Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for delivering a sheet of tissue into the eye in such a way that damage to the tissue is minimized, damage to the eye during insertion and manipulation of the tissue is minimized, and the tissue is released and delivered in a precise and controlled fashion.

Abstract: The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.

Abstract: A surgical clamp for aligning the margins of incised or wounded tissue has jaws with parallel clamping faces, and a handle for manipulating the clamp to align the margins of the tissue. The jaws are in a normally closed position, however they can be opened by compressing the handle to open the jaws. Prongs project from the inferior surface of the jaws. The clamp is positioned in a desired position over the margins of a wound to be closed, the prongs engage the margins of the wound to be aligned, and the jaws are closed by releasing compressive force on the handle. As the jaws close the prongs help move the tissue into alignment. Suture guide slots through the jaws assist in the placement of precisely placed sutures across the incision. The disclosed surgical clamp is particularly suited for selectively closing and reopening surgical incisions, such as a sclerotomy incision in the eye. Methods are disclosed for using the clamp during intraocular and other surgical or minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed are thyclotides, which are oligomers, each comprising (a) from about 8 to about 25 monomer units of formula (I) and (b) from 0 to about 24 monomer units of formula (II): wherein B is a nucleobase, which can be the same or different at each occurrence, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The thyclotides are soluble in water, bind strongly to complementary DNA and RNA, and are cell permeable. The thyclotides are useful as reagents for antisense and antigene applications, and as probes in molecular diagnostics and microarrays.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds useful for improving mRNA splicing in a cell. Exemplary compounds provided herein are useful for improving mRNA splicing in genes comprising at least one exon ending in the nucleotide sequence CAA. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of treating diseases of the central nervous system are also provided.

Abstract: A construct, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising: (a) a polyethylene glycol-block-poly(L-lysine) polymer moiety, wherein the polyethylene glycol is thiol-functionalized; (b) a cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor ligand coupled to the polyethylene glycol of the polymer moiety; and (c) a siRNA complexed with the poly(L-lysine) of the polymer moiety, wherein the construct is neutralized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for an HLA-A2-restricted epitope of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6, E629-38. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and populations of cells are also provided. Antibodies, or an antigen binding portion thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the TCRs of the invention are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of a condition in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal, wherein the condition is cancer, HPV 16 infection, or HPV-positive premalignancy.

Abstract: Compounds (such as peptides or peptide mimetics) that bind to HIV RRE RNA are provided. In some examples, the compounds inhibit (for example, decrease) binding of Rev to the RRE RNA. In some embodiments, the compounds include two moieties, each of which bind to one of the Rev binding sites in the RRE. In some examples, the moieties include peptides or small molecules. In some examples, the peptides include an arginine-rich motif. The RRE binding compounds may be further linked to a detectable label or cargo moiety. Also provided are methods of treating or inhibiting HIV including administering one or more of the RRE binding compounds to a subject.

Abstract: Provided is a polynucleotide encoding a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) variant having an attenuated phenotype comprising a modified RSV genome or antigenome that encodes a mutant RSV protein P that differs from a parental RSV protein P at one or more amino acid residues. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is recombinant. The invention also relates to methods of vaccinating an animal with the RSV variant or a pharmaceutical composition containing the RSV variant or inducing an immune response by administering the RSV variant to an animal, and further relates to methods of producing an RSV variant vaccine. In some embodiments, the animal is a human.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for assessing the presence or risk of obstetrical complications, particularly those related to an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance. Also provided are methods of treating an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance with water-soluble statins, such as pravastatin.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to stable water isotope labeling followed by detection via MRI (swiMRI), including deuterium MRI (dMRI) and 17O MRI, for visualizing rapidly dividing immune cells within target and/or lymphoid organ/s and/or tissues affected by chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Using deuterated water labeling, followed by dMRI, a distinction in deuterium signal was detected in a target organ (e.g. liver) of the cGVHD-affected mice compared to unaffected mice, i.e. syngeneic HSCT recipient mice, where the host and donor are matched, and normal (unmanipulated) mice.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a bulk population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a sample of peripheral blood; (b) specifically selecting CD8+ T cells that also express PD-1 and/or TIM-3 from the bulk population; and (c) separating the cells selected in (b) from unselected cells to obtain a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells are disclosed. Related methods of administering a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells to a mammal, methods of obtaining a pharmaceutical composition comprising a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells, and isolated or purified cell populations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments that specifically bind to matrilin-3, conjugates including these molecules, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, antigen binding fragments and conjugates, are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions including the disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, conjugates, and nucleic acid molecules. Methods of treating or inhibiting a cartilage disorder in a subject, as well as methods of increasing chondrogenesis in cartilage tissue are further provided. The methods can be used, for example, for treating or inhibiting a growth plate disorder in a subject, such as a skeletal dysplasia or short stature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for three-dimensional fluorescence polarization excitation that generates maps of positions and orientation of fluorescent molecules in three or more dimensions are disclosed.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. Some vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to the stem region of an influenza HA protein. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. The vaccines comprise only the stem region of an influenza HA protein joined to a trimerization domain. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

Abstract: Provided are methods of transducing hair cells of the inner ear in a subject comprising administering to the subject an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a capsid comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the AAV vector further comprises a heterologous nucleic acid sequence. Additionally, methods of treating, preventing, or inhibiting a cochlear disorder or balance disorder in a subject comprising administering the AAV vector to the subject are provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing an enriched population of T cells having antigenic specificity for a target antigen. The method may comprise isolating T cells from a blood sample of a patient; selecting the isolated T cells which have a gene expression profile; and separating the selected T cells from the unselected cells. The separated selected T cells provide an enriched population of T cells having antigenic specificity for the target antigen. Methods of isolating a TCR, preparing a population of cells that express a TCR, isolated TCRs, isolated populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Abstract: A system for administering transcranial magnetic stimulation to a subject is provided. The system includes a coil a controller, and a high-power switching module. The controller is configured to generate low voltage control signals for administering a treatment protocol via the coil. The high-power switching module is configured to generate a high voltage current delivered to the coil based on the low voltage control signals. In some embodiments, the high-power switching module includes a printed circuit board used to reduce intrinsic resistance and parasitic capacitance of the circuit such that the current delivered to the coil over a sequence of bursts remains stable. A new protocol for administering transcranial magnetic stimulation, referred to as high-density Theta Burst Stimulation (hdTBS), utilizes a pulse frequency of at least 40 Hz and a number of pulses per burst of four or greater.

Abstract: Metapneumovirus (HMPV) F ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion or postfusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the HMPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to HMPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the HMPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing HMPV infection.