Abstract: Heptamethine cyanines for use as fluorescent markers of the biliary and renal systems are disclosed. Certain heptamethine cyanines exhibit renal system specificity, while others exhibit biliary system specificity. The compounds may be used for diagnostic purposes and/or for visualization of renal or biliary systems during surgery.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to HIV-1 Env and neutralize HIV-1 are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV-1 using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV-1 infection is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a novel system for delivering an expression vector encoding an antigen to a subject that allows for spatiotemporal control over stimulation of the subject's immune response to the antigen are provided. In some embodiments, the expression vector delivery system includes a polymer linked to an adjuvant in prodrug form that can form polymer nanoparticles and enter a cell (such as an immune cell) under physiological conditions. In some embodiments, the adjuvant is linked to the polymer by an enzyme degradable labile bond, the cleavage of which activates the adjuvant to stimulate an immune response.

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: Provided are compositions and methods for treating a subject having a primary immune deficiency (PID), for example who is suffering from a chronic viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, using autologous granulocytes, autologous lymphocytes, and/or NK cells containing exogenous mRNA encoding the missing or defective protein.

Abstract: Disclosed monopolar and bipolar tissue lacerators can comprise a wire partially covered by electrical insulation, wherein the wire has a kink defining an inner curvature, wherein the wire is exposed through the insulation at one or two exposed regions along or near the inner curvature of the kink, wherein the wire is configured to conduct electrical energy through the one or two exposed regions and through a tissue target positioned adjacent the inner curvature to lacerate the tissue target via the electrical energy. The tissue target can be a native or prosthetic heart valve leaflet in a patient's heart.

Abstract: This disclosure provides novel peptide hydrogels containing encapsulated nanoparticles comprising nucleic acid molecules (such as miRNA) that can undergo multiple gel-to-solution (gel-sol) and solution-to-gel (sol-gel) phase transitions, and their use, such as for controlled delivery of nucleic acid molecules to a subject.

Abstract: Anti-CD133 monoclonal antibodies having advantageous properties, products, compositions and kits comprising the monoclonal antibodies, methods (processes) of making the monoclonal antibodies and related compositions, as well as methods of using the monoclonal antibodies in analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising an immune stimulant and an respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) oligopeptide or an unglycosylated RSV polypeptide. The RSV oligopeptides are shown in SEQ ID NO: 3-33. The unglycosylated RSV polypeptide may consist essentially of the ectodomain of an RSV G protein, such as that shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the ectodomain of an RSV F protein such as the ectodomain of the F protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 39.

Abstract: A method for determining a quantity of interest related to the density of organic tissue starts with a digital representation of a histological image of the tissue. The digital representation is converted to a binary image, to discriminate pixels that represent tissue of interest in the image. A box filter is applied to values of the pixels of interest to obtain a tissue density value for each pixel of interest. A quantity of interest is computed, based upon the tissue density values for the pixels of interest. A tangible representation of the computed quantity of interest, such as a numerical value, a graph, or a color representation, is displayed or otherwise presented via an interface. Prior to forming the digital representation, the tissue can be stained to distinguish particular types of tissue for removal or enhancement in the determination of the quantity of interest.

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: Methods are disclosed for clustering biological samples and other objects using a grand canonical ensemble. A biological sample is characterized by data attributes from varying sources (e.g. NGS, other types of high-dimensional cytometric data, observed disease state) and of varying data types (e.g. Boolean, continuous, or coded sets) organized as vectors (as many as 109) having as many as 106, 109, or more components. The biological samples or observational data are modeled as particles of a grand canonical ensemble which can be variably distributed among partitions. A pseudo-energy is defined as a measure of inverse similarity between the particles. Minimization of grand canonical ensemble pseudo-energy corresponds to clustering maximally similar particles in each partition, thereby determining clusters of the biological samples. The sample clusters can be used for feature discovery, gene and pathway identification, and development of cell based therapeutics, or for other purposes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating a subject with a cancer. The compositions can include a chimeric molecule comprising an agent that specifically binds the interleukin 4 receptor (IL-4R) and a toxic moiety, an interferon alpha (IFN?), and an interferon gamma (IFN?). In some non-liming embodiments, the compositions can also include monocytes. The methods disclosed herein include administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compositions taught herein to a subject with cancer, thereby treating the cancer in the subject, wherein cells in the cancer express IL-4R. In some non-liming embodiments, the methods can also include administering monocytes.

Abstract: Isolated VHH monoclonal antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to a Norovirus polypeptide. In some embodiments, the Norovirus is a Genogroup I Norovirus or a Genogroup II Norovirus. In other embodiments, the Norovirus is Norwalk or MD2004 virus. In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies specifically bind VP1. Also disclosed are compositions including the disclosed antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors including the nucleic acids, and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acids. The antibodies and compositions disclosed herein can be used for detecting the presence of a Norovirus in a biological sample, or detecting a Norovirus infection. Also disclosed are methods of treating and/or preventing a NoV infection.

Abstract: Recombinant paramyxoviruses including a viral genome encoding a heterologous gene are provided. In several embodiments, the recombinant paramyxovirus is a recombinant parainfluenza virus, such as a recombinant PIV3 including a viral genome encoding a heterologous respiratory syncytial virus F ectodomain linked to the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmic tail of the F protein from the PIV3. Nucleic acid molecules including the genome of a recombinant paramyxoviruses are also provided. The recombinant viruses may advantageously be used in vaccine formulations, such as for vaccines against parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to gp120 and neutralize HIV-1 are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV-1 using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV-1 infection is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of immunogens based on the HIV-1 Env fusion peptide and methods of their use and production are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunogens are also provided. In several embodiments, the immunogens can be used to generate an immune response to HIV-1 Env in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent an HIV-1 infection in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates anti-HIV therapies and prophylaxis. Specifically, the invention relates to broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors comprising the nucleic acids and cells and pharmaceutical compositions Comprising said vectors and/or antibodies. The present invention also relates to use of the antibodies and/or vectors for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV-1 infection in a subject. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a kit containing the antibodies of the invention.

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 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.