Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and medicine, and more specifically to the field of cellular signal transduction. The present invention relates, inter alia, to methods for diagnosis, treatment, and identification of therapeutics for particular inflammation-related diseases or disorders characterized by an interaction between a PYK2 polypeptide and a natural binding partner.

Abstract: Means for detection of bacteria of the genus Taylorella and biological applications thereof are described. In particular, the detection of T. equigenitalis and the treatment or prevention of infections caused by bacteria of this species are disclosed. Monoclonal antibodies which recognize an epitope of a bacterium of the species T. equigenitalis are disclosed. These monoclonal antibodies may be used to detect T. equigenitalis with certainty and by means of a single test.

Abstract: This invention relates to conjugates of the O-specific polysaccharide of E. coli O157 with a carrier, and compositions thereof, and to methods of using of these conjugates and/or compositions thereof for eliciting an immunogenic response in mammals, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, bacterial infections. More particularly it relates to the use of polysaccharides containing the tetrasaccharide repeat unit: (?3)-?-D-GalpNAc-(1?2)-?-D-PerpNAc-(1?3)-?-L-Fucp-(1?4)-?-D-Glcp-(1?), and conjugates thereof, to induce serum antibodies having bactericidal (killing) activity against hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) causing E. coli, in particular E. coli O157. The conjugates, and compositions thereof, are useful as vaccines to induce serum antibodies which have bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity against against E. coli, in particular E. coli O157, and are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by E. coli O157.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic method by which Helicobacter pylori infection can be diagnosed at low cost without causing pain on subjects and without requiring particular equipment and which is free of cross reactivity and excellent in specificity without variation among lots as a result of the use of a single antibody facilitating the quality control and which shows good sensitivity even when a single monoclonal antibody is used. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which recognizes Helicobacter pylori catalase as an antigen.

Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polymer particle vaccine delivery systems in which a water insoluble protein antigen, e.g. a lipidated HpaA protein, is incorporated with particles comprising a polymer matrix. The present invention also concerns a method for incorporating such a water insoluble protein antigen with a polymer matrix in order to produce a polymer particle vaccine delivery system. In addition, the invention also provides a vaccine composition comprising the polymer particle delivery system. The vaccine can be used to treat and/or reduce the risk of for example Helicobacter infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in the analysis for an analyte in a urine test sample in which the urine is contacted with a labeled antibody specific to the analyte and the concentration of the analyte is determined by measuring the response from the label. The improvement involves maintaining the concentration of urea in the test sample above the threshold value which value is the concentration of urea at which increases in the urea concentration do not affect the accuracy of the assay such as by interfering with the binding between the analyte and the labeled antibody.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) (LL and/or L toxins) and HA-negative progenitor toxin (M toxin) from a Clostridium botulinum strain is provided. The method comprises applying a liquid containing both the HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) and the HA-negative progenitor toxin to a lactose column. Also provided is a method for separating and purifying neurotoxin (7S toxin) from HA-positive progenitor toxins, which comprises treating HA-positive progenitor toxins with an alkaline buffer and then applying the resulting liquid containing dissociated neurotoxin and non-toxic components to a lactose column. Activated pure HA-positive toxins (L and LL toxins) and neurotoxin are obtained by simple procedures.

Abstract: The invention relates to adjuvants that contain a lecithin, an oil and an amphiphilic surfactant and that are capable of forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion vaccine so as to minimize local reactions to the vaccine in the injected animal.

Abstract: Anthrax bio-terrorism is a poor man's nuclear bomb with devastating effects on the freedom and economy of any nation. No nation is immune. Urgently, there is a need for life saving technology that can be readily available and deployed in real time. Polystyrene sulfonate is the answer. It is life saving and will help in the development of next generation superior vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant C. fetus strain in which one or more sapA homologs are altered by an inserted DNA cassette so that the encoded S-layer proteins represent a chimera between the native S-layer proteins and a heterologous peptide encoded by the inserted cassette. Preferably, the heterologous peptide is an immunogen of a pathogen and the mutant strain can be used to immunize a host to develop mucosal and systemic immune responses to such immunogen.

Abstract: This invention relates to conjugates of the Vi polysaccharide of S. typhi with the carrier Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant exoprotein A (rEPA), and compositions thereof, and to methods of using of these conjugates and/or compositions thereof for eliciting an immunogenic response in humans, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, S. typhi bacterial infections. The conjugates, and compositions thereof, are useful as vaccines to induce serum antibodies againt S. typhi and are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by S. typhi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding and detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antigens in blood of infected individuals. The H. pylori antigens are components of H. pylori cells which include, but not limited to DNA, RNA, and fragments of nucleotides, proteins or peptides. H. pylori DNA, RNA, and fragments of nucleotides can be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), or DNA hybridization methods or other amplification methods. H. pylori proteins or peptides or other antigenic components thereof can be detected by immunoassays or immunoblot using an antibody against H. pylori, preferably an antibody purified by an affinity column. The present invention further provides immunoassay methods, diagnostic kits, and an immunochromatographic assay device for detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens in serum samples.

Abstract: Methylation of DNA can be a critical step in the introduction of DNA into P. haemolytica. A methyltransferase has been isolated and molecularly cloned for this purpose. Use of the methyltransferase has allowed construction of defined, attenuated mutants for use as vaccines to protect cattle.

Abstract: The present invention provides specific antibodies obtained from eggs laid by hens which have been immunized against urease of Helicobacter pylori as an antigen, and specific antibodies obtained from eggs laid by hens which have been immunized against flagella of Helicobacter pylori as an antigen. These antibodies are useful for the prevention or treatment of gastritis, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers caused by infection of Helicobacter pylori. At least one organism selected from lactic acid bacteria, Enterococcuses, yeasts, and Baillus can be used along with the antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines comprising antiserum raised against a flagellaless Campylobacter strain for the prevention of Campylobacter colonization in animals. The invention also relates to antigenic Campylobacter proteins visible in a Western blot of Campylobacter jejuni protein after incubation of said Western blot with antibodies against a flagellaless mutant of Campylobacter jejuni and not visible after incubation of said blot with antibodies against wild type Campylobacter jejuni, and to their use in vaccines and the manufacturing thereof. The invention further relates to vaccines comprising such proteins and antibodies against such proteins. The invention further relates to the use of such Campylobacter proteins and to antiserum and antibodies raised against Campylobacter antigens for the preparation of vaccines. Finally, the invention relates to methods for the preparation of such vaccines.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substrate is provided. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface, opposite the first surface and an outer peripheral portion. The assembly includes a holding body having a support surface for supporting the substrate. The holding body has an aperture for passing therethrough a gas having a thermal conductivity. Additionally, the assembly includes a heat transferring seal having a first surface for frictionally engaging the second surface of the substrate. The heat transferring seal has a second surface, opposite the first surface, for frictionally engaging the support surface of the holding body. The heat transferring seal also has an inner peripheral portion defining an opening for receiving the gas. The heat transferring seal has a thermal conductivity closely matched with the first thermal conductivity of the gas for providing substantially uniform heat transfer across the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines comprising antiserum raised against a flagellaless Campylobacter strain for the prevention of Campylobacter colonisation in animals. The invention also relates to antigenic Campylobacter proteins visible in a Western blot of Campylobacter jejuni protein after incubation of said Western blot with antibodies against a flagellaless mutant of Campylobacter jejuni and not visible after incubation of said blot with antibodies against wild type Campylobacter jejuni, and to their use in vaccines and the manufacturing thereof. The invention further relates to vaccines comprising such proteins and antibodies against such proteins. The invention further relates to the use of such Campylobacter proteins and to antiserum and antibodies raised against Campylobacter antigens for the preparation of vaccines. Finally, the invention relates to methods for the preparation of such vaccines.

Abstract: A method for treating priapism in a mammal by administration of a botulinum toxin.