Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective peptide of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) or a functional active variant thereof, optionally further consisting of additional amino acid residue(s); a nucleic acid coding for the same; a pharmaceutical composition comprising said peptide or said nucleic acid; an antibody or functional active fragment thereof specifically binding to the antigen; a hybridoma cell line which produces said antibody; a method for producing said antibody; a pharmaceutical composition comprising said antibody; the use of said peptide or said nucleic acid for the manufacture of a medicament for the immunization or treatment of a subject; the use of said antibody or functional fragment thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of an infection; a method of diagnosing an E. faecalis infection; and the use of said peptide for the isolation and/or purification and/or identification of an interaction partner of the peptide.

Abstract: A collagen-binding MSCRAMM entitled Ace from enterococcal bacteria is provided which was homologous to the ligand-binding region of Cna, the collagen-binding MSCRAMM from Staphylococcus aureus, and which can be utilized to inhibit adhesion of enterococcal bacteria to extracellular matrix proteins. The N-terminal region of Ace contained a region (residues 174-319), or A domain, contains several 47-residue tandem repeat units between the collagen-binding site and cell wall-associated regions. The Ace protein can be utilized in methods of preventing and/or treating enterococcal infection, and in addition, antibodies raised against Ace, or its A domain, can be used to effectively inhibit the adhesion of enterococcal cells to a collagen substrate.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for lockably but releasably securing a picture frame or the like to a wall surface. The assembly includes a plurality of bracket plates each having a keyhole opening for coaction with a respective headed fastener element secured to the wall surface, and a locking plate mounted for pivotal movement on one of the bracket plates between an unlocked position in which a mask opening in the locking plate unmasks the head portion of the keyhole opening, to allow passage of the head of the wall fastener element, and a locked position in which the mask opening unmasks the slot portion of the keyhole opening. The mask opening includes a edge surface that extends obliquely across the entrance to the keyhole opening slot portion in the unlocked position of the locking plate and coacts with the shank portion of the wall fastener to rotate the locking plate to its locked position as the shank portion advances into the slot portion of the keyhole opening.