Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided by recombinant means. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions for administration to adults particularly to the elderly, to protect them against disease caused by infection by respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus comprise an immunoeffective amount of a mixture of purified fusion (F) protein, attachment (G) protein and matrix (M) protein of RSV and an immunoeffective amount of a non-virulent influenza virus preparation. The components of the composition when formulated as a vaccine for in vivo administration do not impair the immunogenicity of each other. The immunogenic composition may also contain an adjuvant.

Abstract: Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbohydrate fragments each linker to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inputs enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae, which may be serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F, or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype A, B, C, W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from 2 to 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, LeY or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule.

Abstract: A virus neutralizing level of antibodies to a primary HIV isolate is generated in a host by a prime-boost administration of antigens. The primary antigen is a DNA molecule encoding an envelop glycoprotein of a primary isolate of HIV-1 while the boosting antigen is either a non-infectious, non-replicating HIV-like particle having the envelope glycoprotein of a primary isolate of HIV-1 or an attenuated viral vector expressing an envelope glycoprotein of a primary isolate of HIV-1.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for providing independently developed applications and services to wireless telecommunication device users in a wireless communications network. The system allows independent developers to provide their applications and services to wireless device end-users via the wireless carrier network, bill a carrier and/or a subscriber for the application or service, and share in the revenues with the developer.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles contain mutations to reduce gag-dependent RNA-packaging of the gag gene product, eliminate reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product, eliminate integrase activity of the pol gene product and eliminate RNase H activity of the pol gene product through genetic manipulation of the gag and pol genes. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided by recombinant means. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligands are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of ?-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and pseudo-?-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine or terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and pseudo-?-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen or antigens and adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody and protective responses.

Abstract: Multimeric hybrid genes encoding the corresponding chimeric protein comprise a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a second pathogen. The pathogens particularly are parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A single recombinant immunogen is capable of protecting infants and similar susceptible individuals against diseases caused by both PIV and RSV.

Abstract: A multi-component immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Such composition comprises at least two different antigens of Haemophilus influenzae, one of which is an adhesin. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae enhance the immune response in a host to a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein in such immunogenic compositions with one component not impairing the immunogenicity of the other. The Haemophilus vaccine may be combined with DTP component vaccines to provide a multi-valent component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: The fusion (F) protein, attachment (G) protein and matrix (M) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are isolated and purified from respiratory syncytial virus by mild detergent extraction of the proteins from concentrated virus, loading the protein onto a hydroxyapatite or other ion-exchange matrix column and eluting the protein using mild salt treatment. The F, G and M proteins, formulated as immunogenic compositions, are safe and highly immunogenic and protect relevant animal models against decreased caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program that automatically creates a subscription for applications and services provided to wireless devices from other computer devices on a wireless network, where the subscription requires periodic payment by the wireless device subscriber for continued access to the application or service. The system monitors wireless device end-user interaction with other computer devices, such as application download servers, across the wireless network and when the end-user obtains an application or service from the computer device, the system automatically records the subscription and can either bill the wireless device subscriber for the subscription(s) or transmit the bill to the carrier or other entity to bill the subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling viral rebound in HIV+ individuals after termination of anti-retroviral therapy, the method comprising administering to an HIV+ individual who has undergone anti-retroviral therapy that has been terminated and which HIV+ individual has a viral load of less than or equal to 10,000 copies per ml of plasma and a CD4+ level greater than or equal to 300 cells per mm3, at least one lipopeptide comprising a peptide chain of 7 to 100 amino acids which comprises at least one CTL epitope of an HIV protein and which is linked by covalent attachment, optionally via a linker moiety, to a lipid chain comprising from 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of permitting cessation of antiviral therapy on HIV-infected subjects without virus rebound or with at least a delayed virus rebound or a decreased post rebound set-point. The method comprises the re-induction of HIV-specific immune responses using a vaccination strategy to induce both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The present invention achieves an immunological control of persistent infectious virus after discontinuation of antiviral therapy. The vaccine strategy according to the invention is both safe and immunogenic in the subject HIV-infected patient population.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Tat protein wherein all the cysteine residues of the cysteine-rich domain have been replaced with another amino acid, preferably with serine, nucleic acids encoding it, and methods of using it to elicit a humoral and cellular immune responses in a mammal. The Tat protein of the invention is therefore useful, inter alia, for prophylactic and/or therapeutic anti-HIV use as well as raising anti-native Tat antibodies in mammals.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for tracking billable events occurring on wireless devices on a wireless network and billing the appropriate parties. The billable events occur from the end-users of the wireless devices selectively communicating with other computer devices across the wireless network and downloading and executing software applications thereupon. The billable event data is ultimately gathered at a server on the wireless network from which billing for the wireless device billable events can be generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a keyboard for desktop and portable computers. The keys of the keyboard are disposed as a single block of rows of juxtaposed keys, laid out on top of one another, in that all numeric keys are grouped in a single compact zone integrated to the block. Thus, keys such as punctuation, calculation and direction keys are grouped by family of function, in compact zones integrated to the block. The invention can be used for computers and portables.

Abstract: Pertactin (formerly 69 kDa protein) is recovered in stable biologically pure form having no detectable adenylate cyclase activity from fermentation broth from the fermentation of Bordetella pertussis as well as from the cells. The broth is processed to selectively remove pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), the pertactin is precipitated by ammonium sulphate and the precipitate is dissolved in buffer at pH 6.0 to 8.5, the solution then is passed through hydroxyapatite and ion-exchange chromatograph columns before final ultrafiltration. Cells are extracted with urea and the extract ultrafiltered and diafiltered. The pertactin is precipitated from the extract and the precipitate processed as above. In a variation, the broth is contacted with ammonium sulphate to precipitate pertactin, PT and FHA, the precipitate is dissolved and the PT and FHA selectively removed, before the solution is passed to the chromatograph columns.

Abstract: Autologous promoters are used to effect expression of gene products in Bordetella strains. Hybrid Bordetella genes are constructed comprising a Bordetella gene, particularly one encoding a Bordetella antigen, fused at an ATG codon to a native but autologous Bordetella promoter or other Bordetella strain. Genes and promoters from B. pertussis are preferred. B. pertussis, containing the hybrid gene by insertion into the chromosome of the organism by homologous recombination at specific loci, effects expression of the protein for which the Bordetella gene codes at a production rate different from that achieved for the homologous gene. Specific strains and plasmids are described.

Abstract: Pertactin (formerly 69 kDa protein) is recovered in stable biologically pure form having no detectable adenylate cyclase activity from fermentation broth from the fermentation of Bordetella pertussis as well as from the cells. The broth is processed to selectively remove pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), the pertactin is precipitated by ammonium sulphate and the precipitate is dissolved in buffer at pH 6.0 to 8.5, the solution then is passed through hydroxyapatite and Q-Sepharose® chromatograph columns before final ultrafiltration. Cells are extracted with urea and the extract ultrafiltered and diafiltered. The pertactin is precipitated from the extract and the precipitate processed as above. In a variation, the broth is contacted with ammonium sulphate to precipitate pertactin, PT and FHA, the precipitate is dissolved and the PT and FHA selectively removed, before the solution is passed to the chromatograph columns.