Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are screening methods for determining a human subject's propensity to develop a vascular disorder and/or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), therapeutic or prophylactic compounds for treating disease or inhibiting its development, and methods of treating patients to alleviate symptoms of the disease, prevent or delay its onset, or inhibit its progression. The inventions are based on the discovery that persons with a genome having a deletion of the CFHR-1 and/or CFHR-3 gene, which normally lie on human chromosome 1 between DNA encoding CFH and CFHR-4, are at reduced risk of developing AMD, and elevated risk of developing vascular disease such as aneurysm.

Abstract: The invention provides spray-dried preparations of microbes and methods of using those microbes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for synthesizing nanocrystalline zeolites, the method comprising contacting starting products that comprise a solvent, a silicon source, a cation base, an organic template, and an aluminum source, or any combination thereof sufficient to produce a zeolite gel by hydrolysis, heating the zeolite gel sufficient to produce a first batch of zeolite crystals and a first clear solution, separating the first batch of zeolite crystals from the first clear solution, heating the first clear solution sufficient to produce a second batch of zeolite crystals and second clear solution and separating the second batch of zeolite crystals from the second clear solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating an excessive immune response including an aberrant/enhanced Th1 response by administering a helminthic parasite preparation in an amount sufficient to reduce the excessive immune response in an individual. This invention is generally directed to autoimmune diseases which involve an excessive immune response or an aberrant/enhanced Th1 response. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both known as IBD. While the present invention discloses specific information about the treatment of IBD, the disclosure is in no way limiting. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, lupus erythematosis, sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, allergic rhinitis, colon polyps/colon cancer and asthma can be treated by the methods and compositions disclosed therein.

Abstract: An electrically conducting electrode having a composite and a current collector in electrical contact with the composite, the composite can comprise at least about 10 weight percent electrically conductive particles, at least about 0.5 weight percent magnetic particles, and an optional polymeric binder, wherein composite is at least about 80 weight percent with respect to the combined weight of the electrically conductive particles, the magnetic particles and the binder. Electrochemical systems can effectively use these electrodes to improve system performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system (CMCT system) for improving spatial resolution imaging of CT systems. The systems and method can achieve improved spatial resolution while using CT X-ray dosage levels comparable to those currently used in practice. The system and method can be used for micro-tomography and/or micortomosynthesis of a local region and/or volume of interest in a patient head or another body part.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules containing a loop sequence designed to circumvent exportin-5 mediated export, and methods using these novel molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating an excessive immune response including an aberrant/enhanced Th1 response by administering a helminthic parasite preparation in an amount sufficient to reduce the excessive immune response in an individual. This invention is generally directed to autoimmune diseases which involve an excessive immune response or an aberrant/enhanced Th1 response. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both known as IBD. While the present invention discloses specific information about the treatment of IBD, the disclosure is in no way limiting. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, lupus erythematosis, sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis can be treated by the methods and compositions disclosed therein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating glaucoma are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteins associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These proteins, which are present in blood, are expressed in individuals with AMD at either elevated or reduced levels compared to healthy individuals. The invention provides methods for diagnosing AMD. The invention provides methods for assessing the efficacy of treatment of AMD. The invention provides methods for monitoring the progression of AMD.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified DNA molecule comprising at least one DNA segment, a biologically active subunit or variant thereof, of a circular intermediate of adeno-associated virus, which DNA segment confers increased episomal stability, persistence or abundance of the isolated DNA molecule in a host cell. The invention also provides a composition comprising at least two adeno-associated virus vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to treat a mycobacterium infection and methods to inhibit mycobacterial polyprenyl pyrophosphate synthesis with a compound of formula I. The invention also provides novel compounds of formula I as well as salts and prodrugs thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for non-viral nucleic acid delivery. A targeting peptide capable of mediating targeting to a cell or subcellular compartment is derivatized with a photoaffinity label. Following an ionic interaction with a polynucleotide, such as DNA, and photolysis, the bioactive peptide becomes covalently attached to the DNA. Upon contact with a cell, the peptide facilities uptake of the peptide-polynucleotide conjugate into the cell or subcellular compartment. Methods for using this system for delivery of structural genes, including reporter genes, and detection of expression using bioluminescence are also described.

Abstract: Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been found to be directly oxidized, and direct oxidation of CaMKII was observed to result in calcium independent activation of CaMKII. Antibodies that bind specifically to oxidized forms of CaMKII (oxCaMKII) were generated and were utilized to detect oxCaMKII in blood from: (1) mice with cancer; (2) mice with a knock out of the gene encoding methionine sulfoxide reductase; (3) mice injected with angiotensin II; (4) mice injected with bacterial endotoxin; (5) mice fed a pro-oxidant (ketogenic) diet; and (6) mice with cancer that had been treated with experimental therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the targeted delivery of a delivery vehicle construct which specifically binds to and stimulates endocytosis into cells expressing the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), and particularly human airway epithelia. The delivery vehicle construct comprises a portion of uPA and a cargo linked thereto and is useful for the targeted delivery of the cargo to a cell. In one aspect of the invention, the uPA portion of the delivery vehicle construct comprises the wild-type uPA, a fragment of uPA which has the PAI-1 binding region deleted, or a uPA peptide comprising amino acids 13-19 and is useful for the targeted delivery of the cargo to cells, and in particular to airway epithelia. The present invention also provides a method for delivering the delivery vehicle construct to a cell.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to identify polymorphisms at the human TLR4 locus, as well as methods to identify individuals at risk of indications that increase their morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: The invention provides active, affordable, durable, and sulfur-tolerant catalysts and related precursors and processes useful in hydrogen production. The catalysts have a wide applicability. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides sulfur-tolerant catalysts which, when used in a catalytic fuel processor, will facilitate sufficient hydrogen generation within 30 seconds or so of automobile start-up to generate around 50 kW of fuel cell power. Catalysts of the instant invention are made by reducing a catalyst precursor comprising a support phase impregnated with one or more elemental transition metals, wherein: (a) the support phase is formed by dispersion of a monolayer on the surface of a high surface area alumina support; and (b) the monolayer comprises XOnYO2, where (1) XOn is a redox active metal oxide and n is either 1.5, 2, or 2.5 depending on the oxidation number of X, and (2) YO2 is a redox inactive metal oxide. Ni—V2O5—ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts of the instant invention are preferred.

Abstract: The invention provides metal-organic complexes useful for storing information in an information storage system. The invention also provides methods for forming such complexes on a substrate, as well as apparatuses and systems comprising such complexes.