Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-hemolysin (?-HL) pore which is useful for detecting one or more nucleotides by stochastic sensing. The pore is particularly useful for sequencing DNA or RNA. A molecular adaptor that allows detection of the nucleotide(s) is covalently attached to the pore. The pore is specifically modified to facilitate positioning of the adaptor and may be modified to facilitate covalent attachment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of lactic acid-producing bacteria to boost the immune system.

Abstract: Compositions that include at least a portion of at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a Den1 viral envelope protein, a Den2 viral envelope protein, a Den3 viral envelope protein and a Den4 viral envelope protein are employed in methods to stimulate a protective immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soluble polypeptide comprised of repeat modules. More particularly, the present invention relates to a soluble fusion polypeptide of the N-terminal domain of internalin and LRR (Leucine rich repeat) family protein, a method for preparing the polypeptide, a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide, a host cell comprising the vector, a method for producing a solubility and folding-improved fusion polypeptide by expressing the vector in the host cell, and a method for improving the solubility and folding of the fusion polypeptide. Further, the present invention relates to a method for preparing the polypeptide bound with a specific target and analyzing the efficacy of the soluble polypeptide.

Abstract: A process for preparing human relaxin-2 having the following amino acid sequence: A chain: (SEQ?ID?NO:?1) pGlu-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Asn-Lys-Cys-Cys-His- Val-Gly-Cys-Thr-Lys-Arg-Ser-Leu-Ala-Arg-Phe-Cys B chain: (SEQ?ID?NO:?2) Asp-Ser-Trp-Met-Glu-Glu-Val-Ile-Lys-Leu-Cys-Gly- Arg-Glu-Leu-Val-Arg-Ala-Gln-Ile-Ala-Ile-Cys-Gly- Met-Ser-Thr-Trp-Ser; comprising the following steps: providing the amino acids necessary for the synthesis of the A and B chains with usual protective groups, wherein the cysteines are employed as trityl-protected amino acids (L-Cys(Trt)-OH); effecting a chromatographic purification of the individual chains A and B after the solid state synthesis; followed by the simultaneous folding and combination of the individual chains A and B in ammonium hydrogencarbonate buffer at pH 7.9 to 8.4; and subsequent purification of the relaxin-2 formed.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: The invention provides the tools needed for a dental patient's caries risk assessment. Included is a complete turnkey system for caries risk assessment and treatment, including an ATP test and a plurality of rinses and educational and diagnostic materials. The system for the detection and treatment of the bacterial infection that causes dental caries in a patient comprises a disposable ATP Bioluminescence sampler to swab areas of the patient's mouth, a bioluminescent light meter which measures the amount of ATP present in the patient's mouth, a rapid culture test for the detection of Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, a diagnostic testing component that includes a caries risk assessment questionnaire, a treatment component that includes a short term therapeutic oral rinse of at least two components, and a long term maintenance rinse.

Abstract: Provided is a bio-hybrid material that does not cause elution of nickel ions and has an excellent endothelialization ability, a production method therefor, and a stent. The bio-hybrid material (101) used includes an alloy part (11) free of Ni, an organic acid (12) having two or more active esters, and a cytokine (13). The alloy part (11) free of Ni forms an ester bond with the organic acid (12), and the organic acid (12) and the cytokine (13) are immobilized via an amide bond.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating an Interferon gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10)-related disease in a subject, comprising: (a) administering to the subject a predetermined dosage of an anti-IP-10 antibody; (b) detecting the level of the anti-IP-10 antibody in a sample of the subject; and (c) if the level of the anti-IP-10 antibody from step (b) is below a threshold exposure level, increasing the dosage of the anti-IP-10 antibody in the subject such that the IP-10 related disease in the subject is treated. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody, or an antigen binding portion thereof, which binds to the anti-IP-10 antibody MDX-1100.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant carboxydotrophic Clostridia microorganism with increased overall utilization of NADPH relative to a parent microorganism. Further, the invention provides a method of producing a recombinant carboxydotrophic Clostridia microorganism which exhibits increased NADPH utilization relative to a parental microorganism. In particular, the invention relates to increasing the overall utilization of NADPH in a recombinant carboxydotrophic Clostridia microorganism in order to increase the production of at least one fermentation product by the microorganism.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: This invention describes novel adjuvant compositions and formulations with excellent stability at refrigerated and room temperatures and up to and about 37° C. that can be produced at remarkably low costs. This invention describes novel vaccine compositions and formulations to treat and prevent urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli. This invention also describes methods of administration of said novel vaccine compositions and formulations and methods of treatment to prevent and treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including E. coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Abstract: This invention describes novel adjuvant compositions and formulations with excellent stability at refrigerated and room temperatures and up to and about 37° C. that can be produced at remarkably low costs. This invention describes novel vaccine compositions and formulations to treat and prevent urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli. This invention also describes methods of administration of said novel vaccine compositions and formulations and methods of treatment to prevent and treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including E. coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Abstract: A method and system for exposing an expectant mother to a mixture of farm derived manure-containing soil to reduce the chances her baby will suffer allergies. City dwelling expectant mothers are exposed to immunologic agents and allergens in a fashion (e.g., via exposure to farm animal manure-containing soils) that charges their immune system and that of their fetus(es) so that their babies, once born, are provided with immunity against a variety of autoimmune diseases, including allergies commonly and increasingly experienced in modern urban environments.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of peptide Omiganan in solution phase. Novel intermediates in the process for the manufacture of Omiganan and processes for the manufacture of these intermediates.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses humanized antibodies that specifically bind N2 peptide, methods for the preparation thereof and methods for the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining whether a patient having hyperplastic polyps is at risk of developing a colonic neoplasia after resection of said hyperplastic polyps, said method comprising the step of determining the level of progastrin expression in a tissue sample of a hyperplastic polyp obtained from said patient.

Abstract: Compositions of either the aquaporin protein from the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, or a nucleic acid construct incorporating a nucleic acid sequence encoding this aquaporin protein, are effective for eliciting a protective immune response against other tick species in non-bovine animals. The R. microplus aquaporin protein is antigenic and can be administered as a protein vaccine, or in the alternative, the nucleic acid construct can be utilized as a DNA vaccine. Induction of the immune response significantly reduces or eliminates the infestation of treated, non-bovine animals with ticks other than the cattle tick, particularly the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Moreover, as ticks are vectors of a variety of pathogenic agents, the reduction in the incidence of tick infestation afforded by the vaccines may concurrently reduce the incidence of diseases caused by these pathogenic agents in susceptible animals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an animal model that can be used, among other things, to generate biomarkers for the prognosis and/or diagnosis of acute kidney injury, more specifically sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. Disclosed are three such biomarkers. The disclosure specifically relates to human chitinase 3-like protein 1 for use as a biomarker.