Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an antibody or antibody fragment to a conformational epitope specific for misfolded inactive human parathyroid hormone and fragments thereof. The method includes the steps of a) immunizing an animal with an immunogen which comprises oxidized parathyroid hormone or an oxidized fragment of parathyroid hormone, or both; and b) recovering an antibody, antibody fragments, or single chain antibody. The complementary determining region of the recovered antibody, antibody fragment or single chain antibody is capable of specifically recognizing a conformational epitope (antigenic determinant) which is present on oxidized parathyroid hormone and fragments thereof only but not regular bioactive human parathyroid hormone.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a bacterial strain belonging to Lactobacillus brevis subspecies brevis, which has more potent antiallergic activity than the known lactic acid bacteria strains and produces ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is another object of the present invention to provide beverages and foods containing cells of the aforementioned bacterial strain belonging to Lactobacillus brevis subspecies brevis, as well as antiallergic agents containing them as an active ingredient. The present invention provides a bacterial strain belonging to Lactobacillus brevis subspecies brevis, which: is capable of growing in effervescent alcoholic beverages, produces ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and has antiallergic activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for culturing mesenchymal stem cells, comprising culturing mesenchymal stem cells in a medium containing calcium in a concentration of from 2.1 to 3.8 mM and magnesium in a concentration of from 1.0 to 3.0 mM under a hypoxic condition of 2 to 5% oxygen. The culturing method can increase the population of mesenchymal stem cells even with a small number of passages by improving mesenchymal stem cells in proliferative capacity and viability. In addition, the mesenchymal stem cells prepared by the culturing method are effectively used not only as a safe cell therapeutic agent due to their lacking immunogenicity, but also as a cartilage regenerating medicine owing to their excellent secretion of cytokines.

Abstract: Composite grafts including a biocompatible, synthetic scaffold; and a biological tissue component obtained or derived from a deceased donor tissue, wherein the biological tissue component is embedded in the biocompatible, synthetic scaffold, are provided as systems relating thereto. Methods of manufacture and methods of treatment using such grafts are also provided.

Abstract: Herein are reported glycosylated repeat-motif-molecule conjugate of the following formula: (repeat-motif-molecule?linkern)m?conjugation partner?(linkero?repeat-motif-molecule)p, wherein n and o are independently of each other and independently for each value of m and p integer values of 0 or 1, and m and p are independently of each other integer values of 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, and wherein the repeat-motif-molecule conjugate comprises at least one oligosaccharide attached to a glycosylation site. Also reported are encoding nucleic acids and method for producing these repeat-motif-conjugates in mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent and multispecific binding proteins that are capable of binding two or more antigens, or two or more epitopes. The present invention also provides methods of making and using such multivalent and multispecific binding proteins, including methods of using such binding proteins for prevention or treatment of various diseases, or for detecting specific antigens in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: Methods for the quantification of influenza HA proteins and anti-influenza antibodies for the fields of vaccine-related protein quantification, potency determination, and efficacy evaluation are provided. According to the technology, quantification is achieved by providing capture agents attached to an array in a series of decreasing concentrations. Serial dilutions of a reference material also may be introduced. The reference material within each solution binds to the capture agents on the array and is labeled with a label agent capable of producing a detectable signal used to construct a calibration curve. A target material of unknown concentration is introduced to a separate identical array, and the target material binds to the capture agents and also is labeled by a label agent to produce a detectable signal. The calibration curve based on the reference material is then utilized to determine the concentration of the target material without the need to perform replicate experiments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunoglobulin constructs comprising at least one immunoglobulin domain or fragment thereof; and a therapeutic polypeptide or derivative or variant thereof attached to or inserted into said immunoglobulin domain. Also provided are immunoglobulin constructs comprising a mammalian immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising at least a portion of a knob domain in the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3H) or fragment thereof; and a therapeutic polypeptide attached to or inserted into the CDR3H. Also provided are immunoglobulin constructs comprising a mammalian immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising at least a portion of a stalk domain in the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3H) or fragment thereof; and a therapeutic polypeptide attached to or inserted into said stalk domain of the CDR3H. Also described herein are methods and compositions comprising the immunoglobulin constructs described herein for treatment and prevention of a disease or condition in a subject.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating a mammal (e.g., a human) having one or more tumors. For example, embolic agents including an amnion tissue preparation (e.g., amnion coated embolic agents) that can be used in arterial embolization to reduce or eliminate blood flow in a blood vessel that supplies a tumor are provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bone graft. An osteoconductive matrix is placed in a receptacle. Bone marrow aspirate is provided that includes plasma, progenitor cells, hematopoietic cells, endothelial cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, bone, cartilage, thrombus or combinations thereof. The bone marrow aspirate is passed through the receptacle. At least a portion of bone marrow aspirate is retained in the receptacle. The portion of the bone marrow aspirate retained in the receptacle becomes associated with the osteoconductive matrix to form the bone graft.

Abstract: Methods for reduction of aggregate levels in antibody and other protein preparations through treatment with low concentrations of electropositive organic additives (e.g., ethacridine, chlorhexidine, or polyethylenimine) in combination with ureides (e.g., urea, uric acid, or allantoin) or organic modulators (e.g., nonionic organic polymers, surfactants, organic solvent or ureides). Some aspects of the invention relate to methods for reducing the level of aggregates in conjunction with clarification of cell culture harvest. It further relates to the integration of these capabilities with other purification methods to achieve the desired level of final purification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bi-specific form of a T cell receptor mimic (TCRm) mAb with reactivity to human immune effector cell antigen and a WT1 peptide/HLA-A epitope. This antibody selectively bound to leukemias and solid tumor cells expressing WT1 and HLA-A as well as activated resting human T cells to release interferon-(IFN-?) and to kill the target cancer cells in vitro. Importantly, the antibody mediated autologous T cell proliferation and directed potent cytotoxicity against fresh ovarian cancer cells. Therapeutic activity in vivo of the antibody was demonstrated in NOD SCID SCID Yc*(NSG) mice with three different human cancers expressing WT1/HLA-A2 including disseminated Ph+ acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), disseminated acute myeloid leukemia, and peritoneal mesothelioma. In both of the leukemia xenograft models, mice that received the antibody and T cells also showed longer survival and delayed limb paralysis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions involving exosomes or lipid nanovesicles are provided. For example, certain aspects relate to compositions comprising exosomes obtained from cells that have been induced to undergo oxidative stress or stimulated. Furthermore, some aspects of the invention provide methods of treating a subject at risk or having a demyelinating disorder using the compositions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for increasing the specificity of an antibody-based test to help in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases by contacting a subject's sample with a blocking antigen prior to testing that is capable of binding to any interfering antibody present in the sample. More specifically, a method for increasing specificity of an antibody-based autoimmune disease assay comprising the steps of providing a sample from a subject, contacting the sample with a DFS70 derived antigen, reacting the sample with an autoimmune disease target and detecting antibodies to the autoimmune disease target is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a tissue structure mimetic used for regenerating a tissue and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly, a 3-dimensional tissue structure mimetic which consists of a complex of extracellular matrix protein and bone mineral, wherein the complex is specifically bound to a regeneration-functional peptide to thereby be capable of implementing environment of a tissue requiring restoration, and a method for manufacturing the same. In the tissue structure mimetic according to the present invention, bone mineral components are finely dispersed in the extracellular matrix protein to have excellent mechanical strength of the tissue structure mimetic and conductivity which provides a migration path of cells involved in tissue regeneration. Further, environment of the tissue may be implemented by the peptide contained in the tissue structure mimetic to finally remarkably increase tissue regeneration capacity.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of decreasing the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in a mammalian subject by administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an AVPR antagonist in amount effective to decrease proliferation of the cancer cells. Also provided are methods of inducing prostate cancer cell death (or decreasing invasion migration of the prostate cancer cells) in a mammalian subject by administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an AVPR antagonist.

Abstract: Object of the present invention is to provide various anti-podoplanin antibodies useful as a drug or reagent. The present invention provides an anti-podoplanin antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, each having an epitope in any of the following regions in the amino acid sequence of podoplanin represented by SEQ ID NO: 1: (i) from position 56 to position 80, (ii) from position 81 to position 103, (iii) from position 81 to position 88, and (iv) from position 25 to position 57.

Abstract: The present invention relates to BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen) antigen binding proteins, such as antibodies, polynucleotide sequences encoding said antigen binding proteins, and compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases. The present invention also relates to BCMA antibody drug conjugates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of personalized therapy and, in particular, to a method for classifying a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as a responder or as a non-responder patient to a treatment based on a biological drug.

Abstract: Mitochondrial compositions and therapeutic methods of using same. Compositions of partially purified functional mitochondria and methods of using the compositions to treat conditions which benefit from increased mitochondrial function by administering the compositions to a subject in need thereof.