Abstract: Methods for selecting and identifying modified toxins and conjugates thereof are provided. The methods are select for toxins that exhibit reduced toxicity to the host cell in which they are expressed. Methods of increasing production of toxins, such as the modified toxins, or conjugates thereof, also are provided. In particular, in the methods the toxins, or conjugates thereof, are produced in the presence of an inhibitor molecule. Also provided, are modified toxins and conjugates thereof. Such conjugates can be used in the treatment of various disease or disorders associated with proliferation, migration, and physiological activity of cells involved in immune or inflammatory responses.

Abstract: A non-invasive tool for skin disease diagnosis would be a useful clinical adjunct. The purpose of this study was to determine whether visible/near-infrared spectroscopy can be used to non-invasively characterize skin diseases. In-vivo visible- and near-infrared spectra (400-2500 nm) of skin neoplasms (actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinomata, banal common acquired melanocytic nevi, dysplastic melanocytic nevi, actinic lentigines and seborrheic keratoses) were collected by placing a fiber optic probe on the skin. Paired t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance and linear discriminant analysis were used to determine whether significant spectral differences existed and whether spectra could be classified according to lesion type. Paired t-tests showed significant differences (p<0.05) between normal skin and skin lesions in several areas of the visible/near-infrared spectrum. In addition, significant differences were found between the lesion groups by analysis of variance.