Abstract: The presently claimed subject matter concerns methods and kits for identifying agents that reduce binding of a clostridial neurotoxin to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2).

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for detecting exposure to a RIP II family toxin in a biological sample. The method is based on identifying the enzymatic activity of the toxin on 28sRNA and employs sensitive and specific amplification steps that allow detection in clinical samples.

Abstract: An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof binds to F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide (Ft LPS). The antibody preferably lacks an Fc region or has an impaired Fc-region. The antibody may be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. It may be provided in a kit with means for detection of the antibody and instructions for use. A therapeutically effective amount of such an antibody can be used for prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of Ft infection and for inhibiting Ft uptake by cells in a subject. The antibody can also be used to detect Ft infection. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the antibody, an expression vector having the isolated nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell transfected with such an expression vector.

Abstract: An isolated monoclonal antibody or any antigen-binding fragment thereof which binds to ricin toxin, an expression vector including the isolated nucleic acid molecule and a host cell transfected with said isolated nucleic acid molecule or with the expression vector, a pharmaceutical composition including as an active ingredient the isolated monoclonal antibody or any antigen-binding fragment thereof, the bispecific molecule or the immunoconjugate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent, and a method of prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of ricin toxin poisoning including administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated monoclonal antibody or any antigen-binding fragment thereof, the bispecific molecule, the immunoconjugate or the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient a combination of three isolated monoclonal antibodies or any antigen-binding fragment thereof which bind ricin toxin and neutralize its toxic effects, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. The invention also provides a method of prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of ricin toxin poisoning including administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides are provided including modified human Acetylcholinesterase conjugated to the Fc region of an immunoglobulin. Methods of preparing these polypeptide constructs and uses thereof as scavenging agents of organophosphate compounds are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of decontamination and biocidal agents. More specifically, the invention relates to novel N-halamine melamine derivatives, compositions comprising them, processes for their production, and methods using the same.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to therapeutic antibodies for treating Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) infection, to specific variants thereof, pharmaceutical composition comprising them and to methods for their use.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated Bacillus cereus sensu lato strain, selected from Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis, in which the htrA gene or any part thereof is silenced, and vaccines comprising the same.

Abstract: There are provided certain bicyclic heterocyclic compounds that act as M1 muscarinic receptor modulators. Compositions containing these compounds and their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An organophosphate scavenger is provided, with extended residence time in the mammalian circulation, which can be used in preventive and therapeutic treatment of organophosphate poisoning. The scavenger is a uniformly pegylated serine hydrolase, in which a part of lysine residues were replaced with other residues by site-directed mutagenesis. One part of lysine residues in the hydrolase amino acid sequence is selected for the PEG-coupling, and the other part for the replacement, wherein the selection should ensure that the hydrolase surface shows at least one free amino acid for PEG coupling for all possible views obtained by rotating a 3-D model generated for the hydrolase.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated Bacillus cereus sensu lato strain, selected from Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis, in which the htrA gene or any part thereof is silenced, and vaccines comprising the same.

Abstract: A novel and rapid diagnostic method for anthrax infection is provided. Three B. anthracis gene products are described, as well as antibodies against the same, which may be used for the detection and monitoring of anthrax infection. Kits for the diagnosis of anthrax are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising at least one decontaminating agent, and being in a form of a gel, are disclosed herein, as well as processes for producing the compositions by contacting a solution containing the decontaminating agent(s) with at least one gelling agent. The compositions are useful in decontamination. The decontamination efficacy of the compositions can be enhanced by adding a solid hypochlorite salt to the composition. Systems are further disclosed herein which are designed for mixing the decontaminating agent(s) with the gelling agent(s) when and where needed, and for propelling the mixed solutions onto a surface to be contaminated. Methods employing the compositions for decontamination are also disclosed.

Abstract: A feeding device for enriching and feeding a fluid sample into a chemical detector, the feeding device comprises (a) a sorbent element having a sorbent material for sorbing at least one target chemical present in the fluid sample; (b) a desorbing mechanism for generating conditions for the sorbent material to desorb the at least one target chemical out of the sorbent material, thereby to provide an enriched fluid sample; and (c) a loose connector, for providing a loose connection between the feeding device and the chemical detector, such that when the sorbent material desorbs the at least one target chemical, the chemical detector is fed by the enriched fluid sample, and when the sorbent material sorbs the at least one target chemical, the chemical detector is fed by environmental fluids.

Abstract: A protective agent suitable to protect the human skin against lesions caused by vesicants or other percutaneous chemical agents, particularly against sulfur mustard gas injury and VX intoxication, which comprises a protective-effective amount of a hydrophilic water-based cream, alone or together with one or more additives selected from among the group consisting essentially of polyols, mono-, oligo- or polysaccharides, and salts of organic or inorganic acids. The additive polyol may be glycol, propylene glycol, polyglycerol, glycerin, sorbitol, dulcitol, tritol, sorbitol or mannitol. The additive monosaccharide may be ribose, xylose, glucose, fructose, galactose or mannose. The additive oligosaccharide may be sucrose, maltose, lactose, raffinose or cellobiose.

Abstract: A circulatory long-lived cholinesterase (ChE) protein, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which is a ChE protein modified with a non-antigenic polymer. The ChE may be AChE, such as native AChE of mammalian origin or of non-mammalian origin, or recombinant AChE. The recombinant AChE may be mutated at one or more amino-acid residues. The BChE may be native BChE of mammalian origin or of non-mammalian origin.

Abstract: There are provided methods for the treatment of diseases involving dysfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system comprising administering one or more spiro compounds. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions useful in such methods, compounds for use in the preparation of such pharmaceutical compositions, processes for preparing compounds useful in the practice of such methods, and some novel such compounds per se.

Abstract: There are provided methods for the treatment of diseases involving dysfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system comprising administering one or more Spiro compounds. Also provided and pharmaceutical compositions useful in such methods, compounds for use in the preparation of such pharmaceutical compositions, processes for preparing compounds useful in the practice of such methods, and some novel such compounds per se.

Abstract: There are provided methods for the treatment of diseases involving dysfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system comprising administering one or more Spiro compounds. Also provided and pharmaceutical compositions useful in such methods, compounds for use in the preparation of such pharmaceutical compositions, processes for preparing compounds useful in the practice of such methods, and some novel such compounds per se.