Abstract: DNA aptamers are high affinity ligands selected by genetic enrichment techniques to bind to specific protein targets. Because these represent chemically stable and reproducible molecules, they have application as affinity reagents and/or therapeutic drugs to affect the target protein's actions. NF-kB is an important mediator of the innate immune response and mediator of tissue inflammation. Although RNA and double stranded DNA aptamers have been identified to bind to the NF-kB family of proteins, the present invention represents the first identification of single stranded DNA aptamers that recognize NFkB RelA. The aptamers disclosed herein bind to several distinct regions of RelA and may be useful to antagonize the DNA binding of RelA as an inhibitor of cellular inflammation, visualize the location or amount of RelA in tissues from pathological conditions, or to quantitatively measure the activated state of RelA by affinity binding.

Abstract: Methods of the invention involve determining a patient's compliance with a cholesterol lowering therapy. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve conducting a first assay to determine a cholesterol biomarker level in a first sample from a patient prior to the patient undergoing a cholesterol lowering therapy. The methods may also involve conducting a second assay to determine a cholesterol level in a second sample obtained from the patient after the patient has started undergoing a cholesterol lowering therapy. Additionally, the methods involve associating the cholesterol level and the cholesterol biomarker level in which the association allows for the determination of the patient's compliance with the cholesterol lowering therapy.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include the production and use of chemically modified RNAi agents (e.g., shRNAs) in gene silencing applications. The chemically modified RNAi agents disclosed herein have reduced immunostimulatory activity, increased serum stability, or both, as compared to a corresponding RNAi agent not having the chemical modification. Compositions containing chemically modified RNAi agents according to aspects of the present invention (including pharmaceutical compositions) and kits containing the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical modification motifs for oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides of the present invention, such as chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides, can have increased in vivo efficacy. The chemically modified oligonucleotides provide advantages in one or more of potency, efficiency of delivery, target specificity, toxicity, and/or stability. The chemically modified oligonucleotides have a specific chemical modification motif or pattern of locked nucleic acids (LNAs). The oligonucleotide (e.g. antisense oligonucleotide) can target RNA, such as miRNA or mRNA. Also provided herein are compositions comprising the chemically modified oligonucleotides and methods of using the chemically modified oligonucleotides as therapeutics for various disorders, including cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract: Novel compounds comprising a guanidine-rich head covalently coupled to one or more oligonucleotide antisense sequences which are useful to modulate blood coagulation by affecting the expression of integrin ?IIb or ?3 are described herein. This invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, with or without other therapeutic agents, and to methods of using these compounds as inhibitor of platelet aggregation, as thrombolytics, and/or for the treatment of other thromboembolic disorders. Vivo-MOs, which include eight guanidine groups dendrimerically arranged in the guanidine-rich head and two synthetic antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, are representative compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for the non-invasive detection of organ rejection using a microRNA score.

Abstract: A biologically active RNA-alkali metal-dication formulation, a pharmaceutical composition containing the complexes, and methods of producing the same. The formulation is particularly useful to introduce RNA and an attached cargo into cells allowing its biological intracellular activities: e.g. immunostimulation (immunomodulation), RNA interference or gene expression.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for regulating hepatitis virus replication, involving a miR-130a RNA, a miR-130b RNA, a miR-204 RNA, a miR-1236 RNA, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods of use thereof that modulate C/EBP homologous stress-related protein (Chop) activity in Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs). Chop is a key point in the response of MDSCs to tumor-generated stress factors. In turn, the MDSCs release cytokines and other factors that function as immune suppressors, thereby allowing the tumors to thrive and expand. By inhibiting the level of Chop activity, the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs is disrupted. It has also been unexpectedly found that there is a concomitant increase in the ability of MDSCs to act as antigen-presenting and cytokine producing cells so as to act in increasing the efficacy of anti-tumor immune-based therapies.

Abstract: Novel oligonucleotide pairs which can form a duplex comprising one or more DNA-like nucleotides (e.g., 2?-substituted arabinonucleotides (ANA)); in combination with one or more RNA-like nucleotides (e.g., 2?-substituted ribonucleotides (RNA) and/or locked nucleic acid nucleotides (LNA)), are disclosed. The use of such oligonucleotide duplexes, such as for silencing the expression of a nucleic acid or gene of interest using small interfering RNA (siRNA) technologies, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for classification of thyroid tumors through the analysis of the expression patterns of specific microRNAs in fine needle aspiration samples. Thyroid tumor classification according to a microRNA expression signature allows optimization of diagnosis and treatment, as well as determination of signature-specific therapy.

Abstract: Polysaccharide based hydrogel compositions and methods of making and using the same are provided. The subject polysaccharide based hydrogel compositions are prepared by combining a polysaccharide component with a hydrophilic polymer and a cross-linking agent. Also provided are kits and systems for use in preparing the subject compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an assembly for preparing a sample for analysis. The assembly comprises a hollow body comprising first opening, an outlet with a second opening, and a fluid pathway extending therebetween; a filter element operatively interposed in the fluid pathway; and a closure comprising a third opening and a chamber, the closure being slideably engaged with the outlet. The chamber and the outlet are dimensioned so that the outlet is sealingly engaged with the chamber. A method of using the assembly to detect a microorganism is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a single-stranded nucleic acid capable of inhibiting expression of a target gene having a delivery function. The nucleic acid contains, from the 5?-side to the 3?-side, a 5?-side region (Xc), a linker region (Lx), an inner region (Z), a linker region (Ly) and a 3?-side region (Yc) in this order, wherein the inner region (Z) is constituted by linkage of the inner 5?-side region (X) and the inner 3?-side region (Y), the 5?-side region (Xc) is complementary to the inner 5?-side region (X), the 3?-side region (Yc) is complementary to the inner 3?-side region (Y), at least one of the inner region (Z), the 5?-side region (Xc) and the 3?-side region (Yc) comprises an expression inhibitory sequence that inhibits expression of a target gene, and at least one of the 5?-terminus, the 3?-terminus, the linker region (Lx) and the linker region (Ly) is bound to a bio-related substance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of determining the levels of BRCA1 in a cell, altering the levels of BRCA1 in a cell, determining the likelihood of developing cancer, and determining the prognosis of a patient with cancer using miR-182 and analogs thereof. Importantly, the invention also provides methods of determining whether a patient should be treated with PARP inhibitors, improving PARP therapy in cancer, as well as methods for selecting and improving genotoxic therapies. Also featured are methods of treating patients with cancers based on the expression levels of miR-182. The invention also features compositions comprising miR-182 and analogs thereof, antagomirs of mIR-182 and analogs thereof, in combination with PARP inhibitors and genotoxic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for using combinations of TGF?1 and Cox-2 inhibitors and TGF?1 and Hoxb13 inhibitors for the treatment of various medical conditions, including skin scaring due to trauma wounds and surgery, corneal and retina scaring due to injury and surgery, internal organ scaring due to injury and surgery, heart tissue scaring due to heart attack and surgery, and lung, liver, and kidney fibrosis due to inflammation and injury. One example is to use siRNA inhibitors to silence TGF?1 and Cox-2 at the same time, resulting in significant less scar formation.

Abstract: A method of killing a cell having a mutation in an Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the cell with an inhibitor of Casein kinase I (CKI), the CKI being selected from the group consisting of CKI-alpha and CKI-delta and CKI-epsilon, thereby killing the cell. The method may be used for treating cancers. Pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of cancers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is chitosan dually derivatized with arginine and gluconic acid; and methods of making and using the same, e.g., for gene delivery in vivo.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. Also described are methods of identifying anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: Methods for inducing cardiomyocyte proliferation, e.g., in vivo, by administering a composition comprising miRNA17-92 cluster oligonucleotides, e.g., miR-19a oligonucleotides, miR-19b oligonucleotides, or both miR-19a and miR-19b oligonucleotides.