Abstract: Methods for controlling bleeding (e.g., enhancing coagulation and reducing fibrinolysis) in a subject are disclosed. The methods include selecting a subject in need of enhanced coagulation or reduced fibrinolysis, and administering to the subject a carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM). Examples of CORMs include tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer, tricarbonylchloro-(glycinato)ruthenium (II), sodium boranocarbonate, dimanganese decacarbonyl, and iron pentacarbonyl. Further disclosed are compositions and methods for treating a subject in need of a blood product by administering to the subject a composition including a CORM and a blood product (e.g., cryoprecipitate or fresh frozen plasma).

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide for immunogenic portions of Streptococcus pneumoniae surface protein A and surface protein C lacking alpha helical structure.

Abstract: A modified adenovirus capable of overcoming the problem of low level of coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) expression on tumor cells and methods of using such adenovirus are provided. The fiber protein of the adenovirus is modified by insertion or replacement so as to target the adenovirus to tumor cells, and the replication of the modified adenovirus is limited to tumor cells due to specific promoter control or mutations in E1a or E1b genes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photobleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Methods for screening for agents that modulate the activation state, i.e., active growth or persistence, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), methods of treating an Mtb infection in a subject using agents identified by the screening methods, and methods for screening for a latent Mtb infection in a subject are disclosed. The screening methods involve contacting a Mtb sensor kinase with an agent to be tested, then detecting the response of the Mtb sensor kinase to modulating ligands or detecting changes in the oxidation state of the heme iron of the Mtb sensor kinase. The methods for treating an Mtb infection in a subject involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent identified by the screening methods. The methods for screening for a latent Mtb infection in a subject involve detecting carbon monoxide or nitric oxide binding to heme iron of Mtb sensor kinases.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure encompasses virus-like particles, methods of making virus-like particles, including expression vectors, wherein the virus-like particles may comprise enhanced levels of capsid-bound a chimeric HN-Env polypeptide compared to VLPs derived from unmodified HIV-env polypeptides. Embodiments of the virus-like particle may have Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface of the virus-like particle may specifically bind with an anti-HIV-Env specific antibody. Embodiments of the disclosure further includes methods of generating an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-Env polypeptide, comprising delivering to an animal or a human an effective amount of a suspension of virus-like particles comprising a chimeric HIV-Eny polypeptide, thereby inducing the formation of an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-1 eny polypeptide.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting a mammalian cancerous cell or virally infected cell includes providing a Trichomonas vaginalis purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme or a tail mutant purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme in proximity to the mammalian cancerous cell or the virally infected cell and exposing the enzyme to a purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme cleavable substrate to yield a cytotoxic purine analog. The process includes introducing to the cell a vector containing the phosphorylase enzyme, or a DNA sequence coding for the same and delivering to the cell an effective amount of the substrate such as 9-(?-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-fluoroadenine (F-araA).

Abstract: The present invention concerns groups of compounds derived from tunicates of the Synoicum species, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and uses thereof. Extracts from tunicates show selective toxicity against several different cancer cell lines in the NCI 60 cell line panel. These compounds are useful in the effective treatment of cancers, particularly malignant melanomas, colon cancer, and renal cancer cell lines.

Abstract: A novel type of ultrathin cationic hydrogel coatings are provided that have high, quick and reversible swelling/shrinkage transitions and surface wettability in response to pH changes. The poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PVP) hydrogel films are produced by selective cross-linking of PVP copolymers in layer-by-layer (LbL) films assembled by spin-assisted method. These multilayer hydrogels exhibit drastic and reversible 10-fold swelling when the pH is changed from neutral to acidic. The swelling amplitude of these coatings is controlled by varying cross-link densities within the films. The pH-responsive hydrogels open new prospects for developing “intelligent” materials with sharp stimuli-triggered responses for applications in sensing, transport regulation, and self-cleaning coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic composition, and method of use thereof, for improving bone mass, rigidity, or strength, or preventing and treating bone loss via modulation of the RANK signaling pathway. The therapeutic composition of the present invention comprises a RYBP peptide, or fragments thereof, that specifically interact with a motif of RANK to regulate osteoclastogenesis. The present invention further provides a composition, and method of use thereof, comprising a modulator that is capable of modulating the RYBP-RANK interaction, or modulating an effector in the RANK signaling pathway through the RYBP-RANK interaction.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of laser gain material and utilization of such media includes the steps of introducing a transitional metal, preferably Cr2+ thin film of controllable thickness on the ZnS crystal facets after crystal growth by means of pulse laser deposition or plasma sputtering, thermal annealing of the crystals for effective thermal diffusion of the dopant into the crystal volume with a temperature and exposition time providing the highest concentration of the dopant in the volume without degrading laser performance due to scattering and concentration quenching, and formation of a microchip laser either by means of direct deposition of mirrors on flat and parallel polished facets of a thin Cr:ZnS wafer or by relying on the internal reflectance of such facets. Multiple applications of the laser material are contemplated in the invention.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and treating Mycobacterium-related diseases including reducing Mycobacterial virulence, reducing RV3133c dimerization, and treating a subject with a Mycobacterial infection using identified compounds are disclosed. Examples of compounds useful in the treatment of Mycobacterium-related diseases include N-(4-[(acetylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl)-3-phenylpropanamide; 1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-imino-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-1yl)ethanone hydrochloride; and 1-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-3-({4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfonyl]phenyl}amino)acrylaldehyde. Further disclosed are methods for identifying agents that interact with a polypeptide in a Mycobacterium cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are highly specific for Bacillus spores. Also provided are peptides derived from those monoclonal antibodies. Both the antibodies and peptides are highly specific and can discriminate between spores of potentially lethal organisms such as Bacillus anthracis and other harmless but closely related bacilli and provide a very powerful tool in the construction of detection instruments as counter measures.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for method of treatment and/or prevention of disease states that require cystine for maintenance or progression of the disease state. In addition, methods for screening and identifying novel therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of such disease states are described. In one embodiment, the disease state is a cancer, such as, but not limited to, glioma. In this embodiment, methods for the treatment and prevention of glioma by inhibiting cystine uptake or decreasing intracellular cystine concentrations are provided. The present disclosure teaches that glioma cells are dependent on system Xc for cystine uptake. Pharmacological inhibition of system Xc causes a rapid depletion of intracellular glutathione, resulting in decreased cell growth. In contrast, non-malignant astrocytes and cortical neurons remain viable in the presence of Xc inhibitors and continue to take up cystine via alternate amino acid transporters.

Abstract: Treatment of cancer includes administering a compound of formula (I) to a subject. In particular, treatment of colorectal cancer is described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptide amphiphiles for use in producing a natural endothelium mimicking nanomatrix. The disclosed natural endothelium mimicking nanomatrix can be used to coat medical devices such as vascular stents to promote endothelializaiton and inhibit restenosis and thrombosis. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: An antibody of the invention interacts with human DR5 to produce agonistic or antagonistic effects downstream of the receptor including inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences of anti-DR5 antibodies have been elucidated and vectors and cells containing and expressing these sequences have been generated. Methods and uses for the antibodies are detailed including treatment of apoptosis-related disease and treatment of dysregulated cell growth.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a method of non-invasive immunization in an animal and/or a method of inducing a systemic immune response or systemic therapeutic response to a gene product. The skin of the animal is contacted with a non-replicative vector chosen from the group of bacterium, virus, and fungus, wherein the vector comprises and expresses a nucleic acid molecule encoding the gene product, in an amount effective to induce the response.

Abstract: A method and device for accurately determining oxygen saturation of hemoglobin by the measurement of the optical density of a sample, such as a blood vessel, in response to illumination by light having at least three wavelengths (?1, ?2, ?3, . . . ) within a range of about 460 nm to about 523 nm. The hematocrit of a sample may be determined from optical density measurements at the three or more wavelengths in conjunction with a known path length. The device may be an intravenous or intra-arterial fiber optic catheter used to deliver the interrogating light signal to the blood and to detect the reflected signal. A method and device of determining the thickness of the retinal well using spectroscopic information are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining the level of resistance or sensitivity of cancer stem cells to a death receptor agonist. The method includes detecting the level of IAP in one or more DR5/DDX3/IAP complexes in or from the cancer stem cells. Also provided is a method of killing cancer stem cells in a subject and a method of reducing the risk of cancer recurrence in a subject.