1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a non-immunogenic fusion protein that comprises a non-IL-15 signal peptide linked to IL-15 protein or a functional fragment thereof and
a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a fusion protein that comprises IL-15 protein or a functional fragment thereof, linked to a non-IL-15 signal peptide that is from a gene that is from the same species as the IL-15.
2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 that encodes an IgE signal peptide.
3. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 that encodes a fusion protein consists of a non-IL-15 signal peptide linked to IL-15 protein or a functional fragment thereof.
4. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 that encodes IL-15 protein or a functional fragment thereof that is free of IL-15 signal peptide.
5. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid sequence that the IL-15 protein or functional fragment thereof is free of IL-15 Kozak region andor IL-15 5\u2032 untranslated region andor IL-15 3\u2032 untranslated region.
6. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 further comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes CD40L or a functional fragment thereof.
7. (canceled)
8. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 further comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an immunogen.
9. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 8 wherein said immunogen is a pathogen antigen, a cancer-associated antigen or an antigen linked to cells associated with autoimmune diseases.
10. (canceled)
11. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 9 wherein said pathogen antigen is from a pathogen selected from the group consisting of HIV, HSV, HCV, and WNV.
12.-13. (canceled)
14. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 wherein said isolated nucleic acid molecule is a plasmid.
15. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 incorporated into a viral vector.
16. A composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule of claim 1.
17. The composition of claim 16 wherein said composition further comprises a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an immunogen.
18. The composition of claim 17 wherein said immunogen is a pathogen antigen, a cancer-associated antigen or an antigen linked to cells associated with autoimmune diseases.
19. The composition of claim 18 wherein said pathogen antigen is from a pathogen selected from the group consisting of HIV, HSV, HCV, and WNV.
20. The composition of claim 16, wherein the nucleic acid molecule further comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes CD40L.
21. An injectable pharmaceutical composition comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1.
22. A recombinant vaccine comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1.
23. The recombinant vaccine of claim 22 wherein said recombinant vaccine is a recombinant vaccinia vaccine.
24.-28. (canceled)
29. The composition of claim 16 that further comprises: nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes CD40L protein.
30.-53. (canceled)
54. An injectable pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition of claim 16.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A holding mechanism for foldable side rails, comprising:
an upper horizontal rail member;
a lower horizontal rail member;
at least two stanchion members pivotally rotatably connected between the upper horizontal rail member and the lower horizontal rail member, forming a parallel link mechanism, the holding mechanism keeping the stanchion members erect, and is disposed at an end of the upper horizontal rail member; and
a mechanism support member connected to at least one of the stanchion members provided at said end, and comprising:
a spring;
a stopper pin set capable of advancing and receding;
a stopper pin set disposed to receive the stopper pin on one end and contact the spring on the other;
wherein the at least one of the stanchion members has a fitting hole for allowing the stopper pin set to be fitted in it when the stanchion members are kept erect;
a mechanically driven trigger site;
a release lever engaged with the mechanically driven trigger site provided in connection with the stopper pin set, for making the stopper pin set recede against the force of the spring;
a play mechanism provided between the release lever and the mechanically driven trigger site;
a release prevention mechanism preventing the movement of the release lever in the release allowing direction, the play mechanism configured so that the stopper pin can be automatically fitted into the fitting hole when the upper and lower horizontal rail members are raised; and
a cover enclosing at least one of the spring, stopper pin set, cylinder, and release prevention mechanism, having a pocket formed partially in the place where the release lever is pressed for release action,
wherein the spring is disposed between the cover and the cylinder, and
wherein the stopper pin set is biased in the advancing direction by the spring.
2. The holding mechanism for foldable side rails, according to claim 1, wherein the play mechanism comprises a recess formed in the mechanically driven trigger site and opening in the horizontal direction and a pin installed in the release lever and engaged with the recess.
3. The holding mechanism for foldable side rails, according to claim 1, wherein the release prevention mechanism, further comprises a lock member, comprising:
a contact portion to be kept in contact with an upper face of the release lever; and
a recess designed to avoid contact with the contact portion formed in the upper face of the release lever, in the case where the release lever is moved upward for release action, and
wherein the lock member is movably provided in the upper portion of the mechanism support member.
4. The holding mechanism for foldable side rails, according to claim 3, wherein the recess is formed as the lower horizontal one of two horizontal levels.
5. The holding mechanism for foldable side rails, according to claim 3, wherein the lock member is biased by a second spring in the direction in which the release prevention mechanism acts.
6. The holding mechanism for foldable side rails, according to claim 1, wherein:
a first force applied to the release lever to recede the stopper pin acts in a same direction as the recession of the stopper pin, and
a second force applied to the release prevention mechanism acts approximately perpendicular to the first force.
7. The holding mechanism for foldable side rails, according to claim 1, wherein the pocket prevents erroneous operations of the release lever.