Abstract: A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: A genetically modified strain of M. tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis BCG is provided, wherein the genetically modified strain comprises at least one modified sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, or both, having at least one mutation at T2, Q4, F8, A14, L28, L29, W43, G45, Y51, Q55, Q56, N66, M83, V90, M93, or F94 in SEQ ID NO:1; or at least one mutation at Q3, F7 A13, L27, W42, G44, Y50, Q54, N65, N67, M82, V89, M92, or F93 in SEQ ID NO:2, or a deletion at the terminal end of less than 20 amino acids. In a preferred embodiment, the mutation is at least one of T2H, Q4L, F8I, AI4R, L28A, L29S, W43R, G45T, Q55I, Q56A, N66I, N67A, M83I, V90R, M93T, or F94Q in SEQ ID NO:1, and Q3L, F7I, A13R, L27A, L28S, W42R, Q44T, Q54I, N65I, M82I, V89R, M92T, and F93Q in SEQ ID NO:2. Similarly, the genetically modified strain may also secrete ESAT-6 with a hexa-histidine tag, tetra-cysteine tag, or FLAG-tag, a GFP-fusion, or a short truncation at the C-terminal end of less than 20 amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates in its broadest aspect to combined phage/antibiotic therapy. More particularly, it relates to use of (i) one or more bacteriophages and (ii) one or more antibiotics in the manufacture of a combined product for simultaneous, separate or sequential administration of (i) and (ii) to treat a bacterial infection characterized by biofilm formation, for example an infection comprising or consisting of P. aeruginosa. Treatment in this context may be either therapeutic or prophylactic treatment. Also provided are deposited bacteriophages each exhibiting different strain specificity against P. aeruginosa and combinations of such bacteriophages, e.g. a panel of six deposited bacteriophages which was found to be effective against a high percentage of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from canine ear infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved antimicrobial compositions comprising peptide fragments of tammar wallaby milk proteins and analogs and derivatives thereof exemplified by the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID Nos: 1-40 and uses therefor in the treatment of a range of infections by bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial compositions are particularly useful for broad spectrum applications, especially for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of probiotics for the preparation of a carrier for balancing the skin's immune function. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of probiotic micro-organisms for balancing the skin's immune function under stress conditions, such as a exposure to ultraviolet radiation, specifically for enhancing the skin's immune activity and reducing the tendency to develop allergic reactions under such conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compositions of general formula (1) consisting of X1 Trp Gly Gln X2 or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters or amides thereof, wherein X1 is absent or contains at least one type of aminoacid, X2 is absent or contains at least one type of aminoacid. The inventive compositions produce an antitumoral and antiviral effect by suppressing a tumoral cells proliferation, potentiating the action of other antitumoral preparations and by stimulating antitumoral and antiviral immunologic mechanisms.

Abstract: Methods of preparing mutants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with one or more disrupted genes are presented, where the disrupted genes include ctpV, rv0990c, rv0971c, and/or rv0348. Compositions containing mutants with attenuated virulence and pathogenesis, which are capable of stimulation of an immune response against tuberculosis, are described. Compositions and methods relating to immunogenic compositions, which include an attenuated M. tb strain in which the M. tb genome includes a disruption of at least one of the ctpV gene, the rv0990c gene, the rv0971c gene, and the rv0348 gene, are also provided.

Abstract: Described are vaccines against malarial infections, which are based on recombinant viral vectors, such as alpha viruses, adenoviruses, or vaccinia viruses. The recombinant viral-based vaccines can be used to immunize against different Plasmodium infections, such as infections by P. falciparum or P. yoelii. Codon-optimized circumsporozoite genes are disclosed. Replication-defective adenoviruses may be used, derived from serotypes that encounter low titers of neutralizing antibodies. Also described is the use of different adenoviral serotypes that are administered to elicit a strong immune response, either in single vaccination set-ups or in prime-boost set-ups in which compositions based on different serotypes can be applied.

Abstract: This invention provides botulinum antitoxin compositions and methods of production, and methods of treating animals and humans prophylactically and also those suspected of having contacted botulism toxin. The botulinum antitoxin is prepared by inoculating an animal with a monovalent botulinum toxoid and toxin. The animal's plasma is collected and purified at a high pH by affinity chromatography. The resulting monovalent immunoglobulins are de-speciated by digestion with pepsin. Monovalent antitoxins for all seven botulinum serotypes are then combined to produce a high titered heptavalent botulinum antitoxin composition.

Abstract: An antimicrobially active peptide comprises the DCD protein or a fragment of DCD, preferably derived from the C-terminal region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one purified PorA protein antigen and at least one purified FetA protein antigen. In particular, said PorA/FetA antigens are antigenically variable antigens comprising the variable regions of PorA/FetA. Specific combinations of PorA/FetA epitopes are presented for example in Table 3. The invention also relates to methods of immunization comprising administering said compositions, and to methods for producing compositions. Preferably the compositions are purified protein compositions. Preferably the compositions are vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Identified herein are different forms of bitter receptor genes that occur in different humans. These alleles are generated by numerous coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNP's) that occur within the members of the T2R gene family. Some SNP's cause amino acid substitutions, while others introduce chain termination codons, rendering the allele non-functional. Differences in these genes are believed to have a large effect on those individuals' sense of bitter taste, such that these individuals perceive the taste of bitter substances differently than the rest of the population. The ability to assay this allelic information is useful in the development of flavorings and flavor enhancers, as it can be used to define large groups and populations who perceive bitter tastes differently. This in turn allows the taste preferences of these groups to be addressed at the molecular level for the first time.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to antigens and nucleic acids encoding such antigens obtainable by screening a Chlamydia genome. In more specific aspects, the invention relates to methods of isolating such antigens and nucleic acids and to methods of using such isolated antigens for producing immune responses. The ability of an antigen to produce an immune response may be employed in vaccination or antibody preparation techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bacteriophage MPK6 (deposit number: KCCM 11044P) having a lytic activity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or a progeny bacteriophage thereof having a RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism) DNA profile substantially equivalent to the bacteriophage MPK6. The present invention provides a bacteriophage MPK6 or a progeny bacteriophage thereof capable of treating a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection disease, and suggests an anti-bacterial activity of MPK6 and its progeny bacteriophage using a mammalian and non-mammalian infection model. According to the present invention, the present bacteriophage MPK6 or progeny bacteriophage thereof represents very effective efficacy on treatment of P. aeruginosa-induced peritonitis-sepsis.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, derived from the Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP1) gene of the Plasmodium species P. malariae and P. ovale. Such genes and proteins have many beneficial diagnostic as well as therapeutic uses.

Abstract: This invention provides recombinant polypeptides comprising a fragment of a High Molecular Weight Melanoma-Associated Antigen (HMW-MAA), recombinant Listeria strains comprising same, and methods of inducing an anti-HMW-MAA and anti HER-2/neu immune response thus treating and impeding the growth of tumors, comprising administering same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing or detecting cardiomyopathies or myocarditis in a patient following an infection. The method comprises obtaining a sample of a biological fluid from the patient, and determining the level of a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or a fragment thereof, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) or a fragment thereof, or both, within the sample of body fluid. The current invention also relates to the monitoring of treatment of cardiomyopathies or myocarditis as a result of an infection, by determining the levels of BNP or a fragment thereof, ANF or a fragment thereof, or both, at one or more than period prior to and optionally subsequent to, treatment. The step of determining the concentration of BNP or ANF involves an assay comprising at least one antibody exhibiting affinity for the BNP or a fragment thereof, ANF or a fragment thereof, and the biological fluid comprises plasma, urine or cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding a novel ABC family cholesterol transporter, SSG. The herein-disclosed sequences can be used for any of a number of purposes, including for the diagnosis and treatment of cholesterol-associated disorders, including sitosterolemia, and for the identification of molecules that associate with and/or modulate the activity of SSG.

Abstract: Antibodies that specifically bind to toxins of C. difficile, antigen binding portions thereof, and methods of making and using the antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof are provided herein.