Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in an infant comprising orally administering an effective amount of a CpG-ODN. It is based, at least in part, on the results of experiments in which orally administered CpG-ODNs were observed to reduce the histopathology and markers of inflammation in a murine model for NEC. The present invention further provides for oral formulations of CpG-ODN for administration to infants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting neurodegeneration in a subject suffering from or genetically at risk and/or destined to develop Huntington's Disease comprising increasing, in neurons of the subject, the activity of the TIM23 mitochondrial protein import complex.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 and H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on H5N1 and H1N1 influenza isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 and H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure.

Abstract: A catalytic glycosylation method comprising: installing thioether to an anomeric carbon of a carbohydrate; and catalytically activating the thioether with a non-oxophilic Lewis acid. The thioether may comprise an anomerically stable thioether leaving group. The catalytic glycosylation method may further comprise: utilizing an acid-sensitive ester protecting group as permanent protecting group or using a reactivity-based one-pot glycosylation that employs a single-component catalyst to accelerate an oligosaccharide assembly process. A protecting group to mask hydroxyl functionalities in the production of oligosaccharides, natural products or any molecule having a hydroxyl group comprising an acid-labile ester protecting group.

Abstract: The invention relates to magnesium-polymer composites, methods for their preparation and applications for their use. The composites include a combination of magnesium particles and polymer matrix. The polymer can include, but is not limited to, poly(lactic co-glycolic) acid. In certain embodiments, the composites of the invention are particularly useful for forming medical devices for implantation into a body of a patient. In certain other embodiments, the magnesium-polymer composites are useful for wound healing compositions for administration to an exterior surface of a body of a patient.

Abstract: Described herein are intra-oral prostheses that can help replace or augment the function of the native tongue, such as to assist with swallowing. Disclosed prostheses can provide mechanical force, based on the power of mastication, to propel a food bolus into the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Disclosed prostheses can be used to enhance swallowing rehabilitation as a temporary aid and/or can be used to permanently replace lost tongue functionality. Also disclosed are other anatomical prostheses, such as to provide power for the articulation of dysfunctional extremities, by transforming mechanical force from another nearby functioning muscle group.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting tissue ossification or calcification in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of BMP I inhibitor-loaded microparticles to a subject in need thereof, wherein the administration provides local and sustained release of the BMP I inhibitor thereby inhibiting tissue ossification or calcification.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acid constructs for expression of heterologous cytokines or chemokines in C. albicans, and genetically modified C. albicans strains comprising the recombinant nucleic acid constructs, are described. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules include a C. albicans gene promoter sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a C. albicans secreted protein signal sequence and a heterologous open reading frame (ORF) of a cytokine or chemokine gene. Also described are a method of expressing a heterologous cytokine or chemokine protein in a subject, and a method of treating or inhibiting the development of candidiasis in a subject. These methods include administering a genetically modified C. albicans containing a recombinant nucleic acid construct for expression of a heterologous cytokine or chemokine. Exemplary cytokines or chemokines include IL8, IL17A, CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL5.

Abstract: Described herein is the finding that activators of CXCR3, such as proteins that bind CXCR3 (e.g., IP-9, IP-10 and PF4), enhance the density of goblet cells in the eye. Goblet cells in the conjunctiva are the primary source of tear mucus. Accordingly, the present disclosure describes methods of treating dry eye syndrome by administering an activator of CXCR3. Also described are methods of increasing goblet cells density, such as goblet cell density in the conjunctiva.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomarker signatures and associated methods for identifying patients that are not likely to manifest significant coronary artery disease. It is based, at least in part, on a study performed on serum samples of 239 patients with clinical symptoms of cardiac distress, some of whom required invasive intervention (stent placement or bypass graft surgery). A set of biomarkers was identified as exhibiting different levels of expression in subjects that did, or did not, require invasive intervention. Further, an algorithm was developed which, using serum levels of these biomarkers, assigned a score to a given patient that was indicative of whether that patient required invasive intervention.

Abstract: EphA2 T-cell epitope are provided herein. The epitopes include peptides corresponding to specific fragments of human EphA2 protein containing one or more T-cell epitopes, and conservative derivatives thereof. The EphA2 T-cell epitopis are useful in an assay, such as an ELISPOT assay, that may be used to determine and/or quantify a patient's immune responsiveness to EphA2. The epitopes also are useful in methods of modulating a patient's immune reactivity to EphA2, which has substantial utility as a treatment for cancers that overexpress EphA2, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The EphA2 epitopes also can be used to vaccinate a patient against EphA2, by in vivo or ex vivo methods.

Abstract: Cannabinoid receptor-2 inverse antagonists include compounds represented by Formula IV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein: R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl, or alkenyl; R3 is alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl; R4 and R5 are independently a bond, alkylenyl, or alkenylenyl; each R6 and R7 is independently selected from the group consisting of OH, F, Cl, Br, I, (C1-C6)alkyl, alkoxy, amino, COOH, CONH2, SO3H, PO3H2, CN, SH, NO2 and CF3; and p and q are independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Such compounds may be used to treat osteoporosis or multiple myeloma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for determining whether a subject having prostate cancer is at greater risk of developing progressive disease, and methods of treating the subjects. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that approximately 90% of men carrying at least one of the following fusion genes: TRMT11-GRIK2, SLC45A2-AMACR, MTOR-TP53BP1, LRRC59-FLJ60017, TMEM135-CCDC67 and CCNH-C5orf30 experienced prostate cancer recurrence, metastases and/or prostate cancer-specific death after radical prostatectomy (each examples of “progressive prostate cancer”), while these outcomes occurred in only 36% of men not carrying any of these fusion genes. It is also based, at least in part, on the discovery that no patient studied survived five years without recurrence if their primary prostate cancer contained a TRMT11-GRIK2 or MTOR-TP53BP1 fusion gene. It is also based, at least in part, on the discovery that the protein encoded by the MAN2A1-FER fusion gene exhibits kinase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treatment of clinical disorders associated with protein aggregation comprising administering, to a subject, an effective amount of an anti-protein aggregate (“APA”) compound selected from the group consisting of pimozide, fluphenazine (e.g., fluphenazine hydrochloride), tamoxifen (e.g., tamoxifen citrate), taxol, cantharidin, cantharidic acid, salts thereof and their structurally related compounds. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that each of the aforelisted compounds were able to promote degradation of aggregated ATZ protein in a Caenorhabditis elegans model system. According to the invention, treatment with one or more of these APA compounds may be used to ameliorate the symptoms and signs of AT deficiency as well as other disorders marked by protein aggregation, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's Disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of treating angiogenic disorders of the eye, such as macular degeneration, restenosis following glaucoma treatment or diabetic retinopathy, by administering an activator of C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3). In some embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is interferon-?-inducible 10 kDa protein (IP-10) or a fragment or variant thereof, such as a fragment comprising or consisting of the C-terminal ?-helix of IP-10. In other embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is platelet factor 4 (PF4) or a fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for administering one or more UDP compound, alone or in combination with another hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilizing compound (for example, but not limited to G-CSF), to mobilize hematopoietic progenitor cells for transplant or other purposes. The methods of the invention may be particularly advantageous as applied to improve the stem cell yield in so-called “poor mobilizing” patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable, metal alloy-containing compositions, methods for their preparation and applications for their use. The compositions include magnesium and other components, such as yttrium, calcium, silver, cerium, and zirconium; or zinc, silver, cerium, and zirconium; or aluminum, zinc, calcium, manganese, silver, yttrium; or strontium, calcium, zinc. The compositions are prepared by vacuum induction/crucible melting together the components and casting the melted mixture in a preheated mild steel/copper mold. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful for forming medical devices for implantation into a body of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for administering one or more UDP compound, alone or in combination with another hematopoietic progenitor cell mobillizing compound (for example, but not limited to, G-CSF), to mobilize hematopoietic progenitor cells for transplant or other purposes. The methods of the invention may be particularly advantageous as applied to improve the stem cell yield in so-called “poor mobilizing” patients.

Abstract: Particle formulations are disclosed that include polymeric particles containing a small molecule drug and a high molecular weight therapeutic protein. Methods of making and using the particle formulations also are disclosed. These particle formulations are of use to treat an autoimmune disease, such as diabetes, or an inflammatory disease.

Abstract: The invention concerns separation methods and systems including those comprising a continuous chromatographic simulated moving bed integrated with vapor compression distillation to create a high efficiency separations platform applicable to a broad range of separation functions.