Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for treating glaucoma in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods increase retinal ganglion cell survival. The disclosed methods use exosomes and/or miRNA.

Abstract: Metapneumovirus (MPV) F proteins stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the MPV F proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to MPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the MPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing MPV infection.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that include a bacterial capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier protein are described. In some embodiments, the bacterial capsular polysaccharide is a Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide. The carrier protein includes an N. meningitidis factor H binding protein (fHbp) linked to cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Administration of the immunogenic compositions elicits an immune response that includes production of meningococcal polysaccharide-specific and fHbp-specific antibodies. Use of the immunogenic compositions as meningococcal vaccines is also described.

Abstract: Coronavirus S ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to coronavirus in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing coronavirus infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a fluorescence scanning system having a sample holder with a sample suspended within that is rotated by a centrifuge such that the sample is illuminated at various angles by an excitation beam by operation of a galvanometer and such that the sample emits a fluorescence emissions that is detected through a narrow window of exposure defined along the travel path of rotation taken by the sample holder when rotated by the centrifuge. A stationary fluorescence detector is in operative communication with the sample holder along the narrow window of exposure for detecting the fluorescence emissions emitted by the sample from the sample holder while also separating the excitation beam from the fluorescence emissions.

Abstract: There is provided compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein W, X, Y, Z, R1, R2 and R3 have meanings provided in the description, which compounds are useful in the treatment of cancers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and/or treatment of tumors, such as ocular tumors, using virus-like particles conjugated to photosensitive molecules.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing an isolated T memory stem cell population, the method comprising a) isolating naïve T cells from a mammal, wherein the mammal is not a mouse; b) activating the naïve T cells and expanding the numbers of naïve T cells in the presence of one or more non-specific T cell stimuli, one or more cytokines, and a GSK-3beta inhibitor. Also provided are methods of producing an isolated T memory stem cell population, the method comprising a) isolating lymphocytes from a mammal; b) sorting the lymphocytes using flow cytometry into a population comprising a phenotype comprising i) CD95+, CD45RO?, and CCR7+; and ii) CD62L+ or one or more of CD27+, CD28+, CD45RA+, and CD127+ to produce an isolated T memory stem cell population. Further embodiments of the invention provide related cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to IL-7R? are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding the antibodies and antigen binding fragments, and vectors including the nucleic acid molecules are also provided. Methods for detecting a ca cancer or a cell that expresses IL-7R? using the antibodies and antigen binding fragments are disclosed, as is the use of the antibodies and antigen binding fragments to prevent and/or treat a subject with a cancer that expresses IL-7R?, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents that modulate interleukin-15 (“IL-15”) signal transduction or function (“Therapeutic Agents”) and the use ol” those agents to modulate immune function. The Therapeutic Agents target the interaction between IL-15 and its receptor and modulate IL-15-induced signal transduction. The Therapeutic Agents may be formulated with polymers, such as poly-?-1-?4-N-acetylglucosamine. for administration to a human subject to modulate IL-15-mediated immune function.

Abstract: A gradient system characterization function (e.g., a gradient system transfer function) may be developed by measuring a behavior of the MR device at a target temperature and developing at least one gradient system characterization function for a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance (MR) device at the target temperature based on the measured behavior. A patient may be subsequently imaged by the MR device, wherein the imaging process comprises measuring a temperature of a gradient coil, determining a gradient system characterization function at the measured temperature, calculating a pre-emphasized gradient of the gradient coil, and imaging the patient using the pre-emphasized magnetic field component.

Abstract: Methods of thermally inactivating a rotavirus are provided according to the present invention which include exposing the rotavirus to a temperature in the range of about 50° C.-80° C., inclusive, for an incubation time sufficient to render the rotavirus incapable of replication or infection. The thermally inactivated rotavirus is antigenic and retains a substantially intact rotavirus particle structure. Vaccine compositions and methods of vaccinating a subject against rotavirus are provided which include generation and use of thermally inactivated rotavirus.

Abstract: A resolution enhancement technique for a line scanning confocal microscopy system that generates vertical and horizontal line scanning patterns onto a sample is disclosed. The line scanning confocal microscopy system is capable of producing line scanning patterns through the use of two alternative pathways that generate either the vertical line scanning pattern or horizontal line scanning pattern.

Abstract: A method and treatment for testing efficiency and effectiveness of a near infrared photoimmunotherapy treatment includes injecting an antibody photosensitizer conjugate (APC) into a patient, applying radiation to the patient, thereby causing the APC to release a ligand, which is excreted in the patients urine, detecting the presence of the ligand with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, measuring and quantifying an amount of the ligand present in the patients urine based on analytical results of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and determining the effectiveness of the near infrared photo-immunotherapy treatment based on the measured quantified amount of the ligand present in the patients urine so as to determine an amount of APC remaining in the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calibrating radioactive sources are described. An array of scintillation detectors form a receptacle within which a sample or sample container can be retained by a holder. The scintillation detectors are coupled via light transducers such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to independent electronic counters. Coincidence processing of time-tagged events yields a correlated cent rate. One or more corrections can be applied as needed, for background counts, deadtime, or random coincidences. Voltage tuning of PMTs yields improved reproducibility. Variations are disclosed. 1% accuracy has been demonstrated over a range N of 10 kBq-3 MBq, covering a gap in the capabilities of conventional technology.

Abstract: Provided are chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) having antigenic specificity for B-cell Maturation Antigen (SLAMF7). Also provided are related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating a tumor, such as a benign or malignant tumor, are disclosed herein. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a small molecule that selectively binds to and stabilizes G-quadruplex DNA in the promoter of the c-MYC gene to the subject. The methods are also of use to decrease the size and/or number of metastases. Compounds for use in the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated or purified T cell comprising an antigen-specific receptor, wherein the antigen-specific receptor is a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), wherein the T cell has been modified to express a transcription factor at a level that is higher than the level of the transcription factor expressed by a T cell that has not been modified to express the transcription factor, wherein the transcription factor is V-Myb Avian Myeloblastosis Viral Oncogene Homolog (c-Myb), a functional variant of c-Myb, or a functional fragment of c-Myb. Related populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating a disease, and methods of inhibiting the differentiation of T cells are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) in which a, R1-R5 and X1 are as described herein. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound and a method of using the compound for treating cancer, such as renal cancer.

Abstract: The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.