Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. A protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.

Abstract: Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and T cells, for treating cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions in treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for high-resolution, cerebrospinal fluid-suppressed T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of cortical lesions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing an isolated population of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific T cells comprise dividing an HPV-positive tumor sample into multiple fragments; separately culturing the multiple fragments; obtaining T cells from the cultured multiple fragments; testing the T cells for specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; selecting the T cells that exhibit specific autologous HPV-positive tumor recognition; and expanding the number of selected T cells to produce a population of HPV-specific T cells for adoptive cell therapy. Related methods of treating or preventing cancer using the T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Reported herein are novel recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) having an attenuated phenotype in which the native positions of the NS1 and/or NS2 genes in the RSV genome are shifted to a higher position, that is at positions that are more distal to the promoter. The changes in the gene positions may be present in combination with mutations at other loci to achieve desired levels of attenuation and immunogenicity. The recombinant RSV strains described here are suitable for use as live-attenuated RSV vaccines. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences capable of encoding the described viruses, as well as methods for producing and using the viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, vaccines and methods for inducing protective immunity against filovirus infection, particularly protective immunity against infection of one or more subtypes of Ebola viruses and Marburg virus.

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides that are truncated modified recombinant forms of ADAMTS13, nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides, drug delivery compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides and compositions (e.g., in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)).

Abstract: An in vitro release test (IVRT) method and system is provided for drug release testing. The IVRT method, referred to herein as adaptive perfusion, employ tangential-flow filtration (TFF), where released drug products that are smaller than a molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of a membrane filter pass therethrough into the permeate. Unreleased drug products are retained by the pores of the filter and are recirculated to a retentate reservoir. Fresh media is provided to the retentate in order to maintain a constant total volume for the sample as well as to maintain sink conditions for the drug release. Drug concentration in the retentate and permeate are evaluated by in situ monitoring with one or more sensors and/or by periodic removal of aliquots from the respective reservoirs. In some embodiments, the membrane filter can be conditioned prior to use in order to improve the accuracy, precision, or both of the subsequent testing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) G ectodomain are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the RSV G ectodomain and methods of producing the RSV G ectodomain. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for inhibiting a RSV infection in a subject by administering an effective amount of the recombinant RSV G ectodomain to the subject to produce a protective immune response.

Abstract: Described herein are biomarkers for HPV-associated pre-cancers and cancers such as cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The RNA binding protein (RBP) and long-noncoding RNA (lnc-RNA) biomarkers can be detected and used to diagnose HPV-associated pre-cancers and cancers. In addition, early diagnosis of HPV-associated pre-cancers and cancers can facilitate therapeutic intervention in patients, particularly in the pre-cancer stage which can delay or prevent progression to cancer.

Abstract: Kits and methods to distinguish between false and true labor are provided. The kits and methods can utilize differences in abundance and/or differences in the rate of change in abundance of B7-H2, SORC2, TF, C1-Esterase Inhibitor, Ran, IMDH1 and/or PGAM1, as markers of true labor.

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: Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and T cells, for treating cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions in treating cancer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for determining whether a subject has a Tauopathy, such as Pick disease, Alzheimer disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) or argyrophilic grain disease (AGD). These methods utilize an amyloid seeding assay.

Abstract: This disclosure provides novel peptide hydrogels containing encapsulated nanoparticles comprising nucleic acid molecules (such as miRNA) that can undergo multiple gel-to-solution (gel-sol) and solution-to-gel (sol-gel) phase transitions, and their use, such as for controlled delivery of nucleic acid molecules to a subject.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. The vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from Group 2 influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to stabilized stem regions of Group 2 influenza virus HA proteins. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

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: Provided is a compound of formula (I) in which Ar1, R1, U, V, W, X, and p are as described herein. Also provided are methods of using a compound of formula (I), including a method of treating cancer, a method of treating a patient with cancer cells resistant to an anti-cancer agent, and a method of inhibiting lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and/or lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) activity in a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing thymic organoids according to embodiments of the invention. Also disclosed are methods of preparing thymic emigrant cells in vitro, according to embodiments of the invention. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal, e g., cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating paired T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Also disclosed are methods of automatically identifying the TCR alpha and beta chain V segment sequences and CDR3 sequences of a TCR having antigenic specificity for a mutated amino acid sequence encoded by a cancer-specific mutation. Methods of preparing a population of cells that express paired TCR alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, are also disclosed. Isolated pairs of TCR alpha and beta chain sequences and isolated populations of cells prepared by the methods are also disclosed.