Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of medicine, cell biology, molecular biology and genetics. In particular, the present invention provides methods to isolate and purify microvesicles from cell culture supernatants and biological fluids. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of microvesicles to promote or enhance wound healing, stimulate tissue regeneration, remodel scarred tissue, modulate immune reactions, alter neoplastic cell growth and/or mobility, or alter normal cell growth and/or mobility. The present invention also provides compositions of microvesicles to be used as diagnostic reagents, and methods to prepare the compositions of microvesicles.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant expression vector systems for expression by stem cells that allow for selective elimination of stem cell-derived tumorigenic cells, while preserving stem cell-derived therapeutic cells. The systems provided herein provide a means by which modified stem cells can be safely transplanted into subjects. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises at least two suicide genes, one of which is specifically inactivated in cells exhibiting the desired phenotype and one of which is activated when the cell comprising the recombinant expression vector system behaves similarly to or the same as a tumor cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in general, to oligonucleotides that stimulate STING (STimulator of Interferon Genes) activity and increase activity of immune cells. The disclosed STING activators (STAVs) are useful in the treatment of cancer and other immune-mediated conditions.

Abstract: Activation of STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING) triggers cytokine production and facilitates tumor antigen cross-presentation. In an embodiment of the present invention, STING-dependent innate immune signaling pathway activators (STAVs) can be delivered to antigen presenting cells. In various embodiments of the present invention, the STAVs can be delivered in lipid nanoparticle formulations. In various embodiments of the present invention, the range of cancers amenable to STAV therapy can be extended using a non-cell-based nanoparticle strategy that effectively delivers Nano-STAVs into the Tumor Micro Environment (TME) to potently generate anti-tumor cytotoxic T cell activity. The STAV formulations can be introduced into solid tumors present in the mammal. Alternatively, the Nano-STAVs can be introduced through direct inoculation. The lipid nanoparticles stick to the tumor cells and are co-phagocytosed to activate STING in APC's.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, double-vision-related vision defects determinations or modifications may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a stimulus may be to be presented at a first time at a position on a first display for a deviating eye of a user (e.g., without a stimulus being presented on a second display of for a reference eye of the user) to cause the deviating eye to fixate on the position on the first display. A deviation measurement for the deviating eye may be determined based on an amount of movement of the deviating eye occurring upon the presentation on the first display for the deviating eye at the first time. In some embodiments, a modification profile associated with the user may be determined based on the deviation measurement, where the modification profile includes one or more modification parameters to be applied to modify an image for the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing, monitoring, or theranosing a condition or disorder based on a comparison of limb stability for one or more limbs of a subject from a baseline. The method includes placing two or more inertial measurement sensors on the limbs of the subject, acquiring baseline limb excursion data from the inertial measurement sensors while a patient is performing at least one of a static balance activity and a dynamic balance activity by tracking the relative displacement of the respective two or more inertial measurement sensors; acquiring post-injury limb excursion data after an injury from the inertial measurement sensors while a patient is performing at least one of a static balance activity and a dynamic balance activity; and determining the activity clearance index as a function of a comparison of the baseline limb excursion data compared to the post-injury limb excursion data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector, host cells, methods and kits for the treatment or prevention of a flavivirus infection in a subject.

Abstract: In some embodiments, initial feedback indicating threshold characteristics (under which a user sees initial stimuli presented on a user interface) may be provided to a prediction model, and a set of predicted characteristics (for a set of locations of the user interface) and a set of confidence scores associated with the set of locations may be obtained via the prediction model. Based on the set of confidence scores, one or more locations may be selected to be tested during a visual test presentation. As an example, the locations may be selected over one or more other locations of the set of locations based on the set of confidence scores. Based on predicted characteristics associated with the selected locations, stimuli may be presented at the selected locations during the visual test presentation. Visual defect information for the user may be generated based on feedback from the visual test presentation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, initial feedback indicating threshold characteristics (under which a user sees initial stimuli presented on a user interface) may be provided to a prediction model, and a set of predicted characteristics (for a set of locations of the user interface) and a set of confidence scores associated with the set of locations may be obtained via the prediction model. Based on the set of confidence scores, one or more locations may be selected to be tested during a visual test presentation. As an example, the locations may be selected over one or more other locations of the set of locations based on the set of confidence scores. Based on predicted characteristics associated with the selected locations, stimuli may be presented at the selected locations during the visual test presentation. Visual defect information for the user may be generated based on feedback from the visual test presentation.

Abstract: Topical formulations of CoQ10 reduce the rate of tumor growth in an animal subject. In the experiments described herein, CoQ10 was shown to increase the rate of apoptosis in a culture of skin cancer cells but not normal cells. Moreover, treatment of tumor-bearing animals with a topical formulation of CoQ10 was shown to dramatically reduce the rate of tumor growth in the animals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are Notch transcriptional activation complex kinase (“NACK”) inhibitors, and methods for their use in treating or preventing diseases, such as cancer. The inhibitors described herein include compounds of Formula (la) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein the substituents are as described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in general, to oligonucleotides that stimulate STING (STimulator of INterferon Genes) activity and increase activity of immune cells. The disclosed STING activators (STAVs) are useful in the treatment of cancer and other immune-mediated conditions.

Abstract: Various methods and compositions are provided which can be employed to modulate the immune system. Compositions include a fusion protein comprising: (a) a first polypeptide comprising Interleukin-2 (IL-2) or a functional variant or fragment thereof; and (b) a second polypeptide, fused in frame to the first polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide comprises an extracellular domain of Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha (IL-2R?) or a functional variant or fragment thereof, and wherein the fusion protein has IL-2 activity. Various methods are provided for modulating the immune response in a subject comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the IL-2/IL-2R? fusion protein disclosed herein.

Abstract: Molecular signatures that function as very sensitive diagnostic biomarker for myocarditis, heart disease and disorders thereof, are identified.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides materials and methods for the delivery of therapeutic nucleic cells (and imaging agents) to tissues.

Abstract: Kits and methods for detecting pathogens without the need for laboratory equipment are disclosed. The kits and methods described herein allow for near-room temperature amplification of pathogen polynucleotides in a biological sample in a one-compartment reaction vessel. The kits and methods may be used to detect any target nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA from a bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogen.

Abstract: A steerable guide. In an embodiment, the steerable guide comprises a needle, a shaft, a spring housing, and a translational screw. The needle comprises a wire tube and a wire configured to curve the needle when retracted relative to the wire tube. The wire tube is connected to the distal end of the shaft, and the wire is connected to the distal end of the spring housing. The screw extends into a cavity within the shaft, and is configured to move along a longitudinal axis. A spring is positioned within the cavity, between the proximal end of the spring housing and the distal end of the screw. Thus, when the screw moves in the proximal direction while a position of the spring housing is fixed by the wire, the spring is compressed between the proximal end of the spring housing and the distal end of the translational screw.

Abstract: Systems and devices for temporarily disabling an assailant or other target using disabling flashes of light from a light-emitting device. A tactical lighting system also includes protective eyewear that is paired with the light-emitting device and configured to shutter in synchronization with the pattern of disabling light flashes to protect the wearer's eyes while disabling an assailant or other target.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for generating islet-like cell clusters. The methods include culturing a whole non-islet pancreatic cell discard or cells sorted therefrom with an effective amount of a molecule having Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) activity (e.g., a BMP polypeptide). The effective amount of said molecule having BMP activity (e.g., BMP polypeptide) is sufficient to induce the formation of islet-like cell clusters. The methods further include treating or attenuating insulin-deficiency disorders, including type 1 diabetes. In one non-limiting embodiment, an insulin-deficiency disorder in a subject is treated or attenuated by culturing a whole non-islet pancreatic cell discard or cells sorted therefrom with an effective amount of a molecule having BMP activity (e.g., a BMP polypeptide) such that tho formation of islet-like cell clusters occurs.

Abstract: Quantification of symmetry and repeatability in limb motion for treating abnormal motion patterns. In the context of gait analysis, gait data may be acquired as signals from inertial sensors (e.g., gryoscopes). Each signal represents an angular velocity of a lower limb segment of a subject during ambulation. Each signal may be segmented into stride signals, and a gait metric may be calculated based on the stride signals. The gait metric may comprise a symmetry metric that represents a similarity of the stride signals across two signals acquired for at least one pair of contralateral limb segments. Additionally or alternatively, the gait metric may comprise a repeatability metric that represents a similarity of the stride signals within a signal. In other embodiments, other types of sensors may be used and/or motion data may be acquired and metrics calculated for other types of motions and/or for upper limb segments.