Abstract: The present specification provides RXR agonist compounds, compositions comprising such RXR agonists, and methods using such compounds and compositions to treat an autoimmune disorder, inflammation associated with an autoimmune disorder and/or a transplant rejection as well as use of such RXR agonists to manufacture a medicament and use of such compounds and compositions to treat an autoimmune disorder, inflammation associated with an autoimmune disorder and/or a transplant rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoglobulin single variable domains (ISVDs) that are directed against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More specifically, it relates to ISVDs that bind to the prefusion form of the fusion (F) protein of RSV. The invention relates further to the use of these ISVDs for prevention and/or treatment of RSV infections, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these ISVDs.

Abstract: Provided are VHH or nanobodies that specifically bind to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitory factor (Cif), and uses thereof for diagnosis and treatment of Pseudomonas infection.

Abstract: A device for detecting airborne contaminants includes a protonated, electrically conductive sensing material with affinity for binding with, and capable of being deprotonated by, the airborne contaminant. Electronics measure a property of the sensing material that is sensitive to deprotonation and generates signals indicative of the airborne contaminant. A method for detecting airborne contaminants includes: determining a property change of the protonated, electrically conductive material; and determining presence of the airborne contaminant based on the change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric immune receptor molecules for reducing or eliminating tumors. The chimeric receptors are composed a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. Methods for using the chimeric receptors are further provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and therapeutic methods for activating an immune response in a patient in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the subject methods and compositions are able to antagonize the activity of VISTA, a naturally occurring “checkpoint” protein which contributes to immune tolerance, optionally in combination with an antagonist of a second checkpoint pathway such as PD-1. For example, such methods and compositions may be suitable for preventing and treating colon cancer or another cancer. An exemplary VISTA antagonist, specifically, an anti-VISTA antibody, is demonstrated herein to activate an immune response against cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby conferring protective anti-tumor immunity which decreased tumor burden. Additionally, an additive benefit was observed when a VISTA antagonist was used in combination with a second checkpoint protein antagonist, specifically, an antibody against PD-1 ligand (PD-L1).

Abstract: A system adapted to assisting patients manage asthma includes a wearable sensor for detection of asthma symptoms and inhaler use, having a microphone capable of generating an electrical signal indicative of asthma symptoms or inhaler use; a processor with firmware adapted to process the electrical signal to determine potential asthma symptoms and inhaler use; and store the electrical signal in the memory when the electrical signal potentially corresponds asthma symptoms or inhaler use. In particular embodiments, the system includes an electronic asthma diary including detected asthma symptoms and detected inhaler usage, both with timestamps, and a prescribed treatment protocol. Protocol firmware processes detected asthma symptoms an inhaler usage recorded in the asthma diary to determine if asthma is controlled, and if asthma is not determined controlled determines if a treatment change is authorized; if treatment change is authorized the treatment change is displayed in human-readable form.

Abstract: A fully integrated small size implantable sensing device is described, which can include a sensor and an electronic circuit to interface with the sensor and communicate with an external device. Various fabrication methods for the sensing device are described, including provision of wells, created using same fabrication technology as the electronic circuit, to contain electrodes of the sensor and corresponding functionalization chemicals. Such implantable sensing device can be used for a variety of electrochemical measuring applications within a living body as well as actuation by injecting a current into the living body.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the depth and fluorophore concentration of a fluorophore concentration below the surface of an optically absorbing and scattering medium suitable for use in fluorescence-based surgical guidance such as in tumor resection is described. Long-wavelength stimulus light us used to obtain deep tissue penetration. Recovery of depth is performed by fitting measured modulation amplitudes for each spatial frequency to precomputed modulation amplitudes in a table of modulation amplitudes indexed by optical parameters and depth.

Abstract: Unglycosylated lysostaphin variant protein, nucleic acid molecule, vector and host cell, as well as a method for production of unglycosylated lysostaphin variant protein in a yeast expression system are provided. The proteins are produced in a Pichia pastoris expression system and have been shown to have activity equivalent to wild-type lysostaphin. The lysostaphin variant proteins can be used as therapeutic proteins for treatment of diseases such as Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Abstract: A device for detecting cotinine includes (a) a film that includes a plurality of molecularly-imprinted-polymer (MIP) coated conductive nanoparticles having specific affinity for binding with cotinine, and (b) two electrodes in contact with the film for passing electrical current through the film to detect binding with cotinine as a change in electrical conductivity of the film. A MIP coated conductive nanoparticle for detecting cotinine includes (a) a conductive nanoparticle, (b) a silicon dioxide coating formed on the conductive nanoparticle and forming a first shell around the conductive nanoparticle, and (c) an MIP coating formed on the silicon dioxide coating and forming the second shell, wherein the MIP coating includes a polymer molecularly imprinted with cotinine to provide specific affinity for binding of cotinine to the MIP coated conductive nanoparticle such that the cotinine is detectable as a change in electrical conductivity of the MIP coated conductive nanoparticle.

Abstract: Apparatuses that provide for secure wireless communications between wireless devices under cover of one or more jamming signals. Each such apparatus includes at least one data antenna and at least one jamming antenna. During secure-communications operations, the apparatus transmits a data signal containing desired data via the at least one data antenna while also at least partially simultaneously transmitting a jamming signal via the at least one jamming antenna. When a target antenna of a target device is in close proximity to the data antenna and is closer to the data antenna than to the jamming antenna, the target device can successfully receive the desired data contained in the data signal because the data signal is sufficiently stronger than the jamming signal within a finite secure-communications envelope due to the Inverse Square Law of signal propagation. Various related methods and machine-executable instructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An induction hob uses induction heating to provide safe, energy efficient and flexible heating of vessels by using multiple coils and a controllable magnetic fluid. In addition, the hob provides increased control over electromagnetic (EM) field spatial distribution in the vicinity of the hob by guiding the EM field through the controllable magnetic fluid, and allows for more precise tuning of each load (which varies with vessel geometry, material properties, and placement) by controlling the volume and spatial distribution of magnetic fluid at each load coil, effectively acting as a tunable inductance in each load.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a bimetallic metal-organic framework. In some embodiments, the bimetallic metal-organic framework includes a plurality of first metals and a plurality of metal-containing ligands, where each metal-containing ligand includes a second metal and a ligand. In some embodiments, the ligand is coordinated with the second metal and at least one first metal. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of detecting an analyte in a sample by associating the sample with a bimetallic metal-organic framework, as disclosed herein, detecting a change in a property of the bimetallic metal-organic framework, and correlating the change in the property of the bimetallic metal-organic framework to the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making the bimetallic metal-organic frameworks disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to modified T cells, methods of making and using isolated, modified T cells, and methods of using these isolated, modified T cells to address diseases and disorders. In one embodiment, this invention broadly relates to TCR-deficient T cells, isolated populations thereof, and compositions comprising the same. In another embodiment of the invention, these TCR-deficient T cells are designed to express a functional non-TCR receptor. The invention also pertains to methods of making said TCR-deficient T cells, and methods of reducing or ameliorating, or preventing or treating, diseases and disorders using said TCR-deficient T cells, populations thereof, or compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: Embodiments of immunogens comprising a recombinant Nipah virus (NiV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also provided are embodiments of immunogens comprising chimeric proteins comprising the recombinant NiV F ectodomain trimer and one or more G ectodomains, a multimer of NiV G ectodomains, and protein nanoparticles comprising the recombinant NiV F ectodomain trimer or an NiV G ectodomain. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the immunogens and methods of their production. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject by administering a disclosed immunogen to the subject are also provided. In some embodiments, the immune response treats or inhibits NiV infection in a subject.

Abstract: A surgical guidance system has two cameras to provide stereo image stream of a surgical field; and a stereo viewer. The system has a 3D surface extraction module that generates a first 3D model of the surgical field from the stereo image streams; a registration module for co-registering annotating data with the first 3D model; and a stereo image enhancer for graphically overlaying at least part of the annotating data onto the stereo image stream to form an enhanced stereo image stream for display, where the enhanced stereo stream enhances a surgeon's perception of the surgical field. The registration module has an alignment refiner to adjust registration of the annotating data with the 3D model based upon matching of features within the 3D model and features within the annotating data; and in an embodiment, a deformation modeler to deform the annotating data based upon a determined tissue deformation.

Abstract: Methods for alleviating the suppression of humoral immunity by myeloid-dependent suppressor cells (MDSCs) are provided which include the administration of a VISTA antagonist and an iNOS/NO inhibitor in a subject in need thereof, e.g., subjects with cancer or infectious disease wherein VISTA is aberrantly expressed. This combination has been discovered to elicit a synergistic or additive effect on alleviating suppression of humoral immunity by VISTA which is elicited by MDSCs.

Abstract: Coronavirus S ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to coronavirus in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing coronavirus infection.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of detecting an analyte in a sample by associating the sample with an electrode that includes a metal-organic framework. After association, the redox properties of the electrode are evaluated. Thereafter, the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample is detected by correlating the redox properties of the electrode to the presence or absence of the analyte. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to electrodes that include a metal-organic framework and an electrode surface. In particular embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal-organic framework is associated with the electrode surface. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the electrodes of the present disclosure by associating a metal-organic framework with an electrode surface. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of mixing the metal-organic framework with a polymer.