Abstract: This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthetic alpha-galactosyl ceramide (?-GalCer) analogs, and their use as immunotherapies. In one aspect. a method of activating a cytokine response in a subject includes administering an effective amount of a compound to a subject, wherein the subject has an adaptive immune system that includes a population of cells, the population including at least one lymphocyte and at least one antigen-presenting cell, and wherein the compound is represented by the structure of formula 1: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; forming a complex between the compound and the antigen-presenting cell, wherein the formation of the complex results in the activation of a receptor on the lymphocyte; and activating the lymphocyte to produce the cytokine response.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions, cancer vaccines and methods for treating cancer are provided. Compositions comprising: (a) a glycan such as Globo H or an immunogenic fragment thereof, wherein the glycan is conjugated with a carrier protein by a linker such as para-nitrophenyl; and (b) an adjuvant comprising glycolipid capable of binding CD1d on a dendritic cell, such as an ?-galactosyl-ceramide derivative, wherein the immunogenic composition induces an immune response that induces a higher relative level of IgG isotype antibodies as compared to IgM isotype antibodies, are provided. Immunogenic compositions comprising the carrier protein diphtheria toxin cross-reacting material 197 (DT-CRM197) and the adjuvant C34 are provided. Antibodies generated by immunogenic compositions disclosed herein further neutralize at least one of the antigens Globo H, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthetic alpha-galactosyl ceramide (?-GalCer) analogs, and their use as immunotherapies. In one aspect. a method of activating a cytokine response in a subject includes administering an effective amount of a compound to a subject, wherein the subject has an adaptive immune system that includes a population of cells, the population including at least one lymphocyte and at least one antigen-presenting cell, and wherein the compound is represented by the structure of formula 1: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; forming a complex between the compound and the antigen-presenting cell, wherein the formation of the complex results in the activation of a receptor on the lymphocyte; and activating the lymphocyte to produce the cytokine response.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthetic alpha-galactosyl ceramide (?-GalCer) analogs, and their use as immunotherapies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment viral infections in organisms, particularly flu virus. The methods and compositions of the disclosure involve the administration to mammals and immune cells of a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Reishi. An extract of G. lucidum induces immune responses that are shown to induce increase survivability in mice injected with lethal does of influenza virus. The effect is increased when the G. lucidum extract is dosed prior to injection of the lethal dose of influenza virus.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which are useful in increasing maturation of dendritic cells from CD14+ mononuclear cells, by contact with a composition comprising a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum. The extract can also be used for increasing production of a cytokine or a chemokine in a dendritic cell or CD19+ B cell. In addition, a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum can be administered to a subject identified as needing increased immunoglobulin, cytokine, or chemokine production.

Abstract: Isolated pulmonary stem cells, the isolated pulmonary stem cells being slowly dividing Oct-4 expressing cells forming individual colonies and able to undergoing terminal differentiation into a mature phenotype in vitro; a method to identify stem cells of a tissue; a kit for the identification of stem cell of a tissue; a method for identifying an infective agent able to infect pulmonary cells; a method for the production of a virus able to infect pulmonary cells and method for identifying a compound interfering with infection of a cell by an infective agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing consumer transaction data to target and aggregate consumers for a group purchase involve maintaining a database storing transaction data consisting at least in part of data related to product purchase transactions for a plurality of consumers and analyzing the data related to product purchase transactions to identify members of a group of said plurality of consumers with a purchase history indicative of a preference for purchasing products in at least one pre-defined category of products.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for managing a special-purpose financial account involve establishing the account by a financial institution for a consumer relating to at least one consumer-designated future purchase for a pre-determined purchase price. Thereafter, contributions to a principal balance of the account are received and interest is accrued on the principal balance by the financial institution until the principal balance and accrued interest reaches a consumer-designated target amount, at which time, the principal balance and accrued interest are disposed of according to pre-defined parameters that can involve forfeiture of the accrued interest, depending on the consumer's actions.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for managing consumer transactional accounts provides a temporary line of credit with an installment option that a consumer can use for specific occasions or life events. The account remains open for only a limited period of time during which interest does not accrue. Thereafter, the account automatically expires, interest begins to accrue on the amount charged on the account, and an invoice is sent to the consumer with a number of payment options.