Abstract: The invention is directed to a more efficient lentiviral vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human ?-globin protein or a human ?-globin protein, which is oriented from 5? to 3? relative to the lentiviral genome. The invention also provides a composition and method utilizing the lentiviral vector.

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: 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: Disclosed are inhibitors of the plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC) inhibitors and the use thereof in treating or preventing malaria in an animal such as a human, comprising administering an effective amount of an inhibitor or a combination of inhibitors. An example of such an inhibitor is a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 to R7 are as described herein.

Abstract: Featured are methods, apparatus and devices for detecting a hematoma in tissue of a patient. In one aspect, such a method includes emitting near infrared light continuously into the tissue from a non-stationary near infrared light emitter and continuously monitoring the tissue using a non-stationary probe so as to continuously detect reflected light. The near infrared light is emitted at two distances from a brain of the patient, so the emitted light penetrates to two different depths. Such a method also includes applying a ratiometric analysis to the reflected light to distinguish a border between normal tissue and tissue exhibiting blood accumulation.

Abstract: Disclosed are powered gait assistance systems that include a controller, sensors, and a motor coupled to a patient's thigh and lower leg and operable to apply assistive torque to the patient's knee joint to assist the patient's volitional knee pivoting muscle output during selected stages of the patient's gait cycle, such that the assistive torque applied by the motor improves the patient's leg posture, muscle output, range of motion, and/or other parameters over the gait cycle. The sensors can include a torque sensor that measures torque applied by the motor, a knee angle sensor, a foot sensor that measures ground contact of the patient's foot, and/or other sensors. The controller can determine what stage of the patient's gait cycle the patient's leg is in based on sensor signals and cause the motor to apply corresponding assistive torque to the knee based on the gait cycle stage, sensor inputs, and known patient characteristics.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. The vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from Group 2 influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to stabilized stem regions of Group 2 influenza virus HA proteins. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compounds of Formula I, which may be useful as aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The variables, J, R4, G, Q, and ring A are defined herein. Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors of Formula I are useful for treating a variety of conditions including cancer and inflammation. The disclosure includes methods for using compounds and salts of Formula I to treat colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, leukemia, brain tumors breast cancer, atherosclerosis, ischaemic heart disease, acne vulgaris, asthma, autoimmune diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, chronic prostatitis, glomerulonephritis, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, transplant rejection, vasculitis, and interstitial cystitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molecule comprising: (a) a first domain, which comprises a targeting moiety; (b) a second domain, which comprises an albumin binding domain (ABD), (c) a third domain, which comprises a furin cleavage sequence (“FCS”), which FCS is cleavable by furin; and (d) a fourth domain, which comprises an optionally substituted Domain III from Pseudomonas exotoxin A (“PE”). Related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of producing the molecule, methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, and methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vaccine composition and method of vaccination are provided useful for immunizing a subject against a rotavirus. The vaccines include rotavirus strains CDC-9 and CDC-66, fragments thereof, homologues thereof, or combinations thereof. Inventive vaccines may include a fragment of CDC-9, CDC-66, homologues thereof, or combinations thereof. Methods of inducing an immunological response are provided by administering an inventive vaccine.

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: 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: Disclosed are isolated or purified T cell receptors (TCRs) having antigenic specificity for human p53R273C or human p53Y220C. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Biomarkers tests which can be used to predict a positive or negative risk of preeclampsia are described. More specifically, a panel of biomarkers including MMP-7 and gpIIbIIIa, described. The test is useful to predict preeclampsia when a biological sample is obtained between the 16th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Prediction later in pregnancy can be achieved by a combination of Siglec-6, Activin A, ALCAM, and/or FCN2.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a subject with for an intracellular pathogen infection, by administering an agent that reduces the binding of CD47 on a infected cell to SIRP? on a host phagocytic cell, in an effective dose for increasing the phagocytosis of infected cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections and Zika virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infection, by administering a compound or composition of the invention, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections, in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits useful for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections.

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: The invention provides methods of increasing the efficacy of a T cell therapy in a patient in need thereof. The invention includes methods of identifying a patient who would respond well to a T cell therapy or conditioning a patient prior to a T cell therapy so that the patient responds well to a T cell therapy. The conditioning involves administering one or more preconditioning agents prior to a T cell therapy and identifying biomarker cytokines prior to administering a T cell therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are T cell receptors (TCRs) capable of binding an antigen expressed by renal cell carcinoma cells. In some examples, the TCRs include an ? chain (such as SEQ ID NO: 2) and a ? chain (such as SEQ ID NO: 3). Also disclosed herein are vectors including nucleic acids encoding the disclosed TCR ? and/or ? chains. Further disclosed are modified T cells expressing the TCRs. In some examples, the modified T cells are prepared by transducing T cells with a vector including nucleic acids encoding the TCR ? chain and the TCR ? chain. In some embodiments, methods include treating a subject with RCC, by obtaining a population of T cells, transducing the population of T cells with a vector including a nucleic acids encoding the TCR ? chain and the TCR ? chain, and administering a composition comprising the modified T cells to the subject.

Abstract: Compounds useful as components of immunogenic compositions for the induction of an immunogenic response in a subject against viral infection, methods for their use in treatment, and processes for their manufacture are provided herein. The compounds comprise a nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence which encodes a Zika virus antigen.