Abstract: An immunogenic composition comprising a deletion mutant of a Clostridioides difficile TcdB toxin (such as TcdB2 or TcdB1) that lacks residues at least from amino acid residue 1769 to amino acid residue 1787 of a wild-type TcdB amino acid sequence or of a protein having high identity thereto, a vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition, a method of stimulating an immune response, a nucleic acid which encodes the amino acid sequence of the deletion mutant, a vector encoding the nucleic acid, and a host cell comprising the vector.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition containing a Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) surface polysaccharide II (PSII) or an immunogenic portion thereof; and an ?-galactosylceramide (?-GC) or analog or derivative thereof, which is able to bind to a CD1d glycoprotein, optionally containing a C. difficile TcdB C-terminal domain (CTD), or an immunogenic portion thereof, and/or an adjuvant. A method of treating, ameliorating, or inhibiting a C. difficile infection or a C. difficile-associated diarrhea in a subject by administering the immunogenic composition, particularly in subjects at risk for a C. difficile infection. A method of protecting a subject's gut microflora by administering the immunogenic composition or a composition containing ?-GC and an alum adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic peptides and peptide compositions, including peptide conjugates, that can ameliorate and/or block the cytotoxicity of Clostridium difficile toxin B(TcdB), and methods of their use for inhibiting the activity of Clostridium difficile toxin B(TcdB) and protecting against damage during Clostridium difficile toxin B(TcdB) disease, and/or for use as cell penetrating peptides for enhancing the delivery of particular heterogenous molecules into cells.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition containing a Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) surface polysaccharide II (PSII) or an immunogenic portion thereof; and an ?-galactosylceramide (?-GC) or analog or derivative thereof, which is able to bind to a CD1d glycoprotein, optionally containing a C. difficile TcdB C-terminal domain (CTD), or an immunogenic portion thereof, and/or an adjuvant. A method of treating, ameliorating, or inhibiting a C. difficile infection or a C. difficile-associated diarrhea in a subject by administering the immunogenic composition, particularly in subjects at risk for a C. difficile infection. A method of protecting a subject's gut microflora by administering the immunogenic composition or a composition containing ?-GC and an alum adjuvant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include vaccine compositions comprising a TcdB toxin or toxoid derived therefrom. The TcdB toxin may be derived from a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile. A further embodiment is directed to a method of conferring an active immunity against a C. difficile infection in a subject by administering the vaccine composition to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic peptides and peptide compositions, including peptide conjugates, that can ameliorate and/or block the cytotoxicity of C. difficile TcdB toxin, and methods of their use for inhibiting the activity of TcdB and protecting against damage during C. difficile disease, and/or for use as cell penetrating peptides for enhancing the delivery of particular heterogenous molecules into cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a composition comprising a recombinant protein in soluble form wherein said recombinant protein comprises a portion of the Clostridium difficile toxin B sequence that comprises an epitope for anti-toxin B antibody. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to the generation of antibodies using peptide fragments of C. difficile toxin B.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include vaccine compositions comprising a TcdB toxin or toxoid derived therefrom. The TcdB toxin may be derived from a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile. A further embodiment is directed to a method of conferring an active immunity against a C.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a composition comprising a recombinant protein in soluble form wherein said recombinant protein comprises a portion of the Clostridium difficile toxin B sequence that comprises an epitope for anti-toxin B antibody. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to the generation of antibodies using peptide fragments of C. difficile toxin B.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences that encode Clostridium difficile toxin B, wherein the isolated nucleotide sequences have been optimized for improved expression of the toxin B in a bacterial cell. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of expressing recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B in a bacterial cell from the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In other embodiments, the present invention pertains to bacterial cells that comprise the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In further embodiments, the invention pertains to isolated peptides of recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B that were derived from the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences that encode Clostridium difficile toxin B, wherein the isolated nucleotide sequences have been optimized for improved expression of the toxin B in a bacterial cell. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of expressing recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B in a bacterial cell from the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In other embodiments, the present invention pertains to bacterial cells that comprise the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In further embodiments, the invention pertains to isolated peptides of recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B that were derived from the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention.

Abstract: An active, or passive vaccine utilizing purified non-toxic mutant TcdB toxins from Clostridium difficile for humans and animals against infections caused by C. difficile and/or C. sordellii. Persons most potentially affected by C. difficile infections include hospitalized patients, infants, and elderly persons. The TcdB toxin mutant of the vaccine preferably lacks the toxicity of a native C. difficile TcdB toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the TcdB toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. difficile infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. difficile. Antibodies to the TcdB toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear TcdB toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant TcdB toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: An active or passive vaccine utilizing purified non-toxic mutant TcdB toxins from Clostridium difficile for humans and animals against infections caused by C. difficile and/or C. sordellii. Persons most potentially affected by C. difficile infections include hospitalized patients, infants, and elderly persons. The TcdB toxin mutant of the vaccine preferably lacks the toxicity of a native C. difficile TcdB toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the TcdB toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. difficile infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. difficile. Antibodies to the TcdB toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear TcdB toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant TcdB toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: An active or passive vaccine utilizing purified non-toxic mutant TcdB toxins from Clostridium difficile for humans and animals against infections caused by C. difficile and/or C. sordellii. Persons most potentially affected by C. difficile infections include hospitalized patients, infants, and elderly persons. The TcdB toxin mutant of the vaccine preferably lacks the toxicity of a native C. difficile TcdB toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the TcdB toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. difficile infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. difficile. Antibodies to the TcdB toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear TcdB toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant TcdB toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: A method and compositions for delivering a compound to the cytoplasm of a cell are disclosed. The compound to be delivered may be an antigenic compound, may be linked to a polycationic affinity handle, or both. In one of the methods disclosed, the B moiety of a toxin, such as the anthrax PA polypeptide, is also provided to enhance delivery of the compound to the cytoplasm of the cell.

Abstract: An archery support stand is set forth wherein a table member includes a top surface with arrow securement plates positioned along the top surface of the table member adjacent forward side surfaces thereof with bores positioned for receiving and securing the arrows for storage. A "U" shaped bracket includes a lower pivot block with an arcuate upper face with a lock pin spaced from the arcuate forward face provided with a through-extending bore through a free end thereof for receiving a lock to latch a bow therewithin. A bifurcated clamp member positions and secures a lowermost end of the associated bow within the support stand.