Abstract: Disclosed are oxo-hydroquinazolines that are useful as selective TSHR agonists. The compounds may be used for detecting or treating thyroid cancer, or treating a bone degenerative disorder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the detection of infectious proteins or prions in samples, including the diagnosis of prion related diseases. One embodiment is an ultrasensitive method for detecting PrP-res (PrPSc) that allows the use of recombinant PrP-sen (rPrP-sen) as a substrate for seeded polymerization. A sample is mixed with purified rPrP-sen to make a reaction mix which is incubated to permit aggregation of the rPrP-sen with the PrP-res that may be present in the sample. Any aggregates are intermittently disaggregated by agitation and the reaction allowed to proceed to amplify target substrate. Any rPrP-res(Sc) in the reaction mix is detected to indicate the presence of PrP-res in the original sample. In the QUIC method in, the reaction mixture is shaken intermittently. The surprising speed and efficiency of the method permits the rapid identification and diagnosis of prion disease.

Abstract: Dopamine D3 receptor antagonists and partial agonists are known to modulate the reinforcing and drug-seeking effects induced by cocaine and other abused substances. By introducing functionality into the butylamide linking chain of the 4-phenylpiperazine class of ligands, improved D3 receptor affinity and selectivity, as well as water solubility, is achieved. A series of linking-chain derivatives are disclosed wherein functionality such as OH, OAc, and cis or trans-cyclopropyl groups have been introduced into the linking chain. In general, these modifications are well tolerated at D3 receptors and achieve high selectivity over D2 and D4 receptors.

Abstract: Substituted pyrazolopyrimidines and dihydropyrazolopyrimidines and related compounds, their methods of manufacture, compositions containing these compounds, and methods of use of these compounds in treating lysosomal storage disorders such as Gaucher disease are described herein. The compounds are of general Formula (I) in which variables R1-R7 and X are described in the application.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds that inhibit RNase H activity of retroviruses, for example, a compound of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, and R3 are as described herein, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, and prodrugs thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods of use, and treatment or prevention of infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of the formula (I) or (II), wherein R1 is H, alkyl, alkenyl or aryl, R2 is H, alkyl or aryl, R3 is H, a alkyl, alkenyl or aryl, R4 and R4-R8 are independently R10, C(O)R10 or SO2R10, wherein R10 is H, alkyl, alkenyl or aryl, and R9 is R9a, C(O)R9a or SO2R9a, wherein R9a is H, alkyl, alkenyl or aryl. R9a can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more oxo(?O), OR9b, OC(O)R9b, OSO2R9b, NHR9b, NHC(O)R9b and NHSO2R9b groups. R9b is H, alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl. R9b can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more groups such as oxo(?O), OR9c, CO2R9c, CO2R9c and OC(O)R9c. R9c is H, or a unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl. The present invention further provides a composition comprising at least one compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, alone or in combination with at least one additional active agent.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for increasing genome stability of an embryonic stem (ES) cell or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell, increasing telomere length in an ES or iPS cell, or both, for example by contacting an ES or iPS cell with an agent that increases expression of Zscan4 in the cell. Methods for increasing genome stability or increasing telomere length in a population of ES or iPS cells are provided, for example by selecting Zscan4+ ES or iPS cells from the population of ES or iPS cells (which can include both Zscan4+ and Zscan4? ES or iPS cells). Therapeutic methods of using ES or iPS cells expressing Zscan4 are also provided. Further provided are methods of treating cancer by administering a Zscan4 polynucleotide or Zscan4 polypeptide. Also provided are methods of inducing differentiation of isolated ES or iPS cells into germ cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of obtaining a population of antigen-specific T cells from peripheral blood of a host. An embodiment of the method of the invention comprises (i) dividing PBMCs from peripheral blood of a host into more than one sub-population; (ii) contacting the PBMCs with an antigen and IL-2; (iii) obtaining a sample of PBMCs from each sub-population; (iv) identifying an antigen-reactive sub-population by determining by high throughput quantitative PCR the expression of a factor produced by the PBMCs of each sample; (v) dividing the antigen-reactive sub-population into microcultures; (vi) identifying the antigen-reactive microculture; and (vii) expanding the microculture, thereby obtaining a population of T cells specific for the antigen. The invention also provides a population of T cells obtained by the inventive method, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, and a method of treating a disease in a host using the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting immune responses and antigen-specific cells are described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of microstructured membranes, methods of fabricating microstructured membranes, bioreactors housing microstructured membranes, and methods of using bioreactors and microstructured membranes. In some embodiments, the present disclosure allows culturing of cellular tissues in an environment which more accurately resembles a native environment. In some more specific embodiments, the present disclosure allows culturing of tumor cells on a membrane having a microfabricated pattern which mimics a native vasculature system.

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 pharmaceutical 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: The invention provides T cell receptors (TCRs) having antigenic specificity for a cancer antigen, e.g., tyrosinase. Also provided are related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, isolated host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a host using the inventive TCRs or related materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving the levels and stability of expression of interleukin-12 family cytokine polypeptides by expressing the alpha and beta subunits of the polypeptides at their determined relative molar ratios that increase the levels and stability of expression of the heterodimer, e.g., in comparison to heterodimer expressed at an equimolar ratio.

Abstract: A gene profiling signature for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gene signature includes 32 or 79 cancer survival factor-associated genes. Thus, provided herein is a method of determining the prognosis of a subject with a tumor by detecting expression of five of more cancer survival factor-associated genes in a tumor sample and comparing expression of the five or more cancer survival factor-associated genes in the tumor sample to a control. In some examples, an increase in expression of ABCF1, CORO1C, DPP3, PREB, UBE3A, and PTDSS1 in a tumor sample compared to a control sample indicates poor prognosis. Further provided are arrays including probes or antibodies specific for a plurality of cancer survival factor-associated genes or proteins.

Abstract: Members of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) family are highly mutated in patients with melanoma. Described herein are novel somatic mutations in the ERBB4 gene that result in increased kinase activity, transformation ability and anchorage-independent growth. These ERBB4 mutations contribute to the tumorogenicity of melanoma. Provided is a method of predicting the prognosis of a patient with melanoma by detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the ERBB4 gene. In some examples, the ERBB4 mutation is selected from G949A, G1354A, G1624A, C1630T, G1687A, G2506A and G2614A (numbering based on SEQ ID NO: 1). Also provided are methods of selecting a patient as a candidate for treatment with an ERBB4 and/or PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor, and a method of identifying a therapeutic agent for the treatment of a subject diagnosed with melanoma. Oligonucleotides that specifically hybridize with an ERBB4 nucleic acid molecule comprising a novel mutation are also provided.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that SPANX-B is uniquely expressed in a number of human tumors and that SPANX-B is an immunogenic antigen that is recognized by human T cells inducing helper CD4+ and cytolytic CD8+ T cell responses. Specific SPANX-B polypeptides and polynucleotides are disclosed that can be used to generate an immune response. In several embodiments, these polypeptides can be used for the treatment of a variety of cancers, including melanoma, colon carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, myeloma, lung carcinoma and renal cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds having the general formula: wherein R1-R4 and X are as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and a method of treating a patient involving antagonizing the endogenous progesterone, such as in inducing menses and treating endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, endocrine hormone-dependent tumors, meningiomas, uterine leiomyomas, or uterine fibroids, inhibiting uterine endometrial proliferation, inducing cervical ripening, inducing labor, and in contraception.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to methods for inhibiting or stimulating an activity of an adrenomedullin (AM) or gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) peptide hormone, comprising contacting the peptide with a small molecule, non-peptide, modulatory agent of the invention. Complexes of these modulatory agents with other components, such as the peptides or blocking antibodies specific for the peptides, are also described, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modulatory agents, and methods for using the modulatory agents to diagnose or treat patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated or substantially purified polypeptides, nucleic acids, and virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from a Merkel cell carcinoma virus (MCV), which is a newly-discovered virus. The invention further provides monoclonal antibody molecules that bind to MCV polypeptides. The invention further provides diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic methods relating to the identification, prevention, and treatment of MCV-related diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccine compositions including CEV serogroup immunogens, attenuated and inactivated viruses of the CEV serogroup and chimeric Bunyaviridae. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing CEV serogroup infection in a mammalian host, methods of producing a subunit vaccine composition or an immunogenic composition, isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a CEV serogroup immunogen, methods for detecting La Crosse virus (LACV) infection in a biological sample and infectious chimeric Bunyaviridae.