Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bifunctional linker for coupling at least one functional moiety, preferably a bis-allyl propionic acid (BAPA), to a polymer-containing matrix. Also disclosed by the present disclosure are anhydrides of the bifunctional linker, processes for preparing the bifunctional linker and such anhydride, as well as surfaces, such as cellulose containing matrices, coupled with the bifunctional linker, at times, the latter carrying a functional agent.

Abstract: An optical cavity includes a ring defining an internal boundary and an external boundary, at least one of which is periodically modulated to define a gear-shaped configuration including a plurality of teeth, thereby enabling a plurality of slow-light modes. At least one physical defect may be defined within the periodically modulated internal boundary and/or external boundary to thereby enable at least one localized mode. At least one waveguide is coupled to the ring.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomaterials, including engineered living materials (ELMs), comprising a plurality of microbial cells, wherein the material has a Young's Modulus of at least 5 Gpa; and methods of fabricating said biomaterials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating satellite cells and compositions including satellite cells.

Abstract: Microvesicles produced by stem cells grown on a silk scaffold for enhancing stem cell self-renewal/proliferation and promoting tenogenesis in damaged tendons, and their use in tendon wound repair and tendinopathy treatment. Also provided are compositions containing the microvesicles and devices for obtaining them.

Abstract: There is provided a method for distinguishing between sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in a patient, comprising: (i) determining the amount of one or more biomarker for sepsis, and one or more biomarker for SIRS in a sample obtained from a patient, wherein the one or more biomarker for sepsis is selected from the group consisting of: ITGB3, ITGA2B, MYL9, LCN2, TREML1, LCN15, CMTM5, PPBP, and PF4; and the one or more biomarker for SIRS is selected from the group consisting of: PLA2G7, ARHGEF10L, MYCL, TGFBI, and GPR124, (ii) comparing the amount of the one or more biomarker for sepsis determined in said sample in (i) to a corresponding reference value representative of a healthy individual, (iii) comparing the amount of the one or more biomarker for SIRS determined in said sample in (i) to a corresponding reference value representative of a healthy individual; wherein the patient is diagnosed as having sepsis, when an increase is observed in the one or more biomarker for sepsis, and no

Abstract: Compositions that inhibit the HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) and methods of use thereof are provided. The disclosed compositions have inhibitory activity against Vif function and restore A3G enzymatic activity. The disclosed compositions may be used to treat and/or prevent infection and transmission of viruses (such as HIV), to inhibit the function of Vif in a cell, to inhibit viral infectivity in a cell, and to inhibit replication of a virus. Methods of identifying Vif inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of detecting an analyte in a sample by associating the sample with an electrode that includes a metal-organic framework. After association, the redox properties of the electrode are evaluated. Thereafter, the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample is detected by correlating the redox properties of the electrode to the presence or absence of the analyte. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to electrodes that include a metal-organic framework and an electrode surface. In particular embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal-organic framework is associated with the electrode surface. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the electrodes of the present disclosure by associating a metal-organic framework with an electrode surface. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of mixing the metal-organic framework with a polymer.

Abstract: Engineered bacteria that secrete therapeutic polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bacteria, methods for producing recombinant polypeptides, and methods for using the bacteria for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes are provided.

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: The present disclosure relates to a new T-cell receptor (TCR), in particular at least one complementarity-determining region (CDR) thereof; a T-cell expressing said TCR; a clone expressing said TCR; a vector encoding said TCR; a soluble version of said TCR; a pharmaceutical composition or immunogenic agent or bispecific or vaccine comprising said TCR, said cell, said clone or said vector; said TCR or said cell or said clone or said vector or said pharmaceutical composition or immunogenic agent or bispecific or vaccine for use in the treatment of cancer; a method of treating cancer using said TCR, said cell, said clone, said vector, said pharmaceutical composition, immunogenic agent, bispecific or vaccine comprising said TCR; and a ligand with which said TCR binds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating mature cardiomyocytes and compositions including mature cardiomyocytes. Also disclosed herein are methods for enhancing maturation of quiescent cardiomyocytes and compositions including mature quiescent cardiomyocytes.

Abstract: Methods of pairing devices wirelessly that include matching received-signal-strength information regarding signal-strength patterns received by differing devices desired to be paired. In some embodiments, signal-strength patterns are based on a user moving an object so as to intentionally create multipath Fresnel-zone propagation disturbances. During pairing, the devices exchange their received-signal-strength information with one another and compare the received-signal-strength information that they receive from another device to the received-signal-strength information that they generated themselves based on the multipath Fresnel-zone propagation disturbances. When the two sets of receive-signal-strength information substantially match one another, the devices determine the presence of a trusted relationship. Methods for assisting with the wireless pairing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a motor for a magnetic resonance (MR) tomography room, to a patient table for the MR room, to a MR elastography device, and to a MR tomography device. A MR tomography device for a MR elastography imaging protocol is arranged within the MR tomography room, and includes a rotational drive for supplying rotational energy to power a MR elastography transducer usable during the MR elastography imaging protocol, and a support structure. The rotational drive comprises a terminal for connecting the MR elastography transducer to the rotational drive, and a bearing means configured such that the position of the terminal relative to the support structure is adaptable along a trajectory predetermined by the bearing means. The rotational drive is mounted to the support structure via the bearing means.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of optically detecting an analyte in a medium as the analyte moves with respect to a nanopore. The analyte may be, for example, a biological molecule such as a polynucleotide or polypeptide. Systems and apparatuses for carrying our such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel Compound (1) having tumor vascular remodeling effect and/or anti-CAF (Cancer Associated Fibroblasts) activity, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: A respiratory tidal volume monitor and feedback device (RTVMFD) comprising a frame, a flow channel tube attached to the frame, a mass flow sensor disposed on the flow channel tube to detect air flow through the flow channel tube, a microcontroller unit attached to the frame and electrically connected to the mass flow sensor via a bus, the microcontroller unit having a system processor, a system memory, and a system clock, a visual display attached to a top of the frame, the visual display being electrically connected to the bus. According to a further embodiment, the RTVMFD further comprises an audio output attached to the frame and electrically connected to the bus.

Abstract: The invention provides polymer compositions for cell and drug delivery.

Abstract: Provided are supramolecular polypseudorotaxane hydrogel compositions and 3-D structures capable of reversible 3-D structural deformation which include (a) a solvent; (b) an at least partially linear polymer, where the polymer further comprises groups capable of covalent crosslinking between the polymers; (ii) at least one first macrocyclic ring which forms a pseudorotaxane with a polymer in the polymer network; and (iii) at least one second macrocyclic ring that does not form the pseudorotaxane. The hydrogel composition has a viscosity which allows for 3-D printing of the hydrogel to form a 3-D structure, and a storage (elastic) modulus after crosslinking that allows for the 3-D structure to undergo reversible 3-D structural deformation upon change of solvent conditions. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the compositions and 3-D structures.

Abstract: Forced expression of a handful of transcription factors (TFs) can induce conversions between cell identities; however, the extent to which TFs can alter cell identity has not been systematically assessed. Here, we assembled a human TFome, a comprehensive expression library of 1,578 human TF clones with full coverage of the major TF families. By systematically screening the human TFome, we identified 77 individual TFs that induce loss of human-induced-pluripotent-stem-cell (hiPSC) identity, suggesting a pervasive ability for TFs to alter cell identity. Using large-scale computational cell type classification trained on thousands of tissue expression profiles, we identified cell types generated by these TFs with high efficiency and speed, without additional selections or mechanical perturbations. TF expression in adult human tissues only correlated with some of the cell lineage generated, suggesting more complexity than observation studies can explain.