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: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides that bind to IL-23 receptor and inhibit the binding of IL-23 to its corresponding receptor and cell signaling thereof. The novel polypeptides of the present invention has a core structure of WX1X2X3W, where W is tryptophan, and X1, X2 and X3 are amino acids, with the proviso that when one of X1, X2 or X3 is W, the remaining two of X1, X2 or X3 cannot be W. Preferred core structures include WVDYW or WQDYW. The present invention relates a composition containing the novel polypeptides, and use of same in treating IL-23 associated human diseases including, for example, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis and Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of isolated Ats-1 protein in Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the ELISA detection of Anaplasma pathogen. The recombinant expression of Ats-1 and its use as a kit for ELISA are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The presence of G76C, C213G, or C318A (SNP) in tvntr 4 or the presence of A238T, G427C, or T476C (SNP) in tvntr6 provides a reliable biomarker for the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The present invention further provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs to screen subjects for metronidazole resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting CIP2A protein in a bladder tissue. Methods and compositions are provided herein for detecting and diagnosing bladder cancer by obtaining a bladder tissue from a human subject suspected of bladder cancer, followed by detecting CIP2A protein or mRNA levels in the bladder tissue using Western blot analysis or ELISA to specifically detect CIP2A protein or qRT-PCR to specifically detect CIP2A mRNA. The present method permits specific detection of CIP2A protein or mRNA in bladder tissue as a biomarker for bladder cancer in humans.

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 methods and compositions for conducting assays of samples utilizing polymerase chain reactions (“PCRs”) in the detection of serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis capable of causing lymphogranuloma venereum (“LGV”). These assays take advantage of a deletion occurring in the cytotoxin gene locus specific to the L I, L II, and L serotypes. Each of these assays employs a first primer having a nucleotide sequence flanking one side of the deletion point and a second primer having a nucleotide sequence flanking the other side of the deletion point, wherein the first primer and the second primer are capable of hybridizing respectively to the plus strand and the minus strand of the genome of Chlamydia trachomatis during the PCR. Synthesis during the PCR of a sequence-specific amplicon containing this deletion point indicates that the sample contains nucleic acid specific to an LGV-causing serotype of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in specific genes that serve as biomarkers for sex-specific prenatal loss of a conceptus or embryo. There is provided herein methods and reagents for assessing the specific SNPs in those genes. The method useful in applying these SNPs in predicting an increased risk of prenatal loss is also disclosed.

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 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: 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 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: The present invention relates to anti-sense oligonucleotides (AONs) used to induce exon 9 skipping in IL-23R? gene. Exon 9 skipping of the IL23R? gene ultimately causes specific induction of a novel soluble truncated IL-23R? (?9) protein, characterized by a lack in a transmembrane domain and has a unique eight (8) amino acids (GLKEGSYC) at its C-terminus end as a result of frame-shift. The present invention provides a utility application of the use of AONs to induce production of a ?9 protein which inhibits IL-23R-mediated cell signaling. More particularly, ?9 protein blocks STAT3 formation as well as Th17 maturation. There is provided a therapeutic application of AONs in treating a mammal such as a human patient inflicted with Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides that bind to IL-23 receptor and inhibit the binding of IL-23 to its corresponding receptor and cell signaling thereof. The novel polypeptides of the present invention has a core structure of WX1X2X3W, where W is tryptophan, and X1, X2 and X3 are amino acids, with the proviso that when one of X1, X2 or X3 is W, the remaining two of X1, X2 or X3 cannot be W. The present invention relates a composition containing the novel polypeptides, and use of same in treating IL-23 associated human diseases including, for example, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis and Crohn's disease.

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: Disclosed are two (2) proteins in the Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum (namely, virB 10 and virB 11) useful in the ELISA detection of Anaplasma pathogen. The recombinant expression of virB 10 and virB 11 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: 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-?.