Methods for producing an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are disclosed herein. In several examples, the immune response is a protective immune response. In additional embodiments, methods are disclosed for inhibiting an infection with Mtb, preventing an infection with Mtb, or treating an infection with Mtb. Pharmaceutical compositions for the inhibition, prevention and/or treatment of tuberculosis are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to charts, stacks and methods for evaluating skin color of a mammalian subject. The chart may include a substrate and an indicia visible from a first side of the substrate that includes a plurality of images of mammalian skin tones having varying degrees of yellowness, wherein each indicia is correlated with an index value. Also, the present invention relates to packaged topical cosmetic products that include a skin chart as well as to methods for evaluating anti-aging and skin lightening products.

Methods for detecting skin sensitization chemical compounds using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and/or a microplate spectrophotometric assay or other spectroscopic methods. The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a method of detecting skin sensitization potential of a test chemical compound using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, microplate spectrophotometry or other spectroscopic methods as stand-alone or in combination.

There is provided a diagnostic reagent useful to determine whether an animal has a tuberculosis infection or has been exposed to a tuberculosis agent, for example a Mycobacterium. The reagent is useful to distinguish between such an animal and an animal which has been vaccinated against a tuberculosis infection.

Methods and compositions are provided for the analysis of skin surfaces to determine the presence of neoplastic tissue. In the methods of the invention, a composition comprising a florescent probe that binds to a specific neoplasia associated marker is applied topically to the area of interest. After topical administration, the probe preferentially binds to markers associated in neoplastic lesions in situ, which binding is detected with a compact illumination unit that provides illumination at a wavelength appropriate for image acquisition. The illumination unit comprises a light source and fiber optic bundle to direct the light towards the area of examination. A detection unit is used to capture and record an image of the area of investigation. The detection unit may be a digital camera, film camera, etc. A mapping module may also be provided to catalogue the site of examination.

A skin treatment regimen for delivery of a rinse-off personal skin care composition is provided. The rinse-off personal skin care composition includes varying ratios of a lathering agent to a hydrophobic benefit agent. The rinse-off personal skin care composition can be applied to skin of a user in phases over and/or in a treatment cycle. Each of the phases of the treatment cycle can include a ratio of the varying ratios that can be different such as higher or lower than a ratio of adjacent phase.

The present invention is directed to reagents useful for generating immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and for diagnosing infection and disease in a subject that has been exposed to M. tuberculosis.

A nanosensor-containing polymer composition for the monitoring of physiological parameters and a method for making the composition are disclosed. The composition includes a fluid nanosensor-containing polymer that becomes rigid in the presence of physiological conditions. In the fluid form, the composition can be suitable for injection on to or into the skin. In the rigid form, the nanosensor is substantially immobilized in the polymer. The method includes forming a mixture comprising a nanosensor and polymer precursor(s), subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for forming the fluid form of the composition; and subjecting the fluid form to physiological conditions to provide a rigid nanosensor-containing composition.

Methods for producing an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are disclosed herein. In several examples, the immune response is a protective immune response. In additional embodiments, methods are disclosed for inhibiting an infection with Mtb, preventing an infection with Mtb, or treating an infection with Mtb. Pharmaceutical compositions for the inhibition, prevention and/or treatment of tuberculosis are also disclosed.

Activatable compositions that include at least one functional moiety and at least one cleavable linker directly or indirectly linked to the at least one functional moiety are disclosed. The at least one functional moiety is inactive when linked to the linker and activated upon cleavage of the linker. Methods of production and use of the activatable composition are also disclosed.