Abstract: The present investion provides vaccines capable of protecting a vaccinated recipient from the morbidity and mortality associated with C. difficile infection. These vaccines are produced with portions of C. difficile Toxin A, or Toxin B, or both. These portions of Toxins A and B may be fusion proteins with at least one non-toxin protein sequence, and may also be soluble and substantially endotoxin-free. These vaccines are useful for administration to humans and other animals at risk of exposure to C. difficile toxins.

Abstract: Methods are described for preventing and treating necrotizing enterocolitis in animals, including humans. Antibodies directed to PAF and/or TNF are shown to have a beneficial effect in animal models predictive of human therapy for the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis, which is a major life-threatening illness in neonates worldwide.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for generating neutralizing antitoxin directed against verotoxins. In preferred embodiments, the antitoxin directed against these toxins is produced in avian species using soluble recombinant verotoxin proteins. This antitoxin is designed so as to be administrable in therapeutic amounts and may be in any form (i.e., as a solid or in aqueous solution). These antitoxins are useful in the treatment of humans and other animals intoxicated with at least one bacterial toxin, as well as for preventive treatment, and diagnostic assays to detect the presence of toxin in a sample.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of identifying and testing TGF-.beta. pathway agonists and antagonists, and in particular compositions comprising Mothers against DPP (MAD) proteins and related Smad polypeptides which exhibit sequence-specific DNA-binding activity. The invention also provides a novel DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:19); (SEQ ID NO:20); (SEQ ID NO:21) that is bound with high affinity by Drosophila MAD protein. This protein is useful for identifying compounds that will enhance or interfere with MAD protein-DNA binding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and reagents for drug and pesticide screening. Screening methods are disclosed employing normal and mutant receptors, allowing for the testing of large numbers of potentially useful compounds.

Abstract: Diagnostics and treatments for bacterial infection are disclosed. The treatments prevent bacteria from adhering to host cells by interfering with the binding of the bacteria to cell receptors. Compounds that inhibit bacterial adherence to cells are engineered to be readily modified for best efficacy with different modes of treatment. The compounds can be readily modified for use to identify bacteria according to their cell binding specificities.

Abstract: The present invention includes recombinant proteins derived from Clostridium botulinum toxins. In particular, soluble recombinant Clostridium botulinum type A toxin proteins are provided. Methods which allow for the isolation of recombinant proteins free of significant endotoxin contamination are provided. The soluble, endotoxin-free recombinant proteins are used as immunogens for the production of vaccines and antitoxins. These vaccines and antitoxins are useful in the treatment of humans and other animals at risk of intoxication with clostridial toxin.

Abstract: Antivenoms to snake, spider, scorpion and jelly fish venoms are produced for treatment of humans and animals, and for analytical use. Polyvalent antivenoms are produced containing immunoglobulin which is greater than fifty percent venom reactive. Purified polyvalent antivenom is derived from a first polyvalent antivenom having two or more monovalent subpopulations, and purified such that greater than fifty percent of the monovalent subpopulations are recovered by weight. The antivenoms can be horse or avian such as chicken antivenom. Chicken antivenom is obtained using a whole venom that is not glutaraldehyde pretreated, and the antivenom contains yolk immunoglobulin. Antivenoms are purified with an antigen matrix containing a single whole venom or a plurality of whole venoms covalently attached to an insoluble support such as aldehyde-activated agarose. Preferably, the whole venoms forming the plurality of whole venoms are selected from the four whole venoms of C. atrox, B. atrox, C. adamanteus and C.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the production and purification of recombinant clostridial toxin proteins.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for treating humans and other animals intoxicated with at least one clostridial toxin by administration of antitoxin. In particular, the antitoxin directed against these toxins is produced in avian species. This avian antitoxin is designed so as to be orally administerable in therapeutic amounts and may be in any form (i.e., as a solid or in aqueous solution).

Abstract: Treating humans and animals intoxicated with a bacterial toxin by administration of antitoxin. Avian antitoxin in an aqueous solution in therapeutic amount that is orally administrable.

Abstract: This invention relates to the conversion of denatured proteins to soluble forms which are suitable for injection of humans and other animals. The invention is also suitable for analytical use. This method is applicable to the efficient solubilization of proteins which have varying degrees of solubility.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for treating humans and other animals intoxicated with at least one Clostridial toxin by administration of antitoxin. In particular, the antitoxin directed against these toxins is produced in avian species. This avian antitoxin is designed so as to be orally administerable in therapeutic amounts and may be in any form (i.e., as a solid or in aqueous solution).

Abstract: Treating humans and animals intoxicated with a bacterial toxin by administration of antitoxin. Avian antitoxin in an aqueous solution in therapeutic amount that is orally administrable.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for preventing and treating sepsis in humans and other animals. Surgical patients, low birth weight infants, burn and trauma victims, as well as other individuals at risk can be treated prophylactically. Methods for treating acute infections with advantages over current therapeutic approaches are provided. Conjugates and methods of making conjugates for the prevention and treatment of sepsis are described.

Abstract: Methods for treating cancer are described, including methods for treating colon and pancreatic cancer. Bacterial toxins and portions of bacterial toxins are employed as both diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Antivenoms suitable for treatment of humans and animals as well as for analytical use. A method wherein individual venoms are used to immunize and the resulting antivenoms are, thereafter, purified individually prior to mixing. Immunization is performed in a mammalian or avian host species.

Abstract: The production of antivenoms in non-mammals and improvements in the effectiveness of both non-mammalian antivenoms and mammalian antivenoms so that they are more suitable for treatment of humans and animals as well as for analytical use.