Abstract: The conjugated peptide constructs described herein can be used to induce production of dendritic cells that generate cytokines. The vaccine-bearing dendritic cells can be administered to induce T cell mediated immune modulating responses.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for improving the detection of a ligand by a receptor by concentrating microbes by removing particulates from fluid-borne samples and/or causing selective aggregation of concentrated microbes. The device may be configured as a multipath valve capable purifying/concentrating a sample in one orientation and delivering the concentrated sample in another orientation. In one embodiment, the device includes a body that defines a plurality of chambers and pathways and supports a pathogen capture unit that houses a receptor that exhibits specificity for a ligand. In another embodiment, the capture unit houses a plurality of antibody coated generally spherical particles capable of binding to a ligand.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-contained assay cassette for detecting a ligand in a sample. The assay cassette provides for turbulent flow and mixing of the sample with assay components, including receptors that bind to a ligand, optional microspheres capable of binding the receptors or to which other secondary receptors are attached, and liquid crystalline materials. The assay cassette also provides for laminar flow of the mixed sample into a detection chamber where complexes between a receptor, ligand, and optional microspheres, is detected as transmission of polarized light through the detection chambers. The invention also relates to methods for detecting a ligand in a sample using turbulent flow to mix the sample with assay components, including liquid crystalline materials, and laminar flow of the mixed sample such that the liquid crystalline material assumes an ordered conformation in absence of a ligand.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for improving the detection of a ligand by a receptor by concentrating microbes by removing particulates from fluid-borne samples and/or causing selective aggregation of concentrated microbes. The device may be configured as a multipath valve capable purifying/concentrating a sample in one orientation and delivering the concentrated sample in another orientation. In one embodiment, the device includes a body that defines a plurality of chambers and pathways and supports a pathogen capture unit that houses a receptor that exhibits specificity for a ligand. In another embodiment, the capture unit houses a plurality of antibody coated generally spherical particles capable of binding to a ligand.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Described herein are various compounds for treatment of ocular neurodegenerative diseases, including but not limited to glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The compounds described herein can act to attenuate and/or block calcium release from external neuronal environments as well as intracellular stores.

Abstract: A functional cassette for the detection of ligands comprises a first inner housing, a second middle housing and a third outer housing and each housing is at least partially rotatable relative to an adjoining housing. The first inner housing contains a central well adapted for receiving a sample, and the central well is in selectable fluid communication with at least one mixing chambers. The mixing chambers contain a reagent for forming a complex with a ligand. The first inner housing additionally comprises at least one compartments for the storage of a liquid crystalline material, and the compartments are in selectable fluid communication with at least one mixing chambers. The third outer housing comprises at least one detection chambers for observing the light transmission properties of a liquid crystal material and the detection chambers are in selectable fluid communication with the mixing.

Abstract: Agents for promoting bone deposition and growth in a mammalian subject. The agents are O-glycosylated and non-glycosylated peptides that are derived from vitamin D binding protein, collectively referred to hereinafter as “DBP” peptides. The DBP peptides are from 3 to 18, preferably from 4 to 14 amino acids in length and comprise a sequence which is at least 80% identical, preferably at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of a fragment contained within domain III of DBP. Methods for promoting bone deposition in a subject in need of the same are also provided. The methods comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective quantity of an agent selected from the group consisting of an activated form of vitamin D binding protein referred to hereinafter as “ADBP”, one or more DBP peptides, and combinations thereof. The agents may be administered locally or systemically.

Abstract: A functional cassette for the detection of ligands comprises a first inner housing, a second middle housing and a third outer housing and each housing is at least partially rotatable relative to an adjoining housing. The first inner housing contains a central well adapted for receiving a sample, and the central well is in selectable fluid communication with at least one mixing chambers. The mixing chambers contain a reagent for forming a complex with a ligand. The first inner housing additionally comprises at least one compartments for the storage of a liquid crystalline material, and the compartments are in selectable fluid communication with at least one mixing chambers. The third outer housing comprises at least one detection chambers for observing the light transmission properties of a liquid crystal material and the detection chambers are in selectable fluid communication with the mixing.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-contained assay cassette for detecting a ligand in a sample. The assay cassette provides for turbulent flow and mixing of the sample with assay components, including receptors that bind to a ligand, optional microspheres capable of binding the receptors or to which other secondary receptors are attached, and liquid crystalline materials. The assay cassette also provides for laminar flow of the mixed sample into a detection chamber where complexes between a receptor, ligand, and optional microspheres, is detected as transmission of polarized light through the detection chambers. The invention also relates to methods for detecting a ligand in a sample using turbulent flow to mix the sample with assay components, including liquid crystalline materials, and laminar flow of the mixed sample such that the liquid crystalline material assumes an ordered conformation in absence of a ligand.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation of infectious herpes virus particles, particularly infectious herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles, in a host cell. The method involves administering an effective amount of a hydroxylated tolan, particularly a polyhydroxylated tolan, to a herpes virus infected host cell. The present invention also provides a method of treating a herpes virus infection, particularly an HSV infection. The method comprises administering a topical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a hydroxylated tolan to a herpes virus-infected site. The present invention also relates to a topical composition for treating a herpes virus infection selected from the group consisting of an HSV infection, a cytomegalovirus infection, and a varicella zoster virus infection. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject infected with Neisseria gonorrhea.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-contained assay cassette for detecting a ligand in a sample. The assay cassette provides for turbulent flow and mixing of the sample with assay components, including receptors that bind to a ligand, optional microspheres capable of binding the receptors or to which other secondary receptors are attached, and liquid crystalline materials. The assay cassette also provides for laminar flow of the mixed sample into a detection chamber where complexes between a receptor, ligand, and optional microspheres, is detected as transmission of polarized light through the detection chambers. The invention also relates to methods for detecting a ligand in a sample using turbulent flow to mix the sample with assay components, including liquid crystalline materials, and laminar flow of the mixed sample such that the liquid crystalline material assumes an ordered conformation in absence of a ligand.

Abstract: Agents for promoting bone deposition and growth in a mammalian subject. The agents are O-glycosylated and non-glycosylated peptides that are derived from vitamin D binding protein, collectively referred to hereinafter as “DBP” peptides. The DBP peptides are from 3 to 18, preferably from 4 to 14 amino acids in length and comprise a sequence which is at least 80% identical, preferably at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of a fragment contained within domain III of DBP. Methods for promoting bone deposition in a subject in need of the same are also provided. The methods comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective quantity of an agent selected from the group consisting of an activated form of vitamin D binding protein referred to hereinafter as “ADBP”, one or more DBP peptides, and combinations thereof. The agents may be administered locally or systemically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation of pseudorabies particles in a host cell. The method involves administering an effective amount of a poly-hydroxylated stilbene, particularly resveratrol, to a herpes virus infected host cell. The present invention also provides a method of reducing or inhibiting the growth of Neisseria gonorrhea and Neisseria meningiditis in vitro and in vivo. The method comprises administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a tri-hydroxylated stilbene to a growth surface which has come into contact or could come into contact with the bacterium.

Abstract: One of the impediments to the treatment of some human brain tumors (e.g. gliomas) has been the degree to which they expand, migrate widely, and infiltrate normal tissue. We demonstrate that a clone of multipotent neural progenitor stem cells, when implanted into an experimental glioma, will migrate along with and distribute themselves throughout the tumor in juxtaposition to widely expanding and aggressively advancing tumor cells, while continuing to express a foreign reporter gene. Furthermore, drawn somewhat by the degenerative environment created just beyond the infiltrating tumor edge, the neural progenitor cells migrate slightly beyond and surround the invading tumor border. When implanted at a distant sight from the tumor bed (e.g., into normal tissue, into the contralateral hemisphere, into the lateral ventricles) the donor neural progenitor/stem cells will migrate through normal tissue and specifically target the tumor cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-contained assay cassette for detecting a ligand in a sample. The assay cassette provides for turbulent flow and mixing of the sample with assay components, including receptors that bind to a ligand, optional microspheres capable of binding the receptors or to which other secondary receptors are attached, and liquid crystalline materials. The assay cassette also provides for laminar flow of the mixed sample into a detection chamber where complexes between a receptor, ligand, and optional microspheres, is detected as transmission of polarized light through the detection chambers. The invention also relates to methods for detecting a ligand in a sample using turbulent flow to mix the sample with assay components, including liquid crystalline materials, and laminar flow of the mixed sample such that the liquid crystalline material assumes an ordered conformation in absence of a ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation of infectious herpes virus particles, particularly infectious herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles, in a host cell. The method involves administering an effective amount of a hydroxylated tolan, particularly a polyhydroxylated tolan, to a herpes virus infected host cell. The present invention also provides a method of treating a herpes virus infection, particularly an HSV infection. The method comprises administering a topical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a hydroxylated tolan to a herpes virus-infected site. The present invention also relates to a topical composition for treating a herpes virus infection selected from the group consisting of an HSV infection, a cytomegalovirus infection, and a varicella zoster virus infection. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject infected with Neisseria gonorrhea.

Abstract: One of the impediments to the treatment of some human brain tumors (e.g. gliomas) has been the degree to which they expand, migrate widely, and infiltrate normal tissue. We demonstrate that a clone of multipotent neural progenitor stem cells, when implanted into an experimental glioma, will migrate along with and distribute themselves throughout the tumor in juxtaposition to widely expanding and aggressively advancing tumor cells, while continuing to express a foreign reporter gene. Furthermore, drawn somewhat by the degenerative environment created just beyond the infiltrating tumor edge, the neural progenitor cells migrate slightly beyond and surround the invading tumor border. When implanted at a distant sight from the tumor bed (e.g., into normal tissue, into the contralateral hemisphere, into the lateral ventricles) the donor neural progenitor/stem cells will migrate through normal tissue and specifically target the tumor cells.