Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing cancer in the prostate and other organs are disclosed. Exemplary methods comprises extracting texture information from MRI imaging data for a target organ, sometimes using two or more different imaging modalities. Texture features are determined that are indicative of cancer by identifying frequent texture patterns. A classification model is generated based on the determined texture features that are indicative of cancer, and diagnostic cancer prediction information for the target organ is then generated to help diagnose cancer in the organ.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of human monoclonal antibodies that bind GPC3 or heparan sulfate (HS) chains on GPC3 with high affinity. The antibodies described herein are capable of inhibiting HCC cell growth and migration. Provided are human monoclonal antibodies specific for GPC3 or HS chains on GPC3, including immunoglobulin molecules, such as IgG antibodies, as well as antibody fragments, such as single-domain VH antibodies or single chain variable fragments (scFv). Further provided are compositions including the antibodies that bind GPC3 or HS chains on GPC3, nucleic acid molecules encoding these antibodies, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids, and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acids. Methods of treating cancer and/or inhibiting tumor growth or metastasis are also provided. Further provided are methods of detecting cancer in a subject and confirming a diagnosis of cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating cell senescence and cell proliferation using isoforms of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The methods and compositions of the invention find use in inhibiting cancer cell growth or in generating populations of cells for tissue regeneration through the modulation of cell senescence and proliferation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing the development of mucositis in a subject undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a disease in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, such as rapamycin, to the subject. Further disclosed is a method of increasing the lifespan of a normal oral keratinocyte and/or reducing oxidative stress in a normal epithelial cell, wherein the method comprises administering an effective amount of an mTOR inhibitor to a subject undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a disease in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of promoting regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising (i) culturing autologous T cells; (ii) expanding the cultured T cells; (iii) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy; and (iv) after administering nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, administering to the mammal the expanded T cells, wherein the T cells administered to the mammal are about 19 to about 35 days old and have not been screened for specific tumor reactivity, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying conditions of low grade cervical dysplasia and assessing the progressive potential of individual lesions to develop into high grade cervical dysplasia and cervical squamous cell cancer as well as cervical adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions comprising Brachyury antigens, and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers characterized by the expression or overexpression of Brachyury.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of primate-specific glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor opposite strand (GDNFOS) transcripts and encoded peptides. In particular embodiments, provided herein are three GDNFOS antisense transcripts, referred to as GDNFOS-1, GDNFOS-2 and GDNFOS-3. The GDNFOS-3 transcript encodes an ORF of 105 amino acids. Compositions comprising the GDNFOS transcripts and peptides are also provided by the present disclosure. Further provided are methods of treating a neurodegenerative or peripheral organ disease in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed GDNFOS nucleic acid molecules, peptides or compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Orthopoxviruses. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining B5 or A33 binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining B5 or A33 binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hetero-bifunctional ligand for use in inducing internalization of a target receptor. The hetero-bifunctional ligand includes a target receptor-binding agent that specifically binds the target receptor linked to an internalizing receptor-binding agent that specifically binds to an internalizing receptor, where the two binding agents are non-identical. Also disclosed is a method of inducing the internalization of a target receptor on a cell. The method includes contacting a cell with a hetero-bifunctional ligand, where binding of the hetero-bifunctional ligand induces internalization of a target receptor of the cell. Also disclosed is a method of treating a disease or condition associated with a target receptor using the disclosed hetero-bifunctional ligand and pharmaceutical compositions including a hetero-bifunctional ligand.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of preventing or treating detrimental epithelial cell proliferation, loss of epithelial cell differentiation, age-related macular degeneration and/or proliferative vitreal retinopathy in an individual comprising administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of miR 204, an effective amount of miR 211, or an effective amount of a mixture of miR 204 and miR 211. A further embodiment of the invention provides a method of facilitating the transport of a substance across an epithelium in an individual comprising administrating to an individual an effective amount of anti-miR 204, an effective amount of anti-miR 211, or an effective amount of a mixture of anti-miR 204 and anti-miR 211. Additional embodiments of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions of miR 204 and/or miR 211 and pharmaceutical compositions of anti-miR 204 and/or anti-miR 211.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for increasing the immunogenicity of a tumor antigen thus allowing treatment of cancer, as well as a vaccine that increases the immunogenicity of a viral antigen, thus allowing treatment of viral infection, including immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides a fusion protein comprising a viral chemokine fused to either a tumor antigen or viral antigen which is administered as either a protein or nucleic acid vaccine to elicit an immune response effective in treating cancer or effective in treating or preventing viral infection.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising an antigen binding domain of a KDR-1121 or DC101 antibody, an extracellular hinge domain, a T cell receptor transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain T cell receptor signaling domain. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a host are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic conjugates which elicit an immune response to Plasmodium proteins. In particular examples, the Plasmodium proteins include sexual stage surface proteins, circumsporozoite protein (CSP), or immunogenic portions of CSP. Also provided herein are immunogenic compositions including one or more of the disclosed immunogenic conjugates and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided is a method of eliciting an immune response to Plasmodium in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an immunogenic composition disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention, in one aspect, relates to synthetic immunoreactive peptides. These peptides are approximately 20-25 amino acids in length which are portions of the N termini of the M proteins of the most prevalent United States (U.S.) Group A Streptococcus (GAS) serotypes. At least some of the synthetic peptides can be recognized by M type-specific antibodies and are capable of eliciting functional opsonic antibodies and/or anti-attachment antibodies without eliciting tissue cross-reactive antibodies. In another aspect, it relates to compositions or vaccines comprising these synthetic serotype-specific peptides, including polypeptides and proteins. The invention may also be isolated antibodies which are raised in response to the peptides, compositions or vaccines. The invention further relates to kits for using the peptides, compositions, or antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are benztropine analogs having the formula (I) in which Ar is a C6-C20 monocyclic aryl group or a C10-C20 bicyclic aryl group or a heteroaryl, heterocyclic, or arylheterocyclic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, P, and any combination thereof; m=1 to 5; n=1 to 3; and R1 to R4 are as described in the specification; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; pharmaceutical compositions and use thereof, e.g., in treating mental disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for a cancer antigen, e.g., a renal cell carcinoma antigen, wherein the TCR recognizes the cancer antigen in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent manner. Also provided are related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, isolated host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a host using the inventive TCRs or related materials.

Abstract: A device and method for simulating a blast shock wave of the type produced by explosive devices such as bombs. A pneumatic charge releases a blast shock wave along a conduit which terminates in a first outlet that communicates with the atmosphere and a second outlet that is sealed to a specimen chamber. The first outlet has a quick release valve that prevents venting of the pneumatic charge to the atmosphere until the pressure at the valve reaches a predetermined level that opens the valve. The pneumatic charge therefore initially flows through the second outlet to direct the blast into the specimen chamber, until subsequent opening of the quick release valve redirects the gas flow out of the first outlet and rapidly reduces pressure in the chamber. The blast wave closely simulates the Friedlander curve, and its effects are viewed during instead of only after the blast is completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TET3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.