Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. The mutant toxin may include a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods and compositions for use in culturing Clostridium difficile and in producing C. difficile toxins.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for the expression and purification of Cas13a and methods for detecting target RNA using Cas13a.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated peptide containing a motif that binds antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLA) and that is recognized by CD4+ T cells that are able to induce production of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLA). The present invention further provides methods for detection of aPLA and CD4+ T cells able to induce production of aPLA. The present invention also provides methods for treating the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing a bacterial disease or infection, antibacterial compositions, and antibacterial surfaces, including an isolated polypeptide comprising an enzymatically active domain (EAD) of a Bacillus bacteriophage endolysin.

Abstract: Provided are a polypeptide and nucleic acid for encoding the polypeptide, a nucleic-acid construct, an expression vector, and a host cell containing the nucleic acid, an antigen-presenting cell presenting the polypeptide on the surface of the cell, and immune effector cell thereof, a pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide, a vaccine containing the nucleic acid, the nucleic acid construct, the expression vector, the host cell, the antigen-presenting cell, and the immune effector cell, and an antibody recognizing the polypeptide. Also provided is a therapeutic method using the polypeptide, the nucleic acid, the pharmaceutical composition, the vaccine, and the antibody. Also provided are a diagnosis method and diagnosis apparatus for detecting the described polypeptide. Also provided is an application of the polypeptide in preparing a vaccine, a tumor diagnosis kit, or a pharmaceutical composition, and an application of the polypeptide or the nucleic acid as a test target in tumor diagnosis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leprosy are disclosed. The compositions generally comprise polypeptides comprising one or more Mycobacterium leprae antigens as well as polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of medicine. More specifically, it is in the field of diagnosing tumor angiogenesis status and in the field of medical treatment of a subject who is suffering, suspected to suffer, or might suffer from a tumor in the future. In particular, the invention relates to a fusion polypeptide comprising a foreign antigen and a self antigen, wherein said foreign antigen consists of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 12-15 amino acid residues, 12-24% of which residues are hydrophilic, bulky amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of histidine, glutamate, arginine, glutamine, aspartic acid and/or lysine.

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides that bind to the malodour-causing substance DMTS. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences that encode for the polypeptides. Further provided herein is a method for identifying a compound that binds, suppresses, blocks, inhibits, and/or modulates the activity of one or more olfactory receptor that is activated by the malodor-causing substance DMTS comprising a) contacting the receptor, or a chimera or fragment thereof with a compound and b) determining whether the compound has an effect on the activity of the receptor. Further provided is an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides described as well as a non-human organism or a host cell modified to express a receptor that is activated by DMTS. Also provided is the use of the polypeptides for identifying malodor modulating compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated IL-33 proteins, active fragments thereof and antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof, against IL-33 proteins. Also provided are methods of modulating cytokine activity, e.g., for the purpose of treating immune and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant Gram-negative bacterial strains and the use thereof for delivery of repeated domains of a heterologous protein or two or more domains of different heterologous proteins into eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: A method of modifying a glycosylation pattern of a polypeptide-of-interest in a plant or plant cell is provided. The method comprising expressing in a plant or plant cell transformed to express at least one glycosidase in a subcellular compartment, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide-of-interest, such that the at least one glycosidase and the polypeptide-of-interest are co-localized to the subcellular compartment of the plant or plant cell, thereby modifying the glycosylation pattern of the polypeptide-of-interest in the plant or plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medicine, specifically the field of bacterial infection and treatment thereof.

Abstract: Novel insecticidal proteins isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis that are active against lepidopteran insect pests are disclosed. The DNA encoding the insecticidal proteins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the insecticidal proteins. These recombinant organisms can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.

Abstract: A method of controlling the number of cells in a population of cells having silenced transcription of a target nucleic acid as a function of time includes recruiting a chromatin regulator (CR) to a site proximal to a transcription initiation site of the target nucleic acid to form a fraction of silenced cells in the population of cells. The chromatin regulator may be EED, KRAB, DNMT3, HDAC4, EZH2, REST, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for suppression of progress of, suppression of recurrence of and/or treatment of cancer, by administering an Allergin-1 antagonist in a therapy of a cancer patient with insufficient therapeutic efficacy by a tumor immunotherapeutic agent, or a cancer therapy in combination with an anti-cancer drug.

Abstract: Methods of treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. The method may further comprise administering an additional therapeutic agent to the patient, the additional therapeutic agent comprising bivalirudin or a P2Y12 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise cangrelor, and optionally bivalirudin. Methods of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising admixing cangrelor with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. An ischemic event may include stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, and mortality.

Abstract: Immune-modulating genes are provided for prognosis and diagnosis of metastases or reoccurrence of cancer, as well as methods of prognosis, diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of cancer metastases.

Abstract: Methods for developing disease-related nanobodies and related products and kits are provided. The disease-specific proteins are extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, domains or epitopes that are associated with various aspects of disease and are not present, or are present in very low quantities, in non-diseased individuals. Highly effective nanobodies capable of specifically binding to these ECM protein epitopes useful in in vivo imaging assays, the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases as well as monitoring therapeutic progress in a patient with a disease are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a compositions and methods for controlling phenotypic traits in plants. Genes of interest are placed under the control of a gene switch to allow inducible control or expression of a gene of interest “on-demand” by treatment of the plant with a chemical ligand.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, proteins, polynucleotides, expression vectors, host cells, kits, and systems for producing egg white proteins, as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring chimeric polypeptide having an activity provided by a TGF-beta family member is disclosed. The chimeric polypeptide of an embodiment comprises two or more domains or fragments from parental TGF-beta proteins operably linked such that the resulting polypeptide is capable of modulating a pathway associated with a TGF-beta family member. In one embodiment, the pathway is a SMAD or DAXX pathway.

Abstract: An antitumor peptide provided according to the present invention includes (1) an S1PR-TM related sequence; and (2) an amino acid sequence functioning as a cell penetrating peptide; wherein the total number of amino acid residues is 100 or less.

Abstract: Provided are novel FcRn antagonist compositions comprising a variant Fc region that binds specifically to FcRn with increased affinity and reduced pH dependence relative to the native Fc region. Also provided are FcRn antagonists with enhanced CD16 binding affinity. Also provided are methods of treating antibody-mediated disorders (e.g. autoimmune diseases) using the these FcRn antagonist compositions, nucleic acids encoding the FcRn antagonist compositions, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making the FcRn antagonist compositions, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the FcRn antagonist compositions.

Abstract: Provided are a cAMP receptor protein variant and coding sequence, a microorganism including the same, and a method of producing a L-amino acid using the same.

Abstract: Inhibitors of MAPK3 (ERK1 MAP kinase), in particular polypeptides having the ability to stimulate the global ERK signalling pathway in the brain and their use as neuroprotective and/or cognitive enhancing agents, are disclosed. Related polynucleotides, vectors, host cells and pharmaceutical compositions able to inhibit MAPK3, causing the stimulation of the global ERK signalling pathway, are also disclosed. Additionally, use of the afore inhibitors or stimulators in the treatment of neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cold spot genes of S. pneumoniae are disclosed that encode surface proteins that are universally conserved among known strains and have exceptionally low incidence of allelic variation. Cold spot polypeptides encoded by the genes that are antigenic on the S. pneumoniae cells on which they are expressed are candidates for immunogenic compositions capable of eliciting antibodies able to react with all or nearly all strains of S. pneumoniae, thus providing an improvement over currently available S. pneumoniae vaccines that protect inoculated individuals against a maximum of about 23 of the 94 or so known serotypes of S. pneumonia.

Abstract: The invention relates to biosensors for detecting odorants, especially a biosensor that mimics odorant detection by a mammal, for example, humans, dogs or cats. The field of the invention also related to the standardization of odors for scent, smell and taste using the biosensor of the invention, and the discovery of agonists, antagonists, and mixtures of odorants for creating new odors, masking odors, enhancing odors, and designing odors.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic protein formulations comprising N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), methods related to reducing viscosity of pharmaceutical formulations and methods related to stabilizing pharmaceutical formulations using NMP.

Abstract: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonists are provided that are specific for binding to site II of IL-6. Methods of using such inhibitors to treat IL-6 related diseases, e.g., disease of the eye such as diabetic macular edema are disclosed.

Abstract: Growth hormone receptor antagonists, comprising human growth hormone receptor antagonist G120K, wherein one amino acid of human growth hormone receptor antagonist G120K has been mutated to cysteine or wherein two amino acids of human growth hormone receptor antagonist G120K have been mutated to cysteine, and wherein the one amino acid mutated to cysteine is T142, and wherein the two amino acids mutated to cysteine are T142 and H151; and a polyethylene glycol molecule conjugated to each substituted cysteine in the human growth hormone receptor antagonist G120K mutant. These growth hormone receptor antagonists are useful in treating diseases or conditions, such as cancer and acromegaly, that are responsive to human growth hormone receptor antagonists.

Abstract: Injectable hydrogels in the form of crosslinked nano beads or particle in the size range 5 nm to 10 ?m, comprising PAMAM dendrimer with asymmetrical peripheral end groups such that one of the terminal groups is involved in formation of hydrogel and the other in involved in the conjugation of drugs or imaging agents are formed by reaction of the PAMAM dendrimer with asymmetrical end groups with linear, branched, hyperbranched or star shaped polymers with functionalized terminal groups. The PAMAM dendrimer with asymmetrical terminal groups consists of a Generation 2 and above PAMAM dendrimer with symmetrical end groups modified using the amino acids or their modified forms. The gel is formed as small crosslinked particles in the size range 25 nm to 10 ?m and is suitable for injectable delivery of hydrogel or ocular delivery for the purpose of therapeutic treatment and imaging.

Abstract: A cancer killer cell in which a therapeutic recombinant protein or recombinant protein which improves cytotoxic activity of the cancer killer cell is loaded. In addition, a pharmaceutical composition including the recombinant protein or a recombinant protein-loaded cancer killer cell is disclosed. Further, disclosed is a method for preparing a recombinant protein-loaded cancer killer cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods of microbial enhanced oil recovery using biochemical-producing microbes. In specific embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise applying a bio surfactant-producing bacteria and/or a growth by-product thereof to an oil-producing site. In preferred embodiments, the bacteria is a strain of Bacillus in spore form. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise applying the bacteria with a yeast fermentation product, an alkaline compound, a polymer, a non-biological surfactant, and/or one or more chelating agents. Advantageously, the subject invention can be useful for stimulating the flow of oil from a well, as well as dissolving scale present in an oil-bearing formation.

Abstract: A compound comprising at least two components, a first component being the nLG3 or (h)nLG3 domain from the C-terminus of mouse or human agrin, and at least one second component, selected from proteins or an antagonistic antibody that inhibit ActR2B-induced signaling activity in the presence of myostatin, the components being linked by means of linking entities. Such compounds are effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases and problems.

Abstract: Provided are a polypeptide and nucleic acid for encoding the polypeptide, a nucleic-acid construct, an expression vector, and a host cell containing the nucleic acid, an antigen-presenting cell presenting the polypeptide on the surface of the cell, and immune effector cell thereof, a pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide, a vaccine containing the nucleic acid, the nucleic acid construct, the expression vector, the host cell, the antigen-presenting cell, and the immune effector cell, and an antibody recognizing the polypeptide. Also provided is a therapeutic method using the polypeptide, the nucleic acid, the pharmaceutical composition, the vaccine, and the antibody. Also provided are a diagnosis method and diagnosis apparatus for detecting the described polypeptide. Also provided is an application of the polypeptide in preparing a vaccine, a tumor diagnosis kit, or a pharmaceutical composition, and an application of the polypeptide or the nucleic acid as a test target in tumor diagnosis.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for aiding prediction of the likelihood of progression from Barrett's esophagus to high grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma in a subject, is disclosed. The method can include (a) providing an oesophagal sample from said subject (b) determining if said sample stains abnormally with Aspergillus oryzae lectin; (c) determining if there is a DNA content abnormality in said sample; and (d) determining if there is low grade dysplasia in said sample; wherein if (b) is abnormal and (c) is abnormal and low grade dysplasia is present, then an increased likelihood of progression is determined. The disclosed subject matter also relates to an apparatus, and to different uses of certain materials.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention, alleviation, or treatment of inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer, comprising a Streptococcus pyogenes culture broth or a protein isolated from the culture broth as an active ingredient. The inventors of the presently claimed subject matter confirmed that, when administered to inflammatory disease, metabolic disease, and cancer models, a Streptococcus pyogenes culture broth or a protein isolated from the culture broth exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, liver function-improving, and anticancer effects, and thus the Streptococcus pyogenes culture broth or the protein isolated from the culture broth according to the presently claimed subject matter can be effectively used to develop a drug, a health functional food, an inhalant, a cosmetic composition, or the like for preventing inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer, or alleviating or treating symptoms thereof.

Abstract: A mutant subtilase cytotoxin B subunit protein is provided which can bind glycans having ?2-3-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid and glycans having ?2-6-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid. The mutant SubB protein has deletions of one or more of the amino acid sequence TTSTE and has a previously undescribed ability to bind glycans having ?2-6-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid, while not losing the ability to bind glycans having ?2-3-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for improving memory, learning ability, and cognitive ability and a method of enhancing a brain or cognitive function by administering the composition to a subject in need thereof. It has been confirmed that a peptide having a C-terminal region ended to GAG had an effect of improving the memory. In order for the peptide to have the effect, it has been confirmed that the peptide should be a peptide of which the length consists of at least 4 amino acids. Further, it has been confirmed that a peptide of which the length of the peptide having the C-terminal region ended to GAG consists of 5 to 9 amino acids has the same effect. As a result, the peptide of the present invention can be used as the composition for improving memory, learning ability, and cognitive ability, and the method of enhancing a brain or cognitive function.

Abstract: A recombinant protein, including: (a) alpha subunit of an FAD-GDH; and (b) a minimal cytochrome c peptide is provided. Additionally, an electrode coupled to a recombinant protein, the recombinant protein made of: (a) a cofactor of a redox enzyme; (b) a redox enzyme; (c) a linker moiety configured to link any one of: the cofactor or the enzyme to an electron transfer (ET) domain; and (d) an ET domain, is also provided. Methods for: (a) transferring an electron to an electrode, by coupling the recombinant protein an electrode; and (b) quantifying the amount of an analyte e.g., glucose are also provided.

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: The present application relates to CTLA4-Ig immunoadhesins that target CD80 and CD86, and their use, particularly for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for analyzing metagenomic information using a degenerate primer which can be applied for quickly determining the utility value of a massive amount of metagenome samples. In particular, the superfamily-specific degenerate primer of the present invention is used to quickly detect the presence or absence of the genetic information of the target peptides in the metagenome by a simple method, thereby collecting a large amount of useful peptide resource information from various metagenome samples at high speed. Further, the present invention may be used for screening new peptide genes by designing and producing superfamily-specific degenerate primers of new target peptides based on the method of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to NPC-1 antigen on the MUC5AC protein and 16C3 antigen on CEACAM5 and CEACAM6 proteins, and 31.1 epitope on the A33 protein are differentially expressed in cancers including, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreas cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer, and diagnostic and therapeutic usages. Further, NPC-1, 16C3, and/or 31.1 epitope specific antibodies and diagnostic and therapeutic methods of use.

Abstract: Provided is a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide component that blocks binding of CD47 to SIRP alpha and a polypeptide that binds to and triggers a TRAIL receptor or Fas. Also provided is a method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering the fusion protein of the invention to a patient in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods by which compounds/molecules capable of binding antigens, for example antibody type compounds/molecules, can be purified, extracted and/or selected. The methods may be used to purify, extract or select a specific type (or types) of binding agent from a mixed composition. The methods may be used to extract or purify specific binding agents from mixed compositions, which compositions comprise other agents capable of binding other antigens. The methods may find particular application as methods for the purification of blood group antigen antibodies.

Abstract: To provide a therapy and a diagnosis of cancer or an infection using recognition mechanism of a T-cell receptor.

Abstract: Compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerizing enzymes are provided, along with nucleic acid molecules encoding the modified polymerizing enzymes. In some aspects, methods of using such polymerizing enzymes to synthesize a nucleic acid molecule or to sequence a nucleic acid template are provided.

Abstract: The capabilities of using gold nanoparticle as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate to obtain cervical smear harvested cells biochemical information for non-invasive cervical precancerous detection were presented in this patent document. A SERS reagent and a platform has been developed and optimized for the generation of a differential spectral fingerprinting for cervical cancer detection. SERS measurements were performed on three group's cervical exfoliated cell samples: one group from patients (n=36) with pathologically confirmed cervical cancer and another group with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (n=41) and the last group from healthy volunteers (control subjects, n=47).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of an effective treatment for a variety of gain-of-function diseases, in particular, Huntington's disease (HD). The present invention utilizes RNA Interference technology (RNAi) against polymorphic regions in the genes encoding various gain-of-function mutant proteins resulting in an effective treatment for the gain-of-function disease.