Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions that employ peptides that target dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In particular, the peptides are used to target therapeutic agents, such as proteins, liposomes, or viral particles comprising therapeutic polynucleotides, to one or more peripheral neuropathies or neuropathic pain, for example. In particular cases, the peripheral neuropathies or neuropathic pain is caused directly or indirectly by DRG neuronopathy.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, there are methods and compositions related to diagnosis and treatment of serous ovarian cancer. In specific embodiments, the invention encompasses methods related to miR-34c in diagnosis and treatment methods for serous ovarian cancer. In specific embodiments, the invention encompasses treatment methods for pancreatic cancer and other responsive cancers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to utilizing glycine and N-acetylcysteine for a variety of methods, including, for example, reducing deleterious effects of oxidative stress; treating and/or preventing diabetes; and/or increasing GSH levels.

Abstract: An autophagy-inducing compound comprises an autophagy-inducing peptide comprising Beclin 1 residues 269-279 immediately N- and C-terminally flanked by moieties R1 and R2, respectively, wherein up to six of said residues may be substituted, R1 and R2 do not naturally flank the Belclin 1 residues, and F270 and F274 are optionally substituted and optionally linked. The compounds may be used to induce autophagy.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating GLUT1 and related brain energy deficiencies comprising administering odd-carbon fatty acid sources, e.g., C5 or C7 fatty acid sources, and related compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising viral antigens and antigenic peptides corresponding to or derived from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins or fragments thereof, fused to heavy and/or light chain of antibodies, or fragments thereof specific for dendritic cells (DCs) are described herein. Included herein are immunostimulatory compositions (HCV vaccines, HCV antigen presenting dendritic cells, etc.) and methods for increasing effectiveness of HCV antigen presentation by an antigen presenting cell, for a treatment, a prophylaxis or a combination thereof against hepatitis C in a human subject, and methods of providing immunostimulation by activation of one or more dendritic cells, methods to treat or prevent hepatitis C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizing fatostatin A and/or a derivative and/or analog thereof. In other aspects, the compound for treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizes an A-B-C tripartite structure, wherein A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures and are described in detail herein. In specific aspects, the metabolic disorder includes obesity or diabetes, for example.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition and method which to treat diseases and to enhance a regulated immune response. More particularly, the present invention is drawn to compositions that are based on dendritic cells modified to express an inducible form of a co-stimulatory polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving a therapeutic response to a cancer treatment, in a subject, the method comprising administering an effective amount of an agent that enhances the expression of microRNA-140-5p or an agent that mimics the effects of microRNA-140-5p. Further provided is a method of treating a cancer in a subject in need of such treatment comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a microRNA-140-5p or an agent that enhances the expression of microRNA-140-5p.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, system and method for the development and use of transcriptional modules by obtaining individual gene expression levels from cells obtained from one or more patients with a disease or condition; recording the expression value for each gene in a table that is divided into clusters; iteratively selecting gene expression values for one or more transcriptional modules by: selecting for the module the genes from each cluster that match in every disease or condition; removing the selected genes from the analysis; and repeating the process of gene expression value selection for genes that cluster in a sub-fraction of the diseases or conditions; and iteratively repeating the generation of modules.

Abstract: The present invention includes embodiments for methods and compositions that identify the presence of or risk for developing heterotopic ossification, particularly prior to mineralization of the bone. In particular embodiments, MMP-9 and/or MMP-2 agents comprising dual imaging moieties are used to identify patterns of MMP-9 and/or MMP-2 localization, respectively, that is then predictive of heterotopic ossification.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preparation of a sample, including a sample to be analyzed for the presence of one or more pathogens. Transport of a non-diluted sample from an individual suspected of having the pathogen and transfer of the sample directly into a nucleic acid extraction buffer occurs in a single step. The process is an improvement over known methods because it provides accurate, rapid analysis that utilizes fewer steps and/or reagents from methods used in the art. In specific embodiments, it has one or more of the following characteristics: 1) it is a one-step process; 2) it eliminates dilution of the sample; 3) smaller sample sizes are employed; 4) fewer reagents are utilized; 5) transport media is not required; 6) less than 1 colony forming unit is required for detection; 7) fast; and 8) economic.

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

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for desorption and ionization of analytes for the purpose of subsequent scientific analysis by such methods, for example, as mass spectrometry or biosensors. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, especially to the type of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry used to analyze macromolecules, such as proteins or biomolecules. Most specifically, this invention relates to the sample probe geometry, sample probe composition, and sample probe surface chemistries that enable the selective capture and desorption of analytes, including intact macromolecules, directly from the probe surface into the gas (vapor) phase without added chemical matrix.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecule compositions comprising MiniVectors™ encoding a nucleic acid sequence and methods of gene therapy using MiniVectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system using software and associated equipment to automatically identify two or more preselected anatomical features by examining pixels within images such as computerized tomography (CT) scanned images, determining appropriate measurements between such identified features based on dimensions and scaling available within the image file, comparing these measurements to normative data, and providing output of the results to a user, such as medical personnel. In at least one embodiment, system can measure the basion-dens interval (BDI), which has been shown to be an effective indicator of ligament injury within the occipito-cervical complex (“OCC”) that may not present with other symptoms, is not revealed with standard CT imaging, and is of mortal danger to the patient if untreated. The system can automate interpreting CT scanned images and alert medical personnel about the risk of OCC ligament damage.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating oxidative stress in a subject by administering a therapeutic composition to the subject. In some embodiments, the therapeutic composition comprises a carbon nanomaterial with anti-oxidant activity. In some embodiments, the anti-oxidant activity of the carbon nanomaterial corresponds to ORAC values between about 200 to about 15,000. In some embodiments, the administered carbon nanomaterials include at least one of single-walled nanotubes, double-walled nanotubes, triple-walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, ultra-short nanotubes, graphene, graphene nanoribbons, graphite, graphite oxide nanoribbons, carbon black, oxidized carbon black, hydrophilic carbon clusters, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the carbon nanomaterial is an ultra-short single-walled nanotube that is functionalized with a plurality of solubilizing groups.