Abstract: A major immune dysfunction persisting in chronic diseases such as HIV infection and cancer is the impairment of T cell motility and migration to tissues. Therapeutics such as antiretroviral therapy or cancer therapy frequently do not fully restore T cell motility for tissue migration and infiltration. Cofilin is an actin-depolymerizing factor that regulates actin dynamics for T cell migration. Here we demonstrate that the levels of cofilin phosphorylation in blood T cells (CD4 or CD8), macrophages, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and/or cancer cells can be used to quantify the immune damages caused by chronic viral infection and cancer, and to predict the recovery of T cells following treatment.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for using actin-based peptides to modulate cellular bioactivity. including modulation of cellular susceptibility to intracellular pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method comprising (a) expressing a vector comprising a PSGL-1 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1) or a mutant thereof in a VPC (virus producing cell); and blocking a virus infection by inactivating an infectivity of a released virions from the VPC; or (b) expressing a glycoprotein or a mutant thereof in the VPC; blocking the virus infection by preventing binding of the released virions to a target cell; inactivating infectivity of the released virions; and targeting a viral infection. Other embodiments relate to (1) a broad-spectrum anti-viral product comprising: a vector expressing a glycoprotein or a mutant thereof in a VPC; and blocking a virus infection by inactivating infectivity of a released virion from the VPC; and (2) a vaccine comprising a viral particle is configured to a live attenuated or an inactivated or a non-infectious, wherein the viral particle are produced in a VPC.

Abstract: Recombinant viruses include one or more SHREK proteins and are thereby rendered non-infective and can be safely used in vaccines, e.g. to treat or prevent infections and to eliminate e.g. latent virus reservoirs.

Abstract: An Embodiment relates to a method comprising: co-expressing a viral vector of a virus of interest and a CD34 expression vector into a human cell line to produce virus particles such that CD34 incorporates into the virus particles; isolating the virus particles from the human cell line; blocking a viral infection; and wherein the method is configured for inhibiting the viral infection of the virus of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to combinations and formulations of actin-based peptides with molecules to enhance the bioactivities of actin-based peptides for enhancing their abilities for modulating actin-related cellular bioactivity and cellular susceptibility to viral infection.

Abstract: Persistence of HIV in anatomic sanctuary sites such as the brain prevents viral eradication. Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) inhibits viral replication to undetectable level by standard clinical assay, it does not selectively eliminate virus reservoirs. To target HIV reservoirs, the present inventor developed an HIV Rev-dependent lentiviral vector carrying a series of therapeutic genes, such as diphtheria toxin, anthrolysin O from Bacillus anthracis, human TRAF6, or the herpes simplex 1 virus thymidine kinase gene (HSV-tk). The present disclosure provides the Rev-dependent vectors for targeting viral reservoir in a SIV/rhesus macaque model. SIV-infected rhesus macaques were first treated with cART for over 6 months starting 12 weeks post infection, followed by injections with viral particles assembled from a SIV Rev-dependent vector carrying HSV-tk.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to composition and methodology for using the CD2 receptor to block viral replication, such as HIV-1 infection. In one embodiment, viral target cells such as blood CD4 T cells can be rendered resistant to HIV through stimulation of the CD2 receptor with either an antibody, a ligand, or a small molecule that binds to the CD2 receptor. Pre-stimulation of CD2 can be used to enhance the anti-HIV immunity and used to promote immune response from HIV infection or from an anti-HIV vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-dimensional perovskite-structured metal halide and a preparation method and application thereof. The general formulas of the compositions of the low-dimensional perovskite-structured metal halide are AB2X3, A2BX3, and A3B2X5; wherein, A is at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, In, and Tl; B is at least one of Cu, Ag, and Au; and X is at least one of F, Cl, Br, and I.

Abstract: Codoped lutetium-based oxyorthosilicate scintillators (e.g., lutetium oxyorthosilicase (LSO) and lutetium-ytrrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) scintillators) codoped with transition metal ions (e.g., Cu2+) are described. The codoping can alter one or more optical and/or scintillation property of the scintillator material. For example, the codoping can increase scintillation light yield and/or decrease scintillation decay time. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators, methods of detecting high energy radiation using the radiation detectors, and methods of altering one or more scintillation and/or optical properties of a lutetium-based oxyorthosilicate scintillator are also described.

Abstract: Codoped lutetium-based oxyorthosilicate scintillators (e.g., lutetium oxyorthosilicase (LSO) and lutetium-ytrrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) scintillators) codoped with transition metal ions (e.g., Cu2+) are described. The codoping can alter one or more optical and/or scintillation property of the scintillator material. For example, the codoping can increase scintillation light yield and/or decrease scintillation decay time. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators, methods of detecting high energy radiation using the radiation detectors, and methods of altering one or more scintillation and/or optical properties of a lutetium-based oxyorthosilicate scintillator are also described.

Abstract: Eutectic lithium chloride-cerium chloride (LiCl—CeCl3) compositions are described. An exemplary eutectic composition has about 75 mole % LiCl and about 25 mole % CeCl3. The eutectic compositions can have optical and/or scintillation properties. Also described are methods of preparing the eutectic compositions as well as methods of using radiation detectors including the eutectic compositions in the detection of radiation, including thermal neutrons.

Abstract: Timely development of vaccines and antiviral drugs is critical to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Current methods for quantifying vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies involve the use of pseudoviruses, such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) pseudotyped lentivirus. However, these pseudoviruses contain structural proteins foreign to SARS-CoV-2, and require days to infect and express reporter genes. Here, the present application discloses composition and methodology for making and using a new hybrid alphavirus-SARS-CoV-2 (Ha-CoV-2) particle for rapid and accurate quantification of neutralization antibodies and viral variants.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods comprising expressing or overexpressing P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) producing cells; isolating HIV particles from the HIV producing cells; and preparing the isolated HIV particles as a HIV vaccine. Embodiments relate to systems comprising a HIV vaccine comprising live attenuated, inactivated, or non-infectious HIV particles. Embodiments relate to systems capable of performing a method comprising administering a vaccine comprising live attenuated, inactivated, or non-infectious HIV particles to a subject in need of the vaccine; and treating or preventing one or more disease states in the subject resulting from HIV infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of restoring immune reconstitution, immune control of viremia, and one or more T cell functions in a subject infected with HIV. The method includes administering to the subject infected with HIV an agent that targets the cofilin pathway.

Abstract: Timely development of vaccines and antiviral drugs is critical to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Current methods for quantifying vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies involve the use of pseudoviruses, such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) pseudotyped lentivirus. However, these pseudoviruses contain structural proteins foreign to SARS-CoV-2, and require days to infect and express reporter genes. Here, the present application discloses composition and methodology for making and using a new hybrid alphavirus-SARS-CoV-2 (Ha-CoV-2) particle for rapid and accurate quantification of neutralization antibodies and viral variants.

Abstract: Codoped rare earth garnet-type oxide scintillators are described. More particularly, the scintillators include lutetium yttrium aluminum garnet (LuYAG)-type materials that are doped with an activator, such as praseodymium, and codoped with a monovalent cation, such as lithium. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators, methods of detecting higher energy radiation using the scintillators, and methods of preparing the scintillators and altering scintillator properties are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to expressing or overexpressing P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) producing cells; isolating HIV particles from the HIV producing cells; and preparing the isolated HIV particles as a HIV vaccine. Embodiments relate to a HIV vaccine comprising live attenuated, inactivated, or non-infectious HIV particles. Embodiments relate to systems performing a method comprising administering a vaccine comprising live attenuated, inactivated, or non-infectious HIV particles to a subject in need of the vaccine; and treating or preventing one or more disease states in the subject resulting from HIV infection.

Abstract: Eutectic lithium chloride-cerium chloride (LiCl—CeCl3) compositions are described. An exemplary eutectic composition has about 75 mole % LiCl and about 25 mole % CeCl3. The eutectic compositions can have optical and/or scintillation properties. Also described are methods of preparing the eutectic compositions as well as methods of using radiation detectors including the eutectic compositions in the detection of radiation, including thermal neutrons.