Abstract: Provided are embodiments of creatine and creatine ethyl ester (CEE) salts where the anion is an artificial (non-saccharide) taste-modifier. These compounds represent stable white non-hygroscopic solids or semisolids that can readily dissolve in water and buffer solutions. Synthesis of novel creatine salts using environmentally safe solvents such as ethanol resulted in the formation of products in quantitative yields with sodium or potassium chloride as a byproduct. The creatine and creatine alkyl eater derivative salts are stable sweet-tasting compounds that are more palatable to a consumer than creatine or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A method of reducing symptoms of a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering an effective amount of cannabidiol to a subject in need thereof to improved cognitive function and ameliorated the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of selectively activating Akt3 are provided.

Abstract: A method for identifying drug resistant genes and compositions containing agents that downregulate these genes in combination with a cancer therapeutic.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind OPN (OPN) and inhibit OPN activity are provided herein. The disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful for modulating signal transduction through OPN proteins. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments are useful for the treatment or prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, or other immune diseases.

Abstract: An engineered targeting exosome comprising; a modified Lamp2b peptide, a targeting peptide or antibody; and a Fc portion of IgG2b. The targeting peptide or antibody detects a target protein within a cell and precisely delivers the exosome to cells expressing the target protein and the Fc portion of IgGb2 induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) events in cells expressing the target protein. Also disclosed are methods of using the engineered targeting exosome to detect and/or deplete cells expressing the target protein.

Abstract: Pathological retinal neovascularization is a common micro-vascular complication in several retinal diseases including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration and central vein occlusion. Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for the treatment or prevention of retinal neovascularization and related diseases in a subject in need thereof. Exemplary methods include administering a composition including PEGylated arginase 1 to a subject in need thereof to promote reparative angiogenesis and decrease retinal neovascularization in the eye.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind OPN (OPN) and inhibit OPN activity are provided herein. The disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful for modulating signal transduction through OPN proteins. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments are useful for the treatment or prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, or other immune diseases.

Abstract: A filament platform insert for insertion into a bowl includes a plurality protruding stages and a plurality of recesses that are each formed in arcuate shapes to form a plurality of arcuate filament channels. An access channel extending along the platform insert, between a top and bottom, and between a rear and front, provides access for insertion of a finger or tool for manipulating an endovascular filament stored in the filament channel. The platform insert is dimensioned such that alignment of multiple such platforms will form filament raceways within a bowl for the coiled reception and storage of multiple endovascular filaments, with each filament reliably isolated from one another. In an alternative configuration, an endovascular filament bowl may be made to have the filament platform as a monolithic component thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for supporting health, especially renal health, comprising ketonic agents that recapitulate beneficial effects of ketosis by exogenously administered agents. The agents include beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), analogs thereof, and GPR109A agonists. The agents may further include crystal precipitation inhibitors which synergistically improve treatment of certain renal conditions, such as citrate. The agents may be used in dietary supplements and therapeutic compositions for the treatment of cystic kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, ciliopathies, and other conditions. Certain formulations enable convenient administration of the beneficial combination product in powdered form for mixing with liquid. Such formulations can be salt-balanced, and may be free of sodium and/or silicates, and are well tolerated. The formulations may be provided in a container and measuring implement to enable convenient measurement of dosages.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that inhibit IDO1 and methods of use thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein as well as methods of treating sarcopenia or age-related muscle loss.

Abstract: Disclosed herein as ibuprofen hybrid conjugates and methods of their use to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever. The ibuprofen conjugates have potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties with low potential for ulcerogenic activity. An exemplary compound is an ibuprofen-amino acid-4-aminophenol hybrid. Also disclosed are methods of treating or reducing inflammation, pain, and fever in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that inhibit phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and methods of use thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein as well as methods of treating gastrointestinal diseases and disorders such as intestinal cancers and inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating or reducing symptoms of COVID-19 are provided herein. An exemplary method includes administering to the subject an effective amount of cannabidiol to reduce acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are provided that immunospecifically bind to PD-1, preferably human or mouse PD-1, and induce or promote an immune response that activates immune cell proliferation or activity. Contrary to the existing paradigm that PD-1 exclusively promotes a suppressive immune response, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, immunospecifically bind to PD-1 and cause an activating signal to be delivered to the immune cell that activates the immune cell rather than suppressing the immune cell. In one embodiment, the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof specifically bind to PD-1 expressed on immune cells. The binding of the disclosed antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof to PD-1 on immune cells causes an activating signal to be transmitted into the immune cell, for example a signal that enhances or promotes cytokine production and/or activation of immune cell proliferation.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, stapled peptides targeting the interaction interface between proteins that maintain the integrity of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3) leads to destabilization of WASF3 and suppression of invasion. Disclosed are stapled peptides that inhibit the binding of Cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 1 (CYFIP1) to either WASF3 or NCK-associated protein (NCKAP1). Also disclosed are methods for treating or suppressing invasion and metastasis of a cancer in a subject that involve administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a stapled peptide disclosed herein.

Abstract: Pyrazinamide (PZA) conjugates and hybrids are provided herein. The PZA conjugates are useful for treating bacterial infections. In one embodiment, the PZA conjugates are useful for treating tuberculosis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating hair loss are provided. One embodiment provides a microneedle composition, which when administered to the skin of a subject promotes hair growth. The microneedle compositions include an effective amount of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) protein having an amino acid sequence that has 99 or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, or fragment thereof to promote hair growth when administered to the skin of the subject and a bioerodible, biodegradable, or biosorbable polymer, wherein the composition is formulated as bioerodible, biodegradable, or bioabsorbable microneedles. In one embodiment the GILZ protein or fragment thereof is conjugated to a cell penetrating peptide. The cell penetrating peptide can be TAT GRKKRRQRRRPQ (SEQ ID NO:4) or a variant thereof.

Abstract: Pyrazinamide (PZA) conjugates and hybrids are provided herein. The PZA conjugates are useful for treating bacterial infections. In one embodiment, the PZA conjugates are useful for treating tuberculosis.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the cyclic peptide EnnA inactivates the Hsp90 chaperone pathway, but without activating an extensive heat shock response and overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Mechanistically distinct, EnnA inhibits Hsp90 and destabilize PDL-1 and IDO, two major immune checkpoints mediating tumor-induced immune suppression. The provided herein show that EnnA profoundly modulates the cytokine signature of cancer cells and promotes a cytokine profile that favors an immune attack on tumor cells. This translates into highly efficacious anti-tumor activity in vivo, which, when combined with a single dose of chemotherapy, completely reduced the tumor burden in experimental animals and instilled highly efficient immune memory against the primary tumor.