Abstract: Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) having the position of genes shifted within the genome or antigenome of the recombinant virus are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals. Gene shifted RSV are constructed by insertion, deletion or rearrangement of genes or genome segments within the recombinant genome or antigenome and are useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a recombinant RSV genome or antigenome wherein a gene or gene segment is shifted to a more promoter-proximal or promoter-distal position within the genome or antigenome compared to a wild type position of the gene in the RSV gene map. Shifting the position of genes in this manner provides for a selected increase or decrease in expression of the gene, depending on the nature and degree of the positional shift.

Abstract: Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) having the position of genes shifted within the genome or antigenome of the recombinant virus are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals. Gene shifted RSV are constructed by insertion, deletion or rearrangement of genes or genome segments within the recombinant genome or antigenome and are useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a recombinant RSV genome or antigenome wherein a gene or gene segment is shifted to a more promoter-proximal or promoter-distal position within the genome or antigenome compared to a wild type position of the gene in the RSV gene map. Shifting the position of genes in this manner provides for a selected increase or decrease in expression of the gene, depending on the nature and degree of the positional shift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new classes of anti-cancer compounds. In particular, the present invention provides glycoside compounds as anti-cancer agent, alone, or in combination with other anti-cancer agents or therapies.

Abstract: Attenuated, recombinant negative stranded RNA viruses suitable for vaccine use are produced from one or more isolated polynucleotide molecules encoding the virus. A recombinant genome or antigenome of the subject virus is modified to encode a mutation within a recombinant protein of the virus at one or more amino acid positions(s) corresponding to a site of an attenuating mutation in a heretologous, mutant negative stranded RNA virus. A similar attenuating mutation as identified in the heterologous negative stranded RNA virus is thus incorporated at a corresponding site within the recombinant virus to confer an attenuated phenotype on the recombinant virus. The attenuating mutation incorporated in the recombinant virus may be identical or conservative in relation to the attenuating mutation identified in the heterologous, mutant virus.

Abstract: Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are provided which express one or more immune modulatory molecules. The recombinant virus is modified by addition or substitution of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the immune modulatory molecule, which is preferably a cytokine. Introduction of the cytokine increase, decrease, or otherwise enhances aspects of viral biology and/or host immune responses to RSV to facilitate vaccine use of the virus. Cytokines for use within the invention include but are not limited to interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 6 (IL-6), or interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interferon gamma (IFN), and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for the catalytic removal of at least one pollutant from an air stream via a catalytic precooler arranged in series with at least one augmentative catalytic device. The augmentative catalytic device may be located upstream or downstream from the catalytic precooler. The augmentative catalytic device may be integrated with the catalytic precooler, thereby eliminating the need for a separate housing and minimizing weight. Alternatively, the augmentative catalytic device may be disposed within a separate housing, thereby facilitating access for maintenance and decreasing direct maintenance costs.

Abstract: Chimeric human-bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and useful in immunogenic compositions for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric RSV genome or antigenome which includes a partial or complete human or bovine RSV “background” genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain. Chimeric human-bovine RSV of the invention include a partial or complete “background” RSV genome or antigenome derived from or patterned after a human or bovine RSV strain or subgroup virus combined with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain or subgroup virus to form the human-bovine chimeric RSV genome or antigenome.

Abstract: Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are provided which express one or more immune modulatory molecules. The recombinant virus is modified by addition or substitution of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the immune modulatory molecule, which is preferably a cytokine. Introduction of the cytokine increase, decrease, or otherwise enhances aspects of viral biology and/or host immune responses to RSV to facilitate vaccine use of the virus. Cytokines for use within the invention include but are not limited to interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 6 (IL6), or interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interferon gamma (IFN), and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Abstract: Chimeric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and vaccine compositions thereof are produced by introducing one or more heterologous gene(s) or gene segment(s) from one RSV subgroup or strain into a recipient RSV backround of a different subgroup or strain. The resulting chimeric RSV virus or subviral particle is infectious and attenuated, preferably by introduction of selected mutations specifying attenuated phenotypes into a chimeric genome or antigenome to yield, for example, temperature sensitive (ts) and/or cold adapted (ca) vaccine strains. Alternatively, chimeric RSV and vaccine compositions thereof incorporate other mutations specifying desired structural and/or phenotypic characteristics in an infectious chimeric RSV. Such chimeric RSV incorporate desired mutations specified by insertion, deletion, substitution or rearrangement of one or more selected nucleotide sequence(s), gene(s), or gene segment(s) in a chimeric RSV clone.

Abstract: The present invention provides infectious recombinant viral vectors (e.g., parainfluenza virus (PIV) and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vectors) comprising a viral genome comprising a heterologous nucleic acid of interest. Also provided are pseudotyped recombinant viral vectors comprising (i) a viral envelope and (ii) a viral genome comprising heterologous nucleic acids of interest. The viral envelope comprises a structural protein selected from the group consisting of envelope proteins from PIV and/or RSV. Further provided are methods of delivering heterologous nucleic acids of interest into airway epithelial cells comprising introducing viral vectors of the present invention comprising nucleic acids of interest into airway epithelial cells so that the nucleic acids of interest are expressed therein.

Abstract: A method of gap scanning wherein a first working member (such as a door) in conjunction with a second working member (such as a door) in conjunction with a second working member (such as another door, a door frame or a fixed surface) serves to define or include the gap to be scanned; the method comprising the steps of: locating on or near the other side of the gap an array of emitters of electromagnetic radiation; location on the other side of the gap an array of receivers of the electromagnetic radiation; each emitter in the array thereof being adapted to provide for the emission of a beam of radiation along an axis of transmission from the emitter across the gap to one or more of the receivers in the array thereof; each receiver in the array thereof being adapted to detect a beam of radiation from one or more of emitters in the array thereof along an axis of reception to the receiver across the gap from the emitters; providing an output channel for each receiver in the array thereof by way of which in the e

Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical device mapping a series of optical input/output signal waveguides to a corresponding series of optical input/output signal waveguides, the device comprising: a series of spaced apart input/output waveguides; a reflective imaging system for reflecting and focussing light emitted from the input/output waveguides; a plurality of crystal elements between the input/output waveguides and the reflective imaging means; at least one non-reciprocal polarization rotation element; wherein light emitted from a first input/output waveguide is transmitted to a second input/output waveguide in a polarization independent manner and light emitted from the second input/output waveguide is transmitted away from the first input/output waveguide.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting a negative-strand RNA virus in a sample and a genetically engineered cell for use in the assay are disclosed. The cell expresses a heterologous DNA-dependent RNA polymerase that synthesizes a minigenome or miniantigenome of the RNA virus from a cDNA template present in the cell. The cell also expresses the nucleocapsid proteins of the negative-strand virus that are necessary for replication of the minigenome or miniantigenome. Infection of the cell by the negative-strand virus results in expression of a reporter gene product encoded by the miniantigenome.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical device mapping a series of optical input/output signal waveguides to a corresponding series of optical input/output signal waveguides, the device comprising: a series of spaced apart input/output waveguides; a reflective imaging system for reflecting and focussing light emitted from the input/output waveguides; a plurality of crystal elements between the input/output waveguides and the reflective imaging means; at least one non-reciprocal polarization rotation element; wherein light emitted from a first input/output waveguide is transmitted to a second input/output waveguide in a polarization independent manner and light emitted from the second input/output waveguide is transmitted away from the first input/output waveguide.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus for monitoring the contents of a container, especially but not exclusively for quality control monitoring purposes associated with high speed packaging processes, comprises a non-contact ultrasound generation member, adapted so as to generate an ultrasound signal within the container (1). A non-contact detection scheme is employed to enable the contents of the container to be monitored by analysing ultrasound signals that have propagated through or round the container (1) either transmitted through or reflected from the containers contents. In use, the apparatus may be adapted to provide information about container fill level (h) or the presence or absence of an insert (14) such as a head forming device by analysing the measured signal profiles generated by a ultrasound detection member (3).

Abstract: Use of 17.beta.-oestradiol in the treatment of coronary heart disease.

Abstract: A cursor control system for use with a data terminal having a display consists of a radiation source and associated radiation sensor. Either the source or sensor is fixed with respect to the display while the other is moveable and may be fixed to the user's head. The system translates the motion of the user's head into a directional signal for controlling cursor position on the screen.

Abstract: Use of 17.beta.-oestradiol in the treatment of coronary heart disease.