Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid pharmaceutical composition of botulinum toxin which is improved in stability. It comprises botulinum toxin, polysorbate 20, and methionine and optionally isoleucine. Employing, instead of the animal-derived protein albumin or gelatin, a combination of polysorbate 20 and methionine and optionally isoleucine as botulinum toxin stabilizers, the liquid pharmaceutical composition eliminates the risk of contaminating the body with serum-derived pathogens or microorganisms and can be administered safely to the body. Also, the composition is convenient for use as a direct injection for patients. Superior to conventional compositions employing either detergents or amino acids in terms of the storage stability of botulinum toxin at 25˜370C as well as at refrigerated temperatures, the liquid pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is very useful for storing botulinum toxin under an emergency condition such as an environment without maintaining low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms. The invention further provides methods for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms in situ within a single system.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for immediately immunizing an individual against any molecule or compound are provided. The present invention is directed to an immunity linker with at least two sites; (1) at least one first binding site that binds to an immune response component in an individual, and (2) at least one second binding site that binds specifically to a desired compound or molecule, the target. The second binding sites are preferably thiolated aptamers that have the benefit of increased stability, resistance to degradation and longer circulating half life. Methods of making and using pharmaceutical compositions including immunity linker molecules having a thiolated aptamer are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide a beneficial biological effect for a subject, and/or a method of treating the subject using the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to trigger and maintain the elevation of Glutathione levels within the subject. The apparatus may rely on a non-invasive mechanism to elevate Glutathione levels in the subject. The apparatus may not require a traditional power source such as a battery or wall plug in order to be effective in elevating Glutathione levels in the subject. To trigger and maintain the elevation of Glutathione levels within the subject, the apparatus may transmit communication to the body of the subject that results in increased levels of Glutathione within the subject.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for targeted mutagenesis of specific genes in a bacterial strain. By inducibly over-expressing error-prone polymerases such as Pol IV or Pol V in conjunction with nickase in a bacterial strain, and housing the targeted gene(s) on an episome or plasmid which contains one or more nickase recognition sequences, the targeted gene(s) can be selectively mutated at rates significantly greater than genes contained on the chromosome. The methods disclosed herein are useful for engineering desirable bacterial phenotypes and novel strains, including for example strains useful for treating or degrading waste and/or environmental contaminants, for optimizing bioprocesses, and for converting low-value feed-stock into value-added products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of rapidly detecting microorganisms using nanoparticles, and more particularly to a method and device of rapidly detecting microorganisms by adding, to the microorganisms to be detected, nanoparticles having immobilized thereon an antibody that binds specifically to the microorganisms to be detected, subjecting the mixture to an immune reaction to form a reaction solution, passing the reaction solution through a microorganism-concentrating film to concentrate the microorganisms, capturing microorganisms, which was immune-reacted with the antibody-immobilized nanoparticles, by a microorganism-capturing filtration membrane, and determining the presence and concentration of the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing transformed earthworms using the gonad-regenerating capability of earthworms, to transformed earthworms produced by the method, and to a method for producing recombinant proteins from the body fluids of transformed earthworms. The method for producing transformed earthworms according to the present invention is a novel biotechnology technique which overcomes the drawbacks of conventional transgenesis techniques, and which has high injection efficiency. The method for producing transformed earthworms according to the present invention uses regenerative blast cells having totipotency, such as embryonic stem cells, and therefore, recombinant genes can be incorporated throughout the entire transformant, and recombinant proteins can be made from the body fluids of the transformant.

Abstract: Bacterial virulence is repressed by compositions and methods for activating permanently a repressor of virulence factors. Compositions provided contain at least one non-metabolizable analog of guanine, guanosine, isoleucine and valine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of polypeptides derived from the Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin and the use thereof as immunogens for the production of vaccines and antitoxins, as well as research and drug development applications. Clostridium botulinum is responsible for food bone botulism, a severe and often deadly disease. Botulinum neurotoxin binds to neural cells and are translocated into the cytosol. The toxin then prevents neurotransmitter release by cleaving a SNARE protein. A double mutant E224A/E262 full length botulinum neurotoxin Type A holo form was successfully cloned and purified, which lacks the endopeptidase activity involved in the toxic action of the BoNT, and thus leading to its detoxification (DR BoNT/A). This new molecule can be used as an antidote against botulism, and also as a vaccine candidate for botulism. Due to the poor availability and extreme toxicity of native holo-toxin, a nontoxic form of the holo-toxin is highly desired for research and vaccine development.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising antagonists of IL-23 are provided for the treatment of infections, such as chronic bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Abstract: Methods for aiding in the diagnosis of disorders including, but not limited to, PDDs (Pervasive Development Disorders), Dysautonomic disorders, Parkinson's disease and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In one aspect, a diagnosis method comprises analyzing a stool sample of an individual for the presence of a biological marker (or marker compound) comprising one or more pathogens, which provides an indication of whether the individual has, or can develop, a disorder including, but not limited to, a PDD, Dysautonomia, Parkinsons disease and SIDS. Preferably, the presence of one or more pathogens is determined using a stool immunoassay to determine the presence of antigens in a stool sample, wherein such antigens are associated with one or more pathogens including, but not limited to, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. histolytica, C. difficile, Adenovirus, Rotavirus or H. pylori.

Abstract: A high potency botulinum toxin pharmaceutical composition comprising two excipients (such as albumin and sodium chloride) in a weight to weight ratio of between about 1 and about 100.

Abstract: Bordetella pertussis p69 antigen is purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention addresses an ongoing need in the art to improve the stability of immunogenic compositions such as polysaccharide-protein conjugates and protein immunogens. The invention broadly relates to novel formulations which stabilize and inhibit precipitation of immunogenic compositions. More particularly, the invention described hereinafter, addresses a need in the art for formulations which stabilize and inhibit particulate formation (e.g., aggregation, precipitation) of immunogenic compositions which are processed, developed, formulated, manufactured and/or stored in container means such as fermentors, bioreactors, vials, flasks, bags, syringes, rubber stoppers, tubing and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface. The nanocarriers are capable of targeting antigen presenting cells when administered to a subject. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: This invention pertains to Lawsonia intracellularis bacterium of a serotype which is reactive with monoclonal antibody INT-LIC-02-02 as produced by hybridoma INT-LIC-02-02 deposited with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Micro-organismes of the Institut Pasteur at Paris France under nr. CNCM I-4049 but which is not reactive with antibody INT-LIC-01-28 as produced by hybridoma INT-LIC-01-28 deposited with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Micro-organismes of the Institut Pasteur at Paris France under nr. CNCM I-4048. The invention also pertains to vaccines for protection against an infection with Lawsonia intracellularis based on those novel bacteria, antibodies suitable for diagnosing the novel Lawsonia intracellularis serotype and hybridomas for producing the said antibodies.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides lyophilised compositions comprising an antigen and a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonist. Such compositions may be reconstituted into immunogenic compositions for use in vaccination with a carrier selected from the group of particulate carriers consisting of liposomes, mineral salts, emulsions, polymers and ISCOMs. Methods of making immunogenic compositions from the lyophilised compositions of the invention and use of the same in immunisation are also herein provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating diseases and disorders by administering a composition containing the neurotoxic component of a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex, wherein the composition is devoid of any other protein of the Clostridium botulinum toxin complex and wherein the composition is administered at short intervals and/or in high doses.

Abstract: The present invention includes cold-adapted, acid-fast bacterium for use as a vaccine and a vaccine vector. In preferred embodiments, the cold-adapted, acid-fast bacterium is a Mycobacteria, for example, Mycobacteria shottsii.