Abstract: The present invention provides BoNT/B peptides, BoNT/B peptide compositions, tolerogizing compositions, immune response inducing compositions, as well as methods of determining immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of treating immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of reducing anti-botulinum toxin antibodies in an individual and methods of inducing a BoNT/B immune response an individual.

Abstract: A particle and a method of manufacturing a particle that includes a complex, a paramagnetic entity, and a silica layer that encapsulates the paramagnetic entity and the complex. The dielectric layer of the particle encapsulates the complex and the paramagnetic entity such that at least a portion of an outer surface of the complex is covered by the paramagnetic entity. In addition, the particle may or may not include a fluorescent entity encapsulated within the dielectric layer. Also, the particle may or may not include a targeting entity covalently bonded to the silica layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides BoNT/B peptides, BoNT/B peptide compositions, tolerogizing compositions, immune response inducing compositions, as well as methods of determining immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of treating immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of reducing anti-botulinum toxin antibodies in an individual and methods of inducing a BoNT/B immune response an individual.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, systems and kits for distinguishing between active and latent mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a patient suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the method including the steps of obtaining a patient gene expression dataset from a patient suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis; sorting the patient gene expression dataset into one or more gene modules associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; and comparing the patient gene expression dataset for each of the one or more gene modules to a gene expression dataset from a non-patient; wherein an increase or decrease in the totality of gene expression in the patient gene expression dataset for the one or more gene modules is indicative of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: A method of treating atrial fibrillation through minimal access ablation to form atrial lesions on the dome of the atrium.

Abstract: Compositions comprising inhibitors of lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A and their use to favor hair growth or to prevent hair loss are disclosed in the instant invention. The topical use of the composition of the instant invention directly inhibits scalp enzyme activity and is used in the treatment for male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) in men and women.

Abstract: A seven-carbon fatty acid or derivative thereof has been identified as an excellent energy source for humans or human infants. A nutritional supplement suitable for humans or human infants comprising a seven carbon fatty acid chain compound or derivative thereof can be used to increase energy production derived from fatty acid metabolism. For example, administering a seven carbon fatty acid chain compound or derivative thereof can be used to accelerate the growth rate of a prematurely born human infant.

Abstract: The invention relates to bone compression devices and bone compression systems, and in particular, to bone compression devices and systems for use in connection with vertebrae. The bone compression devices and bone compression systems are disposed, or installed, along at least one bone to maintain the at least one bone in a desired spatial relationship. Broadly, the invention is directed to a bone compression device for placing in communication with at least one bone having a bone radius of curvature, the bone compression device comprising a plate having a pre-formed shape, a deformed shape, and at least one elastic shape therebetween, the pre-formed shape having a preformed radius of curvature less than the bone radius of curvature, the deformed shape having a deformed radius of curvature greater than the bone radius of curvature, and at least one of the at least one elastic shapes having an elastic radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the bone radius of curvature.

Abstract: A simple, rapid, inexpensive, and promising commercial biomarker assay method for multiple diseases is described herein. The present invention detects miRNA-based biomarkers in human stool specimens. The method of the present invention amplifies miRNA directly from stool specimens without any prior miRNA extraction. Differential expression of specific microRNAs in stool of colorectal cancer CRC and adenoma patients suggest fecal microRNAs as a novel potential biomarker for colorectal neoplasia detection. The method of the present invention has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance for gastroenterological cancers/colorectal cancer and as well as further acquired or hereditary GI diseases.

Abstract: The present invention includes isolated anti-Langerin vaccines, methods for making and using an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the isolated anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigenic peptides are present, the peptides are separated by the one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site. The present invention also includes isolated vectors for the expression of the anti-Langerin antigen delivery vectors and their manufactures and use.

Abstract: A new method and strategy for the quantitative determination of enantiomeric purity that combines polarimetry, spectroscopy, and chemometric modeling. Spectral data is collected after a light beam is passed through a first polarimeter, a sample of a chiral compound, and a second polarimeter oriented at a 45 degree angle relative to the first polarimeter. The spectral data for samples of known enantiomeric composition is subjected to a type of multivariate regression modeling known as partial least squares (“PLS-1”) regression. The PLS-1 regression produces a mathematical model that can be used to predict the enantiomeric composition of a set of samples of unknown enantiomeric purity.

Abstract: A serotonin reuptake inhibitor which can be used in the treatment of depression and which has a decreased occurrence of unwanted side effects. The serotonin reuptake inhibitors are bi-functional organic molecules which combine serotonin transporter reuptake inhibition with serotonin (5-HT, such as 5-HT2A) receptor antagonism in one molecular entity. The serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) homologue portion of the molecule shows an affinity to the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) and has antidepressant properties. The piperazine or piperidine portion of the molecule demonstrates an affinity to 5-HT receptors and restores the undesired side effects of SSRIs.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods that include antibodies that selectively neutralize a bioactivity of at least two interferon alpha (“IFN?”) protein subtypes for the protein subtypes A, 2, B2, C, F, G, H2, I, J1, K, 4a, 4b and WA, but does not neutralize at least one bioactivity of IFN? protein subtype D. Examples of bioactivity for measurement include activation of the MxA promoter or antiviral activity and variants, derivatives and fragments thereof. The invention also includes host cells, hybridomas and plasmacytomas that produce antibodies. Because of their unique selectivity and affinity, the antibodies of the present invention are useful to detect IFN? subtypes in sample or tissue and/or for therapeutic applications that include, but are not limited to the treatment and/or amelioration of an IFN? related disorder such as SLE, lupus, type I diabetes, psoriasis, AIDS and Graft versus Host Disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the prevention, treatment and/or diagnosis of a medical condition, such as sepsis, systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome, and/or thrombosis, for example. In particular, the method employs part or all of the A2 domain of von Willebrand factor. In certain cases, a recombinant A2 domain is utilized for the treatment of sepsis, systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome, and/or thrombosis, for example.

Abstract: Noroviruses are recognized as the most common cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in humans. Therefore, the present invention relates to peptides or dendrimers that bind Noroviruses and the methods for identifying and synthesizing these peptides. It also relates to the detection of Noroviruses using said peptides or dendrimers formed by them.

Abstract: Novel imaging agents targeted to a lymph vascular cell receptor and a hyaluranon cell receptor are disclosed. The disclosed imaging agents incorporate biological molecules such as hyaluronic acid which bind to the receptors. Lymph vascular cell receptor expression may be related to the beginnings of tumor formation. As such, embodiments of the imaging agents may be used to stain lymph structures for detailed imaging of lymph architecture as well as serving as potential markers for tumor angiogenesis, tumor metastases, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulation of antigen presentation by cytokine signaling regulators in antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells. The invention provides methods of modulating antigen presentation through modulation of cytokine signaling regulators, such as SOCS (SOCS1-7, CIS), SHP (SHP-1 and SHP-2) or PIAS (PIAS1, PIAS3, PIASx and PIASy). The present invention provides vaccines and therapies in which antigen presentation is enhanced through modulation of cytokine signaling regulators. The present invention also provides a mechanism to break self tolerance in tumor vaccination methods that rely on presentation of self tumor antigens.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for enhancing immunopotency of an immune cell by way of inhibiting a negative immune regulator in the cell. The present invention provides vaccines and therapies in which antigen presentation is enhanced through inhibition of negative immune regulators. The present invention also provides a mechanism to break self tolerance in tumor vaccination methods that rely on presentation of self tumor antigens.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for designing, making and using modular recombinant antibodies or fragments thereof with one half of a cohesin-dockerin pair that permits the rapid assembly of multivariant antigen conjugates.

Abstract: We have discovered that phospholipids diundecanoyl (C11:0-C11:0) and dilauroyl (C12:0-C12:0) phosphatidylcholine (PC) act as agonists of the LRH-1 receptor. We have also shown that administration of these lipids to diabetic mice reduces blood glucose levels. On the basis of these discoveries, the present invention features compositions that include these lipids and structurally related lipids. Also featured are methods of treating metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel disease, lowering blood glucose levels, and increasing LRH-1 receptor activity in a subject by administration of these lipids.