Abstract: Bioactive peptides and methods for their use for preventing, treating, and/or reducing the incidence and/or symptoms of an autoimmune disease or disorder that may result from chronic inflammation, damage to ?-cells of the pancreas, and other conditions that are implicated by the CD40-CD154 dyad. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation, autoimmunity, and disease progression. The use of such peptides in reducing diabetes mellitus, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. Methods and materials for preventing and modulating diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases especially in dogs, cats, and horses.

Abstract: The present developments provide methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing autoimmune diseases. In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the use of short peptides loaded inside of nanoparticle nanospheres, nanocapsules, or PEGylated nanoparticles. Additionally, peptide-metal nanoparticle drug conjugates are described and disclosed. In some embodiments, these nanoparticles, whether polymer based or metal-conjugated, when linked or coupled to bioactive peptides provided herein, may be capable of interacting with CD40 proteins or CD40 complexes, and thereby may interfere with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such nanoparticle-peptide conjugates in reducing the inflammatory response, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating and preventing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), acute respiratory distress syndrome (CRS), and alveolar capillary injury (ACI) in a subject.

Abstract: Methods and materials for preventing and modulating atherosclerosis. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation and atherosclerosis. The use of such peptides in reducing atherosclerosis, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. The use of such short peptides to lower LDL cholesterol. Methods and materials for detecting T-cells that express CD40 (Th40 cells). Methods and materials for preventing, modulating, reducing and/or reversing type 2 diabetes and auto-inflammatory disease. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation and type 2 diabetes. The use of such peptides in reducing type 2 diabetes, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods described herein provide for transferring data over one or more networks. A storage area network is adapted to communicate with the one or more networks. A first component is adapted to route data to and from the storage area network. A second component is adapted to route data to and from the storage area network. A gateway component is adapted to control the routing of data between the first and second components and the storage area network. The storage area network is adapted to separate metadata from the data and store the metadata in a secure server positioned behind the gateway component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for the prediction of, or diagnosis of, auto-immune diseases, thereby alerting the subject to the presence of, or propensity to develop, an auto-immune disease so that preventative or therapeutic regiments may be initiated or changed so as to treat, modulate or prevent expansion of the CD4loCD40hi T cell population responsible for the destructive inflammation. The invention also discloses agents which modulate, treat or prevent expansion of CD4loCD40hi T cells. In one embodiment, the method is predictive of type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods described herein provide for transferring data over one or more networks. A storage area network is adapted to communicate with the one or more networks. A first component is adapted to route data to and from the storage area network. A second component is adapted to route data to and from the storage area network. A gateway component is adapted to control the routing of data between the first and second components and the storage area network. The storage area network is adapted to separate metadata from the data and store the metadata in a secure server positioned behind the gateway component.

Abstract: The anti-splitting device of the present invention has a central-web portion and a pair of end web portions, which are joined adjacent to their midpoints to opposite ends of the central web portion to provide the device with generally I-shaped cross-sectional configurations. The web portions have first side edges tapered to define a cutting edge and second side edges serving to define a planar driven surface disposed parallel to the cutting edge. And on the central web portion are at least two projections to upstand from driven surface. The projections are adapted to removably attach the device to a driver employed to insert the device into a log. The driver of the present invention is preferably in the form of a manually operational hammer having a planar driver surface of circular plan form configuration and a circular groove that has an outer diameter equidistant and an inner diameter equidistant from a given fixed point, the center of the planar driving surface.