Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered that administration of nitrite to subjects causes a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in blood flow to tissues. The effect is particularly beneficial, for example, to tissues in regions of low oxygen tension. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate a subject's blood pressure and blood flow, for example, by the administration of nitrite salts. Provided herein are methods of administering a pharmaceutically-acceptable nitrite salt to a subject, for treating, preventing or ameliorating a condition selected from: (a) ischemia-reperfusion injury (e.g., hepatic or cardiac or brain ischemia-reperfusion injury); (b) pulmonary hypertension (e.g., neonatal pulmonary hypertension); or (c) cerebral artery vasospasm.

Abstract: Described herein are the clinical and laboratory characteristics of two patients bitten by ticks and infected with a unique member of the genus Phlebovirus (family Bunyaviridae) with a proposed name of Heartland virus (HRTLV). Provided herein are nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Phlebovirus isolates, primers and probes that specifically hybridize with the Phlebovirus isolates, and antibodies specific for the Phlebovirus proteins. Also provided are detection assays using the Phlebovirus nucleic acid molecules, proteins, probes, primers and antibodies. Further provided are recombinant Phleboviruses and their use for eliciting an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, nucleic acids encoding the BHD gene, and methods of using the nucleic acids and proteins encoded thereby. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods of diagnosing BHD disease and related conditions, such as spontaneous pneumothorax and kidney cancer, and methods of treating BHD skin lesions.

Abstract: This invention provides improved replication-competent adenoviral vectors. The improved vectors have both a hybrid regulatory unit that provides for high level transgene expression. The vectors can be use, e.g., for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes.

Abstract: Methods for synthesis and manufacture of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines at high yield are provided. The methods involve reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde or cyanate ester group on the other reactant. The reaction proceeds rapidly with a high conjugation efficiency, such that a simplified purification process can be employed to separate the conjugate product from the unconjugated protein and polysaccharide and other small molecule by-products.

Abstract: The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo or in vitro sand fly Lu. longipalpis salivary antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against Leishmania, vaccine compositions comprising said vectors and/or Lu. longipalpis salivary polypeptides, methods of vaccination against Leishmania, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.

Abstract: Novel methods and drug products for treating autoimmune ocular inflammatory disease are disclosed, which involve administration of agents that antagonize one or both of IL-17 and IL-23 activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating an immune-mediated disorder, such as, but not limited to, an autoimmune disease, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide. Also disclosed are methods of suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.

Abstract: Methods of detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype are disclosed, for example to detect, type, and/or subtype an influenza infection. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of an influenza virus, is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the influenza virus nucleic acid indicates the presence of influenza virus. Determining whether the influenza virus nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between an influenza specific probe, influenza type specific probe, and/or subtype specific probe and an influenza nucleic acid. Probes and primers for the detection, typing and/or subtyping of influenza virus are also disclosed. Kits and arrays that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers also are disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially purified salivary Lu. longipalpis polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides are disclosed. Vectors and host cells including the Lu. longipalpis polynucleotides are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for inducing an immune response to sand fly saliva. In other embodiments, methods for treating, diagnosing, or preventing Leishmaniasis are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to the isolation and identification of the primate T-lymphotropic viruses, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4. The diversity of HTLVs was investigated among central Africans reporting contact with NHP blood and body fluids through hunting, butchering, and keeping primate pets. Herein it is shown that this population is infected with a variety of HTLVs, including two retroviruses; HTLV-4 is the first member of a novel phylogenetic lineage that is distinct from all known HTLVs and STLVs; HTLV-3 falls within the genetic diversity of STLV-3, a group that has not previously been seen in humans. The present disclosure also relates to vectors and vaccines for use in humans against infection and disease. The disclosure further relates to a variety of bioassays and kits for the detection and diagnosis of infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 and related viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound which is an inhibitor of sphingolipid biosynthesis for use in the treatment of a disease which has a secondary Niemann-Pick type C disease like cellular phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Hendra or Nipah virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: An implantable parametric circuit enables local signal amplification and wireless transmission of RF signals in connection with magnetic resonance imaging systems. The parametric circuit detects RF signal detected during magnetic resonance imaging procedure, amplifies the detected RF signal, and transmits the amplified RF signal in a wireless manner to an external pick-up coil. The parametric amplifier is also configured to use another RF signal generated by an external source as the primary power source. As a result, implanted or catheter coils could be used as a wireless signal transducer without the need for a battery or a power connection.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against S. epidermidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-?-glutamic acid (such as ?DLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express a ?PGA polypeptide. The ?PGA conjugates elicit an effective immune response against S. epidermidis, or other staphylococci, in subjects to which the conjugates are administered. A method of treating an infection caused by a Staphylococcus organism that expresses cap genes is also disclosed. The method can include selecting a subject who is at risk of or has been diagnosed with the infection by the Staphylococcus organism which expresses ?PGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of a ?PGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using nitrite to detoxify stroma-free hemoglobin based blood substitutes. In particular, methods are described for using a blood substitute comprised of about equimolar amounts of nitrite and hemoglobin (e.g., nitrite-metHb) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases of the blood in a subject, or as a blood replacement in a subject.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of determining an HCC subtype in a subject which includes a) obtaining a sample from the subject, b) assaying the sample to detect the expression of 1 or more biomarkers, and c) correlating the expression of the biomarkers with an HCC subtype in a subject. Also described are methods of detecting HCC stem cells in a sample, and methods and compositions for treating subjects with HCC that take advantage of the biomarkers associated with HCC stem cells.

Abstract: Methods for synthesis and manufacture of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines at high yield are provided. The methods involve reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde or cyanate ester group on the other reactant. The reaction proceeds rapidly with a high conjugation efficiency, such that a simplified purification process can be employed to separate the conjugate product from the unconjugated protein and polysaccharide and other small molecule by-products.

Abstract: A device for volitional swallowing with a substitute sensory system comprises a band 101 wrapped around the neck with a vibrator 102 positioned over the larynx. Upon activation by a button 103 on a spoon 104 held by an operator, such as the subject 105, the vibrator 102 moves and vibrates the larynx. The patient 105 initiates the sensory stimulation immediately prior to the patient's own initiation of a swallow by viewing on a display screen 106 a movement feedback signal 107, possibly from a piezo-electric sensor 108 also contained in the band 101 which will also be displayed on the display screen 106. The signal 109 from the switch device initiating sensory stimulation will be presented on the same display screen 106 for the patient 105 and trainer to observe when the button or switch 103 is activated for sensory stimulation in relation to the onset of the swallow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to particular antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with abnormal angiogenesis. In particular, these antibodies detect tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) in its native and cell-surface expressed form. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing monoclonal antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits.