Abstract: Purified Chlamydia major outer membrane protein (MOMP) has been observed to induce protection against genital and respiratory challenge in mice. MOMP contains variable domains that are highly immunogenic and elicit cross-serovar neutralizing monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and T cell responses in animal and human models. Examples herein provide a method for vaccinating a subject against Chlamydia using a composition that is a recombinant Neisseria porin that contains at least one antigenic variable domain of Chlamydia. The variable domains are inserted into the amino acid sequence of the Neisseria porin at a position encoding a surface-exposed loop of the Neisseria porin. The vaccine further contains an adjuvant that induces a Th1 response greater than a Th2 response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aspiration assembly for attaching to an endoscope. The aspiration assembly comprises an extendable suction tube for aspirating an object (e.g., smoke, blood, blood clot, bone debris, or tissue debris) at or near a surgical site during an endoscopic surgery. The aspiration assembly can further comprise an irrigation tube for directing a fluid to the surgical site for cleaning the endoscope lens. By integrating an extendable suction tube with the endoscope, the technology described herein obviate the need for instrument switching and/or multiple surgeons during the surgery.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making a megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP), comprising differentiating a stem cell into a MEP in culture in the presence of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. In some embodiments the stem cell is a pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments the MEP co-expresses CD41 and CD235. In some embodiments the number of MEPs produced in the culture increases exponentially. Methods of making a red blood cell (RBC) by culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR agonist are also provided. Methods of making a megakaryocyte and/or a platelet, comprising culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR antagonist. This disclosure also provides compositions comprising at least 1 million MEPs per ml and compositions in which at least 50% of the cells are MEPs.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making a megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP), comprising differentiating a MEP precursor cell into a MEP in culture in the presence of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR antagonist. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR agonist. In some embodiments the methods comprise culturing MEP precursor cells in the presence of an AHR antagonist and then culturing MEP precursor cells in the presence of an AHR agonist. In some embodiments the stem cell is a pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments the MEP co-expresses CD41 and CD235. In some embodiments the number of MEPs produced in the culture increases exponentially. Methods of making a red blood cell (RBC) by culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided. Methods of making a megakaryocyte and/or a platelet, comprising culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods comprising the use of a macroinitiator and application protocols to apply a hydrophilic coating to latex, or natural rubber, and compositions resulting from such methods. This coating results in e.g., an increased sense of lubrication when in contact with water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the fields of cancer therapy and cancer prevention. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a diagnostic marker for predicting the efficacy of topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods, machines, computer systems, computable readable media and kits which can be used to identify and determine the effectiveness of topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors in the treatment of cancers, and in some embodiments, the level of sensitivity or resistance of a tumor cell to a topoisomerase I inhibitor, such as camptothecin (CPT), or CTP analogues such as topotecan and irinotecan and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to phospho-serine 10 topoisomerase I antibodies and other protein binding moieties, and kits and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria and for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and monitoring the effects of treatment on the progression of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria based on unexpected roles for the SLIT-ROBO signaling pathway in the regulation of podocyte F-actin cytoskeleton and foot process structure in the kidney.

Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery of a polypeptide of soluble CD23 (sCD23) that binds and sequesters IgE. Thus, the sCD23 peptides, polypeptides and derivatives described herein are useful for treating conditions or disorders involving increased IgE levels such as e.g., allergy, anaphylaxis, inflammation, lymphoma, and certain cancers.

Abstract: In a first aspect this invention provides methods comprising administering an aqueous contrast agent to the vascular system of a subject, and performing a magnetic resonance scan to detect the MR signal enhancement effects of the aqueous contrast agent. In embodiments the magnetic resonance scan comprises applying at least one pulse sequence selected from a PD-weighted pulse sequence, a T1-weighted pulse sequence, a T2-weighted pulse sequence, and a D-weighted pulse sequence. In embodiments the magnetic resonance scan comprises applying a T1-weighted pulse sequence. A system for performing perfusion MRI comprising an aqueous contrast solution and an injection apparatus configured to provide a maximum injection rate of the aqueous contrast solution to a subject vascular system of at least about 5 ml/s. is also provided.

Abstract: This application provides a novel mouse model (PLA2g6 KOEx2) in which genetic deletion of the N terminus of PLA2g6 results in a loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in substantia nigra (SN), and development of PD-like motor deficits that can be significantly improved by L-DOPA. Based in part on experimental results demonstrated with this model, this disclosure provides genetically modified animals and genetically modified animal cells that comprise a mutant allele of PLA2g6 and in which store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is impaired and ER Ca2+ stores are depleted. This disclosure also provides methods of screening a compound for an effect on the SOCE pathway and/or ER Ca2+ by administering the compound to such a genetically modified animal or genetically modified animal cell.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria and for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and monitoring the effects of treatment on the progression of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria based on unexpected roles for the SLIT-ROBO signaling pathway in the regulation of podocyte F-actin cytoskeleton and foot process structure in the kidney.

Abstract: Methods, and systems and apparatus for implementing the methods, are described for performing efficient multispectral magnetic resonance imaging, such that images of multiple contrast weightings for each slice are acquired in a single scan. Such differentially weighted MR images are thus suitable for generating a plurality of coregistered parameter maps for each slice. The methods may comprise applying a first excitation pulse to a first slice of a subject; detecting a first plurality of echo signals emitted by the first slice after the first excitation pulse; waiting a first period of time; applying a second excitation pulse to the first slice during partial recovery of a longitudinal magnetization of the first slice; and detecting a second plurality of echo signals emitted by the first slice after the second excitation pulse.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel agents that modulate AhR activity for use in therapeutic compositions and methods thereof for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The agents comprise AhR inhibitors or non-constitutive AhR agonists of Formula (I) and (II) for the inhibition of cancer cell growth and parameters that characterize tumor metastasis, such as tumor cell invasiveness.

Abstract: Practical and rapid methods for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have long been sought particularly because of the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and because standard culture methods are not practical given the long incubation periods needed and the growing prevalence of drug resistant strains.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making a megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP), comprising differentiating a stem cell into a MEP in culture in the presence of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. In some embodiments the stem cell is a pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments the MEP co-expresses CD41 and CD235. In some embodiments the number of MEPs produced in the culture increases exponentially. Methods of making a red blood cell (RBC) by culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR agonist are also provided. Methods of making a megakaryocyte and/or a platelet, comprising culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR antagonist. This disclosure also provides compositions comprising at least 1 million MEPs per ml and compositions in which at least 50% of the cells are MEPs.

Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery of a polypeptide of soluble CD23 (sCD23) that binds and sequesters IgE. Thus, the sCD23 peptides, polypeptides and derivatives described herein are useful for treating conditions or disorders involving increased IgE levels such as e.g., allergy, anaphylaxis, inflammation, lymphoma, and certain cancers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the fields of cancer therapy and cancer prevention. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a diagnostic marker for predicting the efficacy of topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods, machines, computer systems, computable readable media and kits which can be used to identify and determine the effectiveness of topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors in the treatment of cancers, and in some embodiments, the level of sensitivity or resistance of a tumor cell to a topoisomerase I inhibitor, such as camptothecin (CPT), or CTP analogues such as topotecan and irinotecan and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery of a polypeptide of soluble CD23 (sCD23) that binds and sequesters IgE. Thus, the sCD23 peptides, polypeptides and derivatives described herein are useful for treating conditions or disorders involving increased IgE levels such as e.g., allergy, anaphylaxis, inflammation, lymphoma, and certain cancers.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a single lentiviral vector expressing multiple individual transcription factor proteins from a single multi-cistronic mRNA can reprogram a fibroblast cell to a stem cell-like cell. These reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are pluripotent. Additions of the Cre-LoxP sequences into the single lentiviral vector facilitate excision of the vector after reprogramming in achieved. Addition of a maker gene into the single lentiviral vector facilitates detection of the presence of the vector in an iPS. The invention provides compositions and methods of producing iPS cells using a single multi-cistronic lentiviral vector.