Abstract: Described herein are cannulas having a stepped exterior. Also described are methods of making and using these cannulas, for example to deliver one or more materials to the central nervous system of an animal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treatment of conditions requiring inhibition of angiogenesis. Such conditions include those characterized by neovascularization, such as retinopathies, macular degeneration and various malignancies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for targeted modification of chromatin structure, within a region of interest in cellular chromatin, are provided. Such methods and compositions are useful for facilitating processes such as, for example, transcription and recombination, that require access of exogenous molecules to chromosomal DNA sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed are several Y. pestis antigens that are particularly suitable for immunisation purposes, particularly when used in combinations.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) amino acid sequences. Over 2500 specific NTHi proteins are disclosed. The invention also provides related polypeptides, nucleic acids, antibodies and methods. These can all be used in medicine for treating or preventing disease and/or infection caused by H. influenzae, such as otitis media.

Abstract: IL-10 sequence variants are disclosed that retain the therapeutically desirable anti-inflammatory properties of wild-type IL-10 but do not retain the hemoatopoeitic cell regulatory and cell proliferative activities. The mutant IL-10 polypeptides of the invention are used in methods of treating diseases involving inflammatory response, including neuropathic pain and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treatment of conditions requiring inhibition of angiogenesis. Such conditions include those characterized by neovascularization, such as retinopathies, macular degeneration and various malignancies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparation of concentrated stock solutions of AAV virions without aggregation. Formulations for AAV preparation and storage are high ionic strength solutions (e.g. ?˜500 mM) that are nonetheless isotonic with the intended target tissue. This combination of high ionic strength and modest osmolarity is achieved using salts of high valency, such as sodium citrate. AAV stock solutions up to 6.4×1013 vg/mL are possible using the formulations of the invention, with no aggregation being observed even after ten freeze-thaw cycles. The surfactant Pluronic® F68 may be added at 0.001% to prevent losses of virions to surfaces during handling. Virion preparations can also be treated with nucleases to eliminate small nucleic acid strands on virions surfaces that exacerbate aggregation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified plant zinc finger proteins; compositions comprising modified plant zinc finger proteins and methods of making and using modified plant zinc finger proteins. The modified plant zinc finger proteins, in contrast to naturally-occurring plant zinc finger proteins, have a binding specificity that is determined by tandem arrays of modular zinc finger binding unit.

Abstract: The use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions for delivery of DNA molecules to muscle cells and tissue is disclosed. The invention allows for the direct, in vivo injection of recombinant AAV virions into muscle tissue, e.g., by intramuscular injection, as well as for the in vitro transduction of muscle cells which can subsequently be introduced into a subject for treatment. The invention provides for sustained, high-level expression of the delivered gene and for in vivo secretion of the therapeutic protein from transduced muscle cells such that systemic delivery is achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising gastrointestinal proliferative factor SCFA2, SCFA4 or SCFA4v polynucleotides and polypeptides. The invention further relates to the therapeutic use of SCFA2, SCFA4 or SCFA4v to prevent or treat conditions or disorders associated with the degeneration of the epithelial mucosa.

Abstract: This invention provides a model for the induction of immunological tolerance to antigens. The tolerance model of the invention can be used for screening candidate drugs effective in modulating tolerance. The invention also provides the use of such tolerance-modulating drugs as agents for the treatment of chronic illnesses, including chronic viral infections, such as HCV.

Abstract: Methods of antagonizing MIF activity using ibudilast are described. Also described are methods of screening for MIF antagonists. These agents can be used for treating addictions, including drug and behavioral addictions, as well as for treating neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions are described. The compositions provide protection against loss of recombinant AAV vector genomes and transduceability under conditions such as exposure to cycles of freezing and thawing and storage in glass or polypropylene vials. The compositions comprise recombinant AAV virions in combination with one or more dihydric or polyhydric alcohols, and, optionally, a detergent, such as a sorbitan ester. Also described are methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding chimeric proteins, and methods for their production and use are disclosed. The chimeric proteins comprise a flexible linker between two zinc finger DNA-binding domains, wherein the linker contains eight or more amino acids between the second conserved histidine residue of the carboxy-terminal zinc finger of the first domain and the first conserved cysteine residue of the amino-terminal zinc finger of the second domain.

Abstract: The specificity of binding of a zinc finger to a triplet or quadruplet nucleotide target subsite depends upon the location of the zinc finger in a multifinger protein and, hence, upon the location of its target subsite within a larger target sequence. The present disclosure provides zinc finger amino acid sequences for recognition of triplet target subsites having the nucleotide G in the 5?-most position of the subsite, that have been optimized with respect to the location of the subsite within the target site. Accordingly, the disclosure provides finger position-specific amino acid sequences for the recognition of GNN target subsites. This allows the construction of multi-finger zinc finger proteins with improved affinity and specificity for their target sequences, as well as enhanced biological activity.

Abstract: Compositions comprising absorbable implantable vaso-occlusive members are described. Also described are methods of making and using these absorbable vaso-occlusive compositions.

Abstract: Methods of delivering viral vectors, particularly recombinant AAV virions, to the CNS are provided. Also provided are methods of treating Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of ibudilast for treating neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for modulating cardiac contractility by regulating transcription of the phsopholamban gene using engineered zinc finger proteins.