Abstract: Disclosed is a class of knotted cyclic peptides. Related pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the peptides and methods of synthesizing the peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of selecting T cells with improved anti-cancer activity, the method including: a) quantifying glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression level at the cell surface of a population of T cells by using a GLUT1 ligand, b) selecting T cells having a low GLUT1 expression level, wherein the T cells having a low GLUT1 expression level have improved anti-cancer activity. Also, a population of T cells with improved anti-cancer activity for use in the treatment of cancer, to the use of a GLUT1 ligand for selecting T cells with improved anti-cancer activity, and to the use of GLUT1 as a biomarker of the anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy of T cells.

Abstract: Methods, computing devices, and MRI systems that reduce artifacts produced by Maxwell gradient terms in TSE imaging using non-rectilinear trajectories are disclosed. With this technology, a RF excitation pulse is generated to produce transverse magnetization that generates a NMR signal and a series of RF refocusing pulses to produce a corresponding series of NMR spin-echo signals. An original encoding gradient waveform comprising a non-rectilinear trajectory is modified by adjusting a portion of the original encoding gradient waveform or introducing a zero zeroth-moment waveform segment at end(s) of the original encoding gradient waveform. During an interval adjacent to each of the series of RF refocusing pulses a first gradient pulse is generated. At least one of the first gradient pulses is generated according to the modified gradient waveform. An image is constructed from generated digitized samples of the NMR spin-echo signals obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed are powered gait assistance systems that include a controller, sensors, and a torque applicator (motor, spring, etc.) coupled to a patient's hips, thighs, knee, lower leg, ankle, and/or foot and operable to apply assistive torque to the patient's leg joint(s) to assist the patient's volitional joint actuating muscle output during selected stages of the patient's gait cycle, such that the applied torque improves the patient's leg posture, muscle output, range of motion, and/or other parameters over the gait cycle. The sensors can include a torque sensor that measures torque applied, one or more joint angle sensors, a ground contact sensor that measures ground contact of the patient's foot, and/or other sensors. The controller can determine what stage of the patient's gait cycle the patient's leg is in based on sensor signals and cause the torque applicator to apply corresponding torque to the joint(s) based on the gait cycle stage, sensor inputs, and known patient characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections and Zika virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infection, by administering a compound or composition of the invention, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections, in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits useful for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections.

Abstract: Polypeptides and proteins that specifically bind to and immunologically recognize CD276 are disclosed. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), anti-CD276 binding moieties, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and conjugates relating to the polypeptides and proteins are also disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of (a) cancer or (b) tumor vasculature in a mammal and methods of (a) treating or preventing cancer or (b) reducing tumor vasculature in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for protecting a primate host from a self-replicating infection by an immunodeficiency retrovirus. Protection is achieved by administering to the primate host a combination of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor prior to exposure to the immunodeficiency retrovirus. The administration is effective if provided in a single dose within 24 hours of the exposure. A regime of regular daily doses is also effective in providing protection against an immunodeficiency retrovirus becoming self-replicating after infecting a primate host.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a truncated human epidermal growth factor receptor (huEGFRt) are described. The encoded CARs include a tumor antigen-specific monoclonal antibody, such as a glypican-3 (GPC3)-specific, a GPC2-specific or a mesothelin-specific monoclonal antibody, fused to a CD8? hinge region, a CD8? transmembrane region, a 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain and a CD3? signaling domain. Isolated host cells, such as isolated T cells that co-express the disclosed CARs and huEGFRt are also described. T cells transduced with the disclosed CAR constructs can be used for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional spectra associated with a specimen are reconstructed using lower dimensional spectra as constraints. For example, a two-dimensional spectrum associated with diffusivity and spin-lattice relaxation time is obtained using one-dimensional spectra associated with diffusivity and spin-lattice relaxation time, respectively, as constraints. Data for a full two dimensional spectrum are not acquired, leading to significantly reduced data acquisition times.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the hPIV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the hPIV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or inhibiting a hPIV infection in a subject by administering a effective amount of the recombinant hPIV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: The present Disclosure is directed to methods for inhibiting or suppressing metastasis of a tumor in a mammalian subject using a cysteamine product, e.g., cysteamine or cystamine or a derivative thereof. Also described herein is a method for treating pancreatic cancer in a mammalian subject by administering a cysteamine product described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for mutated Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) presented in the context of an HLA-Cw*0802 molecule. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: A process is provided for protecting a primate host from a self-replicating infection by an immunodeficiency retrovirus. Protection is achieved by administering to the primate host a combination of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor prior to exposure to the immunodeficiency retrovirus. The administration is effective if provided in a single dose within 24 hours of the exposure. A regime of regular daily doses is also effective in providing protection against an immunodeficiency retrovirus becoming self-replicating after infecting a primate host.

Abstract: Polypeptides that specifically bind the spike (S) protein of human coronavirus, selected from six camel VHH single domain antibody phage display libraries, are described. The S protein-specific polypeptides disrupt binding of the SARS-CoV-2 and/or SARS-CoV S protein to the cellular receptor ACE2, which is important for neutralization of the virus. Use of the S protein-specific polypeptides for the diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and/or SARS-CoV is described.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating a subject with a cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency. These methods include selecting a human subject with the cblC deficiency; and administering about 5 mg to about 10 grams of methylcobalamin (MeCbl) daily to the human subject. Methods also are disclosed for treating a fetus with a cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency. The methods include selecting a female human subject pregnant with the fetus that has the cblC deficiency; and administering about 5 mg to about 10 grams of MeCbl daily to the female human subject, in order to treat the cblC deficiency in the fetus. Optionally, OHCbl can be administered to the subject.

Abstract: Isotropic generalized diffusion tensor imaging methods and apparatus are configured to obtain signal attenuations using selected sets of applied magnetic field gradient directions whose averages produce mean apparent diffusion constants (mADCs) over a wide range of b-values, associated with higher order diffusion tensors (HOT). These sets are selected based on analytical descriptions of isotropic HOTs and the associated averaged signal attenuations are combined to produce mADCs, or probability density functions of intravoxel mADC distributions. Estimates of biologically-specific rotation-invariant parameters for quantifying tissue water mobilities or other tissue characteristics can be obtained such as Traces of HOTs associated with diffusion and mean t-kurtosis.

Abstract: Isolated peptides comprising one or more antigenic sites of filovirus glycoprotein and methods of their use and production are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the peptides are also provided. In several embodiments, the peptides can be used to induce an immune response to filovirus glycoprotein, such as Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein, in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent infection of the subject with the virus.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising an antigen binding domain specific for TSLPR, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular T cell signaling domain. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of a proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing a proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Heptamethine cyanines for use as fluorescent markers of the biliary system are disclosed. Certain heptamethine cyanines exhibit biliary system specificity and methods for in vivo visualization of a biliary system of a subject are provided. The methods may be for diagnostic purposes and/or for visualization of biliary systems during surgery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated viral vectors, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) and methods of using such vectors and viruses in gene therapy for treating methylmalonic acidemia in patients with methylmalonyl-coA mutase (MVMUT) deficiency. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.