Abstract: A system and method are provided for harvesting target biological substances. The system includes a substrate and a first and second channel formed in the substrate. The channels longitudinally extending substantially parallel to each other. A series of gaps extend from the first channel to the second channel to create a fluid communication path passing between a series of columns with the columns being longitudinally separated by a predetermined separation distance. The system also includes a first source configured to selectively introduce into the first channel a first biological composition at a first channel flow rate and a second source configured to selectively introduce into the second channel a second biological composition at a second channel flow rate. The sources are configured to create a differential between the first and second channel flow rates to generate physiological shear rates along the second channel that are bounded within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A population of Brown adipose tissue (BAT) cells generated from embryonic stem cells (ES) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), called iBAT, the use thereof, methods to obtain iBAT by directed differentiation of ES/iPS, and media compositions to obtain iBAT.

Abstract: Certain embodiments comprise administering a residence structure to a subject (e.g., a patient) such that the residence structure is retained at a location internal to the subject for a particular amount of time (e.g., at least about 24 hours) before being released. In certain embodiments, the structure has a modular design, combining a material configured for controlled release of therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or enhancement agents with a structural material necessary for gastric residence but configured for controlled and/or tunable degradation/dissolution to determine the time at which retention shape integrity is lost and the structure passes out of the gastric cavity. For example, in certain embodiments, the residence structure comprises a first elastic component, a second component configured to release an active substance, and, optionally, a linker. In some such embodiments, the linker may be configured to degrade.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to Herpes simplex-2 viruses that may be used in vaccines to immunize patients against genital herpes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods for insufflating abdomens of subjects under direct visualization. Such devices and methods, in some implementations, include features for cleaning the devices, and certain implementations of the methods permit procedures wherein it is not necessary to use a typical obturator to place a cannula, resulting in safer procedures.

Abstract: Fusion protein nanodisk compositions and methods of treating a variety of disorders by administration of the fusion protein nanodisk compositions to a patient in need are disclosed. The fusion protein nanodisks provide for the combined delivery of two different apolipoproteins to a subject in need. Fusion protein nanodiscs may include a phospholipid bilayer encompassed by a fusion membrane scaffold protein. The fusion membrane scaffold protein may include two different amphipathic alpha-helical proteins, such as apolipoproteins. Methods for treating a disorder by administering a therapeutic amount of the fusion protein nanodisc described above are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application provides pyridine, pyrimidine, and pyrazine derivatives that activate excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), and methods of using the derivatives for treating or preventing diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with glutamate excitotoxicity.

Abstract: Articles and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject are described. These articles and methods may be useful, in some cases, for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the colon of a subject. In some embodiments, an article is configured to release a secretion inducing agent e.g., to stimulate the release of intestinal fluids. The article, in some embodiments, comprises a therapeutic agent such that the stimulated release of intestinal fluid increases the amount of therapeutic agent available for absorption by the colon. For example, in some embodiments, the articles and methods described herein advantageously promote increased absorption of therapeutic agents in subjects as compared to traditionally administered therapeutic agents without additional components such as a secretion inducing agent. In some embodiments, articles and methods described herein may increase the motility of the colon of a subject.

Abstract: Self-righting articles, such as self-righting capsules for administration to a subject, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may be configured such that the article may orient itself relative to a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). The self-righting articles described herein may comprise one or more tissue engaging surfaces configured to engage (e.g., interface with, inject into, anchor) with a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). In some embodiments, the self-righting article may have a particular shape and/or distribution of density (or mass) which, for example, enables the self-righting behavior of the article. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may comprise a tissue interfacing component and/or a pharmaceutical agent (e.g., for delivery of the active pharmaceutical agent to a location internal of the subject).

Abstract: Method and compositions for inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells comprised by a cochlear cell population, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are TRPC5 inhibitors and methods of using the same, e.g., to protect podocytes and/or treat kidney disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of dysbiosis and associated conditions. In particular, described herein are microbial consortia, including monotherapies or minimal microbial consortia, that can prevent and/or cure dysbiosis and associated conditions. In certain embodiments, the therapy comprises Subdoligranulum variabile. In certain embodiments, the microbial consortia comprise certain members of the taxa Clostridiales, Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and/or Parabacteroides.

Abstract: Self-righting articles, such as self-righting capsules for administration to a subject, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may be configured such that the article may orient itself relative to a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). The self-righting articles described herein may comprise one 5 or more tissue engaging surfaces configured to engage (e.g., interface with, inject into, anchor) with a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). In some embodiments, the self-righting article may have a particular shape and/or distribution of density (or mass) which, for example, enables the self-righting behavior of the article. In certain embodiments, the self-righting article a tissuel0 interfacing components. In some embodiments, each tissue-interfacing component may comprise an electrically-conductive portion configured for electrical communication with tissue and an insulative portion configured to not be in electrical communication with tissue.

Abstract: Triggerable hydrogel compositions and related methods are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the compositions and related methods may be used for medical-related or other applications. For example, the compositions and methods described herein may be useful, for example, in biomedical applications such as articles for (e.g., gastric) retention. In some embodiments, methods for deploying and/or removing an article comprising the composition, such as an article for gastric retention, are provided. The article and/or composition may be removed internally from a subject by, for example, introducing at least one reagent (e.g., one reagent, two reagents) such that at least a portion of the composition disassociates. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a polymer network comprising two or more interpenetrating polymers. In some cases, a first polymer comprises a first cross-link moiety configured to dissociate upon interaction with a reagent.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of food allergy. In particular, described herein are microbial consortia, including minimal microbial consortia, that can prevent and/or cure food allergy. In certain embodiments, the consortia comprise certain members of the taxa Clostridiales and/or Bacteroidetes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for the use of treating and/or preventing vaginal bacterial infection and promoting healthy vaginal flora. Aspects of the invention relate to administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a bacterial mixture of L. crispatus, L. gasseri, and L. jensenii.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting Krüppel-like Factor 10 (KLF10) for modulation of T regulatory cells and cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the identification of novel methods for defining predictive biomarkers of response to anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment, prevention, or reduction of persistent infections, such as chronic infections, latent infections, and slow infections and cancer. The methods and compositions of the invention are also useful for the alleviation of one or more symptoms associated with such infections and cancer.

Abstract: Residence structures, systems, and related methods are generally provided. Certain embodiments comprise administering (e.g., orally) a residence structure to a subject (e.g., a patient) such that the residence structure is retained at a location internal to the subject for a particular amount of time (e.g., at least about 24 hours) before being released. The residence structure may be, in some cases, a gastric residence structure. In some embodiments, the structures and systems described herein comprise one or more materials configured for high levels of active substances (e.g., a therapeutic agent) loading, high active substance and/or structure stability in acidic environments, mechanical flexibility and strength in an internal orifice (e.g., gastric cavity), easy passage through the GI tract until delivery to at a desired internal orifice (e.g., gastric cavity), and/or rapid dissolution/degradation in a physiological environment (e.g., intestinal environment) and/or in response to a chemical stimulant (e.