Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of preventing reactivation of active and latent M. tuberculosis infections by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid encoding a Mtb72f fusion protein, or a Mtb72f fusion protein or an immunogenic fragment thereof, for example together with an adjuvant. The Mtb72f nucleic acid or fusion protein can be administered with one or more chemotherapeutic agents effective against a M. tuberculosis infection. The methods also provide for shortening the time course of a chemotherapeutic regimen against a M. tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: The invention provides for a proteomic approach for identification of specific bacterial protein profiles that may be used in the development of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic sinusitis. The invention provides for methods for determining the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of the pathogenic bacteria. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of a pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the invention provides for devices, immunoassays and kits for identifying pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the Cordyceps cicadae mycelia, the active substances of C. cicadae mycelia, its submerged fermentation product and its pharmaceutical composition for preventing, delaying or treating cataracts, and the methods for preparing the products above. The C. cicadae mycelia, the active substances of C. cicadae mycelia, its submerged fermentation product and its pharmaceutical composition further can be prepared as a health food for preventing or delaying cataracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, in part, compositions comprising improved flagellin derived constructs and methods of using for vaccination, including adjuvants comprising flagellin-based agents.

Abstract: Mutant protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (SpA) with decreased affinity for the Fc? portion of human IgG is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borrelia, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for detecting infection of an animal by Mycobacterium bovis. The method generally includes obtaining a biological sample from a host animal at risk of being infected by Mycobacterium bovis and analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of at least one M. bovis polypeptide. In some embodiments, the method can further include analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of at least one M. bovis lipid. In some embodiments, the method can further include detecting at least one host polypeptide whose expression is greater in a host infected with M. bovis compared to expression in a host known to be uninfected with M bovis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising Bifidobacterium bacteria for use for reducing intestinal gas production in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M tuberculosis) proteins and immunologically active fragments (peptides or mimotope peptides) thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a group of M. tuberculosis proteins and peptides thereof that are both highly antigenic and characteristic of clinical strains of M. tuberculosis. Accordingly, the further relates to the use of these M. tuberculosis proteins or peptides in diagnosing, treating or preventing M. tuberculosis complex infection.

Abstract: Provided are assays, kits and compositions for testing subjects, particularly asymptomatic subjects, to ascertain whether or not they are carriers of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. Methods for detecting the presence of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi indicating molecules by a variety of methods such as immunoassays and mass spectrometry also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptide for binding to a complement protein C5a. More particularly, the present invention relates to polypeptide which can be bound to a complement protein C5a and inhibit the activation of same, polynucleotide which codes for the polypeptide, a recombinant vector which comprises the polynucleotide, a recombinant microorganism to which the recombinant vector has been introduced, a method for producing the polypeptide by means of the recombinant microorganism, and a pharmaceutical composition, for treating immune diseases or sepsis, containing the polypeptide. A polypeptide, according to the present invention, can be bound to a complement protein C5a, with higher affinity compared to being bound to a complement protein C5a receptor which is present in nature, and inhibits the activation of same, thus being widely utilized for development of formulation for preventing or treating diseases related to a complement protein C5a.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polypeptide which comprises: (i) an Rv2386c protein sequence; (ii) a variant of an Rv2386c protein sequence; of (iii) an immunogenic fragment of an Rv2386c protein sequence. In other aspects the invention is directed to associated polynucleotides, fusion proteins and methods for the treatment or prevention of tuberculosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to new isolated Lactobacillus strains chosen from Lactobacillus mellifer Bin4N.sup.T (LMG P-28344) and Lactobacillus apinorum Fhon13N.sup.T (LMG P-28345), which have been isolated from honeybees or their processed food. The bacterial strains have unique properties such as production of benzene, free fatty acids and 2-heptanone, rendering them useful in many areas such as in food and beverage products, feed products and medical products.

Abstract: The invention relates to probiotic bacteria selected from lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, having metals and/or metal nanoparticles and to foodstuff and pharmaceutical composition having these bacteria. The invention also provides methods for obtaining these bacteria and uses of these bacteria for the treatment and prevention of mineral deficiency pathologies, as a contrast agent for the imaging of the digestive tract and for the treatment of cancer.

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 for an adjuvant composition that is suited for injectable as well as transdermal administration. The adjuvant composition generally comprises a lipophile, a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid, saline, cholesterol, a saponin, and sodium hydroxide. A vaccine composition is also provided for that generally includes the vaccine composition of the present disclosure and a DNA component. A method for vaccinating animals and humans utilizing the adjuvant composition of the present disclosure is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.

Abstract: Novel methods and uses for modulating immune responses are provided. The methods and uses involve the use of a TIFA activator such heptose-1,7-5 bisphosphate or an analog or derivative thereof. The methods may be used to activate, inhibit or otherwise modify an immune response so as to either prevent or treat infectious or inflammatory diseases or cancer. Also provided are methods to identify compounds capable of modulating immune responses.

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 EvpB protein. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the evpB 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 invention discloses isolates and fractions from a phyto-percolate and methods for affecting various cytokines by administering an effective amount of one or more of said isolates or fractions to an animal. In various exemplary embodiments, the isolates are useful for the treatment of bovine, canine and swine infection or inflammation, including bovine mastitis, by regulation of TNF-a, lactoferrin, IFN-?, IL-I ?, serum amyloid-A (SAA), IL-6 and/or ?-defensin associated with infection or an immune response generally.