Abstract: Provided herein are Mycobacterium smegmatis porin nanopores, systems that comprise these nanopores, and methods of using and making these nanopores. Such nanopores may be wild-type MspA porins, mutant MspA porins, wild-type MspA paralog porins, wild-type MspA homolog porins, mutant MspA paralog porins, mutant MspA homolog porins, or single-chain Msp porins. Also provided are bacterial strains capable of inducible Msp porin expression.

Abstract: Provided herein are CRISPR/Cas9 complexes and method of using same.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). More particularly, disclosed are a variety of antigen specific polypeptides, including soluble, monoclonal, and multivalent forms, as well as methods of using the polypeptides, antibodies that bind the antigen specific polypeptides, and nucleic acids, vectors and expression systems that encode the polypeptides. Antigen specific polypeptides that selectively bind pathogens, like anthrax, and carbohydrates, like blood group determinants, are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with thioquinolinone compounds for the treatment of disorders associated with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling dysfunction such as, for example, kidney diseases (e.g., chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury). This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is a compound of formula (I) in which Ar1, R1, U, V, W, X, and p are as described herein. Also provided are methods of using a compound of formula (I), including a method of treating cancer, a method of treating a patient with cancer cells resistant to an anti-cancer agent, and a method of inhibiting lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and/or lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) activity in a cell.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides recombinant polynucleotides. In some embodiments, the recombinant polynucleotides comprise a cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome, or a portion thereof, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen, wherein the CMV genome or portion thereof comprises a mutation within a interleukin-10-like gene sequence. Methods for preventing and treating diseases such as infectious diseases and cancer are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the inhibition of the formation of Streptococci biofilms through the inhibition of glucosyl transferase (Gtf). Compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting Streptococcus biofilm formation, as well as for preventing, inhibiting and/or treating the formation of dental caries, and methods of identifying compounds that prevent, inhibit and/or treat the formation of dental caries are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant single-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp) and uses thereof.

Abstract: The respiratory microbiomes of neonates and those with bronchopulmonary disease have been characterized. Provided are probiotic compositions, which can include at least one living bacterial strain and at least one killed bacterial strain, that can comprise a combination of Lactobacilli species, 5 that when delivered to the bronchi or lungs of a patient can provide a reduction in the symptoms of a bronchopulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photobleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibody that selectively binds CD47 on tumor cells. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the antibody disclosed.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide compositions and methods related to novel recombinant protein immunogens, comprising specific portions of alpha helical domains (aHD) and proline rich regions (PRD) of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which portions are linked to provide aHD-PRD constructs. The aHD and PRD proteins constituting the aHD-PRD constructs are selected to maximize cross-reactivity and provide protection against a broad spectrum of pneumococcal serotypes. Immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, comprising at least one aHD PRD construct may also include a non-linked aHD portion. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acid molecules that encode aHD-PRD constructs, vectors and recombinant host cells containing such molecules, aHD-PRD expression products, use of such nucleic acid molecules to express aHD-PRD constructs by recombinant techniques, and use of the expression products to elicit an immune or protective response against pneumococcal disease in a suitable host.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for delivering an insecticide to water-borne insect larvae are provided. Whereas individual cells of the insecticidal bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), are effective in killing insect larvae when ingested by same, their use in aqueous environments is restricted by the time that the bacterial cells remain suspended in water and hence available for ingestion by the larvae. To increase the time that the insecticidal bacteria remain in suspension, it has now been found advantageous to mix bacterial suspensions with nanoparticles comprising carbon that attach to the external surface of the cells.

Abstract: Adeno associated viral (AAV) particles are emerging as a useful vehicle for gene delivery to various organs and tissues, one of them being the retina. Provided here are variant AAV (for example, variant serotype 2 (AAV2)) capsid proteins and variant capsid protein containing particles with enhanced ability to transduce retinal cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with biaryl aminomaleimide compounds for the treatment of disorders associated with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling dysfunction such as, for example, kidney diseases (e.g., chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury). This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, compounds and compositions that inhibit TXNIP expression and/or that lower hepatic glucose production and methods of identifying, making, and using same are disclosed. The disclosed compounds and compositions can be useful for disorders associated with elevated TXNIP and/or elevated glucagon levels such as, for example, diabetes and associated disorders. Further provided are methods for treating hyperlipidemia or fatty liver disease, optionally associated with elevated TXNIP and/or elevated glucagon levels. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of treating a patient having primary hyperoxaluria or idiopathic hyperoxaluria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amound of compound of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof to the patient. The variables, e.g. ring A, n, R, R3, R10, X, Y, and Z are defined herein. These compounds act as lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors and are useful inhibiting the conversion of glyoxylate to oxalate. When administered to a patient having a disease or disorder associated with elevated oxalate levels, such as PH type 1, type 2, or type 3 or idiopathic hyperoxaluria the compounds prevent or substantially reduce the amount and buildup of oxalate the patient's kidneys, bladder, urinary tract and other parts of the patient's body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of detecting airflow obstruction using one or more novel metrics associated with a spirometry reading for a subject. The method includes obtaining spirometry data from a subject, generating a first measurement curve and a second measurement curve based on the obtained data for the subject, performing at least a first curve-fitting on the first measurement curve using a Least Absolute Residuals algorithm to estimate a function which closely approximates the spirometry data for the subject by minimizing a sum of absolute deviation, determining a first metric that describes a rate of volume increase based on the estimated function, comparing the first metric to one or more threshold values, and determining a presence or absence of airflow obstruction for the subject based on the comparison of the first metric to the one or more threshold values.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatments for coronavirus infections by administering a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, such as alvelestat.

Abstract: In one aspect, compounds and compositions that inhibit TXNIP expression and/or that lower hepatic glucose production and methods of identifying, making, and using same are disclosed. The disclosed compounds and compositions can be useful for disorders associated with elevated TXNIP and/or elevated glucagon levels such as, for example, diabetes and associated disorders. Further provided are methods for treating hyperlipidemia or fatty liver disease, optionally associated with elevated TXNIP and/or elevated glucagon levels. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.