Abstract: Disclosed soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) proteins and nucleic acids, and therapeutic compositions comprising sPD-1 proteins and nucleic acids, for enhancing immunity of a subject against coronavirus infection. Disclosed are soluble PD-1 fusion proteins that include a soluble PD-1 protein fragment and an antigenic protein fragment, preferably where the antigenic protein fragment comprises a coronavirus protein fragment. In some forms, the coronavirus protein fragment is derived from a coronavirus receptor binding domain (RBD) or a coronavirus nucleoprotein (N). In some forms, the sPD-1 proteins, nucleic acids, and compositions are formulated as a vaccine composition. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject at risk of or suffering a coronavirus infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are delivery and expression systems of multiple antiviral therapeutic molecules. The therapeutic molecules include a novel class of dual-functional peptide and defective interfering genes of a virus. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the therapeutic molecules that are useful for the treatment and prevention of viral infections. Also disclosed herein are the method of making and using a vector that expresses the therapeutic molecules. Therapeutic molecules include cellular components such as RNA, DNA, peptide, proteins or combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods for generating 2D and 3D differentiated airway organoids, 2D and 3D differentiated airway organoids which are generated by the methods and uses for the 2D and 3D differentiated airway organoids.

Abstract: Methods and compounds for preventing and/or treating Zika virus(ZIKA) infection. And methods to screen for compound to prevent or treat Zika virus infection.

Abstract: AM580 and structurally related compounds have been found to be useful in treating infection by a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses, and also in reducing associated inflammation. This activity is independent of RAR-? signaling, and is not a result of activation of the hosts innate immune response.

Abstract: Methods for treating, diagnosing, and providing prognostic information for kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection are described. Transcription and translation products (for example, mRNA or peptides) of FGF2, Smad7, and/or sequences upstream of FGF2 are useful as markers that indicate kidney disease and/or provide prognostic information related to the course of kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection. Such kidney disease can be treated and/or mitigated by reducing the availability of FGF2, Smad7, and/or a sequence upstream from FGF2 by reducing and/or regulating transcription and by sequestering related peptides using a large molecule binding partner, such as an antibody. Sequences for useful siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides are provided.

Abstract: Miltefosine is utilized to enhance immune response to vaccination, for example an influenza and/or coronavirus vaccination. The inventive subject matter also provides compositions and methods for enhancing viral yield in cultured cells, by application of a cannabinoid receptor agonist (such as methanandamide) to such cells. Such enhanced viral yield can be used to enhance virus production for purposes of vaccine formulation and/or to improve sensitivity of cell-based virus assays.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described in which the topical application of a toll-like receptor 7 agonist or a toll-like receptor 9 agonist at or near a subdermal vaccination site provides an enhanced response to the vaccination. The enhanced response can be an elevated antibody titer relative to an untreated but vaccinated subject, and/or development of cross-species immunity to species not present in the vaccinating composition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described in which the topical application of a toll-like receptor 7 agonist or a toll-like receptor 9 agonist at or near a subdermal vaccination site provides an enhanced response to the vaccination. The enhanced response can be an elevated antibody titer relative to an untreated but vaccinated subject, and/or development of cross-species immunity to species not present in the vaccinating composition.

Abstract: Enteroviruses, such as EV-A71, have been found to utilize hWARS as a cell surface receptor, with expression ofhWARS rendering cells susceptible to enteroviral infection. Reduction in hWARS cell surface activity reduces susceptibility to enteroviral infection and provides a mode for treatment or prevention of enteroviral infection and its sequelae. Similarly, expression of hWARS in cultured cells and animal models provides models for understanding enteroviral disease mechanisms and the development of vaccines and/or pharmaceuticals for preventing or treating enteroviral disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described that provide prognostic determination of the severity of influenza infection based on the PDE3A status of an individual. Impaired PDE3A function is associated with severe symptoms on contracting influenza. Specific SNP mutations are identified that are associated with impaired PDE3A function, and primers and kits are provided that permit identification of these SNPs. Such information can also be combined with other patient data.

Abstract: Devices and methods that utilize an occlusive dressing in combination with a topical pharmaceutical agent to enhance vaccine efficacy are described. The occlusive dressing delivers a defined dose of a topical pharmaceutical agent that enhances immune system reactivity to a vaccine to the site of vaccination, and provides a barrier that maintains a layer of the topical pharmaceutical agent on the skin for a desired period to time while also providing a port through which an immunizing composition can be administered. In some embodiments the occlusive dressing includes a wound dressing for covering the injection site following vaccination.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides (e.g., antibodies) and fusion proteins that target a epitope in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) glycoprotein of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The polypeptides and fusion proteins can be used to treat and prevent MERS-CoV infection in mammals.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for a live, attenuated influenza vaccine suitable for nasal administration. The vaccine utilizes a cold adapted influenza virus that lacks virulence factor, and includes mutations that provide replicative ability sufficient for vaccine manufacture. Vaccines so produced provide significant cross protection for non-vaccinating strains. The vaccine is safe for children under the age of 2 and adults over 49 years of age. In addition, the cold adapted, virulence factor deleted influenza virus can be adapted to provide immunity to non-influenza pathogens.

Abstract: Therapy for influenza using a combination of a neuraminidase inhibitor, a macrolide antibiotic, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug has been found to provide improved clinical outcomes and reduced incidence of viral quasispecies compared to conventional treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors alone. Effective treatment schedules are also provided. The drug combination can be used in concert with a proton-pump inhibitor and/or an additional antibacterial antibiotic.

Abstract: Methods for treating, diagnosing, and providing prognostic information for kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection are described. Transcription and translation products (for example, mRNA or peptides) of FGF2, Smad7, and/or sequences upstream of FGF2 are useful as markers that indicate kidney disease and/or provide prognostic information related to the course of kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection. Such kidney disease can be treated and/or mitigated by reducing the availability of FGF2, Smad7, and/or a sequence upstream from FGF2 by reducing and/or regulating transcription and by sequestering related peptides using a large molecule binding partner, such as an antibody. Sequences for useful siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides are provided.

Abstract: Highly conserved, short untranslated leader sequences have been identified in MERS-CoV and other human pathogenic Coronaviruses that provide the basis for highly sensitive and accurate assays for these viruses. Use of locked nucleic acids is shown to be useful in amplification reactions for these short sequences. RT-PCR using locked nucleic acids is shown to provide accurate detection of a variety of human pathogen Coronaviruses present at 10 copies per reaction or less.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to attenuated influenza viruses, and related vaccines and methods, comprising a genetically modified viral genome. The genetically modified viral genome comprises a disruption in the non-structural (NS1) coding segment and one or more base substitution in the matrix membrane protein coding segment. The genetic modifications result in viruses that lose NS1 functionality, yet remain replication competent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel antifungal compound, derivatives that are used to treat fungal infections. In a specific embodiment, the compound is a small molecule. In a specific embodiment, the compound described herein inhibits yeast to hypha transition under robust hyphal inducing conditions at lower concentration of the molecule. Also disclosed is a composition comprising the antifungal compound. In a specific embodiment, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. Also disclosed is a method of treating and/or preventing fungal infection using the disclosed compound. The disclosed compound exhibits antifungal activity against wide range of fungal species at slightly higher concentrations. Antifungal compound disclosed herein is used as anti-biofilm agent against fungal infections.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides (e.g., antibodies) and fusion proteins that target a epitope in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) glycoprotein of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The polypeptides and fusion proteins can be used to treat and prevent MERS-CoV infection in mammals.