Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against S. epidermidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-?-glutamic acid (such as ?DLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express a ?PGA polypeptide. The ?PGA conjugates elicit an effective immune response against S. epidermidis, or other staphylococci, in subjects to which the conjugates are administered. A method of treating an infection caused by a Staphylococcus organism that expresses cap genes is also disclosed. The method can include selecting a subject who is at risk of or has been diagnosed with the infection by the Staphylococcus organism which expresses ?PGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of a ?PGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered.

Abstract: The structures of Edema Factor alone and Edema Factor bound to calmodulin without substrate has been crystallized and its structure determined by x-ray crystallography. Based upon these crystal structures, a method assaying for inhibitors of infection by a bacteria is presented which comprises obtaining a potential inhibitor, obtaining a calmodulin activated adenylyl cyclase exotoxin, obtaining calmodulin, admixing the potential inhibitor, the exotoxin, and the calmodulin, and assaying to determine whether or not the potential inhibitor inhibits production of cAMP by exotoxin.

Abstract: A mutant cholera holotoxin featuring a point mutation at amino acid 29 of the A subunit, wherein the glutamic acid residue is replaced by an amino acid other than aspartic acid, is useful as an adjuvant in an antigenic composition to enhance the immune response in a vertebrate host to a selected antigen from a pathogenic bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite. In a particular embodiment, the amino acid 29 is histidine. The mutant cholera holotoxin may contain at least one additional mutation in the A subunit at a position other than amino acid 29. The antigenic composition may include a second adjuvant in addition to the mutant cholera holotoxin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medium, broth or agar, and a method of utilizing the same, in order to isolate and/or identify anaerobes from a mixed sample that contains facultative microorganisms. The medium contains an inhibitor of the electron transport system, such as a salt of azide (N3?), cyanide (CN?) or related compounds. These inhibitors are present in an amount sufficient to limit the growth of facultative microorganisms under anaerobic conditions while not inhibiting the growth of the anaerobe microorganisms. Preferably, the inhibitor is present in the amount of from about 0.1 mg/ml to about 1.0 mg/ml in broth medium, and from about 0.01 mg/ml to 1.0 mg/ml in agar medium.

Abstract: The DNA of the invention are characterised in that they concern the whole or part of genes, with their reading frame, to be found in Neisseria meningitidis, but not in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or in Neisseria lactamica except the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the polysaccharide capsule, frp A, frp C, opc, por A, rotamase the sequence IC1106, IgA protease, pilline, pilC, transferrin binding proteins and opacity proteins. The invention also concerns the polypeptides corresponding to these DNA and the antibodies directed against these polypeptides. It is applicable in the prevention and the detection of meningococcus induced infections and meningitis.

Abstract: Mutant cholera holotoxins comprising a cholera toxin subunit A having single amino acid substitutions in the amino acid positions 16 or 72 or a double amino acid substitution in the amino acid positions 16 and 68 or 68 and 72 have reduced toxicity compared to the wild-type cholera holotoxin. The mutant cholera holotoxins are useful as adjuvants in immunogenic compositions to enhance the immune response in a vertebrate host to a selected antigen from a pathogenic bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite, a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an allergen, or a self-molecule.

Abstract: The press device for a paper web, such as a calender, contains a flexible moving element (1a) forming an endless structure, said element forming the shell (1) of a roll, the press device including further a counter roll. Inside the moving element (1a) there is a shoe element (3) that is arranged to support the shell (1a) against the counter roll to form a nip (N). The width and/or the surface contour of the supporting surface of the shoe element (3) guiding the shell of the roll in the nip contact varies in the machine direction and the shoe element is positionable in the machine direction to adjust the nip width and/or length.

Abstract: The present invention provides BoNT/A peptides as well as methods of predicting or determining immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual using BoNT/A peptides.

Abstract: Chalazia and hordeola are the most common lesions occurring in the human eyelid, and often recurrences are managed by surgical intervention to remove fatty inclusions within the lid with associated inflammatory reaction. The present invention provides non-surgical methods of treating chalazia, hordeola and cutaneous infections comprising the administration of compositions comprising botulinum toxin. The present invention provides methods that effectively block meibum secretion from the meibomian glands, reduce sebaceous bacterial culture media on skin, and sebaceous secretion from the glands of Zeis. Decreased production of meibum and associated fatty substances resulting from the methods of the present invention, decrease gland blockage and tissue inspissations, resulting in reduced recurrence of chalazia, hordeola and related inflammatory reactions and lesions.

Abstract: Mutant cholera holotoxins having single or double amino acid substitutions or insertions have reduced toxicity compared to the wild-type cholera holotoxin. The mutant cholera holotoxins are useful as adjuvants in antigenic compositions to enhance the immune response in a vertebrate host to a selected antigen from a pathogenic bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite, a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an allergen, or a self-molecule.

Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: This invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of fucosyltransferases from Helicobactor pylori. The invention also provides methods to use the fucosyltransferases to synthesize oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids.

Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: This invention provides Pseudomonas exotoxin A-like chimeric immunogens that include a non-native epitope in the Ib domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Methods of eliciting an immune response using these immunogens also are provided.

Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds that are inhibitors of bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis are disclosed. Such compounds can be used as lead compounds in methods for preparing antibacterial agents for treating bacterial infections (e.g., in humans, animals, and plants). Inhibitors of bacterial fatty acid synthesis can also be tested for their ability to inhibit synthesis of acylated homoserine lactones. Compounds that inhibit synthesis of acylated homoserine lactones can be used as inhibitors of bacterial virulence. The disclosed methods allow for high throughput screening of libraries of test compounds.

Abstract: A majority of E. faecalis and E. faecium clinical isolates fall into two groups and three groups, respectively. Distinct antigens are associate with each of the five groups. The Enterococcus antigens are readily obtained from strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium, and can elicit production of protective antibodies. Accordingly, the antigens are useful for vaccines which protect against infection by clinically significant (pathogenic) Enterococcus isolates. The antigens and antibodies generated to the antigens are also useful in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: Mutant cholera holotoxins comprising a cholera toxin subunit A having single amino acid substitutions in the amino acid positions 16 or 72 or a double amino acid substitution in the amino acid positions 16 and 68 or 68 and 72 have reduced toxicity compared to the wild-type cholera holotoxin. The mutant cholera holotoxins are useful as adjuvants in immunogenic compositions to enhance the immune response in a vertebrate host to a selected antigen from a pathogenic bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite, a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an allergen, or a self-molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel molecule useful for anthrax toxin inhibition in vivo and also provides a method for in vivo inhibition of anthrax toxin action using the new molecule.

Abstract: The invention describes the identification, making, and isolation of immunoglobulin and antigen useful for preventing, diagnosing, and treating staphylococcal infections. The invention further describes an in vivo animal model useful for testing the efficacy of pharmaceutical compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions of immunoglobulin and isolated antigen.

Abstract: Modified neurotoxins that contain protease cleavage sites susceptible uniquely to proteases present in certain tissues are described. The toxins can be selectively activated by proteases in muscle or selectively inactivated by proteases in blood.