Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: a) inactivated whole virus, and b) a stabilizing excipient which comprises: i. a buffer solution, ii. a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids, iii. a disaccharide, iv. a polyol, v. a chelating agent, vi. urea or a urea derivative, and vii. a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flu virus hemagglutinin-specific monoclonal antibody which recognizes an antigenic structure present both on the H1 and H3 subtypes of the hemagglutinins of type A flu viruses and on the hemagglutinin of type B flu viruses. Within type B flu viruses, the antigenic structure is present on the hemagglutinins of type B flu viruses belonging to the B/Victoria group and/or to the B/Yagamata group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: a) inactivated whole virus, and b) a stabilizing excipient which comprises: i. a buffer solution, ii. a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids, iii. a disaccharide, iv. a polyol, v. a chelating agent, vi. urea or a urea derivative, and vii. a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: a) inactivated whole virus, and b) a stabilizing excipient which comprises: i. a buffer solution, ii. a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids, iii. a disaccharide, iv. a polyol, v. a chelating agent, vi. urea or a urea derivative, and vii. a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: a) inactivated whole virus, and b) a stabilizing excipient which comprises: i. a buffer solution, ii. a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids, iii. a disaccharide, iv. a polyol, v. a chelating agent, vi. urea or a urea derivative, and vii. a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flu virus hemagglutinin-specific monoclonal antibody which recognizes an antigenic structure present both on the H1 and H3 subtypes of the hemagglutinins of type A flu viruses and on the hemagglutinin of type B flu viruses. Within type B flu viruses, the antigenic structure is present on the hemagglutinins of type B flu viruses belonging to the B/Victoria group and/or to the B/Yagamata group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing antibodies neutralizing HIV primary isolates in a mammal, comprising administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by the formula N-L-C, in which: N represents the amino acid sequence 25–81 of gp41, C represents the amino acid sequence 112–157 of gp41, and L represents a flexible linking sequence comprising from 2 to 30 amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a polypeptide capable of forming a structure corresponding to or mimicking the intermediate of gp41 as well as its use in a vaccine for treating or preventing HIV infections.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel polypeptide antigens that can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic immunization against HIV-related infections. The polypeptide of the invention mimics the intermediate state of gp41 and is capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize primary isolates of HIV. The invention also comprises compositions comprising the polypeptide and methods of using it.

Abstract: The invention concerns a purified recombinant glycoprotein having the following properties: a) an adherence capacity to CD4; b) an affinity with a anti-gp120 antibody capable of neutralizing in vitro HIV cell infection; c) an affinity with an anti-gp41 antibody; d) a timeric form free from inter-chain disulphide bonds. The invention also concerns a vaccine comprising said purified glycoprotein and an adjuvant. The invention further concerns a method for obtaining said glycoprotein, which consists in expressing, by means of genetic recombining techniques, a glycoprotein corresponding to the properties a), b) and c) mentioned above; purifying it, and subjecting it to steps involving at least a reducing agent, an ionic detergent and/or a neutral detergent in conditions leading to a glycoprotein having said properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing antibodies neutralizing HIV primary isolates in a mammal, comprising administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by the formula N-L-C, in which:

Abstract: Method and device for cell lysis in which a liquid mixture of bateria or eukaryoptic cells and of a lysing agent is produced continuously, and this mixture is caused to flow immediately in a steady stream inside a tubing (7), the flow rate of this stream being adjusted as a function of the diameter and of the length of the tubing (7) so as to obtain a substantially homegenous cell lysate at the outlet (8) of the said tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the specific immune response against an immunogenic compound which comprises administering the immunogenic compound together with a poxvirus recombinant and a vaccinal antigen, which is not a poxvirus. The immunological material may be any biological material useful as a vaccine e.g., a polypeptide characteristic of a pathogenic microorganism or associated with a tumoral disorder, a DNA plasmid encoding a peptide or a polypeptide characteristic of a pathogenic microorganism or a tumor-associated antigen, or an hapten coupled to a carrier molecule. The poxvirus may be a live, attenuated or inactivated virus or a recombinant virus. Recombinant virus may encode a heterologous polypeptide such as chemokines, cytokines or co-immunostimulatory molecules or an homologous polypeptide, which is immunologically cross reactive with the immunogenic polypeptide or peptide.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel polypeptide antigens that can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic immunization against HIV-related infections. The polypeptide of the invention mimics the intermediate state of gp41 and is capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize primary isolates of HIV. The invention also comprises compositions comprising the polypeptide and methods of using it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an envelope glycoprotein of HIV in purified form which can be obtained by a method comprising the following steps: (1) production of an envelope glycoprotein in purified form, (2) reduction of at least one disulfide bridge of the glycoprotein of step (1), (3) alkylation of at least two free sulfhydryl groups, (4) optionally, oxidation of the remaining free sulfhydryl groups, (5) denaturation and (6) renaturation, and to its use in a vaccine against HIV which can be used for inducing antibodies which neutralize HIV in a human individual, therapeutically or prophylactically.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides a polypeptide capable of forming a structure corresponding to or mimicking the intermediate of gp41 as well as its use in a vaccine for treating or preventing HIV infections.

Abstract: A diode phase-shifting device for an electronically scanning antenna includes a cut-off device designed to operate when the phase-shifting diodes are switched to their non-conducting state, with a view to increasing the switchover speed. This device comprises mainly a low-voltage generator, a circuit breaker or switch, and a high-voltage generator. A switching from the low-voltage generator to the high-voltage generator occurs when the voltage at the terminals of the phase-shifting diode considered exceeds a given threshold value.

Abstract: A data bearing card having first contacts connected to an integrated circuit on the card is read and confiscated if invalid or bogus. The card is translated in a first direction from an admission chamber to a reading station having second contacts adapted to engage the first contacts so data signals can be coupled between the integrated circuit and a data processor. After data stored in the integrated circuit have been read through the contacts the card is fed in a second direction of travel from the reading station back toward the admission chamber until the card has been completely extracted from the reading station. If the card is bogus, the reading station pivots to open a path for the card to a confiscation bin located beneath the reading station. The bogus card is then fed in the first direction into the confiscation bin.

Abstract: A card reader contains an admission chamber, a fixed guide path, including card feeding rollers, and a read station for a magnetic track of a data bearing identification card. The read station and idler wheel are on opposite sides of a card guide path. The read station comprises first and second heads, respectively mounted to turn about first and second parallel axes that extend in the same direction as the guide path. Shafts defining the first and second axes are mounted at the extremities of first and second swing arms positioned on opposite sides of the heads. The swing arms are mounted to turn about a third axis that extends toward the guide path. A shaft defining the third axis is carried on a bifurcated bracket, mounted to rotate about a fourth axis that also extends in the guide path direction. A tension spring exerts a force on the bifurcated bracket to hold the heads constantly against a face of the car as it travels through a nip formed between the heads and a drive roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for the thermal measurement of the texture of a porous body, including a measuring head, a measuring assembly and a processing and control circuit. The measuring head is provided with two identical cylindrical cells, a measuring cell and a reference cell, arranged in a furnace. The measuring assembly measures the mean temperature of the measuring cell, and measures a calorific effect in the measuring cell, and includes a calorific effect detector, a calibration circuit, a temperature regulator including a furnace heater. The measuring circuit supplies a temperature signal and a calorific effect signal to the processing and control circuit, which in turn controls the heater.