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

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: 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: Codoped alkali and alkaline earth halide scintillators are described. More particularly, the scintillators are codoped with tetravalent ions, such as Ti4+, Zr4+, Hf4+, Ge4+. The codoping can alter one or more optical and/or scintillation property of the scintillator material. For example, the codoping can improve energy resolution. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators and methods of detecting high energy radiation using the radiation detectors are also described.

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 discloses use of TM9SF1 gene as a target in vascular diseases, which relates to the field of biotechnology. In the present disclosure, by means of RNA interference strategy, it is found that after endogenous TM9SF1 gene is interfered with, the expression of two important genes IL1? and IL8 related to the inflammation of HUVEC and the expression of the gene ACE1 closely related to vasoconstriction are remarkably downregulated, suggesting that TM9SF1 gene has positive regulation effect on the expression of IL1?, IL8 and ACE1 genes. By inhibiting or silencing the expression of the TM9SF1 gene, it is possible to inhibit or silence the expression of IL1?, IL8, and ACE1 genes, and further achieve the object of treating or preventing vascular diseases associated with the expression level of IL1?, IL8 and ACE1 genes.

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: 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: The present disclosure relates to the design of a retro- or lenti-viral HBV (hepatitis B virus) hybrid vector for delivery of HBV genomes into cells such as liver cells. Provided herein are design, methodology, compositions, and the like for such vectors for delivering HBV genes or genomes into cells for anti-HBV drug screening, HBV research, or test of anti-HBV therapeutics.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to methods and compositions for determining migration of a virus particle to the nucleus of a cell. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to improve the process of nucleic aids purification from bacterial, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells through the use of activated carbon particles.

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: Metal halide optical materials (e.g., scintillator materials or persistent phosphors) are described. More particularly, the optical materials include codoped perovskite-type halides, wherein the codoping ion is present at a molar ratio of 5000 parts per million (ppm) or less with respect to all cations. For example, the optical material can be a codoped trihalide having the formula ABX3 where A is one or more alkali metal, B is one or more alkali earth metal, and X is one or more halide that is doped with up to about 10 atomic percent of a dopant ion and codoped with up to about 5000 ppm of one or more isovalent or aliovalent codopant ion, such as a tetravalent ion (e.g., Zr4+), a trivalent ion (e.g., Sc3+, Y3+, Gd3+, or La3+ ion) or a divalent ion (e.g., Mg2+). The codoped material can have modified afterglow compared to a noncodoped material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the design of a retro- or lenti-viral HBV (hepatitis B virus) hybrid vector for delivery of HBV genomes into cells such as liver cells. Provided herein are design, methodology, compositions, and the like for such vectors for delivering HBV genes or genomes into cells for anti-HBV drug screening, HBV research, or test of anti-HBV therapeutics.

Abstract: A dynamic actin cytoskeleton is necessary for viral entry, intracellular migration, and virion release. For the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), during viral entry, the virus triggers early actin activity through hijacking chemokine coreceptor signaling, which activates a viral dependency host factor cofilin and its kinase, the LIM domain kinase (LIMK). Although knockdown of human LIMK1 with siRNA inhibits HIV infection, no specific small molecule inhibitor of LIMK is available. Here we describe the design and development of novel classes of small molecule inhibitors of human LIMK, based on different molecular scaffolds, for inhibiting infection by HIV, Ebola, and other viruses. Compounds of the invention can also be used for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases such as Herpes and Chlamydia.

Abstract: Codoped alkali and alkaline earth halide scintillators are described. More particularly, the scintillators are codoped with tetravalent ions, such as Ti4+, Zr4+, Hf4+, Ge4+. The codoping can alter one or more optical and/or scintillation property of the scintillator material. For example, the codoping can improve energy resolution. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators and methods of detecting high energy radiation using the radiation detectors 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: 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: Metal halide optical materials (e.g., scintillator materials or persistent phosphors) are described. More particularly, the optical materials include codoped perovskite-type halides, wherein the codoping ion is present at a molar ratio of 5000 parts per million (ppm) or less with respect to all cations. For example, the optical material can be a codoped trihalide having the formula ABX3 where A is one or more alkali metal, B is one or more alkali earth metal, and X is one or more halide that is doped with up to about 10 atomic percent of a dopant ion and codoped with up to about 5000 ppm of one or more isovalent or aliovalent codopant ion, such as a tetravalent ion (e.g., Zr4+), a trivalent ion (e.g., Sc3+, Y3+, Gd3+, or La3+ ion) or a divalent ion (e.g., Mg2+). The codoped material can have modified afterglow compared to a noncodoped material.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus having a blue light system comprises a tiltable chamber for electrophoresis. The tiltable chamber operates in a horizontal position, a vertical position, and in one or more inclined positions having an angle between the angle of the horizontal position and the angle of the vertical position. The electrophoresis apparatus is usable for separating molecules.