The present invention includes compositions and methods for cleaning, treating, protection and resolution of decubitus ulcers comprising: a first composition comprising a wound cleaning solution comprising aloe vera gel comprising at least 5,000 MPS, a balanced salt solution; and a second composition comprising a wound healing gel comprising aloe vera gel comprising at least 10,000 MPS, a thickening agent, and one or more preservatives and, optionally, a third composition comprising a moisture barrier cream comprising a vegetable-based emulsifier, a cosmetic ester for dry skin that has low occlusivity, an ester-based emollient that is oxidation stable and has low occlusivity; a beeswax; a hydrogenated oil, glycerin, a buffering agent, aloe vera gel comprising at least 2,000 MPS and water.

The invention provides humanized antibody and other antigen-binding fragments that are specific for the newly identified dendritic cell marker BDCA-2. These agents may be used for treatment of conditions caused or mediated by dendritic cells, including but not limited to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions that contain a means for specifically binding BDCA-2, methods of preparing therapeutic products, and their use in therapy. Methods are also provided for screening, manufacture, and use of specific antibodies that identify other dendritic cell markers.

The invention relates to engineered nolyneptides comprising Fc variants and their uses. More specifically, Fc variants are described exhibiting reduced effector function. These variantg cause a benefit for a patient suffering from a disease which could be treated with an antibody for which it is desirable to reduce the effector function elicited by antibodies.

The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding B7-related factors that modulate the activation of immune or inflammatory response cells, such as T-cells. Also provided are expression vectors and fusion constructs comprising nucleic acids encoding B7-related polypeptides, including BSL1, BSL2, and BSL3. The present invention further provides isolated B7-related polypeptides, isolated fusion proteins comprising B7-related polypeptides, and antibodies that are specifically reactive with B7-related polypeptides, or portions thereof. In addition, the present invention provides assays utilizing B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, or peptides. The present invention further provides compositions of B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, fusion proteins, or antibodies that are useful for the immunomodulation of a human or animal subject.

The present invention relates to novel antibodies, particularly antibodies directed against deletion mutants of epidermal growth factor receptor and particularly to the type III deletion mutant, EGFRvIII. The invention also relates to human monoclonal antibodies directed against deletion mutants of epidermal growth factor receptor and particularly to EGFRvIII. Diagnostic and therapeutic formulations of such antibodies, and immunoconjugates thereof, are also provided.

An apparatus for testing a fluid sample including a sample receiving member having an opening for receiving a fluid sample, wherein the sample receiving member comprises a sample collection chamber; a fluid collector to collect the fluid sample and transfer the fluid sample into the sample receiving member, the fluid collector comprising a lancet and an absorbent material to absorb the fluid sample; and a test cartridge member in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber.

A method of processing a sample may include introducing a sample into a vessel, the vessel having proximal and distal ends, the sample being introduced into the proximal end of the vessel; incubating the sample in the vessel with a substance capable of specific binding to a preselected component of the sample; propelling components of the incubated sample, other than the preselected component, toward the proximal end of the vessel by clamping the vessel distal to the incubated sample and compressing the vessel where the incubated sample is contained; propelling the preselected component toward a distal segment of the vessel by clamping the vessel proximal to the preselected component and compressing the vessel where the preselected component is contained; and mixing the preselected component with a reagent in the distal segment of the vessel.

The present invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical composition suitable for long-term storage of polypeptides containing an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin, methods of manufacture, methods of administration and kits containing same.

The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for the detection of small quantities of amniotic fluid in the vagina. More specifically, the invention relates to the detection of PAMG-1 in the vagina using anti-PAMG-1 antibodies.

The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding B7-related factors that modulate the activation of immune or inflammatory response cells, such as T-cells. Also provided are expression vectors and fusion constructs comprising nucleic acids encoding B7-related polypeptides, including BSL1, BSL2, and BSL3. The present invention further provides isolated B7-related polypeptides, isolated fusion proteins comprising B7-related polypeptides, and antibodies that are specifically reactive with B7-related polypeptides, or portions thereof. In addition, the present invention provides assays utilizing B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, or peptides. The present invention further provides compositions of B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, fusion proteins, or antibodies that are useful for the immunomodulation of a human or animal subject.