Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods that can be used to determine a peptide signature for an antibody repertoire in a sample comprising multiple antibodies. The method can be used to characterize a phenotype in a sample, such as providing a diagnosis, prognosis or theranosis of a medical condition.

Abstract: A method for increase the presentation of ETEC CS6 antigen on a cell surface, comprising the step of contacting cells expressing said antigen with an aqueous solution comprising 0.6-2.2 percent phenol by weight, such that the presentation of said antigen is increased by at least 100%. A method for the manufacture of a killed whole cell vaccine for immunization against CS6-expressing ETEC. Cells and vaccines obtainable by the above methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leprosy are disclosed. The compositions generally comprise polypeptides comprising one or more Mycobacterium leprae antigens as well as polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating or preventing microbial (eg, bacterial) infections and means for performing these methods. In particular, treatment of infections requiring rapid and durable therapy is made possible, such as for treating acute conditions such as septicemia, sepsis, SIRS or septic shock. The invention is particularly useful, for example, for treatment of microbes such as for environmental, food and beverage use. The invention relates inter alia to methods of controlling microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or biofouling of a substrate or fluid in an industrial or domestic system. The invention also useful for the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infections in subjects receiving a treatment for a disease or condition, such as a transplant or a treatment for cancer, a viral infection or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting status of a health condition in a single-step process includes: a signal output device including a) a loading zone; b) a reaction zone fluidly coupled to the loading zone and including one or more reaction substances conjugated to labels, configured to enable detection of target material associated with the health condition; c) a testing zone fluidly coupled to the reaction zone and including one or more testing substances corresponding to the target material; and d) a control zone including a control substance retained at the control zone. The system and methods can be adapted for assessment of sexual health of one or more subjects, in relation to pregnancy, fertility, and/or sexually transmitted infections caused by one or more agents including, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Gardnerella vaginitis, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus infection, Hepatitis B, and herpes simplex virus.

Abstract: Provided are delivery immunostimulatory bacteria that have enhanced colonization of tumors, the tumor microenvironment and/or tumor-resident immune cells, and enhanced anti-tumor activity. The immunostimulatory bacteria are modified by deletion of genes encoding the flagella or modification of the genes so that functional flagella are not produced, and/or are modified by deletion of pagP or modification of pagP to produce inactive PagP product. As a result, the immunostimulatory bacteria are flagellin? and/or pagP?. The immunostimulatory bacteria optionally have additional genomic modifications so that the bacteria are adenosine or purine auxotrophs. The bacteria optionally are one or more of asd?, purI? and msbB?.

Abstract: Formulations for promoting honeybee health include an aqueous solution having an organic acid, one or more buffering agents, one or more coloring dyes, and one or more strains of probiotic bacteria. The formulations can be in the form of syrup additives or sprays. The formulations can have additional active ingredients, inert ingredients, or both.

Abstract: Bifidobacterium longum strain NCIMB 41676 is useful for improving or sustaining vitality and/or reducing mental fatigue in stressful situations.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprises tumor inhibiting cells (TICs) and a method for producing the TICs. The tumor inhibiting cells can be derived from immune cells including T cells, NK cells, or a combination thereof, modified to have inactivated Cbl-b gene alleles and free from Cbl-b bio-function (Cbl-b?/? TICs). The Cbl-b?/? TICs are free from deoxyribonucleic acids exogenous to the immune cells. The immune cells can be isolated using a portable cell isolation and modification device. This disclosure is further directed to a method for treating tumorous conditions in subjects. The pharmaceutical composition can provide a subject-specific tumor treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro detection of a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in a subject, wherein said method comprises determining at least one nucleotide sequence and/or at least one polypeptide of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in a blood cell population of said subject, and wherein the presence of said at least one nucleotide sequence and/or said at least one polypeptide is indicative for said latent tuberculosis infection. In particular, the blood cell population is enriched for hematopoietic stem cells. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of the LTBI in the subject, wherein it is determined if the nucleotide sequence and/or the polypeptide of Mtb is/are present in the blood cell population. Further, the invention relates to kits for carrying out the methods of the invention. The invention also relates to the use of the kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination vaccines that comprise an immunological agent effective for reducing the incidence of or lessening the severity of PPE caused by L. intracellularis, and one or more immunological active components effective in treatment and/or prophylaxis of at least one further disease-causing organism for swine. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a kit that comprises an immunological agent effective for reducing the incidence of or lessening the severity of PPE caused by L. intracellularis, and one or more immunological active components effective in treatment and/or prophylaxis of at least one further disease-causing organism for swine.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic proteins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as nucleic acids, vectors and transformed cells useful for expression of the proteins. Also disclosed are methods for prophylaxis of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the proteins, nucleic acids, vectors or transformed cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a botulinum neurotoxin-encoding nucleic acid for therapeutic use. The invention further relates to the transfection of skeletal muscle cells and smooth muscle cells and the glands of the skin, and of other skin cells with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT)-encoding nucleic acids (RNA or DNA) with or without the use of a secretory signal, for therapeutic and/or cosmetic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-PD-L1 antibody capable of staining tumor cells such as melanoma cells. An anti-PD-L1 antibody comprising (a) a light chain comprising CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of KSISKY (SEQ ID NO: 1), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SGS and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of QQHNEYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 2) and (b) a heavy chain comprising CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of GYTFTDYI (SEQ ID NO: 3), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of INPDSGGN (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of ARGITMMVVISHWKFDP (SEQ ID NO: 5). A composition for detecting PD-L1, comprising the above antibody as an active ingredient. A method for preparing the above antibody is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medicine, specifically the field of bacterial infection and treatment thereof.

Abstract: Gene expression signatures and pathways associated with tuberculosis are identified. The invention provides for diagnostic assays based on gene markers and cell composition, as well as therapeutic targets for modulating tuberculosis infection. In addition, tuberculosis copy number contained in cells and methods of detecting high and low copy number are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising a co-culture of at least two distinct bacterial families, having differing growth and/or proliferative conditions. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a plurality of bacterial genera with high similarity to microbial flora.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preventing, improving, or treating a neurological disorder, mental disorder, senescence, or symptoms thereof, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof vesicles derived from Lactobacillus paracasei as an active ingredient, and a pharmaceutical or functional food composition comprising the vesicles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for promoting local muscle growth or slowing down or preventing local muscle atrophy, which composition contains a polypeptide in the C2 region of the enterotoxin Staphylococcus aureus and a myostatin polypeptide. By means of the composition, the defect in the prior art of only systemic muscle growth being possible has been overcome so as to achieve effects of promoting local muscle growth, or slowing down or preventing local muscle atrophy.

Abstract: Provided herein are cytoplasts, compositions comprising cytoplasts, methods of using cytoplasts, and methods of treating a subject, such as providing benefits to a healthy or unhealthy subject, or treating or diagnosing a disease or condition in a subject. In some embodiments, methods of treating a subject include: administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that include a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are kits comprising instructions for using the compositions or methods.