Abstract: An implantable osteosynthesis device is made up of two portions, a so-called fixed portion and a movable portion, which can move relative to each other and are provided with coupling elements capable of blocking the translation of the portions so as to obtain a clamping effect on the bone, wherein the fixed portion has an elongated element (1) and the movable portion has a body (5) forming a sleeve (6) capable of sliding along the elongated element. The coupling of the invention comprise one-way combined locking arrangements (2, 10-13) for allowing the relative displacement of the fixed and movable portions in a single direction adapted for providing the clamping effect, and for locking the portions so as to prevent the translation thereof in the other direction.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of the P2 gene and the derived amino acid sequence of the P2 protein of Haemophilus influenzae type b are disclosed and the methods used to determine the same. Also disclosed are the methods used to clone and express the P2 gene as well as the purification protocol for the gene and protein. Also disclosed is the synthesis of peptides corresponding to the N-terminal and C-terminal ends of the P2 protein. Also disclosed is the use of the P2 protein as a protective agent for the disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b and the use of the protein as a carrier for conjugation with an oligosaccharide derived from Haemophilus to generate a potentially efficacious vaccine against the disease. Also disclosed is the use of P2 peptide-conjugates as immunising agents.

Abstract: Synthetic inducible eukaryotic promoters for the regulation of transcription of a gene achieve improved levels of protein expression and lower basal levels of gene expression. Such promoters contain at least two different classes of inducible elements, usually by modification of a native promoter containing one of the inducible elements by inserting the other of the inducible elements. In embodiments, additional metal responsive elements IR:Es) and/or glucocorticoid responsive elements (GREs) are provided to native promoters, particularly the hMT-IIA and MMTV-LTR promoters. One or more constitutive elements may be functionally disabled to provide the lower basal levels of gene expression.

Abstract: A protein expression levels from Bordetella strains, particularly Bordetella pertussis, are altered by genetic modification to a natural Bordetella strain whereby one or more of the natural genes, particularly including the TOX, FHA, CYA and PRN genes, is deleted from the genome of the natural strain and one or more of the natural genes or a genetic mutation thereof, particularly a genetically-detoxified TOX* gene, or a hybrid gene, is inserted into the genome of the natural strain to provide at least two copies of one or more of the natural genes or genetic mutation thereof or hybrid gene, singly or in tandem. The altered genotype Bordetella strain is useful in producing whole-cell or defined component vaccines against Bordetella, particularly whooping cough, which may be employed in combination with other vaccines.

Abstract: The invention discloses the identification, characterization and use of a synthetic peptide, GPKEPFRDYVDRFYK (p24E), as a T-cell carrier for the appropriate assembly, with defined B-cell epitopes of the HIV-1 envelope protein, for the construction of potential synthetic vaccine candidates against HIV.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides have an amino acid sequence corresponding to at least one antigenic determinant of at least one protein, usually a structural protein, particularly the P1, P2 and P6 protein, of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), particularly type b, and are used as is, in chimeric T-B form, in lipidated form, linked to a carrier molecule, particularly a synthetic PRP molecule and/or polymerized to form molecular aggregates, in vaccines against Hi.

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: Synthetic inducible eukaryotic promoters for the regulation of transcription of a gene achieve improved levels of protein expression and lower basal levels of gene expression. Such promoters contain at least two different classes of inducible elements, usually by modification of a native promoter containing one of the inducible elements by inserting the other of the inducible elements. In embodiments, additional metal responsive elements (MREs) and/or glucocorticoid responsive elements (GREs) are provided to native promoters, particularly the hMT-IIA and MMTV-LTR promoters. One or more constitutive elements may be functionally disabled to provide the lower basal levels of gene expression.

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: Protein expression levels from Bordetella strains, particularly Bordetella pertussis, are altered by genetic modification to a natural Bordetella strain whereby one or more of the natural genes, particularly including the TOX, FHA, CYA and PRN genes, is deleted from the genome of the natural strain and one or more of the natural genes or a genetic mutation thereof, particularly a genetically-detoxified TOX* gene, or a hybrid gene, is inserted into the genome of the natural strain to provide at least two copies of one or more of the natural genes or genetic mutation thereof or hybrid gene, singly or in tandem. The altered genotype Bordetella strain is useful in producing whole-cell or defined component vaccines against Bordetella, particularly whooping cough, which may be employed in combination with other vaccines.

Abstract: In a gas treating device liquid is pressurized in a liquid chamber and is fed from this chamber into ejectors which open directly into venturi fittings which are surrounded by a gas chamber. Gas enters through an inlet into this gas chamber. A gas-liquid mixture enters from the venturi fittings into a tank, where the gas is separated from the liquid. Liquid from the tank is fed through a pump into the liquid chamber. Gas escapes from the tank into a discharge line comprising a de-mister.