Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of treating or preventing C. difficile infections. In some embodiments, the method includes administering an antitoxin to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the antitoxin includes a designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin). In an additional embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a composition including an antitoxin for treating or preventing C. difficile infections. In some embodiments, the anti-toxin includes a DARPin. In some embodiments, the anti-toxin is a monomeric or dimeric DARPin for the neutralization of Clostridium difficile toxin B (TcdB).

Abstract: The invention described relates to the synthesis of gold nanorods in high concentrations in a single batch and their use in detection of nitroexplosives using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The nanoparticle suspensions were stable up to a month after preparation. The aggregated nanorods have a strong SERS effect for nitroexplosives (3,5-dintro-4-methylbenzoic acid and 2,4,6-TNT) with sensitivity of 5.0 pg in a few seconds. The results obtained in numerous tests demonstrated a high reproducibility that makes aggregated nanorods very attractive substrates for defense and security applications.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a method of inactivating enveloped DNA virus particles in a biological sample. In an embodiment, such a method comprises contacting the biological sample with an effective amount of an antiviral composition comprising PD 404,182 In some embodiments, the DNA virus is the Herpes Simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) or the Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2). In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of treating, preventing, or reducing a viral infection caused by an enveloped DNA virus in a subject in need thereof. In yet another embodiment, there is provided a method of preventing transmission of a viral infection to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: In some embodiments the present disclosure provides a method of inactivating a RNA virus of the family retroviridae in a biological sample. Such a method comprises contacting the biological sample with an effective amount of an antiviral composition comprising PD 404,182. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the RNA virus is selected from the group consisting of HIV pseudotyped lentiviruses, primary human immunodeficiency virus-1 isolates (HIV-1), human immunodeficiency virus-2 (HIV-2), and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a method of treating a subject infected by a RNA virus of the family retroviridae. Another embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method of preventing transmission of a RNA virus of the family retroviridae in a subject in need thereof.