Abstract: Compositions including combinations of class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors for enhancing antitumor activity are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of administering these compositions as immunotherapies for suppressing regulatory T cells in renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract: Methods comprising electronically receiving information of a reflection of a known first sound pulse, electronically receiving information of a reflection of a known second sound pulse, determining, by a processor, a change in a first property between a known first sound pulse and a reflection of the known first sound pulse, determining, by the processor, a change in a second property between a known second sound pulse and a reflection of the known second sound pulse, comparing, by the processor, the change in the first property of the first known sound pulse with the change in the second property of the second known sound pulse, and determining, by the processor, a condition of a well in response to the comparison of the change of the first property with the change of the second property are disclosed. Systems for determining a condition of a well are also disclosed.

Abstract: A support (26) for a tablet (22) for use in a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) machine (12) is provided. The support (26) includes a plurality of curved braces (80, 82) configured to mount within a bore (16) of the fMRI machine (12); a channel (90) coupled to one end of the curved braces (80, 82); and a pair of lower braces (86) coupled to another end of the curved braces (80, 82); wherein the channel (90) includes a C-shaped opening (108) configured to receive a mounting bracket (24) coupled to the tablet (22).

Abstract: Devices for imparting vibration to implanted devices to reduce accumulation of biofilm thereon including a vibration tip, the vibration tip being sized and shaped to couple to a vibrator and receive a vibration therefrom, wherein the vibration tip is sized and shaped to conduct the vibration from the vibrator to an implanted device are disclosed. Methods of inhibiting biofilm formation including abutting a vibration source against an implanted device, and activating the vibration source to impart vibration to the implanted device thereby inhibiting a formation of biofilm on the implanted device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising nanoparticles are described herein. At least a portion of the nanoparticles comprises a lipid and/or polymer which is water-insoluble, and an agent incorporated in the lipid and/or polymer. The nanoparticles are optionally associated with a surface of water-soluble particles which comprise a water-soluble compound. The polymer is optionally a polyanhydride. Further described herein are processes for preparing such compositions, comprising contacting a solution comprising the lipid and/or polymer dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent with an anti-solvent (in which the lipid and/or polymer and agent are insoluble) which is miscible with the non-aqueous solvent. Further described herein are uses of the compositions for nasal administration, and devices configured for nasal administration of the composition upon atomization.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion are disclosed herein. Further, methods for inhibiting autophagy are disclosed. More particularly, as discussed herein, increasing miR-29 expression in the tumor microenvironment inhibits migration, invasion and autophagy in cancer patients.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern compositions and methods for treating a condition characterized by overexpression of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR. In certain embodiments, synthetic polynucleotide analogs capable of hybridizing with a target sequence domain of HOTAIR are provided. The synthetic polynucleotide analogs can be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition for treating a subject having or at risk of having a condition characterized by HOTAIR overexpression. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition can resensitize a subject to a chemotherapeutic agent. Other embodiments concern uses for HOTAIR-targeting synthetic polynucleotide analogs, including methods for determining HOTAIR expression in a sample.

Abstract: Ion mobility spectrometers and drift tubes including an inlet configured to receive ions, and an outlet, and an internal portion having a pressure at about atmospheric pressure, wherein the drift tube is configured to separate ions using a convective velocity from a carrier gas that transports the ions from the inlet to the outlet, a second controllable velocity that alters a migration of the ions from the inlet to the outlet, and neither radio frequency (RF) nor an alternating current (AC) center the ions are disclosed. Methods of separating charged particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to discovery of novel compounds involved in the treatment and prevention of suicidality by bioinformatics drug repurposing using novel genes expression biomarkers involved in suicidality. Disclosed are methods for assessing severity, determining future risk, matching with a drug treatment, and measuring response to treatment, for suicidality. Also disclosed are new methods of use for drugs and natural compounds repurposed for use in preventing and treating suicidality. These methods include computer-assisted methods analyzing the expression of panels of genes, clinical measures, and drug databases. Detailed herein are methods using a universal approach, in everybody, as well as personalized approaches by gender, and by diagnosis.

Abstract: Some embodiments include compounds that can inhibit the growth of bacterial and/or inhibit or reduce microbial infections caused by one or more microorganisms (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Cryptococcus neoformans) and methods of using these compounds to treat microbial infection and outbreaks and/or to reduce the formation of biofilms. Other embodiments include synthesis of the compounds that can inhibit the growth of one or more microorganisms and/or inhibit or reduce microbial infections.

Abstract: A wound irrigation device including a container with an opening along the outer surface of the container and a nozzle assembly coupled to the container and configured to selectively allow the liquid to exit the container when pressure is applied to the container.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) spectrometry apparatus may comprise an SCGD source and a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. A method for ionizing a molecular analyte may comprise contacting the molecular analyte with a plasma discharge to form ions and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. The contacting step may occur under atmospheric pressure and/or ambient conditions. The molecular analyte may be fragmented by the plasma discharge.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostics for identifying and distinguishing various types of lung cancers using serum and/or bronchioalveolar lavage fluid. Signatures of secretory proteins are used to identify and distinguish lung cancers. The biomarker signatures may also be used to separate lung cancers from other inflammatory diseases, monitor progression, or assess treatment efficacy.

Abstract: Methods for targeting apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease1/redox effector factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) are disclosed. More particularly, methods for inhibiting APE1/Ref-1 and hypoxia-mediated signaling for decreasing survival and invasion of tumor cells exposed to hypoxic conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: Targeting uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to DNA damaging chemotherapeutics with at least one reagent has significant potential in cancer treatment. Replication Protein A, the eukaryotic single-strand (ss) DNA binding protein, is essential for genomic maintenance and stability via roles in both DNA replication and repair. Reported herein are small molecules that inhibit the in vitro, in vivo, and cellular ssDNA binding activity of RPA, thereby disrupting the eukaryotic cell cycle, inducing cytotoxicity and increasing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents damage DNA, and/or disrupt its replication and/or function. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of RPA-ssDNA interactions in chromosome maintenance and stability. This represents a molecularly targeted eukaryotic DNA binding inhibitor and demonstrates the utility of targeting a protein-DNA interaction as a means of studying the cell cycle and providing a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, compounds having allosteric effector properties against Hepatitis B virus Cp. Also provided herein are methods of treating viral infections, such as hepatitis B, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a disclosed compound.

Abstract: A hierarchy of endothelial colony forming cells (EPCs) was identified from mammalian cord blood, umbilical vein and aorta. A newly isolated cell named high proliferative potential—endothelial colony forming cell (HPP-ECFC) was isolated and characterized. Single cell assays were developed that test the proliferative and clonogenic potential of endothelial cells derived from cord blood, or from HUVECs and HAECs. EPCs were found to reside in vessel walls. Use of a feeder layer of cells derived from high proliferative potential-endothelial colony forming cells (HPP-ECPCS) from human umbilical cord blood, stimulates growth and survival of repopulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Stimulation of growth and survival was determined by increased numbers of progenitor cells in in vitro cultures and increased levels of human cell engraftment in the NOD/SCID immunodeficient mouse transplant system.

Abstract: A motor is provided, comprising: a stator having a plurality of electromagnets and a plurality of rolling elements arranged around the electromagnets; a rotor having a plurality of rotor traction components arranged to engage the plurality of rolling elements; and a control circuit, wherein the plurality of rolling elements are arranged relative to the plurality of rotor traction components to form a gap between the plurality of rolling elements and the plurality of rotor traction components; wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the plurality of electromagnets to cause the rotor to pivot about a pivot point defined in a spherical bearing and change the gap such that the rotor compresses against the stator and the plurality of rolling elements and the plurality of rotor traction components translate the compression into tangential thrust and rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Methods for treating angiogenesis-mediated diseases are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods of inhibiting ferrochelatase as an antiangiogenic therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for performing a cognitive bias assay on a lab animal. The apparatus may include a first base member and a second base member spaced apart from the first base member to form an interior region between the first and second base members. The second base member may include a plurality of spaced apertures providing access to the interior region. Each of the plurality of apertures may be sized to receive a lab animal. The second base member may be configured to support the lab animal. The apparatus may further include a stimulus device operative to project an aversive stimulus towards the second base member.