Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated peptide having an amino acid residue sequence that comprises at least one human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (HCMV-gB) sequence segment, each HCMV-gB sequence segment consisting of at least 8 and not more than 60 consecutive amino acid residues from residues 146 to 315, residues 476 to 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or from a sequence variant of residues 146 to 315 or 476 to 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1 that has at least 70% sequence identity thereto. The peptides of the invention are useful for treating, preventing, or inhibiting a herpesvirus (e.g., Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Human Cytomegalovirus, and the like) infection in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic pentapeptide and hexapeptide analogs of endomorphin that have (i) a carboxy-terminal extension with an amidated amino acid and (ii) a D-amino acid substitution in position 2. These peptide analogs exhibit decreased tolerance relative to morphine, increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs, while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: Multicomponent compositions and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. Some embodiments of the present invention include multicomponent compositions comprising a first component and a second component, where the first component comprises a notch influencing molecule and the second component comprises a GPCR targeted molecule. Kits comprising the multicomponent composition are also disclosed. Methods for providing the multicomponent composition to one or more cells are additionally provided. Further embodiments include methods of using the multicomponent composition such as, for example, methods of administering the multicomponent composition and method of treating organisms (such as mammals) using the multicomponent composition.

Abstract: Featured are methods and compositions for treating, managing, preventing, or reducing injury to the kidney of a mammal (e.g., a human) caused by one or more iodinated radiocontrast media. The methods include administering an effective amount of one or more pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-like compounds, which includes native human PACAP38, native human PACAP27, native human vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), their agonists, analogs, fragments, and derivatives, with activities toward one or more of the PACAP/VIP receptors, including all of their various isoforms. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions of one or more PACAP-like compounds, either alone or in combination with one or more other prophylactic/therapeutic agents useful for treating, managing, or preventing injury to the kidney of a mammal (e.g., a human) undergoing treatment with one or more iodinated radiocontrast media.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides, peptide analogs, peptide derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating or preventing influenza infections or preventing the person-to-person transmission of an influenza infection. A peptide of the invention comprises an influenza virus-cell fusion inhibiting portion of the fusion initiation region (FIR) of a wild-type influenza hemagglutinin 2 protein or a variant thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a peptide of the invention consists of 8 to 40 consecutive amino acid residues a portion of a wild-type influenza hemagglutinin 2 protein or a variant thereof, the portion of the protein comprising the FIR of the protein and up to five amino acid residues on the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal sides of the FIR.

Abstract: Immunoprotective primary mesenchymal stems cells (IP-MSC) which episomally express multiple immunoreactive polypeptides that specifically target a pathogen (e.g., an infectious species of virus, bacterium, or parasite) or toxin are described herein. The IP-MSC express two or more (e.g., 2 to about 100) immunoreactive polypeptides (e.g., full antibodies, single-chain antibodies (ScFV), Fab or F(ab)2 antibody fragments, diabodies, tribodies, and the like), and optionally one or more other immunomodulating polypeptides, e.g., a cytokine such as an interleukin (e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-12), an interferon (e.g., IFN?, IFN?, or IFN?), and the like, which can enhance the effectiveness of the immunoreactive polypeptides.

Abstract: Compositions comprising linear PNAI, cyclic PNAI, linear PEI, and/or cyclic PEI, useful for delivering compounds or substances into a cell, are provided, as well as methods of making linear PNAI, cyclic PNAI, linear PEI, and cyclic PEI. Also provided are methods of using compositions comprising linear PNAI, cyclic PNAI, linear PEI, and/or cyclic PEI for introducing substances into a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides that can modulate the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and sub-types, isoforms and variants thereof). These peptides are useful as antagonists of the ghrelin receptor as well as inverse agonist, partial agonist or a combination of these activities as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, diabetes, central nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, and hyperpro-liferative disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic pentapeptide and hexapeptide analogs of endomorphin that have (i) a carboxy-terminal extension with an amidated hydrophilic amino acid and (ii) a substitution in amino acid position 2, and in some embodiments, a 2?,6?-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) residue in place of the N-terminal tyrosine residue a position 1. These peptide analogs exhibit increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of decreasing the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells which comprises contacting medullary thyroid carcinoma cells with one or more SSTR2 agonist. A somatostatin receptor antagonist having the formula Cpa-cyclo(D-Cys-4-Pal-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys)-Nal-NH2 is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to render sewage sludge suitable for beneficial purposes, it must be disinfected and stabilized. EDC deactivation is rapidly becoming a desirable result of any sludge or biosolids treatment process. Disclosed herein is a process of treating sewage sludge so as to stabilize the sludge that involves the presence of an iron-containing compound during dewatering of the sludge. Process embodiments described also achieve biosolid samples that have reduced EDC activity, Other embodiments disclosed involve use of a combination of iron salts ferrate and ferric chloride that are added to wastewater sludge in the dewatering step before heat drying. The biosolids resulting from sludge treated with aniron-containing compound are able to resist putrefaction for more than two to three weeks.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic pentapeptide and hexapeptide analogs of endomorphin that have (i) a carboxy-terminal extension with an amidated hydrophilic amino acid and (ii) a substitution in amino acid position 2. These peptide analogs exhibit decreased tolerance relative to morphine, increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs, while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: The invention features somatostatin antagonists having a D-amino acid at the second residue.

Abstract: Immunoprotective primary mesenchymal stems cells (IP-MSC) which episomally express multiple immunoreactive polypeptides that specifically target a pathogen (e.g., an infectious species of virus, bacterium, or parasite) or toxin are described herein. The IP-MSC express two or more (e.g., 2 to about 100) immunoreactive polypeptides (e.g., full antibodies, single-chain antibodies (ScFV), Fab or F(ab)2 antibody fragments, diabodies, tribodies, and the like), and optionally one or more other immunomodulating polypeptides, e.g., a cytokine such as an interleukin (e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-12), an interferon (e.g., IFN?, IFN?, or IFN?), and the like, which can enhance the effectiveness of the immunoreactive polypeptides.

Abstract: The disclosure provides drug delivery devices and methods of making and using the drug delivery devices. The devices include single and multi-layer polymer films made by a breath figure technique having therapeutic agents associated therewith. For example, the devices may be a dual layer polymer film wherein the first layer includes a therapeutic agent incorporated into it by spin coating the first agent with a polymer solution and the second agent is incorporated into the second layer by loading the agent into pores of the second layer after it is spin coated onto the first layer. In some cases one layer provides a burst release and the second layer provides a slow release drug delivery profile. The devices may take on the form of a surgical mesh with a slow release therapeutic drug.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a coronavirus infection. A method embodiment comprises administering a polypeptide (preferably in a biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier) to a subject suffering from a coronavirus infection. The polypeptide comprises or consists of at least a portion of the fusion initiation region (FIR) of a coronavirus fusion protein. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises or consists of a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 2, 22, 23, 24, and 25 or an 8 to 40 contiguous amino acid residue portion thereof.

Abstract: Artificial microvascular network (AMVN) devices are provided and related methods of making and methods of using such devices are provided. The present disclosure generally relates to an AMVN device comprising a substrate including a capillary network configured so as to simulate those actually encountered in the circulation of various humans and animal model systems. In certain aspects, the AMVN devices may be used, e.g., to investigate the effect of storing RBCs under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. However, the use of such AMVN devices is not so limited.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated peptide having an amino acid residue sequence that comprises at least one human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (HCMV-gB) sequence segment, each HCMV-gB sequence segment consisting of at least 8 and not more than 60 consecutive amino acid residues from residues 146 to 315, residues 476 to 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or from a sequence variant of residues 146 to 315 or 476 to 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1 that has at least 70% sequence identity thereto. The peptides of the invention are useful for treating, preventing, or inhibiting a herpesvirus (e.g., Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Human Cytomegalovirus, and the like) infection in a subject.

Abstract: Otologic materials and methods are provided. For example, a cell-adhesive, biodegradable hydrogel scaffold loaded with time-released drugs for repairing chronic tympanic membrane perforations is disclosed, methods of making same and administering same are provided. This hydrogel may promote vascular in-growth and epithelial cell growth of the tympanic membrane with the purpose of closing the perforation and providing a barrier between the external and middle ear. The hydrogel is initially a liquid polymer that only gels upon exposure to specific conditions, such as exposure to light. This scaffold may simultaneously induce repair of the tympanic membrane while preventing or alleviating middle ear infection, thus filling a void in current tympanic membrane perforation therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment, management, or prevention of multiple myeloma and/or renal dysfunction in mammals. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (“PACAP”) compounds, which includes PACAP, vasoactive intestinal peptide (“VIP”), their agonists, analogs, fragments, or derivatives, having one or more PACAP activities. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more PACAP compounds of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other prophylactic/therapeutic agents useful in therapy for the treatment, management, or prevention of multiple myeloma and/or renal dysfunction.