Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are improved methods and systems of determining immunotherapy response in subjects prior and during treatment. Provided herein are methods of detecting gene expression in T cells and in monocytes as well as measuring relative abundance of particular immune cell populations and determining responsiveness to anticancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: An HDAC6-specific inhibitor (i.e., a compound of Formula I or II) is shown to reduce the pathogenesis associated with polycystic disease. Administration of an HDAC6-specific inhibitor attenuated many of the symptoms characteristic of polycystic liver disease including cyst formation, cyst growth and cholangiocyte proliferation. Treatment with a HDAC6-specific inhibitor also increased the amount of bile duct acetylated tubulin and ?-catenin phosphorylation and/or acetylation while reducing bile duct ?-catenin synthesis. These results demonstrate that HDAC6 is overexpressed in cystic cholangiocytes and that its pharmacological inhibition reduces cholangiocyte proliferation and cyst growth.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ? ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Abstract: The present technology relates to improved device and methods of use of insulator-based dielectrophoresis. This device provides a multi-length scale element that provides enhanced resolution and separation. The device provides improved particle streamlines, trapping efficiency, and induces laterally similar environments. Also provided are methods of using the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: A liver-mimetic device and method include a 3D polymer scaffold having a matrix of liver-like lobules with hepatic-functioning particles encapsulated within the lobules. In some embodiments, each liver-like lobule is hexagonal in structure and the matrix is in a honeycomb arrangement. In some embodiments, the hepatic-functioning particles are hepatic progenitor cells. In other embodiments, the hepatic-functioning particles are polymer nanoparticles adapted to capture pore-forming toxins.

Abstract: An HDAC6-specific inhibitor (i.e., a compound of Formula I or II) is shown to reduce the pathogenesis associated with polycystic disease. Administration of an HDAC6-specific inhibitor attenuated many of the symptoms characteristic of polycystic liver disease including cyst formation, cyst growth and cholangiocyte proliferation. Treatment with a HDAC6-specific inhibitor also increased the amount of bile duct acetylated tubulin and ?-catenin phosphorylation and/or acetylation while reducing bile duct ?-catenin synthesis. These results demonstrate that HDAC6 is overexpressed in cystic cholangiocytes and that its pharmacological inhibition reduces cholangiocyte proliferation and cyst growth.

Abstract: Provided herein are analogs of unnatural nucleotides bearing predominantly hydrophobic nucleobase analogs that form unnatural base pairs during DNA polymerase-mediated replication of DNA or RNA polymerase-mediated transcription of RNA. In this manner, the unnatural nucleobases can be introduced in a site-specific way into oligonucleotides (single or double stranded DNA or RNA), where they can provide for site-specific cleavage, or can provide a reactive linker than can undergo functionalization with a cargo-bearing reagent by means of reaction with a primary amino group or by means of click chemistry with an alkyne group of the unnatural nucleobase linker.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are capillary fabrication devices comprising living cells within a support medium. Culture of the cells produces viable lumenized capillary networks with natural or pre-determined geometries and ECM and basement membrane associated with the capillary networks. The capillary networks and the ECM and basement membrane detachable from the capillary networks are useful for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: A composition which is reversible inhibitor of at least one neuron-specific PDZ domain comprising wherein R is a molecular transporter with or without a linker amino acid; R1 is at least about one amino acid covalently bound; and, R2 is isoleucine, leucine, alanine, phenylalanine, or valine, and methods of use.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation; (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an MRI system is provided. The disclosure provides a diffusion-prepared driven-equilibrium preparation for an imaging volume and acquiring 3-dimensional k-space data from said prepared volume by a plurality of echoplanar readouts of stimulated echoes. An excitation radio-frequency signal and first and second inversion RF signals are provided to define a field-of-view (FOV).

Abstract: The invention contemplates compositions for the treatment of malaria comprising an anti-malaria drug and an adjuvant which promotes vasodilation and methods of using same.

Abstract: An MR imaging system uses multiple RF coils for acquiring corresponding multiple image data sets of a slice or volume of patient anatomy. An image data processor comprises at least one processing device conditioned for, deriving a first set of weights for weighted combination of k-space data of the multiple image data sets for generating a calibration data set comprising a subset of k-space data of composite image data representing the multiple image data sets. The image data processor uses the calibration data set in generating a first MR image data set, deriving the parameters of a probability distribution in response to the first set of weights and the first MR image data set and deriving a second set of weights and second MR image data set together using the probability distribution.

Abstract: A system for parallel image processing in MR imaging comprises multiple MR imaging RF coils for individually receiving MR imaging data representing a slice of patient anatomy. An MR imaging system uses the multiple RF coils for acquiring corresponding multiple image data sets of the slice. An image data processor comprises at least one processing device conditioned for, deriving a first set of weights for generating a calibration data set comprising a subset of k-space data of composite image data representing the multiple image data sets. The at least one processing device uses the calibration data set in generating a first MR image data set, deriving a second set of weights using the calibration data set and the generated first MR image data set and uses the second set of weights in generating a second MR image data set representing a single image having a reduced set of data components relative to the first composite MR image data set.

Abstract: A method for accelerated segmented magnetic resonance (MR) image data acquisition includes using a plurality of RF pulses to excite one or more slices of an anatomical area of interest according to a predetermined slice acceleration factor. Next, a collapsed image comprising the slices is acquired using a consecutive segment acquisition process. Then, a parallel image reconstruction method is applied to the collapsed image to separate the collapsed image into a plurality of slice images.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising a micelle having a hydrophobic superparmagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) core, a first coating comprising a cationic polymer, and a second coating comprising a polynucleotide. Also provided are methods of using the compositions for transfection and/or transformation of a cell with the polynucleotide. Further provided are methods of detecting transfection of a cell with the polynucleotide.

Abstract: Provided herein is a hydrogel composition comprising a graphene, a chitosan, and a polyethylene (glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) (PCG hydrogel). In some embodiments, the hydrogel further comprises a N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) (TPCG hydrogel). Also provided is a method for differentiating a mesenchymal stem cell comprising contacting the cell with the PCG hydrogel. Further provided herein is a method for delivering a pharmaceutical composition to a cell comprising administering to the cell a TPCG hydrogel and the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A system for perfusion and diffusion MR imaging of a portion of patient anatomy includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator for generating RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enabling subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. A magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator acquire within a single MR imaging scan, perfusion image data of the 3D volume, at least partially in the presence of contrast agent, and diffusion image data of the 3D volume.