Abstract: Water delivery apparatuses and associated methods that minimize the amount of time and preparation and/or maintenance work required for a user to supply water to one or more animals are disclosed. In an aspect, water delivery apparatuses and associated methods of use are disclosed that are configured to maintain a substantially consistent water quantity within at least one water reservoir that provides drinkable water to one or more animals. The substantially consistent water quantity may be maintained by configuring at least one float mechanism that comprises at least one sealing element to at least partially block at least one orifice associated with at least one water supply inlet connected to a continuous water supply once the water within the reservoir reaches a certain level, thereby slowing and/or stopping the incoming water flow.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an intron-modified capsid expression cassette useful for generating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector particles. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of reducing the immune response in a mammalian subject undergoing treatment with an AAV vector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and uses thereof for treating a disease or disorder associated with CD20 expression. Treatments of this disclosure include use of a host cell expressing a fusion protein, such as an anti-CD20 CAR, optionally in combination with a CD20-specific binding molecule, a chemotherapeutic, an inhibitor of an immunosuppression component, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for generating enhanced affinity T cell receptors by agonist selection of hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing an antigen specific TCR? cultured with stromal cells expressing Delta-like-1 or Delta-like-4, compositions prepared from such methods, and uses of thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In embodiments the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. It has been surprisingly found that the length of the spacer region can affects the ability of chimeric receptor modified T cells to recognize target cells in vitro and affects in vivo efficacy of the chimeric receptor modified T cells. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are to markers, methods and systems for identifying cell populations, diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer, including biomarkers predictive of response to immunotherapy treatment in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of using certain biomarker expression profiles in the detection, diagnosis, prognosis, or development of treatment regimens for various cellular hyperproliferative disorders of the bowel. For example, pre-diagnostic methods comprise detecting whether the concentration of at least BAG4 in a test biological sample from a subject is elevated as compared to a control.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of screening a human subject to determine if said subject has a genetic predisposition to develop, or is suffering from Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD), said method comprising: (a) providing a biological sample comprising genomic DNA from the subject; and (b) analyzing the portion of the genomic DNA in the sample corresponding to the distal D4Z4-pLAM region on chromosome 4 and determining the presence or absence of a polymorphism resulting in a functional polyadenylation sequence operationally linked to exon 3 of the DUX4 gene, wherein a determination of the absence of a functional polyadenylation sequence operationally linked to exon 3 of the DUX4 gene indicates that the subject does not have a genetic predisposition to develop, and is not suffering from FSHD, and/or wherein a determination of the presence of a functional polyadenylation sequence operationally linked to exon 3 of the DUX4 gene indicates that the subject has a genetic predisposition to devel

Abstract: A platform for ex vivo isolation, production, and formulation of genetically-modified cells is described. The platform utilizes a software-enabled point-of-care and/or portable device making gene therapy more widely available.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for boosting, augmenting or enhancing the efficacy of the adoptive cellular immunotherapy by using modified T cells expressing an antigen binding protein in conjunction with modified cells (such as hematopoietic progenitor cells, modified human immune system cells or a combination thereof) expressing the antigen specifically bound by the antigen binding protein of the modified T cells.

Abstract: Chlorotoxin variants, chlorotoxin variant conjugates, compositions that include the chlorotoxin variants or conjugates, and methods for using the chlorotoxin variants, conjugates, and compositions.

Abstract: Single chain, multimerized, and/or glycosylated NKG2D decoys are described. The NKG2D decoys have high affinity and avidity for surface bound and soluble NKG2D ligands and can be used to (i) identify NKG2D ligands; (ii) treat cancer, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), and inflammatory conditions; and (iii) potentiate an immune response against a vaccine as well as many other potential uses.

Abstract: Uses of expanded cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) are described. Examples include to reduce transplant rejection, to induce immune tolerance, to reduce total parenteral nutrition (TPN) feeding, opioid use, mucositis, and hospitalization following a medical procedure and to reduce graft versus host disease (GVHD) following an allogeneic transplant.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for renal therapy. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a knotted peptide, wherein upon administration to a subject the knotted peptide homes, targets, is directed to, accumulates in, migrates to, is retained by, and/or binds to renal tissue of the subject. In various aspects, the composition further comprises an active agent coupled to the knotted peptide. The composition, when administered to the subject, may induce protective preconditioning or acquired cytoresistance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the delivery of immune cells to treat un-resectable or non-resected tumor cells and tumor relapse. The compositions comprise (i) a structure comprising an injectable polymer or scaffold comprising pores; (ii) lymphocytes disposed within the structure, (iii) at least one lymphocyte-adhesion moiety associated with the structure; and (iv) at least one lymphocyte-activating moiety associated with the structure, and optionally an immune stimulant.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating a patient comprising administering a p38 inhibitor for the treatment of FSHD. In some embodiments, the present methods comprise using one or more p38 inhibitors as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of FSHD patients including patients who are being treated with one or more palliative treatments such as therapy and/or agents which lead to increased muscle mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In embodiments the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. It has been surprisingly found that the length of the spacer region can affects the ability of chimeric receptor modified T cells to recognize target cells in vitro and affects in vivo efficacy of the chimeric receptor modified T cells. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are combination therapies involving administration of an immunotherapy involving a cell therapy, such as a T cell therapy, and an inhibitor of gamma secretase. Also provided are methods for engineering, preparing, and producing the cells, compositions containing the cells and/or gamma secretase inhibitor, and kits and devices containing and for using, producing and administering the cells and/or gamma secretase inhibitor, such as in accord with the provided combination therapy methods.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an intron-modified capsid expression cassette useful for generating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector particles. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of reducing the immune response in a mammalian subject undergoing treatment with an AAV vector.

Abstract: The invention provides the present invention provides a faecal detection sensor for an absorbent article. The sensor includes a faeces-sensitive material that reacts to the presence of a constituent of faecal matter, wherein the sensor exhibits an electrical property that changes following the reaction of the faeces-sensitive material. In embodiments of the invention the faeces sensitive material is a material that reacts due to the presence of a sulfur-containing compound in faecal matter, such as metallic faeces-sensitive materials, or is a material that reacts with a faecal enzyme and/or other constituents of faecal matter, such as organic faeces-sensitive materials.