Abstract: The inventors have determined that increasing the expression level or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject, which can be provided by expression of nucleic acids encoding FKBP-L or by providing FKBP-L polypeptides to a subject is advantageous for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders. In particular increased expression or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject may be used to treat excessive weight gain (which can be characterised as obesity), glucose intolerance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. FKBP-L can also be used as a biomarker for obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides comprising a sequence of X-6X-5X-4X-3X-2X-1X1PX3X4PX6X7PGX10X11AX13X14X15X16LX18X19X20X21X22X23LX25X26YLX29X30X31X32 (SEQ ID NO: 13) wherein the amino acids X?6, X?5, X?4, X?3, X?2, X?1, X1, X3, X4, X6, X7, X10, X11, X13, X14, X15, X16, X18, X19, X20, X21, X22, X25, X26, X29, X30, X31, and X32 are as defined herein. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and methods of using the peptides for treating proliferative diseases such as cancer which are associated with Ras. Also provided are methods of screening a library of peptide dimers using a peptide dimer display technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to arranging atoms into 1D and/or 2D arrays; exciting the atoms into Rydberg states and evolving the array of atoms, for example, using laser manipulation techniques and high-fidelity laser systems described herein; and observing the resulting final state. In addition, refinements can be made, such as providing high fidelity and coherent control of the assembled array of atoms. Exemplary problems can be solved using the systems and methods for arrangement and control of atoms.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for segmenting an input image, the method comprises: generating a first segmentation of the input image using a first machine learning system, the first segmentation comprising multiple segments; receiving, from a user, at least one indication, wherein each indication corresponds to a particular segment from the multiple segments, and indicates one or more locations of the input image as belonging to that particular segment; constructing, for each segment of the multiple segments having at least one corresponding indication, a respective geodesic distance map, based on the input image and the user indications received for that segment; and generating a second segmentation using a second machine learning system based on the input image and the constructed geodesic distance maps.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides certain silk-fibroin compositions with particular characteristics and/or properties. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides low molecular weight compositions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides silk fibroin compositions that comprise an active (e.g., a biological) agent or component. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides low molecular weight silk fibroin compositions that comprise an active (e.g., a biological) agent or component. In some embodiments, an active agent is stabilized in a silk composition, e.g., for a period of time and/or against certain conditions or events. In some embodiments, a component present in a silk fibroin composition may be subject to analysis and/or characterization. In some embodiments, a component present in a silk fibroin composition may be recovered from the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic leathers, artificial epidermal layers, artificial dermal layers, layered structures, products produced therefrom and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: Provided are isolated antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind CEACAM1, including the IgV domain of CEACAM1, as well as pharmaceutical formulations, kits, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods of preparing an acidic catalyst are disclosed that include heating a metal halide to produce a vapor phase metal halide, contacting an initial support material with the vapor phase metal halide in a reaction vessel causing a first chemical reaction and producing an intermediate acidic catalyst, contacting the intermediate acidic catalyst with HBr causing a second chemical reaction and producing an acidic catalyst product which is both more acidic than the intermediate acidic catalyst and more acidic than the initial support material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for delivering therapeutic, diagnostic or interventional moieties, such as complex and simple entities such as biologies, including at least cells, for example. The methods employ targeted delivery by employing at least one ALCAM-binding moiety on the therapeutic, diagnostic or interventional moiety to be delivered. In specific cases, the ALCAM-binding moiety is present on or with the therapeutic moiety in multiple iterations. In certain embodiments, the ALCAM-binding moiety comprises at least one SRCR domain from CD6 and a stalk, such as from CD6, of the secretable or molecular form thereof.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making magnetic nanoparticles through the utilization of a microfluidic reactor. In some embodiments, the microfluidic reactor includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. In some embodiments, the method includes applying a magnetic nanoparticle precursor solution into the first inlet of the microfluidic reactor through a first flow rate and applying a reducing agent into the second inlet of the microfluidic reactor through a second flow rate. In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are produced in the microfluidic reactor and collected from the outlet of the microfluidic reactor. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composition including a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a microfluidic reactor.

Abstract: The present specification provides compositions and methods that are capable of directly installing an insertion or deletion of a given nucleotide at a specified genetic locus. The compositions and methods involve the novel combination of the use an engineered RNA enzyme (i.e., “ribozyme”) that is capable of site-specifically inserting or deleting a single nucleotide at a genetic locus and the use of a nucleic acid programmable DNA binding protein (napDNAbp) (e.g., Cas9) to target the engineered ribozyme to a specified genetic locus, thereby allowing for the direct installation of an insertion of deletion at the specified genetic locus by the engineered ribozyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to parasites, and to methods for purifying a metabolically active obligate parasite of vertebrates and arthropods. The invention is especially concerned with methods of purifying Plasmodium and Theileria parasites, such as P. falciparum and T. parva, and highly motile parasite forms thereof, called sporozoites. The invention also relates to obligate parasites of vertebrates and arthropods purified by the methods of the invention and their use thereof.

Abstract: A method for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including stimulating the animal using a stimulus device; collecting data from the animal using a data collection device; analyzing the collected data; and developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A system for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including a stimulus device for stimulating the animal; a data collection device for collecting data from the animal; a device for analyzing the collected data; and a device for developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A computer implemented method, a computer system and a nontransitory computer readable storage medium related to the same. Also, a method and apparatus for automatically discovering, characterizing and classifying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area. Further, use of a depth camera and/or a touch sensitive device related to the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to spatially modulating the light source used in microscopy. In some cases, a light source projects a sequence of two-dimensional spatial patterns onto a sample using a spatial light modulator. In some cases, the spatial patterns are based on Hadamard matrices. In some cases, an imaging device captures frames of image data in response to light emitted by the sample and orthogonal components of the image data are analyzed by cross-correlating the image data with the spatial pattern associated with each frame. A microscope may be calibrated by illuminating a sample with the sequence of spatial patterns, capturing image data, and storing calibration that maps each pixel of the spatial light modulator to at least one pixel of the imaging device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides immunogenic compositions and methods of producing immunogenic compositions sufficient to produce an antigen-specific immune response against variant influenza virus strains. Also provided herein are methods of identifying drug-resistant influenza virus strains.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapy. More specifically, the present invention pertains to certain substituted 4-[5-(benzofuran-2-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]benzoic acid compounds (collectively referred to herein as BOBA compounds), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising those compounds, for use in a method of treatment or prevention of neuropathic pain.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a cardiac pacemaker for implantation within a subject is provided, the pacemaker including a housing, at least one sensor configured to detect an activity level of the subject, and at least one processor coupled to the sensor configured to detect inactivity of the subject based on output from the at least one sensor, produce a first signal configured to increase the heart rate of the subject to a first heart rate during a first time period, wherein the first heart rate is above a resting heart rate and below 100 beats per minute, and in response to determining that the first time period has elapsed, producing a second signal configured to increase the heart rate of the subject to a second heart rate during a second time period, wherein the second heart rate is between 100 and 140 beats per minute.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to inhibiting bile salt hydrolase (BSH) and uses thereof. Provided herein is a method for treating a metabolic disorder (e.g., diabetes, obesity), gastrointestinal disease (e.g., a gastrointestinal infection; inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); appendicitis; Crohn's disease (CD); ulcerative colitis (UC); gastritis; enteritis; esophagitis; pancreatitis; diabetes; hepatitis; liver diseases (e.g., Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD); non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); hepatitis A; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; autoimmune hepatitis; and cirrhosis of the liver) gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); celiac disease; diverticulitis; food intolerance; ulcer; infectious colitis; irritable bowel syndrome; leaky gut; and cancer), cancer (e.g., cancer of the digestive system, liver cancer), or an inflammatory disease (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to imaging cells, for example, to determine phenotypes and/or genotypes in populations of cells, e.g., to build genotype-phenotype corresponse for high-throughput screening. In some cases, the cells may be manipulated, e.g., using CRISPR or other techniques. In certain embodiments, nucleic acids may be introduced to the cell, e.g., using a lentivirus. The nucleic acids may contain a guide portion comprising a DNA or RNA recognition sequence, a reporter portion, and an identification portion comprising one or more read sequences. The guide portion may be used to alter the phenotype of the cells, e.g., using a sequence, e.g., an sgRNA sequence, that can be targeted using CRISPR or other techniques, and in some cases, the phenotype of the cells may be determined using various imaging approaches. The identification portion may be determined using MERFISH or other suitable techniques.

Abstract: Provided herein is a differentiation agent that consist essentially of SOX9 for the production of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Also provided herein are methods of producing the PSCs and methods of using the PSCs to produce OPCs and oligodendrocytes.