Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and a protein, peptide, or carbohydrate of Chlamydia spp., or a fragment thereof, wherein the antigen is not derived from a Chlamydia spp. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing diseases comprising administering to a subject a vaccine, wherein the vaccine comprises an antigen and a protein, peptide, or carbohydrate of Chlamydia spp., or a fragment thereof, wherein the antigen is not derived from a Chlamydia spp.

Abstract: The present invention provides protease-cleavage resistant molecules comprising Shiga toxin effector polypeptides capable of exhibiting potent, Shiga toxin functions (e.g. subcellular routing and cytotoxicity). The present invention also provides protease-cleavage resistant, cell-targeting molecules for targeting specific cell types, e.g., infected or malignant cells. Certain molecules of the present invention are cytotoxic, and certain cell-targeting molecules of the present invention may be used for the targeted killing of specific cell types and the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, tumors, growth abnormalities, immune disorders, and microbial infections. Certain cell-targeting molecules of the invention exhibit improved, in vivo tolerability as compared to related cell-targeted molecules comprising protease-cleavage sensitive, wild-type, Shiga toxin effector polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and ISG15. Also disclosed herein is a method for increasing an immune response in a subject in need thereof. Further disclosed herein is a method for treating a subject in need thereof. The methods may comprise administering the vaccine to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium based on a non-pathogenic bacterium that has a modified genome containing a nucleic acid of interest from a pathogen that is detected by a molecular diagnostic assay and that mimics the diagnostic profile of the pathogen. The invention further relates to a diagnostic control composition comprising the recombinant bacterium and to methods for producing the recombinant bacterium. The recombinant bacterium is a safe, reliable quality control for the detection of pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. The invention also relates to a kit comprising either the recombinant bacterium, compositions containing the recombinant bacterium or bacteria produced according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide for an immunogenic multiple antigen presenting system comprising a polymer to which antigens are associated by complementary affinity molecules. For example, the polymer can be a polysaccharide, or antigenic polysaccharide, to which protein or peptide antigens from the same or different pathogens are indirectly linked. The present immunogenic compositions can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses to one or multiple antigens at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fast, simple and very sensitive method for the detection of bacteria, comprising the steps of providing one or more suspensions each comprising at least one species of labeled test bacteriophages which specifically bind to a bacterial species to be detected; adding a sample to be tested for the presence of at least one bacterial species to be detected to the one or more suspensions; filtering the reaction mixture; detecting bacteria-bacteriophages-complexes on the surface of the filter in the retentate, provided that at least one bacterial species to be detected is present, wherein the complexes consist of bacteria of the at least one bacterial species to be detected and test bacteriophages of the at least one species of test bacteriophages bound thereto; detecting unbound test bacteriophages in the filtrate; processor-aided processing of received detection signals and output of detection results.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to an immunogenic composition against Campylobacter jejuni comprising isolated capsule polysaccharide from selected pathogenic Campylobacter jejuni strains. The inventive subject matter also relates to methods of using the polysaccharide compositions in inducing an anti-C. jejuni immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparation of stable multivalent pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine formulations. Instant stable formulations show optimal percent adsorption for each conjugate wherein, aggregation can be prevented by employing i) Individual or separate adsorption for conjugates that otherwise show lower percent adsorption by combined adsorption ii) Histidine-Succinic acid buffer system along with shift in pH from neutral pH to acidic pH iii) a polysaccharide to protein ratio between 0.5 to about 1.4 iv) a six-bladed Rushton type turbine impeller in formulation vessels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of treating, inhibiting or attenuating a microbial infection in an individual who has or is at risk for developing such an infection, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a StIR composition to the individual.

Abstract: The invention relates to plasmids capable of expressing a protein targeting immune cells when transformed into a lactic acid bacterial cell, wherein the protein is chosen from the group consisting of murine and human CXCL12 1?; CXCL17 and Ym1. The invention further relates to lactic acid bacteria transformed with a said plasmid, as well as the use of said lactic acid bacteria for wound healing in humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigenic polypeptides expressed during an infection by a pathogenic organism, such as Acinetobacter and compositions comprising these polypeptides. The invention further provides compositions for use in treating, preventing or detecting a bacterial infection, in particular vaccine compositions using the antigenic polypeptides. The invention further provides antibodies directed to said antigenic polypeptides.

Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of honey bees (Apis mellifera), bats, and butterflies protects them from various life threatening conditions, including Colony Collapse Disorder, white nose syndrome, etc. and in particular, provides honey bees, bats and butterflies with the ability to assimilate and degrade pesticides such as neonicotinoids and fipronil.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a composition and method of using the composition for oral delivery of a bioactive agent to a subject. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one bioacitve agent layered over a substrate and a method of reducing zoonotic infectious disease by administering the composition to a subject. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to a method of preparing the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a life attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine which is deficient for tracheal cytotoxin (TCT), pertussis toxin (PTX), and dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) for prophylaxis or treatment of an allergen-driven airway pathology.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising an H3T3A mutant protein. Described herein are methods of inducing cell death in a rapidly dividing cell comprising contacting a rapidly dividing cell with an agent that reduces phosphorylation at threonine 3 of histone 3 (H3T3P), thereby inducing cell cycle arrest followed by cell death. In some cases, the rapidly dividing cell is a tumor cell, e.g., a cancer cell. The agent that reduces phosphorylation of H3T3P comprises an H3T3A mutant protein, e.g., a mutant transgenic protein. Described herein is a kit for arresting cell cycle comprising an agent that reduces phosphorylation H3T3P.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, combinations, and methods comprising Canine Respiratory Coronavirus (CRCoV), which are effective in treating or preventing respiratory infections associated secondary pathogens, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, in animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and vaccine technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for freeze-drying biological preparations, including peptides, antigens, antibodies, and especially, cells. Importantly, the disclosed methods preserve the viability, infectivity and immunogenicity of cells from the Apicomplexa phylum, the Sarcocystidae family, and in particular, cells from the Toxoplasma genus.

Abstract: An engineered payload-delivery system includes a target cell binding unit, covalently bound to a pore forming unit, and a payload portion adapted with a region capable of non-covalently binding to the pore forming unit. The pore forming unit is derived from a particular sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin, while the payload region is derived from a different sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin. The disclosed chimeric protein-based composition is capable of specifically delivering payload to neural cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inhibitor of an autoimmune response to a periodontal bacterial enzymatic degradation product of keratin in gingival epithelium in a mammal having a periodontal bacterium in the oral cavity, containing a substance having affinity to the keratin or a degradation product thereof and/or a substance having affinity to an autoantibody to the degradation product, an agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a periodontal disease and/or a complication thereof; a RANKL expression inhibitor containing a substance having affinity to the keratin or a degradation product thereof; and a method of diagnosing a periodontal disease including detecting the keratin or a degradation product thereof and/or an autoantibody thereto.

Abstract: A nutrient-germinant composition to aid in spore germination and a method for increased spore germination efficiency. The composition comprises L-amino acids, D-glucose and/or D-fructose, a phosphate buffer, an industrial preservative, and may include bacteria spores or they may be separately combined for germination. The method comprises providing a nutrient-germinant composition and bacteria spores, preferably of one or more Bacillus species, and heating to a preferred elevated temperature range of 41° C. to 44° C. for an incubation period of around 2 to 60 minutes. The nutrient-germinant composition is preferably in a concentrated liquid form that is diluted just prior to initiating the germination/incubation method at the point of use. The method may also include dispensing a germinated spore solution to a point-of-use/consumption, such as animal feed, water, or bedding, or a wastewater system or drain.