and/or TGF pathway regulators are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for treating proliferative disorders, infections, and immunological disorders with the antitumor antagonists described herein.

Abstract: A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibody that selectively binds CD47 on tumor cells. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the antibody disclosed.

Abstract: The object collecting heads for object collecting systems includes several embodiments of object collecting heads including light and heavy-duty object collecting heads. The object collecting heads are used to grasp and convey differently sized and randomly shaped objects from a surface to an object holding bin of the object collecting system and are attached to the object holding bin using an adjustable support assembly. Both object collecting heads have three blocks including an upper block, a lower left block, and a lower right block. The lower blocks are connected to each other and the adjustable support assembly by an angled lower block bracket. The upper block is attached to the lower blocks by spring-loaded hinges, such that the upper block is urged toward the lower blocks to grasp an object therebetween. The light-duty object collecting head is a chain-based head, while the heavy-duty object collecting head is a roller-based head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an antibody that selectively binds CD47 on tumor cells. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the antibody disclosed herein.

Abstract: Genes encoding herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. In a DNA titration, it was found that a single immunization of ?0.5 ?g of (one) PNV, gave >90% seroconversion by ten weeks post immunization. Immune antisera neutralized both HSV-2 and HSV-1 in cell culture. When animals were challenged with HSV-2, significant (p<0.001) protection from lethal infection was achieved following PNV vaccination. DNA constructs may be full-length, truncated and/or mutated forms and may be delivered along or in combination in order to optimize immunization and protection from HSV infection.

Abstract: Nucleic acids, including DNA constructs and RNA transcripts, capable of inducing coordinate expression of two to three cistrons upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are bi- or tri-cistronic polynucleotides of this invention include those encoding and co-expressing HIV gene products, genes encoding antigens unrelated to HIV, and immunostimulatory gene products, including but not limited to GM-CSF, interleukins, interferon and members of the B7 family of proteins which act as T-cell costimulatory elements. The methods and polynucleotides of this invention are generally applicable to co-ordinate expression in vivo of any two or more genes in a single cell.

Abstract: Nucleic acids, including DNA constructs and RNA transcripts, capable of inducing coordinate expression of two to three cistrons upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are. bi- or tri-cistronic polynucleotides of this invention include those encoding and co-expressing HIV gene products, genes encoding antigens unrelated to HIV, and immunostimulatory gene products, including but not limited to GM-CSF, interleukins, interferon and members of the B7 family of proteins which act as T-cell costimulatory elements. The methods and polynucleotides of this invention are generally applicable to co-ordinate expression in vivo of any two or more genes in a single cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel formulations of pharmaceutical products, specifically nucleic acid vaccine products. The nucleic acid vaccine products, when introduced directly into muscle cells, induce the production of immune responses which specifically recognize Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV gag and modifications of HIV gag are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules are codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through stimulation of neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: DNA constructs encoding influenza virus gene products, capable of being expressed upon direct introduction, via injection or otherwise, into animal tissues, are novel prophylactic pharmaceuticals which can provide immune protection against infection by homologous and heterologous strains of influenza virus.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV gag and modifications of HIV gag are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules are codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through stimulation of neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: Synthetic polynucleotides comprising a DNA sequence encoding a peptide or protein are provided. The DNA sequence of the synthetic polynucleotides comprise codons optimized for expression in a nonhomologous host. The invention is exemplified by synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV env as well as modifications of HIV env. The codons of the synthetic molecules include the projected host cell's preferred codons. The synthetic molecules provide preferred forms of foreign genetic material. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity. This invention provides polynucleotides which, when directly introduced into a vertebrate in vivo, including mammals such as primates and humans, induces the expression of encoded proteins within the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a DNA sequence encoding an HCV protein and fragments thereof that contain codons optimized for expression in a vertebrate host. Uses of the polynucleotides include eliciting an immune response specifically recognizing HCV.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV genes and modifications of HIV genes are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules use codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods and formulations of nucleic acid pharmaceutical products, specifically formulations of nucleic acid vaccine products and nucleic acid gene therapy products.

Abstract: Synthetic polynucleotides comprising a DNA sequence encoding a peptide or protein are provided. The DNA sequence of the synthetic polynucleotides comprise codons optimized for expression in a nonhomologous host. The invention is exemplified by synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV env as well as modifications of HIV env. The codons of the synthetic molecules include the projected host cell's preferred codons. The synthetic molecules provide preferred forms of foreign genetic material. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity. This invention provides polynucleotides which, when directly introduced into a vertebrate in vivo, including mammals such as primates and humans, induces the expression of encoded proteins within the animal.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV gag and modifications of HIV gag are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules are codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through stimulation of neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: Genes encoding herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. In a DNA titration, it was found that a single immunization of ≧0.5 &mgr;g of (one) PNV, gave >90% seroconversion by ten weeks post immunization. Immune antisera neutralized both HSV-2 and HSV-1 in cell culture. When animals were challenged with HSV-2, significant (p<0.001) protection from lethal infection was achieved following PNV vaccination. DNA constructs may be full-length, truncated and/or mutated forms and may be delivered along or in combination in order to optimize immunization and protection from HSV infection.

Abstract: Genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. Immune antisera was produced against M.tb antigens. Specific T-cell responses were detected in spleen cells of vaccinated mice and the profile of cytokine secretion in response to antigen 85 was indicative of a Th1 type of helper T-cell response (i.e., high IL-2 and IFN-&ggr;). Protective efficacy of an M.tb DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice after challenge with M.bovis BCG, as measured by a reduction in mycobacterial multiplication in the spleens and lungs of M.tb DNA-vaccinated mice compared to control DNA-vaccinated mice or primary infection in naive mice.