Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, in particular, organoid compositions, derived from more than one donor cell. Further disclosed are methods of making compositions, for example, organoid compositions, that comprise a differentiated cell population derived from more than one donor cell. Donor cells may include, for example, a precursor cell such as an embryonic stem cell or other precursor cell. The disclosed methods use synchronization conditions to produce a synchronized pooled-precursor cell population, which may then be differentiated into an organoid composition. Methods of using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are virus-like particle (VLP)-based bivalent vaccine compositions. The compositions may comprise a spherical retroviral Group-specific Antigen (“Gag”) protein core and at least two Ebola glycoproteins. The at least two Ebola glycoproteins may be located at the exterior surface of the spherical Gag protein core, such that the VLP-based vaccine presents at least two Ebola glycoprotein antigens. In one aspect, the at least two Ebola glycoproteins are a Zaire (EBOV) glycoprotein, and a Sudan (SUDV) glycoprotein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing, monitoring, and optionally treating eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and/or eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), the methods comprising assaying one or more tissue, serum, or plasma biomarkers in a biological sample from the subject.

Abstract: A small molecule compound IODVA1 has been found to have cellular inhibitory activity against several transformed cell lines including Ras-driven cells. IODVA1 decreases cell-cell and cell-extra cellular matrix interactions and reduces growth of Ras-driven tumors. Applicants also synthesized compound NIRA2 and showed in vitro and in vivo efficacy and potency against models of Ph+(BCR-ABL1) B-ALL and of colon adenocarcinoma xenografts.

Abstract: A method for detecting blood-tissue barrier breakdown or disruption is provided. The method includes acquiring first image data of a target region of a subject with a predetermined spatial resolution; administrating exogenous or endogenous tracer into the subject; acquiring second image data of the target region with the predetermined spatial resolution after administration of the tracer; differentiating healthy tissue and pathological tissue with blood-tissue barrier breakdown in the target region based on the first image data and the second image data; and visualizing or analyzing the blood-tissue barrier breakdown of pathological tissue based on the differentiation.

Abstract: A self-expandable double-sided surgical implant including a peripheral pocket receiving an expansion ring. The surgical implant may be used for the correction of congenital diaphragmatic hernias.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing SPINK7 activity in a target tissue of a subject by inhibiting urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) proteolytic activity in the target tissue, and related methods and compositions.

Abstract: The generation of complex organ tissues from human embryonic and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) remains a major challenge for translational studies. It is shown that PSCs can be directed to differentiate into intestinal tissue in vitro by modulating the combinatorial activities of several signaling pathways in a step-wise fashion, effectively recapitulating in vivo fetal intestinal development. The resulting intestinal “organoids” were three-dimensional structures consisting of a polarized, columnar epithelium surrounded by mesenchyme that included a smooth muscle-like layer. The epithelium was patterned into crypt-like SOX9-positive proliferative zones and villus-like structures with all of the major functional cell types of the intestine. The culture system is used to demonstrate that expression of NEUROG3, a pro-endocrine transcription factor mutated in enteric anendocrinosis is sufficient to promote differentiation towards the enteroendocrine cell lineage.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of inducing formation of a gastric cells and/or a gastric tissue, such as in the form of a gastric organoid. The formation of gastric cells and/or tissue may be carried out by the activating and/or inhibiting of one or more signaling pathways within a precursor cell. Also disclosed are methods for using the disclosed gastric cells, gastric tissues, and/or gastric organoids derived from precursor cells.

Abstract: A method for spatial resolution enhanced imaging is provided. The method includes determining a target region of a subject being imaged; estimating an achievable spatial resolution; selecting an increased spatial resolution that is greater than a predetermined spatial resolution and equal to or less than the achievable spatial resolution; and acquiring image data of the target region with the increased spatial resolution. A method for enhancing the contrast between the region of interest and other tissue region in the image data acquired with the increased spatial resolution and other tissue region in image data acquired with the predetermined spatial resolution due to the intrinsic partial volume effect is also provided.

Abstract: A method or system for assessing a patient response to a cancer treatment is provided. The method or system includes acquiring at least one base-line radiological image related to a patient immediately before a treatment, acquiring at least one follow-up radiological image during or after the treatment at a predetermined time interval, estimating a first number of specific tumor cells in a region of interest of the patient based on image features of the base-line radiological image using an algorithm or a model, estimating a second number of specific tumor cells in the region of interest of the patient based on image features of the follow-up radiological image using the algorithm or the model, obtaining a difference between the first number of specific tumor cells and the second number of specific tumor cells, and classifying a treatment response to a cancer based on the difference.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for detecting long-range cis-regulatory element (CRE) activities in a nucleic acid molecule obtained from a cell sample, the system comprising: one or more components for measuring multi-omics from a single nucleic acid molecule obtained from the cell sample, wherein the multi-omics measurements comprise one or more of: three-dimensional chromosomal conformation, CpG methylation, GpC accessibility, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); or one or more combinations thereof, and one or more components for measuring a transcriptome of the cell sample; wherein the system is capable of profiling a plurality of long-range CREs within the nucleic acid molecule obtained from the cell sample.

Abstract: Provided are methods for increasing SPINK7 anti-proteinase activity in a target tissue of a subject having an allergic inflammatory condition characterized by inflammation of a squamous epithelium in the target tissue, the method comprising inhibiting kallikrein 5 (KLK5) proteinase activity in the target tissue. Suitable KLK5 inhibitors may include a KLK5-Fc fusion protein, a KLK5 anti-sense polynucleotide, a KLK5-directed miRNA, a KLK5-directed shRNA, a KLK5-directed antibody, or a coumarin compound such as 3-(3-chlorophenyl) carboxy-7-hydroxymethyl coumarin or 3-carboxy-7-hydroxymethyl coumarin.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting inflammation with milk oligosaccharides or glycoconjugates containing the oligosaccharides.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include polypeptides comprising a myomerger polypeptide or an extracellular myomerger polypeptide. Other embodiments of the invention include nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides comprising a myomerger polypeptide or an extracellular myomerger polypeptide. Other embodiments of the invention include vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule. Yet other embodiments of the invention include methods of using a myomerger poly peptide or an extracellular myomerger polypeptide. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for assessing a learning network (LN). Aspects may include collecting data related to an organization to be assessed, analyzing the data with respect to a set of indicators associated with an organizational ontology of an actor-oriented architecture (AOA), determining a strength of LN capabilities for each indicator in the set of indicators, generating a dashboard to graphically communicate at least one summary-statistic indicative of a strength of at least one LN capability.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for pain management in the perioperative context, particularly through the use of the DNA methylation status of the human OPRM1 gene as a biomarker for increased susceptibility to perioperative pain, and related methods and compositions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to create and/or enhance thermal gradients in a body of cryogenic liquid contained in a vessel that is actively cooled by a cryocooler is provided. With such apparatus and/or methods temperature in one part of the body of liquid can be made lower than the temperature in another part of the body of liquid. Thus, the apparatus and/or methods enables cryogenic operation of a device at a temperature that is below that of the boiling point of the cryogenic liquid while simultaneously allowing the liquid to be at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to obviate the risk of air entering the cryogenic space. These apparatus and/or methods may find use in cryogenic systems used for magnetic resonance imaging, cyclotrons for radioisotope generation, cyclotrons for radiation therapy, high-energy particle accelerators, magnet systems for crystal growth and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for enhancing an immune response in an individual in need thereof. The methods, in certain aspects, may comprise administering bacterial aldehyde dehydrogenase, a bacteria that produces aldehyde dehydrogenase, or combinations thereof to an individual. Further disclosed are compositions, such as nutritional compositions, which may comprise bacterial aldehyde dehydrogenase, a bacteria that produces aldehyde dehydrogenase, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of treating a neurodegenerative disease in an individual. The methods disclose administration of an Integrin ?4?1, Very Late Antigen-4 positive neural precursor cell (“VLA4+NPC”) transfected with a lentivirus overexpressing wild type GCase to an individual having a neurodegenerative disorder. The neurodegenerative disease may include lipid storage diseases, for example Gaucher disease, Parkinson's disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy bodies.