Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating neuropsychiatric and cognitive conditions in individuals by titrating a 5-HT receptor agonist over a period of time to provide a therapeutic effective amount of the 5-HT receptor agonist to the individual.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient is undergoing a pre-flare event, the method comprising obtaining a blood, serum, plasma, or saliva sample from the SLE patient; assessing a level of expression for each of a plurality of biomarkers, the plurality of biomarkers comprising OPN, MCP-1/CCL2, MCP-3/CCL7, IL-17A, TNFRII, TNFRI, IL-4, IL-5, BLyS, TNF?, and IL-7; determining a Lupus Flare Risk Prediction Index (LFPI) for the patient based upon the level of expression for each of a plurality of biomarkers; and based upon the LFPI, determining whether the patient is undergoing a pre-flare event.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: A method for characterizing disease activity in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient (SLE), comprising obtaining a dataset associated with a blood, serum, plasma or urine sample from the patient, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of protein expression of at least one innate serum or plasma mediator, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of protein expression of at least one adaptive serum or plasma mediator biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one chemokine/adhesion molecule biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one soluble TNF superfamily biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one inflammatory mediator biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount at least one SLE-associated autoantibody specificity biomarker and calculating a Lupus Disease Activity Immune Index (LDAII) score.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of impeding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease flare. Methods for treating patients so identified are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods effective for eliciting an immune response for preventing or reducing infection or improving clinical outcomes caused by Bacillus anthracis are provided. The compositions include a naturally occurring or synthetic protein, peptide, or protein fragment containing all or an active portion of an antigenic epitope associated with anthrax toxin proteins optionally combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The preferred antigenic epitopes correspond to immunogenic regions of protective antigen, lethal factor or edema factor, either individually or in combination. In addition, methods and compositions containing antibodies for reducing the effects of anthrax toxins are described. The methods involve administering to a human or animal the compositions described herein in a dosage sufficient to elicit an immune response or treat the anthrax infection.

Abstract: Data consistent with autoimmune disease being caused by Epstein-Barr virus are shown. Based on this evidence, an effective vaccine would prevent the autoimmune disease in those vaccinated, modified or administered so that the vaccine is not itself capable of inducing autoimmune disease. In the case of anti-Sm, structures to be avoided in an Epstein-Barr virus-derived vaccine have been identified. Differences have been identified in the immune responses to Epstein-Barr infection between individuals who develop a specific autoimmune disease and those who do not. These differences are used to distinguish those who are at greater risk for developing specific autoimmune diseases from those who are a lesser risk. Assuming Epstein-Barr virus causes autoimmune disease and that Epstein-Barr virus remains latent in the patient for life, reactivation of the virus from the latent state is important in generating or maintaining the autoimmune response that culminates in autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods effective for eliciting an immune response for preventing or reducing infection or improving clinical outcomes caused by Bacillus anthracis are provided. The compositions include a naturally occurring or synthetic protein, peptide, or protein fragment containing all or an active portion of an antigenic epitope associated with anthrax toxin proteins optionally combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The preferred antigenic epitopes correspond to immunogenic regions of protective antigen, lethal factor or edema factor, either individually or in combination. In addition, methods and compositions containing antibodies for reducing the effects of anthrax toxins are described. The methods involve administering to a human or animal the compositions described herein in a dosage sufficient to elicit an immune response or treat the anthrax infection.

Abstract: Compositions and methods effective for eliciting an immune response for preventing or reducing infection or improving clinical outcomes caused by Bacillus anthracis are provided. The compositions include a naturally occurring or synthetic protein, peptide, or protein fragment containing all or an active portion of an antigenic epitope associated with anthrax toxin proteins optionally combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The preferred antigenic epitopes correspond to immunogenic regions of protective antigen, lethal factor or edema factor, either individually or in combination. In addition, methods and compositions containing antibodies for reducing the effects of anthrax toxins are described. The methods involve administering to a human or animal the compositions described herein in a dosage sufficient to elicit an immune response or treat the anthrax infection.

Abstract: A number of octapeptides were generated from the sequences encoding the 60 kDa Ro/SSA peptide, the La/SSB autoantigen, the 70 kD nuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP), and the Sm B/B? polypeptide, which represent linear epitopes for autoantibodies present in the sera of SLE and SS patients. These peptides are useful in solid phase assays for patients characterized by the presence of these autoantibodies, and can be used to categorize patients as to the likelihood of developing certain conditions associated with SLE. The peptides are also potentially useful in treatment of these patients using immobilized peptide to remove autoantibody and to block binding of the autoantibodies with patient molecules reactive with the autoantibodies.

Abstract: Data consistent with autoimmune disease being caused by Epstein-Barr virus are shown. Based on this evidence, an effective vaccine would prevent the autoimmune disease in those vaccinated, modified or administered so that the vaccine is not itself capable of inducing autoimmune disease. In the case of anti-Sm, structures to be avoided in an Epstein-Barr virus-derived vaccine have been identified. Differences have been identified in the immune responses to Epstein-Barr infection between individuals who develop a specific autoimmune disease and those who do not. These differences are used to distinguish those who are at greater risk for developing specific autoimmune diseases from those who are a lesser risk. Assuming Epstein-Barr virus causes autoimmune disease and that Epstein-Barr virus remains latent in the patient for life, reactivation of the virus from the latent state is important in generating or maintaining the autoimmune response that culminates in autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Data consistent with autoimmune disease being caused by Epstein-Barr virus are shown. Based on this evidence, an effective vaccine would prevent the autoimmune disease in those vaccinated, modified or administered so that the vaccine is not itself capable of inducing autoimmune disease. In the case of anti-Sm, structures to be avoided in an Epstein-Barr virus-derived vaccine have been identified. Differences have been identified in the immune responses to Epstein-Barr infection between individuals who develop a specific autoimmune disease and those who do not. These differences are used to distinguish those who are at greater risk for developing specific autoimmune diseases from those who are a lesser risk. Assuming Epstein-Barr virus causes autoimmune disease and that Epstein-Barr virus remains latent in the patient for life, reactivation of the virus from the latent state is important in generating or maintaining the autoimmune response that culminates in autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.