Abstract: The present disclosure provides affinity tagged heterodimeric polypeptides comprising a hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1 polypeptide and an HCV E2 polypeptide, where one or both of the E1 and E2 polypeptides comprises an affinity tag. The present disclosure provides a method of producing an affinity tagged E1/E2 heterodimer of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides methods of producing untagged HCV E1/E2 heterodimers. The present disclosure provides HCV E1/E2 heterodimers, compositions comprising same, and methods of inducing an immune response to HCV.

Abstract: Fixation guide devices and methods for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail are disclosed. The fixation guide devices include a frame with a first end and a second end, a compression device removably coupled to the first end of the frame, and the intramedullary nail secured to a nail attachment apparatus of the frame. An intramedullary nail including a body with a fastening end, a closed end, and at least two openings is also disclosed. A compression device includes a compression member, a knob, and a bolt secured in the knob and rotatably engaging the compression member is also disclosed. An alignment guide is disclosed and includes a base member, an alignment member, and a fixation guide. A method of inserting an intramedullary nail into two bones for fixation of the two bones is also disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express novel recombinant genes encoding steviol biosynthetic enzymes and UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce steviol or steviol glycosides, e.g., rubusoside or Rebaudioside A, which can be used as natural sweeteners in food products and dietary supplements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides affinity tagged heterodimeric polypeptides comprising a hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1 polypeptide and an HCV E2 polypeptide, where one or both of the E1 and E2 polypeptides comprises an affinity tag. The present disclosure provides a method of producing an affinity tagged E1/E2 heterodimer of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides methods of producing untagged HCV E1/E2 heterodimers. The present disclosure provides HCV E1/E2 heterodimers, compositions comprising same, and methods of inducing an immune response to HCV.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an immunogenic composition comprising: a) i) a hepatitis C virus (HCV) heterodimeric polypeptide that includes HCV E1 and E2 polypeptides; ii) an HCV E1 polypeptide; or iii) an HCV E2 polypeptide; b) a polypeptide (also referred to herein as a “T-cell epitope polypeptide” or an “HCV T-cell epitope polypeptide”) comprising T-cell epitopes (e.g., CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes that are conserved among some HCV genotypes and that are presented through one or multiple HLA alleles common within the human population) present in an HCV protein other than E1 and E2; and c) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The present disclosure provides a method of inducing an immune response, in an individual, to an HCV polypeptide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds that are amylin receptor antagonist compounds, compositions that include the subject compounds, methods for preparing and using the amylin receptor antagonists, and compositions containing the amylin receptor antagonists for treating, preventing, or ameliorating Alzheimer's disease. Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of inhibiting activity of an amylin receptor by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an amylin receptor antagonist.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising HCV E1, E2, or E1/E2 polypeptides from two or more different HCV genotypes. The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising HCV E2 or E1/E2 polypeptides from two or more different HCV genotypes. The immunogenic compositions are useful in carrying out methods of inducing an immune response to HCV. The present disclosure further provides methods of stimulating an immune response to HCV in an individual.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1 and/or E2 polypeptides and/or one or more T-cell epitope polypeptides. The nucleic acids can comprise one or more modifications. The nucleic acids can be self-amplifying. The present disclosure provides compositions comprising the nucleic acids. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing an immune response to HCV in an individual, comprising administering to the individual a composition of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an immunogenic composition comprising: a) i) a hepatitis C virus (HCV) heterodimeric polypeptide that includes HCV E1 and E2 polypeptides; ii) an HCV E1 polypeptide; or iii) an HCV E2 polypeptide; b) a polypeptide (also referred to herein as a “T-cell epitope polypeptide” or an “HCV T-cell epitope polypeptide”) comprising T-cell epitopes (e.g., CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes that are conserved among some HCV genotypes and that are presented through one or multiple HLA alleles common within the human population) present in an HCV protein other than E1 and E2; and c) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The present disclosure provides a method of inducing an immune response, in an individual, to an HCV polypeptide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising: a) hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 heterodimers, HCV E2, or HCV E1; and b) an adjuvant, where the adjuvant is a cyclic dinucleotide or an archaeosome. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing an immune response in an individual to HCV, the methods comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising one or more T-cell epitope polypeptides, or a fusion polypeptide comprising two or more T-cell epitope polypeptides. The present disclosure provides a method for inducing an immune response to hepatitis C virus in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual an immunogenic composition of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for preparing a compound of formula (I) from a compound of formula (II) via two steps: 6a) contacting 2-(aminooxy)ethanol (i.e., formula (K)) or a salt thereof (e.g., formula (K-1)), with abase and a silylating agent to form a first mixture including an O-silyl protected compound of formula (K); and 6b) adding a second mixture including a compound of formula (II) or a salt therefore, to the first mixture of step 6a) to form the compound represented by formula (I): The present processes only utilize less than 1.5 equivalents of 2-(aminooxy)ethanol or the salt thereof relative to the compound of formula (II), and therefore reduce the burden to remove excess 2-(aminooxy)ethanol on a large manufacturing scale. Also provided are processes for preparing the compound of formula (K) or (K-1).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides heterodimeric polypeptides comprising: 1) a variant hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 polypeptide and an HCV E1 polypeptide; 2) a variant HCV E1 polypeptide and an HCV E2 polypeptide; or 3) a variant HCV E1 polypeptide and a variant HCV E2 polypeptide, where the variant HCV E2 polypeptide and/or the HCV E1 polypeptide comprises one or more T cell epitopes, present in an HCV polypeptide other than an HCV E1 polypeptide or an HCV E2 polypeptide. The present disclosure provides nucleic acids encoding a polyprotein that includes E1 and variant E2, E2 and variant E1, or variant E2 and variant E1. The present disclosure provides a method of producing an E1/E2 heterodimer of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a method of inducing an immune response in an individual. The present disclosure provides variant E2 polypeptides and variant E1 polypeptides; and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds that are amylin receptor antagonist compounds, compositions that include the subject compounds, methods for preparing and using the amylin receptor antagonists, and compositions containing the amylin receptor antagonists for treating, preventing, or ameliorating Alzheimer's disease. Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of inhibiting activity of an amylin receptor by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an amylin receptor antagonist.

Abstract: A thermoplastic vulcanizate composition comprises: (i) a dispersed phase of rubber that is at least partially cured; (ii) a continuous thermoplastic phase including at least one thermoplastic polymer; (iii) a first polysiloxane composition comprising a migratory siloxane polymer physically dispersed in a first thermoplastic material and (iv) a second polysiloxane composition comprising a non-migratory, siloxane polymer bonded to a second thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising: a) hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 heterodimers, HCV E2, or HCV E1; and b) an adjuvant, where the adjuvant is a cyclic dinucleotide or an archaeosome. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing an immune response in an individual to HCV, the methods comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides heterodimeric polypeptides comprising: 1) a variant hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 polypeptide and an HCV E1 polypeptide; 2) a variant HCV E1 polypeptide and an HCV E2 polypeptide; or 3) a variant HCV E1 polypeptide and a variant HCV E2 polypeptide, where the variant HCV E2 polypeptide and/or the HCV E1 polypeptide comprises one or more T cell epitopes, present in an HCV polypeptide other than an HCV E1 polypeptide or an HCV E2 polypeptide. The present disclosure provides nucleic acids encoding a polyprotein that includes E1 and variant E2, E2 and variant E1, or variant E2 and variant E1. The present disclosure provides a method of producing an E1/E2 heterodimer of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a method of inducing an immune response in an individual. The present disclosure provides variant E2 polypeptides and variant E1 polypeptides; and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: A transformer for adjusting the voltage supplied to a load, the transformer comprising a primary winding connectable to a primary AC electrical supply and a secondary winding connectable in series between a live supply and a load. The primary winding comprises a switching means operable to change the number of turns of the primary winding connectable to the primary AC electrical supply where the number of turns of the primary winding connectable to the primary AC electrical supply is greater than a number of turns in the secondary winding. The switching means comprises one or more solid state switches.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions that find use in identifying presence of an advanced stage autoimmune liver disease (ALD) is a subject diagnosed as having ALD. Also provided here are methods and compositions that find use in monitoring effectiveness of treatment of an ALD patient receiving a treatment for the ALD. Also provided here are methods and compositions that find use in identifying subjects suffering from a relapse of ALD. The methods and compositions of the present disclosure also find use in facilitating treatment decisions for a subject having ALD.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to recombinant cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte cell lines overexpressing hERG and uses thereof.