Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing spacers that can be packaged into viral particles and methods of producing them. In a first aspect, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule including a first spacer (SSI); a first inverted terminal repeat (ITR1); a cloning site (CS); a second inverted terminal repeat (ITR2); and a second spacer (SS2), such as a eukaryotic spacer; operably linked to each other in a 5?-to-3? direction as: SS1-ITR1-CS-ITR2-SS2. In an embodiment, the invention features a vector comprising any of the above-described nucleic acid molecules. In another aspect, the invention features a plurality of viral particles including the nucleic acid molecule. The invention further includes a host cell including any of the above-described vectors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for improving learning and/or memory (e.g., auditory, visual, somatosensory or motor) in adults and children of an age which is beyond the early critical period for learning, said method comprising inhibiting (i) ecto-5?-nucleotidase (Nt5e, aka CD73) or (ii) A1 adenosine receptor (A1R, aka Adora1) expression or function in the brain. The invention is also directed to a method for treating learning and memory defects and neurological diseases associated with an abnormal auditory, visual, or somatosensory perception by inhibiting Nt5e or A1R expression or function in the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

Abstract: A method of verifying therapeutic proton beam delivery accuracy by ultrasound tomographic imaging to map three dimensional (3D) proton dose through the detection of ionizing radiation induced thermo-acoustic signal from the proton beam.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompansses methods for use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

Abstract: In particular, the compound is effective to inhibit Dxr in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The present invention relates to compounds having general formula (I) or (II) where X is an acidic group, such as carboxylate, phosphonate, sulfate, and tetrazole; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, preferably 2, 3, or 4. The compounds inhibits 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr), particularly Dxr in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of producing ex vivo natural killer T (NKT) cells, and therapeutic uses thereof for treatment of certain conditions including cancer, autoimmunity, inflammatory disorders, allergic disorders, tissue transplant-related disorders, and infections.

Abstract: A method of verifying therapeutic beam delivery accuracy by ultrasound tomographic imaging to map three dimensional (3D) dose through the detection of ionizing radiation induced thermo-acoustic signal from the proton beam.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompasses methods for the use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to aryl substituted aminomethyl spectinomycin analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as anti-bacterial agents; methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating anti-bacterial infections using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of Retinoid X Receptor-gamma (RXR-gamma) agonists and Retinoid X Receptor-alpha (RXR-alpha) antagonists in treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of assessing the safety of therapeutic compounds and therapeutic genetic manipulations, including integrating gene therapy vectors and genome editing. In particular, the invention provides a method, wherein the oncogenic potential of therapeutic compounds and therapeutic genetic manipulations, including integrating gene therapy vectors and genome editing, is determined by determining the percentage of differentiation blocked hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for overcoming glucocorticoid resistance of cancers by inhibition of CASP1. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for determining glucocorticoid resistance potential by measuring expression level or promoter methylation status of CASP1 gene and/or NLRP3 gene.

Abstract: Combinations of anti-cancer antibodies and inhibitory antibodies to CD223 overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The inhibitory antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

Abstract: A method of verifying therapeutic proton beam delivery accuracy by ultrasound tomographic imaging to map three dimensional (3D) proton dose through the detection of ionizing radiation induced thermo-acoustic signal from the proton beam.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompasses methods for the use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to treatment of cancer, infections and various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions by affecting regulatory T cell stability and function via a Neuropilin-1:Semaphorin axis. The present invention satisfies this and other needs by demonstrating that the regulatory T cell (Treg)-restricted neuropilin-1 (Nrp 1) interacts with the cell surface ligand semaphorin-4a (Sema4a) (e.g., on conventional T cells (Tconv), conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), and/or plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs)) to potentiate reg function and enhance their survival at inflammatory sites.

Abstract: Mammals with cancer are treated with an antibody which specifically binds to CD223 protein and inhibits negative T cell regulatory function of CD223. The mammal may be a human. The antibody may be a monoclonal antibody. The amount of the antibody administered may be sufficient to enhance an immune T cell response to the cancer.