Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.

Abstract: The present invention regards methods and/or compositions related to Natural Killer T cells that are engineered to harbor an expression construct that encodes IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, and/or IL-15 and additionally or alternatively comprise a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In specific embodiments, the CAR is a CAR that targets the GD2 antigen, for example in neuroblastoma.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes genetically-modified plants having enhanced tolerance to multiple abiotic stressors, such as extreme temperatures (heat or cold) and/or drought. Abiotic stress tolerance is enhanced by ectopic expression of a heterologous glutaredoxin. Abiotic stress tolerance (particularly drought) is also enhanced by inhibited function, activity, or expression of an endogenous glutaredoxin. Methods of producing such genetically-modified plants are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising multi domain peptide (MDP) hydrogels where the peptides that constitute the hydrogel have at least one N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine side chain. Also provided are hydrogels that further comprise a STING agonist, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and/or an anti-cancer therapy. Also provided are methods of using such compositions in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass methods of amplifying nucleic acid from one or more cells. In particular embodiments, the nucleic acid is amplified as amplicons in a linear manner. Specific embodiments include the removal or effective destruction of nonlinearly produced amplicons.

Abstract: Compounds as STAT3 inhibitors are described. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, methods of making the same, and a method for treating or preventing conditions such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis using the same, are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass compositions and methods for the treatment of medical conditions in which increases in GLP-1 are beneficial to an individual. In specific embodiments, the disclosure concerns certain peptides that are capable of inducing GLP-1 production in an individual with a medical condition, such as type II diabetes or obesity. In other cases, an individual is not obese or overweight but is provided the peptide in an effort to reduce weight from fat.

Abstract: A novel network of tumorigenic prognostic factors is identified that plays a critical role in advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis. This interactome is interconnected through a central tumor suppressive microRNA, miR-198, which is able to both directly and indirectly modulate expression of the various members of this network to alter the molecular makeup of pancreatic tumors, with important clinical implications. When this tumor signature network is intact, miR-198 expression is reduced and patient survival is dismal; patients with higher miR-198 present an altered tumor signature network, better prognosis and increased survival. Further, according to the present disclosure, MiR-198 replacement reverses tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting tau pathology are described. The compositions for detecting tau pathology comprise a targeting ligand that specifically binds to a cell surface marker of tau pathology, wherein the targeting ligand is linked to a liposome that includes an imaging agent. The compositions can be used in a method for imaging tau pathology in a subject that comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of the composition to a subject and imaging at least a portion of the subject to determine if that portion of the subject exhibits tau pathology. The compositions can also be used to detect tau pathology in biological samples obtained from a subject.

Abstract: Small molecule stimulators of steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) and methods of their use as cardioprotective agents are provided. The small molecule stimulators are useful for promoting cardiac protection and repair and vascular regeneration after myocardial infarction. The compounds are also useful in preventing cardiac hypertrophy and collagen deposition and improving cardiac post-infarction function.

Abstract: The present invention regards methods and/or compositions related to Natural Killer T cells that are engineered to harbor an expression construct that encodes IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, and/or IL-15 and additionally or alternatively comprise a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In specific embodiments, the CAR is a CAR that targets the GD2 antigen, for example in neuroblastoma.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject having, or at risk of having, ataxia, generally includes administering to the subject an amount of a composition comprising a cholecystokinin receptor (Cck1R) agonist effective to ameliorate at least one symptom or clinical sign of ataxia.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method of conveying a visual image to a blind subject fitted with a visual prosthesis. The computer-implemented method includes: mapping a representation of a visual image onto a two-dimensional array of points having a resolution greater than or equal to an electrode resolution of the visual prosthesis; identifying one or more continuous paths along the mapped representation; and controlling the visual prosthesis to sequentially actuate electrodes along the one or more paths. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a visual prosthesis comprising multiple electrodes; and an imaging processing device in communication with the visual prosthesis. The imaging processing device can be programmed to receive an image and perform any of the methods described herein.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method of treating a swallowing, mastication, or speech articulation disorder associated with a CNS lesion, PNS lesion, or lesioned brain region in a patient. The method includes: measuring a magnitude and a spatial extent of activation in a plurality of brain regions of the patient during movement of the tongue by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); generating a map of an individualized network of brain regions that control tongue movement; identifying at least one intact brain region functionally associated with the lesioned brain region based on the map of the individualized network of brain regions; tracking at least one tongue movement of the patient; providing neuronal feedback to the patient based on a level of activation of the at least one intact brain region identified and the at least one tongue movement; and instructing the patient to change at least one motor behavior of the tongue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to utilizing glycine and N-acetylcysteine for a variety of medical conditions (e.g., muscle loss such as sarcopenia, HIV infection and others, organ damage such as those from diabetes and insulin resistance and diabetic nephropathy, cardiac function and failure such as preventing or improving heart failure, fatty liver, cancer prevention, and others) related to reduced levels of glycine, N-acetylcysteine, and/or glutathione.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for immunotherapy for human papillomavirus infection and diseases associated therewith. In specific embodiments, methods concern production of immune cells that target one or more antigens of HPV16 and/or HPV18, including methods with stimulation steps that employ IL-7 and IL-15, but not IL-6 and/or IL-12. Other specific embodiments utilize stimulations in the presence of certain cells, such as costimulatory cells and certain antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting a thiol in an environment by exposing the environment to a probe molecule that contains a marker and a thiol responsive group. The thiol responsive group reversibly reacts with the thiol in the environment to form a probe-thiol adduct. This in turn causes a ratiometric change in a spectrometric property of the probe molecule and the probe-thiol adduct, which can then be correlated to the presence of the thiol in the environment. The correlation can occur by quantifying the thiol concentration in the environment. In addition, thiol detection can occur in real-time. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to probe molecules that are utilized for detecting a thiol in an environment. In some embodiments, the probe molecule includes a marker and a thiol responsive group. In some embodiments, the probe molecule also includes an organelle targeting moiety.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a vaginal stent system including: an inflatable vaginal stent and a removable handle. The inflatable vaginal stent include includes: an elastomeric exterior wall and a first fitting located at a base of the inflatable vaginal stent. The removable handle is adapted and configured for insertion, inflation, and removal of the inflatable vaginal stent from a subject's vagina. The removable handle includes a second fitting complementary to the first fitting and adapted and configure to form substantially fluid tight coupling when the handle is coupled to the inflatable vaginal stent. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of fabricating a customized vaginal stent or dilator. The method includes: generating a 3D model of a vaginal stent or dilator; and controlling a 3D printer to fabricate a vaginal stent or dilator according to the 3D model.

Abstract: Provided herein are biomolecular hybridization devices comprising a substrate with a permanently and covalently attached surface of functional groups and an adsorbed monolayer of unmodified, single-stranded oligonucleotides all of which are 10 to about 24 bases in length as a saturated film of constrained oligonucleotides on the surface via direct non-covalent phosphate-surface adsorptive contact of substantially all phosphate groups of each oligonucleotide. The constrained oligonucleotides are effective to dissociably hybridize to a complementary single-stranded nucleic acid with asymmetric, non-helical base pairing and without oligonucleotide dissociation from the surface of the device. Also, provided are methods for hybridizing solution-state target nucleic acids to probe nucleic acids and for identifying a nucleotide sequence to which a nucleotide-binding protein binds using the biomolecular hybridization devices.

Abstract: A method and computer system for identifying genes associated with a phenotype includes obtaining data representing mutations in a cohort of subjects exhibiting a phenotype. An evolutionary action (EA) score is calculated for each mutation using the data obtained. For each gene in the cohort, respective distributions of the calculated EA scores are determined for mutations found in the gene. The determined distributions of EA scores are quantitatively compared within the cohort and with random distributions to establish comparison data. Based on the comparison data, distributions of EA scores are identified that are non-random, and linkage of each gene in the cohort to the phenotype is assessed based on the identified non-random distributions to identify genes associated with the phenotype. The phenotype can be a disease, such as cancer, and linkage of each gene in the cohort to the disease can be assessed to identify disease causing genes.