Capsular saccharides derived from serogroups W135 and Y of Neisseria meningitidis have altered levels of O-acetylation at the 7 and 9 positions of their sialic acid residues, and can be used to make immunogenic compositions. Relative to unmodified native saccharides, derivatives of the invention are preferentially selected during conjugation to carrier proteins, and conjugates of the derivatives show improved immunogenicity compared to native polysaccharides.

Capsular saccharides derived from serogroups W135 and Y of Neisseria meningitidis have altered levels of O-acetylation at the 7 and 9 positions of their sialic acid residues, and can be used to make immunogenic compositions. Relative to unmodified native saccharides, derivatives of the invention are preferentially selected during conjugation to carrier proteins, and conjugates of the derivatives show improved immunogenicity compared to native polysaccharides.

The methods described herein are for treating infections in individuals having cancer and who are receiving cancer immunotherapy, preferably employing a CRISPR system to selectively kill or reduce the numbers of pathogenic bacteria within the individual and thereafter, administering an immune checkpoint inhibitor thereto. In particular embodiments, the pathogenic bacteria is one of E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus; Streptoccocus; Salmonella; Shigella; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Enterococcus; Clostridium; Neisseria gonnorrhoea; Acinetobacter baumannii; and Campylobacter bacteria and the checkpoint inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of nivolumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab, AMP-224, AMP-514, STI-A1110, TSR-042, RG-7446, BMS-936559, MEDI-4736, MSB-0020718C, AUR-012 and STI-A1010. Further embodiments include enhancing the growth of a second bacteria in the individual, such bacteria including Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Fusobacterium, Coprococcus, LactoBacillus, Propionibacterium, Ruminococcus, Veillonella, Prevotella, and F. prausnitzii. The CRISPR system may include Cas9, Cpf1 and Cas3, and may be delivered using a bacteriophage.

The methods described herein are for treating infections in individuals having cancer and who are receiving cancer immunotherapy, preferably employing a CRISPR system to selectively kill or reduce the numbers of pathogenic bacteria within the individual and thereafter, administering an immune checkpoint inhibitor thereto. In particular embodiments, the pathogenic bacteria is one of E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus; Streptoccocus; Salmonella; Shigella; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Enterococcus; Clostridium; Neisseria gonnorrhoea; Acinetobacter baumannii; and Campylobacter bacteria and the checkpoint inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of nivolumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab, AMP-224, AMP-514, STI-A1110, TSR-042, RG-7446, BMS-936559, MEDI-4736, MSB-0020718C, AUR-012 and STI-A1010. Further embodiments include enhancing the growth of a second bacteria in the individual, such bacteria including Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Fusobacterium, Coprococcus, LactoBacillus, Propionibacterium, Ruminococcus, Veillonella, Prevotella, and F. prausnitzii. The CRISPR system may include Cas9, Cpf1 and Cas3, and may be delivered using a bacteriophage.

A use of pharmaceutical composition for enhancing cancer treatment includes an Astragalus membranaceus extract and a mannose. The pharmaceutical composition can effectively enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, thereby reducing cancer cell viability, and for drug resistant cancers. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition can also inhibit the growth of tumor cells.

A use of pharmaceutical composition for enhancing cancer treatment includes an Astragalus membranaceus extract and a mannose. The pharmaceutical composition can effectively enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, thereby reducing cancer cell viability, and for drug resistant cancers. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition can also inhibit the growth of tumor cells.

The present invention relates to synthetic saccharides of general formula (I) that are related to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 4 capsular polysaccharide and conjugates thereof. Said conjugate and a pharmaceutical composition containing said conjugate are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, and more specifically of diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 4. Furthermore, the synthetic saccharides of general formula (I) are useful as marker in immunological assays for detection of antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

The present invention relates to an antioxidant composition containing an extracellular polysaccharide produced using Ceriporia lacerata, or a mycelium culture of Ceriporia lacerata comprising the same, or a dry powder or an extract thereof as an active ingredient. The composition can be used as an antioxidant for preventing or treating various diseases such as brain diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc., heart diseases, ischemia, arteriosclerosis, skin damage, inflammation, rheumatism, autoimmune diseases, etc. including cancers as well as aging, or as a health functional food, a cosmetic material or a feed composition having an antioxidant effect.

The present invention relates to an antioxidant composition containing an extracellular polysaccharide produced using Ceriporia lacerata, or a mycelium culture of Ceriporia lacerata comprising the same, or a dry powder or an extract thereof as an active ingredient. The composition can be used as an antioxidant for preventing or treating various diseases such as brain diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc., heart diseases, ischemia, arteriosclerosis, skin damage, inflammation, rheumatism, autoimmune diseases, etc. including cancers as well as aging, or as a health functional food, a cosmetic material or a feed composition having an antioxidant effect.

The invention proposes a polymer solution for visco-supplementation. The polymer solution contains at least one at least partially water-soluble polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative, one water-soluble alkali salt or alkaline earth salt of polystyrene sulfonic acid, and water, whereby the polymer solution is clear to the eye. Moreover, the invention describes a method for sterilisation of the polymer solution. This method is characterised in that a mixture of at least one at least partially water-soluble polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative, one water-soluble alkali salt or alkaline earth salt of polystyrene sulfonic acid, and water is mixed with at least 0.5 wt. % propiolactone, and in that the polymer solution is stored at room temperature for at least 24 hours.