Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to human metapneumovirus (hMPV) F protein and neutralize hMPV are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. The disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, nucleic acids and vectors can be used, for example, to inhibit an hMPV infection or detect a hMPV infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are non-naturally occurring, broadly reactive antigens derived from influenza viruses or avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) that are immunogenic and capable of eliciting a broadly reactive immune response, e.g., a broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response, directed against influenza virus antigens or IBV antigens following introduction into a subject. Also provided are non-naturally, broadly reactive immunogens, vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs) and compositions comprising the immunogens and vaccines. Methods of generating an immune response in a human or non-human subject by administering the immunogens, vaccines, VLPs, or compositions thereof are provided. In particular, the immunogens comprise broadly reactive hemagglutinin (HA) protein antigens of influenza virus strains, such as H1, H2, H3, H5, or H7, or of IBV. The immunogens also comprise broadly reactive viral neuraminidase (NA) protein antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to biocontrol compositions comprising an entomopathogenic fungus, kits comprising such an entomopathogenic fungus, and methods of using such a fungus and compositions to reduce or kill the population of agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crop insect pests.

Abstract: Apparatus include a mode-locked laser cavity configured to produce a mode-locked output beam, wherein the laser cavity includes a gain medium situated in the laser cavity and an intracavity optical coating filter situated in the laser cavity to receive an intracavity beam, wherein the intracavity optical coating filter has an attenuation profile configured to suppress laser oscillation over a selected portion of the gain bandwidth of the gain medium and to increase a bandwidth of the mode-locked output beam based on the suppression. Related optical coatings are disclosed. Methods of arranging coatings and reducing pulse duration are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides isolated polynucleotides encoding a mature Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein selected from Ag85A, Ag85B, and Ag85C, where the protein does not include a signal for glycosylation, such as a N-glycosylation consensus sequon. Also disclosed are M. tuberculosis proteins selected from Ag85A, Ag85B, and Ag85C that do not include a signal for glycosylation, such as a N-glycosylation consensus sequon, and/or are not glycosylated, and methods for using the polynucleotides and proteins.

Abstract: The invention generally provides methods of treating or preventing infection and/or disease associated with different fungal pathogens in a subject in need, using an isolated antiserum generated against an immunogenic peptide of one fungal pathogen that contains antibodies that cross-protect the subject from infection and/or disease associated with one or more different fungal pathogens. The antiserum may be generated against a Kexin peptide derived from one of a Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, Candida, or Cryptococcus fungal pathogen. The resulting cross-protective, isolated antiserum may be used as a therapeutic for treating or protecting a subject who receives the antiserum against infection and/or disease associated with multiple fungal pathogens, in addition to the pathogen against which the antiserum is generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides safe, stable, efficacious, and cost-effective vaccines based on viral expression vectors that include a parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) genome including a heterologous nucleotide sequence expressing a heterologous polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention generally provides methods of treating or preventing aspergillosis disease and/or its symptoms associated with infection by the Aspergillus pathogenic fungus. The methods involve administering an Aspergillus Kexin peptide, or a composition comprising an Aspergillus peptide, to a mammalian subject in need thereof, such as a subject afflicted with aspergillus, or a subject susceptible to or at risk of infection by Aspergillus and ensuing aspergillosis disease. In some aspects, the Aspergillus Kexin peptide is an A. fumigatus Kexin peptide. In some aspects, the mammalian subject is a human patient. In some aspects, the patient is immunosuppressed or immunocompromised. The Aspergillus Kexin peptide as immunogen or vaccine generates a potent and robust immune response, e.g., antibody response, in the immunized subject. The methods afford therapeutic and protective treatment against aspergillosis and its symptoms, as well as a reduction in the severity of aspergillosis in the treated subjects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanoparticle compositions for use as vaccines against Clostridium perfringens in poultry which causes necrotic enteritis in poultry. Such compositions include one or more Clostridium perfringens extracellular proteins entrapped in a polyanhydride or chitosan nanoparticle. The one or more Clostridium perfringens extracellular proteins may include one or more Clostridium perfringens toxins, such as, for example, alpha toxin (CPA), beta toxin (CPB), epsilon toxin (ETX), iota toxin (ITX), perfringolysin O (PFO), enterotoxin (CPE), beta2 toxin (CPB2), or NetB toxin. In some aspects, the composition further includes a Salmonella enteritidis flagellar protein. The present invention also includes methods for the oral delivery of one or more Clostridium perfringens extracellular proteins to the mucosal membrane of the intestinal tract of a bird of the order Galliformes.

Abstract: A vaccine delivery method is presented that includes a composition including as one component a slurry matrix that is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at physiological pH, physiological salt concentrations and/or physiological temperatures and as a second component one or more antigens. Also included are methods of inducing an immune response in a subject and vaccinating a subject by administering such compositions.

Abstract: Lipid-based delivery vehicles are provided. Nanoparticulate compositions typically including a p21 activated kinase (PAK) inhibitor and a lipid-based delivery vehicle are also provided. In preferred embodiments, the lipid-based delivery vehicle is a liposome, most preferably a sterically-stabilized liposome. Typically the lipid-based delivery vehicle includes one or more phospholipids, and optionally a sterol. In some embodiments, at least one of the phospholipids is PEGylated. In particular embodiments, the lipid-based delivery vehicle includes DSPC, DSPE-PEG2000, and cholesterol. In specific embodiments, the ratio of DSPC, DSPE-PEG, and cholesterol is 9:1:5. The nanoparticulate composition typically includes a PAK inhibitor, preferably a PAK-1 inhibitor such as IPA-3 or a derivative, prodrug, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TH-896’, characterized by a combination of early to mid-season ripening and flowering; large berries with good flavor, firmness, and scar; and a medium chilling requirement of about 300-400 hours, or more, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TH-1241’, characterized by a combination of early season ripening and short fruit development period; large berries with good color and flavor; highly vigorous growth; and a medium chilling requirement of about 350-450 hours, or more, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TH-1987’, characterized by a combination of early season ripening and flowering, large berries with good flavor, firmness, and scar; and a low chill requirement about 150 hours, or less, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named ‘DISmd-24-18’, characterized by its compact, tight, and evergreen plant habit, and its ovate-lanceolate shaped leaves, that are dark green once mature and bronze-pink in color when young. The inventor believes it could be used as a foundation plant in the South.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TH-1093’, characterized by a combination of early to mid-season ripening and flowering; large berries with good flavor, firmness, and scar; and a medium chilling requirement of about 350 to 450 hours, or more, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: large nut size, bright kernel color, good shelling ability, moderately early harvest date, and good resistance to the scab fungus (Venturia effuse) in sprayed orchards.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TO-1719’, characterized by a combination of early to mid-season ripening and flowering, large, firm berries with good color, and mild sweet and acid flavor; and a chill requirement of about 350 to 450 hours, or more, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named ‘DISmd-26-18’, characterized by its compact, freely branching, mounded, and evergreen plant habit, and its ovate-lanceolate shaped leaves, that are dark green once mature and soft pink in color when newly emerging. The inventor believes it could be used as a landscaping hedge and substitute for boxwood.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Thuja plant named ‘RutThu2’, characterized by its compact, mounding, spreading form with unusual, thread-leaf shoots; growth in USDA Zone 8a, growth in full sun and part-shade conditions in landscape and container production, and better heat tolerance than other thread-leaf forms of Thuja occidentalis or Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’.