Abstract: This invention provides a method for introducing substances into cells comprising contacting a composition comprising orally administered beta-glucan with said cells. This invention also provides a method for introducing substances into a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the above compositions. The substance which could be delivered orally includes but is not limited to peptides, proteins, RNAs, DNAs, chemotherapeutic agents, biologically active agents, plasmids, and other small molecules and compounds. Finally, this invention provides a composition comprising orally administered beta-glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of IgM and different uses of the said composition.

Abstract: The present invention is related to complementarity determining region (CDR)-grafted humanized R24 antibodies that bind to the GD3 ganglioside antigen. The humanized antibodies disclosed herein have characteristics that are comparable or superior to the murine R24 antibody, and the humanized antibodies are useful in treating cancer (e.g. Melanoma).

Abstract: An ocular prosthesis includes a display device visible at an anterior portion of the ocular prosthesis. The display device is configured to present a changeable image that represents a natural appearance and movement for a visible portion of an eyeball of a subject. A system includes, besides the ocular prosthesis, an implant marker configured to move with an orbital implant disposed in an eye socket of a subject. A method includes determining a change in orientation of an orbital implant in a subject and determining an update to a natural appearance for a visible portion of an eyeball for the subject based on the change in orientation of the orbital implant. The method also includes rendering an update to an image of the natural appearance for a display device disposed in an ocular prosthesis configured to be inserted in the subject anterior to the orbital implant.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds, methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits for the treatment of proliferative disorders such as cancer. In one aspect, the methods comprise compounds that inhibit the activity of protein kinases, such as cell division cycle (Cdc) kinase. In another aspect, the methods comprise compounds that inhibit Cdc7 and/or Dbf4 activity. In another aspect, the methods comprise compounds that exhibit anti-proliferative properties useful in treating diseases such as cancer. Compounds useful for any of the methods include compounds of the Formula (A) or (B) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Exemplary compounds of Formula (A) or (B) include granaticin A, granaticin B, dihydrogranaticin A, dihydrogranaticin B, medermycin, and actinorhodin.

Abstract: One embodiment of techniques for confocal microscopy includes illuminating a spot on a surface of a biological sample. A first emission intensity from the spot is detected in a first range of optical properties; and a second emission intensity in a second range. A pixel that corresponds to the spot is colored using a linear combination of the first and second emission intensities. Sometimes, the pixel is colored to approximate a color produced by histology. In some embodiments, a surface of a sample is contacted with a solution of acridine orange. Then, a spot is illuminated with a laser beam of wavelength about 488 nanometers (nm). Fluorescence emission intensity is detected above about 500 nm. Sometimes, a certain illumination correction is applied. In some embodiments, a sample holder that compresses a sample is removable from a stage that is fixed with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluri-potent stem cells, adult stem cells and other progenitor cells, that have been modified to contain an inducible cancer-specific suicide gene construct that, upon induction, selectively kills stem- or progenitor-cell-derived cancerous cells without significant effect on healthy tissues or other (noncancerous) cells derived from such cells. This suicide gene construct expresses a dominant negative MYC-interfering protein (D-MIP) that acts as a tumor suppressor in cancer cells without significant deleterious effects on healthy cells and tissues. The suicide gene construct can also be used in gene therapies that produce cancers arising in association with the presence of the gene therapy vector and likewise discriminates between killing of cancerous cells and non-cancerous cells modified with a gene therapy vector.

Abstract: This invention provides a polyvalent vaccine comprising at least two conjugated antigens selected from a group containing glycolipid antigen, polysaccharide antigen, mucin antigen, glycosylated mucin antigen and an appropriate adjuvant. This invention also provides a multivalent vaccine comprising at least two of the following: glycosylated MUC-1-32mer, Globo H, GM2, Ley, Tn(c), sTN(c), and TF(c). This invention provides the vaccine above, wherein the adjuvant is saponin-based adjuvant. This invention provides a method for inducing immune response in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine above to the subject. Finally, this invention provides a method for treating cancer in a subject comprising administering an appropriate amount of the vaccine above to the subject.

Abstract: A method for administering an ocular analgesic is described. The method includes the steps of providing a topical analgesic that includes a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog and applying the topical analgesic to the ocular tissue in a dose of about 0.0001 to about 5 mg, alternatively about 0.0001 to about 3 mg, alternatively about 0.0005 to about 1.2 mg, alternatively about 0.0005 to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.00075 to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.8 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.7 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.6 mg. Methods of administering a topical analgesic containing a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog are also described. The topical analgesic can be administered in a patch, gel, lotion, spray, or mist.

Abstract: It has been discovered that administering therapeutically effective amounts of an antibiotic that kills Gram-negative bacteria, together with an anti-ceramide antibody or anti-ceramide mimetic, treats and prevents an array of diseases mediated by cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL)-induced killing and/or by damage to endothelial microvasculature, including Radiation GI syndrome, CGvHD disease, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the cancer state of a subject using lecithin:retinol acyl transferase (LRAT) gene promoter methylation status. Methods of analyzing and quantifying LRAT gene promoter methylation level are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to methods of determining the prognosis for s subject having cancer by assessing LRAT mRNA expression and LRAT protein expression. Methods of cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel synthesis of the anti-androgen, A52, which has been found to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, is provided. A52 as well as structurally related analogs may be prepared via the inventive route. This new synthetic scheme may be used to prepare kilogram scale quantities of pure A52.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody that binds the same antigen as that of monoclonal antibody 8H9, wherein the heavy chain CDR (Complementary Determining Region)1 comprises NYDIN, heavy chain CDR2 comprises WIFPGDGSTQY, heavy chain CDR3 comprises QTTATWFAY, and the light chain CDR1 comprises RASQSISDYLH, light chain CDR2 comprises YASQSIS, and light chain CDR3 comprises QNGHSFPLT. In another embodiment, there is provided a polypeptide that binds the same antigen as that of monoclonal antibody 8H9, wherein the polypeptide comprises NYDIN, WIFPGDGSTQY, QTTATWFAY, RASQSISDYLH, YASQSIS, and QNGHSFPLT.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to a subject having a neurodegenerative disease an effective amount of a compound of Formula I: where X, R1, R2, subscript m, subscript n and subscript v are as defined herein.

Abstract: Described herein are amorphous and crystalline forms of the androgen receptor modulator 4-[7-(6-cyano-5-trifluoromethylpyridin-3-yl)-8-oxo-6-thioxo-5,7-diazaspiro[3.4]oct-5-yl]-2-fluoro-N-methylbenzamide. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration to a mammal that include the androgen receptor modulator, and methods of using the androgen receptor modulator, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that are associated with androgen receptor activity.

Abstract: Polypeptides that bind to DC-SIGN and/or its homologues and methods for using such peptides for the treatment of various disorders are described. DC-SIGN and its homologues are receptors that bind IgG antibodies or Fc fragments and mediate intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-related reversal of inflammation associated with various immune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cephalotaxus esters, syntheses thereof, and intermediates thereto. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of using said compounds or compositions in the treatment of proliferative diseases (e.g., benign neoplasm, cancer, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, diabetic retinopathy) and infectious disease. The invention further provides methods of using said compounds or compositions in the treatment of multidrug resistant cancer.

Abstract: A novel synthesis of the anti-androgen, A52, which has been found to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, is provided. A52 as well as structurally related analogs may be prepared via the inventive route. This new synthetic scheme may be used to prepare kilogram scale quantities of pure A52.

Abstract: Ocular analgesics for topical administration are described. The topical ocular analgesic includes a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog. The topical ocular analgesic may alternatively include a buffered salt solution, a local anesthetic solution, a tissue penetrating agent, and/or an opiate. The neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog may be present in a dose of about 0.0005 to about 1.2 mg.

Abstract: Efficacy of a therapeutic to enhance antitumor immunity in a patient is predicted, where the therapeutic is one that targets an immunomodulatory leukocyte membrane protein (ILMP) to enhance immune activity. Peripheral blood sample from the patient is tested for levels of monocytes having specific cell surface markers (CD14+, HLA-DRlow) prior to treatment. Low levels of monocytes of this type (PBM14+HLA-DRlow) indicate a greater likelihood of therapeutic efficacy. In specific exemplary embodiments of the invention, the therapeutic is an antibody to CTLA4, such as ipilimumab or tremelimumab.

Abstract: Many pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Yersinia pestis, rely on an iron acquisition system based on siderophores, secreted iron-chelating compounds with extremely high Fe(III) affinity. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of domain salicylation enzymes, which catalyze the salicylation of an aroyl carrier protein (ArCP) domain to form a salicyl-ArCP domain thioester intermediate via a two-step reaction. The compounds include the intermediate mimic 5?-O—[N-(salicyl)sulfamoyl]-adenosine (salicyl-AMS) and analogs thereof. These compounds are inhibitors of the salicylate activity of MbtA, YbtE, PchD, and other domain salicylation enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of siderophores. Therefore, these compounds may be used in the treatment of infection caused by microorganisms which rely on siderphore-based iron acquisition systems.