Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a solution comprised of synthetic peptide in a final concentration of not less than 70 mg/ml in admixture with a polyol; wherein the synthetic peptide is an HIV fusion inhibitor, and wherein the polyol is in a final concentration of no less than 5 weight % and no more than 75 weight % of the pharmaceutical composition. Also provided is a synthetic peptide-containing pharmaceutical composition as a unit dose comprising an aqueous formulation comprised of synthetic peptide in a final concentration of not less than 70 mg/ml in admixture with a polyol; wherein the synthetic peptide is an HIV fusion inhibitor, and wherein the polyol is in a final concentration of no less than 5 weight % and no more than 75 weight % of the pharmaceutical composition. Further provided is a method of treating HIV infection by administering to an HIV-infected individual a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is a method for therapy of a pulmonary disease, the method comprising administering to an individual a composition in an amount effective to inhibit pulmonary inflammation, wherein the composition comprises an extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, an extract of Crataegus pinnatifida, and an extract of Camellia sinensis.

Abstract: Provided for heating cultured cells is a controlled heater device comprising a cell culture apparatus, a transparent heater in thermal contact with the cell culture apparatus, and may further comprise one or more of a transparent filter provided to prevent a predetermined spectral range of light from passing through the transparent filter, and a power source for controlling the amount of heat generated by the transparent heater of the controlled heater device.

Abstract: Fusion of the viral envelope, or infected cell membranes with uninfected cell membranes, is an essential step in the viral life cycle. Recent studies involving the human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) demonstrated that synthetic peptides (designated DP-107 and DP-178) derived from potential helical regions of the transmembrane (TM) protein, gp41, were potent inhibitors of viral fusion and infection. A computerized antiviral searching technology (C.A.S.T.) that detects related structural motifs (e.g., ALLMOTI 5, 107×178×4, and PLZIP) in other viral proteins was employed to identify similar regions in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Several conserved heptad repeat domains that are predicted to form coiled-coil structures with antiviral activity were identified in the EBV genome. Synthetic peptides of 16 to 39 amino acids derived from these regions were prepared and their antiviral activities assessed in a suitable in vitro screening assay.

Abstract: Novel antiviral combinations for the treatment or prevention of viral infections, in particular, HIV, are disclosed. This new antiviral therapy employs either DP-178 or DP-107, viral fusion inhibitors, in combination with at least one other antiviral therapeutic agent. The combinations of the invention are better than single therapies alone, and in certain cases are synergistic. The use of DP-178 or DP-107 is an ideal therapy to combine with another antiviral, given both the novel mechanism which this therapeutic blocks HIV transmission and the non-toxicity of the therapeutic.

Abstract: Fusion of the viral envelope, or infected cell membranes with uninfected cell membranes, is an essential step in the viral life cycle. Recent studies involving the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) demonstrated that synthetic peptides (designated DP-107 and DP-178) derived from potential helical regions of the transmembrane (TM) protein, gp41, were potent inhibitors of viral fusion and infection. A computerized antiviral searching technology (C.A.S.T.) that detects related structural motifs (e.g., ALLMOTI5, 107×178×4, and PLZIP) in other viral proteins was employed to identify similar regions in the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Several conserved heptad repeat domains that are predicted to form coiled-coil structures with antiviral activity were identified in the RSV genome. Synthetic peptides of 16 to 39 amino acids derived from these regions were prepared and their antiviral activities assessed in a suitable in vitro screening assay.

Abstract: A method is provided for immune corrective surgical removal of lymphoid tissues containing shed tumor antigen in an individual. A detector molecule, with binding specificity for shed tumor antigen, is administered to an individual, and detected in the individual is the presence of lymphoid tissue which contains shed tumor antigen, as detected by the signal emitted by the detector molecule bound to shed tumor antigen. The lymphoid tissue, detected as containing shed tumor antigen, may then be surgically removed, thereby removing B cells, shed tumor antigen, and follicular dendritic cells involved in a pro-tumor immune response that are contained in the removed lymphoid tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fluorescence imaging of living tissue using functionalized nanocrystals. The method comprises contacting an effective amount of functionalized nanocrystals with the living tissue; exposing the tissue to a spectrum of light suitable for exciting functionalized nanocrystals, present in fluorescently labeled tissue, to emit a emission spectrum comprising a fluorescence peak; and detecting any fluorescence peak emitted by the tissue exposed to the excitation spectrum of light, and obtaining a fluorescence image of the tissue. Also provided is a composition comprising a functionalized nanocrystal which is bound to a substrate in a living tissue.

Abstract: Provided are methods for purifying functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity ligand operably bound thereto by using a solid support matrix in a reactor through which solutions are circulated, and by using an immobilized solid phase formed by operably binding functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals to the solid support matrix. Also provided are purified functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity ligand operably bound thereto which are purified using the methods according to the present invention to be substantially free of free affinity ligand.

Abstract: Provided are a fluorescent microsphere comprised of a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals operably bound to a polymeric microsphere, and a method of producing the fluorescent microspheres which comprises contacting the polymeric microsphere with a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals under suitable conditions in which the fluorescent naocrystals become operably bound to the polymeric microsphere. Also provided is a method of using the fluorescent microspheres capable of determining the presence or absence of a predetermined number of analytes in a sample by contacting the sample with the fluorescent microspheres, and detecting the fluorescence signal pattern of excited fluorescent microspheres bound to one or more analytes of the predetermined number of analytes, if present in the sample.

Abstract: Provided are one or more polynucleotides, and a method for inhibiting tumor progression in an individual comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the one or more polynucleotides. The one or more polynucleotides comprise FasL sense polynucleotide, or FasL antisense, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and assay kits comprising functionalized nanocrystals having extending therefrom a plurality of polynucleotide strands of known sequence; wherein primary dots are used to operably link to a molecular probe, and secondary dots comprise a plurality of polynucleotide strands which are complemetary to the plurality of polynucleotide strands of the primary dots. Also provided is a method for detecting the presence or absence of target molecule in a sample comprising operably linking primary dots to molecular probe, contacting the complex formed with the sample, contacting the sample with successive additions of secondary dots and primary dots. If target molecule is present in the sample, the primary dots and secondary dots will form dendrimers that can be detected by fluorescence emission.

Abstract: A method for screening for a pro-tumor immune response according to the present invention, the method comprises: contacting a clinical sample with one or more detector molecules for detecting, and then determining the amount of, mononuclear cell phenotype in the sample; and (b) comparing the amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined in the sample to a reference value for the mononuclear cell phenotype; wherein a significant difference in the amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined as compared to the reference value may be an indicator of the presence of a pro-tumor immune response. Also provided are assay kits for determining an amount of mononuclear cell phenotype in performing the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: A fluorescence cube comprising a housing; an exciter filter which allows passage of an incident light comprising a spectral range of from about 200 nanometers to about 400 nanometers; and either a beam splitter or a dichroic mirror which directs the incident light in a desired direction, and which transmits an emitted light in a desired direction. Also disclosed is a method of using the fluorescence cube for acquiring multicolor fluorescence images, the method comprising fluorescence labeling of a substrate with more than one species of water-soluble nanocrystals; and imaging the labeled substrate with a detection system comprising the fluorescence cube by exposing the labeled substrate to an incident light comprising an excitation spectral range, and detecting a transmitted light comprising an emission spectral range.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for tolerizing shed antigen-specific B cells involved in an immune complex-mediated disease progression. The composition comprises a substantially non-immunogenic carrier molecule to which is linked carbohydrate chains containing a suppressive amount of a repeated, antigenic carbohydrate determinant derived from a shed antigen of interest. In a method of tolerizing shed antigen-specific B cells involved in an immune complex-mediated disease progression, administered to an individual is a therapeutically effective amount of the composition which, when contacting the shed antigen-specific B cells, induces tolerization of the shed antigen-specific B cells.

Abstract: A method for treating a pro-tumor immune response in an individual having, or suspected of having, a pro-tumor immune response, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunotherapeutic composition which binds to a determinant on B cells, resulting in B cell depletion including of B cells that may be involved in promotion of tumor progression. Also provided are immunotherapeutic compositions which can be used for treating a pro-tumor immune response.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising functionalized nanocrystal-labeled nucleobases that are produced by operably linking a nucleobase to a functionalized nanocrystal via reactive functionalities. Also provided are kits comprising a plurality of species of functionalized nanocrystal-labeled nucleobases. The functionalized nanocrystal-labeled nucleobases may be added to a strand synthesis reaction under suitable conditions to be incorporated into one or more strands synthesized in the reaction.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fluorescence detection of lipid membranes using lipophilic, functionalized nanocrystals; and lipid membranes labeled by the lipophilic, functionalized nanocrystals. The method comprises contacting an effective amount of lipophilic, functionalized nanocrystals with the lipid membranes; exposing the labeled lipid membranes to an excitation light suitable for exciting the functionalized nanocrystals present in the labeled lipid membranes to emit a fluorescence emission. Also provided is a composition comprising a functionalized nanocrystal which is bound to a substrate in a living tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a system and continuous flow process for producing monodisperse semiconductor nanocrystals comprising reservoirs for the starting materials, a mixing path in which the starting materials are mixed, a first reactor in which the mixture of starting materials is mixed with a coordinating solvent and in which nucleation of particles occurs, a second reactor in which controlled growth of the nanocrystals occurs, and a growth termination path in which the growth of the nanocrystals is halted.

Abstract: Provided is a method of anticancer therapy comprising administering to an individual an herbal extract-based composition comprising an extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, an extract of Crataegus pinnatifida (hawthorn leaves or berries), and an extract of Camellia sinensis (green tea). In one embodiment, the anticancer therapy comprises administering to a tumor bearing individual a therapeutically effective amount of the composition. In a second embodiment, the anticancer therapy comprises administering to an individual, at risk of developing a tumor, a prophylactically effective amount of the composition.