Abstract: An immunogenic detoxified protein comprising the amino acid sequence of subunit A of a cholera toxin (CT-A) or a fragment thereof or the amino acid sequence of subunit A of an Escherichia coli heat labile toxin (LT-A) or a fragment thereof wherein the amino acids at, or in positions corresponding to Ser-63 and Arg-192 are replaced with another amino acid. The immunogenic detoxified protein is useful as vaccine for Vibrio cholerae or an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli and is produced by recombinant DNA means by site-directed mutagenesis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more bacterial polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Hybrid polypeptides comprising at least two different allergenic proteins or fragments thereof wherein each fragment consists of at least eight consecutive amino acids of the respective allergenic protein are disclosed. The hybrid polypeptides and polynucleotides coding therefor can be used as pharmaceutical compositions, in particular as vaccines.

Abstract: There are disclosed Interleukin-15 Receptor (IL-15R) proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding IL-15R, and processes for producing IL-15R as products of recombinant cell cultures.

Abstract: A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 3 and mutated sequences thereof.

Abstract: A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 4 and mutated sequences thereof.

Abstract: Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is the lactic acid producing bacteria, Lactobacillus amylovorus M35. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating a lactobacillus fermentation medium with M35 cells, harvesting the M35 cells at mid to late log phase, concentrating the M35 cells, and preserving the M35 cells at a concentration of at least 5×109 cfu/ml.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of genes encoding C. parvum antigenic polypeptides are described as are antibodies that recognize epitopes on these polypeptides. The antigenic polypeptides and antibodies thereto can be used in therapeutic compositions for the prevention and treatment of C. parvum infections, as well as in diagnostic methods for determining the presence of C. parvum infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism producing L-methionine precursor, O-succinylhomoserine, and a method of producing L-methionine precursor using the microorganism,

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting gram negative bacteria or lipopolysaccharide in a sample. Kits for detecting gram negative bacteria or lipopolysaccharide in a sample are provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for increasing the survival of the bacteria of Rhizobium genus, comprising the steps of: making the bacteria to grow in a chemically defined medium; keeping the bacteria in growth stationary phase for a proper period of time; exposing the bacteria to effective quantities of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Within the invention scope there is an alternative method to increase the survival of the bacteria of the Rhizobium genus by means of genetic engineering comprising the steps of: making a recombinant vector codifying enzymes able to produce IAA to express in effective way in said bacteria; making the bacteria to grow in chemically defined culture medium; keeping the bacteria in growth stationary phase for a proper period of time.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sample. This invention also provides related reaction mixtures, kits, systems, and computers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel signaling pathways controlling the pathogenesis of the human respiratory bacterium, Haemophilus influenzae. The lipooligosaccharide-phosphorylycholine (LOS-PC) cell surface epitope of H. influenzae enhances pathogenesis but also increases bacterial susceptibility to innate and adaptive immunity and the administration of therapeutic compounds. Modulation of the LOS-PC epitope may be affected by an interaction between environmental conditions (i.e., for example, oxygen tension) and genetic regulation of precursor biosynthetic pathway activity. LOS-PC epitope display increases under microaerobic conditions and decreases under aerobic conditions. This is consisent with a bacteria's propensity to initiate pathogensis under low oxygen conditions. Pathogenesis may be prevented by disrupting the role of the putative H. influenzae homologue of CsrA, that downregulates galU expression. Disrupting CsrA repression of galU expression resulted in increased LOS-PC epitope display.

Abstract: The identification of a highly conserved, immunologically accessible antigen at the surface of Neisseria facilitates treatment, prophylaxis, and diagnosis of Neisseria diseases. This antigen is highly resistant to Proteinase K and has an apparent molecular weight of 22 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Specific polynucleotides encoding proteins of this class have been isolated from three Neisseria meningitidis strains and from one Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain. These polynucleotides have been sequenced, and the corresponding full-length amino acid sequences of the encoded polypeptides have been deduced. Recombinant DNA methods for the production of the Neisseria surface protein, and antibodies that bind to this protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method as well a kit for the performance of the method for the investigation of biological samples from a mammal for at least one component, wherein the method includes the following steps: (a) Administering at least one marker substance to a mammal; (b) Waiting for a length of time which is sufficient for the at least one marker substance to reach the location of sample removal; (c) Removing a biological sample from the mammal; (d) Investigating the biological sample for the presence and/or amount of at least one marker substance or a derivative thereof; and, if the at least one marker substance or the derivative thereof is detectable in the biological sample; (e) Investigating the biological sample for an analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the control of virulence of infectious bacteria by modulating the extra-cellular concentration of bacterial cell signalling molecules. Derivatives of cell signalling molecules are conjugated to suitable carrier proteins and used to isolate high affinity receptors recognising the native signal molecule(s). By binding to signalling molecules, the receptors reduce and maintain extra-cellular concentrations of signal molecules below the threshold level that would otherwise result in certain opportunistic pathogens adopting a virulent form, and can transform virulent organisms to non-virulent states. These receptors have applications for the treatment of individuals with susceptibility to infection, the treatment of patients with existing infections, in disease monitoring and management, and in related applications where the host for infection is an animal or plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probiotic bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactobacillus having the ability to colonize the human vagina, or a variant thereof. More specifically the probiotic bacterial strain belongs to a species chosen from the group comprising Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus crispatus, and Lactobacillus gasseri. Further it relates to its use as a medicament, a composition comprising the strain, the composition, e.g., being a food product or a pharmaceutical composition, a hygiene product, a biological pure culture of the strain, and a novel food.

Abstract: Antibodies immunoreactive to double mutant EPSPS are provided, and in an embodiment the double mutant EPSPS is one in which the wild-type EPSPS is substituted at residue 102 with isoleucine and at residue 106 with serine. Also provided are hybridomas producing the antibodies, as well as methods of making and using the antibodies.

Abstract: The degree of polymerisation (DP) is an important parameter for analysis of saccharide antigens, particularly in glycoconjugates. The invention provides methods that can be used to measure DP for capsular saccharides, particularly for meningococcal saccharides e.g. from serogroups W135 and Y. A preferred method is based on reduction of terminal sialic acid residues on saccharides, with DP then being calculated by comparing the molar ratio of total sialic acid to reduced sialic acid.