Abstract: Provided herein are kits and methods for detecting, monitoring, and classifying a nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) infection in a male subject based on a genitourinary microbiome of a subject, as well as related methods of treating. Also provided are kits and methods for classifying a risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a subject based on a genitourinary microbiome of a subject, as well as related methods of preventing infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal-management system for a vehicle comprising: at least one calories storage and/or frigories storage (S1, S2), at least one element of the vehicle to be heated or cooled, at least one source of calories or frigories, detection means adapted to detect whether calories or frigories are available at one of the said sources, control means able to distribute the calories or frigories available at the sources to the elements to be heated or cooled, according to transient and nominal needs. characterized in that it comprises prediction means capable of making at least one prediction aimed at determining: whether calories or frigories will be available at a later date from any of the said sources and/or, whether a need for calories or frigories will exist at a later date at one of the said elements to be heated or cooled.

Abstract: IgM-multimerized single-domain antibodies that bind receptor tyrosine kinase (ROR1) are described. The IgM-multimerized single-domain antibodies can be used for multiple purposes including in research, imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of ROR1-related conditions and can be conjugated to form multi-domain binding molecules or antibody conjugates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods to protect organs by inducing acquired cytoresistance without causing injury to the organ. The compositions, kits, and methods utilize heme proteins, iron and/or vitamin B12 and, optionally, agents that impact heme protein metabolism.

Abstract: Circular handed alpha-helical repeat proteins are described. The repeat proteins have a number of uses as scaffolds for geometrically precise, arrayed presentation of cell-signaling or immune-related protein and peptide epitopes, as well as numerous other therapeutic, diagnostic, and nanotechnological uses.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes at least one battery pack for a motor vehicle. The battery pack includes a housing defining an internal cavity, rechargeable electric battery cells arranged in the internal cavity, and a fire extinguishing device housed in the internal cavity and having an elongated extinguishing pipe closed at both longitudinal ends. The extinguishing fluid includes a mixture of fluid and powder, and the housing includes at least one gas and/or smoke evacuation port, the at least one port being equipped with a movable flap.

Abstract: The disclosure provides artificial nucleic acid introns configured for selective splicing in cells with aberrant RNA splicing activity, e.g., neoplastic cells. The artificial intron can comprise a 5? splice site, a canonical 3? splice site, at least one cryptic 3? splice site, a pyrimidine-rich domain, and at least one branchpoint. Also provided are constructs integrating the artificial introns with exons in a configuration that, when the artificial intron is spliced out by the aberrant RNA splicing factors, encode a functional protein. Also disclosed are methods that employ the disclosed platform of selective expression, including, targeted gene therapy methods (e.g., in cancers), diagnostics and imaging, and drug screening.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that rapidly and selectively modify hematopoietic stem cells (or cells derived therefrom) to achieve therapeutic objectives by providing for transient expression of nucleic acids are described. The transient expression leads to permanent therapeutic changes in the modified cells, referred to herein as “hit and run” effects.

Abstract: An etch chemistry solution for treating metallic surfaces in which the etch chemistry solution includes an oxidizing agent and gluconic acid. The etch chemistry solution may also include an oxidizing agent and a short-chained polyethylene polymer glycol or a short-chained polyethylene copolymer glycol. The metallic surfaces are usually used in circuits such as flexible circuits.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) which bind to mesothelin. The mesothelin CARs comprise an extracellular region comprising a binding domain that specifically binds to at least a portion of mesothelin, a transmembrane region, and an intracellular region comprising an effector domain or a portion or variant thereof and a costimulatory domain or a portion or variant thereof. Recombinant host cells expressing the mesothelin CARs are also provided, as well as compositions and methods of treatment, prevention, and manufacture comprising the same.

Abstract: A fluid connection device comprising a body formed of one single part and comprising a first tubular nozzle comprising a male part, and at least two elastically-deformable tabs provided to retain the male part in a female part, wherein the device further comprises a lock mounted on the body and mobile in translation from a first position wherein the tabs are released, allowing their elastic deformation, to a second position wherein the tabs are blocked, preventing their elastic deformation.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: A pressure/force sensor comprises a diaphragm structure including a sensing element and a lead structure extending from the diaphragm structure and including first and second traces electrically coupled to the sensing element. The diaphragm structure and the lead structure include a circuit assembly comprising a common insulating layer and a common conductor layer on the insulating layer. The conductor layer includes at least a portion of the sensing element and at least the first trace.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are to markers, methods and systems for identifying cell populations, diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer, including biomarkers predictive of response to immunotherapy treatment in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Abstract: A three-dimensional vacuum thermal insulation element having a compressed three-dimensional porous structure and a shell closed in an airtight manner. The shell includes a thermoformable barrier wall and encloses the porous structure arranged between two major surfaces of said barrier wall. The porous structure has a pressure of between less than 105 Pa and more than 10-2 Pa at ambient external temperature and pressure. The barrier wall is thermoformed at the site of said two major surfaces, between which the porous structure has a curved shape and/or reliefs and/or depressions.

Abstract: A method of treating prostate cancer based on determining genome-wide methylation profile at a plurality of transcription factor binding sites in the total DNA obtained from cell-free biological samples from a subject suffering from prostate cancer are provided herein. Also described are methods for determining suitable treatment regimens for prostate cancer and methods for treating prostate cancer patients, based around selection of the patients according to the methods of the disclosure. The disclosure also relates to computer-implemented methods for identifying, diagnosing, staging, or otherwise characterizing cancers, in particular advanced prostate cancer. The methods of the present disclosure relate, inter alia, to isolating and analyzing the human DNA component from cell-free samples.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for using BCMA-specific binding molecules (such as a BCMA-specific chimeric antigen receptor or antibody) in combination with ?-secretase inhibitors, which can be done concurrently or sequentially, to treat or prevent a B-cell related proliferative disease, such as a cancer or autoimmune disease, or the like. A BCMA-specific binding molecule in combination with ?-secretase inhibitor can be used in, for example, adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are described herein. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine antigens can be presented on a circular tandem repeat protein (cTRP) scaffold as trimers or tetramers. The vaccines can be used to treat and/or reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to treat and/or reduce the risk of side effects associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms, syndromes, and complications.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and related methods for detecting, inhibiting, reducing or killing tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) characterized by expression of inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS) and Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1). The reagents can include a bi-specific affinity reagent with a first domain that specifically binds ICOS and a second domain that specifically binds IL-1R1 or, separately, a first affinity reagent that specifically binds ICOS and a second affinity reagent that specifically binds IL-1R1. In some embodiments, the reagent can comprise engineered immune cells expressing a first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for ICOS and a second CAR specific for IL-1R1, wherein the cell requires binding by the first CAR and second CAR to activate, such as a logic-gated CAR T cell.