Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting the development of a tumor in a subject. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dominant negative tumor necrosis factor (DN-TNF)-? protein and/or a nucleic acid encoding the DN-TNF-? protein. The DN-TNF-? protein and/or a nucleic acid encoding the DN-TNF-? protein can be administered alone or in combination with other agents.

Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting, reducing, or desensitizing various immune responses by delivery of sub-immunogenic doses of an allergen, alone or with other agents, or by delivery of antigens and adjuvants to a cutaneous microenvironment of a subject. Microneedle arrays can be used in connection with this delivery.

Abstract: A method of treating retinal degeneration in a subject includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A proteomic expression platform to identify age-related sepsis risk is disclosed using patients with an intra-abdominal infection. A semi-quantitative plasma proteomics workflow was applied which incorporated tandem immuno affinity depletion, iTRAQ labeling, strong cation exchange fractionation, and nanoflow-liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. A protein profile was determined that exhibit statistically significant differences in expression levels amongst patients with severe sepsis as a function of age. Representative pathways that are differentially-expressed include, but are not limited to, acute phase response, coagulation signaling, atherosclerosis signaling, lipid metabolism, and production of nitric oxide/reactive oxygen species.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a COVID-19 infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition that reduces the superantigen character of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. In some embodiments, the compositions are mimetic peptides of the superantigen region. In some embodiments, the compositions are humanized antibodies, such as humanized mAb 6D3, that bind to the superantigen region.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to optically high transparency and adjustable haze, superomniphobic, rigid and flexible structures and, more particularly, to fused silica glass and flexible plastic, e.g., polymer, structures having a sub-wavelength texture formed on a surface thereof, which is effective to impart the optical properties of high transparency and adjustable haze to the structures. The texture is reentrant. Additionally, the optically high transparency and adjustable haze structures include a silicon dioxide coating applied to the texture and a treatment of a low surface energy material deposited on the silicon dioxide coating. The silicon dioxide coating renders the structures super hydrophilic, and the low surface energy material treatment renders the structures superomniphobic.

Abstract: A method of forming a microneedle array can include forming a sheet of material having a plurality of layers and micromilling the sheet of material to form a microneedle array. At least one of the plurality of layers can include a bioactive component, and the microneedle array can include a base portion and plurality of microneedles extending from the base portion.

Abstract: A carbonized composition is formed by a process including providing an organic composition formed into a predetermined configuration, forming a protective layer over the organic composition, increasing temperature to carbonize the organic composition and form the carbonized composition, and removing the protective layer from the carbonized composition, wherein the carbonized composition has substantially the predetermined configuration. In a number of embodiments, the organic composition includes a nucleic acid. In a number of embodiments, the organic composition consists of a nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may, for example, be DNA.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a lipid-based microbubble stably binding a plurality of nucleic acids, and a method of delivering the microbubble and nucleic acids to a specific target site using ultrasound. The delivered nucleic acids create transgenic cells (i.e., for example, a transgenic tumor cell), wherein the transgenic cell expresses the proteins encoded by the delivered nucleic acids. This technology provides a significant improvement for microbubble-drug delivery platforms as known microbubble do not efficiently bind nucleic acids. The improvements described herein include but are not limited to identifying proper lipid proportionality ratios and/or cationic surfactant layers that provide an optimum mechanical index compatible with ultrasonics. Microbubble perfusion and/or nucleic acid delivery may be performed by a combination of imaging and ultrasound/microbubble targeted delivery to simultaneously perform low power two-dimensional imaging and high power microbubble destruction.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of head or brain injury in a subject in need thereof, based upon the expression level of at least one miRNA that is associated with head or brain injury.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an implantable perfusion device that can be implanted in an injured blood vessel to control bleeding without occluding the vessel. In one specific implementation, the perfusion device can be implanted percutaneously into a patient's descending aorta to control bleeding at the site of a ruptured portion of the aorta (known as torso hemorrhage) while still allowing for the antegrade flow of blood from a location upstream of the ruptured portion of the aorta to a location downstream of the ruptured portion of the aorta. The perfusion device can be left inside the patient as the patient is transported to a medical facility where the injury can be repaired. Following repair of the vessel, the perfusion device can be withdrawn from the patient.

Abstract: A recombinant coronavirus vaccine is provided. Methods of making and delivering the coronavirus vaccine also are provided. A microneedle array is provided, along with methods of making and using the microneedle array.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a structure of: wherein L is a cleavable linker group; X is a cargo moiety-containing group; and R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, or substituted alkyl; or R1 and R2 together form a boronic ester ring or a substituted boronic ester group.

Abstract: An optically transparent actuator apparatus is provided that includes an optically transparent bi-stable member including an optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layer. The bi-stable member is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus and from the second state to the first state in response to a second stimulus. Also, a display apparatus includes a plate member and an actuator assembly coupled to the plate member. The actuator assembly includes a number of optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers, wherein each of the optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus.

Abstract: An MRI phantom having an MRI compatible temperature measurement device having an MRI compatible body containing an MRI compatible fluid, wherein the device senses accurate temperature measurement within an MR Scanner environment using image processing of the contrast in signal between the areas of the image around the device and the fluid contained within the body of the device. The MRI Phantom may further include an internal expansion bladder device accomodating internal changes in pressure within the phantom, wherein the internal expansion bladder device includes frames supporting a pair of spaced membranes defining a chamber filled with a compressible gas.

Abstract: The innovation provides for a system and method available to image and visualize the palisades of Vogt via a non-contact process, analyze the image volumes acquired, evaluate the status of the palisades of Vogt from the data represented therein, and display the data in real-time or as a part of a medical record for ongoing.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable, metal alloys, methods for their preparation and applications for their use. The alloys include magnesium and other components, such as, yttrium, calcium, zirconium, and zinc. These elements are alloyed together in specific combinations and amounts in order to achieve an alloy having desired properties and characteristics. In certain embodiments, strontium or cerium may be included as an additive. The resulting alloys are particularly suitable for forming various medical devices for implantation into the body of a patient.

Abstract: Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes are disclosed that may include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation. The shallow and relatively long teeth run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient’s skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the tiny teeth penetrate the stratum corneum and move nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum, thus anchoring the electrode securely to the skin. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the small teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may be fabricated in a variety of geometries including cylindrical, disk, and blunt bullet or top shapes. In some instances, the electrodes may be connected to detachable leads having magnetic properties.

Abstract: A computational pathology method includes receiving multi-parameter cellular and/or sub-cellular imaging data for an image of a tissue sample, and locating and segmenting a plurality of tissue components of the tissue sample in the multi- parameter cellular and sub-cellular imaging data to generate segmented multi¬ parameter cellular and sub-cellular imaging data.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide derived from the interleukin-13 receptor ?2, which serves as a HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope. The invention can be used as a vaccine for glioma and can be formulated into compositions for medical or veterinary use. In addition, the invention provides the use of a peptide derived from the Eph family of tyrosine kinase receptors which can be also used as a vaccine for glioma and can be formulated into compositions for medical or veterinary use.