Abstract: The present invention relates to the general field of therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and/or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Thus, the invention relates to a molecule selected from the trappin-2 protein or an active fraction thereof, a member of the WAP family proteins or an active fraction thereof or a member of the Serpin family proteins or an active fraction thereof for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The invention also relates to a recombinant food-grade bacterium comprising a gene selected from a gene coding for the trappin-2 protein or an active fraction thereof, a gene coding for a member of the WAP family proteins or an active fraction thereof, or a gene coding for a member of the Serpin family proteins or an active fraction thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are neuroprotective molecules containing a sequence of 25-35 contiguous nucleotides that is at least 80% identical to a contiguous sequence between nucleotide 1 and nucleotide 50 of a mature human tRNA and at least four contiguous guanosine-containing nucleotides, where the sequence of 25-35 contiguous nucleotides contains a D-loop stem structure, the at least four contiguous guanosine-containing nucleotides are located at the 5? end of the neuroprotective molecule, and the neuroprotective molecule contains at least one deoxyribonucleotide. Also provided are methods of inducing or increasing stress granule formation in a cell, decreasing protein translation in a cell, decreasing stress-induced cell death, or treating a neurological disorder associated with neuron death in a subject using at least one of these neuroprotective molecules.

Abstract: Genetically modified mice comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human M-CSF protein are provided. Also provided are genetically modified mice comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human M-CSF protein that have been engrafted with human cells such as human hematopoietic cells, and methods for making such engrafted mice. These mice find use in a number of applications, such as in modeling human immune disease and pathogen infection; in in vivo screens for agents that modulate hematopoietic cell development and/or activity, e.g. in a healthy or a diseased state; in in vivo screens for agents that are toxic to hematopoietic cells; in in vivo screens for agents that prevent against, mitigate, or reverse the toxic effects of toxic agents on hematopoietic cells; in in vivo screens of human hematopoietic cells from an individual to predict the responsiveness of an individual to a disease therapy, etc.

Abstract: Use of intracytoplasmatic domain of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) protein and/or a nucleic acid molecule encoding for the intracytoplasmatic domain of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) protein, of any species, for the preparation of a medicament, preferably a vaccine, for the treatment and/or prevention of a tumor in a subject, preferably a lymphoma.

Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that express an immunoglobulin variable domain that comprises at least one histidine, wherein the at least one histidine is encoded by a substitution of a non-histidine codon in the germline of the animal with a histidine codon, or the insertion of a histidine codon in a germline immunoglobulin nucleic acid sequence. Immunoglobulin genes comprising histidines in one or more CDRs, in an N-terminal region, and/or in a loop 4 region are also provided. Immunoglobulin variable domains comprising one or more histidines (e.g., histidine clusters) substituted for non-antigen-binding non-histidine residues. Non-human animals that are progeny of animals comprising modified heavy chain variable loci (V, D, J segments), modified light chain variable loci (V, J segments), and rearranged germline light chain genes (VJ sequences) are also provided. Non-human animals that make immunoglobulin domains that bind antigens in a pH-sensitive manner are provided.

Abstract: The present application relates to use of a Midkine family protein for growing hair on a mammal, or in the manufacture of a medicament for growing hair on a mammal, especially for treatment or prevention of different forms of alopecia.

Abstract: A recombinant bacterium capable of reducing tumor growth is provided, wherein said recombinant bacterium is capable of: a. increased expression of a nucleic acid encoding a chemoreceptor that directs chemotaxis towards tumors, b. accumulation in a quiescent tumor, c. hyper-invasion of a tumor, d. reduced fitness in normal tissue, e. enhanced stimulation of the host innate immune responses, f. delivering a tumor specific DNA vaccine vector to a tumor cell, and g. increased bacterium-induced host programmed cell death.

Abstract: A non-immunogenic selection epitope may be generated by removing certain amino acid sequences of the protein. For example, a gene encoding a truncated human epidermal growth factor receptor polypeptide (EGFRt) that lacks the membrane distal EGF-binding domain and the cytoplasmic signaling tail, but retains an extracellular epitope recognized by an anti-EGFR antibody is provided. Cells may be genetically modified to express EGFRt and then purified without the immunoactivity that would accompany the use of full-length EGFR immunoactivity. Through flow cytometric analysis, EGFRt was successfully utilized as an in vivo tracking marker for genetically modified human T cell engraftment in mice. Furthermore, EGFRt was demonstrated to have cellular depletion potential through cetuximab mediated antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) pathways.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for inhibiting viral entry into cells.

Abstract: Anti-angiogenic adenovirus vectors, and therapeutic use thereof are provided, and more particularly, but not exclusively, clinical protocols for treatment of solid tumors in patients with an Ad5-PPE-1-3X-fas-chimera adenovirus vector.

Abstract: Methods for increasing specificity of RNA-guided genome editing, e.g., editing using CRISPR/Cas9 systems, using truncated guide RNAs (tru-gRNAs).

Abstract: Biological pacemakers engineered to intrinsically generate rhythmic excitations are disclosed. In addition, methods of producing the biological pacemakers are disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing arrhythmia and heart disease associated with a defective pacemakers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A controlled releasing composition comprising a plurality of microparticles and a matrix as well as the preparation method thereof is disclosed. The plurality of microparticles comprise a first material and the matrix comprises a second material. The melting temperature of the first material is higher than the melting temperature of the second material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and/or identifying target cells (e.g., bacteria) using engineered transduction particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes mixing a quantity of transduction particles within a sample. The transduction particles are associated with a target cell. The transduction particles are non-replicative, and are engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cell to produce a series of reporter molecules. The sample and the transduction particles are maintained to express the series of the reporter molecules when target cell is present in the sample. A signal associated with a quantity of the reporter molecules is received. In some embodiments, a magnitude of the signal is independent from a quantity of the transduction particle above a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: Provided are a diagnosis marker, a diagnosis method, and a therapeutic agent suitable for diagnosing and treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Also provided are an animal model and a cell model suitable for developing a therapeutic agent and a treatment method for ALS. The diagnosis method for ALS includes: an isolation step in which a nucleic acid is isolated from a specimen taken from a subject; a detection step in which bases expressed in a human chromosome 10 optineurin (OPTN) gene region are detected from the isolated nucleic acid; and a determination step in which it is determined whether or not the detected bases are mutated.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to vesicular stomatitis viruses. For example, vesicular stomatitis viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding VSV polypeptides, methods for making vesicular stomatitis viruses, and methods for using vesicular stomatitis viruses to treat cancer are provided.

Abstract: A method of generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing the pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation medium so as to differentiate the pluripotent stem cells into endoderm cells; and (b) culturing the endoderm cells in a medium comprising at least one growth factor, a cAMP inducer and retinoic acid (RA), said at least one growth factor being selected from the group consisting of FGF10, bFGF and FGF7 so as to generate further differentiated cells; and (c) culturing the further differentiated cells in a medium comprising a maturation factor selected from the group consisting of nicotinamide, GLP-1 and exendin 4, thereby generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells. Further methods of generating islet cells are also disclosed, isolated cell populations comprising same and uses thereof.

Abstract: Liposomal formulations and polymer conjugates of curcumin, curcumin analogs and derivatives thereof for parenteral administration are disclosed herein. The formulations are effective in the treatment of progressive supranuclear palsy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Tauopathies or stress disorders including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Curcumin crosses the blood brain barrier, localizes in the hippocampus and striata, prevents stress-induced neuronal cell damage, and stimulates neurogenesis and remediation of damaged neural circuits.

Abstract: Provided is a lentiviral vector system which sustains a high-frequency retrograde transportation ability in animal brain and has a higher titer. A kit for preparing a retrograde transport viral vector, which comprises: (1) a packaging plasmid containing the gag gene and pol gene of HIV-1; (2) a packaging plasmid containing an accessory gene of HIV-1; (3) a transfer plasmid containing a target gene; and (4) an envelope plasmid containing, as an envelope gene, a gene encoding a fused polypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of rabies virus glycoprotein (RV-G), the transmembrane domain of rabies virus glycoprotein (RV-G) or vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) and the intracellular domain of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G).