Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to dual specificity antibodies which may bind to PD-L1 or PD-L2 and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1 or PD-L2.

Abstract: Cardiac tissue-on-a-chip platforms aimed at mimicking human cardiac tissue structures, are valuable tools to model, and serve as preclinical platforms for drug testing or therapies for cardiac repair. We have developed three types of electrospun scaffolds including furfuryl gelatin (f-gelatin) alone, with polycaprolactone (PCL) in the ratio of f-gelatin and PCL (1:1), and coaxial scaffolds with PCL (core) and f-gelatin (sheath). Scaffolds were developed through single nozzle electrospinning and coaxial electrospinning, respectively, to serve as scaffolds for cardiac tissue-on-a-chip platforms.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for manufacturing and using heat-shrink elastomeric. An example method of manufacturing a heat-shrink elastomeric element comprises providing a thermoplastic elastomeric element having a first shape; modifying the thermoplastic elastomeric element to produce a thermoset elastomeric element having the first shape; heating the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element; adjusting the first shape of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce a second shape with at least one dimension greater than that of the first shape; and cooling the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature below that of the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce the heat-shrink elastomeric element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to heterocyclic compounds and methods which may be useful as inhibitors of transcription activating proteins such as CBP and P300 for the treatment or prevention of diseases such as proliferative diseases, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and fibrotic diseases.

Abstract: Provided are T cell receptors (TCR) and TCR variable regions that can selectively bind SLC45A2. The TCR may be utilized in various therapies, such as autologous cell transplantation, to treat a cancer, such as a cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, a mucosal melanoma, or a metastatic melanoma. Methods for expanding a population of T cells that target SLC45A2 are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of secretory disorders, and provides novel methods of treatment of these disorders comprising the administration of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) or derivatives thereof. The methods of the invention are useful in conditions including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), for example EPI resulting from cystic fibrosis, alcoholism, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, gallstones, celiac disease, high triglycerides, or lupus. The methods of the present invention find further utility in the treatment of salivary flow disorders, for example Sjorgen's syndrome, and the treatment of EPI or pancreatitis resulting from surgical procedures.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ?2?-1 C-terminal domain mimetics for the treatment of pain, epilepsy or other disorders in a subject. Further provided is an ?2?-1 C-terminal domain peptide which blocks binding of ?2?-1 to the glutamate receptors NMDAR and AMPAR.

Abstract: A test capsule for measuring at least one property of a material exposed to nuclear radiation comprises a lattice structure configured to exhibit a change in at least one property responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. The lattice structure comprises a first strut and a second strut connected to the first strut at a node. Related test capsules and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for re-programming effector T cells to a central memory phenotype comprising culturing the effector T cells with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and IL-21. Further provided are methods of treating cancer comprising administering the central memory T cells.

Abstract: Methods for treating, reducing, ameliorating or inhibiting symptoms idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or interstitial pneumonia, comprising administering to a subject in need of an effective amount of a) multiple EGF-like-domains-9 (MEGF9) or a biologically active fragment thereof; b) uncoordinated receptor 5A (UNC5A) or a biologically active fragment thereof; c) dolichyl-phosphate beta-glucosyltransferase (ALG5) or a biologically active fragment thereof; d) a combination of two or three of a)-c); e) an antibody specifically binding to a); f) an antibody specifically binding to b); g) an antibody specifically binding to c); h) a combination of two or three of e)-g); or i) a combination of at least one of a)-c) and at least one of e)-g). Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for making and using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a modified MC1R peptide ligand comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) ligand and a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The subject invention also pertains to a MC1R peptide ligand-micelle complex comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor ligand connected via a click reaction product to a micelle. The micelle is stable in vivo and can target melanoma tumor cells by association of the peptide ligand with the MC1R or the tumor and selectively provide a detectable and/or therapeutic agent (such as an imagable contrast agent and/or anti-cancer agent) selectively to the tumor cell.

Abstract: The inventor has discovered that limiting mitochondrial Mg2+ uptake (mMg2+) prevents diet-induced obesity. Administration of compositions that limit mitochondrial Mg2+ uptake (mMg2+) can be used for various therapeutic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of identifying 2-hydroxygluterate (2-hg) metabolites in a sample comprising: obtaining the sample from a patient; extracting the 2-hydroxygluterate (2-hg) metabolites from the sample without modifying a chiral center of the 2-hg metabolites; separating the one or more 2-hg metabolites in the sample using a chiral gas chromatography capillary column; and quantitating an amount of 2-hg metabolites in the sample using mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method and system for nanoscale precision programmable profiling on substrates. Profiling material is dispensed on a substrate or a superstrate. The superstrate is brought in contact with the substrate. The profiling material is then cured after bringing the superstrate in contact with the substrate. The superstrate is separated from the substrate after curing. An optical metrology of points on the substrate corresponding to the final substrate profile is then performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bispecific antibody comprising an IgG linked to an scFv, wherein the VII domain of the IgG is linked to the VH domain of the scFv, the bispecific antibody binding a human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family protein and an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family protein. Further embodiments provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bispecific antibody of the embodiments and aspects thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further embodiments provide various methods of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering a bispecific antibody of the embodiments and aspects thereof to the subject. A further embodiment provides a kit comprising the bispecific antibody.

Abstract: Methods and compositions related to the engineering of a protein with L-cyst(e)ine degrading enzyme activity are described. For example, disclosed are modified cystathionine-?-lyases comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading L-cyst(e)ine. Furthermore, compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of cystinuria using the disclosed modified enzymes or nucleic acids encoding said enzymes.

Abstract: A kit or composition for in situ simultaneously derivatization of 14 phenol and carboxylic acid metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) in a urine sample is disclosed. The derivatization imparts a positive charge to phenol and carboxylic acid for subsequent LC-MS analysis. Limit of detection reached part-per-trillion levels for o-Cresol and part-per-billion levels for the remaining BTEX metabolites. BTEX metabolites can be detected in less than 35 mins according to one embodiment of the invention. Methods, kits and compositions disclosed herein can be used for in situ simultaneous derivatization of phenol and carboxylic acid in aqueous solution in general.

Abstract: A system for measuring surface deflection of a road includes a first stereo line-scan camera pair on a sensor rig and for capturing a first set of 3D images of a road surface; a second stereo line-scan camera pair on the sensor rig and for capturing a second set of 3D images of the road surface; at least one digital electro-optical (EO) camera rigidly attached to the sensor rig; an inertial measurement unit (IMU) detecting inertial forces acting upon the sensor rig; and a processor compensating for acceleration and vibration effects upon the sensor rig; and calculating the surface deflection of the road based on the first and second sets of 3D images. The processor utilizes imagery from the EO camera and inertial measurements from the IMU to produce 2D mosaics and 3D reconstructions of the road surface from the first and second sets of 3D images.

Abstract: Devices and methods for nasal administration of a pharmaceutical composition. In certain embodiments, the devices comprises a reservoir, a conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir, and an anatomic positioning device configured to position the conduit in a nasal cavity of a user. Particular embodiments include an actuator configured to transfer the pharmaceutical composition from the reservoir to the conduit and emit the pharmaceutical composition from the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that utilizes an existing infrastructure such as atomic layer deposition or similar vapor-based deposition tool or metal salt solutions based infiltration to infiltrate certain metals or metal-based precursors into resist materials to enhance the performance of the resists for the advancement of lithography techniques.