Abstract: A method for determining a presence of arthritis in a patient, including obtaining a first image of a patient's joint, wherein the first image is a visible light image, obtaining a second image of the patient's joint, wherein the second image is a thermal light image, determining an outline of the patient's joint from the first image, determining an outline of a reference area from the first image, wherein the patient's joint is adjacent to the reference area, determining a first representative topological temperature within the outline of the patient's joint of the first image from the second image, determining a second representative topological temperature within the outline of the reference area of the first image from the second image, comparing the first representative topological temperature and the second representative topological temperature; and determining a likelihood of the presence of arthritis within the patient's joint.

Abstract: The disclosure provides immunogenic peptides comprising at least a portion of a Plasmodium HAP2 paralog (“HAP2p”) protein, immunogenic compositions comprising or encoding the immunogenic peptides, antibodies binding the immunogenic peptides, and methods of preventing Plasmodium transmission incorporating the peptides, compositions, and/or antibodies. In some embodiments, the immunogenic peptide has a sequence comprising a sequence with at least 80% identity to a sequence of at least 10 continuous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, a Plasmodium HAP2 paralog (“HAP2p”) protein.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that bind a natural killer (NK) cell surface marker, resulting in destruction of the bound NK cell. The NK cell surface markers include an activating NK cell receptor, and an inhibitory NK cell receptor. Cells that are genetically modified to express these CARs and uses of the CAR modified cells are also described.

Abstract: Single-domain antibodies that bind the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein are disclosed. The single-domain antibodies include binding domains that bind epitopes of the Spike ectodomain inside and outside the receptor binding domain. The single-domain antibodies can be used for multiple purposes including in the research, diagnosis, and prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of COVID-19.

Abstract: The use of inhibitors upstream of mTOR in the CSF1 pathway of neuroinflammation, inhibitors of chemokine receptor CXCR3, functional derivatives thereof, and/or immunosuppressant drugs to reduce neuroinflammation are disclosed. The inhibitors and/or immunosuppressant drugs can treat genetic or environmental encephalopathies and/or reduce microglial activation. Treated encephalopathies include Leigh Syndrome and Wernicke encephalopathy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bispecific chimeric antigen receptor, comprising: (a) at least two antigen-specific targeting regions; (b) an extracellular spacer domain; (c) a transmembrane domain; (d) at least one co-stimulatory domain; and (e) an intracellular signaling domain, wherein each antigen-specific targeting region comprises an antigen-specific single chain Fv (scFv) fragment, and binds a different antigen, and wherein the bispecific chimeric antigen receptor is co-expressed with a therapeutic control. The invention also provides methods and uses of the bispecific chimeric antigen receptors.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods enable rapid, repeatable, and accurate dissection of arthropods. Arthropod dissection apparatuses includes a shear dissection mechanism having a primary shear body and a secondary shear body. The primary shear body includes at least an inlet channel, a first outlet channel, and a second outlet channel formed therein. The secondary shear body is disposed in an aperture of the primary shear body and has a dissection chamber formed therein. The secondary shear body is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the primary shear body, which causes a shearing action at a shearing interface between the secondary shear body and the primary shear body.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides antibodies that bind to peptides associated with the primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD) Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). The antibodies can be used in peptide immunoaffinity enrichment coupled to selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (immuno-SRM) assays for clinical diagnosis and newborn screening of WAS and XLA, among other uses.

Abstract: Described herein are aptamers that bind to the transferrin receptor (e.g., CD71) and can be used, in part, for depleting transferrin receptor-expressing cells from a population of therapeutic cells. These aptamer compositions can be used in methods for isolating and/or enriching cells expressing CD71 or depleting cell populations of cells expressing CD71, including for example, tumor cells. Further provided are methods of using the aptamers or cell populations generated using them in the methods disclosed herein for therapies and/or drug delivery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of detecting the presence of a hypnozoite stage of Plasmodium vivax in a liver cell. In addition, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods of detecting the presence of a latent Plasmodium vivax infection in a subject and for treating the subject detected to be infected.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising aptamers that specifically bind monocytes and/or macrophage and methods for their use. These aptamer compositions can be used in methods for isolating and/or enriching monocytes and/or macrophages or depleting cell populations of monocytes and/or macrophages. Further provided are methods of using the aptamers or cell populations generated using them in the methods disclosed herein for therapies and/or drug delivery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved genome editing compositions and methods for editing a human Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome gene. The disclosure further provides genome edited cells for the prevention, treatment, or amelioration of at least one symptom of WAS, including but not limited to, an immune system disorder, thrombocytopenia, eczema, X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), or X-linked neutropenia (XLN).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that etanercept reduces the rate of resistance to intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) in subjects with acute Kawasaki disease (KD). In certain embodiments, the co-administration of etanercept and IVIG more effectively treats acute KD in subjects older than 12 months than IVIG alone. In other embodiments, the co-administration of etanercept and IVIG ameliorates coronary artery dilation in high risk subjects.

Abstract: A kit for resuscitating a subject, particularly a neonatal patient, is described. In an embodiment, the kit includes a syringe having a tip defining a male Luer taper fitting, and an adaptor defining a first end portion shaped to couple with the male Luer taper fitting and a second end portion shaped to cooperatively couple with an opening of an endotracheal tube.

Abstract: Provided herein are several monoclonal antibodies that activate the adhesion activity of human and mouse E-cadherin, including the amino acid sequences for the CDRs that define the binding domains of each monoclonal antibody. Also described are methods of making these antibodies, as well as biologically functional fragments and derivatives thereof; and methods of using them in the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of disease and conditions characterized by disruption of normal cell adhesion and/or cell junctions. Specifically contemplated are methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer metastasis as well as inflammatory conditions (such as inflammatory bowel disease and airway inflammation).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a panel of biomarkers that individually or in combination can indicate the presence of sepsis as distinguishable from other non-infection related inflammatory conditions. The disclosed biomarkers and related reagents and kits provide strategies for detecting, treating, and monitoring sepsis in subjects. In aspect, the disclosure provides a method for detecting sepsis, comprising contacting a biological sample obtained from the subject with an affinity reagent that specifically binds to one or more of the disclosed novel biomarkers, and detecting differential expression of the one or more biomarkers by detecting binding of the affinity reagent to the biomarker. The method can incorporate use of additional known biomarkers. The method can further comprise treating a subject determined to have sepsis. In some embodiments, the subject is a human subject less than 20 years old.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and related methods of making fecal transplants are described. In an embodiment, the system comprises a sample collector defining a sample collection chamber shaped to collect a fecal sample from fecal matter; a sample processing module defining a sample port shaped to receive the sample collector and comprising: a channel positioned to receive at a proximal end of the channel the fecal sample from the sample collection chamber when the sample collector is received by the sample port; and a capsule fluidically coupled to a distal end of the channel adapted to receive a portion of the fecal sample passed therethrough; and a sample processing unit comprising: a housing defining an opening shaped to receive the sample processing module; and an actuator disposed in the housing and configured to urge the sample from the sample collection chamber through the channel to the capsule.

Abstract: An IV system can include a first flow regulator configured to restrict flow through a tube and a second flow regulator configured to restrict flow through the tube downstream of the first flow regulator. The first flow regulator can compress the tube a fixed amount to set an initial flow rate through the tube, while the second flow regulator includes a user-adjustable mechanical compression device that compresses the tube to a variable degree to fine-tune the flow rate through to a more precise flow rate that is lower than the initial flow rate. The flow regulators can utilize a purely mechanical means such that electricity is not required. Such systems can provide a simple, low-cost, and low-power way to provide precise flow control to patients, especially neonatal patient, in any environment. Systems can also include flow rate monitoring, alerting, and shutoff components.

Abstract: Methods of reducing or inhibiting Clostridium infection, treating intestinal dysbiosis associated with Clostridium infection, and preventing Clostridium colonization or Clostridium recolonization in a subject are disclosed. The methods include administering to the subject a whole foods exclusionary diet, such as a diet that excludes grains, sugars other than honey, and milk products other than hard cheeses and yogurt fermented for greater than 24 hours.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to transgenes comprising regulatory elements capable of inducing specific transcription of an operably-linked therapeutic payload in a cell in an in vivo microenvironment. In some embodiments, the regulatory elements are responsive to endogenous stimuli of the microenvironment. In some embodiments, the regulatory elements are response to stimuli from chimeric receptors in the cell.