Abstract: A device for determining muscle condition of a region of tissue. The device comprises an electrical impedance myography (EIM) portable probe bearing an electrode array. The electrode array comprises excitation electrodes used to apply multi-frequency electrical signals to the region of tissue and pickup electrodes that are used to collect electrical signals resulting from the application of the multi-frequency electrical signals to the region of tissue. To improve accuracy and reproducibility of EIM measurements, the electrode array is reconfigurable to select different subsets of excitation and pickup electrodes so that the electrodes are oriented differently with respect to muscle fibers. Additional devices may be associated with the EIM probe to measure such parameters as temperature, moisture content of the region, quality of contact of electrodes of the electrode array with a surface of the region and pressure with which the EIM probe is applied to the region.

Abstract: Methods of culturing T cells with a 4-1BBL fusion polypeptide are provided. Accordingly there is provided a method of culturing T cells comprising adding to immune cells comprising T cells obtained from a subject having a pathology a PD1-4-1BBL or a SIRPalpha-4-1BBL fusion polypeptide; and culturing the immune cells with the fusion polypeptide for more than 7 days. Also provided are T cells obtainable by the method and uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods of culturing T cells are provided. Accordingly there is provided a method of culturing T cells comprising adding to immune cells comprising T cells obtained from a subject having a pathology a non-cellular agent capable of binding 4-1BB and activating said 4-1BB signaling pathway; and culturing the immune cells with said agent for more than 7 days. Also provided are T cells obtainable by the method and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an external fixation system including at least one pair of connected clamp units forming at least one clamp. Each of the clamp units includes: a first component comprising a molded metal, the first component having a first exterior surface having a plurality of voids formed therein to define a plurality of interconnected ribs and a first periphery having at least one first pin groove formed therein; and a second component mated to the first component and including a second periphery having at least one second pin groove formed therein, the at least one first pin groove and at least one second pin groove together forming a fixation pin holder. A fixation pin is held in at least one of the fixation pin holders.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing hyperpolarized materials for use during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) process. The system and methods include the use of microfluidic and/or microreactor methods in one or more of the stages of parahydrogen production, enriched substrate production, and spin order transfer from the parahydrogen to a substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes designing a saturation- based labeling pulse sequence for an MRI process that includes radio-frequency (RF) pulses and gradients forming a ratio of RF slice-selection gradient to time-averaged gradient that maintains multiple aliased labeling planes within an envelope of the RF pulses. The method also includes performing the MRI process to acquire image data from the subject using the saturation-based labeling pulse sequence and reconstructing a saturation-based spin labeled images of the subject using image data.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating sickle cell disease. Also disclosed are methods of treating sickle cell disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of isoquercetin, vitamin B3, vitamin C, and optionally folic acid and wherein the effective amount is sufficient to halt progression of one or more of the symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunogenic compositions (e.g., vaccines) for use in the treatment of mycobacteria infections and biomarkers for monitoring of therapeutic responsiveness to the immunogenic compositions in a subject (e.g., a human). In a first aspect, the disclosure features a pharmaceutical composition containing between 1×10{circumflex over (?)}2 CPU and 1×10{circumflex over (?)}10 CPU of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (Mtb) with one or more mutations that ablate or reduce expression of LprG and Rv1410 (?LprG Mtb) in a volume of between 0.05 mL and 3 mL.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods that inhibit the activity of microRNAs, for example miR-22.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions and vaccines containing a coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; also referred to as SARS-CoV-2)) protein or a polynucleotide encoding a coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2)) protein and uses thereof. The invention also provides methods of treating and/or preventing a coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2)) infection by administering an immunogenic composition or vaccine to a subject (e.g., a human). The invention also provides methods of detecting and/or monitoring a protective anti-coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2)) antibody response (e.g., anti-coronavirus antibody response, e.g., anti-2019-nCoV antibody response, e.g., anti-Spike antibody response, e.g., anti-Spike neutralizing antibody response).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing narrow-band radiation in the green region of the visible spectrum are described. The narrow-band radiation may be used to aid subjects experiencing photophobia. In some cases, subjects may experience a reduction in pain (e.g., migraine photophobia) when using the narrow-band radiation.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments relate to devices for performing a lymphovenous bypass procedure. A first ring is secured to tissue connected to at least one lymphatic channel of a patient and a second ring is attached to a vein of the patient. An end of the lymphatic channel that extends through the first ring is inserted into an open end of the vein and the rings are connected together to establish fluid flow from the lymphatic channel into the vein.

Abstract: Filtration apparatuses, kits, and methods for rapid isolation of intact, viable mitochondria from tissues are described with mitochondria isolated by differential filtration through nylon mesh filters. Mitochondria can be isolated in less than 30 minutes using the filtration apparatuses, kits, and methods described.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that specifically bind to phosphorylated PD-1, as well as immunoglobulins, polypeptides, nucleic acids thereof, and methods of using such antibodies for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Embodiments allow for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) at a low cost. Embodiments may use changes in the pixel intensity from reflected light to determine microorganism growth and antimicrobial resistance. Dilutions of an antimicrobial are added to a standard well plate or other array. A pathogen or other microorganism may be added to the dilutions in the well plate. The well plate may be incubated for a time period less than 3 hours. The well plate may then be imaged and the resulting image data may be analyzed. Wells where the microorganism is able to grow may appear darker than wells where the microorganism did not grow. Differences pixel intensity of the wells is used to determine the susceptibility or resistance of the microorganism to the antimicrobial. The image data may be used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the lowest dilution concentration of antimicrobial that inhibits growth.

Abstract: System and methods for determining placement of a transducer array relative to a subject's head, which may be used in treating cancer in the subject, are provided. These techniques may include constructing, based on one or more images, a representation of the subject's head that includes information for a plurality of structures including one or more tumors positioned within the subject's brain. The representation of the subject's head may be used to calculate electric field propagation for one or more arrangements of a transducer array on a surface of the subject's head. These techniques may further include determining one or more rate of energy absorption distributions and/or one or more electric field distributions using the calculated electric field propagation for multiple arrangements of the transducer array. A rate of energy absorption distribution may indicate a rate of energy absorbed at the one or more tumors.

Abstract: By hijacking endogenous E3 ligase to degrade protein targets via the ubiquitin-proteasome system, PROTACs (PRoteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) provide a new strategy to inhibit protein targets that were previously regarded as undruggable. The compounds described herein comprise a photolabile group on PROTACs, enabling the degradation of protein targets in a spatiotemporally controlled manner By adding a photolabile caging group on ubiquitin recruiting moieties, light-inducible protein degradation was acheived. These opto-PROTACs display no activity in the dark, while restricted degradation can be induced at a specific time and rate by UVA-irradiation. Accordingly, these compounds provide light-controlled PROTACs and methods of using such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations for the treatment of fibrotic diseases and disorders. In some embodiments, the formulation comprises a microparticle that includes an antifibrotic.

Abstract: Ultrasensitive and quantitative assays for detecting toxins of Clostridium difficile, which may involve digital ELISA, are provided. Also provided herein are differential detection assays that allow for distinguishing toxin B of highly virulent Clostridium difficile strains from toxin B of less virulent strains.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate a method for magnetic resonance imaging, which can include acquiring, by applying an imaging pulse sequence, magnetic resonance data associated with a region of interest of a subject. The imaging pulse sequence can include a plurality of RF pulses configured to generate a desired image contrast, and an outer-volume suppression (OVS) module to attenuate the signal outside the region of interest. The method can further include reconstructing, from the acquired magnetic resonance data, a plurality of reduced field of view (rFOV) magnetic resonance images corresponding to the region of interest.