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: 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic nanoemulsion compositions and to methods of utilizing the same. In particular, nanoemulsion compositions are described herein that find use in the treatment and/or prevention of infection (e.g., respiratory infection (e.g., associated with cystic fibrosis)), in burn wound management, and in immunogenic compositions (e.g., comprising a Burkholderia antigen) that generate an effective immune response (e.g., against a bacterial species of the genus Burkholderia) in a subject administered the immunogenic composition. Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventative medicine), industrial, and research applications.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention provides meningococcal outer membrane vesicles in which NHBA is over-expressed. A second aspect of the invention provides meningococcal outer membrane vesicles in which NadA is over-expressed. A third aspect of the invention provides a panel of bacterial strains, each member of which is isogenic except for a single gene which in each strain encodes a different variant of an antigen of interest.

Abstract: Provided herein are vaccine compositions for control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and Chagas disease. The compositions comprise plasmids encoding o GPI-anchored genes ASP-2, TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 from Trypanosoma cruzi; plasmids encoding cytokines IL12 and GM-CSF; and plasmids encoding a gene expression system. Certain vaccine compositions comprise recombinant proteins, selected from TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 from Trypanosoma cruzi. In another vaccination strategy, the recombinant proteins are replaced by lysates comprising Trypanosoma rangeli cells. Further provided herein are diagnosis compositions comprising 1) recombinant proteins, selected from TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 from Trypanosoma cruzi; 2) antibodies that specifically binds the TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 proteins; 3) sense and antisense polynucleotide sequences that encode the TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 proteins. Said compositions can be used in diagnosing and/or evaluating efficacy of treatments against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of Brucella induced diseases and disorders are disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to vaccines. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to formulations capable of releasing said vaccines at a controlled rate of release in vivo. In further embodiments, the invention relates to modified strains of the bacteria Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to compositions that do not induce clinical symptoms or splenomegaly in a subject receiving said compositions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for transporting a pathogen under ambient conditions, by culturing the pathogen with an amoeba under conditions that favor the incorporation of the pathogen into a trophozoite, starving the amoeba until it encysts, then culturing under conditions that favor conversion of the amoeba back to a trophozoite. In one aspect, the conditions that favor incorporation of the pathogen into the cyst of the amoeba comprises contacting the pathogen with the amoeba in an iron rich environment. Virus and/or bacteria are pathogens that can be transported by the disclosed method. Amoeba that are useful in the disclosed methods include, without limitation Acanthamoeba castellanii, Hartmannella vermiformis and Naegleria gruberi.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid pharmaceutical composition of botulinum toxin which is improved in stability. It comprises botulinum toxin, polysorbate 20, and methionine and optionally isoleucine. Employing, instead of the animal-derived protein albumin or gelatin, a combination of polysorbate 20 and methionine and optionally isoleucine as botulinum toxin stabilizers, the liquid pharmaceutical composition eliminates the risk of contaminating the body with serum-derived pathogens or microorganisms and can be administered safely to the body. Also, the composition is convenient for use as a direct injection for patients. Superior to conventional compositions employing either detergents or amino acids in terms of the storage stability of botulinum toxin at 25˜37° C. as well as at refrigerated temperatures, the liquid pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is very useful for storing botulinum toxin under an emergency condition such as an environment without maintaining low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for testing agents (e.g., Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) detection and analysis). In particular, the present invention relates to the use of Human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) derived cells for agent detection and analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polypeptide having caspase activity comprising a large subunit and a small subunit wherein the caspase further comprises a neurotoxin cleavage site which upon cleavage activates the caspase activity. Also encompassed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as vectors or host cells comprising the polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample based on the polypeptide of the invention as well as the use of the polypeptide for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample, in general.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a treatment probe comprising an elongated body member and a needle portion. The elongated body member can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The needle portion can be connected to the distal end portion. The needle portion can include at least one electrode and at least one fluid port. The at least one electrode and the at least one fluid port can be configured to deliver electrical energy and a tumescent fluid, respectively, so that superficial tissue planes overlying a target nerve are protected from inadvertent heat damage as a result of application of electrical energy to a target nerve.

Abstract: Modified Rv3616c proteins and their use as medicaments, particularly for the prevention of reactivation of tuberculosis.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: Improved formulations for transdermal delivery of botulinum toxin are disclosed. The formulations include, for example, botulinum toxin non-covalently associated with a positively charged backbone having branching or efficiency groups. The formulations also include a partitioning agent, oligo-bridge, or polyanion bridge, and may optionally contain a viscosity modifying agent. The formulations are designed for topical application onto the skin of a patient and may be used to treat wrinkles, hyperhidrosis, and other health-related problems. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: A method for using a candida antigen in the treatment of psoriasis. In an embodiment, the method comprises periodically administering, to a patient having psoriasis, a candida antigen until clearance of the psoriasis is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms. The invention further provides methods for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms in situ within a single system.