Abstract: Fc domains and CH3 domains are disclosed that bind the neonatal Fc (FcRn) receptor and are at least 99% monomeric. Monomeric Fc domain molecules and CH3 domain molecules are disclosed herein that include a monomeric Fc domain or a monomeric CH3 domain and an effector molecule. In some embodiments, the monomeric Fc or monomeric CH3 domain include amino acid substitutions and/or CDR insertions in the beta strands such that they specifically bind an antigen. Methods for using these monomeric Fc domains, monomeric CH3 domains, monomeric Fc domain molecules and CH3 domain molecules are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of segmented metallic guidewires that are suitable for MRI catheterization. Disclosed guidewires comprise a plurality of short conductive metallic segments that individually are short enough such that they do not resonate during MRI. The conductive segments are electrically insulated from each other and mechanically coupled together end-to-end via connectors, such as stiffness matched connectors, to provide a sufficiently long, strong, and flexible guidewire for catheterization that is non-resonant during MRI.

Abstract: HIV-1 Env ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion mature closed conformation and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the HIV-1 Env ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to HIV-1 in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the HIV-1 Env ectodomain trimers can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) comprising an amino acid sequence having a substitution of one or more of amino acid residues E420, D463, Y481, L516, R563, D581, D589, and K606, wherein the amino acid residues are defined by reference to SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention further provides related chimeric molecules, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and phaxinaceutical compositions. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell, methods of producing the PE, and methods of producing the chimeric molecule are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of enhancing engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in recipient subjects by reducing expression (or activity) of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Such methods can be used in gene therapy protocols and in HSC transplantation, for example allowing this to occur without radiation or chemotherapy conditioning as is typically done in non-myeloablative HSC transplant. In some examples, gene editing methods are used to delete one copy of the CXCR4 gene before HSC or bone marrow transplantation, enhancing the efficiency and durability of donor cell repopulation.

Abstract: Immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions including a live, attenuated human rotavirus or an inactivated human rotavirus are provided which are useful for inducing an immunological response against the rotavirus in a subject. Methods of inducing an immunological response to a rotavirus in a subject are provided by administering an immunogenic pharmaceutical composition including a live, attenuated human rotavirus or an inactivated human rotavirus described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising an antigen binding domain of human antibody 139, an extracellular hinge domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain T cell receptor signaling domain. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a host are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosing a growth in a subject by providing a sample of a growth taken from a subject, determining the level of midkine or pleiotrophin in the sample by an immunoassay, and comparing the level of midkine or pleiotrophin determined from the sample with a control. An increased level of midkine or pleiotrophin in the sample as compared to the control is diagnostic of a malignant growth, whereas an equivalent or decreased level of midkine or pleiotrophin in the sample as compared to the control is diagnostic of a benign growth.

Abstract: A process is provided for protecting a primate host from a self-replicating infection by an immunodeficiency retrovirus. Protection is achieved by administering to the primate host a combination of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor prior to exposure to the immunodeficiency retrovirus. The administration is effective if provided in a single dose within 24 hours of the exposure. A regime of regular daily doses is also effective in providing protection against an immunodeficiency retrovirus becoming self-replicating after infecting a primate host.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of promoting the host defense of a patient to a bacterial infection comprising administering to a patient suffering or at risk of a bacterial infection, a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the pleiotropic cytokine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) protein or polypeptide in an amount and at a location sufficient to promote the host defense of the patient to the bacterial infection. In a preferred embodiment, the bacterial infection is the infection of the patient with MRSA. The invention also provides a method of treating blood product, which comprises introducing a TSLP protein or polypeptide into such blood product, wherein the blood product is extracorporeal and comprises at least one neutrophil.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions that include a mixture of viral like particles (VLPs), expressing different individual influenza hemagglutinin (HA) proteins that elicit broadly reactive immune responses to a wide variety of influenza viruses. For example, the composition can include at least two different influenza VLPs, a first VLP comprising a first HA polypeptide and a second VLP comprising a second influenza HA polypeptide, wherein the first and the second HA polypeptide are different subtypes and/or are from different influenza viruses, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or an adjuvant. Methods of using the disclosed polymeric influenza VLP compositions to stimulate an immune response against influenza viruses, for example as a pre-pandemic or a seasonal vaccine, are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides IR700-molecule conjugates and methods of their use to remove (e.g., separate or isolate) a target from a sample in vivo or from a subject in vitro. It is shown herein that exposure of IR700 to near infrared (NIR) light removes a portion of IR700, changing it from a hydrophilic molecule, to one that is hydrophobic, resulting in aggregation of IR700 and anything bound to it. For example, the disclosed IR700-molecule conjugates and methods provide photo-controlled ways to control the pharmacokinetics of a drug in vivo, and can be used to remove undesired agents from environmental or food samples or to isolate target molecules in a laboratory.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of formula (I), formula (II), and formula (III): wherein Ar, R1, A, and X are as defined in the specification. These compounds are antiviral agents and are contemplated for use in the treatment of viral infections, for example, hepatitis C. These compounds are also contemplated for use in treating or preventing cancers.

Abstract: Disclosed are particles comprising a complex of nicotine and cerium oxide and a biodegradable coating comprising agglutinin. Also disclosed is a method of treating or preventing neurodegenerative or neurological disorders in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the particles.

Abstract: An approach is presented to recontruct image data for an object using a partial set of magnetic resonance (MR) measurements. A subset of data points in a data space representing an object are selected (e.g. through random sampling) for MR data acquisition. Partial MR data corresponding to the subset of data points is received and used for image reconstruction. The overall speed of image reconstruction can be reduced dramatically by relying on acquisition of data for the subset of data points rather than for all data points in the data space representing the object. Compressive sensing type arguments are used to fill in missing measurements, using a priori knowledge of the structure of the data. A compressed data matrix can be recovered from measurements that form a tight frame. It can be established that these measurements satisfy the restricted isometry property (RIP). The zeroth-order regularization minimization problem can then be solved, for example, using a 2D ILT approach.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the discovery of (R,R)- and (R,S)-fenoterol analogues which are highly effective at binding ?2-adrenergic receptors. Exemplary chemical structures for these analogues are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the disclosed (R,R)-fenoterol and fenoterol analogues, and methods of using such compounds and compositions for the treatment of cardiac disorders such as congestive heart failure and pulmonary disorders such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of microtome devices and methods of their use. In some embodiments, a microtome can be mounted on the built-in stage of a scanning electron microscope and used to perform serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. In some cases, a microtome installed in a scanning electron microscope can cut the sample at a location off the electron beam axis of the scanning electron microscope. In some cases, a microtome can include a capacitive sensor which can measure the location of a blade of the microtome, and the microtome can be computer-controlled by program implemented in MATLAB.

Abstract: This invention describes compounds of Structures 1, 2, and 3 and their use as allosteric modulators of the GABA receptor chloride ionophore complex to alleviate stress, anxiety, mood disorders, seizures, depression, treatment of drug and alcohol abuse, memory, premenstrual disorders, and neural system damage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting the clinical response to a cancer vaccine in a patient having cancer, a method for determining the immune response to a cancer vaccine in a patient having cancer who has been administered a cancer vaccine, a method for determining the long-term survival in a patient having cancer, corresponding kits therefor, as well as methods of for improving the efficacy of a virus-based vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for NY-ESO-1. Also provided are related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, isolated host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal using the inventive TCRs or related materials.