Abstract: Glucosepane is a structurally complex protein post-translational modification (PTM) believed to exist in all living organisms. Research in humans suggests that glucosepane plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of both diabetes and human aging; yet comprehensive biological investigations of this ‘metabolite have been’ greatly hindered by a scarcity of chemically homogeneous material available for study. Glucosepane possesses a unique chemical structure that incorporates a surprising, never-before-prepared non-aromatic tautomer of imidazole (hereafter termed an “iso-imidazole”), rendering it a challenging target for chemical synthesis. In this application, the inventors report the first total synthesis of glucosepane, enabled by the development of a novel one-pot method for preparation of the iso-imidazole core. The synthesis of the present invention is concise (8-steps starting from commercial materials), convergent, high-yielding (12% overall), and enantioselective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to duocarmycin-containing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for use in the treatment of human solid tumors expressing HER2, wherein the human solid tumor expressing HER2 is endometrial cancer, in particular uterine serous carcinoma (USC). In particular, the present invention relates to duocarmycin-containing ADCs for use in the treatment of endometrial cancer, notably USC, with HER2 IHC 2? or 1+ and HER2 FISH negative tumor tissue status.

Abstract: As microbial drug-resistance increases, there is a critical need for new classes of compounds to combat infectious diseases. The Ixodes scapularis tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, functions as an anti-infective agent against diverse bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recombinant IAFGP and a peptide, PI, described herein and derived from this protein, bind to microbes and alter biofilm formation. Transgenic iafgp-expressing flies and mice challenged with bacteria, as well as wild-type animals administered IAFGP or PI, were resistant to infection, septic shock, or biofilm development on implanted biomaterials. Antifreeze protein controls bacterial infection and present new therapeutic strategies to counter pathogens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for single cell analysis of relative telomere length using multiplex pre-PCR followed by a qPCR (SCT-pqPCR).

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a method of influencing humans who interact in a network towards accomplishing a goal. The method may include configuring at least one computerized agent to interact with the humans in the network. Configuring the at least one computerized agent may include selecting a value associated with at least one parameter with which to configure the at least one computerized agent, wherein the value associated with the at least one parameter comprises a probability that affects how the at least one computerized agent acts at a time to influence the humans towards accomplishing the goal, wherein the probability affects how the at least one computerized agent acts by impacting whether the at least one agent at the time directly assists with performance of the goal at the time or at the time indirectly assists with the performance of the goal at the time.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions that may be used for imaging intracellular structures. The invention further provides methods of imaging intracellular structures. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention include trans-cyclooctene-containing ceramide lipids and tetrazine-containing rhodamine-related dyes.

Abstract: Catalysts prepared from abundant, cost effective metals, such as cobalt, nickel, chromium, manganese, iron, and copper, and containing one or more neutrally charged ligands (e.g., monodentate, bidentate, and/or polydentate ligands) and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. Exemplary ligands include, but are not limited to, phosphine ligands, nitrogen-based ligands, sulfur-based ligands, and/or arsenic-based ligands. In some embodiments, the catalyst is a cobalt-based catalyst or a nickel-based catalyst. The catalysts described herein are stable and active at neutral pH and in a wide range of buffers that are both weak and strong proton acceptors. While its activity is slightly lower than state of the art cobalt-based water oxidation catalysts under some conditions, it is capable of sustaining electrolysis at high applied potentials without a significant degradation in catalytic current. This enhanced robustness gives it an advantage in industrial and large-scale water electrolysis schemes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bifunctional compounds, which find utility as modulators of targeted ubiquitination, especially inhibitors of a variety of polypeptides and other proteins which are degraded and/or otherwise inhibited by bifunctional compounds according to the present invention. In particular, the present invention is directed to compounds, which contain on one end a VHL ligand which binds to the ubiquitin ligase and on the other end a moiety which binds a target protein such that the target protein is placed in proximity to the ubiquitin ligase to effect degradation (and inhibition) of that protein. The present invention exhibits a broad range of pharmacological activities associated with compounds according to the present invention, consistent with the degradation/inhibition of targeted polypeptides.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method is provided of operating a circuit quantum electrodynamics system that includes a physical qubit dispersively coupled to a quantum mechanical oscillator, the method comprising applying a first electromagnetic pulse to the physical qubit based on a number state of the quantum mechanical oscillator, wherein the first electromagnetic pulse causes a change in state of the quantum mechanical oscillator, and applying, subsequent to application of the first electromagnetic pulse, a second electromagnetic pulse to the quantum mechanical oscillator that coherently adds or removes energy from the quantum mechanical oscillator.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating disease and disorders associated with pathological calcification or pathological ossification by modulating the level or activity of NPP1 or a mutant thereof, or a mutant NPP4 modified to exhibit ATP hydrolase activity similar to the hydrolase activity of NPP1.

Abstract: Methods, kits and compounds are provided that relate to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of preeclampsia.

Abstract: It has been established that cancer cells with oncogenic mutants in the small GTPase K-Ras are susceptible to antibodies that bind intracellular guanosine, but delivery of antibodies into cells can be challenging. A subset of lupus autoantibodies is associated with anti-guanosine activity, and is capable of cellular penetration. These antibodies have potential as therapeutic agents targeted towards K-Ras associated malignancies.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are methods of dosing opioid receptor agonists for treatment of opioid dependence and pain management.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring tRNASec and methods of using them for recombinant expression of proteins engineered to include one or more selenocysteine residues are disclosed. The non-naturally occurring tRNASec can be used for recombinant manufacture of selenocysteine containing polypeptides encoded by mRNA without the requirement of an SECIS element. In some embodiments, selenocysteine containing polypeptides are manufactured by co-expressing a non-naturally occurring tRNASec a recombinant expression system, such as E. coli, with SerRS, EF-Tu, SelA, or PSTK and SepSecS, and an mRNA with at least one codon that recognizes the anticodon of the non-naturally occurring tRNASec.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing and/or reducing risk of neurodegeneration of association cortex, and/or inhibiting or reversing formation of phosphorylated tau or COXIV in the prefrontal cortex of a mammal in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an ?2A-adrenergic receptor agonist.

Abstract: A wireless Josephson-junction-based amplifier is described that provides improved tunability and increased control over both a quality factor Q and participation ratio p of the amplifier. The device may be fabricated on a chip and mounted in a waveguide. No wire bonding between the amplifier and coaxial cables or a printed circuit board is needed. At least one antenna on the chip may be used to couple energy between the waveguide and wireless JBA. The amplifier is capable of gains greater than 25 dB.

Abstract: RNA prepared by in vitro transcription using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-generated template can be introduced into a cell to modulate cell activity. This method is useful in de-differentiating somatic cells to pluripotent, multipotent, or unipotent cells; re-differentiating stem cells into differentiated cells; or reprogramming of somatic cells to modulate cell activities such as metabolism. Cells can also be transfected with inhibitory RNAs, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) or micro RNA (miRNA), or combinations thereof to induce reprogramming of somatic cells. For example, target cells are isolated from a donor, contacted with one or more RNA's causing the cells to be de-differentiated, re-differentiated, or reprogrammed in vitro, and administered to a patient in need thereof. The resulting cells are useful for treating one or more symptoms of a variety of diseases and disorders, for organ regeneration, and for restoration of the immune system.

Abstract: Methods for preparing cDNA libraries from single and low quantities of cells are disclosed. The methods are based on the principles of multi-strand displacement amplification or semi-random primed polymerase chain reaction. The methods typically include a step of reverse transcription and subsequent amplification of cDNA. The methods can be adapted for preparation of cDNA libraries that are representative of mRNA or whole RNA expressed by the cell or cells. The cDNA is suitable for sequencing or microarray analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that measurement of the level of cytochrome c (Cyt-C) in the plasma can be used as a diagnostic signature to predict antiretroviral therapy (ART) toxicity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Thus, in various embodiments described herein, the methods of the invention relate to methods of diagnosing a HIV patient with ART toxicity, methods of predicting a patient's risk of having or developing toxicity for ART, methods of assessing if a patient will benefit from a change in the treatment strategies by adjusting the dosage and/or changing the medication or even terminating of ART, and methods of predicting antiretroviral drugs propensity for causing mitochondrial toxicity. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a diagnostic kit for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some embodiments, methods relating to assessing increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), and/or the likelihood of responding to particular AF therapies using imaging agents comprising an MMP inhibitor linked to an imaging moiety. The invention further provides methods for evaluating the presence of the risk of developing other cardiovascular conditions and assessing the effectiveness of treatment or other intervention for such conditions by determining MMP levels.