Abstract: Novel methods of testing the immunogenicity of variant antigens are provided. In particular, methods based on the use of transgenic animals are provided, wherein the transgenic animal is tolerised to a particular antigen and is then exposed to variants of the antigen and immune responses are determined. In one embodiment the transgenic animal is a mouse which is transgenic for human MHC class II molecules and the immunogenicity of libraries of variant antibodies are tested.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel T cell assay methods, in particular where T cell responses to test antigens are increased by removal of regulatory T cells. Novel assays where the timing of incubation with antigens or other samples is varied in order to optimize detection of T cell responses are described. The invention has particular application for measurement of human T cell responses to pharmaceuticals, allergens, irritants or other substances.

Abstract: A cooking system using a pressurized air system combined with one or more gas or electric heating elements, including an air plenum connected to a source of pressurized air and having one or more arrays of air outlets that produce focused forced air curtains to confine and guide heat from the heating element to the food product.

Abstract: A cooking system for cooking foods using a combination of magnetic induction, convection and radiant heat, including a magnetic induction stage proximate the inlet end of a cooking chamber in which food is cooked by convention and radiant heating. A conveyor system, either continuous or configured in stages, passes food from the magnetic induction heating stage to and through the radiant and convention heating stages.

Abstract: The invention concerns human thrombopoietin and in particular modified forms of thrombopoietin (TPO) with improved properties. The improved proteins contain amino acid substitutions at specific positions within the TPO molecule. The invention provides modified TPO molecules, preferably fusion proteins comprising immunoglobulin constant regions and modified human TPO, with improved biological activity concomitant with reduced immunogenic potential in the protein. The improved proteins are intended for therapeutic use in the treatment of diseases in humans.

Abstract: The invention relates to the modification of antibodies reactive to human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) to result in anti-TNF alpha antibodies that are substantially non-immunogenic or less immunogenic than any non-modified parental antibody when used in vivo. The invention relates also to peptide molecules comprising T-cell epitopes of the V-regions of the parental antibody which are modified by amino acid alteration in order to reduce or eliminate said T-cell epitopes.

Abstract: A solution for treating a nucleic acid duplex having a pH of from 3 to 11, comprising a soluble protein or mixture of proteins; and 0.1 mM to 10 mM divalent cations; wherein the nature and concentration of the protein or mixture of proteins is selected so that the solution is capable of inhibiting heat denaturation of a nucleic acid product.

Abstract: A liquid aerosol formulation comprising at least one thermally stable active ingredient selected from the group consisting of buspirone, buprenorphine, triazolam, cyclobenzaprine, zolpidem, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof and derivatives thereof. The liquid formulation can include an organic solvent such as propylene glycol and one or more optional excipients. The active ingredient can be present in an amount of 0.01 to 5 wt. % and the formulation can be heated to provide a vapor which forms an aerosol having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 3 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates a modified human interferon beta (INF?) which is less immunogenic than human INF? (SEQ ID NO: 1) when administered in vivo to a human. The modified human INF? comprises an amino acid residue sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 1 by an amino acid residue substitution selected from the group consisting of L57A, L57C, L57D L57E, L57G, L57H, L57K, L57N, L57P, L57Q, L57R, L57S, and L57T and an additional substitution selected from the group consisting of the H140A, H140C, H140G, and H140P.

Abstract: A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the allocation of electronic wallets that are associated with one or more devices and various controls that enable at least two entities to manage how the device is utilized for various activities and to pay for goods and services. Each device is associated with at least two electronic wallets, a user wallet and an administrator wallet. The administrator can establish rules that designate how and when the device can be used and which wallet will be used to pay for goods and services desired by the user, but in the event the user wallet is depleted or low on funds, the administrator wallet can serve as a backup funding source for specified types of goods and/or services.

Abstract: A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device. Modern communication devices are capable of many things, including making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. Depending on who is using the communication device, such as a child or an employee, there may be a need or desire to regulate how that communication device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the allocation of electronic wallets that are associated with one or more devices and various controls that enable at least two entities to manage how the device is utilized for various activities and to pay for goods and services. Each device is associated with at least two electronic wallets, a user wallet and an administrator wallet. The administrator can establish rules that designate how and when the device can be used and which wallet will be used to pay for goods and services desired by the user, but in the event the user wallet is depleted or low on funds, the administrator wallet can serve as a backup funding source for specified types of goods and/or services.

Abstract: The invention concerns human interferon alpha and in particular modified forms of interferon alpha 2 with improved properties. The improved proteins contain amino acid substitutions at specific positions that confer increased relative activity in biological assays. The invention provides also modified interferon alpha with improved biological activity concomitant with reduced immunogenic potential in the protein. The improved proteins are intended for therapeutic use in the treatment of diseases in humans.

Abstract: Polyfunctional reagents are disclosed that are capable of reversibly binding to target substances, for example nucleic acid, proteins, polypeptides, cells, cell components, microorganisms or viruses, for use in purifying or otherwise manipulating them. The reagents comprise a tagging group for manipulating and/or detecting the target substance when bound to the polyfunctional reagent. The polyfunctional reagents work by binding the target substance at a first pH and then releasing it at a second pH, usually higher than the first. Examples of tagging groups include tagging group members of a specific binding pair which is capable of binding to a specific binding partner and/or a label.

Abstract: Modified forms of hirudin having improved properties are disclosed. The modified hirudin compounds are hirudin variants comprising amino acid substitutions in the sequence of hirudin. Peptide molecules consisting of the amino acid residue sequence CILGSDGEKNQCVTGEGTPKPESHNDGDFE (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a sequence consisting of at least 9 consecutive amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO: 1 having a potential MHC class II binding activity are disclosed. The peptide has a stimulation index of >1.8 in a biological assay of cellular proliferation, in which the index is defined as the value of cellular proliferation scored following stimulation by the peptide and divided by the value of cellular proliferation scored in control cells that have not been exposed to the peptide.

Abstract: The invention provides modified forms of bouganin protein having biological activity and a reduced propensity to activate human T cells as compared to the non-modified bouganin protein. The invention also provides T-cell epitope peptides of bouganin, and modified T-cell epitope peptides of bouganin which have a reduced propensity to activate human T cells as compared to the non-modified T-cell epitope peptide. The invention also provides cytotoxins having the having a ligand that binds to a cancer cells attached to the modified bouganin proteins. Also provided are methods of inhibiting or destroying mammalian cancer cells using the cytotoxins of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions for treating human cancer.

Abstract: A liquid aerosol formulation comprising at least one thermally stable active ingredient selected from the group consisting of butalbital, lorazepam, ipratropium, baclofen, morphine, scopolamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof and derivatives thereof. The liquid formulation can include an organic solvent such as propylene glycol and one or more optional excipients. The active ingredient can be present in an amount of 0.01 to 5 weight percent and the formulation can be heated to provide a vapor which forms an aerosol having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 3 ?m.

Abstract: A modified interferon beta (INF?) is provided, which is less immunogenic than human INF? (SEQ ID NO: 1) when administered to a human in vivo. The modified INF? comprises an amino acid residue sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 1 by a substitution at one or more residues of SEQ ID NO: 1. Preferred substitutions are at residues selected from the group consisting of residue 50, 59, 60, 62, 63, 66, 67, 69, 70, 125, 126, 129, 130, 132, 133, and 138. Examples of suitable substitutions include F50A, L57A, I59A, Y60N, M62A, L63A, I66T, F67H, I69A, F70A, Y125A, Y126A, I129A, L130A, Y132S, L133A, Y138H, and Y138A.

Abstract: A method of operating a communications system which comprises a communication station (UE1) and a further station (BS), the stations having means (26, 10) whereby they can communicate with each other, and the communication station having buffer memory means (BUF1 to BUFn) for storing data units in at least one queue. One of the stations (UE1, BS) has means (36) for estimating the transmission delay of at least one of the data units in the at least one queue, and means (30) responsive to the estimated transmission delay exceeding a threshold value for requesting permission from the further station (BS) to enable the communication station (UE1) to transmit at least one data unit to the further station (BS). The further station (i.e. the base station) will either “grant” the permission (in the form of an acceptance of using a certain rate, to transmit to a certain power level, or to transmit for a certain period of time).

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful in the analysis of tissues and cells. More specifically, the invention provides compositions, referred to as “pseudo-tissue samples,” which comprise aggregated fixed cells embedded in an embedding medium. The invention also provides histological specimens comprising pseudo-tissues, as well as histological specimen-substrate compositions, such as microscope slides upon which pseudo-tissues and histological specimens prepared therefrom are placed. The histological specimen-substrate compositions may comprise arrays (or microarrays) of pseudo-tissues and/or histological specimens. The invention also provides methods for preparing pseudo-tissues, histological specimens, and histological specimen-substrate compositions containing the same.