Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-S1P agents, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies (and antigen binding fragments thereof) specifically reactive with S1P, compositions containing such antibodies (or fragments), and the use of such antibodies (or fragments), for example, to treat diseases and conditions associated with aberrant levels of S1P.

Abstract: The invention provides a bacterium containing a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous antigen, as well as fusion protein partners. Also provided are vectors for mediating site-specific recombination and vectors comprising removable antibiotic resistance genes.

Abstract: Free-living microbes are provided in which the nucleic acid has been modified so that the microbe is attenuated for proliferation and/or which comprise genetic mutations that attenuate the ability of the microbe to repair its nucleic acid. Methods of using the modified microbes for the loading, activation, and/or maturation of antigen-presenting cells are also provided. Vaccine compositions comprising the modified microbes and/or the antigen-presenting cells and methods of using the vaccines are also provided. The microbes may be further modified to include heterologous antigens, such as tumor antigens or infectious disease antigens, for use as a vaccine against cancer or infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention broadly relates to the use of ?,?-unsaturated fatty acids to inhibit the filamentous growth of fungi and yeasts and to a method for producing same. In particular the invention relates to the use of optionally substituted C8 to C15 ?,?-unsaturated fatty acids or salts, esters or amides thereof for inhibiting or retarding the yeast-to-mycelium transition of organisms having a dimorphic life cycle.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed that are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The beneficial effects of the compositions and methods are achieved through the use of pharmaceutical compositions that include agents that bind sphingolipids or sphingolipid metabolites. In one embodiment the agent is an antibody or antibody derivative. In some embodiments, the agent is a receptor of a sphingolipid or a sphingolipid metabolite. Also disclosed are methods for identifying and isolating therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for decreasing an immune response in an animal comprising administering to said animal an agent that binds a bioactive lipid and reduces the effective concentration of said bioactive lipid. Also provided are methods for treating diseases or conditions, including autoimmune disorders, which are characterized by an aberrant, excessive or undesired immune response. The methods of the invention utilize agents that bind bioactive lipids and are capable of decreasing the effective concentration of the bioactive lipid. In some embodiments, the agent is a monoclonal antibody that is reactive against sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

Abstract: A method of identifying an object having identification information, said identification information being used to verify the object's identity, said method comprising: determining at least one characteristic of a magnetic field of at least a portion of a tag, thereby obtaining a first specific magnetic signal, wherein the tag comprises a substantially non-magnetic host material having pores, wherein at least some of the pores contain a magnetic material, and storing signal information relating to said first specific magnetic signal, said stored signal information forming the identification information of the object.

Abstract: Flashlight bezels, which comprise a bezel, lens, and a thermal conductor disposed in and through the lens so as to be positioned conduct heat from a light source positioned to one side of the lens to space on the opposite side of the lens, are described. When included in a flashlight, the thermal conductor portion of the bezel becomes associated with the light source so that heat generated by the light source, when energized, can be efficiently transferred to the environment, for example, water, in which the flashlight is being used. By so doing, the efficiency of the light source can be maintained, the service life of the light source may be extended, etc.

Abstract: A method and system decomposes a cardiac signal, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, into components. The components are then usable to assist in the detection of an abnormal heart condition. More particularly, a single lead sensor is used to generate a single lead cardiac signal. The cardiac signal is segmented into a set of cycle segments according to detected heart waveforms. The cycle segments are aligned and used to generate a set of cross-sectional signals. The cross-sectional signals are aligned and presented as inputs to a signal separation process, which separates the cardiac signal into a set of components. The components may be grouped according to predefined criteria. The components or groups may be analyzed or displayed to assist in the detection of an abnormal cardiac signal, which may be indicative of an abnormal heart condition. In one example, the signal separation process is a non-orthogonal transformation method such as independent component analysis (ICA).

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant nucleic acid molecules, expression cassettes, and vectors useful for expression of polypeptides, including heterologous polypeptides, such as antigens, in bacteria. Some of the recombinant nucleic acid molecules, expression cassettes and vectors comprise codon-optimized sequences encoding the polypeptides and/or signal peptides. Some of the recombinant nucleic acid molecules, expression cassettes, and expression vectors comprise sequences encoding non-Listerial and/or non-secA1 signal peptides for secretion of the polypeptides. The invention also provides bacteria comprising the nucleic acid molecules, expression cassettes, and expression vectors, as well as compositions such as vaccines comprising the bacteria. Methods of making and using the bacteria, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, and expression cassettes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of chemical detection. More specifically, the invention provides devices that can detect various target analytes (e.g., chemicals and/or biological materials) present in an environment by adsorption or absorption of the target analyte(s) to or in a chemical sensing material such that an electrical parameter (e.g., capacitance, resistance, etc.) of the chemical sensing material is altered in a manner detectable by circuitry associated with the sensing electrode pair coated with the chemical sensing material. Here, the sensing electrode pair(s) of the devices of the invention are suspended over an inert substrate via one or more posts used to space the electrodes from the substrate.

Abstract: A shock-resistant and environmentally sealed container comprising a first section and a second section. A latching system for the container comprises a deflectable pin coupled to the first section of the container with a latch coupled to the second section. The latch includes a deflectable pin engaging member. When the deflectable pin engaging member is engaged with the deflectable pin, the deflectable pin absorbs relative movement between the first section and the second section of the container. Another embodiment of the container employs a latch containing a deflectable member. The latch is pivotally coupled to a latch pin that is mounted to either the first section or the second section of the container. The deflectable member is positioned between the latch pin and the latch, and the deflectable member is configured to absorb relative movement between the first section and the second section.

Abstract: Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.

Abstract: Free-living microbes are provided in which the nucleic acid has been modified so that the microbe is attenuated for proliferation and/or which comprise genetic mutations that attenuate the ability of the microbe to repair its nucleic acid. Methods of using the modified microbes for the loading, activation, and/or maturation of antigen-presenting cells are also provided. Vaccine compositions comprising the modified microbes and/or the antigen-presenting cells and methods of using the vaccines are also provided. The microbes may be further modified to include heterologous antigens, such as tumor antigens or infectious disease antigens, for use as a vaccine against cancer or infectious diseases.

Abstract: Containers for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents are described. The containers comprise a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents, a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel, preferably incrementally in approximately equal amounts, and a measuring device disposed in the vessel. The measuring device senses ambient conditions in the vessel and, directly or with other components, indicates, for example, the amount of pressurized contents remaining in the vessel and displaying it to an observer; methods for comparing the amount of contents actually released from the vessel compared to a theoretical constant; and methods for time logging (alone or in conjunction with the logging of other data) the actuation of the dispensing valve for comparison to a prescribed method. Devices (including metered dose inhalers) for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents from such containers are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-S1P agents, for example, humanized monoclonal antibodies, and their uses for detection of S1P or for treatment of diseases and conditions associated with S1P.

Abstract: The present invention concerns artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) and methods of making and using the same, for example, to isolate, identify, and expand T cell populations specifically reactive against a disease-associated antigenic peptide, as well as to modulate responses of antigen-specific T cells both in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro. Accordingly, the aAPCs of the invention can be used to treat conditions that would benefit from modulation of a T cell response, for example, autoimmune disorders, allergies, cancers, viral infections, and graft rejection. In certain preferred embodiments, the aAPCs are liposomes comprised of MHC:peptide complexes and accessory molecules. Other molecules, such as co-stimulatory molecules and adhesion molecules, can also be included in the compositions of the invention. In other embodiments, the aAPCs are comprised of a scaffold to which a plurality of MHC:peptide complexes and accessory molecules (as well as other molecules) can be attached at high density.

Abstract: Monotherapies and combination therapies for treating hyperproliferative disorders are described, as are compositions for performing such methods.

Abstract: Free-living microbes are provided in which the nucleic acid has been modified so that the microbe is attenuated for proliferation and/or which comprise genetic mutations that attenuate the ability of the microbe to repair its nucleic acid. Methods of using the modified microbes for the loading, activation, and/or maturation of antigen-presenting cells are also provided. Vaccine compositions comprising the modified microbes and/or the antigen-presenting cells and methods of using the vaccines are also provided. The microbes may be further modified to include heterologous antigens, such as tumor antigens or infectious disease antigens, for use as a vaccine against cancer or infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides Listeria that are attenuated for entry into non-phagocytic cells as well as a variety of methods of inducing immune responses involving administering compositions comprising the attenuated Listeria. Some of the attenuated Listeria are mutant Listeria that comprise at least one mutation in a gene encoding an invasin, such as an internalin. Some of the attenuated Listeria are further attenuated for cell-to-cell spread. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines useful in the methods of the invention are further provided. Methods of making and improving vaccines are also provided.