Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides vaccine nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells, in some embodiments, comprising at least one immunomodulatory agent, and optionally comprising at least one targeting moiety and optionally at least one immunostimulatory agent. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive vaccine nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive vaccine nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The invention provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions comprising administering at least one inventive vaccine nanocarrier to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Formulations and methods are provided for stabilizing antigens in dry solid vaccines. One aspect relates to dry solid formulations of influenza vaccines including one or more excipients identified as imparting stability to influenza antigens. Another aspect relates to dry solid formulations of measles vaccines including one or more excipients identified as imparting stability to a measles antigen. The formulations may be in a form suitable for reconstitution in a physiologically acceptable liquid vehicle to form an injectable solution or suspension for administration to a patient or in the form of dissolvable microneedles or coated microneedles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the efficacy of a vaccine in the treatment of cancer. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of at least two doses of an agent that interferes with DNA replication prior to vaccination with a survivin vaccine. Also provided are compositions for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for in vitro immunoactivation of mononuclear cells by contact with one or more populations of engineered leukocyte stimulator cells genetically engineered to express a core of 3 essential immunomodulator peptides, and optionally additional R immunomodulator peptides, and use of a cell product comprising the expanded and activated mononuclear cell population comprising one or more subpopulations of cytotoxic serial killer cells for passive immunization of a cancer patient not currently under the influence of an immunosuppressive regimen.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (Ia), compounds of general formula (Ia?), compounds of general formula (Ib), compounds of general formula (Ib?), compounds of general formula (I), compounds of general formula (I?), and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8, R9, X1, X2, and X3 are defined herein, that may be useful as inductors of type I interferon production, specifically as STING active agents, are provided. Also provided are processes for the synthesis and use of compounds of the disclosure.

Abstract: Provided are topical delivery systems and methods for treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject, or for eliciting an immune response in a subject including applying, to at least a portion of the subject's post-auricular region, a topical delivery system including a therapeutically effective amount of a topical pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one active agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. The topical pharmaceutical composition can include a topical immunogenic composition. The topical delivery system can further include a flexible substrate in communication with the topical immunogenic composition. The subject can be a pediatric subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of TB infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of TB and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for treating a neurodegenerative disease or condition associated with neuroinflammation induced by a leukotriene. The device is a film unit dosage form having a film layer and a safe and effective amount of a leukotriene receptor antagonist or leukotriene synthesis inhibitor. The device is configured and formulated to achieve transmucosal and/or enteral delivery of the leukotriene receptor antagonist or leukotriene synthesis inhibitor. The method includes transmucosally and/or enterally delivering to an animal in need of treatment, a safe and effective amount of a leukotriene blocker capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: This application discloses a D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase allosteric inhibitor and the use thereof. In one class is the benzoyl hydrazine compound for the allosteric site MDL-1 of the enzyme, and the other class is the furan compound for the allosteric site MDL-2 of the enzyme. In vitro enzymatic activity tests, cell viability tests and mouse xenograft model experiments confirm that the two classes of allosteric inhibitors can specifically inhibit the activity of D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and delay the growth of cancer cells by reducing the overexpression of the enzyme in cancer cells. Same are used alone or in combination, or in combination with other anti-cancer drugs and can treat, prevent, or inhibit tumor diseases, including breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to beta-glycolipid derivatives, their preparation and use as adjuvants in vaccines, as being suitable for being co-administered with antigens for vaccine prophylaxis and therapy. In certain embodiments, the beta-glycolipid derivatives of the invention also in their salified or complex form, are suitable for being co-administered with antigens for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes or for vaccine prophylaxis and therapy.

Abstract: Precipitated bacterial capsular polysaccharides can be efficiently re-solubilised using alcohols as solvents. The invention provides a process for purifying a bacterial capsular polysaccharide, comprising the steps of (a) precipitation of said polysaccharide, followed by (b) solubilisation of the precipitated polysaccharide using ethanol. CTAB can be used for step (a). The material obtained, preferably following hydrolysis and sizing, can be conjugated to a carrier protein and formulated as a vaccine. Also, in vaccines comprising saccharides from both serogroups A and C, the invention provides that the ratio (w/w) of Men A saccharide:MenC saccharide is >1.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for treating wounds and for accelerating the healing of wounds by administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing type VII collagen protein, mini-C7 protein, variants thereof or any combinations thereof. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered through a variety of routes including intravenous injection, topical application, or oral ingestion. The method may further include administering a genetically modified fibroblast capable of expressing type VII collagen protein, mini-C7 protein, variants thereof or small growth factors to achieve synergistic healing effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for prophylactic application of near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to photo-biologically inhibit accelerations or intensifications in biofilm production, after a bacterial or fungal pathogen is challenged with an antibiotic or antifungal agent. This photo-biologic minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (PMBIC) of infrared light will lower the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) necessary of an antibiotic and/or antifungal molecule necessary to decrease bacterial and fungal pathogens in human tissues. These systems and methods will only target undesirable microbial cells.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (Ia), compounds of general formula (Ia?), compounds of general formula (Ib), compounds of general formula (Ib?), compounds of general formula (I), compounds of general formula (I?), and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8, R9, X1, X2, and X3 are defined herein, that may be useful as inductors of type I interferon production, specifically as STING active agents, are provided. Also provided are processes for the synthesis and use of compounds of the disclosure.

Abstract: Described herein are human transgenic beta cells expressing fugetactic levels of CXCL12 to a subject in need thereof. Also described herein are beta cells comprising a transgene comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding CXCL12.

Abstract: An orally administrable composition for the photoprotection of the skin which comprises the combination of i) at least one probiotic lactic acid bacterium or a culture supernatant thereof, and ii) at least one carotenoid or derivative, included into an orally acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Some embodiments include bacterial species for use in treatment of one or more autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and/or schizophrenia symptoms in a subject in need thereof. The subject in need thereof can have a gut microbiota signature characteristic of an adult. The bacterial species can include Bacteroides (e.g., B. fragilis, B. thetaiomtaomicron, and/or B. vulgatus), and/or Enterococcus (e.g., E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. hirae, E. avium, E. durans, E. gallinarum, or E. casseliflavus). Upon treatment, one or more ASD-related behaviors can be improved in the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is an assay for detecting a rough-type mycobacterium and a smooth-type mycobacterium in a sample, wherein the mycobacterium is Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis. The assay comprises a first molecule that selectively binds to the rough-type mycobacterium or binds to a molecule preferentially secreted by the rough-type mycobacterium and a second molecule that selectively binds to the smooth-type mycobacterium or binds to a molecule preferentially secreted by the smooth-type mycobacterium. The first molecule and the second molecule are independently detectable. Also provided herein are corresponding methods for detecting a rough-type mycobacterium and a smooth-type mycobacterium in a sample and assays and methods for detecting tuberculosis infection in a sample.

Abstract: Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) infection is a major health concern. The present disclosure provides, inter alia, certain highly effective vaccines and immunogenic compositions against HSV-2. The antigens can be used therapeutically or prophylactically.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an immersion vaccine for fish comprising at least one isolated antigen, specifically a recombinant antigen, such as is F. psychrophilum and/or infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide immunogenic compositions for protection against S. pneumoniae, in particular against S. pneumoniae serogroup 9, while limiting the number of conjugates. The present invention thereforerelates to new immunogenic compositions for use in pneumococcal vaccines and to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumoccocal infections using said immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: Provided are a liposome composition which has a practically required long-term preservation stability, and which has a release rate of a drug on the order of several tens of hours due to releasability of a drug being able to be suitably controlled by rendering an inner water phase hyper-osmotic; and a method for producing the same. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liposome composition, including liposomes each of which has an inner water phase and an aqueous solution which constitutes an outer water phase and in which the liposomes are dispersed, in which each of the liposomes encapsulates a drug in a dissolved state, an osmotic pressure of the inner water phase is 2-fold to 8-fold relative to the osmotic pressure of the outer water phase, and a release rate of the drug from each of the liposomes is 10%/24 hr to 70%/24 hr in blood plasma at 37° C.; and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting growth of cancer stem cells, containing an aldehyde inhibitor and a biguanide-based compound. The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention contains a combination of an aldehyde inhibitor and a biguanide-based compound, which can effectively inhibit the growth of cancer stem cells such as neurospheres and can also inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, thereby preventing and/or treating cancer such as brain cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses in vitro and in vivo diagnostic methods with enhanced specificity and sensitivity for the detection of tuberculosis. The diagnostic reagents of the present invention can replace former mixtures/cocktails/pools of antigens comprising ESAT-6 but including ESAT6 improves the diagnosis even further.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition and a food product for inhibiting gastritis induced by gastric Helicobacter pylori, comprising Lactobacillus selected from a group composed of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GM-020 (also known as GMNL-74) with deposited number CCTCC M203098; Lactobacillus acidophilus GMNL-185 with deposited number CCTCC M2017764; and Lactobacillus plantarum GMNL-662 with deposited number CCTCC M2016571; and any two of the above bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel anticancer therapeutic having a high effect against solid cancers, lacking the side effects of chemotherapeutics, and being unlikely to cause resistance. Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment prepared by a method having: a stem cell production step for making immortalized stem cells by introducing four types of genes into deciduous tooth dental pulp stem cells obtained from the dental pulp of mammals; and a condition medium preparation step for culturing the immortalized stem cells for a predetermined length of time in serum-free medium at 23-27° C. under conditions of low oxygen concentration at an oxygen concentration of from 0.5% to less than 20%, the pharmaceutical composition containing 1.5 times or more of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than is contained in condition medium prepared when culturing at an oxygen concentration of 20% and otherwise identical conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of preventing reactivation of active and latent M. tuberculosis infections by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid encoding a Mtb72f fusion protein, or a Mtb72f fusion protein or an immunogenic fragment thereof, for example together with an adjuvant. The Mtb72f nucleic acid or fusion protein can be administered with one or more chemotherapeutic agents effective against a M. tuberculosis infection. The methods also provide for shortening the time course of a chemotherapeutic regimen against a M. tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) vectors comprising at least one exogenous antigen encoding sequence relating to a pathogen infecting food producing animals, wherein said exogenous antigen encoding sequence is inserted into an insertion site, preferably ORF70, and said exogenous antigen encoding sequence is operably linked to a promoter sequence, preferably the promoter sequence comprising 4pgG600 (SEQ ID NO:1) or 4pMCP600 (SEQ ID NO:2) or the complementary nucleotide sequences thereof or a functional fragment or a functional derivative thereof or the complementary nucleotide sequences thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for immunizing a food producing animal comprising administering to such food producing animal an immunogenic composition comprising embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of clinical signs caused by swine influenza virus in a food producing animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of (vector) vaccines, and especially to the novel EHV insertion site ORF70. The present invention further concerns related expression cassettes and vectors, which are suitable to express genes of interest, especially antigen encoding sequences. The viral vectors of the present invention are useful for producing an immunogenic composition or vaccine.

Abstract: An antibody or a fragment thereof having immunoreactivity to a polypeptide comprising not less than 7 continuous amino acids in the CD179b protein, which was identified as a cancer antigen protein specifically expressed on the surfaces of cancer cells, can be used as a pharmaceutical composition for therapy and/or prophylaxis of cancer.

Abstract: Inducible promoters for the coordinated expression of at least one heterologous gene in yeast and methods of using them are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to sets of inducible promoters derived from S. cerevisiae and related species that can be induced in the presence of nonfermentable carbon sources.

Abstract: A cleavage-based real-time PCR assay method is provided. In general terms, the assay method includes subjecting a reaction mixture comprising a) PCR reagents for amplifying a nucleic acid target, and b) flap cleavage reagents for performing a flap cleavage assay on the amplified nucleic acid target to two sets of thermocycling conditions. No additional reagents are added to the reaction between said first and second sets of cycles and, in each cycle of the second set of cycles, cleavage of a flap probe is measured.

Abstract: A method of improving meibomian gland function in a patient includes inserting a cannula into an interior of a meibomian gland of the patient through an orifice thereinto, the cannula including at least one opening in communication with the interior of the meibomian gland, and injecting a blood product into the interior of the meibomian gland through the inserted cannula via the at least one opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting increased duration of effect and to methods for the manufacture of such recombinant clostridial neurotoxins. These novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins comprise a random coil domain, and the methods comprise the steps of inserting a nucleic acid sequence coding for a random coil domain into a nucleic acid sequence coding for a parental clostridial neurotoxin and expression of the recombinant nucleic acid sequence comprising the random coil domain-coding sequence in a host cell. The invention further relates to novel recombinant single-chain precursor clostridial neurotoxins used in such methods, nucleic acid sequences encoding such recombinant single-chain precursor clostridial neurotoxins, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant clostridial neurotoxin with increased duration of effect.

Abstract: A method for producing monovalent unsaturated free fatty acids having 20 and/or 22 carbons or low-grade alcohol esters thereof, said method involving the following: obtaining free fatty acids or low-grade alcohol esters through the hydrolysis or alcoholysis of oils and fats derived from marine products; carrying out distillation on the free fatty acids or low-grade alcohol esters, and reducing the concentration of fatty acids with 18 or less carbons in the low-grade alcohol esters or free fatty acids; and collecting fractions of monovalent unsaturated free fatty acids having 20 and/or 22 carbons or low-grade alcohol esters thereof by column chromatography based on reversed-phase distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite antigens comprising a peptide with contiguous amino acid sequence derived from a plurality of antigenic epitopes of one or more pathogens that induces an immune response in a mammal that is protective against infection by the one or more pathogens. In addition, the invention relates to vaccines comprising composite antigens and to method for treating and preventing an infection.

Abstract: There is a need for delivery platforms with robust capacity that offer the possibility to deliver diverse protein-based therapeutics into specific cells. Described herein is a platform for delivering cargo polypeptides into cells, which is based on a recombinant molecule comprising: a cargo polypeptide, a diphtheria toxin enzymatic fragment (DTA), and a diphtheria toxin translocation fragment (DTB). The platform has been employed to deliver diverse cargo into cells, including those having low or high molecular weights. A hyper-stable cargo polypeptide has been delivered, as well as proteins of therapeutic significance (e.g, MecP2, SMN, FMRP, PNP, alpha-amylase, and RRSP). The platform is also useful for delivering genome-modifying proteins, such as the CRISPR protein, Cas9. Associated nucleic acids, pharmaceutical compositions, methods, uses, and kits are also described, including those of therapeutic significance aimed at treating diseases or disorders caused by enzyme or protein deficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods for inducing an immune response to human papillomavirus (HPV). More particularly, disclosed is a method for inducing an immune response in a subject by introducing and expressing a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic HPV antigen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides binding-triggered transcriptional switch polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the binding-triggered transcriptional switch polypeptides, and host cells genetically modified with the nucleic acids. The present disclosure also provides chimeric Notch receptor polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the chimeric Notch receptor polypeptides, and host cells transduced and/or genetically modified with the nucleic acids. The present disclosure provides transgenic organisms comprising a nucleic acid encoding a binding triggered transcriptional switch polypeptide and/or a chimeric Notch receptor polypeptide of the present disclosure. Binding triggered transcriptional switch polypeptides and chimeric Notch receptor polypeptides of the present disclosure are useful in a variety of applications, which are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (1): wherein Xa and Ya are each a single bond or the like, cancer antigen peptide A is an MHC class I-restricted cancer antigen peptide, and R1 is a hydrogen atom; a group represented by the formula (2): wherein Xb and Yb are each a single bond or the like, and cancer antigen peptide B is different from the cancer antigen peptide A and is an MHC class I or II-restricted cancer antigen peptide; a group represented by the formula (3): wherein Xc and Yc are each a single bond or the like, and cancer antigen peptide C is an MHC class II-restricted cancer antigen peptide; or cancer antigen peptide D, wherein the cancer antigen peptide D is an MHC class I or II-restricted cancer antigen peptide containing one cysteine residue, or a salt thereof, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biofunctionalized nanoparticles and uses thereof in adoptive cell therapy. In particular, the present invention relates to a nanoparticle comprising an amount of at least one antigen and an amount of at least one antibody having specificity for a B cell receptor wherein the antigen and antibody are attached to the surface of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioactive peptide including a partial amino acid sequence of Plasmodium falciparum enolase, and having a molecular structure compatible with a specification setting for a GMP-compliant production process. The peptide has a structure in which two peptides, each having an amino acid sequence of A01-Ala-Ser-Glu-Phe-Tyr-Asn-Ser-Glu-Asn-Lys-Thr-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Asp-Phe-Lys-Thr-Pro-Asn-Asn-Asp-A02 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or A03-Ala-Ser-Glu-Phe-Tyr-Asn-Ser-Glu-Asn-Lys-Thr-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Asp-Phe-Lys-Thr-Pro-Asn-Asn-Asp-Lys-Ser-Leu-Val-Lys-Thr-A04 (SEQ ID NO: 2) are linked by amide bonds between the respective carboxy termini of the two peptides and two amino groups of Lys in a linker peptide represented by Lys-A05-Cys-A06 and arranged in the form of a two-forked branch, wherein each of A01 to A06 represents an amino acid residue in a number of an arbitrary number including 0.

Abstract: The embodiment described herein are related nanoemulsions comprising botulinum toxins. In one embodiment, the nanoemulsions are prepared by high pressure microfluidization and comprise a particle size distribution exclusively between 10 and 300 nm. The nanoemulsions contemplated by the present invention are useful for the cosmetic and medical treatment of muscular contracture states. For example, botulinum toxin may relax facial muscles such that skin wrinkles become smoother and less noticeable. Further, the present invention contemplates a cosmetic formulation that may be self-administered, for example, in the privacy of one's home and without medical supervision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino acid and peptide conjugates, methods for making amino acid and peptide conjugates, conjugates produced by the methods, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of eliciting immune responses in a subject and methods of vaccinating a subject, uses of the conjugates for the same, and uses of the conjugates in the manufacture of medicaments for the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody that inhibits immunosuppressive functions of pathogens, antigen-binding fragment thereof, and hybridomas producing such antibody. The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof bind to a peptide consisting an amino acid sequence represented by MEKVGKDGVITVE (SEQ ID NO: 1). The present invention also discloses use of the invented monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, and method of preparation for such hybridomas.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to immunomodulatory bacterial minicells and methods of using the minicells.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogen for HIV vaccination and, in particular, to a method of inducing the production of protective anti-HIV antibodies by targeting B cell germline and clone intermediates using a combination of HIV envelope and non-HIV immunogens. The invention also relates to compositions suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: Provided are a hormone secretion modulator including a peptide derived from telomerase, more particularly, a peptide including an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of at least 80% with SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof, a pharmaceutical composition including the hormone secretion modulator, and a use of the pharmaceutical composition for treatment, alleviation, or prevention of diseases caused by excessive or deficient levels hormones.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccine compositions including CEV serogroup immunogens, attenuated and inactivated viruses of the CEV serogroup and chimeric Bunyaviridae. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing CEV serogroup infection in a mammalian host, methods of producing a subunit vaccine composition or an immunogenic composition, isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a CEV serogroup immunogen, methods for detecting La Crosse virus (LACV) infection in a biological sample and infectious chimeric Bunyaviridae.