Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of bladder cancer in a subject are provided by detecting in a urine sample a combination of biomarkers. In one embodiment of the invention, biomarker panels consisting of individual targets listed in Tables 4 through 10 may be detected. In another embodiment of the invention, multiplex biomarker panels of various composition, but including those biomarkers listed above may be detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a functionally modifying antibody to an ion channel comprising immunizing a host with a cyclic peptide comprising at least part of an extracellular sequence of said ion channel.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to agonist peptides of type I interferons and methods of using the peptides. These peptides are based on the amino acid sequence of the C-terminus region of the type I IFN molecules and are capable of binding to the cytoplasmic domain of type I IFN receptors. Surprisingly, these peptides were found to possess the same or similar biological activity as that associated with the full-length, mature type I IFN proteins, even though these peptides do not bind to the extracellular domain of the type I IFN receptors. In one embodiment, the peptide is a peptide of IFN?. In another embodiment, the peptide is a peptide of IFN?. Exemplified peptides of the invention include those having SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, and SEQ ID NO:40. The subject peptides have been shown to effect increased resistance to viral infection.

Abstract: Methods for making non-immunogenic anti-inflammatory cytokine compositions, comprising (a) obtaining a liquid comprising cytokine producing cells from a mammalian donor; (b) contacting the liquid with a solid extraction material to generate a composition rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist; and performing one or both of (i) removing cells from the composition and (ii) freezing the composition. The compositions comprise two or more of IL1-ra, sTNF-R1, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII, Compositions may also contain white blood cells and platelets.

Abstract: For determining the presence and amount of human interleukin 3 (IL-3) in a sample, the present invention provides a diagnostic method, wherein an anti-IL-3-antibody, fragment or construct thereof is added to said sample under conditions which allow for binding said antibody, fragment or construct thereof to IL-3 and detecting the amount of antibody bound IL-3 in said sample, wherein the anti-IL-3-antibody is clone 13. Further subject matter of the present invention are the novel antibody clone 13, a nucleic acid encoding said antibody and a hybridoma cell line which produces antibody clone 13. A diagnostic assay kit contains all necessary reagents and materials for performing such assay, preferably an ELISA assay and especially preferably contains antibody clones 13 and 11.

Abstract: Pro-apoptotic agents such as ligands and agonists of agonistic TRAIL receptors can induce or increase apoptosis of cells that cause fibrosis and underlying diseases such as liver, pancreatic, lung and skin diseases characterized by fibrosis, cirrhosis, or complications thereof. The compositions and methods can be used to selectively remove activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the originators of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the originators of pancreas fibrosis and pancreatitis, and can be effective to reduce or prevent further chronic fibrosis by simultaneously reducing multiple fibrosis-associated molecules secreted or induced by such activated stellate cells. The compositions are typically effective to target agonistic TRAIL receptors such as TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5 that are selectively expressed in activated HSCs and PSCs in physiological conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are described, including materials and methods for making molecules and materials that have a specific binding domain of a PlGF2. Embodiments include, for instance, medicaments, biomaterials, biomolecules, molecular fusions, and vaccines.

Abstract: A composition for deriving the maturation of dendritic cells includes complex cytokines generated by the simulation, the expression of which is induced on EBV-infected B cells. The dendritic cell maturation process, which conventionally takes approximately 7 days, can be shortened to 2 days, thereby producing dendritic cells in a more economically advantageous and effective manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-TCblR antibodies and related compositions, which may be used in any of a variety of therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer, tumors and other proliferative diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing the numbers of eosinophils in a human subject comprising administration to a subject an IL-5R binding molecule that comprises (a) a region that specifically binds to the IL-5R and (b) an immunoglobulin Fc region. In a specific embodiment, a method of the invention reduces the number of eosinophils in blood, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract (e.g. esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon), or lung.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), comprising at least one cation exchange chromatography and at least one hydrophobic interaction chromatography, wherein said two chromatographic steps are immediately consecutive in optional order. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for purifying G-CSF from a mixture of G-CSF and other proteins, comprising two cation exchange chromatography steps which are conducted before and after a hydrophobic interaction chromatography, respectively.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for generating CD8+ T cells having the ability to recognize cancer cells expressing a HER2/neu polypeptide. For example, methods and materials for using a polypeptide consisting of an SLAFLPESFD amino acid sequence in vivo or in vitro to generate CD8+ T cells having the ability to recognize and lyse cancer cells expressing a HER2/neu polypeptide are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides stabilized aqueous pharmaceutical etanercept compositions suitable for long-term storage of etanercept, methods of manufacture of these compositions, methods of administration, and kits containing same.

Abstract: Isolated binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof, which bind to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), e.g., human TNF-?, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of VAP-1 and their use as medicaments in treating fibrotic conditions. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a fibrotic condition on the basis of elevated level of soluble VAP-1 or SSAO activity in a bodily fluid, and to a kit for use in said diagnostic method.

Abstract: The present application discloses an immunogenic composition comprising N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y conjugated to a carrier protein to produce a N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugate, wherein the average size of each N. meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogel has been made based on high concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI gels of different compositions were fabricated by thermally inducing gelation of high-concentration suspensions of protein, and characterized for compressive strength and modulus, hydration swelling and drying properties, mechanical behavior change due to polysaccharide additives, and intrinsic pore network structure. The gels were shown to be compatible with bone cells and could be used as bone tissue scaffolds. In addition, WPI fibers were produced by electrospinning. Several additives could be incorporated into the WPI gels, including structural additives, growth factors, amino acids, etc. The WPI hydrogels can be made with glycerol to increase flexibility and stability.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for evaluating potential for invasiveness, metastasis, or recurrence of an epithelial cell cancer. In the methods the expression profile of giant obscurins is detected in a tissue sample of tumor cells or suspected tumor cells and assessed for giant obscuring expression level and distribution therein. Decreased levels or altered distribution of giant obscurins in the cells compared to a control non-invasive standard or to a sample taken at a different point in time is indicative of increased potential of at least one of the invasiveness, metastasis, or recurrence of the epithelial cell cancer. The kit comprises a detection reagent suitable for detecting the presence and distribution of giant obscurins or an amount of the gene product(s) encoding giant obscurins in cells of a tissue sample and instructions for using the detection reagent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel regimens for treating psoriasis, which employ a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-17 antagonist, e.g., an IL-17 binding molecule, e.g., an IL-17 antibody, such as the secukinumab antibody, or an IL-17 receptor binding molecule, e.g., an IL-17 receptor antibody.

Abstract: Antibodies to human GITR are provided, as well as uses thereof, e.g., in treatment of proliferative and immune disorders.