Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of a novel repressor located between ˜1.2 kb to ˜1.6 kb from the translation start site of the IFN-?1 promoter. The present invention provides a method of using siRNAs against ZEB1 (binds to the repressor region) and BLIMP-1 (binds outside the repressor region) and increases the promoter activity of IFN-?1 (i.e., increases the production of IFN-?1 protein). siRNAs against ZEB1 mRNA or BLIMP-1 mRNA increase IFN-?1 gene activity. There is provided a therapeutic application of siRNAs against ZEB1 and BLIMP-1 mRNAs in treating a mammal (including a human) by increasing the production of IFN-?1 protein that promotes an anti-viral response as well as treats asthma diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are two (2) proteins in the Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum (namely, virB10 and virB11) useful in the ELISA detection of Anaplasma pathogen. The recombinant expression of virB10 and virB11 and their use as kits for ELISA are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are two (2) proteins in the Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum (namely, virB10 and virB11) useful in the ELISA detection of Anaplasma pathogen. The recombinant expression of virB10 and virB11 and their use as kits for ELISA are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes recombinant and synthetic polypeptides of Bartonella henselae and related methods and kits for the detection of antibodies specific for Bartonella henselae. The 17-kDa polypeptides, methods and kits are useful in the detection of recent and/or ongoing infections with Bartonella henselae, which can be useful in the diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease (CSD).

Abstract: Disclosed are cloning and expression of a plurality of protein fragments of virB10, a Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Such recombinant protein fragments are useful in the ELISA detection of anaplasma pathogen. The use of same as kits for ELISA is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ex vivo method of treating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in Th2- or Th17-associated diseases by modulating the cytokine expression or secretion using interferon lambda (IFN-?). For the Th-2 or Th17-associated diseases, pDC cells from a patient having the disease are exposed ex vivo with IFN-? in an effective amount to inhibit cytokine releases. The IFN-? exposed pDC are administered back into the patient. The present invention also provides a method of ex vivo IFN-? treatment of pDC, in conjunction with co-administration of a composition comprising IFN-?.

Abstract: Disclosed are the cloning and expression of a novel antigen of Bartonella henselae. The recombinant polypeptide is found to be highly immunogenic and is useful as a diagnostic test antigen. The polypeptide of the present invention provides the basis of a diagnostic assay that is sensitive, rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection with Bartonella henselae using patient's sera. Disclosed also are the ELISA for both IgG and IgM and allows diagnosis of early and late infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is the cloning, expression and purification of a hemolysin protein and its protein fragments in Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The recombinant hemolysin and its protein fragments are useful in the ELISA detection of anaplasma pathogen. The use of same as a kit for ELISA is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting penicillin tolerance in Group B Streptococcus by detecting at least one of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in penicillin binding protein 4. Also disclosed are primers and hybridization probes that may be used in such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Borrelia afzelii, a spirochete which is a causative agent of Lyme disease in humans. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the p24 gene for the outer surface protein of Borrelia afzelii, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Borrelia afzelii. Real-time PCR and detection using florescence resonance energy transfer is disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed the cloning and identification of human IL-23R splice variants caused by alternative splicing of the IL-23R mRNA in human. Alternative mRNA forms occur through skipping one, multiple full exons or partial exons, within the IL-23R gene. A total of twenty-five (25) different IL-23R transcripts were identified. A novel exon deletion (exon 9) isoform in the interleukin 23 receptor is disclosed, denoted as ?9. The present application also describes a quantitative assay to measure different IL-23R isoform. Detection of ?9 isoform of IL-23R is predominantly present in colon and cervical tissues. A decrease in ?9 is observed in inflamed colon tissues in Crohn's patients. There is disclosed a method of predicting Crohn's disease by measuring ?9 isoform of IL-23R.

Abstract: Disclosed are the cloning and expression of novel antigens in Babesia microti. The recombinant polypeptides are highly immunogenic. The polypeptides of the present invention provide the basis of a diagnostic assay that is sensitive, rapid and accurate using patient's sera. Also disclosed is an IgG and IgM ELISA using two novel recombinant antigens in the diagnosis of Babesia infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that bind to the antigenic proteins GroES, RpIL, GroEL, SodB, UbiG, the ABC transporter, and an expressed antigenic protein of unknown function (the “BepA” protein) of Bartonella henselae, and use of these antigenic proteins in immunoassays in order to determine whether a sample from a subject contains one or more of these antibodies. Presence of such an antibody in the subject indicates that the subject is or was infected with Bartonella henselae, or indicates that the subject has an increased likelihood of being infected presently or in the past with Bartonella henselae. Also disclosed are kits for performing immunoassays, wherein each kit contains one or more of these antigenic proteins and also contains the reagents necessary for conducting an immunoassay.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for detecting and identifying distinct species of nucleic acids, in a single container, for example, from a certain genus of infectious agents or otherwise causative agents comprising, for example, providing a forward PCR primer common to a homologous gene region between the distinct species, and providing a reverse PCR primer common to a homologous gene region between the distinct species, to thereby define a PCR target region amongst the species, and providing a first oligonucleotide probe specific to a nucleic acid sequence within the target region that is characteristic of a first species, providing a second oligonucleotide probe specific to a nucleic acid sequence within the target region that is characteristic of a second species, wherein the first and second oligonucleotide probes are each detectably labeled with distinctly different detectable labels, conducting a PCR reaction in the container by means of the primers to amplify the target region amongst the species, and de

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Borrelia afzelii, a spirochete which is a causative agent of Lyme disease in humans. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the p24 gene for the outer surface protein of Borrelia afzelii, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Borrelia afzelii. Real-time PCR and detection using florescence resonance energy transfer is disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for determining azole resistance in Candida glabrata. A biological sample containing Candida glabrata is obtained and a normalized mRNA level of CDR1 gene is determined using qRT-PCR. Using a microbroth dilution assay conducted at azole concentrations of about 2-8 ?g/mL, a susceptible isolate of Candida glabrata is obtained. A qRT-PCR assay is employed on the susceptible isolate and an average mRNA level of CDR1 is obtained. A fold-change value for CDR1 is obtained by comparing the CDR1 mRNA level of the biological sample with that of the average mRNA level. A ?2-fold change value is indicative of an azole resistance in Candida glabrata. The present method provides a qRT-PCR assay for azole resistance that has a sensitivity of ?90% and a specificity of ?90%.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Cryptococcus neoformans, a causative agent for human cryptococcosis. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the fungal specific transcription factor gene in Cryptococcus neoformans, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Cryptococcus neoformans. Real-time PCR and detection using florescence resonance energy transfer is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Atopobium vaginae or has an increased likelihood of containing Atopobium vaginae, an organism which is seen in conjunction with bacterial vaginosis or is a causative agent of bacterial vaginosis. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a segment of the genome of Atopobium vaginae, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as a template, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Atopobium vaginae or has an increased likelihood of containing Atopobium vaginae.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that bind to the antigenic proteins GroES, RpIL, GroEL, SodB, UbiG, the ABC transporter, and an expressed antigenic protein of unknown function (the “BepA” protein) of Bartonella henselae, and use of these antigenic proteins in immunoassays in order to determine whether a sample from a subject contains one or more of these antibodies. Presence of such an antibody in the subject indicates that the subject is or was infected with Bartonella henselae, or indicates that the subject has an increased likelihood of being infected presently or in the past with Bartonella henselae. Also disclosed are kits for performing immunoassays, wherein each kit contains one or more of these antigenic proteins and also contains the reagents necessary for conducting an immunoassay.

Abstract: A method for producing a 6?-fluorinated corticosteroid or derivative thereof by reacting a 17-hydroxy-21-ester epoxide of Formula II with a stereoselective fluorinating agent to stereoselectively form a 21-ester-17-hydroxy 6?-fluorinated compound of Formula VII R1 can be OC(O)—Rd; R4 can be C(O)—Rd; R3 can be H or Rd. Each Rd may be the same or different and is independently selected from (C1-4)alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl. The dashed line can be a single or a double bond. R4 may be, for example, acetyl; R3 may be, for example, alpha or beta methyl; R1 may be, for example, acetate or propionate. The stereoselective fluorinating agent used in the reaction may be, for example, a fluoropyridinium or fluoroquinuclidium compound, for example, Selectfluor®.