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 inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: A combined measles-malaria vaccine containing different attenuated recombinant measles-malaria vectors comprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding several Plasmodium falciparum antigens is described. Preferably, it relates to viral vectors that comprise nucleic acids encoding the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of P. falciparum, the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of P. falciparum, and its derivatives (p-42; p-83-30-38) in its glycosylated and secreted forms, and apical membrane antigen1 (AMA1) of P. falciparum, in its anchored or secreted form. The viral vector stems from an attenuated measles virus, based on a strain that is used as a vaccine and is efficient in delivering the gene of interest and that binds to and infects the relevant immune cells efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Salmonella enterica comprising at least one pgl operon of Campylobacter jejuni or a functional derivative thereof and presenting at least one N-glycan of Campylobacter jejuni or N-glycan derivative thereof on its cell surface. In addition, it is directed to medical uses and pharmaceutical compositions thereof as well as methods for treating and/or preventing Campylobacter and optionally Salmonella infections and methods for producing these Salmonella strains.

Abstract: Provided herein are insoluble particles that include polypeptides. The polypeptides may have immunogenicity that is greater than the immunogenicity of the same polypeptides when they are not present in the particle. The polypeptides may be soluble before incorporation into the particles and insoluble after incorporation into the particles. The particles may include lipopolysaccharide, wherein the lipopolysaccharide is insoluble. The particles may include a carrier. In one embodiment, a carrier is present at no greater than 0.001 mg carrier/mg particles. In one embodiment, a carrier is present at a ratio of carrier to polypeptide (weight:weight) of no greater than 0.05:1. In one embodiment, a carrier is not detectable in the particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods to protect against disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Chlamydia. In particular, the present invention relates to isolated B- and T-cell epitopes derived from the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia psittaci which can be used against an infection with a species of the genus Chlamydia. More in particular, the invention provides a vaccine which can be used against chlamydiosis caused by Chlamydia psittaci in birds and man. In addition, the invention relates to a diagnostic method to diagnose the latter infections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein, and preferably less which has been purified with 0.1N Na OH prior to deproteinizing. Also disclosed are polyvalent antibodies raised against Streptococcus pneumoniae which have been affinity purified by passing them over a chromatographic affinity matrix to which is coupled the purified and at least partially deproteinized antigen to render them antigen-specific.

Abstract: Present invention features a method for controlling body weight, comprising Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 with the deposition numbers of BCRC 910452 and CCTCC M 209263. Moreover, the invention also relates to a novel use of the composition or the isolated Lactobacillus strain for controlling body weight, whose mechanism is inhibiting biosynthesis of lipids and reducing formation of lipid droplets so as to control body weight.

Abstract: A biological material is disclosed for exerting antagonism against vegetable pathogens, which contains Bacillus mojavensis R3B mutant strain deposited under # NCAIM (P) B 001389 according to the Budapest Treaty. The biological material according to the invention is an effective antagonist against the pathogens of vegetables, preferably tomato, pepper, lettuce and/or cabbage, in particular against the pathogens selected from the group of Xanthomonas vesicatoria, Pseudomonas syringae and Clavibacter michiganensis vegetable pathogen bacteria and Pythium debaryanum, Phytophthora infestans, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum vegetable pathogen fungi.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for a purified fungal carbohydrate-linked polymer bead platform, which can serve as an artificial fungus-like particle to measure specific patient immune responses to fungal carbohydrate antigens. A specific embodiment comprises a purified ?-1,3-glucan chemically conjugated to a polymer bead.

Abstract: An isolated protein or peptide selected from the group consisting of Bordetella colonization factor A (BcfA) protein and antigenic fragments thereof is described, along with an isolated nucleic acid encoding the same, antibodies that bind to the same, methods of producing an immune response in a mammalian subject in need thereof by administering the proteins, peptides or antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting and identifying antigens that are shed into human bodily fluids during infection. The disclosed method allows circulating antigens associated with a particular infection to be detected within minutes or hours from testing as compared to days required with the current methods. Methods of identifying diagnostic indicators/targets for a given condition or disease are disclosed which include immunizing a verterinary subject with biological fluids obtained from a human infected with particular antigens to identify diagnostic targets for immunoassay. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing and monitoring a B. pseudomallei-associated condition, such as melioidosis. Point-of-care immunoassays are also provided that can be used to diagnose or monitor the efficacy of a B. pseudomallei-associated condition treatment. These immunoassays can also be used for rapid diagnosis of infection produced by B. pseudomallei, such as meliodosis.

Abstract: A thermo-reversible thermoplastic pharmaceutical composition, comprising a botulinum toxin and a biocompatible poloxamer which provides thermoreversibility to the composition and additionally stabilizes the botulinum toxin, is described. The pharmaceutical composition can be administered to a patient as a liquid, and gels after administration into a sustained release drug delivery system from which the biologically active botulinum toxin is released over a multi-day period thereby localizing the drug as a depot and controlling release to enhance the therapeutic effect per dose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods to identify novel bacteria and metabolites derived therefrom. More specifically, the invention describes a novel method to isolate bacteria producing metabolites of interest from environmental samples. Particularly, the invention discloses a method to select rare antibiotic producing bacteria. The invention can be used from any sample and allows the isolation of bacteria having e.g., pharmaceutical or agrochemical interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of medical microbiology and vaccines. In particular the invention relates to a process for detergent-free preparation of outer membrane vesicles (OMV) of Gram negative bacteria for use in vaccines, to OMV obtainable by said process, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such OMV. The present invention further relates to the use of OMV of the present invention as a medicament in particular for use in a method for eliciting an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that immunospecifically bind to a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen, which formulations exhibit stability, low to undetectable levels of aggregation, and very little to no loss of the biological activities of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, even during long periods of storage. In particular, the present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof which immunospecifically binds to a RSV antigen, which formulations are substantially free of surfactant, inorganic salts, and/or other common excipients. Furthermore, the invention provides method of preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with RSV infection utilizing liquid formulations of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnosis of active tuberculosis, comprising a step of contacting lymphocytes of a patient suspected to have active tuberculosis with at least one protein of mycobacteria, said protein being an enzyme having a lipolytic activity, and a step of detecting the presence of specific activated lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention is an attenuated mutant strain of Streptococcus pneumonia that has a mutation in the FtsY gene. Vaccines, kits and methods for protecting a subject against Streptococcus pneumonia disease or colonization using the attenuated mutant strain are also provided.

Abstract: Herein is reported a fusion polypeptide according to formula (I): NH2—S2—X1—S1—COOH, wherein X1 comprises either a random amino acid sequence or an amino acid sequence derived from a first polypeptide, S2 and S1 are non-overlapping amino acid sequences derived from a second polypeptide, and denotes a peptide bond, wherein the second polypeptide is a polypeptide with peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerase activity (PPIase activity) or is derived from the FKBP-fold domain family, wherein X1 is inserted in place of the insert-in-flap-domain of the second polypeptide.

Abstract: Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is a lactic acid producing bacteria. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating a lactobacillus fermentation medium with lactic acid producing bacterial cells, harvesting the lactic acid producing bacterial cells at mid to late log phase, concentrating the lactic acid producing bacterial cells, and preserving the lactic acid producing bacterial cells at a concentration of at least 5×109 cfu/ml.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a neuromuscular defect in a subject. One step of the method includes locating a target nerve. After locating the target nerve, a treatment probe is provided. The treatment probe includes an elongated body member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes an energy delivery mechanism for stimulating or ablating the target nerve, a monitoring mechanism, and a fluid aspiration/delivery mechanism. Next, the target nerve is verified as an appropriate target for ablation by stimulating and then monitoring the target nerve via the energy delivery mechanism and the monitoring mechanism, respectively. After verifying the target nerve, a tumescent fluid is injected into the tissue surrounding the target nerve. An electric current is then delivered to the energy delivery mechanism to substantially ablate the target nerve.