Abstract: This application describes a method of using gold nanoparticle (GNP)-targeted pulsed laser technology to enhance antibiotic efficacy against multidrug resistant biofilms. The application also teaches a method for treating topic wound infection using GNP-targeted laser therapy combined with antibiotics treatments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunity induction-promoting composition which has a track record of use as a medicine or medicinal additive and is capable of safely and effectively inducing cellular immune response, and a vaccine pharmaceutical composition containing the immunity induction-promoting composition. The present invention relates to an immunity induction-promoting composition containing an immunity induction promoter whose active ingredient is an antimicrobial drug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain of Salmonella enteritidis 3934vac, which has been deleted the waaL gene to obtain a rough phenotype (3934vac DwaaL), the obtaining procedure and the oligos used with the objective of reducing toxicity and maintaining immunogenicity for its application as a vaccine. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a strain of Salmonella enteritidis 3934vac DwaaL, i.e. rough type, which has been modified to express the gene of the avian adenovirus type I fiber, in addition to the procedure for obtaining a Salmonella enteritidis 3034 vac DwaaL strain expressing an AvA-I fiber gene. The invention also comprises the development of a new, live, recombinant, effective and innocuous avian vaccine against the AvA-I virus developed via an insertion and integration process of AvA-I fiber genes in the chromosome of an attenuated and non-pathogenic strain of the bacterium Salmonella enteritidis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving the phenomenon of the glomerular sclerosis and mononuclear leukocyte infiltration around renal tissues, and increasing the renal function by administering the probiotic bacterium of a Parabacteroides goldsteinii to a subject in need to inhibit the occurrence of chronic kidney disease. The Parabacteroides goldsteinii can also effectively modulate the gene expression level of MCP-1, IL-1?, COL3A, COL6A1, ACAA2, PPAR-?, CPT1, and PGC-1? in kidney tissues to reduce kidney inflammation and renal fibrosis and enhance the mitochondria activity of kidney cells. Therefore, the Parabacteroides goldsteinii of the present invention can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting or treating chronic kidney diseases.

Abstract: Chimeric transmembrane immunoreceptors (CAR) which include an extracellular domain that includes chlorotoxin or a related toxin, or a variant of chlorotoxin or a related toxin, that binds to human glioma or other human tumor cells, a transmembrane region, a costimulatory domain and an intracellular signaling domain are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are HER2-targeting molecules comprising Shiga toxin A Subunit derived polypeptides having 1) de-immunization and 2) reduced, protease-cleavage sensitivity while retaining Shiga toxin function(s), such as, e.g., potent cytotoxicity via ribosome inhibition. Certain HER2-targeting molecules of the present invention exhibit reduced immunogenic potential in mammals and are well-tolerated by mammals while retaining aforementioned features. The HER2-targeting molecules of the present invention have uses for selectively killing specific cells (e.g., HER positive tumor cells); for selectively delivering cargos to specific cells (e.g., HER positive tumor cells), and as therapeutic and/or diagnostic molecules for treating and diagnosing a variety of conditions, including cancers and tumors involving the expression or over-expression of cell-surface HER2.

Abstract: Provided are mixed carrier, multivalent pneumococcal conjugate compositions comprising 16 different pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide-protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates includes a capsular polysaccharide from a different serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugated to either tetanus toxoid or CRM197, wherein the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are selected from 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 12F, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F, wherein two of the capsular polysaccharides are conjugated to tetanus toxoid and the remaining capsular polysaccharides are conjugated to CRM197, and wherein the two capsular polysaccharides that are conjugated to tetanus toxoid are selected from the group consisting of serotypes 1, 3, and 5. Also provided are methods of producing the mixed carrier, multivalent pneumococcal conjugate compositions and methods of using the same for prophylaxis against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection or disease in a subject.

Abstract: A live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional evpB protein and a method of using the same to protect fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri. The methods and compositions for protecting fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri comprising administering to a fish a therapeutically effective amount of an attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional protein selected from the group consisting of evpB, fur and hfq. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the gene. The fish include catfish, preferably catfish fingerling or a catfish fry. The composition may be delivered via immersion delivery, an injection delivery, an oral delivery, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to immunomodulatory bacterial minicells and methods of using the minicells.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: The application is directed to in vitro-reared Plasmodium sporozoites of human host range wherein sporogony from gametocyte stage to sporozoite stage is external to mosquitoes, and methods of producing the same. Provided herein are in vitro-reared infectious Plasmodium sporozoites (SPZ) of human host range, particularly P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi, wherein sporogony from gametocyte stage to sporozoite stage is external to mosquitoes, and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing the risk and severity of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci infection or colonization. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a restricted fraction of the gut microbiota, including the bacteria Clostridium scindens and/or the bacteria Blautia producta contribute substantially to resistance against vancomycin-resistant Enterococci infection or colonization. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that this is achieved through the biosynthesis of secondary bile acids in the case of Clostridium scindens.

Abstract: The invention describes new peptides containing epitopes recognized by CD4+ natural killer T (NKT) cells for increasing activity for use in infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, immune reaction to administration of allofactors, allergic diseases, therapy of tumors, prevention of graft rejection and prevention of immunization against viral proteins used in gene therapy or gene vaccination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising the step of incubating chitosan in an aqueous solution of an organic carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, a modified chitosan obtainable by the method of the present invention, a hydro colloid, a compound of formula [X]n, a composition comprising the modified chitosan, the hydro colloid or compound according to the present invention, the modified chitosan, the hydro colloid, the compound or composition according to the present invention for use in human and/or veterinary medicine and the modified chitosan, the hydro colloid, the compound or composition according to the present invention for use in a method of treating and/or preventing mastitis, preferably latent mastitis and/or acute mastitis, endometritis, preferably chronic, acute and/or purulent-catarrhal endometritis, hoof- and claw diseases, lameness, lesions in the interdigital space, digital dermatitis, interdigital dermatitis, interdigital phlegmon, trichophytosis, microsporosis, mycosis of skin, allergies,

Abstract: Provided are immunostimulatory bacteria and pharmaceutical compositions containing the bacteria. The immunostimulatory bacteria provided herein contain one or more modalities that enhance the anti-tumor activity of the immunostimulatory bacteria. Among the immunostimulatory bacteria provided are bacteria, such as Salmonella species, which are modified to be auxotrophic or are auxotrophic for adenosine and/or contain plasmids encoding RNAi, such as shRNA and microRNA, that mediate gene disruption and/or expression of immune checkpoints, such as TREX1, VISTA, PD-L1 and, genes that influence the immune system. The bacteria contain additional modifications to enhance their anti-tumor activity. Also provided are methods of inhibiting the growth or reducing the volume of a solid tumor by administering the pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is an arabinose ester of a mycolic acid or an analogue thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising a capsular polysaccharide (CP) from Streptococcus agalactiae, commonly referred to as group B Streptococcus (GBS), conjugated to a carrier protein, and optionally including an aluminum-based adjuvant. The invention further relates to methods for inducing an immune response in subjects against GBS and/or for reducing or preventing invasive GBS disease in subjects using the compositions disclosed herein. The resulting antibodies can be used to treat or prevent GBS infection via passive immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preventing or treating obesity by administering the probiotic bacterium of a novel Parabacteroides goldsteinii strain to the subject in need. The novel Parabacteroides goldsteinii strain is derived from the gastrointestinal tract of an individual and has better aero-tolerance and better acid-tolerance therefore it has better environmental tolerance to adapt to different living environments. The novel Parabacteroides goldsteinii strain not only can effectively prevent the weight gain of the individual, but also can effectively slow down the weight gain of the obese individual; therefore, the novel Parabacteroides goldsteinii strain of the present invention can be used for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for prevention and/or treating obesity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid formulation containing botulinum toxin and stabilizing agent, and preparation method therefor. A liquid formulation containing botulinum toxin and stabilizing agent according to the present invention can be easily stored and distributed. It was proved a significant effect on the stabilization of botulinum toxin under suitable conditions according to the temperature and pH of the human body. Thus, it is expected that the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will greatly contribute to the safe and convenient medical use of botulinum toxin.