Abstract: The present invention provides alphavirus replicons and methods of their use in producing heterologous protein.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses QS-21-based structurally-defined adjuvants to address the need for stronger, safer, and easier-to-access adjuvants. The new compositions can provide tools for addressing long-standing mechanistic questions concerning saponin immune-potentiation through structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies. Most advantageously, the compounds of the disclosure may be formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable compositions, including vaccines that may be delivered to a subject human or animal subject. The compounds can then act as, for example, an adjuvant to augment an immunological response to a vaccine immunogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the isolation of extremophilic microorganisms from the Lakes of Schirmacher Oasis located in the East Antarctic Dronning Maud Land. The isolated organisms were characterized and certain pigments produced by these microorganisms were isolated. The present disclosure teaches that the isolated pigments exhibit anticancer and antimicrobial properties and can be used as new therapies for the treatment and prevention of cancer and microbially-mediated diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6D, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit?2) glucose 1 (1?3) glucose 2 (1?3) rhamnose (1?4) ribitol (5?phosphate. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.

Abstract: Novel 3-N-cycloalkyl-5-substituted-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one derivatives that are effective for use in treating viral infections are described. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the 3-N-cycloalkyl-5-substituted-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one derivatives and methods for using the compounds or compositions.

Abstract: This disclosure demonstrates successfully using single, polycrystalline, hot pressed ceramic, and thin film Fe doped binary chalcogenides (such as ZnSe and ZnS) as saturable absorbing passive Q-switches. The method of producing polycrystalline ZnSe(S) yields fairly uniform distribution of dopant, large coefficients of absorption (5-50 cm?1) and low passive losses while being highly cost effective and easy to reproduce. Using these Fe2+:ZnSe crystals, stable Q-switched output was achieved with a low threshold and the best cavity configuration yielded 13 mJ/pulse single mode Q-switched output and 85 mJ in a multipulse regime.

Abstract: Preparation and methods of treating and preventing visceral adiposity and cancer are provided involving the administration of stearate to a subject. It has been unexpectedly discovered that the fatty acid stearate, when introduced in the diet, reduces the amount of visceral fat in the body without decreasing overall body weight or causing measurable negative side effects. It has also been unexpectedly discovered that dietary stearate prevents cancer in healthy subjects and reduces both tumor size and metastasis in subjects already afflicted with cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of diseases through inhibiting the activity of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?). More specifically, the disclosed compounds, compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of certain cancers (e.g. multiple myeloma, hematologic malignancies), diseases associated with excessive TGF-? activity including fibrosis, dermal scarring, immune dysfunction, and bone loss by inhibiting the conversion of latent TGF-? to active TGF-?. A method of preventing the activation of TGF-? in pathology is also provided, comprising administering an amount of the compounds sufficient to inhibit conversion of latent TGF-? to active TGF-? by thrombospondinl (TSP1), resulting in reduced TGF-? activity and reduced adverse effects such as fibrosis, bone loss, and immune dysfunction.

Abstract: Provided herein are Mycobacterium smegmatis porin nanopores, systems that comprise these nanopores, and methods of using and making these nanopores. Such nanopores may be wild-type MspA porins, mutant MspA porins, wild-type MspA paralog porins, wild-type MspA homolog porins, mutant MspA paralog porins, mutant MspA homolog porins, or single-chain Msp porins. Also provided are bacterial strains capable of inducible Msp porin expression.

Abstract: Provided herein are Mycobacterium smegmatis porin nanopores, systems that comprise these nanopores, and methods of using and making these nanopores. Such nanopores may be wild-type MspA porins, mutant MspA porins, wild-type MspA paralog porins, wild-type MspA homolog porins, mutant MspA paralog porins, mutant MspA homolog porins, or single-chain Msp porins. Also provided are bacterial strains capable of inducible Msp porin expression.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated polypeptides comprising the amino-terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis porin A (MtpA), wherein the polypeptide is a porin monomer. Also provided are isolated polypeptides comprising the carboxy-terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis porin A, wherein the polypeptide is a toxin. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in a subject with or at risk of developing a Mtb infection. Further provided are chimeric porin polypeptides comprising a first polypeptide comprising an amino-terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis porin and a second polypeptide comprising an antigen and the use the chimeric porin polypeptides in methods of eliciting an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying agents capable of modulating RANK-mediated signaling pathways. The present invention also provides compositions and methods of using the same to treat osteoporosis or other RANK-related diseases. The present invention is based on the functional and structural analysis of three TRAF-binding motifs (PTM)—namely, PTM3, PTM5, and PTM6, each of which has been found to play a distinct role in the activation of RANK-mediated intracellular signaling. These PTMs can be used to screen for RANK modulators. These PTMs also represent potential drug targets for diseases that are associated with abnormal RANK expression or activity.

Abstract: Aeroshells and methods for manufacturing aeroshells are provided. In this regard, a representative aeroshell for a missile formed of a long fiber thermoplastic composite exhibits a wall thickness of no greater than approximately 0.070?.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products determine and identify a favorable time to deliver cardiac compression to a subject to avoid a vulnerable period of a spontaneous intrinsic cardiac cycle.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel biologically active extracts from marine algae and to biologically active fractions and components of these extracts. These extracts have been shown to possess antiviral properties. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these extracts, or comprising biologically active fractions or components of these extracts, could be used in the treatment of viral diseases including influenza.

Abstract: The invention provides general methods for quantifying any conceivable compound including small organic molecules and biological molecules in mass spectrometric measurements. The methods include the use of chemical or biological reporters such as artificial polypeptides containing proteolytic cleavage sites, which provide proteolytic reporter peptides for standardization of mass spectrometric detection efficiency. In addition to mass spectrometry standardization between different samples, the artificial polypeptides also standardize sample preparation amongst different samples undergoing mass spectrometric analysis when using electrophoresis separation prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Methods of the present invention also include methods for designing artificial polypeptides with peak to peak continuous liquid chromatography elution profiles spanning the complete or partial analyte elution profile for organic and biological molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are Mycobacterium smegmatis porin nanopores, systems that comprise these nanopores, and methods of using and making these nanopores. Such nanopores may be wild-type MspA porins, mutant MspA porins, wild-type MspA paralog porins, wild-type MspA homolog porins, mutant MspA paralog porins, mutant MspA homolog porins, or single-chain Msp porins. Also provided are bacterial strains capable of inducible Msp porin expression.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and compositions are provided for addressing cancer through the interaction of bradykinin (BK) and the bradykinin-2-receptor (B2R). This interaction controls cellular invasion, as has been unexpectedly observed in glioma cells, A composition is provided for the treatment of cancer by disrupting this interaction using an inhibitor or BK or B2R that can. be administered to the subject. Diagnostic processes are provided, involving measuring levels of BK or B2R to determine the potential for cancer (or to determine the invasive potential of a given cancer). Modulators of BK. and B2R may be used to modulate cellular migration, both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: Provided herein are mitochondrial-nuclear exchanged cells and animals comprising mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from one subject and nuclear DNA (nDNA) from a different subject. Methods for producing a mitochondrial-nuclear exchanged animal and animals made by the methods are provided. Also provided are methods of screening for agents useful for treating a disease or disorder using mitochondrial-nuclear exchanged animals or cells, tissues or organs thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure demonstrates successfully using single, polycrystalline, hot pressed ceramic, and thin film Fe doped binary chalcogenides (such as ZnSe and ZnS) as saturable absorbing passive Q-switches. The method of producing polycrystalline ZnSe(S) yields fairly uniform distribution of dopant, large coefficients of absorption (5-50 cm?1) and low passive losses while being highly cost effective and easy to reproduce. Using these Fe2+:ZnSe crystals, stable Q-switched output was achieved with a low threshold and the best cavity configuration yielded 13 mJ/pulse single mode Q-switched output and 85 mJ in a multipulse regime.