Abstract: The present system is directed in several embodiments to a method of administration of a therapeutic composition for protection of the brain of a subject at risk of injury leading to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or treatment of injury to the brain resulting from TBI. The method includes administering one or more therapeutic compositions comprising an effective amount of insulin directly to the subject patient's CNS, with no to minimal systemic exposure. Preferably, this method comprises administration of an effective amount of insulin to the upper third of a patient's nasal cavity, thereby bypassing the patient's blood-brain barrier and delivering the therapeutic composition directly to the patient's central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the production of antigen-specific T regulatory cells (Tregs). Such cells can be used in therapy to minimize undesirable immune responses such as those observed in autoimmunity and hemophilia and other diseases as well as in the response to protein therapy for genetic diseases. Methods for producing antigen specific Tregs and conditions for preferential expansion of functionally stable, specific Tregs are also provided.

Abstract: The present system is directed in several embodiments to a method of administration of a therapeutic composition for protection of the brain of a subject at risk of injury leading to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or treatment of injury to the brain resulting from TBI. The method includes administering one or more therapeutic compositions comprising an effective amount of insulin directly to the subject patient's CNS, with no to minimal systemic exposure. Preferably, this method comprises administration of an effective amount of insulin to the upper third of a patient's nasal cavity, thereby bypassing the patient's blood-brain barrier and delivering the therapeutic composition directly to the patient's central nervous system.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising engineered CD8+ T cells that express a heterologous T cell receptor (TCR) having specificity for an autoantigen bound to a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II. Also provided are methods for the treatment of an autoimmune disease comprising administering the engineered CD8+ T cells. Also provided are methods for generating engineered CD8+ T cells that express a heterologous MHC Class II TCR, including methods of isolating autoantigen-MHC class II specific TCR for use in engineering CD8+ T cells for treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating bacterial disease (e.g., disease caused by Neisseria sp. such as gonorrhea). In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising an effective amount of a nucleic acid, wherein such compositions are capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of a Neisseria sp. (e.g., Neisseria gonorrhoeae).

Abstract: Vectors and methods are disclosed for immortalizing mammalian cells by co-expression of v-raf and v-myc proteins. A replication-defective viral vector is used for improved safety. The vector comprises an optional marker gene, and is especially useful for producing an immortalized macrophage by a method that involves contacting the vector with a monocyte, proliferatively growing the monocyte, growing the monocytic cell on a solid surface, and then growing the monocytic cell on a porous surface. An immortalized macrophage is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides fusion proteins that incorporate unique mechanisms for multimerizing antigens to enhance their immunogenicity. The fusion proteins comprise at least two antigens, or other vaccine related proteins, separated by a linker sequence and an oligomerization domain. When expressed, the fusion protein forms a muKimeric protein complex, This approach can be used to muHimeri?.e a single antigen/protein or to create multimers comprising two or more different antigens/proteins. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins. Yet another aspect is directed to methods of inducing or suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering to the subject a vaccine composition comprising a fusion protein or nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein, optionally without using an adjuvant.

Abstract: Accelerated senescence has been shown to occur as a primary response to cellular stresses including DNA damaging agents (e.g., ionizing radiation) and is widely believed to be caused by continuous proliferative signaling in the presence of cell cycle arrest. The present disclosure provides a method of reducing cellular senescence in non-cancerous cells following exposure to ionizing radiation. The method comprises administering to a subject before, after, or concurrently with exposure to ionizing radiation an effective amount of a compound that inhibits activation of an insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) or a compound that inhibits a protein involved in an IGF-1R induced signaling cascade.

Abstract: Methods and devices related to wound healing using phototherapy are described. Some embodiments provide an organic light-emitting diode device, such as a light-emitting device for phototherapy, comprising Ring System 1, Ring System 2, Ring System 3, Ring System 4 or Ring System 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies or antibody fragments that bind, neutralize, and/or inhibit Hendra or Nipah virus. The invention provides antibodies or antibody fragments that selectively bind to the F glycoprotein of Hendra or Nipah virus, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies and/or fragments. The invention further provides polynucleotides encoding the antibodies and fragments of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention discloses prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies, fragments, polynucleotides, and/or compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides genomic arrangements of the chromosome 3q13 region that are associated with prostate cancer, such as rearrangements between the ZBTB20 and LSAMP genes, including gene fusions between the ZBTB20 gene and the LSAMP gene and deletions spanning both genes. The ZBTB20/LSAMP genomic rearrangement serves as a biomarker for prostate cancer and can be used to stratify prostate cancer based on ethnicity or the severity or aggressiveness of prostate cancer and/or identify a patient for prostate cancer treatment. Another aspect involves discovering that deletions of the PTEN gene are observed predominately in prostate cancer from subjects of Caucasian descent. Also provided are kits for diagnosing and prognosing prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention encompasses methods of preserving protein function by contacting a protein with a composition comprising one or more purine or pyrimidine nucleosides (such as e.g., adenosine or uridine) and an antioxidant (such as e.g., manganese). In addition, the invention encompasses methods of treating and/or preventing a side effect of radiation exposure and methods of preventing a side effect of radiotherapy comprising administration of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more purine or pyrimidine nucleosides (such as e.g., adenosine or uridine) and an antioxidant (such as e.g., manganese) to a subject in need thereof. The compositions may comprise D. radiodurans extracts.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the creation of peptide antigens comprising epitopes with at least a first modification comprising a shortened or lengthened amino acid side chain. By extension or shortening of the side chain with CH3/CH2 groups, for example, made by computer assisted modeling of the tumor antigen (peptide) bound in the MHC-I-groove, immunogenicity can be improved with minimal modification of adjacent tertiary structure, thereby avoiding cross-reactivity. Provided by the invention are methods of creating such antigens, as well as methods for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of various conditions comprising administration of the antigens.

Abstract: This invention relates to soluble forms of F glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus and to compositions comprising soluble forms of F glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. This invention further relates to soluble oligomers of F glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. This invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding soluble forms of F glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. This invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the soluble forms of F glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. Further, this invention relates to antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies, and to vaccines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infection by Hendra and Nipah viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits to assess an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation and/or the severity of tissue injury from radiation in a patient. The invention also relates to algorithms used to calculate an absorbed dose of radiation based on biomarker measurements of a plurality of biomarkers that are altered relative to a normal control in the event of radiation exposure.

Abstract: Methods for inducing an immune response against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in HIV-infected subjects undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) are described. The methods include administering an adenovirus vector primer vaccine and a modified vaccinia virus (MVA) vector booster vaccine encoding mosaic HIV antigens.

Abstract: A graft containing a scaffold that includes a matrix in which are positioned mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) has the capacity to substantially improve wound healing, including wounds resulting from injury to nerve, bone and vascular tissue. MPCs can be harvested from debrided muscle tissue following orthopaedic trauma. The traumatized muscle-derived progenitor cells are a readily available autologous cell source that can be utilized to effect or improve wound healing in a variety of therapeutic settings and vehicles.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions in the form of skin substitutes comprising epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells, wherein the mesenchymal cells are not isolated from the occipital or nape region of the scalp, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating or reducing the toxic effects of exposure to a nerve agent, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof (i) an AMPA/GluR5(GluK1) kainate receptor antagonist (such as LY293558) and (ii) an NMD A receptor antagonist (such as an antimuscarinic compound, such as caramiphen), as well as methods of treating, reducing the risks of, or preventing a neurological condition such as epilepsy, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, status epilepticus, depression, or anxiety, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof (i) an AMPA/GluR5(GluK1) kainate receptor antagonist (such as LY293558) and (ii) an NMDA receptor antagonist (such as an antimuscarinic compound, such as caramiphen). The methods may further comprise administering a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic GABAA receptors, such as a benzodiazepine, such as midazolam, to the subject. The methods are suitable for use in children and adults. Related compositions and uses also are described.