Abstract: The present disclosure addresses cell type heterogeneity during differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into islet cells by shifting cell identity from alpha cells to beta cells. More specially, the present disclosure provides a clonal human pluripotent stem cell line that broadly expresses the gene NKX6.1 across cells at the pancreatic progenitor cell stage of in vitro differentiation, which yields fewer alpha cells and more beta cells during directed differentiation to islet cells. The present disclosure further provides a method of improving the yield of insulin-producing cells produced from pluripotent stem cells for transplantation into patients with diabetes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic agents capable of increasing the expression level of an epigenetic marker described herein. Also described herein are therapeutic agents that reduce or slow-down an aging phenotype.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal oxide includes a step of adding citrate acid to a salt-containing solution to produce a precursor solution. Characteristically, the salt-containing solution includes a neodymium salt or an americium salt. A chilled solution of hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and urea is added to a chilled precursor solution to form a citrate gel. Advantageously, citrate gel can be produced with an R-value of 0.5 to 3, wherein the R-value is a molar ratio of HMTA to Nd. The citrate gel is then heated to form the metal oxide of neodymium or americium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures of cells, the cultures comprising one or a plurality of enteric neurons and/or one or a plurality of enteric glial cells. These cells and cultures can be used for screening compounds for neurologically active compounds, for transplantation into subjects for animal models, and for administration to a subject with a gut motility disorder.

Abstract: Described are methods for enhancing cancer immune surveillance and the efficacy of the treatment of melanoma or non-melanoma cancers such as pancreatic or colorectal cancers, particularly by controlling cancer cell-surface PD-L1/L2 and the E3 ligase ITCH. Also described are methods of inhibiting an adaptive immune resistance response to anti-immune checkpoint protein therapy in a subject. As described herein, the efficacy of MAPK inhibitor therapy is increased by treatment with an activator of E3 ligase ITCH or a destabilizer of cell-surface PD-L1/L2. As further demonstrated herein, the efficacy of anti-PD-1/L1 therapy is also increased by treatment with an activator of E3 ligase ITCH or a destabilizer of cell-surface PD-L1/L2.

Abstract: A method and system for automated correction of phase error in MRI-based flow evaluation employs a computer processor programmed to execute a trained convolutional neural network (CNN) to receive and process image data comprising flow velocity data in three directions and magnitude data collected from a region of interest over a scan period from magnetic resonance imaging instrumentation. The image data is processed using the trained CNN to generate three output channels with pixelwise inferred corrections for the flow velocity data which are further smoothed using a regression algorithm. The smoothed corrections are added to the original image data to generate corrected flow data, which may be used for flow visualization and quantization.

Abstract: Compositions comprise statistically random heteropolymers complexed with active proteins, and are formulated and used in stimuli-responsive materials and nanoreactors composed of proteins and synthetic materials.

Abstract: Typical electrochemical sensors measure target-induced changes in current output. Such measures of target binding are inconsistent across individual sensors, and furthermore, signal will drift over time when the sensor is deployed for long periods. These shortcomings can be avoided by the novel use of chronoamperometry to measure current decay kinetics as the indicator of target binding. Current decay lifetimes will vary in a concentration dependent manner, but remain stable across individual sensors and over time, allowing for calibration-free operation. By these methods, aptamer based electrochemical sensors and other sensor types may be deployed in vivo for extended periods of time and will provide accurate measurement of target binding without calibration.

Abstract: Techniques for patient pressure injury prevention (PPIP) include receiving, from a plurality of pressure sensors configured to be disposed in a spatial arrangement in contact with a patient, samples that indicate pressure measurements by the plurality of sensors at each of a plurality of different times. At each of the plurality of different times an angular orientation of the pressure is determined based on the samples. A change in the angular orientation of the pressure is determined at each successive time of the plurality of different times. A value of a patient movement parameter is determined based on the change in angular orientation of the pressure. A pressure injury category for the patient based on the value of the patient movement parameter is presented on a display device for a caregiver. Treatment of the patient by the caregiver is based on the pressure injury category.

Abstract: This document provides materials and methods related to bacterial compositions containing at least one bacterial organism having tryptophan decarboxylase activity. For example, bacterial compositions containing at least one bacterial organism having tryptophan decarboxylase activity and methods for using such bacterial compositions to improve gastrointestinal epithelial function and/or to treat gastrointestinal disorders are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for in-vivo assessment of intraventricular flow shear stress, risk of hemolysis, also the location and extent of blood flow stasis regions and inside a cardiac chamber or blood vessel. Also provided herein are systems for performing such methods. Also provided herein are methods for assessing hemolysis and/or thrombosis risk in patients implanted with an LVAD. LVAD positioning and/or speed may be adjusted based on the results obtained by using methods described herein, and the risk for hemolysis and/or thrombosis can be minimized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementation of a disposable miniaturized implant for treatment of Post-Operative Ileums (POI), a miniaturized implant for treating chronic GI dysmotility (e.g., dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nausea, functional dyspepsia, blockage of transit, and gastroparesis, inflammatory bowel disease) and obesity, by providing electrical stimulation to the part of bowel going through surgery to expedite the healing process while recording the smooth muscle activities simultaneously, or providing stimulation on a treatment location of the GI tract or the branch of the vagus nerve. Systems and methods are also provided for non-invasive, transcutaneous stimulation of anatomy within the abdomen of the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides CasY proteins, nucleic acids encoding the CasY proteins, and modified host cells comprising the CasY proteins and/or nucleic acids encoding same. CasY proteins are useful in a variety of applications, which are provided. The present disclosure provides CasY guide RNAs that bind to and provide sequence specificity to the CasY proteins, nucleic acids encoding the CasY guide RNAs, and modified host cells comprising the CasY guide RNAs and/or nucleic acids encoding same. CasY guide RNAs are useful in a variety of applications, which are provided. The present disclosure provides methods of identifying a CRISPR RNA-guided endonuclease.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering radiation therapy to a patient includes generating a radiation therapy plan and adjusting a shape of at least one of a plurality of multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) arranged in an arc about a patient bed to create a respective plurality of desired beam profiles for each of the plurality of MLCs to thereby implement the ultrafast radiation therapy plan delivery. The method further includes control a radiation therapy source to execute the radiation therapy plan by creating the respective plurality of desired beam profiles for each of the plurality of MLCs.

Abstract: Siderocalin-metal chelator combinations that bind metallic radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine with high affinity are described. The high affinity siderocalin-metal chelator combinations include a number of chelator backbone arrangements with functional groups that coordinate with metals. The siderocalin-metal chelator combinations can be used to deliver radionuclides for imaging and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of collecting electron diffraction patterns from nanocrystals to obtain a three-dimensional structural model of a compound, as well as methods of identifying compounds and methods of determining polymorphic forms. In addition, the present disclosure provides methods of characterizing a first compound from a sample, as well as methods of screening compounds from a sample. The present disclosure also provides systems for characterizing a compound from a sample, which systems include modules for high-performance liquid chromatography, dispensing, and electron microscopy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter that minimizes or eliminates the recirculation of oxygenated blood. The catheter of the present invention can be used to drain blood from multiple points in the patient, namely the superior vena cava, right atrium, and the right ventricle, while returning blood to the patient's pulmonary artery. Further, the catheter of the present invention is less likely to be moved or dislodged than catheters currently available in the art, thus making the catheter particularly useful for portable lung assist devices. The present invention also relates to methods for inserting the catheter into the patient and using the catheter with a lung assist device.

Abstract: Ferrocene (Fc)-substituted organometallic complexes are described. In one example, an Fc-substituted organometallic complex has a structure represented by formula IV: where M is a Group 13 metal, R1 is H or a substituted phenyl, and R2 is 4-ferrocenylphenyl. Non-aqueous redox flow batteries and electrical energy storage systems comprising the Fe-substituted organometallic complexes and methods of storing energy using the Fe-substituted organometallic complexes are provided.

Abstract: Corneal stromal scars are the leading cause of corneal blindness. The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful in therapies for this pathological condition. The invention provides corneal stromal stem cells and certain other stem cells and as well as exosome polynucleotides produced by such cells, and methods for making and using these cells and compositions. The invention is based upon the discovery that exosomes and their associate active components obtained from these cells comprise agents having the same capacity as corneal stromal stem cells to reduce scarring and prevent scar formation in patients having corneal damage.

Abstract: A method and system device to generate and deliver an electric field to a target a peripheral nerve with customized electric fields according to the nerve of interest, which may be superficial or deep in the human body, to elicits action potentials of the target nerve. The system utilizes a stimulator circuit which receives parameters of a stimulation protocol from an external control device, and assembles basic building waveforms, counters, and timers which when combined are directed to a current/voltage driver hardware (CDC) that generates the stimulation protocol.