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The invention pertains to the use of glucan encapsulated non-immunostimulatory small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to treat type-2 diabetes. Endocannabinoids (EC) are lipid signaling molecules that act on the same cannabinoid receptors that recognize and mediate the effects of endo- and phytocannabanoids. EC receptor CB1R activation is implicated in the development of obesity and its metabolic consequences, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Haemophilus influenzae is responsible for life-threatening respiratory infections including meningitis. This assay allows for the qualitative detection of the bacterial meningitis pathogen H. influenzae serotype A (Hia) and serotype B (Hib) in fluid samples, without detecting any of the other serotypes of H. influenzae. This invention is capable of detecting even the very small numbers of Hia or Hib within clinical specimens.

This invention relates to methods of rapidly detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype. Unlike culture and serological tests requiring 5 to 14 days for completion, CDC researchers developed a rapid, accurate assay, which is easily adapted to kit form. This assay also requires less labor input than immunoassays. These methods can be used to quickly identify a broad variety of influenza types and subtypes, including viruses that may be involved in pandemics (such as H5N1, for example).

This invention relates to rotavirus vaccine compositions and methods of vaccination. Rotaviral infection is the most commonly occurring gastrointestinal illness of children world, affecting both developed and developing economies. Additionally, rotavirus infections can affect livestock (especially calves and piglets), and resulting mortality/morbidity cause major economic losses for farmers and nations each year.

CDC researchers have developed methods of producing unlimited quantities of Group-C (GpC) rotavirus antigens. GpC rotaviruses are a major, worldwide cause of acute gastroenteritis in children and adults that is distinct from Group-A rotavirus. However, GpC rotaviruses cannot be grown in culture, resulting in a lack of tools for detection and treatment of GpC rotavirus disease.

CDC researchers have developed specific Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunogens for use in the development of RSV-directed vaccines and therapeutics. RSV is the most common cause of serious respiratory disease in infants and young children and an important cause of disease in the elderly. To date, efforts to make a mutually safe and effective vaccine have been largely unsuccessful.

Research scientists at CDC have developed compositions and methods that can be used to develop attenuated vaccines having well-defined levels of replicative fitness and enhanced genetic stabilities. Infections by intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, are cleared in most cases after activation of specific T-cell immune responses that recognize foreign antigens and eliminate infected cells. Vaccines against those infectious organisms traditionally have been developed by administration of whole live attenuated or inactivated microorganisms.

The transmission of malaria begins with injection of sporozoites into a human from the bite of a female anopheles mosquito, which initiates the malarial life cycle in humans. When a mosquito bites an infected human, the ingested male and female malaria gametocytes fuse to form a zygote that eventually becomes an oocyst. Each oocyst produces thousands of sporozoites which migrate to the mosquito salivary glands, ready to infect a new human host.

CDC researchers have developed a Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) reporter cell line that is exceptionally permissive for influenza virus replication and provides a highly specific, sensitive approach for the simultaneous detection and isolation of influenza viruses. Simplified antibody neutralization assays and high-throughput antiviral drug screening can also be easily and efficiently implemented using this reporter system.

This invention concerns "knockout" animals, including mice, which have a deficit of functional steroid hormone receptors, DNA constructs containing the mutations, and methods for producing the animals. The mutation is introduced into the animal or its ancestors at an embryonic stage. These knockout animals provide a model system for studying the biological role of hormones, including steroid hormones and sex steroids, in growth, development, morphological differentiation, and sexual and reproductive behavior and cycles, etc.