Abstract: Prophylaxis and treatment of patients susceptible to infection by coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is achieved using compositions including one or more inhibitors including sulfated glycans and/or highly negative charged compounds. The inhibitors bind to wild-type and variant spike glycoproteins (S-proteins or SGPs) of SARS-CoV-2, inhibiting fusion, entry, and infection of a host cell. The inhibitors can include pentosan polysulfate (PPS), mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPS), sulfated lactobionic acid, sulodexide, a defibrotide, 4-t-butylcalix[X] arene-p-sulfonic acid, or combinations thereof. The presence of additional sulfo groups in PPS and MPS contribute to the improved inhibitory activity of compositions with those sulfated glycans against COVID-19 compared with compositions containing heparin alone.

Abstract: The oligonucleotide nanostructures enable pattern-recognized targeting of diseases, particularly useful as high-specificity detectors and inhibitors of viruses and toxins, such as for Dengue virus particles. The nanostructures include an oligonucleotide scaffold with a plurality of binders arranged in a pattern conforming to a plurality of surface epitopes of a target disease. Binding of the scaffolds to these surface epitopes has been shown to have inhibitory effects against the target disease. The scaffolds can also include functional domains that activate upon target binding. Assembly of the scaffolds can be achieved via annealing of separate oligonucleotide segments of predetermined length and sequence, which also advantageously define locations of binding domains in the resulting structure. This approach provides precise control over the spacing and orientation of epitope binding sites in the scaffold.

Abstract: The composition inhibits severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) via competitive binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The composition includes a plurality of sulfated glycosaminoglycans which bind to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, preventing binding to and uptake by host cells. The sulfated glycosaminoglycans, including N-, 2-O, 3-O, or 6-O sulfate groups, or combinations thereof, include heparins and fucoidans, such as those isolated from brown seaweed. The compositions show antiviral activity, with EC50 as low as 0.08 ?M, and low cytotoxicity, making it promising for clinical use. While established SARS-CoV-2 treatments such as remdesivir need to be administered intravenously, the compositions discussed herein are advantageously capable to being delivered as a nasal spray, metered dose inhaler, oral delivery, etc.

Abstract: In order to produce chondroitin sulfate in an animal-free manner, engineered E. coli host cells were modified so as to reduce expression of an endogenous gene for fructosyltransferase (kfoE); reduce expression of an endogenous gene for 3?-phosphoadenosine-5?-phosphosulfate reductase (cysH); and express one or more exogenous sulfotransferases. Expression of proteins forming ATP-binding cassette transporters were also reduced to limit export of glycosaminoglycans from the cells. The recombinant microorganisms are able produce all three components identified for chondroitin sulfate production—chondroitin, sulfate donor, and sulfotransferase. These modified E. coli are capable of complete, essentially one-step biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate at a variety of sulfation levels from simple microbial media components and glucose. This is a major advantage over current production methods that depend on the natural distribution of chondroitin sulfate types in the animal tissue.

Abstract: A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

Abstract: A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

Abstract: A method of making a cellulose-nanoclay hemostatic nanocomposite fiber, including the steps of preparing a homogenous cellulose solution including cellulose and a room temperature ionic liquid, preparing a nanoclay suspension including halloysite and distilled water, electrospinning the cellulose solution into a first bath including the nanoclay suspension, transferring solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers from the first bath to a second bath including ethanol and distilled water, removing the solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers from the second bath, and freeze-drying the solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and test strips for detecting the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a biological sample comprising removing sialo-transferrin and selectively detecting or measuring asialo-transferrin in the biological sample.

Abstract: A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.