Abstract: The instant invention relates to low acidic species (AR) compositions comprising a protein, e.g., an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, and methods, e.g., cell culture and/or protein purification methods, for producing such low AR compositions. Methods for using such compositions to treat a disorder, e.g., a disorder in which TNF? is detrimental, are also provided.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the field of protein production and in particular to controlled protein heterogeneity compositions and processes for controlling the heterogeneity of proteins expressed in host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating the glycosylation profile of recombinantly-expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of controlling the galactosylation profile of recombinantly-expressed proteins by supplementing production medium, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus, techniques and systems are provided for interfacing with an eye in laser surgery.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber and a controller is provided. The first optical fiber is operatively coupled to an elongate body that is adapted to be placed inside a patient. The second optical fiber is operatively coupled to the patient, to an actuating element adapted to actuate the elongate body, or to a portion of an imaging system adapted to identify a location of the portion relative to the elongate body. The controller is operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber and is adapted to receive a first signal from the strain sensor provided on the first optical fiber, receive a second signal from the strain sensor provided on the second optical fiber; and determine a position or orientation of the elongate body based on the first signal and based on the second signal.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is coupled to an external structure of a patient and has a strain sensor provided thereon. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor and to determine a property of respiration of the patient based on the signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of immunotherapy to treat cancer or other antigen-producing diseases or lesions. According to one embodiment of the invention, a composition is provided for eliciting an immune response to at (east one antigen in a patient having an antigen-producing disease or lesion, the composition comprising an effective amount of a cytokine mixture, preferably comprising IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFN ? (gamma) and TNF-? (alpha). The cytokine mixture acts as an adjuvant with the antigen associated with the antigen-producing disease or lesion to enhance the immune response of the patient to the antigen. Methods are therefore also provided for eliciting an immune response to at least one antigen in a patient having an antigen-producing disease or lesion utilizing the cytokine mixture of the invention. The compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of antigen-producing diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases or persistent lesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of immunotherapy to treat cancer or other antigen-producing diseases or lesions. According to one embodiment of the invention, a composition is provided for eliciting an immune response to at least one antigen in a patient having an antigen-producing disease or lesion, the composition comprising an effective amount of a cytokine mixture, preferably comprising IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-? (gamma) and TNF-? (alpha). The cytokine mixture acts as an adjuvant with the antigen associated with the antigen-producing disease or lesion to enhance the immune response of the patient to the antigen. Methods are therefore also provided for eliciting an immune response to at least one antigen in a patient having an antigen-producing disease or lesion utilizing the cytokine mixture of the invention. The compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of antigen-producing diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases or persistent lesions.

Abstract: A method for treating a CD40-mediated disease in a subject includes administering to cells expressing CD40 of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits binding of TNF receptor associated factor 2 (TRAF2) to a cytoplasmic portion of CD40.

Abstract: This invention discloses the use of an E-selectin antagonist in methods and compositions for treating or preventing immunocompromised conditions resulting from medical treatment. The present invention is particular useful for prophylaxis and/or treatment of hematopoietic disorders including neutropenia, agranulocytosis, anemia and thrombocytopenia in individuals receiving or proposed to receive treatments that target rapidly dividing cells or that disrupt the cell cycle or cell division.

Abstract: The present invention refers to fusion proteins comprising a neck region and carbohydrate recognition domain of a collectin trimerization domain, a linker element and an effector polypeptide. Further the invention refers to a nucleic acid encoding the said fusion protein. The fusion proteins, the nucleic acid, and the cell are suitable as pharmaceutical composition or for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications as described herein.

Abstract: Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), in the form of a preparation to be administered over ocular surface, is suggested as being suitable for therapy and/or prophylaxis of intraocular tissue pathologies, with particular reference to sclera, ciliary body, crystalline lens, retina, optic nerve, vitreous body and choroidea affections. When administered in the form of external ophthalmic preparation, for example as collyrium or ointment, NGF is capable to go through ocular tissues and it has been found out that it shows a therapeutic activity not only against retina and optic nerve pathologies but also against affections involving the above reported internal structures of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated human monoclonal antibodies that bind to IFNAR-1 and that are capable of inhibiting the biological activity of Type I interferons. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting Type I interferon-mediated disorders using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection or Graft Versus Host Disease using the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body in a geometric configuration, an optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber, wherein at least a portion of the optical fiber is in the geometric configuration. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive, from a source other than the optical fiber, information indicative of the geometric configuration, receive a signal from the strain sensor, and associate the signal with the geometric configuration.

Abstract: A nutritional composition for improving the immunological function of a subject, including a lipid or fat; a protein source; about 5 to about 100 mg/100 kcal of a source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which comprises docosahexanoic acid; and about 0.1 to about 1 mg/100 kcal of a prebiotic composition, wherein the prebiotic composition comprises at least 20% of an oligosaccharide which has a fermentation rate which is demonstrably slower than that of galacto-oligosaccharide.

Abstract: Methods for the use of keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC)/human growth-regulated oncogene (GRO) (KC/GRO), apolipoprotein A2 (APOA2), angiotensinogen r (AGT), thyroglobulin (TG), disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 (ADAM17), anionic trypsin-1 (PRSS1), complement C4 (C4A), zona pellucida sperm-binding protein 1 (ZP1), neuropilin-2 (NRP2), solute carrier family 13 member 2 (SLC13A2), glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor (GLP2R), lipoma high mobility group protein isoform I-C (HMGIC) fusion partner-like protein 4 (LHFPL4), and claudin-3 (CLDN3) as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and for monitoring the efficacy of treatment, in hemorrhagic shock (HS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-allergenic food product, comprising an amino acid fraction comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of amino acids and peptides having a degree of polymerization of 7 or less; and a lipid fraction comprising at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of arachidonic acid and docosahexanoic acid, the composition having a content of proteins and other peptides having a molecular weight of 1000 dalton or more of less than 0.01 wt. %, based on the dry weight, preferably less than 0.001 wt. %, more preferably less than 0.0001 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel kinocidin peptides comprising a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin, wherein the C-terminal portion encompasses an ?-helical secondary structure and further displays antimicrobial activity. The kinocidin peptides of the invention are derived from and correspond to a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin that includes a ??o core and that can be a CXC, CC, or C class chemokine. Structural, physicochemical and functional properties of this novel class of antimicrobial peptides and amino acid sequences of particular kinocidin peptides are also disclosed. The invention also provides related antimicrobial methods.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions involving inhibitors of Pre-B Cell Colony Enhancing Factor (PBEF) for inflammatory conditions and diseases, including acute lung injury (ALI), ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The present invention also concerns biomarkers for inflammation as well as methods for screening for PBEF inhibitors.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, a localization sensor and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber. The localization sensor is operatively coupled to the elongate body. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and to the localization sensor and is adapted to receive a first signal from the strain sensor, receive a second signal from the localization sensor, and determine a position or orientation of the elongate body based on the first signal and the second signal.