Abstract: A panel of IgG1 human monoclonal antibodies (HMAbs) identified by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay has been produced from peripheral B cells of an individual immunized with prototype H5N1 vaccine. Sequence analysis of antibody clones showed three clusters of different HMAbs as represented by HMAbs designated as BF1-1, BF1-19 and BF1-10. BF1-1 and BF1-10 have distinct CDR 1, 2 and 3 regions of both heavy and light chains. BF1-19 has the same heavy chain as BF1-1 but the light chain of BF1-10. Antibody binding affinity, KD, studies showed all three HMAbs ranging from at least about 10?8 to at least about 10?9. In vivo protection studies showed that these antibodies afforded significant protection against infection. These findings demonstrate that the antibodies of the invention are cross-neutralizing and therapeutic.

Abstract: A panel of IgG1 human monoclonal antibodies (HMAbs) identified by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay has been produced from peripheral B cells of an individual immunized with prototype H5N1 vaccine. Sequence analysis of antibody clones showed three clusters of different HMAbs as represented by HMAbs designated as BF1-1, BF1-19 and BF1-10. BF1-1 and BF1-10 have distinct CDR 1, 2 and 3 regions of both heavy and light chains. BF1-19 has the same heavy chain as BF1-1 but the light chain of BF1-10. Antibody binding affinity, KD, studies showed all three HMAbs ranging from at least about 10?8 to at least about 10?9. In vivo protection studies showed that these antibodies afforded significant protection against infection. These findings demonstrate that the antibodies of the invention are cross-neutralizing and therapeutic.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for generating, updating, and managing a cache of price and availability information for a plurality of travel packages and components. The cache of price and availability information may then be searched by an online travel planning service to provide customers with a list of available travel products. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a cascading cache system including a cache of price and availability data related to travel components and a cache of price and availability data related to travel packages. Changes made to the component cache can affect information stored in the package cache, and changes made to the package cache can affect information stored in the component cache. Furthermore, the cache system updates the package and component caches based on information received from a purchase of a package or component, as well as by proactively polling one or more travel reservation systems.

Abstract: The present invention generates a concise listing of low-priced travel products in an interactive itinerary format in response to a simplified user input that may include specification of a selected travel theme. The interactive itinerary generated by the invention may allow the user to revise the itinerary to add, remove, and/or amend details related to the various travel products listed therein such that the user may be made aware of the cost and/or scheduling effects of making a particular revision to the itinerary. The invention may also provide a concise display of supplemental information related to the selected theme and/or a selected destination for the itinerary such that the user may be better informed when making revisions to the interactive itinerary. For example, the invention may provide interactive maps, reviews, photos, and/or other supplemental information related to the selected theme and/or one or more of the listed travel products.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) molecule may be increased by substitutions of amino acids in the HA sequence. The substitution of specific HA residues, such as asparagine at position 223 of H5 HA, increase the sensitivity of the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assay by altering receptor specificity and/or antibody-antigen binding. HA molecules containing such substitutions will be useful in the development of diagnostic reference viruses and improved influenza vaccines.

Abstract: A method for coordinating outbound and inbound itineraries for a plurality of travelers is provided. Such a method comprises receiving a destination location, a plurality of origin locations, and travel information, wherein each origin location is associated with at least one traveler. A set of suggested outbound and inbound itineraries between each origin location and the destination location is then determined, based upon the travel information, from a travel database comprising at least outbound and inbound itineraries between the origin locations and the destination location, wherein each suggested outbound and inbound itinerary comprises an arrival time and a departure time with respect to the destination location, and the set of suggested outbound and inbound itineraries collectively provides an optimal time together of the travelers at the destination location. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a high titer reassortant influenza virus is produced in mammalian cell culture by replacing the NS gene of the A/PuertoRico/3/24 master strain with the NS gene of the A/England/1/53 strain. The invention provides influenza viruses and vaccines generated in mammalian cells as well as methods for producing such. The invention further provides an influenza virus master strain and kits for generating reassortant influenza viruses in mammalian cell culture and methods of making and using the master strain.