Abstract: A particular Bifidobacterium spp. strain or particular Lactobacillus spp. strain according to the present invention is isolated from excrement of a human or cabbage kimchi, and thus is highly safe and has physiological activities such as an immunity regulatory effect and an inflammation reaction inhibiting effect. Therefore, the particular Bifidobacterium spp. strain or particular Lactobacillus spp. strain according to the present invention may be used as a material for regulating immunity and inhibiting inflammation reactions, and may be also used as a functional food and drug material useful for preventing, alleviating or treating rhinitis, atopy, asthma, etc. which are allergic diseases.

Abstract: Bifidobacterium longum strains and cell wall fractions isolated from Bifidobacterium longum strains are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of a respiratory viral infection in a subject. They are also useful in the prophylaxis of a secondary bacterial infection associated with a respiratory viral infection in a subject, especially a subject who is susceptible to respiratory infections.

Abstract: Polyphosphazenes polyelectrolytes. The polyphosphazenes can be prepared by substituting pendant groups (e.g., ionic groups or pendant groups that can form ionic groups) onto a reactive macromolecular precursor for example, by reaction between the reactive chlorine atoms on the backbone of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and appropriate organic nucleophiles. In certain examples, one or more charged pendant groups of a polyphosphazene is/are further modified to introduce desired counterions, which can be hydrophobic counterions. The polyphosphazenes can activate distinct Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention refers to new glycoconjugate antigens expressing built-in multiple epitopes and to polyvalent glycoconjugate vaccines intended for the protection of mammalians, and particularly for the protection of the human population from enteropathogenic bacteria, such as the Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium Clostridium difficile and the Gram-negative bacteria Salmonella typhi, Escherichia Coli, Vibrio Cholerae, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella paratyphi A, Shigella sonnei, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella cholerasuis, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/or from viral gastrointestinal infections due to human noroviruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of medical microbiology and vaccines. In particular the invention relates to a process wherein the spontaneous release of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMV) of Gram-negative bacteria is stimulated by application of a dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) that is higher than a physiological DOT. The thus produced OMVs are for use in vaccines. The invention further relates to OMV obtainable by said process, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such OMV. The present invention further relates to the use of OMV of the present invention as a medicament in particular for use in a method for eliciting an immune response.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic compound comprising an antigenic peptide having amino acid similarity with a tumor antigen, which antigenic peptide is selected in the group consisting of peptides having amino acid similarity with IL13RA2, the said antigenic peptide being selected in the group consisting of sequences described in the specification.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of identifying bacteria comprising binding polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of identifying bacteria with improved expression of binding polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of identifying binding polypeptides with improved expression. The invention also provides engineered bacteria suitable for use in the methods of the invention. The invention also provides compositions that can be obtained using the methods, for example, anti-interleukin-13 (IL-13) antibodies with improved expression and/or stability. The invention also provides libraries comprising binding polypeptide (e.g., antibody) variants.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of pneumococcal capsular saccharide conjugate vaccines. Specifically, an immunogenic composition for infants is provided comprising a multivalent Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine comprising 2 or more capsular saccharide conjugates from different serotypes, wherein the composition comprises a serotype 22F saccharide conjugate. Such a vaccine may be used in infant populations to reduce the incidence of elderly pneumococcal disease such as exacerbations of COPD and/or IPD.

Abstract: There is provided novel peptides for use in diagnosis of CagA+ H. pylori infection or the prediction of risk for gastric cancer. The peptides bind antibodies from CagA+ H. pylori patients with high specificity and sensitivity, and can be used for example in a diagnostic kit.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a combination of a first vaccine comprising non-replicating immunogen of porcine circo virus type 2 (PCV2) and non-replicating immunogen of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and a second vaccine comprising live attenuated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, for use in prophylactically treating an animal against an infection with porcine circovirus type 2, an infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and an infection with PRRS virus, by associated non-mixed administration of the first vaccine and the second vaccine to the animal. The invention also pertains to a kit-of-parts comprising the first and second vaccine and to a method of protecting an animal against such infections using these vaccines.

Abstract: The current invention lies in the field of medicine and more specifically in the field of vaccinology. The current invention concerns a novel Bordetella LPS and a modified bacterium of the genus Bordetella comprising such modified LPS. The LPS of the invention has a reduced endotoxicity in comparison to an unmodified Bordetella LPS. The modified LPS of the invention is therefore particularly suitable for use in inducing or stimulating an immune response in a subject, wherein the immune response is induced or stimulated against a Bordetella infection. The modified Bordetella LPS of the invention is obtainable by introducing in a Bordetella cell the expression of a heterologous acyl transferase. In particular, the modified Bordetella cell of the invention has an increased expression of an heterologous LpxA, LpxL or LpxD acyl transferase.

Abstract: There is provided a salt-tolerant Lactobacillus having high foodstuff suitability, being easily produced, and having an immunostimulatory action. Salt-tolerant Lactobacillus having an immunostimulatory action with viability and activation potency of B cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel fungal strains capable of solubilizing phosphate, as well as compositions and methods of using those strains to increase the amount/concentration of soluble phosphate in a medium that comprises insoluble phosphate.

Abstract: A live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional evpB protein and a method of using the same to protect fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri. The methods and compositions for protecting fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri comprising administering to a fish a therapeutically effective amount of an attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional protein selected from the group consisting of evpB, fur and hfq. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the gene. The fish include catfish, preferably catfish fingerling or a catfish fry. The composition may be delivered via immersion delivery, an injection delivery, an oral delivery, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, the use of said product for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans, the pharmaceutical formulations containing it, and the use of said formulations for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing the risk and severity of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci infection or colonization. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a restricted fraction of the gut microbiota, including the bacteria Clostridium scindens and/or the bacteria Blautia producta contribute substantially to resistance against vancomycin-resistant Enterococci infection or colonization. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that this is achieved through the biosynthesis of secondary bile acids in the case of Clostridium scindens.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is an arabinose ester of a mycolic acid or an analogue thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode a modified consensus mesothelin antigen. Vectors, compositions, and vaccines comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode a modified consensus mesothelin antigen are disclosed. Methods of treating a subject with a mesothelin-expressing tumor and methods of preventing a mesothelin-expressing tumor are disclosed. Modified consensus mesothelin antigen is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides aqueous inoculant compositions and methods for enhancing the survival and/or stability of microbial spores in an inoculant composition. In some embodiments, aqueous inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise microbial spores, one or more dispersants, one or more protectants, one or more aqueous additives and a non-aqueous liquid carrier.

Abstract: Present invention relate to a combination of experimental and computational workflows that allow characterization of skin and subcutaneous tissue microbial flora and its associated metabolome, aiming to first evaluate an individual's skin and subcutaneous tissue to determine if any skin condition is as a result of an imbalance or absence of commensal or mutualistic microorganisms or their associated metabolites. The methods and the associated computational platform provided herein relate to conducting a customized or personalized test and obtaining customized or personalized information regarding the skin and subcutaneous tissue flora and its associated metabolome there from also have been disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacterial ghosts, and more particularly, to a method of preparing bacterial ghosts from gram-positive bacteria by hydrochloric acid treatment. Specifically, according to the present invention, when gram-positive bacteria were cultured after being treated with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of hydrochloric acid capable of inhibiting colony formation of gram-positive bacteria, bacterial ghosts were effectively formed. Since the formed bacterial ghosts have no intracellular proteins or DNA while preserving cell wall integrity, the risk of side effects such as secondary infection caused by bacterial growth when the bacterial ghosts are administered to humans is low. Therefore, the bacterial ghosts prepared from gram-positive bacteria according to the method of the present invention may be effectively used as a vaccine or a foreign antigen carrier for preventing or treating gram-positive bacterial infection.

Abstract: For the first time individual (free from impurities of penta- and hexa-acetylated derivatives) di-, tri- and tetra-acetylated S-LPS of endotoxic bacteria and combinations thereof were obtained and their immunobiological, physical-chemical and chemical-pharmaceutical properties were studied. For the first time the principal possibility of their clinical application was directly demonstrated as vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions containing the modified S-LPS individual as monocomponent or combinations thereof as two and three component active substance, respectively. The modified S-LPS and combinations thereof have high safety profile and provide low pyrogenicity and high immunogenicity. Developed on their basis vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions demonstrate anti-shock activity, high efficiency and specificity, broad-spectrum action and also good chemical-pharmaceutical parameters.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a brain function improving agent for neonates, especially, newborn neonates. According to the present invention, there is provided a brain function improving agent for neonates, comprising a lactic acid bacterium and/or a Bifidobacterium. The brain function improving agent or composition for improving brain function for neonates according to the present invention is advantageous in that the use thereof can improve the developmental quotient without any side effect and also enables effective development and growth of neonates.

Abstract: Mycobacterial-specific biomarkers and methods of using such biomarkers for diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in a mammal are disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and method of maintaining fertility or treating retained placenta, reproductive tract infection, or reproductive tract inflammation in an animal involves administering ovotransferrin to the reproductive tract of the animal. The ovotransferrin administration protects against and treats reproductive tract infection, while protecting against and treating reproductive tract inflammation such as metritis, and thereby maintains fertility in the animal.

Abstract: Definitive diagnosis and early start of treatment cannot be made for tuberculosis since conventional methods for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex require a long time plus enormous labor and expense. Because detection is difficult to perform directly from a biological sample, if the biological sample contains no or a very small amount of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-specific secretory protein, there is a risk infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex will be missed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and reagents for improving nanopore-based analyses of polymers. Specifically, the disclosure provides a method of analyzing a polymer that includes a polymer analyte that contains an end domain that has at least one charged moiety. The disclosure also provides a method of increasing the interaction rate between a polymer analyte and a nanopore, wherein the polymer analyte contains an end domain that has at least one charged moiety. The disclosure also provide compositions for use with the described methods, including adapter compositions that contain charged moieties, such as phosphate or sulfate groups, and that are configured to being linked to an polymer analyte domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vesicles derived from genus Morganella bacteria and a use thereof, the present inventors experimentally confirmed that the vesicles were significantly decreased in clinical samples derived from patients with a malignant disease such as gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer and lymphoma, a cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, variant angina, and stroke, diabetes mellitus, and Parkinson's disease as compared to normal persons, and the vesicles suppressed the secretion of inflammatory mediators by pathogenic vesicles and suppressed the occurrence of cancer, so that the vesicles derived from genus Morganella bacteria may be usefully used for the purpose of developing a method for diagnosing a malignant disease such as gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cance

Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant single-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp) and uses thereof.

Abstract: A water soluble polymer, in particular polysialic acid (PSA) or a modified PSA (mPSA), is conjugated to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a glycoprotein other than a blood coagulation protein or to a ganglioside or drug delivery system by contacting the oxidized carbohydrate moiety with the water soluble polymer, wherein said water soluble polymer contains an aminooxy group and an oxime linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer or wherein said water soluble polymer contains a hydrazide group and a hydrazone linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the hydrazide group on the water soluble polymer. Conjugates of aminooxy- or hydrazide-water soluble polymer, such as PSA and mPSA, are thus obtained in which the PSA or mPSA is attached via a carbohydrate moiety.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a composition for preventing hair loss or promoting hair growth comprising, as an active ingredient, extracellular follicles derived from lactic acid bacteria, and a method for preparing the extracellular follicles derived from lactic acid bacteria. The composition has an effect of preventing and prohibiting hair from falling off from the scalp or becoming thin or tapered. In addition, the composition has an effect of implementing a hair growth function for generating new hair, or a function for promoting the hair growth, as well as a function of promoting a delay from an anagen to a catagen phase of a hair cycle and a function of growing the existing hair healthy.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a S. aureus type 5 or type 8 capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) depolymerising the capsular polysaccharide, to give a polysaccharide fragment; (b) oxidising the fragment in order to introduce an aldehyde group into at least one saccharide residue in the fragment, to give an oxidised saccharide residue; and (c) coupling the oxidised saccharide residue to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The coupling in step (c) may be direct, or may be via a linker molecule. The invention also provides a conjugate obtained or obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of experimental and computational workflows that allow characterization of specific molecular mechanisms by which the microbiome contribute to skin health and skin age.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases by mucosal delivery by micro-organism, in particular Lactococcus lactis, of secreted immunodominant antigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigens, for use in the treatment or prevention of C. burnetii infection. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding such antigens, and antibodies raised against such antigens.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and supplement for preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress, including ulcer conditions, in animals are disclosed. The supplement comprises mastic gum and an emulsifying agent such as lecithin. The supplement may also comprise B vitamins, one or more prebiotics or probiotics, and one or more minerals as well as, pH buffers and flavoring. A disclosed method of preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress comprises orally dosing an animal with the supplement at least one daily.

Abstract: A spore-forming Bacillus species, and more particularly, a Bacillus subtilis strain identified as MB40 is provided. Compositions comprising the MB40 strain, methods of making products comprising the same, and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attenuated mutant strain of Salmonella comprising a recombinant DNA molecule encoding Mesothelin. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of said attenuated mutant strain of Salmonella in cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for preventing, ameliorating, or treating inflammatory diseases, the composition including, as active ingredients, lactic acid bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles isolated from culture fluid of lactic acid bacteria; and a method for diagnosing atopic dermatitis. The composition including the lactic acid bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles as active ingredients is expected to be usefully used in development of drugs, cosmetics, or health functional food for preventing, ameliorating, or treating inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sepsis, etc. Also, the composition will be usefully used for diagnosis of atopic dermatitis by measuring the distribution of lactic acid bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles in a urine or blood sample.

Abstract: Knockout of the meningococcal mltA homolog gives bacteria that spontaneously release vesicles that are rich in immunogenic outer membrane proteins and that can elicit cross-protective antibody responses with higher bactericidal titres than OMVs prepared by normal production processes. Thus the invention provides a bacterium having a knockout mutation of its mltA gene. The invention also provides a bacterium, wherein the bacterium: (i) has a cell wall that includes peptidoglycan; and (ii) does not express a protein having the lytic transglycosylase activity MltA protein. The invention also provides compositions comprising vesicles that, during culture of bacteria of the invention, are released into the culture medium.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are direct to a vaccine composition comprising an immunizing amount of an Ehrlichia sonicate, wherein the Ehrlichia sonicate elicits a protective physiologic response. In certain aspects the Ehrlichia is one or more of E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. muris, E. ruminantium, E. ewingii, and E. ovis.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for detecting infection of an animal by Mycobacterium bovis. The method generally includes obtaining a biological sample from a host animal at risk of being infected by Mycobacterium bovis and analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of at least one M. bovis polypeptide. In some embodiments, the method can further include analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of at least one M. bovis lipid. In some embodiments, the method can further include detecting at least one host polypeptide whose expression is greater in a host infected with M. bovis compared to expression in a host known to be uninfected with M bovis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine which has a high therapeutic effect on mycoplasma infection and is highly safe. For the purpose of developing effective therapeutic methods for mycoplasma infection, mycoplasma-mimic particles which are effective as a vaccine for mycoplasma infection are provided, and also provided are bacterium-mimic particles including common bacteria. Bacterium-mimic particles such as mycoplasma-mimic particles can be provided by producing liposome particles in which a lipid antigen specific to a pathogenic bacterium such as mycoplasma is contained as a liposome-constituting lipid component. The administration of the mycoplasma-mimic particles enables the induction of a potent immunological activity in living bodies. The mycoplasma-mimic particles can be used as an excellent vaccine for the prevention or treatment of mycoplasma infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising substantially non-viable Gram-negative bacterial organisms that have a substantial reduction in endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity and methods for treating a cancer using the same. Also provided are methods for treating cancer provided herein, comprising administering to a mammal diagnosed with cancer, substantially non-viable Gram-negative bacteria having a substantial reduction in endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity, in an amount sufficient to inhibit growth or metastasis of the cancer. An additional method is provided comprising administering viable or non-viable Gram-negative bacterial organisms that have a genetic defect that results in a substantial loss of lipopolysaccharide within the outer membrane of the bacteria. Further provided are methods for reducing endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity in Gram-negative bacteria comprising treatment with polymyxin and glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that bisphosphonates have an intrinsic adjuvant activity and directly stimulate B cell antibody secretion. Accordingly, the present invention provides vaccines comprising a bisphosphonate, methods for stimulating an immune response, enhancing the immunogenicicty of an immunogen, and methods of treating an infection, an autoimmune disease, an allergy, and/or a cancer using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a nutritional and medicinal oral composition for veterinary use, comprising the following steps: a) providing cores of extruded products of complete feed, and b) coating the cores of extruded products of complete feed provided in step a) with at least one layer of a fatty material comprising at least one medicinal agent, said medicinal agent comprising (i) at least one pre-conditioned active substance in the form of a solution or a suspension of said active substance in an oily liquid, or (ii) at least one pre-conditioned active substance in the form of waxy granulates, at a temperature lower than 40° C.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for producing immune responses against polypeptides involved in antibiotic resistance. For example, vaccines against polypeptides involved in antibiotic resistance as well as methods for vaccinating mammals against polypeptides involved in antibiotic resistance are provided.