Abstract: A pipetting device includes a housing, a valve assembly, and an actuator assembly. The housing includes a tip for receiving a capillary tube. The valve assembly includes a shuttle valve having a filling position and a dispensing position and a valve rod. The actuator assembly includes an actuator, a valve trigger, a piston mount, and an indexing mechanism. The actuator extends from the housing and has a push button coupled to a push rod. The valve trigger being configured to engage the valve assembly and includes an aperture configured to receive the piston mount therein. The indexing mechanism is configured to index a rotated position of the push button to a predefined volume of dispensed fluid.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of extracting amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) from processed and unprocessed foodstuff, determining bioactivity of ATIs, quantifying the amount of ATIs in a foodstuff, and reducing the content of ATIs in a foodstuff.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and prevention of cancer by administering agents that inhibit the activity of microRNAs that modulate tumor suppressor genes, which can include PTEN, p53, and INPP4B, among others. Inhibitors can include oligonucleotides that are at least partially complementary to these miRNAs. In some embodiments, these inhibitors are chemically modified oligonucleotides, including locked nucleic acids (LNAs).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds of Formula (I). The compounds described herein may be useful in treating and/or preventing proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). Also provided in the present disclosure are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, methods, and uses including or using a compound described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of molecules termed remodilins that inhibit serum response factor (SRF). By inhibiting SRF, a number of downstream pathways can be targeted. The remodilins can be used to treat glaucoma, inhibit tumor cell growth, inhibit tumor metastasis, inhibit hypoxia-induced response, and/or reduce cellular metabolism.

Abstract: The invention features immunogenic compositions and vaccines containing an optimized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope (Env) polypeptide (e.g., a stabilized trimer of optimized HIV Env polypeptides) or a polynucleotide encoding an optimized HIV Env polypeptide and uses thereof. The invention also features methods of treating and/or preventing a HIV infection by administering an immunogenic composition or vaccine of the invention to a subject (e.g., a human).

Abstract: Stabilized trimers of a clade A strain and a clade C strain of HIV-1 are provided. Broadly neutralizing antisera against HIV-1, methods of making broadly neutralizing antisera against HIV-1, broadly neutralizing vaccines against HIV-1, as well as methods of treating subjects infected with HIV, preventing HIV infection, and inhibiting HIV-mediated activities are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions, vaccines and methods for inducing an immunity, including a protective immunity, against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are described. Heterologous vaccine combinations of one or more adenovirus 26 vectors using for priming immunization and an isolated HIV antigenic polypeptide in combination with one or more MVA vectors for boosting immunization induced strong protective immunity against infections by one or multiple clades of HIV.

Abstract: Described are N332 glycan-dependent antibodies for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a subject that is infected with HIV and that is receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Abstract: Electrical impedance myography (EIM) can be used for assessment and diagnosis of muscular disorders. EIM includes applying an electrical signal to a region of tissue and measuring a resulting signal. A characteristic of the region of tissue is determined based on the measurement. Performing EIM at different frequencies and modeling one or more impedance metrics as a function of frequency may provide impedance model parameters that can aid in the assessment and diagnosis. Devices are described that facilitate assessment and diagnosis using EIM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, fatty acyl hydroxy fatty acid (FAHFA; a novel class of estolide-related molecules) and diagnostic and treatment methods for a variety of disorders—including diabetes-related disorders, Metabolic Syndrome, polycyctic ovarian syndrome, cancer, and inflammatory disorders—using them; as well as methods of screening for additional compounds that are useful in treating these disorders and/or that modulate FAHFA levels, FAHFA-mediated signaling, and FAHFA-mediated biological effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of a subject are provided. The method includes performing a pulse sequence to elicit spin echoes, wherein the pulse sequence includes a radio frequency (RF) excitation pulse and a series of RF refocusing pulses that refocus echoes with flip angles in the series of RF refocusing pulses that are varied. The method also includes scaling MRI data associated with each echo by a correction factor that is determined for each echo to create scaled MRI data and that is not the same for all echoes. The method then includes reconstructing an image of the subject using the scaled MRI data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds comprising an electrophilic moiety and rigid moiety for use in modulating an activity of Pin1. The rigid moiety comprises at least one functional group that is capable of forming hydrogen bonds with hydrogen atoms, wherein the electrophilic moiety and the rigid moiety are arranged such that the electrophilic moiety is capable of covalently binding to the Cys113 residue of Pin1, and the rigid moiety is capable of forming hydrogen bonds with the Gln131 and His 157 residues of Pin1. Further disclosed are novel compounds having Formula Id: wherein the dashed line, W, X, Y, Z, Ra-Rc, R1, R2, L1, L2 and n are as defined herein, and libraries comprising such compounds. Further disclosed are methods of identifying a compound capable of modulating an activity of Pin1, by screening a library of compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject having or at risk of having an HIV infection. Disclosed herein are peptide immunogens and nucleic acids that have epitopes in which mutations are most likely to have deleterious effects on the HIV virus. An algorithm is disclosed for the selection of the epitopes based on the HIV fitness landscape, and it accounts for the effect of coupling mutations.

Abstract: As described below, the present invention features compositions and methods of treating cancers characterized by the loss of Pten, Zbtb7a/Pokemon, p53, Pml and other tumor suppressors by inhibiting the expression or activity of CXCL5; and methods for identifying therapeutics using a murine platform.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for inhibiting the Pin1 protein, and the treatment of disorders characterized by elevated Pin1 levels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the use of A20 to restore glycemic control in a subject in need thereof, for example, a subject having diabetes. This novel approach provides non-insulin based therapy for diabetes.

Abstract: Methods of treating ischemic tissue injury or kidney disease, e.g., delayed graft function, that include administering a Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)/niacinamide (NAM) pathway agonist.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for treating or reducing the symptoms of a renal disease, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), hypertensive end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and HIV-associated nephropathy (a distinct form of FSGS, also termed collapsing glomerulopathy). The compositions include the common variant of APOL1 and fragments thereof, as well as antibodies and fragments thereof that bind and neutralize pathogenic APOL1, nucleic acid molecules that encode the common variant of APOL1 and fragments thereof, and other compounds that bind and neutralize pathogenic APOL1. The methods of the invention include administering one or more of the compositions of the invention to a subject having or at risk of developing renal disease.