The present invention relates to the use of ruthenium(II) complexes for preparing a medicinal product for treating cancer, particularly cancer comprising cancer stem cells. Said ruthenium complexes are capable of selectively metallating guanine quadruplexes, thus resulting in increased expression of the c-MYC oncogene. This increase in the proportion of c-MYC may promote the differentiation of cancer stem cells.

Provided herein are compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing, preventing, and/or inhibiting germination of C. difficile spores, including methods for inhibiting C. difficile germination to prevent or treating C. difficile-associated diseases and disorders such as, for example, severe diarrhea and colitis in a subject. 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.

The present disclosure relates to the use of PGC-1α expression to identify a subject that is conducive to treatment with a ma-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the subject suffers from a disease or disorder associated with reduced PGC-1α expression. In some aspects, the PGC-1α expression is measured in the serum of the subject.

The present disclosure relates to the use of SIRT1 expression to identify a subject that is conducive to treatment with a miR-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the subject suffers from a disease or disorder associated with reduced SIRT1 expression. In some aspects, the SIRT1 expression is measured in the serum of the subject.

Four major polymeric architectures, namely: (a) linear, (b) branched, (c) hyperbranched/dendritic and (d) cross-linked polymers, when formed by reaction of multifunctional alcohols, such as sugar-based alpha-, beta- or gamma-cyclodextrins, with multi-carboxylic acids form unique polyester copolymers. These copolymers have been demonstrated to substantially enhance the water-solubility and bioavailability of water insoluble compounds for a wide variety of uses.

Disclosed herein are prenatal dosage forms formulated for different stages of the pregnancy cycle. Also disclosed are methods of administering prenatal dosage forms to a prenatal, pregnant or lactating woman. Further disclosed are kits including prenatal dosage forms.

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods are provided for reprogramming M2-like macrophages to M1-like macrophages, which reverses the antifibrotic to profibrotic shift observed during the course of fibrotic diseases and certain cancers. The compounds comprise an immune modulator that targets a pattern recognition receptor of a cell and are specific to the cells of interest through the incorporation of a targeting moiety (e.g., folate or a functional fragment or analog thereof). Releasable and/or non-releasable linkers can be included and engineered to facilitate the optimal delivery of the immune modulator. The compounds and compositions can be employed in one or more methods of treatment for fibrotic diseases and/or cancers.

A novel nucleic acid delivery system is provided containing a linear histidine-lysine rich cysteine-containing peptide bearing a targeting function, and a four branched histidine-lysine rich polypeptide. The delivery system includes a nucleic acid, such as an siRNA. The components form a nanoparticle complex through multiple non-covalent interactions between the phosphates of siRNA and histidine/lysine of the polypeptide, with reduced toxicity. The stable complex selectively delivers the genetic material to cells. The targeting function enhances the efficiency of the nucleic acid delivery and transfection.

Carrier molecules also are provided that have the ability to deliver a therapeutic molecule to a specific cell within a tissue in the body. The carrier molecule is modified with a targeting ligand capable of binding to specific receptors present or upregulated on the cell to be targeted. The therapeutic molecule is an siRNA, miRNA, or other oligonucleotide. The targeting moiety is a small molecule, peptide, or protein that shows an affinity for a receptor present on the cell to be targeted.

Disclosed is a compound with a structure as shown in Formula (101) and a corresponding drug conjugate, wherein the drug conjugate can be specifically targeted at cells and has a low toxicity and an excellent delivery efficiency.

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Microvesicle compositions and methods of use thereof are provided. The microvesicle composition includes a miRNA encapsulated by a microvesicle, wherein the microvesicle is derived from an edible plant. The method of use thereof includes treating a cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a microvesicle composition.