Abstract: The present invention relates to metformin for use in treating a patient, wherein the patient exhibits an increased level of GDF15 in response to metformin treatment; to methods of identifying a patient who will benefit or who will not benefit from metformin treatment; methods of treating a patient at risk of developing or suffering from a disease or disorder comprising administering therapeutically effective amount of metformin; methods of adapting the dosage of metformin; the usage of GDF15 as biomarker for identifying a patient who will benefit or who will not benefit from metformin treatment, kits for use in identifying a patient who will benefit from metformin treatment and the use of the kits, as well as methods of treating a patient or who will not benefit from metformin treatment.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of performing chemical reactions, including multi-step chemical reactions in which two or more of the reagents in the chemical reaction are incorporated or entrapped in a solid polymeric structure comprising pullulan. In certain embodiments, the chemical reaction or multi-step reaction serves as a sensor. Accordingly the present application is also directed to sensors for performing the methods of the application. In certain embodiments, at least one of the reagents is a biomolecule and the sensor is a biosensor. In certain other embodiments, the solid polymeric structure comprising pullulan and the reagents for performing a chemical reaction form a convenient device for performing a chemical reaction.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for treating cancer comprising adoptive transfer of tumor antigen specific CD8+ T cells and an oncolytic virus vaccine targeting the same antigen.

Abstract: A method of preserving the one or more chemical and/or biological species in a polymer matrix comprising pullulan and trehalose is described. The method includes combining the one or more chemical and/or biological species, an aqueous pullulan and a trehalose solution and drying the resultant mixture to provide a solid polymeric matrix. A polymeric matrix comprising one or more chemical and/or biological species and its use, for example, on surfaces for food preparation, for food preservation and in biological preparations is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an assay that measures the level of factor Xa inhibitors in a sample by detecting residual factor Xa activity. In particular, the assay utilizes a mutant variant of prothrombin that lacks proteolytic activity; a prothrombinase complex mixture; and a thrombin-specific inhibitor and measures the factor Xa activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to fault detection and diagnosis. Signals received from sensors are first filtered to remove noise and are then analyzed using wavelet packet transform (WPT) based PCA. The results of the PCA analysis are then automatically classified to thereby quickly and easily determine what issues there may be in a finished product or in a machine being monitored.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided. Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: The present application is directed to biosensors and methods for detecting a microorganism target in a sample using a mechanically interlocked nucleic acid catanane, wherein an enzyme from the microorganism target or that is activated by a molecule from the microorganism target cleaves a linkage in a first single-stranded nucleic acid ring of the catanane structure, allowing rolling-circle amplification to occur and the presence of rolling-circle amplification products indicates the presence of the microorganism in the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating a microorganism's response to an antimicrobial agent. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting the microorganism with an antimicrobial agent and bicarbonate. In one embodiment, provided herein are methods for treating a microbial infection comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of (i) bicarbonate and (ii) an antimicrobial agent. Also provided herein are methods of screening for antimicrobial compounds.

Abstract: A method for painting a complex or compound curved three-dimensional surface of a portion of an article. The method comprises providing a paint film; providing sheet metal having opposite major surfaces; laminating the paint film onto a major surface of the sheet metal to form a painted sheet metal laminate comprising a first portion and a second portion; permanently deforming the first portion of the painted sheet metal laminate into a formed portion of the article having a complex or compound curved three-dimensional shape; applying an initial force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during an initial stage of said permanently deforming step; and applying a later force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during a later stage of said permanently deforming step. The later applied force is greater than the initially applied force.

Abstract: Cpn0803, CopB (Cpn0809) and CopD (Cpn0808) proteins and homologues thereof are shown to induce an immune response that is protective against a live challenge with Chlamydia. Methods and uses of Cpn0803 or fragments or epitopes thereof alone or together with CopB and/or CopD or fragments or epitopes thereof for treating or preventing chlamydial infection in a subject in need thereof are provided.

Abstract: The present application provides a catalyst component for alkene polymerization. The catalyst component contains: (a) a group 4 transition metal or rare earth metal, (b) a rigid non-cyclopentadienyl ligand with a tricyclic backbone composed of three ortho-fused 6-membered rings in a linear arrangement (as is the case in xanthene), with or without additional fused rings; the tricyclic backbone contains at least one donor atom within the central ring (as is the case for xanthene, oxanthrene, or acridan); furthermore, donor atoms/groups or aryl rings are attached directly (i.e. via the donor atom in the case of donor groups) to both of the bondable carbon atoms adjacent to at least one of the donor atoms within the central ring (e.g.

Abstract: The present application relates to brush amphiphilic block copolymers comprising at least one block which is hydrophilic and at least another block which is hydrophobic.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing cystic fibrosis in a human subject is provided. The method includes the steps of: i) determining in a biological sample from the subject the level of one or more metabolic biomarkers; ii) comparing the level of the biomarker to a control level and determining the difference between the biomarker level and the control level; and iii) determining that the subject has cystic fibrosis or a related disorder when the difference in the level of the biomarker in the sample is statistically different from the control level.

Abstract: A method of forming a frame around a membrane stack for a laterally-fed membrane chromatography device is provided. The method includes placing a membrane stack having one or more membrane layers on a bottom surface of body of a master mold, the body having opposed side walls and opposed end walls, the opposed side walls spaced apart by a distance greater than a length of the membrane stack, the opposed end walls spaced apart by a distance greater than a width of the membrane stack; placing a cap on the body of the master mold to enclose the membrane stack in the master mold, the cap having at least one opening for injecting a material into a space defined by the end walls of the master mold, the side walls of the master mold, end walls of the membrane stack side walls of the membrane stack, the bottom surface of the body and an inner surface of the cap; injecting the material into the space around the membrane stack; and curing the material to form a frame around the membrane stack.

Abstract: A chromatography device for removing a solute from a fluid is provided. The device has a first plate having an inlet and a first channel. The first channel directs the fluid from the inlet towards chromatographic media housed in a chamber coupled to the first plate. The chamber has a leading edge for receiving the fluid from the first channel and a trailing edge for delivering the fluid to a second channel. The chromatographic media is configured to remove the solute from the fluid as the fluid passes through the chamber. The device also has a second plate coupled to the chamber having the second channel and an outlet. The second channel directs the fluid from the chamber to the outlet. The direction of flow of fluid through the first channel and the second channel is transverse to a direction of flow of the fluid through the chromatographic media. A method of removing a solute from a fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A laterally-fed membrane chromatography device for removing a solute from a fluid is provided. The device has a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has an inlet and a top channel for directing the fluid from the inlet towards a membrane stack. The middle plate houses the membrane stack. The membrane stack has a leading edge for receiving the fluid from the top channel, a trailing edge for distributing the fluid to the bottom channel, and is configured to remove the solute from the fluid as the fluid passes through the membrane stack. The bottom plate has a bottom channel and an outlet. The bottom channel is for directing the fluid from the membrane stack to the outlet. The top channel directs the fluid form the inlet over the leading edge in a direction that is transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the membrane stack.

Abstract: The present application includes stabilized adenovirus compositions comprising an adenovirus and an excipient, wherein the excipient comprises a mixture of dextran and mannitol in amounts effective to maintain at least 40% of the adenovirus activity after spray drying.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of late-onset Gaucher disease are described herein. The compositions comprise compounds having activity as pharmacological chaperones for mutant forms of the beta-glucocerebrosidase. Methods of treatment involve providing therapeutically effective amounts of such compositions to subjects in need thereof.