Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting a thiol in an environment by exposing the environment to a probe molecule that contains a marker and a thiol responsive group. The thiol responsive group reversibly reacts with the thiol in the environment to form a probe-thiol adduct. This in turn causes a ratiometric change in a spectrometric property of the probe molecule and the probe-thiol adduct, which can then be correlated to the presence of the thiol in the environment. The correlation can occur by quantifying the thiol concentration in the environment. In addition, thiol detection can occur in real-time. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to probe molecules that are utilized for detecting a thiol in an environment. In some embodiments, the probe molecule includes a marker and a thiol responsive group. In some embodiments, the probe molecule also includes an organelle targeting moiety.

Abstract: A novel peptide analogue of the Heterometrus spinnifer toxin HsTX1 is disclosed along with its application as, for example, a therapeutic agent for treating an autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The analogue comprises a peptide with an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 14 of the wild-type (WT) peptide sequence (or a position corresponding to position 14 of the WT peptide sequence). The analogue exhibits selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1 and other potassium channels relative to the WT peptide.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an artificial, flexible valve including: a stent defining a wall and a plurality of leaflets extending from the wall of the stent. The plurality of leaflets form a plurality of coaptation regions between two adjacent leaflets. The coaptation regions include extensions along a z-axis and adapted and are configured to form a releasable, but substantially complete seal when the leaflets are in a closed position. Another aspect of the invention provides an artificial, flexible valve including: a stent defining a wall and a plurality of leaflets extending from the wall of the stent. Each of the plurality of leaflets terminates in a commissure line. The commissure lines deviate from a hyperbola formed in the x-y plane by at least one deviation selected from the group consisting of: a deviation in the z-direction and one or more curves relative to the hyperbola.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a RNAi capable of reducing expression of two or more genes, comprising: a first RNAi molecule that reduces the expression of a first target gene; a second RNAi molecule that reduces the expression of the first or a second target gene; and optionally a third RNAi molecule that reduces the expression of the first, the second, or a third target gene, wherein the RNAi molecules reduce the expression level of, e.g., mutated KRAS, SRC-3, EGFR, PIK3, NCOA3, or ERalpha1, and can be, e.g., miRNAs, shRNAs, or bifunctional shRNAs.

Abstract: A method of treating a condition of a mammal, including a human individual and an animal, by intravenously administering a therapeutically effective amount of a poly -oxygenated metal hydroxide. In some embodiments, the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide is an aluminum poly-oxygenated hydroxide, such as Ox66™. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide may have particles having a diameter of less than or equal to 1 um, and specifically having a diameter of less than or equal to 100 nm. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide may be 75-90% colloid or crystalline solution with 10-25% addition of poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide particles.

Abstract: A method of treating a condition of a mammal, including a human individual and an animal, by intravenously administering a therapeutically effective amount of a poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide. In some embodiments, the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide is an aluminum poly-oxygenated hydroxide, such as Ox66™. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide may have particles having a diameter of less than or equal to 1 um, and specifically having a diameter of less than or equal to 100 nm. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide may be 75-90% colloid or crystalline solution with 10-25% addition of poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide particles.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1?.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for immunotherapy for human papillomavirus infection and diseases associated therewith. In specific embodiments, methods concern production of immune cells that target one or more antigens of HPV16 and/or HPV18, including methods with stimulation steps that employ IL-7 and IL-15, but not IL-6 and/or IL-12. Other specific embodiments utilize stimulations in the presence of certain cells, such as costimulatory cells and certain antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed using selected PDX-1 activation sites such as those observed in the human insulin promoter (HIP). In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer that overexpresses TopBP1 by administering to a patient suffering from the cancer with an effective amount of a small molecule inhibitor that binds the BRCT7/8 domain of TopBP1.

Abstract: A hearing device may provide hearing-to-touch sensory substitution as a therapeutic approach to deafness. Through use of signal processing on received signals, the hearing device may provide better accuracy with the hearing-to-touch sensory substitution by extending beyond the simple filtering of an incoming audio stream as found in previous tactile hearing aids. The signal processing may include low bitrate audio compression algorithms, such as linear predictive coding, mathematical transforms, such as Fourier transforms, and/or wavelet algorithms. The processed signals may activate tactile interface devices that provide touch sensation to a user. For example, the tactile interface devices may be vibrating devices attached to a vest, which is worn by the user. The vest may also provide other types of information to the user.

Abstract: Small molecule xanthine oxidase inhibitors are provided, as well as methods for their use in treating gout or hyperuricemia.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods and compounds for inhibiting UBE3A-ATS, the endogenous antisense transcript of ubiquitin protein ligase E3A (UBE3A). Such methods and compounds are useful for inducing expression of paternal UBE3A in cells and animals.

Abstract: Small molecule xanthine oxidase inhibitors are provided, as well as methods for their use in treating gout or hyperuricemia.

Abstract: A system, device and method for insertion of a penetrating member into tissue is disclosed, which may be handheld and automated. A detector obtains data regarding subdermal locations of tissue structures, including cavities such as blood vessels. A processor calculates the distance between a preselected target point below the tissue surface, such as within a blood vessel, and the tissue surface, and adjustment data for vertical, angular and extension adjustment of the penetrating member. Vertical, angular and extension actuators carry out the adjustments in real-time as calculated and directed by the processor. Changes in the location of the target point result in automatic recalculation and adjustment by the processor and various actuators. A vibrational actuator induces vibration to the penetrating member during insertion, overcome tissue deformation and vein rolling. A guidewire may be inserted through or by the device, for dilator and catheter insertion once the penetrating member is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating and improving the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a binding agent that binds to transforming growth factor beta (TGF?).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment of prostate cancer, including metastatic prostate cancer or prostate cancer at risk for developing into metastatic prostate cancer, by providing an effective therapy to an individual that has been determined to have elevated levels of SRC-2 (also known as NCOA2, GRIP1 TIF2). In particular cases, sample from an individual known to have prostate cancer is assayed for the risk for developing metastatic prostate cancer and the individual is provided an effective therapy upon determination of elevated levels of SRC-2.

Abstract: Small molecule xanthine oxidase inhibitors are provided, as well as methods for their use in treating gout or hyperuricemia.

Abstract: Small molecule xanthine oxidase inhibitors are provided, as well as methods for their use in treating gout or hyperuricemia.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying and securing conductive materials to a region of tissue may utilize a catheter. The catheter may provide a tip with one or more detachable sections or may provide an adjustable opening. A lumen of the catheter may provide a conductive material, such as a filament, fiber, network or patch of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon nanofibers (CNFs). In some embodiments, the conductive materials may be coupled to securing mechanisms, such as screws, clips, anchors, alligator clips, or anchors with barbs, which can be actuated to attach the conductive materials to desired regions of tissue. In some embodiments, the catheter may provide a needle tip that allows the conductive material to be embedded into desired regions of tissue by inserting the needle into the tissue.