Abstract: Bacterial hyperswarmers are disclosed for treatment, prevention and diagnosis of conditions such as intestinal inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for isolating an active polypeptide or immunoconjugate by purification of a solution containing both the active polypeptide or immunoconjugate and an acidic variant thereof, such as a deamidated variant, using anion exchange chromatography. The present invention also provides compositions, formulations, and unit dosage forms comprising the purified polypeptide or immunoconjugate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmid-based CTX phage replication system and Vibrio cholerae strain that can be infected by CTX phage and can be used for cholera toxin production. More particularly, the present invention provides a Vibrio cholera variant strain, which expresses a toxT protein in which tyrosine at position 139 is substituted by phenylalanine through the point mutation of a toxT gene using a plasmid-based CTX phage replication system, and is used as a receptor strain which can improve CTX phage infection efficiency and allows a plurality of CTX prophages to simultaneously infect the strain and to be inserted into the chromosome thereof, which the consequent provision of the effect of increasing the production yield of a cholera toxin.

Abstract: A method of treating a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque can include identifying the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and administering a sulfated polysaccharide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a subject in an amount and at a frequency sufficient to stabilize and reverse a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide immunogenic compositions for protection against S. pneumoniae, in particular against S. pneumoniae serogroup 9, while limiting the number of conjugates. The present invention therefore relates to new immunogenic compositions for use in pneumococcal vaccines and to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumococcal infections using said immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides with a modified BoNT/B4 receptor binding domain (B4-HC) having amino acid mutations that modify the binding of the BoNT to the human SytII receptor. Specific mutations and combinations of mutations are disclosed. Isolated modified HCs, polypeptides comprising such modified HCs, chimeric molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. Methods of identifying additional such modified receptor binding domains, are further disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and topical compositions for applying bacteria to skin, scalp and hair. The topical compositions include bacteria in a suitable base vehicle comprising honey for applying the bacteria to skin, scalp and hair. The base vehicle may include additional components such as, but not limited to, plant-based products, micro-nutrients, emollients and plant-sourced emulsifiers, and anti-oxidants, among other components. The topical compositions may be utilized in methods for treating and/or preventing skin, scalp, and hair conditions such as, but not limited to, dry skin, dry scalp, dandruff, psoriasis, cradle cap, seborrheic dermatitis, and/or eczema.

Abstract: There are provided antigens, vectors encoding the antigens, and antibodies and other binding compounds to the antigens and uses thereof in the prevention or treatment of malaria. In particular, compositions are provided comprising fragments of Reticulocyte-binding protein Homologue 5 (PfRH5). In particular, the invention provides fragments of PfRH5 rationally designed on the basis of the PfRH5 crystal structure, wherein said fragments which lack disordered regions, particularly the flexible N-terminal region and/or flexible central linker.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nanoparticle presented vaccine compositions that are stabilized with a locking domain. Various immunogens can be employed in the preparation of the vaccine compositions, including viral immunogens such as HIV-1 and Ebola viral immunogens, and non-viral immunogens such as immunogens derived from bacteria, parasites and mammalian species. The invention also provides methods of using such vaccine compositions in various therapeutic applications, e.g., for preventing or treating viral infections.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel epitope that can be used as a tag in methods for rapid and effective characterization, purification, and subcellular localization of polypeptides of interest, which comprise the tag. The tag is specifically recognized by an epitope specific antibody, which can be used to detect, capture, quantify, and/or purify polypeptides of interest that are tagged with the epitope. Also provided is novel epitope specific antibody.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and treatment regimens for treating ulcerative colitis in a subject in need thereof. In particular, the methods described herein comprise treating a subject in need thereof with a treatment regimen comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising live non-pathogenic fecal bacteria for at least 8 weeks and at least three times per week. In an aspect, the subject in need thereof exhibits a Mayo endoscopy score of 3 or lower. In some aspects, the subject in need thereof has no concomitant corticosteroid use during said method and has no corticosteroid use immediately prior to commencing said method.

Abstract: The invention concerns biocompatible polymer systems comprising at least one polymer with a plurality of pores, said polymer comprising either polyol or zwitterionic groups designed to adsorb endotoxins and other inflammatory mediator molecules. The inventions are in the field of porous polymeric sorbents, also in the field of broadly reducing endotoxins in blood and blood products that can cause endotoxemia, additionally, in the field of broadly removing endotoxins by perfusion or hemoperfusion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vaccine composition comprising a bacterial strain with a deleted or inactive ntrX gene.

Abstract: This disclosure provides antigen compositions useful for diagnosing Lyme disease and for detecting antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens. The antigenic compositions comprise a mixture of hybrid peptides and Borrelia proteins. This disclosure also provides devices, methods, and kits that are useful for diagnosing Lyme disease and for detecting anti-Borrelia antibodies in a sample to aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising improved flagellin derived constructs and methods of using the same in the treatment of various diseases.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of prevention or treatment of diseases, in particular infectious diseases, and more particularly in the field of multivalent vaccines. The inventors characterized 5? copy-back DI-RNAs produced by recombinant MV strains, including rMV-based vaccines and wild-type MV (wt-MV). The efficiency of these DI-RNAs productions in different cell types was compared. For the first time 5? copy-back DI-RNAs specific binding to RIG-I, MDA5 and LGP2 was assessed and linked to functional outcome in type-I IFN signalling. The inventors provide a composition of products comprising at least (i) a mixture of particles of a rescued recombinant MV-derived virus encoding at least one antigen (ii) a recombinant and/or purified protein, comprising at least one antigen. Regardless of the presentation of the products, and in particular regardless of whether the products are separated or readily separable or presented as a mixture.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors capable of eliciting an immune response to enteric bacteria and methods of using the same are provided. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a PAL polypeptide. The PAL polypeptide may be expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector. The vaccine vector may also include a second polypeptide encoding an immunostimulatory polypeptide such as a CD154 polypeptide or an HMGB1 polypeptide.

Abstract: A method of killing cells of a targeted cell type in a patient body that utilizes nanoparticles having a first portion, which when exposed to a target portion of a targeted cell type, binds to the target portion and a second portion, joined to the first portion, and comprised of a low resistivity material. The nanoparticles are introduced into a contact area where they contact cells of the targeted cell type. Contemporaneously, the contact area is exposed to a varying magnetic field of insufficient strength to increase the temperature of any part of the patient body by more than ten degrees Celsius, but which creates a current at the nanoparticles sufficient to disrupt function of the targeted cell type.

Abstract: An immunomodulator for use in the treatment, reduction, inhibition or control of a neoplastic disease in a patient intended to undergo checkpoint inhibition therapy, simultaneously, separately or sequentially with administration of the immunomodulator. The immunomodulator preferably comprises a whole cell Mycobacterium, for example, M. vaccae or M. obuense.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention concern methods of preventing malaria in a target population of humans comprising: uniformly administering a therapeutically effective amount of a live low dose malaria vaccine to each individual within the target population on each of two or three consecutive days. The methods include using Plasmodium infected mosquitoes to inject Plasmodium into individuals through mosquito bites.