We have developed a modified indirect ELISA (MI-ELISA) using the spherical body protein-4 (SBP4) of Babesia bovis to detect antibody against diverse isolates through all infection stages in cattle. This SBP4 MI-ELISA was evaluated for sensitivity and specificity against field sera and sera from cattle infected experimentally with various doses and isolates as well as in detecting acute and persistent infection. The diagnostic specificity of the SBP4 MI-ELISA using IFA-negative sera was 100%, significantly higher than the RAP-1 cELISA (90.4%); the diagnostic sensitivity of the SBP4 MI-ELISA was 98.7% using the IFA-positive sera, in contrast to that of the RAP-1 cELISA at 60%. Results demonstrate excellent diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the novel SBP4 MI-ELISA for cattle with acute and long-term carrier infections. Use of the SBP4 MI-ELISA assay in countries that have B. bovis-endemic herds will be pivotal in preventing the spread of this disease to non-endemic herds.

This invention provides methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a malignant tumor, which may be associated with KRAS mutation in a mammal in need thereof, by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more RNAi molecules that are active in reducing expression of GST-.

Compounds, compositions, and methods for modulating expression of target genes using RNA interference. RNAi structures and molecules can be used for modulating or silencing the expression of genes, with high levels of RNAi activity and reduced off target actions. Advantageous structures include siRNAs targeted to any gene having one or more 2-deoxy nucleotides located in the seed region. The RNA interference molecules can be used in methods for preventing or treating diseases.

The invention provides proteins from group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes), including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. Data are given to show that the proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics. The proteins are also targets for antibiotics.

The invention in suitable embodiments is directed to using a purified, clathrin light chain protein for purposes of drug development, enablement, activity, and/or delivery. In one aspect, a man-made, configurable clathrin light chain composition, formed in whole or in part from isolated, synthetic and or recombinant amino acid residues comprising in whole or in part one or more of a protein sequence, forms one or more type of multifunction nanoscale bio-nanoparticle, such as a biomedical platform, bio-molecular platform, and the like, and using such bio-nanoparticle platforms for development, enablement, and delivery of drugs.

The invention in suitable embodiments is directed to replacement therapeutics. In one aspect, a medicament is comprised in whole or in part of one or more clathrin heavy chain protein that is formed from a plurality of isolated, synthetic or recombinant clathrin protein molecules. In one embodiment, a man-made clathrin heavy chain protein composition replaces and/or modifies cell elements or processes, in vivo or in vitro, thereby treating a disease, condition, or disorder comprising at least one of cell.

This invention provides methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a malignant tumor associated with KRAS mutation in a mammal in need thereof, by identifying a tumor cell in the mammal, the tumor cell comprising at least one of: (i) a mutation of the KRAS gene, and (ii) an aberrant expression level of KRAS protein; and administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more RNAi molecules that are active in reducing expression of GST-.

This invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of target genes using RNA interference. RNAi structures and molecules of this invention can be used for modulating or silencing the expression of genes, with high levels of RNAi activity and reduced off target actions. Advantageous structures include siRNAs targeted to any gene having one or more 2-deoxy nucleotides located in the seed region. The RNA interference molecules can be used in methods for preventing or treating diseases.

The present invention provides methods and tests that allow for the establishment of personalized weight-management programs for an individual based upon the individual's genotype in the glutathione S-transferase pi gene and/or the interleukin-6 gene. Methods are disclosed for determining the individual's genotype, which may be used to select an appropriate therapeutic/dietary program or lifestyle recommendation. Such a personalized weight-management program will have obvious benefits (e.g., yield better results in terms of weight loss and weight maintenance) over traditional weight-management programs that do not take into account genetic information.

Disclosed are methods and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of fibrosis by the inhibition of fibronectin matrix assembly, as well as insights into the molecular mechanism by which cell-mediated assembly of fibronectin (FN) matrix contributes to extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Peptides S2, S3, S20, and variants thereof may be utilized, either alone or fused to one or more proteins. In one aspect, a construct comprising a first protein fused to a first end of a peptide and a second protein fused to a second end of the peptide may be used, where the peptide has at least 80% sequence identity to S2, S3, or S20. The peptide may then be allowed to interact with fibronectin.