Nucleic acids for the treatment of diseases are described. The nucleic acids include a thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) promoter and a gene that encodes a therapeutic protein or an interfering nucleic acid sequence (e.g., interfering RNA (iRNA sequence)).

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of subjects having or at risk of arteriosclerosis, hypertension, sickle-cell anemia, or other conditions. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid stick, etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., onto a location with acne, or on another suitable portion of the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.

Biofilms are provided which are capable of regulating their own thickness, reducing contamination and preventing biofouling. Constructs are introduced into bacteria that comprise nucleic acid molecules encoding an autoinducer synthase polypeptide, a transcriptional regulator and a biofilm dispersal protein. Nucleic acid molecules may also be introduced which encode a nitric oxide synthase, an epoxide hydrolase, or both. Biofilms of the bacteria may be used to reduce biofouling and contamination of a surface.

The invention provides methods of treatment or prophylaxis of damaging effects of penetrative injury to the brain or other part of the central nervous system. The methods are based in part on results in a rodent model of penetrative ballistic injury showing that an inhibitor of PDF-95 NMDAR interaction is effective in inhibiting neurological deficits resulting from such injury. The methods are useful for treating subjects having or at risk of penetrative brain injury, including subjects who have been shot in the head or at risk of such injury (e.g., military or law enforcement personnel).

Compositions and methods are described herein for treating a bone disorder, including a bone-targeting complex including an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase uncoupling; a bone-targeting agent; and a linker coupling the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase uncoupling to the bone-targeting agent.

Compositions and methods are described herein for treating a bone disorder, including a bone-targeting complex including an activator of nitric oxide synthase; a bone-targeting agent; and a linker coupling the activator of nitric oxide synthase to the bone-targeting agent.

Compositions and methods are described herein for treating a bone disorder, including a bone-targeting complex including at least a portion of a nitric oxide synthase; a bone-targeting agent; and a linker coupling the at least a portion of the nitric oxide synthase to the bone-targeting agent.

A method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, an effective amount of a nucleotide effective to disrupt one or more pathways leading to sepsis. The nucleotide may be a nitric oxide disruptor effective to decrease the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. The nitric oxide disrupter may comprise a polynucleotide strand exhibiting at least 70% sequence identity to one of Sequence ID No. 1 through Sequence ID No. 47. Additionally or alternatively, the nucleotide may be an disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) enzyme inhibitor effective to decrease the expression of ADAM enzyme. The ADAM enzyme inhibitor may comprise a polynucleotide strand exhibiting at least 70% sequence identity to one of Sequence ID No. 48 through Sequence ID No. 56.

The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods useful for production of nitrated aromatic molecules. The disclosure is based, in part, on whole cell systems expressing artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of producing nitrated aromatic molecules in whole cell systems having artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes.

The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods useful for production of nitrated aromatic molecules. The disclosure is based, in pan, on whole cell systems expressing artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of producing nitrated aromatic molecules in whole cell systems having artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes.