Abstract: Described are nicotine-degrading enzyme variants that exhibit increased nicotine-degrading activity and/or decreased immunogenicity relative to the wild-type NicA2 and NOX enzymes, compositions comprising the variants, and methods using them.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for improved magnetic resonance imaging with simultaneous fat and fluid suppression of a subject comprising: acquiring four images, in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) at a short and a long echo time (TE) using a single-shot turbo spin echo from one or more magnetic resonance imager excitations: processing at least a pair of IP and OP images at a short and a long TE using single-shot turbo spin echo using a Dixon reconstruction; processing the pair of IP and OP images; subtracting the long TE water-only image from the shared-field-map Dixon reconstruction from the short TE water-only image to provide a fluid attenuation; processing water-only and fat-only images at the short and long TE to generate quantitative fat-fraction map; and reconstructing one or more 3D magnetic resonance images.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to NEIL2 compositions and method of using NEIL2 composition to treat subjects in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for isothermal nucleic acid amplification and detection.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.

Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a battery pack. The battery pack, in accordance with this aspect, includes an enclosure. The battery pack, in accordance with this aspect, further includes an intake port attached to a first section of the enclosure, the intake port coupleable to a source of cooling fluid, a first exhaust port attached to a third section of the enclosure and a second exhaust port coupled to a fourth section of the enclosure. The battery pack of this aspect further includes a first set of battery cells located within the enclosure in the first and third sections, the first set of battery cells separated by one or more first fluid passageways and a second set of battery cells located within the enclosure in a second and the fourth sections, the second set of battery cells separated by one or more second fluid passageways.

Abstract: Methods for increasing immune therapy response and predicting likelihood of cancer metastasis by analyzing the expression of genes associated with replication stress response. In some aspects, cancers are treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or MEK inhibitors. Methods for selecting patients by analyzing the expression of genes associated with a defect in replication stress response are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a nanobeam cavity device includes an elongated waveguide having a central optical cavity, first and second lateral substrates that are positioned on opposed lateral sides of the waveguide, and carrier-injection beams that extend from the first and second lateral substrates to the central optical cavity of the elongated waveguide.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a cantilever, a bottom electrode on the substrate, a bottom piezoelectric transducer on the bottom electrode such that the bottom electrode is between the substrate and the bottom piezoelectric transducer, a middle electrode on the bottom piezoelectric transducer such that the bottom piezoelectric transducer is between the bottom electrode and the middle electrode, a top piezoelectric transducer on the middle electrode such that the middle electrode is between the bottom piezoelectric transducer and the top piezoelectric transducer, and a top electrode on the top piezoelectric transducer, such that the top piezoelectric transducer is between the middle electrode and the top electrode. Illustrative embodiments also provide a method of making the apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for atomic force microscopy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions related to the use of a protein with kynureninase activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified kynureninase capable of degrading kynurenine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with kynurenine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: A system and method to dispense and monitor a consumable. The system includes a vial configured to transmit at least one characteristic of contents within the vial to a remote location, unlock itself to enable a user to access and remove the contents in response to receipt of an unlock command, and to receive an ingestion confirmation signal when the contents are exposed to body fluids. The method includes determining whether to authorize dispensing of the contents to a patient from the vial, authorizing the dispensing of the contents from the vial, observing, by a clinician over a video conference, dispensing and consumption of the contents by the patient, receiving confirmation from an ingestion sensor that the patient consumed the contents.

Abstract: Antimicrobial catheters and medical devices are provided. In some aspects, a low durometer aliphatic polyether polyurethane may be impregnated with a first antimicrobial agent (e.g., minocycline and rifampin) and coated with a second antimicrobial agent (e.g., chlorhexidine, gendine, or gardine). The antimicrobial catheters may display improved flexibility and resistance to kinking. Methods of producing the antimicrobial catheters are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatus, systems, methods and kits for performing immunoassay tests on a sample. The A sensing apparatus is provided for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in a sample. The apparatus may comprise an array of sensing devices provided on a substrate, each sensing device in the array comprising a working electrode having (1) semiconducting nanostructures disposed thereon and (2) a capture reagent coupled to the semiconducting nanostructures that selectively binds to a different target analyte in the sample. The apparatus may also comprise sensing circuitry that (1) simultaneously detects changes to electron and ion mobility and charge accumulation in the array of sensing devices when the capture reagents in the array of sensing devices selectively bind to the plurality of different target analytes, and (2) determines the presence and concentrations of the plurality of different target analytes in the sample based on the detected changes.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for the treatment and/or amelioration of breast cancer. The compounds and methods may treat and/or ameliorate breast cancer by way of activity on isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). The breast cancer may be estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. Also disclosed are compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, for the treatment and/or amelioration of breast cancer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods for classification and treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Certain aspects pertain to treatment of a subject having SCLC using a targeting agent for a cell surface protein, where a targeting agent is selected based on a subtype classification of the SCLC. Disclosed are methods for identifying a subject as having an SCLC subtype (e.g., SCLC-A, SCLC-N, SCLC-P, SCLC-I) and administering a targeting agent configured to target a cell surface protein associated with the identified SCLC subtype. Also disclosed are compositions comprising targeting agents for treatment of SCLC.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to immunotherapeutic methods for treating a subject having PDAC. Disclosed are methods comprising treatment with two or more immunotherapeutic agents for generating an effective immune response to PDAC. Certain aspects relate to methods comprising the use of a LAG-3 antagonist and a 41BB agonist, in some cases together with a chemokine receptor inhibitor, for the treatment of PDAC. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a LAG-3 antagonist and a 41BB agonist. In some cases the disclosed compositions further comprise a chemokine receptor inhibitor.

Abstract: A Micro-Well Array Plates (MWAP) assembly for high throughput microfluidic devices for studying cells and method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The MWAP assembly includes a top plate having a plurality of macro-wells arranged in an array within a frame. The MWAP assembly also includes a bottom plate operable to be secured to the bottom surface of the frame, the bottom plate having a plurality of arrays of micro-wells. The MWAP assembly includes a well grid formed when the bottom plate is secured to the top plate via the plurality of macro-wells and the plurality of arrays micro-wells. The well grid with the plurality of macro-wells and the plurality of arrays micro-wells enable visualization of cells via a high throughput.

Abstract: A system for indexing, updating, and search haplotypes for genetic genealogical discovery in genotype databases. The system includes a pool of genetic indexes, a haplotype ingestion engine, and a haplotype query engine. The haplotypes of a number of individuals in a genotype database are indexed by a pool of multiple panels, and each panel pool can be dynamically updated by the insertion or deletion of individual haplotypes. A genetic genealogical search of a query haplotype against the database is achieved by first projecting the query onto a subset of panels in the pool, then conducting long match queries over each panel, and finally aggregating the identified long matches into Identical-by-Descent segments, i.e., DNA matches, between the query and the haplotypes in the database.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel pharmaceutical composition for the administration of testosterone or testosterone derivatives. The present disclosure also provides methods of treatment of diseases and disorders associated with fear and anxiety, a decrease in libido, or hypogonadism.