Abstract:
Methods are disclosed which are useful in increasing maturation of dendritic cells from CD14+ mononuclear cells, by contact with a composition comprising a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum. The extract can also be used for increasing production of a cytokine or a chemokine in a dendritic cell or CD19+ B cell. In addition, a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum can be administered to a subject identified as needing increased immunoglobulin, cytokine, or chemokine production.
Abstract:
Isolated pulmonary stem cells, the isolated pulmonary stem cells being slowly dividing Oct-4 expressing cells forming individual colonies and able to undergoing terminal differentiation into a mature phenotype in vitro; a method to identify stem cells of a tissue; a kit for the identification of stem cell of a tissue; a method for identifying an infective agent able to infect pulmonary cells; a method for the production of a virus able to infect pulmonary cells and method for identifying a compound interfering with infection of a cell by an infective agent.
Abstract:
Computer-implemented methods and systems for managing a special-purpose financial account involve establishing the account by a financial institution for a consumer relating to at least one consumer-designated future purchase for a pre-determined purchase price. Thereafter, contributions to a principal balance of the account are received and interest is accrued on the principal balance by the financial institution until the principal balance and accrued interest reaches a consumer-designated target amount, at which time, the principal balance and accrued interest are disposed of according to pre-defined parameters that can involve forfeiture of the accrued interest, depending on the consumer's actions.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for utilizing consumer transaction data to target and aggregate consumers for a group purchase involve maintaining a database storing transaction data consisting at least in part of data related to product purchase transactions for a plurality of consumers and analyzing the data related to product purchase transactions to identify members of a group of said plurality of consumers with a purchase history indicative of a preference for purchasing products in at least one pre-defined category of products. Based on such “data mining”, each member of the identified group of consumers is provided an offer to participate in a group purchase in which each member of the group who accepts the offer agrees to purchase a pre-designated product within the at least one category of products, and a purchase of a quantity of the pre-designated product from a vendor is negotiated at a discounted price based at least on part on an aggregation of purchasing power of the members of the group who accept the offer to participate in the group purchase.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions for treating retinal diseases comprising therapeutic amounts of a compound selected from a normal Puf-A gene product, an active polypeptide fragment thereof, an analog thereof or a peptidomimetic thereof. Vectors, including AAV vectors comprising the therapeutic compound are provided. Puf-A compositions suitable for subretinal, intravitreal, topical, subconjunctival, retrobulbar, periocular, suprachoroidal, or intraocular administration are provided. Methods for screening siRNA, RNAi and shRNA, small molecules and monoclonal antibodies that inhibit Puf-A target activity and reduce apoptosis are provided.
Abstract:
This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to synthetic alpha-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer) analogs, and their use as immunotherapies. In one aspect, a method of activating a cytokine response in a subject includes administering an effective amount of a compound to a subject, wherein the subject has an adaptive immune system that includes a population of cells, the population including at least one lymphocyte and at least one antigen-presenting cell, and wherein the compound is represented by the structure of formula 1: wherein, n is 0 to 25; X is selected from O and S; R1 is selected from H, CH3, and phenyl, where phenyl is optionally substituted with H, OH, OCH3, F, CF3, phenyl, phenyl-F, C1-C6 alkyl, or C2-C6 branched alkyl; R2 is selected from OH and H; R3 is selected from C1-C15 alkyl, and phenyl, where phenyl is optionally substituted with H, OH, OCH3, F, CF3, phenyl, C1-C6 alkyl, or C2-C6 branched alkyl; R4 is selected from OH, OSO3H, OSO3Na, and OSO3K; and R5 is selected from CH2OH and CO2H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; forming a complex between the compound and the antigen-presenting cell, wherein the formation of the complex results in the activation of a receptor on the lymphocyte; and activating the lymphocyte to produce the cytokine response.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed which are useful in increasing maturation of dendritic cells from CD14+ mononuclear cells, by contact with a composition comprising a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum. The extract can also be used for increasing production of a cytokine or a chemokine in a dendritic cell or CD19+ B cell. In addition, a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum can be administered to a subject identified as needing increased immunoglobulin, cytokine, or chemokine production.
Abstract:
This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.
Abstract:
This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.