Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating miRNAs up-regulated or down-regulated in aged individuals and their downstream targets are disclosed. Methods of treating musculoskeletal disorders are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the detection of neurotransmission or developmental disorders, including, but not limited to, myasthenia gravis that is seronegative for autoantibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and/or muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), the method including detecting autoantibodies that bind to LRP4, or an epitope thereof. Also included are methods for the treatment of an individual suffering from a neurotransmission disorder, the method including detecting in a bodily fluid of the individual autoantibodies that bind to LRP4, or an epitope thereof, and administering to the patient an effective amount an immunosuppressant and/or another appropriate therapeutic modality. Also included are antibodies that bind to autoantibodies to LRP4 and kits for the detection of neurotransmission or developmental disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing a venous thromboembolism or intracardiac thrombi in an individual in need of such treatment. A representative method of the present invention comprises the steps of: obtaining a plasma sample from said individual; determining the baseline level of D-dimer in said sample; contacting said sample with a compound that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin; and measuring the level of D-dimer is said sample after administering or contacting said sample with a compound that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin, wherein a significantly greater concentration of D-dimer after contact with a compound that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin than prior to contact with a compound that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin indicates that said individual has pulmonary embolism or venous thromboembolism.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to interfering with the interaction of gangliosides, such as GM1, with their ligands are provided. For example, methods are provided for treating infections by blocking the infectious agent from binding with GM1 using GM1-like peptides. Also provided are methods of inhibiting ligands from binding to GM1 on the surface of cells and for neutralizing anti-GM1 antibodies in neurological diseases.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of increasing autophagy in a cell, or population of cells are disclosed. The methods generally include contacting the cell or cells with an effective amount of an agent that increases the bioavailability of an active isoform of SDF-1. Exemplary agents include active SDF-1 polypeptides, metformin, and DPP4 inhibitors. The methods can include administering the agent to a subject, or treating cells in vivo, in vitro or ex vivo. In some embodiments, cells are treated ex vivo and then transplanted into a subject. In a preferred embodiment, the cells are mesenchymal stem cells such as those found in bone marrow. The compositions and methods can be utilized in a number of therapeutic applications including increasing the longevity or survival of a graft or transplant, increasing the rate of recovery from an injury, reducing one or more symptoms of a chronic inflammatory disease and reducing effect associated with aging.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bioreactor includes a cartridge adapted to deliver growth media to inner and outer surfaces of a tubular organ scaffold, the cartridge having a container that includes a first passage adapted to deliver a first growth medium to the inner surfaces of the tubular organ scaffold and a second passage adapted to deliver a second growth medium to the outer surfaces of the scaffold, wherein the first and second growth media are different media.

Abstract: Modified green tea polyphenols and methods of their use are provided. One aspect provides compounds and compositions containing green tea polyphenols with one on more ester-linked fatty acids.

Abstract: Compositions that inhibit or block the interaction between Erbin and ErbB2 and methods of their use are provided. Preferred compositions include peptides that inhibit or block Erbin and ErbB2 interaction under physiologic conditions in a subject. One embodiment provides an isolated peptide fragment of ErbB2 including the C-terminal 15 amino acids of ErbB2. The peptide fragment can be about 15 to 27 amino acids in length.

Abstract: It has been discovered that STAT5 phosphorylation and CD150 are effective biomarkers for detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring hematological malignancies, including for example lymphomas. Compositions and methods for identifying therapeutic agents for the treatment of hematologic malignancies using p-STAT5, CD150 or both as biomarkers are described.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to methods and compositions for modulating keratinocyte function, more particularly, to compositions and methods for normalizing keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, compositions and methods for modulating levels of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in keratinocytes, and compositions and methods for treating skin conditions by modulating keratinocyte proliferation.

Abstract: Methods of using one or more fumaric acid esters or pharmacologically active salts, derivatives, analogues, or prodrugs thereof to increase expression of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) are disclosed. The methods typically include administering to a subject an effective amount of one or more fumaric acid esters optionally in combination or alternation with hydroxyurea to induce HbF expression in the subject in an effective amount to reduce one or more symptoms of a sickle cell disorder, a hemoglobinopathy, or a beta-thalassemia, or to compensate for a genetic mutation is the human beta-globin gene (HBB) or an expression control sequence thereof. Pharmaceutical dosage units and dosage regimes for use in the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated or synthetic peptides derived from the d subunit of mammalian F1Fo ATP synthase (dF1Fo) protein for the purposes of tissue protection and improved energy production following acute injury from ischemia/reperfusion or other toxic insults, or in chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The major focus of the patent protection will be 2 peptides comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. However, additional peptide sequences within the dF1Fo protein may also have efficacies in these disease states and therefore all peptides shown in the Figures of this application (combined with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-Tat protein transduction, cytochrome oxidase subunit IV (COIV) mitochondrial targeting and Flag domains) are included for their efficacies in these conditions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating miRNAs up-regulated or down-regulated in aged individuals and their downstream targets are disclosed. Methods of treating musculoskeletal disorders are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining or improving blood-brain barrier integrity and increasing resistance to cytokine-induced cell permeability are disclosed. It has been discovered that down-regulating the expression or production of sulfoglucuronyl glycolipids, for example SGPG, in endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier or the blood-nerve barrier reduces apoptosis of these endothelial cells and thereby promotes the integrity of the barriers. Promoting the integrity of these barriers includes, but is not limited to reducing or inhibiting passage of immune cells, pathogenic immunoglobins, or bio-degrading molecules across the blood-brain barrier or blood-nerve barrier into the nervous system. Down-regulating expression or production or SGPG also increases the resistance of the endothelial cells to cytokine-induced cell permeability.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent.