Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a simple, fast, and low cost method for 3D microvascular imaging, termed “scatter labeled imaging of microvasculature in excised tissue” (SLIME). The method can include perfusing a contrast agent through vasculature of a tissue sample. The contrast agent can include colloids and a dispersant. After the contrast agent is perfused through the vasculature, the vasculature of the tissue sample can be treated with a molecule that cross links with at least a portion of the dispersant to form a sticky, non-Newtonian polymer that prevents leakage of the contrast agent out of the vasculature of the tissue sample. The tissue sample can then be immersed in a solution comprising a clearing agent and subsequently imaged.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of eliciting an anti-tumor immune response and treating cancer comprising at least one peptide of KRAS.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are improved methods and systems of determining immunotherapy response in subjects prior and during treatment. Provided herein are methods of detecting gene expression in T cells and in monocytes as well as measuring relative abundance of particular immune cell populations and determining responsiveness to anticancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: An HDAC6-specific inhibitor (i.e., a compound of Formula I or II) is shown to reduce the pathogenesis associated with polycystic disease. Administration of an HDAC6-specific inhibitor attenuated many of the symptoms characteristic of polycystic liver disease including cyst formation, cyst growth and cholangiocyte proliferation. Treatment with a HDAC6-specific inhibitor also increased the amount of bile duct acetylated tubulin and ?-catenin phosphorylation and/or acetylation while reducing bile duct ?-catenin synthesis. These results demonstrate that HDAC6 is overexpressed in cystic cholangiocytes and that its pharmacological inhibition reduces cholangiocyte proliferation and cyst growth.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ? ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Abstract: The disclosure provides various embodiments of systems to facilitate the cutting of luminal tissue structures percutaneously.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of determining patient populations amenable or suitable for immunomodulatory treatment of disease such as cancer by measuring the relative or absolute levels of T-cell sub-populations correlated with disease such as cancer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating diabetic retinopathy or symptoms thereof are provided. The disclosed compositions and methods for treating diabetic retinopathy contravene the existing paradigm that Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) blockade alone can treat, prevent, or reduce diabetic retinopathy. The disclosed compositions and methods include a combination or alternation of EET antagonists and ATI antagonists.

Abstract: The present technology relates to improved device and methods of use of insulator-based dielectrophoresis. This device provides a multi-length scale element that provides enhanced resolution and separation. The device provides improved particle streamlines, trapping efficiency, and induces laterally similar environments. Also provided are methods of using the device.

Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: A liver-mimetic device and method include a 3D polymer scaffold having a matrix of liver-like lobules with hepatic-functioning particles encapsulated within the lobules. In some embodiments, each liver-like lobule is hexagonal in structure and the matrix is in a honeycomb arrangement. In some embodiments, the hepatic-functioning particles are hepatic progenitor cells. In other embodiments, the hepatic-functioning particles are polymer nanoparticles adapted to capture pore-forming toxins.

Abstract: An HDAC6-specific inhibitor (i.e., a compound of Formula I or II) is shown to reduce the pathogenesis associated with polycystic disease. Administration of an HDAC6-specific inhibitor attenuated many of the symptoms characteristic of polycystic liver disease including cyst formation, cyst growth and cholangiocyte proliferation. Treatment with a HDAC6-specific inhibitor also increased the amount of bile duct acetylated tubulin and ?-catenin phosphorylation and/or acetylation while reducing bile duct ?-catenin synthesis. These results demonstrate that HDAC6 is overexpressed in cystic cholangiocytes and that its pharmacological inhibition reduces cholangiocyte proliferation and cyst growth.

Abstract: Provided herein are analogs of unnatural nucleotides bearing predominantly hydrophobic nucleobase analogs that form unnatural base pairs during DNA polymerase-mediated replication of DNA or RNA polymerase-mediated transcription of RNA. In this manner, the unnatural nucleobases can be introduced in a site-specific way into oligonucleotides (single or double stranded DNA or RNA), where they can provide for site-specific cleavage, or can provide a reactive linker than can undergo functionalization with a cargo-bearing reagent by means of reaction with a primary amino group or by means of click chemistry with an alkyne group of the unnatural nucleobase linker.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a molecular delivery system comprising A. a substrate having a nanostructured surface region which comprises a plurality of nanostructures and, covalently attached to the substrate, multiple copies of a first member of a binding pair; and B. at least one vector nanoparticle which comprises, encapsulated therein, a molecule of interest, and on its surface, multiple copies of second member of the binding pair. Methods of using the molecular delivery system to deliver a molecule of interest to a cell are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are capillary fabrication devices comprising living cells within a support medium. Culture of the cells produces viable lumenized capillary networks with natural or pre-determined geometries and ECM and basement membrane associated with the capillary networks. The capillary networks and the ECM and basement membrane detachable from the capillary networks are useful for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are capillaries for use in an electrophoretic separations. The capillaries can comprise an elongated tubular wall defining a path for fluid flow from an inlet to a tapered outlet; and a decoupler junction positioned within the elongated tubular wall upstream of the tapered outlet. The decoupler junction can comprise a plurality of microchannels penetrating through the elongated tubular wall and an ion-permeable polymer coating the plurality of microchannels. Also provided are sheathless interfaces for coupling capillary electrophoresis (CE) with mass spectrometry that employ these capillaries.

Abstract: A composition which is reversible inhibitor of at least one neuron-specific PDZ domain comprising wherein R is a molecular transporter with or without a linker amino acid; R1 is at least about one amino acid covalently bound; and, R2 is isoleucine, leucine, alanine, phenylalanine, or valine, and methods of use.

Abstract: A method for generating a perfusion weighted image using ASL with segmented acquisitions includes dividing an anatomical area of interest into slices and performing an EPI acquisition process using an MRI system to acquire a control image dataset representative of the slices. An ASL preparation process is performed using the MRI system to magnetically label protons in arterial blood water upstream from the anatomical area of interest. Following a first time period, a multi-band EPI acquisition process is performed using the MRI system to acquire a first labeled image dataset representative of a first subset of the slices. Following a second time period, another multi-band EPI acquisition process is performed using the MRI system to acquire a second labeled image dataset representative of a second subset of the slices. A perfusion weighted image is generated by subtracting the first and second labeled image dataset from the control image dataset.