Abstract: Heritable mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 and other genes in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway increase risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. In response to DNA breaks, the proteins encoded by these genes bind to each other and are transported into the nucleus to form nuclear foci and initiate homologous recombination. Flow cytometry-based functional variant analyses (FVAs) were developed to determine whether variants in BRCA1 or other DSB repair genes disrupted the binding of BRCA1 to its protein partners, the phosphorylation of p53 or the transport of the BRCA1 complex to the nucleus in response to DNA damage. Each of these assays distinguished high-risk BRCA1 mutations from low-risk BRCA1 controls. Mutations in other DSB repair pathway genes produced molecular phenocopies with these assays. FVA assays may represent an adjunct to sequencing for categorizing VUS or may represent a stand-alone measure for assessing breast cancer risk.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for serum-stabilizing micelles for drug delivery or imaging agent delivery are provided, as well as methods and compositions to enhance micelle-mediated drug delivery. This invention provides a process for synthesizing a lipid micelle comprising one or more lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules, the process comprising contacting an amount of lipid molecules with an amount of lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules sufficient to create a lipid micelle comprising lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are inhibitors of PU.1. The inhibitors are useful for treating disorders associated with abnormal PU.1 levels and function.

Abstract: Methods and formulations are provided for treating or preventing arthritis, in particular osteoarthritis, where the formulation to be administered to a subject for treating or preventing arthritis comprises carvacrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and oligomeric procyanidins. The invention provides methods of treating or preventing arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a formulation or composition comprising carvacrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and oligomeric procyanidins in an amount effective to treat or prevent arthritis.

Abstract: Specific Dengue virus glycoprotein subunit E DIII variants and their uses in preventing and treating Dengue virus infection are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for selectively activating chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), protecting cells from oxidative stress, proteotoxicity and lipotoxicity, and/or antagonizing activity of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR?) in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting or treating metastasis based on discoveries regarding Kif19 and Cep192. Methods and compositions are provided for enhancing wound healing, treating fibrosis, reducing scarring and treating nerve pain.

Abstract: Synthetic fragment antigen-binding (Fab) antibodies are disclosed that bind to an N-terminal activation site of BCL-2-associated X-protein (BAX) and inhibit BAX activation. Also disclosed are methods of using the Fabs for measuring inactive monomeric BAX levels, screening for small molecules that bind to an N-terminal activation site of BAX, inhibiting apoptotic cell death, and predicting the ability of a cancer therapy to promote apoptotic cell death.

Abstract: Antibodies and antibody fragments that inhibit the activity of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) and/or macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA) are provided, along with formulations and kits comprising these antibodies and antibody fragments and the use of the disclosed compositions, formulations, and kits to treat cancers, sickle cell disease, and Polycythemia Vera.

Abstract: Recombinant herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) vaccine vectors, virions thereof, compositions and vaccines comprising such, and methods of use thereof are each provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for chemoenzymatic synthesis of S-Nucleosyl Amino acid probes (SNA), analogs of S-adeno-syl-L-methionine and S-adenosyl-L-homo-cysteine, analogs synthesized by the methods, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Heritable mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 and other genes in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway increase risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. In response to DNA breaks, the proteins encoded by these genes bind to each other and are transported into the nucleus to form nuclear foci and initiate homologous recombination. Flow cytometry-based functional variant analyses (FVAs) were developed to determine whether variants in BRCA1 or other DSB repair genes disrupted the binding of BRCA1 to its protein partners, the phosphorylation of p53 or the transport of the BRCA1complex to the nucleus in response to DNA damage. Each of these assays distinguished high-risk BRCA1 mutations from low-risk BRCA1 controls. Mutations in other DSB repair pathway genes produced molecular phenocopies with these assays. FVA assays may represent an adjunct to sequencing for categorizing VUS or may represent a stand-alone measure for assessing breast cancer risk.

Abstract: Disclosed are tumor necrosis factor receptor 1B (TNFR-1B) signaling targets and TNFR-1B mutants and their uses for treatment of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: A method of treating a tumor in a subject, or reducing or preventing metastasis of a tumor in a subject, is provided comprising administering to the subject an amount of a bacteria labelled with, or comprising, one or more radionuclides so as to treat the tumor in the subject, or so as to reduce or prevent metastasis of the tumor in the subject. Radiobacteria-containing compositions and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are piston actuator devices and their uses for magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for preventing and/or treating cardiovascular diseases comprising administering B7x or a derivative of B7x to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided are chemically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers comprising one or more of 2?F guanylate, 2?OMe cytidylate, 2?OMe adenylate, and a deoxy pyrimidine nucleotide with a moiety on the 5 position of the pyrimidine; and methods of making the aptamers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying inhibitors of Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters are provided. Methods and systems for identifying inhibitors of Concentrative Nucleoside Transporters are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating a wound in a subject are provided comprising administering to the subject an amount of an inhibitor of Fidgetin-like 2. Compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amount of an inhibitor of Fidgetin-like 2 are also provided. Methods are also provided for identifying an inhibitor of Fidgetin-like 2.

Abstract: A method for revitalizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) maintained in culture by transducing the MSC with vectors encoding a specific gene combination, as well as methods of use of MSC so revitalized in co-culturing hematopoietic stem cells.