Abstract: A composition and method for immunizing a mammal infected with Mycobacterium are disclosed. The genes gcpE, pstA, kdpC, papA2, impA, umaA1, fabG2_2, aceAB, mbtH2, lpqP, map0834c, cspB, lipN, or map1634 of M. paratuberculosis and their products that they encode are vaccine targets for Johne's and Crohn's disease. Eighteen M. paratuberculosis-specific genomic islands (MAPs) were identified. Three inverted large genomic fragments in M. paratuberculosis (INV) were also identified. These genomic identifiers represent novel virulence determinants that can be used as targets for vaccines and for developments of drugs against Johne's disease. The method can be used to deliver an immunizing compounds to a mammal, to provide an immune response against Johne's or Crohn's disease in the mammal.

Abstract: There are provided polypeptide constructs targeting claudin proteins that are useful for transiently disrupting tight junctions in a tissue. Pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof in methods for enhancing delivery of therapeutic agents, for stem cell transplantation, and for treatment of male infertility are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetic markers on human chromosome 6 that are associated with a beneficial response to a treatment that targets Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin B (TcdB), e.g. a TcdB antibody. These TcdB treatment response markers are useful, inter alia, to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment that targets TcdB in methods of treating patients having a disease susceptible to treatment with a TcdB antibody, and in methods for selecting the most appropriate therapy for such patients. The invention also provides antibodies, drug products, and kits useful with the TcdB Treatment response markers of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for testing a biological fluid for presence of a biological particulate. The apparatus includes a tube, a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into and advanced within the tube, and a filter. The apparatus is configured such that as the plunger is advanced within the tube while the biological fluid is within the tube, the biological fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, thereby trapping, by the filter, the biological particulate present in the biological fluid. The apparatus is shaped so as to define at least one enclosed cavity containing a biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution configured to test for the presence of the biological particulate trapped by the filter. The enclosed cavity is configured to open while the plunger is inside the tube, so as to release the biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution within the tube. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to structural analysis, particularly of small proteins via cryo-EM.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a non-naturally occurring microorganism that includes a gene encoding a MucK transporter protein, where the microorganism is capable of catabolizing terephthalic acid (TPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the gene encoding the MucK transporter protein may contain at least one mutation, relative to a reference gene encoding a reference MucK transporter protein.

Abstract: Aquaculture systems and methods are provided, as well as immunogenic compositions and methods of immunologically protecting bivalves against specified pathogens. Methods include inactivating specified pathogens using UV (ultraviolet) radiation, exposing invertebrates grown or to be grown in aquaculture to the specified UV-inactivated pathogens to enhance an immune reaction of the exposed invertebrates toward the specified pathogens, and growing the exposed invertebrates in aquaculture. For example, the methods were demonstrated to increase the immune response of oysters to ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) following their prior exposure to UV-inactivated OsHV-1.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). More particularly, disclosed are a variety of antigen specific polypeptides, including soluble, monoclonal, and multivalent forms, as well as methods of using the polypeptides, antibodies that bind the antigen specific polypeptides, and nucleic acids, vectors and expression systems that encode the polypeptides. Antigen specific polypeptides that selectively bind pathogens, like anthrax, and carbohydrates, like blood group determinants, are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: Strontium oxide (SrO) nanoparticle and various concentrations of chitosan (CS)-doped SrO nanocomposite were synthesized via co-precipitation method. A variety of characterization techniques including were done for characterizing and qualifying the nanocomposite. X-ray powder diffraction affirmed cubic and tetragonal structure of SrO nanoparticle and CS-doped SrO nanocomposite with a decrease in crystallinity upon doping. Fourier transform infrared spectrum endorsed existing functional groups on CS/SrO surfaces while d-spacing was estimated using high resolution Transmission electron microscopes images. UV-Visible and Photoluminescence spectroscopy spectra showed an increase in band gap energies with an increase in doping concentration. Elemental composition of CS-doped SrO nanocomposite deposited with different doping concentrations was studied using Energy dispersive Spectroscopy.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for testing a biological fluid for presence of a biological particulate. The apparatus includes a tube, a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into and advanced within the tube, and a filter. The apparatus is configured such that as the plunger is advanced within the tube while the biological fluid is within the tube, the biological fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, thereby trapping, by the filter, the biological particulate present in the biological fluid. The apparatus is shaped so as to define at least one enclosed cavity containing a biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution configured to test for the presence of the biological particulate trapped by the filter. The enclosed cavity is configured to open while the plunger is inside the tube, so as to release the biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution within the tube. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a tube and a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into the tube. A distal end of the plunger is shaped to define one or more first passageways therethrough, and the plunger is shaped to define one or more compartments in fluid communication with the first passageways. A filter is coupled to the distal end of the plunger. The plunger is shaped to define a second passageway that passes through the plunger from a proximal end of the plunger to the distal end of the plunger, and is positioned to facilitate testing of the filter. The apparatus is configured such that while the plunger is advanced within the tube while fluid is within the tube, the fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, through the first passageways, and into the one or more compartments. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of veterinary biological products, and specifically relates to a triple vaccine for diseases caused by Salmonella typhimurium, Riemerella anatipestifer and Escherichia coli. In the triple vaccine, antigens are an inactivated Salmonella typhimurium S01 strain, an inactivated Riemerella anatipestifer R01 strain and an inactivated Escherichia coli E01 strain. The three strains used in the vaccine have high virulence, disable immunogenicity and disable cross-protection. The prepared vaccine has a desirable safety, causing no local or systemic adverse reactions. In a shelf life test, all indicators of the vaccine are stable and effective after a data analysis of traits, a safety test and an efficacy test; in addition, efficacy test results prove that the inactivated triple vaccine can produce desirable antibodies and relatively desirable attacking protection.

Abstract: The present invention has found that chimeric animals suffer from noticeable inflammation after birth, though neither immune response nor inflammation in the fetal period of these animals has been reported hitherto. This is an unexpected finding since chimeric animals in the fetal period were exclusively analyzed in prior studies and thus it is deemed that immunotolerance has been theoretically established therein. The present invention provides a composition for suppressing immune response or inflammation in the fetal period of a born chimeric animal.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating nephrotic syndrome using an anti-CD20 antibody. In one embodiment, that anti-CD20 antibody is Obinutuzumab.

Abstract: Provided herein relate to modified or mutant forms of secretin and compositions comprising the same. In particular, the modified or mutant forms of secretin permits efficient capture and/or translocation of an analyte through the modified or mutant secretin nanopores. Methods for using unmodified secretin or the modified or mutant forms of secretin and compositions, for example, for characterizing an analyte, e.g., a target polynucleotide, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-CfaE antibodies and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide compositions and methods related to novel recombinant protein immunogens, comprising specific portions of alpha helical domains (aHD) and proline rich regions (PRD) of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which portions are linked to provide aHD-PRD constructs. The aHD and PRD proteins constituting the aHD-PRD constructs are selected to maximize cross-reactivity and provide protection against a broad spectrum of pneumococcal serotypes. Immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, comprising at least one aHD PRD construct may also include a non-linked aHD portion. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acid molecules that encode aHD-PRD constructs, vectors and recombinant host cells containing such molecules, aHD-PRD expression products, use of such nucleic acid molecules to express aHD-PRD constructs by recombinant techniques, and use of the expression products to elicit an immune or protective response against pneumococcal disease in a suitable host.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunochromatographic device which contains a nitrous acid compound and an organic acid or an organic acid derivative and which is for detecting a detection target in an analyte wherein a sample droplet-receiving member, a labeling substance-holding member, a chromatography medium member and an absorption member are arranged in a manner that a sample develops in this order and wherein a part containing the nitrous acid compound and a part containing the organic acid or the like are at upstream positions from the labeling substance-containing part, and the part containing the nitrous acid compound and the part containing the organic acid or the like are not substantially in contact with each other in the thickness direction.

Abstract: This application provides for methods of treatment for IBD, especially in subjects who have R. gnavus species or R. gnavus group IBD strains as a component of their microbiome. The application also provides for methods of diagnosing IBD, as well as kits for use in the claimed methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a subunit vaccine of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia and preparation method and use thereof, belonging to the technical field of preparation of animal infectious disease vaccine. The combination of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae immunoproteins comprises Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae immunoproteins A, B, C, D and E; the mass ratio of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae immunoproteins A, B, C, D and E is (0.5-1.5):(0.5-1.5):(0.5-1.5):(0.5-1.5):(0.5-1.5). The subunit vaccine of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia comprises the combination of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae immunoproteins and adjuvant; the subunit vaccine has the advantages of high safety, good immunization effect, high stability and minor adverse effects.