Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, methods of use and making, and kits for immunomodulation. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides compositions including at least one antigen substantially co-localized with at least one adjuvant agent in a format selected from patch, capsule, tablet, gel, matrix, paste, reservoir, adhesive, liquid, suspension, lyophilized solid, liquid contained within one or more lumenal units, and combinations thereof, wherein one or both of the antigen and the adjuvant agent is a crude preparation, and wherein the composition is characterized in that administration to a subject in need thereof results in an immune response in the subject to the antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, nanoparticle compositions including a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface and one or more of a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components and a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components. In some embodiments, the preparation of hydrophilic cellular components is encapsulated within the internal lumen and the preparation of hydrophobic cellular components is associated with the external surface. Various methods of making and using disclosed nanoparticle compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic responses, particularly anaphylactic allergic responses, in subjects who are allergic to allergens or susceptible to allergies. Methods of the present invention utilize administration of microorganisms to subjects, where the microorganisms produce allergens and protect the subjects from exposure to the allergens until phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells. Particularly preferred microorganisms are gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. Particularly preferred allergens are proteins found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex that elicit allergic reactions and anaphylactic allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to the proteins or are susceptible to allergies to the proteins. The proteins may also be modified to reduce the ability of the proteins to bind and crosslink IgE antibodies and thereby reduce the risk of eliciting anaphylaxis without affecting T-cell mediated Th1-type immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic responses, particularly anaphylactic allergic responses, in subjects who are allergic to allergens or susceptible to allergies. Methods of the present invention utilize administration of microorganisms to subjects, where the microorganisms produce allergens and protect the subjects from exposure to the allergens until phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells. Particularly preferred microorganisms are gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. Particularly preferred allergens are proteins found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex that elicit allergic reactions and anaphylactic allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to the proteins or are susceptible to allergies to the proteins. The proteins may also be modified to reduce the ability of the proteins to bind and crosslink IgE antibodies and thereby reduce the risk of eliciting anaphylaxis without affecting T-cell mediated Th1-type immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic responses, particularly anaphylactic allergic responses, in subjects who are allergic to allergens or susceptible to allergies. Methods of the present invention utilize administration of microorganisms to subjects, where the microorganisms produce allergens and protect the subjects from exposure to the allergens until phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells. Particularly preferred microorganisms are gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. Particularly preferred allergens are proteins found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex that elicit allergic reactions and anaphylactic allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to the proteins or are susceptible to allergies to the proteins. The proteins may also be modified to reduce the ability of the proteins to bind and crosslink IgE antibodies and thereby reduce the risk of eliciting anaphylaxis without affecting T-cell mediated Th1-type immunity.

Abstract: It has been determined that allergens, which are characterized by both humoral (IgE) and cellular (T-cell) binding sites, can be modified to be less allergenic by modifying the IgE binding sites. The IgE binding sites can be converted to non-IgE binding sites by altering as little as a single amino acid within the protein, preferably a hydrophobic residue towards the center of the IgE epitope, to eliminate IgE binding. Additionally or alternatively a modified allergen with reduced IgE binding may be prepared by disrupting one or more of the disulfide bonds that are present in the natural allergen. The disulfide bonds may be disrupted chemically, e.g., by reduction and alkylation or by mutating one or more cysteine residues present in the primary amino acid sequence of the natural allergen. In certain embodiments, modified allergens are prepared by both altering one or more linear IgE epitopes and disrupting one or more disulfide bonds of the natural allergen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic reactions, particularly anaphylactic reactions. Methods of the present invention involve administering microorganisms to allergic subjects, where the microorganisms contain a recombinant version of the protein allergen. The recombinant version can be wild-type or may include mutations within IgE epitopes of the protein allergen. Preferably the compositions are administered rectally. Particularly preferred microorganisms are bacteria such as E. coli. Any allergen may be used in the inventive methods. Particularly preferred allergens are anaphylactic allergens including protein allergens found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex. The inventive compositions and methods are demonstrated in the treatment of peanut-induced anaphylaxis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic responses, particularly anaphylactic allergic responses, in subjects who are allergic to allergens or susceptible to allergies. Methods of the present invention utilize administration of microorganisms to subjects, where the microorganisms produce allergens and protect the subjects from exposure to the allergens until phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells. Particularly preferred microorganisms are gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. Particularly preferred allergens are proteins found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex that elicit allergic reactions and anaphylactic allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to the proteins or are susceptible to allergies to the proteins. The proteins may also be modified to reduce the ability of the proteins to bind and crosslink IgE antibodies and thereby reduce the risk of eliciting anaphylaxis without affecting T-cell mediated Th1-type immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic responses, particularly anaphylactic allergic responses, in subjects who are allergic to allergens or susceptible to allergies. Methods of the present invention utilize administration of microorganisms to subjects, where the microorganisms produce allergens and protect the subjects from exposure to the allergens until phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells. Particularly preferred microorganisms are gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. Particularly preferred allergens are proteins found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex that elicit allergic reactions and anaphylactic allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to the proteins or are susceptible to allergies to the proteins. The proteins may also be modified to reduce the ability of the proteins to bind and crosslink IgE antibodies and thereby reduce the risk of eliciting anaphylaxis without affecting T-cell mediated Th1-type immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic reactions, particularly anaphylactic reactions. Methods of the present invention involve administering microorganisms to allergic subjects, where the microorganisms contain a recombinant version of the protein allergen. The recombinant version can be wild-type or may include mutations within IgE epitopes of the protein allergen. Preferably the compositions are administered rectally. Particularly preferred microorganisms are bacteria such as E. coli. Any allergen may be used in the inventive methods. Particularly preferred allergens are anaphylactic allergens including protein allergens found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex. The inventive compositions and methods are demonstrated in the treatment of peanut-induced anaphylaxis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club design and method of designing a golf club or a plurality of golf clubs encompassing irons, woods and putters for a golfer. The golf club includes a shaft joined to a club head with a hosel. The club head has a sole and a club face adapted to strike a golf ball. A lie, a design loft, a length and an offset for the club are typical design parameters of the club. When the club is oriented at its design loft, a lean angle, defined as the angle between (i) a projection of the centerline of the shaft onto a vertical plane, the plane being along an intended line of play and (ii) a vertical line in such vertical plane, is tailored based upon the design loft, at least one of the lie, length and offset of the club and at least one swing characteristic of the golfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating immune system reactions by biasing T cell responses away from Th1 or Th2 responses in a pre-determined manner. Control is effected at the stage of antigen/APC encounter and/or at the stage of APC/T cell encounter. In preferred embodiments, a Th1 or Th2 response is inhibited through induction of the alternative response. The inventive methods and reagents are particularly useful for the management of autoimmune disorders, allergy, and asthma.

Abstract: Methods of optimizing and matching golf clubs, and the clubs so matched. Clubs are selected to produce a desired relationship between hand speed at impact (tempo), and centripetal force on the hands at impact (perceived force). Clubs may also be selected to minimize and equate (or reduce variation in) the radius of gyration, as measured about a center point which is individually determined for each golfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows a user to individually or simultaneously customize the pitch, roll, height, yaw, linear placement and lateral placement of his/her boots on his/her skis. This system allows the user to stand in a position while skiing that is closer to his/her natural position and to have the parameters of such a stance measured and quantified, thereby improving comfort, performance, and safety. As opposed to the limited variation in only some parameters described by current art, this invention allows significant variation in all individual parameters and simultaneous customization of all parameters. This simultaneity is important because of its increased ease to the skier and because altering any one parameter can change the center of pressure, thus creating the need for additional changes until the perfect combination of adjustments is made.

Abstract: It has been determined that allergens, which are characterized by both humoral (IgE) and cellular (T-cell) binding sites, can be modified to be less allergenic by modifying the IgE binding sites. The IgE binding sites can be converted to non-IgE binding sites by altering as little as a single amino acid within the protein, preferably a hydrophobic residue towards the center of the IgE epitope, to eliminate IgE binding. Additionally or alternatively a modified allergen with reduced IgE binding may be prepared by disrupting one or more of the disulfide bonds that are present in the natural allergen. The disulfide bonds may be disrupted chemically, e.g., by reduction and alkylation or by mutating one or more cysteine residues present in the primary amino acid sequence of the natural allergen. In certain embodiments, modified allergens are prepared by both altering one or more linear IgE eitopes and disrupting one or more disulfide bonds of the natural allergen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a golf club manufactured with an elongated grip that extends down the length of the shaft. The elongated grip allows the golfer to assume a more comfortable choked down hand position which in turn will promote better choked down golf shots and thus better control of non-standard distances. The grip can be of uniform or varying thickness and have a length selected by the golfer to correspond to his preferred choked down hand positions. The present invention also discloses and promotes the use of a set of two or more golf clubs designed to produce distance differentials that exceed those that come with traditional sets.

Abstract: It has been determined that allergens, which are characterized by both humoral (IgE) and cellular (T cell) binding sites, can be modified to be less allergenic by modifying the IgE binding sites. The IgE binding sites can be converted to non-IgE binding sites by masking the site with a compound that prevents IgE binding or by altering as little as a single amino acid within the protein, most typically a hydrophobic residue towards the center of the IgE binding epitope, to eliminate IgE binding. The method allows the protein to be altered as minimally as possible, other than within the IgE-binding sites, while retaining the ability of the protein to activate T cells, and, in some embodiments by not significantly altering or decreasing IgG binding capacity. The examples use peanut allergens to demonstrate alteration of IgE binding sites. The critical amino acids within each of the IgE binding epitopes of the peanut protein that are important to immunoglobulin binding have been determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for marking golf balls that allows for the placement of a putting directional indicator (PDI) along the dynamic axis of a ball. While golfers could use the device to mark individual balls after they have been purchased (i.e. after they already have marks on them from the manufacturer), in preferred embodiments, the PDI is applied at the manufacturing stage and/or before the ball has other markings placed upon it. While the PDI could simply consist of one or more lines, in a preferred embodiment, the putting directional indicator may serve as an identifying mark for a manufacturer, distributor or consumer and may be designed to incorporate letters, words, symbols, short sentences, names, initials, numbers, images and photographs.

Abstract: The present invention allows a skier to easily transfer a single set of bindings between sets of skis. The invention consists of two mechanisms that are interlocked or otherwise attached, hereinafter called the “ship” and the “dock.” The “ship” is a standardized mechanism to which the binding is affixed. The “dock” is a mechanism attached to the ski and adapted to receive and attach to the ship.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating immune system reactions by biasing T cell responses away from Th1 or Th2 responses in a pre-determined manner. Control is effected at the stage of antigen/APC encounter and/or at the stage of APC/T cell encounter. In preferred embodiments, a Th1 or Th2 response is inhibited through induction of the alternative response. The inventive methods and reagents are particularly useful for the management of autoimmune disorders, allergy, and asthma.