Abstract: The present invention relates to cholera toxin CTA1 protein fragments, adjuvant compositions, and methods relating to adjuvants for vaccines. The invention also relates to using recombinant CTA1 fragments conjugated to a polypeptide containing a protein transduction domain or cell-penetrating peptide as an immunomodulator.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to multivalent Salmonella enterica serovar conjugate vaccines comprising conjugates of S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Choleraesuis, S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi A and optionally S. Paratyphi B, wherein the conjugates comprise a hapten antigen and a carrier antigen, wherein at least one of the hapten antigens or carrier antigens is characteristic of the Salmonella enterica serovar. The present invention also provides Salmonella enterica serovar reagent strains to produce the multivalent conjugate vaccines and attenuated Salmonella enterica serovars for use as vaccines.

Abstract: Essential genes coding for the metabolic pathway of solventogenic autotrophic Clostridia were sequenced, and functionality was confirmed. The present invention utilizes a comparative inter-species approach to develop the minimum set of essential genes for metabolic function and estimate productivity in species of suspected solventogenic capability.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a better intestine immunomodulator. The intestine immunomodulator of the present invention comprises bacterial cells or a bacterial component of a Lactobacillus paracasei K71 strain having an international deposit No.: FERM BP-11098 as an active ingredient. Preferably, the intestine immunomodulator is used to facilitate production of secretory immunoglobulin A or to activate natural killer cells.

Abstract: The present invention describes vaccines that comprise C. perfringens Type alpha toxoids, antigenic fragments thereof, inactivated antigenic fragments of C. perfringens Type alpha toxins, or any combination thereof. The present invention further describes methods of using with these vaccines to protect animals against clostridial diseases. The present invention also describes methods of making these vaccines.

Abstract: Cloning and characterization of a TgIF2? kinase from Toxoplasma gondii designated TgIF2K-D illustrates that this protein is related to GCN2, an eIF2? kinase known to respond to nutrient starvation in other organisms. TgIF2K-D is present in the cytosol of both intra- and extracellular Toxoplasma and facilitates translational control through TgIF2? phosphorylation in extracellular parasites. Both a TgIF2K-D knockout parasite and a parasite harboring the TgIF2? mutant (S71A substitution) exhibited loss of eIF2? kinase activity which manifested itself as significant fitness defect. Accordingly, eIF2? phosphorylation and translational control are an important mechanism by which vulnerable extracellular parasites protect themselves which searching for a new host cell. TgIF2K-D is an excellent target for development of compounds and therapies that can be used to treat infections caused by Toxoplasma and other eukaryotic parasites, especially parasites that have high homology or identity to TgIF2K-D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising Haemophilus influenzae Protein E and Pilin A. More particularly, the present application relates to fusion proteins and immunogenic compositions comprising Protein E and PilA, vaccines comprising such immunogenic compositions and therapeutic uses of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one botulinum neurotoxin for the production of a medicament for treating or preventing pain induced by a medicament used for treating the AIDS virus.

Abstract: Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is currently diagnosed by relying on infected individuals (humans, dogs, etc.) to generate antibodies against the fungus. Since the immune response against Valley Fever can be delayed or absent in many cases, methods that detect a polypeptide or peptide component of the Coccidioides sp. fungus in a bodily fluid such as blood are provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which are useful in increasing maturation of dendritic cells from CD14+ mononuclear cells, by contact with a composition comprising a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum. The extract can also be used for increasing production of a cytokine or a chemokine in a dendritic cell or CD19+ B cell. In addition, a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum can be administered to a subject identified as needing increased immunoglobulin, cytokine, or chemokine production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant protein used for immunoprophylaxis of human Helicobacter pylori infection and a degradable slow-releasing microsphere-encapsulated oral vaccine preparation prepared from the same, and the preparation method thereof. Said recombinant protein is composed of A2 subunit and B subunit of the LT of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and urease B subunit. The vaccine provided in the invention used in human Helicobacter pylori infection is safe and effective and convenient for oral intake.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bioconjugate vaccine, such as an O1-bioconjugate vaccine, comprising: a protein carrier comprising a protein carrier containing at least one consensus sequence, D/E-X-N-Z-S/T, wherein X and Z may be any natural amino acid except proline; at least one antigenic polysaccharide from at least one pathogenic bacterium, linked to the protein carrier; and, optionally, an adjuvant. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of producing an O1-bioconjugate in a bioreactor comprising a number steps.

Abstract: Precipitated bacterial capsular polysaccharides can be efficiently re-solubilized using alcohols as solvents. The invention provides a process for purifying a bacterial capsular polysaccharide, comprising the steps of (a) precipitation of said polysaccharide, followed by (b) solubilization of the precipitated polysaccharide using ethanol. CTAB can be used for step (a). The material obtained, preferably following hydrolysis and sizing, can be conjugated to a carrier protein and formulated as a vaccine. Also, in vaccines comprising saccharides from both serogroups A and C, the invention provides that the ratio (w/w) of MenA saccharide:MenC saccharide is >1.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the stimulation of immune responses. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of inducing an immune response against one or a plurality of pathogens (e.g., vaccinia virus, H5N1 influenza virus, Bacillus anthracis, C. botulinum, Y. pestis, Hepatitis B, and/or HIV, etc.) in a subject (e.g., a human subject) and compositions useful in such methods (e.g., immunogenic composition comprising nanoemulsion and one or a plurality of pathogens (e.g., inactivated by the nanoemulsion) and/or pathogen products and/or pathogen components). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and research applications.

Abstract: Methods for treating skin disorders by local administration of a Clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a patient with a skin disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides a general and facile method to obtain secondary metabolites from fungal sources. The invention is based on the discovery that the fungal gene veA and protein encoded thereby regulates the activity of multiple secondary metabolite gene clusters in fungi. Over expression of the gene veA provides increased production of secondary metabolites in engineered cells. In particular, such a method of increasing secondary metabolite production allows the production of improved yields of valuable secondary metabolite products.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of a tuberculosis infection caused by Mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacteria tuberculosis complex group (MTC) in an animal including a human being, which comprises in vitro-detection of cell-mediated immune response to OmpAtb and/or antibodies against OmpAtb in a sample taken from that animal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a DNA molecule. The DNA molecule includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes the receptor-binding domain of Clostridium difficile toxin A or toxin B in which at least about 10% of the in-frame codons for each amino acid residue has a higher percentage use in the human genome than the corresponding in-frame codons of C. difficile toxin A or toxin B having a known sequence. Methods for generating antibodies to Clostridium difficile toxin A or toxin B, methods for reducing the risk of a C. difficile infection, and methods for treating a C. difficile are also provided.

Abstract: Precipitated bacterial capsular polysaccharides can be efficiently re-solubilized using alcohols as solvents. The invention provides a process for purifying a bacterial capsular polysaccharide, comprising the steps of (a) precipitation of said polysaccharide, followed by (b) solubilization of the precipitated polysaccharide using ethanol. CTAB can be used for step (a). The material obtained, preferably following hydrolysis and sizing, can be conjugated to a carrier protein and formulated as a vaccine. Also, in vaccines comprising saccharides from both serogroups A and C, the invention provides that the ratio (w/w) of MenA saccharide:MenC saccharide is >1.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide comprising a botulinum neurotoxin C1 light chain having a modified amino acid sequence relative to the sequence of a wild-type botulinum neurotoxin C1 light chain is disclosed. The modified botulinum neurotoxin C1 light chain is capable of selectively cleaving syntaxin protein, but has substantially reduced or no activity against SNAP-25 as compared to wild type botulinum neurotoxin C1 light chain, and is thus useful as a research tool and in medical treatment.