Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-healing asphalt binder composition comprising i) an asphalt binder, ii) an oxetane substituted polysaccharide, and iii) a polyurethane, as well as asphalts comprising said self-healing asphalt binder and an asphalt mixture. Also disclosed are methods of making the self-healing asphalt binder.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines for treating or preventing a herpes simplex virus infection and methods of using and making the vaccine. Further provided are recombinant herpes simplex virus genomes, recombinant viruses, and immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: An electrochemical method and an electrochemical sensor for breath analysis of single or multiple analytes using a porous, preferably flexible and disposable supporting material is provided, a salt is incorporated, and which can be wetted in contact with the exhaled breath condensate. The electrochemical method acting simultaneously as sampling method, as an electrolyte and as a support for the electrode structures. In some embodiments the salt may be hygroscopic, such that the porous substrate stays wet. To ensure that the obtained signal originates from the analyte, the electrochemical sensor preferably exhibits a differential electrode design, including a sensing (analyte-sensitive) and a blank (analyte-insensitive) electrode in order to isolate and remove the background signals.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for producing a plurality of droplets. The droplets may contain varying species, e.g., for use as a library. In some cases, the fluidic droplets may be rigidified to form rigidified droplets (e.g., gel droplets). In certain embodiments, the droplets may undergo a phase change (e.g., from rigidified droplets to fluidized droplets), as discussed more herein. In some cases, a species may be added internally to a droplet by exposing the droplet to a fluid comprising a plurality of species.

Abstract: An organ-on-chip device for monitoring a biological function and including a membrane layer located at an interface region between a top microchannel and the a microchannel. The membrane includes a first type of cells forming a barrier between the top microchannel and the bottom microchannel. The device further includes a top layer having a first plurality of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement electrodes for enabling direct monitoring of cell function and electrical activity of the first type of cells on the membrane. The device also has a multi-electrode array (MEA) layer with a second plurality of TEER measurement electrodes for enabling direct monitoring of cell function and electrical activity of a second type of cells on the MEA layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a specific peptide combination. The peptide combination may be present in a pharmaceutically acceptable composition. The peptide combination can be used in the therapy or prevention of Type 1 Diabetes (TID). The invention also relates to a method of diagnosing or determining treatment efficacy, the method utilising the specific peptide combination.

Abstract: The specification provides methods for introducing a desired genetic change in a nucleotide sequence using a double-strand break (DSB)-inducing genome editing system, the method comprising: identifying one or more available cut sites in a nucleotide sequence; analyzing the nucleotide sequence and available cut sites with a computational model to identify the optimal cut site for introducing the desired genetic change into the nucleotide sequence; and contacting the nucleotide sequence with a DSB-inducing genome editing system, thereby introducing the desired genetic change in the nucleotide sequence at the cut site.

Abstract: Methods of treating a cancer, comprising administering to a subject: (i) a virus comprising nucleic acid encoding an antigen-binding molecule comprising: (a) an antigen-binding moiety specific for an immune cell surface molecule, and (b) an antigen-binding moiety specific for a cancer cell antigen; and (ii) an oncolytic virus, and/or (iii) at least one cell comprising a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for a cancer cell antigen are disclosed. Also disclosed are articles and compositions for use in such methods.

Abstract: This document discloses a novel class of compounds for inhibiting bacterial growth and treating bacterial infection. The compounds target a key step of the futalosine pathway and therefore are effective for the selective inhibition of certain bacterial species and genera with reduced side effect in comparison with conventional antibiotics.

Abstract: A composition for wound healing, comprising an amount of a macrophage proresolving polarizer, wherein the amount is effective to promote wound healing. The composition includes wherein the macrophage proresolving polarizer is lipin-1. The composition includes wherein the composition includes one, two, or three of IL-4, apoptotic cells (ACs), and AC derived lipids. The composition includes wherein the macrophage proresolving polarizer is a lipin-1 transcriptional coregulatory activity promoter. The composition includes, wherein the lipin-1 transcriptional coregulatory activity promoter is an inhibitor of lipin-1 macrophage pro-inflammatory responses enzymatic activity. A method for promoting wound healing, comprising contacting a wound on a skin of a mammal with the composition. A kit comprising one or more containers including the composition in sterile packaging.

Abstract: Provided are a thermoelectric material, and a thermoelectric element and a thermoelectric module, each including the thermoelectric material. The thermoelectric material, according to some embodiments includes an n-doped metal halide compound having a zero-dimensional (0D) electronic system. The thermoelectric material has a significantly low electrical thermal conductivity and improved electron conductivity and thus may enhance thermoelectrical performance.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a prepulse inhibition (PPI) assay comprising the steps of, administering a tactile prepulse to a human subject, administering a startle stimulus to the subject, and measuring the subject's response to the startle stimulus. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for evaluating tactile hypersensitivity and/or sensorimotor impairment in a human subject, comprising, administering to the subject a PPI assay according to any one of the preceding claims, comparing the assay results to neuro-typical controls, and determining the degree of tactile hypersensitivity and/or sensorimotor impairment in the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes pan-SUMO trapping proteins and fusion proteins comprising the pan-SUMO trapping proteins that are stable and bind SUMO-modified proteins with high avidity. The proteins described herein can be used to detect the localization of SUMO-modified proteins cells. The proteins described herein can be used to identify biomarkers for diseases associated with oxidative stress. They can also be used to diagnose and monitor diseases associated with genotoxic and/or proteotoxic stress conditions.

Abstract: In a nanopore sensor, a nanopore disposed in a support structure has a nanopore diameter and nanopore resistance, RPore. A fluidic passage, disposed in fluidic connection between a first fluidic reservoir and the nanopore, has a cross-sectional extent, along at least a portion of the fluidic passage length, that is greater than the diameter of the nanopore and that is less than the fluidic passage length. The fluidic passage has a fluidic passage resistance, RFP, of at least about 10% of the nanopore resistance, RPore, and no more than about 10 times the nanopore resistance, RPore. The nanopore is disposed in fluidic connection between the fluidic passage and a second fluidic reservoir. At least one electrical transduction element is disposed at the fluidic passage and electrically connected to produce an indication of electrical potential local to the fluidic passage.

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: Methods and compositions are disclosed for rapid functional analysis of gene variants based on analysis of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for high-throughput, single cell analyses are provided. The methods and compositions can be used for analysis of genomes and transcriptomes, as well as antibody discovery, HLA typing, haplotyping and drug discovery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern systems, methods, and/or compositions for cultivation of mammalian viruses, including at least human noroviruses and sapoviruses within the Caliciviridae family of viruses. The ex vivo culture systems include intestinal enteroids in combination with bile or a functionally active fraction or component thereof. In specific embodiments, the culture system is utilized to test inactivation compounds for therapeutic or environmental efficacy and to test contaminated comestibles and/or environmental entities for determination of the presence of infectious virus. Furthermore, antiviral compositions may be tested using systems of the disclosure, including drugs, small molecule inhibitors, and biologics such as neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects are high efficiency gene editing methods in bacterial cells using single-stranded annealing proteins and/or single-stranded binding proteins.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of preventing and/or reducing the risk or severity of an allergic reaction in an individual. In some embodiments, particular small molecules are employed for prevention and/or reduction in the risk or severity of anaphylaxis. In at least particular cases, the small molecules are inhibitors of STAT3. In some cases, the small molecule comprises N-(1?,2-dihydroxy-1,2?-binaphthalen-4?-yl)-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide.