Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In embodiments the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. It has been surprisingly found that the length of the spacer region can affects the ability of chimeric receptor modified T cells to recognize target cells in vitro and affects in vivo efficacy of the chimeric receptor modified T cells. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: A tent system including a first tent section having a first transition border. The first transition border is configured to receive a first support member at a first transition height. The first transition border has a first transition width. A first transition section is defined by the first transition border and a second transition border. The second transition border is configured to receive a second support member at a second transition height. The second transition border has a second transition width that is less than the first transition width. A flexible roof is configured to cover the first tent section and the first transition section. The flexible roof is configured to be supported by at least the first support member and second support member. The flexible roof is configured to cover the tent system.

Abstract: The use of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) binding agents and luteinizing hormone (LH) agonists to enrich for primitive hematopoietic stem cell (pHSC) populations, to target pHSC for ablation, and/or to expand pHSC populations are described. The methods can be used to prepare therapeutic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) populations, to prepare patients for therapeutic HSC transplants, and/or to treat malignancies, such as those associated with hyperproliferative HSC.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise methods, apparatus, systems and software for use in implementing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The methods include notifying or reminding users to track completion of exercises, and to track and/or monitor awareness of urges and the number of times the user allows urges to pass. Also, physical sensors can be employed to help monitor the user's detrimental behaviors and to send notifications or reminders to the user to perform exercises or track urges.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the delivery of immune cells to treat un-resectable or non-resected tumor cells and tumor relapse. The compositions comprise (i) a structure comprising an injectable polymer or scaffold comprising pores; (ii) lymphocytes disposed within the structure, (iii) at least one lymphocyte-adhesion moiety associated with the structure; and (iv) at least one lymphocyte-activating moiety associated with the structure, and optionally an immune stimulant.

Abstract: Therapeutic formulations containing CD34+ stem cells derived from negative selection are described. The cells within the formulations can be genetically-modified for a number of therapeutic purposes. The disclosure is particularly useful for the treatment of patients with fragile stem cells or stem cells with low CD34+ expression levels.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein generally relates to methods and kits for diagnosing, assessing disease risk, treating, and preventing bacterial vaginosis (BV) and associated conditions. Additional embodiments include methods for developing metabolic profiles associated with increased disease risk, and developing new approaches to treat BV based on interrupting metabolic networks.

Abstract: Circular handed alpha-helical repeat proteins are described. The repeat proteins have a number of uses as scaffolds for geometrically precise, arrayed presentation of cell-signaling or immune-related protein and peptide epitopes, as well as numerous other therapeutic, diagnostic, and nanotechnological uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating cancers having a mutation in one or more tumor suppressor genes, comprising providing to a subject in need thereof an inhibitor of a kinase, as well as related methods and compositions.

Abstract: Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) epitopes bound by CD8 or CD4 tissue resident memory cells at a healed site of HSV-2 infection are disclosed. The HSV-2 epitopes can be used as immunogenic compositions to elicit protective immune responses against HSV-2.

Abstract: Anti-Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) antibodies and vaccines are described herein. The antibodies and vaccines can be used to treat and/or reduce the risk of EBV infection and to treat and/or reduce the risk of complications associated with EBV infection, such as infectious mononucleosis, lymphoproliferative disorders, carcinomas, and smooth muscle tumors.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, methods for the identification and isolation of viable putative long-lived antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cell subsets (CMhi and EMhi) with high surface expression of CD161 and/or IL-18R? and the capacity to rapidly efflux the fluorescent dye Rh123.

Abstract: Anti-CD33 antibodies are described. The anti-CD33 antibodies can bind within the V-set Ig-like domain or the C2-set Ig-like domain of CD33. Epitopes on the C2-set Ig-like domain can provide a “pan-binding” site, to which the cognate antibody will bind regardless of whether the CD33 molecule also contains the V-set domain (as in, for example, CD33FL) or not (as in, for example, CD33?E2). Alternative epitopes on the C2-set Ig-like domain are accessible for binding if the V-set domain is absent (e.g., as in CD33?E2). Antibodies that bind an epitope on the C2-set Ig-like domain (whether they exhibit pan or V-set absent binding) are directed at novel therapeutic targets and can increase therapeutic efficacy against CD33-related disorders. Also described are molecules comprising a binding-competent domain from at least one described anti-CD33 antibody, including scFvs, bi-specific antibody molecules, chimeric antigen receptors, and immunoconjugates. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods to protect organs by inducing acquired cytoresistance without causing injury to the organ. The compositions, kits, and methods utilize heme proteins, iron and/or vitamin B12 and, optionally, agents that impact heme protein metabolism.

Abstract: Systems and methods to increase the efficacy of vaccines that require or are rendered more effective with T cell mediated immunity are described. The systems and methods utilize polynucleotides that genetically modify T cells to express a T cell receptor specific for an administered vaccine antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemias and sickle cell disease. Compositions and methods include one or more endonuclease(s) or endonuclease fusion protein(s), including one or more homing endonuclease(s) and/or homing endonuclease fusion protein(s) and/or CRISPR endonuclease(s) and/or CRISPR endonuclease fusion protein(s): (a) to disrupt a Bcl11a coding region; (b) to disrupt a Bcl11a gene regulatory region; (c) to modify an adult human ?-globin locus; (d) to disrupt a HbF silencing DNA regulatory element or pathway, such as a Bcl11a-regulated HbF silencing region; (e) to mutate one or more ?-globin gene promoter(s) to achieve increased expression of a ?-globin gene; (f) to mutate one or more ?-globin gene promoter(s) to achieve increased expression of a ?-globin gene; and/or (g) to correct one or more ?-globin gene mutation(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a panel of nucleic acid molecule primers specific for HLA-specific alleles and other genetic polymorphisms, which are useful for quantitatively amplifying these markers to detect, diagnose, and monitor individuals who have or are at risk of certain disease conditions, such as autoimmune disease, proliferative disease, infectious disease, allograft rejection, or pregnancy-related pathologies.

Abstract: Circular handed alpha-helical repeat proteins are described. The repeat proteins have a number of uses as scaffolds for geometrically precise, arrayed presentation of cell-signaling or immune-related protein and peptide epitopes, as well as numerous other therapeutic, diagnostic, and nanotechnological uses.

Abstract: A method and an incontinence monitoring system for estimating a volume or a volume range of a bodily output in a combination absorbent article and wetness sensor. The system comprises a combination of an absorbent article and a wetness sensor, and a processor adapted to receive an input representative of an electrical variable of the wetness sensor indicative of the occurrence of a bodily output in the absorbent article and to process the input including: characterising the input to generate a vector that is representative of the bodily output, applying one or more functions to the vector to generate one or more possible volumes of the bodily output, generating a distribution of the possible volumes, and determining a volume or a volume range for the bodily output based on the distribution of the possible volumes.