Abstract: Mutants of recombinant immunoregulatory protein of Ganoderma lucidum (rLZ-8) and applications thereof are provided. It is found by the present invention that: an anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) domain exists in a structure of the rLZ-8; particularly, the domain through positive potential characteristics thereof induces a killing effect to an abnormal EGFR-expressed tumor. Based on the above scientific discovery, with utilizing computational simulation technology, the mutants of the rLZ-8, having better antitumor effects, are obtained.

Abstract: The disclosure provides amino acid sequence variants of Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) proteases that cleave (VAMP1, VAMP2, VAMP7, VAMP8, SNAP25, SNAP23, PTEN, etc.) and methods of evolving the same. In some embodiments, proteases described by the disclosure are useful for cleaving proteins found in a cell, that is in an intracellular environment. In some embodiments, proteases described by the disclosure are useful for treating diseases associated with increased or aberrant VAMP7, VAMP8, SNAP23 or PTEN expression or activity, for example, cancer and neurological disorders. Some aspects of this disclosure provide methods for generating BoNT protease variants by continuous directed evolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for specific activation of inflammatory responses in dendritic cells (DCs). 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero phosphorylcholine (PAPC) and its oxidized variant (oxPAPC) were identified to promote DC-mediated immunity, and are provided as adjuvants in immunostimulatory compositions, including vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for targeted treatment of CD33-expressing cancers. In particular, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptides are disclosed that can be used with adoptive cell transfer to target and kill CD33-expressing cancers. Also disclosed are immune effector cells, such as T cells or Natural Killer (NK) cells, that are engineered to express these CARs. Therefore, also disclosed are methods of providing an anti-tumor immunity in a subject with a CD33-expressing cancer that involves adoptive transfer of the disclosed immune effector cells engineered to express the disclosed CARs. Also disclosed are multivalent antibodies are disclosed that are able to engage T-cells to destroy CD33-expressing malignant cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for treating or preventing a viral and/or bacterial respiratory infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the respiratory tract of the subject an effective amount of one or more bacteria from family Pasteurellaceae.

Abstract: Modified PH20 hyaluronidase polypeptides, including modified polypeptides that exhibit increased stability and/or increased activity, are provided. Also provided are compositions and formulations and uses thereof.

Abstract: A fermentation process is provided for the synthesis of Nigericin from Streptomyces sp. having accession number MCC 0151 and its isolation with high yield. A microbial inoculant composition is provided, comprising a biologically pure culture of Streptomyces sp. MCC 0151 for the exclusive production of Nigericin with high yield.

Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic compositions, particularly vaccine compositions, for use in providing protection against illness caused by bacterial infection with Shigella strains.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis in a subject comprising determining whether the subject is immunologically reactive with P. copri or a portion thereof. In one aspect of the invention the immunological reactivity of the subject to one or more protein of P. copri or polypeptide fragments thereof such as protein Pc-p27 or polypeptide fragments thereof, as compared to an appropriate control, indicates the subject has rheumatoid arthritis. Examples of specific assays, compositions, and kits for use with the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for cultivating a Bordetella species, comprising: cultivating a Bordetella species under aerobic conditions in a liquid culture medium; and maintaining a pH of the liquid culture medium by using a strong acid, such as nitric acid, or using a first and second acid, wherein the first acid is an inorganic acid that dissociates essentially completely in water, such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and wherein the second acid is an inorganic acid having an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of greater than 1, such as phosphoric acid. Methods for increasing the yield of Bordetella fimbrial agglutinogen 2 and fimbrial agglutinogen 3 (FIM2/3) in a supernatant fraction from a Bordetella culture are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and uses of compositions (e.g. comprising one or more microbial strains, one or more components, one or more metabolites, or a combination thereof) for treating neurodegenerative diseases, disorders, and conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: Mycobacterial-specific biomarkers and methods of using such biomarkers for diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in a mammal are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chain myeloid capable of specifically binding to CD33, CD16 and CD123, wherein said nucleic molecule comprises: (a) a nucleic add molecule encoding a protein represented by SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a nucleic acid molecule represented by SEQ ID NO:2; (c) the nucleic add molecule of (b), wherein each thymine is replaced by urea; (d) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein having at least 98% sequence identity to the protein of (a); or (e) a nucleic add molecule that is degenerate with respect to the nucleic acid molecule of (b) or (c). The present invention further relates to a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, a host cell transformed or transfected with the nucleic acid molecule or the vector of the invention, as well as to a method for the production of a single chain myeloid capable of specifically binding to CD33, CD16 and CD123.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising a fragment of a teleost invariant chain fused to one or more antigens can enhance T cell response. Alternatively a teleost invariant chain fused to one or more antigens or antigenic fragments thereof can be used. A polynucleotide encoding such polypeptides, vectors comprising such polynucleotides, collection of vectors comprising such polynucleotides are also disclosed. The use of such polypeptides, polynucleotides, vectors for treating or preventing diseases, in particular tumor diseases are also encompassed by the present invention. The teleost invariant chain polypeptides or fragments thereof act as “T cell enhancer” converting non-immunogenic antigenic sequences into immunogenic T cell antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the in vitro diagnosis of lung cancer in a subject, comprising the detection of progastrin using at least one progastrin-binding antibody. According to the method of the invention, the subject is diagnosed with a lung cancer when progastrin is detected in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coding gene of the SOSEKI protein SOK2 and an application thereof, wherein through molecular regulation of the SOSEKI protein SOK2, the flowering time of Panicum virgatum is delayed, biomass is increased, lignin content in the cell wall of Panicum virgatum is reduced and the fermentable sugar yield is boosted.

Abstract: The application discloses method of immunising against Neisseria meningitidis infection comprising the steps of a) immunising a human patient at a first age of between 0 and 11 months with a bacterial saccharide conjugate vaccine comprising at least one, two or three bacterial saccharide(s) separately conjugated to a carrier protein to form at least one, two or three bacterial saccharide conjugate(s); and b) immunising the human patient at a second age of between 12 and 24 months with a Neisseria meningitidis conjugate vaccine comprising at least two capsular saccharides selected from the group consisting of N. meningitidis serogroup A capsular saccharide (MenA), N. meningitidis serogroup C capsular saccharide (MenC), N. meningitidis serogroup W135 capsular saccharide (MenW135), and N.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating uterine fibroids in vivo, and methods of reducing symptoms associated with uterine fibroids, including pain, bleeding and infertility. The disclosed compositions comprise collagenase in an amount effective to cause shrinkage and/or reduce stiffness of uterine fibroids.

Abstract: An isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae membrane vesicle microparticle (MP), wherein said MP comprises: the protein Ply at the level of ?0.070 ?g/?g total protein in the MP; and/or the protein LytA at the level of ?0.070 ?g/?g total protein in the MP; and/or the protein PspC at the level of ?0.130 ?g/?g total protein in the MP; and/or the protein RrgB at the level of ?0.020 ?g/?g total protein in the MP. Compositions comprising such MPs. Uses thereof in particular in immunization, as well as methods of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified fungal host cell capable of producing prespatane and/or epi-isozizaene comprising prespatane synthase (PPS) and/or epi-isozizaene synthase (EIZS).