Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyvalent culture medium for anaerobic bacteria under aerobic conditions in blood culture bottles. The present invention provides a polyvalent culture medium for culture in aerobic atmosphere of anaerobic bacteria or aerobic bacteria comprising a basal culture medium for bacteria characterized in that it further comprises a mixture of the following antioxidant compounds: sodium hydrosulphide (Na2S), L-cysteine, ascorbic acid, glutathione, catalase, ubiquinol and lipoic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a one-step process for preparing a cell-binding agent cytotoxic agent conjugate comprising contacting a cell-binding agent with a cytotoxic agent to form a first mixture comprising the cell-binding agent and the cytotoxic agent and contacting the first mixture comprising the cell-binding agent and the cytotoxic agent with a bifunctional crosslinking reagent, which provides a linker, in a solution having a pH of about 4 to about 9 to provide a second mixture comprising the cell-binding agent cytotoxic agent conjugate, wherein the cell-binding agent is chemically coupled through the linker to the cytotoxic agent, free cytotoxic agent, and reaction by-products. The second mixture is then optionally subjected to purification to provide a purified cell-binding agent cytotoxic agent conjugate.

Abstract: An improved pasteurisation protocol for pasteurising microbial cells is disclosed. The protocol has three stages, a first heating stage, a second plateau stage at which the cells are held at a (maximum and) constant temperature, and a third cooling stage. Both the heating and the cooling stages are rapid, with the temperature of the cells passing through 40 to 80° C. in no more than 30 minutes in the heating stage. The heating rate is at least 0.5° C./minute and during cooling is at least ?0.5° C./minute. The plateau maximum temperature is from 70 to 85° C. By plotting the pasteurisation protocol on a time (t, minutes) versus temperature (T, ° C.) graph, one obtains a trapezium having an area less than 13,000° C. minute. Not only does this result in a smaller energy input (and so a reduction in costs), but a better quality (and less oxidised) oil results having a peroxide value (POV) of less than 1.5 and an anisidine value (AnV) of less than 1.0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting microbial infection in mammalian subjects comprising treatment of a sample and detection of galactofuranose (galF)-containing antigenic components utilizing monoclonal antibodies. The methods disclosed provide for pretreatment of biological samples, such as urine samples, to maximize detection of galF antigens and improvement of sensitivity of galF antigen detection assays. The methods include minimizing intelectin-1 binding to galF antigens and improvement of monoclonal antibody binding. The detection methods are useful for identifying the presence of microbial antigens related to bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, Coccidioides species, Cryptococcus species, Histoplasma species, and Leishmania species.

Abstract: A live bacteria-containing particulate is provided, wherein the particulate comprises a bacterial strain, a first covering layer, and a second covering layer, and wherein the first covering layer is in-between the cell membrane and cell wall of the bacterial strain and the bacterial strain is dispersed in the second covering layer. A method of preparing a live bacteria-containing particulates is also provided, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) subjecting a bacterial strain to a three-stage fermentation to obtain a fermentation broth; (b) concentrating the fermentation broth to provide a concentrated bacterial solution; (c) mixing the concentrated bacterial solution with a protective agent; and (d) drying the mixture to provide live bacteria-containing particulates.

Abstract: An oral pharmabiotic system is disclosed for improving oral, dental, and systemic health by repopulating and reshaping the flora within a patient's oral environment in a manner that overcomes the deficiencies of prior oral probiotic products. By formulating the pharmabiotic system as a strip for adhesive placement within a patients' oral cavity, preferably against the buccal mucosa, alveolar mucosa, oral labial mucosa, or a dental appliance, and configuring the parameters of the strip such that neither disadhesion nor complete dissolution occurs for at least a period of at least three hours during daytime use and at least six hours during nighttime use, the probiotic payload contained within may remain in the oral cavity for a sufficient length of time required for the probiotics to activate, replicate, and displace existing harmful oral pathobiotics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing an autoimmune disorder by reducing the amount or activity of Enterococcus sp. in a subject. In certain aspects, the present invention provides methods of diagnosing a subject as having an autoimmune disease or disorder by detecting an increased amount of Enterococcus sp. or anti-Enterococcus sp. antibodies in the subject.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising, and methods for using a composition comprising, Staphylococcal Exfoliative Toxin A (ETA) in an amount and duration sufficient to decrease the Stratum Corneum in a region of a subjects skin.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric polypeptides that may be used, e.g., for the diagnosis of or vaccination against Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying subjects treated with or considered for treatment with checkpoint blockade therapeutic agents that are at higher or lower risk for developing checkpoint therapy associated colitis, by analyzing the intestinal microbiome of those subjects. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the abundance of certain intestinal microbiota of the phyla Bacteroidetes, including the bacteria in the families Bacteroidaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Barnesisllaceae, and/or an increase or decrease in microbial genetic pathways involved in polyamine transport and/or B vitamin biosynthesis (e.g., (riboflavin (B2), pantothenate (B5) and thiamine (B1)) are associated with the likelihood of developing checkpoint therapy associated colitis.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising bacterial strains for treating and preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions based on Gram-negative outer membrane vesicles displaying antigens of pathogens expressed as part of a fusion protein comprising N-terminal parts of surface expressed lipoproteins of Gram-negative bacteria, and use of such compositions in vaccination. The invention further relates to the fusion lipoproteins comprising N-terminal parts of surface expressed lipoproteins of Gram-negative bacteria and antigens of pathogens fused thereto, DNA constructs and bacterial host cells for expressing these fusion lipoproteins and to methods for producing outer membrane vesicles displaying the fusion lipoproteins.

Abstract: A method for preparing a PRP conjugate having high storage stability and a method for producing a Hib conjugate vaccine are provided. A method for preparing PRP conjugate in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention is characterized by that the release of PRPs after preparing the PRP conjugate is suppressed by using PRP with a lowered molecular weight than native PRP for a coupling reaction between PRP and a carrier protein. Also, a Hib conjugate vaccine comprising as an antigen the PRP conjugate prepared by said method has excellent storage stability and maintain sufficient immunogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a DNA aptamer specifically binding to culture filtrate 10 kDa (CFP10); a biosensor for diagnosing tuberculosis, comprising the same: and an information providing method for diagnosing tuberculosis. The present applicants have ascertained that the DNA aptamer, according to the present invention, has the ability to specifically bind to a CFP10 protein and that the binding strength thereof is strong. When the DNA aptamer of the present invention is used, excellent stability superior to that of ELISA methods using existing antibodies can be expected, and thus it is expected that the aptamer can be effectively used in the development of a composition for diagnosing tuberculosis, a biosensor for diagnosing tuberculosis, an information providing method for diagnosing tuberculosis, and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel proteins and protein domains from newly discovered anaerobic fungal species. The anaerobic fungal species have unique enzymatic capabilities, including the ability to digest diverse lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks and to synthesize secondary metabolites. The scope of the invention encompasses novel engineered proteins comprising glycoside hydrolase enzymes, dockerin domains, carbohydrate binding domains, and polyketide synthase enzymes. The invention further encompasses artificial cellulosomes comprising novel proteins and domains of the invention. The scope of the invention further includes novel nucleic acid sequences coding for the engineered proteins of the invention, and methods of using such engineered organisms to degrade lignocellulosic biomass and to create polyketides.

Abstract: The disclosure generally provides a WRrNYVAC comprising multiple antigens from different stages of a malaria parasite (Plasmodium) life cycle, methods for producing them, immunogenic vaccine formulations comprising WRrNYVAC, such as P. vivax containing formulations (WRPvrNYVAC) and P. falciparum containing formulations (WRPfrNYVAC) and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of malaria infections and poxvirus infections.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for packaging reporter nucleic acid molecules into non-replicative transduction particles for use as reporter molecules. The non-replicative transduction particles can be constructed from viruses and use viral transduction and replication systems. The reporter nucleic acid molecules include a reporter gene, such as a reporter molecule or selectable marker, for detecting target genes or cells. Methods and systems are provided for detection of cells and target nucleic acid molecules using the non-replicative transduction particles as reporter molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to the delivery of heterologous peptides or proteins such as therapeutic peptides, therapeutic proteins or antigens to mucosal sites using vesicles derived from the outer membrane of commensal bacteria, recombinant bacteria capable of producing such vesicles, and methods for the production of such vesicles. The invention further relates to an inducible expression system for use in recombinant bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation matrix comprising at least 11 mg/ml Fc-binding ligands covalently coupled to a porous support, wherein: a) the ligands comprise multimers of alkali-stabilized Protein A domains, and b) the porous support comprises cross-linked polymer particles having a volume-weighted median diameter (d50,v) of 56-70 micrometers and a dry solids weight of 55-80 mg/ml.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions that stabilize a Clostridial toxin active ingredient are described. The compositions can be liquid or solid compositions, and comprise a surfactant and an antioxidant. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise a surfactant selected from a poloxamer and a polysorbate; an antioxidant selected from methionine, N-acetyl cysteine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and combinations thereof, and, optionally, a tonicity agent and/or a lyoprotector selected from, for example, trehalose, sucrose.