Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for modulating the activity of macrophage and macrophage-like cells, particularly by modulating the peptidase activity of such cells. In certain aspects, methods are provided for enhancing or suppressing the immune function of a host by increasing or decreasing, respectively, expression of a target peptidase in host macrophage and macrophage-like cells. Such methods for enhancing or suppressing the immune function of a host by increasing or inhibiting (suppressing or silencing) expression of a target peptidase in host macrophage and macrophage-like cells find use in methods for treating and/or preventing a number of diseases and conditions, including cancer, viral and/or bacterial infection, Alzheimer's disease, tissue transplant rejection, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Provided are methods for recombinant production of an O-acetyltransferase and methods for acetylating capsular polysaccharides, especially those of a Serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis using the recombinant O-acetyltransferase, and immunogenic compositions comprising the acetylated capsular polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of administering porcine B-domainless factor VIII (OBI-1) to a patient having factor VIII deficiency to provide more rapid and effective protection against bleeding episodes, compared to formerly available methods, or to provide more effective protection to such patients during non-bleeding periods. This invention is based on the discovery that the recombinant B-domainless porcine fVIII, termed OBI-1, has greater bioavailability compared to the natural porcine fVIII partially purified from porcine plasma, termed HYATE:C. Therefore, the inventive method employs lower unit doses of OBI-1, including, alternatively, omission of antibody-neutralizing dosage, or has longer intervals between the administration, compared to HYATE:C, to provide equivalent protection in patients having fVIII deficiency.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses methods of diagnosing the presence of a cancer, and particularly a cancer of prostate or breast tissue, in a human subject, predicting the outcome or severity of the disease and methods of reversing the prostate cell transformation based on the presence or absence in the human subject of a dinucleotide (TT) deletion in the gene encoding the U50 snoRNA. Provided, therefore, are methods of identifying a genetic marker of a human subject indicating a cancerous tissue in the human subject, embodiments of the methods comprising: determining from an isolated nucleic acid sample the genotype of the human subject with respect to a locus encoding a snoRNA U50, where a mutation within the nucleotide sequence encoding a snoRNA U50, when compared with a wild-type nucleotide sequence encoding a snoRNA U50, identifies in the human subject a genetic marker associated with a cancer in the human subject.

Abstract: Modified porcine factor VIII is disclosed in which most of the B domain has been removed through genetic engineering. This modified factor VIII is particularly useful for treatment of hemophiliacs, especially those undergoing bleeding episodes.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are triphenyl methane analogs. The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of cancers, including drug resistant cancers, inflammatory, degenerative and vascular diseases, including various ocular diseases, and parasitic infections. Representative triphenyl methane analogs include triphenyl methane analogues of various dyes, hormones, sugars, peptides, oligonucleotides, amino acids, nucleotides, nucleosides, and polyols. The compounds are believed to function by inhibiting tNOX expression, the effects of ROS, and/or the production of HIF2. Thus, the compounds are novel therapeutic agents for a variety of cancers and other diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic methods and compositions for treatment of autoimmune and anti-inflammatory disorders comprising administering an effective amount of a derivative of triptolide alone or in combination or alternation with other anti-autoimmune or anti-inflammatory compounds.

Abstract: A method for predicting onset or risk of atrial fibrillation in a subject includes determining the presence of an oxidative stress marker, such as glutathione, cysteine, and/or a derivative of a reactive oxidative metabolite (DROM).

Abstract: The invention provides novel amino acid compounds of use in detecting and evaluating brain and body tumors. These compounds combine the advantageous properties of ?-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) analogs namely, their rapid uptake and prolonged retention in tumors with the properties of halogen substituents, including certain useful halogen isotopes such as fluorine-18, iodine-123, iodine-124, iodine-125, iodine-131, bromine-75, bromine-76, bromine-77, bromine-82, astatine-210, astatine-211, and other astatine isotopes. In addition the compounds can be labeled with technetium and rhenium isotopes using known chelation complexes. The amino acid compounds disclosed herein have a high specificity for target sites when administered to a subject in vivo. The labeled amino acid compounds are useful as imaging agents in detecting and/or monitoring tumors in a subject by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT).

Abstract: The instant application provides kits and methods for identifying agents which induce or inhibit the osteogenic effect of LMP or BMP proteins. The kits are directed to methods which measure either an amount of a complex between a Smurf protein or a fragment thereof and an LMP protein or a fragment thereof. Alternatively, the kits are directed to methods of measuring an amount of the ubiquitinated Smad protein or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for reducing damage to skin by ultraviolet light and other agents that cause distortion to double stranded DNA and methods for reducing damage to other organs due to such DNA distortion. These compositions comprise a novel truncated UV damage endonuclease (a truncated derivative of Uvde 1 (UVDE, Uvelp) of Schizosaccharomyces pombe) in conjunction with a cell penetrating peptide, together with components suitable for topical application or other administration to a human or animal in need of treatment to reduce damage to due distortion of double-stranded DNA. Methods for reducing DNA distortion-induced damage or deterioration of condition comprise the step of administering a composition comprising the truncated Uvde 1 of the present invention in conjunction with a fused cell penetration peptide or with a noncovalently bound cell penetration peptide to the skin or other organ, or by other route of administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new genes encoding for the production of novel nox enzyme proteins involved in generation of reactive oxygen intermediates that affect cell division. The present invention also provides vectors containing these genes, cells transfected with these vectors, antibodies raised against these novel proteins, kits for detection, localization and measurement of these genes and proteins, and methods to determine the activity of drugs to affect the activity of the proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided are cyclobutyl nucleosides and methods for their use in treatment of infections including Retroviridae (including HIV), Hepadnaviridae (including HBV), or Flaviviridae (including BVDV and HCV) infection, or conditions related to abnormal cellular proliferation, in a host, including animals, and especially humans.

Abstract: NMDA receptor blockers, including pH-sensitive NMDA receptor blockers, are provided as neurprotective drugs that are useful in stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and other neurologic events that involve acidification of brain or spinal cord tissue. Compositions and methods of this invention are used for treating neurodegeneration resulting from NMDA receptor activation. The compounds described herein have enhanced activity in brain tissue having lower than normal pH due to pathological conditions such as hypoxia resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury, global ischemia that may occur during cardiac surgery, hypoxia that may occur following cessation of breathing, pre-eclampsia, spinal cord trauma, epilepsy, chrounic pain, vascular dementia and glioma rumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chalcone and chalcone derivatives and analogs which are useful as angiogenesis inhibitors. The present compounds, which are inexpensive to synthesize, exhibit unexpectedly good activity as angiogenesis inhibitors. The present invention also relates to the use of chalcone and its analogs as antitumor/anticancer agents and to treat a number of conditions or disease states in which angiogenesis is a factor, including angiogenic skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea, warts, eczema, hemangiomas, lymphangiogenesis, among numerous others, as well as chronic inflammatory disease such as arthritis.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject with a traumatic central nervous system injury, more particularly, a traumatic brain injury, are provided. The methods comprise a therapy comprising a constant or a two-level dosing regime of progesterone. In one method, a subject in need thereof is administered at least one cycle of therapy, wherein the cycle of therapy comprises administering a therapeutically effective two-level intravenous dosing regime of progesterone. The two-level dosing regime comprises a first time period, wherein a higher hourly dose of progesterone is administered to the subject, followed by a second time period, wherein a lower hourly dose of progesterone is administered to the subject.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject with a traumatic central nervous system injury, more particularly, a traumatic brain injury, are provided. The methods comprise a therapy comprising a constant or a two-level dosing regime of progesterone. In one method, a subject in need thereof is administered at least one cycle of therapy, wherein the cycle of therapy comprises administering a therapeutically effective two-level intravenous dosing regime of progesterone. The two-level dosing regime comprises a first time period, wherein a higher hourly dose of progesterone is administered to the subject, followed by a second time period, wherein a lower hourly dose of progesterone is administered to the subject.

Abstract: A process for the resolution of a racemic mixture of nucleoside enantiomers that includes the step of exposing the racemic mixture to an enzyme that preferentially catalyzes a reaction in one of the enantiomers. The nucleoside enantiomer (?)-2-hydroxymethyl-5-(5-fluorocytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane is an effective antiviral agent against HIV, HBV, and other viruses replicating in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a host, and in particular, a human, infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is provided that includes administering an effective amount of a ?-L-nucleotide, optionally in combination therapy with other drugs for the treatment of HBV or human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).

Abstract: The present invention provides multifunctional magnetic nanoparticle probe compositions for molecular imaging and monitoring, comprising a nucleic acid or polypeptide probe, a delivery ligand, and a magnetic nanoparticle having a biocompatible coating thereon. The probe compositions may further comprise a fluorescent or luminescent resonance energy transfer moiety. Also provided are compositions comprising two or more such multifunctional magnetic nanoparticle probes for molecular imaging or monitoring. In particular, the nucleic acid or polypeptide probes bind to a target and generate an interaction observable with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or optical imaging. The invention thereby provides detectable signals for rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of nucleic acids, polypeptides, and interactions thereof in vivo.