The presently claimed subject matter concerns methods and kits for identifying agents that reduce binding of a clostridial neurotoxin to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2).

The presently claimed subject matter concerns methods and kits for identifying agents that reduce binding of a clostridial neurotoxin to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2).

Up-regulation of caspase has been found in COVID-19 patients, and also occurs in patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions. Such up-regulation can be responsible for poor clinical outcomes in patients having such diseases or disorders, as such up-regulation leads to a process called pyroptosis: death and malfunction of immune system cells, particularly of certain types of lymphocytes. An inhibitor of caspase such as a caspase 1 inhibitor, or “pan-caspase” inhibitor (i.e., an inhibitor of multiple caspase types including caspase-1), can be used to treat COVID-19 patients or individuals at risk of infection, by limiting the malfunction of the immune system. A caspase-1 or pan-caspase inhibitor is advantageously administered before or very early in the course of infection by a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, or SARS-Cov-2.

The present disclosure relates to compounds that are useful as near-infrared fluorescence probes, wherein the compounds include i) a ligand that binds to the active site of carbonic anhydrase, ii) a dye molecule, and iii) a linker molecule that comprises an amino acid, amide, ureido, or polyethylene glycol derivative thereof. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for making and using the compounds, methods incorporating the compounds, and kits incorporating the compounds.

The present disclosure relates to compounds that are useful as near-infrared fluorescence probes, wherein the compounds include i) a ligand that binds to the active site of carbonic anhydrase, ii) a dye molecule, and iii) a linker molecule that comprises an amino acid, amide, ureido, or polyethylene glycol derivative thereof. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for making and using the compounds, methods incorporating the compounds, and kits incorporating the compounds.

Methods for diagnosis to allow prediction of the likelihood of preterm birth based upon the concentration of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS) in cervical vaginal secretions. In addition, specific prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists may represent novel tocolytic therapeutics.

Methods for diagnosis to allow prediction of the likelihood of preterm birth based upon the concentration of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS) in cervical vaginal secretions. In addition, specific prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists may represent novel tocolytic therapeutics.

Methods for diagnosing inflammatory and/or cardiovascular diseases by assaying for Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) expression in a body fluid is provided as well as therapeutic means based thereon.

Methods for diagnosing inflammatory and/or cardiovascular diseases by assaying for Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) expression in a body fluid is provided as well as therapeutic means based thereon.

Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.