Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of Brucella induced diseases and disorders are disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to vaccines. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to formulations capable of releasing said vaccines at a controlled rate of release in vivo. In further embodiments, the invention relates to modified strains of the bacteria Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to compositions that do not induce clinical symptoms or splenomegaly in a subject receiving said compositions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides modified biotin-binding proteins which can be expressed in soluble form in high yield in bacteria. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising the modified biotin-binding protein and an antigen. The disclosure further provides non-hemolytic variants of alpha-hemolysin from S. aureus and fusion protein comprising non-hemolytic variant of alpha-hemolysin and a biotin-binding domains. Immunogenic compositions comprising the proteins are also disclosed and use of such immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response or for vaccinating a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for rapidly identifying the resistance of wheat to black point disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, where testing takes places in an indoor, controlled environment. The test method includes surface sterilization of wheat seeds, and cultivating wheat seedlings from the sterilized wheat seeds; preparing conidial suspension of Bipolaris sorokiniana, and spraying the conidial suspension on the seedlings at one-leaf-one-shoot stage; recording the percentage of the diseased leaf area in total leaf area of the first leaf of the wheat seedling on the 10th day of inoculation; calculating the black point incidence of the wheat according to an equation, and then evaluating the resistance of wheat to black point disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana through the black point incidence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for quantifying total endotoxin load in a biofilm sample. Also provided are methods for identifying a gram-negative biofilm derived bacterial infection. The disclosed methods more accurately define actual total endotoxin levels and can detect the presence of endotoxin in a given biofilm volume at a higher resolution than current extraction techniques.

Abstract: The present application relates to a system and a method for effectively screening and assessing agents for tumor immunotherapy, which includes assessment for the effects of target cells, non-target cells, and tumor infiltration. The system and method of the present application can be used to comprehensively and systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of the agent against tumor immune cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vaccine formulation in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The formulation including a live attenuated cholera vaccine strain VCUSM14P; a vaccine medium having starch, cellulose, dextrose, and yeast extract; and a phosphate buffer saline.

Abstract: A method of screening a test compound, e.g., a fibrosis or IPF inhibitor, for induction of an unjammed-to-jammed transition (UJT) in fibrotic primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) isolated from a subject with a fibrotic lung disease includes culturing the fibrotic primary HBECs at an air-liquid interface for a time sufficient to provide a differentiated pseudostratified epithelium contacting the cultured cells with the test compound; and monitoring the motility of the cultured cells to identify the cultured cells as moving or stationary; wherein stationary cultured cells indicate that the test compound induces the UJT. Also included are methods of identifying lung fibrosis biomarkers.

Abstract: Provided is a botulinum toxin producing method which is simple achieves a high toxin yield, and obtains a toxin having high specific activity. This botulinum toxin producing method includes: (A) a step in which a botulinum toxin is produced from botulinum toxin-producing bacteria in a medium, and a mixture a is obtained which contains a botulinum toxin, a bacterial component, and a nucleic acid component derived from the botulinum toxin; (B) a step in which the mixture a is subjected to the removal of the bacterial component, and a mixture b is obtained which contains a nucleic acid component and a botulinum toxin; (C) a step in which an endonuclease is added to the mixture b and a mixture c is obtained which contains a nucleic acid degradation product and a botulinum toxin; and (D) a step in which the mixture c is subjected to removal of the nucleic acid degradation product, and an isolated botulinum toxin liquid d is obtained.

Abstract: Methods of treating autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus using domain antibodies that specifically bind human CD28 are provided. The methods may comprise at least one administration cycle comprising one dose of the domain antibody. The method reduces symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus compared to placebo.

Abstract: Provided herein are multiplex assays for detecting antibodies indicative of presence and stage of syphilis infection in an individual. Individuals infected with syphilis produce antibodies directed to syphilis components and the lipid cellular debris associated with the infection. The present disclosure represents the first combination of these diverse antibody targets in a single assay.

Abstract: The invention provides novel sample chambers, sample analysis units, multi-well plates, and imaging and analytical systems as well as methods for accurate, efficient and high-throughput imaging, measurement and analysis of diverse types of biological cells to obtain information such as cell count, cell size, cell concentration, cell sub-population, cell morphology, cell viability, etc.

Abstract: Provided are mixed carrier, multivalent pneumococcal conjugate compositions comprising 21 different pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide-protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates includes a capsular polysaccharide from a different serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugated to either tetanus toxoid (TT) or CRM197, wherein the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are selected from 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11 A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F, where the capsular polysaccharides of two of serotypes 1, 3, and 5 and one or both of serotypes 15B and 22F are conjugated to TT and the remaining capsular polysaccharides are conjugated to CRM197. Also provided are methods of producing the mixed carrier, multivalent pneumococcal conjugate compositions and methods of using the same for prophylaxis against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection or disease in a subject.

Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) leads to chronic respiratory infections especially in patients with cystic fibrosis patients and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by a high morbidity. After screening Lactobacilli coming from CF expectorations, on their capacity to inhibit two Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) virulence factors (elastase, pyocyanin), the inventors evaluated the effect of intranasal administration of Lactobacilli on PA murine pneumonia. The primary outcome was the bacterial lung load 24 hours after PA induced pneumonia. To understand the role of Lactobacillus, the chemokines, the pro and anti-inflammatory BAL rates were also measured. The administration of Lactobacilli cocktail 18 h prior the PA lung infection decreases significantly the lung bacterial load at 24 h post-infection. Although the mechanisms need to be deeply explored, an immunomodulation effect may be involved, notably through the recruitment of neutrophils.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for obtaining useful compounds from lichens.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for quantitative determination of bacteria.

Abstract: A method is described for reconstituting lyophilized mutant diphtheria toxin in dimethyl sulfoxide for use in producing pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide mutant diphtheria toxin conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of probiotics to control the inflammatory process of the colon in subjects with structural modifications of the colon wall, preferably in subjects with diverticulosis, and affected by diverticular disease.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a glycoconjugate vaccine conferring protection against Francisella tularensis infections and a method to manufacture a glycoconjugate antigen.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member. The invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins and formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion proteins. Methods for stimulating plant growth, for protecting plants from pathogens, and for enhancing stress resistance in a plant by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members or the formulations to plants or a plant growth medium are also described. The invention also relates to methods for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein on plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new immunogenic compositions comprising conjugated Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular saccharide antigens (glycoconjugates) and uses thereof. Immunogenic compositions of the present invention will typically comprise at least one glycoconjugate from a S. pneumoniae serotype not found in PREVNAR®, SYNFLORIX® and/or PREVNAR 13®. The invention also relates to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumococcal infections using said novel immunogenic compositions.