Abstract: Methods for treating, reducing, ameliorating or inhibiting symptoms idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or interstitial pneumonia, comprising administering to a subject in need of an effective amount of a) multiple EGF-like-domains-9 (MEGF9) or a biologically active fragment thereof; b) uncoordinated receptor 5A (UNC5A) or a biologically active fragment thereof; c) dolichyl-phosphate beta-glucosyltransferase (ALG5) or a biologically active fragment thereof; d) a combination of two or three of a)-c); e) an antibody specifically binding to a); f) an antibody specifically binding to b); g) an antibody specifically binding to c); h) a combination of two or three of e)-g); or i) a combination of at least one of a)-c) and at least one of e)-g). Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for making and using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system configured to transform a lateral scan motion into axial refocusing, thus enabling aberration free remote focusing. In one embodiment, the imaging system provides aberration free remote focusing by causing a beam of light to be scanned over a stationary mirror having a variable height in the scan direction, thereby causing the beam of light to be defocused in an axial direction in the return direction (e.g., the direction of propagation for the reflected beam of light). By configuring the back-reflected light resulting from the lateral scan component as described herein, a pure axial scan motion may be obtained at the rate of the employed (lateral) scanning technology (e.g., a GSM). This capability allows the imaging system of the present inventive concept to leverage rapid lateral scan technologies to produce rapid axial displacement of the axial focus of the beam of light.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to bispecific antibodies which bind to both PD-L1 and PD-L2, and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1, PD-L2, or both.

Abstract: In one aspect, a neuromodulation device is described herein. In some embodiments, a neuromodulation device comprises a chamber operable to receive a nerve, at least one electrode disposed in the chamber, and a channel defined by two walls. In some embodiments, the channel of the device is in fluid communication with an interior of the chamber and an external surface of the device. In another aspect, methods of neuromodulation are described herein. In some embodiments, methods described herein can use one or more neuromodulation devices described herein.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a rapid dissolving, high potency, substantially amorphous nanostructured aggregate for pulmonary delivery of tacrolimus and a stabilizer matrix comprising, optionally, a polymeric or non-polymeric surfactant, a polymeric or non-polymeric saccharide or both, wherein the aggregate comprises a surface area greater than 5 m2/g as measured by BET analysis and exhibiting supersaturation for at least 0.5 hours when 11-15-times the aqueous crystalline solubility of tacrolimus is added to simulated lung fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an allele on human chromosome 9 associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease and the use or detection of such an allele in determining whether a human has an increased risk for coronary heart disease. In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting a predisposition or propensity or susceptibility for coronary heart disease in a human, comprising detecting the presence of an allele on human chromosome 9 that is associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease in a human. Disclosed are methods and compositions for determining whether a person carries an allele associated with increased risk for coronary atherosclerosis by determining whether the person has an RA-CHR9 allele, such as by determining whether the person has an RA-CHR9 allele-associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The invention also relates to kits for detecting the presence of an allele on chromosome 9 associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and compositions for altering a tumor microbiome. Certain aspects are directed to methods for manipulating a tumor microenvironment for promotion of a tumor restraining microbiome and treatment of cancer. Particular aspects include methods for treating cancer comprising administration of an immunotherapy and an agent capable of disrupting an interaction between ?3?1 integrin and ?1 homotrimeric type I collagen.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first imaging scan and a second imaging scan of a single subject brain. The first imaging scan is converted to a first dataset, and the second imaging scan is converted to a second dataset. A sequence-adaptive multimodal segmentation algorithm is applied to the first dataset and the second dataset. The sequence-adaptive multimodal segmentation algorithm performs automatic intensity-based tissue classification to generate a first labelled dataset and a second labeled dataset. The first labeled dataset and the second labeled dataset are automatically co-registered to each other to generate a transformation matrix based on the first labeled dataset and the second labeled dataset. The transformation matrix is applied to align the first dataset and the second dataset.

Abstract: Aspects of self-powered weigh-in-motion systems and methods that utilize piezoelectric components for sensing load as well as powering data acquisition and analysis components. In one example, the weigh-in-motion system includes a number of piezoelectric stacks, each stack including a number of piezoelectric elements. Each stack includes one or more top or upper piezoelectric element that provides vehicle sensing data. Each stack also includes a set of piezoelectric elements used for energy harvesting. The sensing piezoelectric elements are connected to a data input of a microcontroller for vehicle classification, while the energy harvesting piezoelectric elements are connected to a power input of the microcontroller.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing a respiratory disease or condition in a subject in need thereof, inflating the lungs of a subject in need thereof, and reducing the positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) needed for mechanical ventilation, the methods comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more perfluorocarbons to the subject.

Abstract: Antibody antigen binding domains which specifically binds human leptin comprises VH or VL CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences of an hLept antibody. The antibody antigen binding domains and antibodies thereof are useful to treat obesity and diabetes.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and analyzing internet traffic from Internet of Things (IoT) devices is presented. A network telescope is employed to collect unsolicited data packets. The data packets are analyzed to determine whether they arise from a misconfigured device or from a malicious device (darknet sanitization) or from some other source. Traffic from misconfigured devices is filtered out. The data packets from malicious devices are analyzed and a classification model is trained to classify the data packets into originating from an IoT or from a non-IoT device. The classifier is then validated on a separate set of data. The data packets originating from malicious IoT devices are further analyzed by such techniques a clustering (e.g. agglomerative hierarchical clustering), geo-location analysis, methods of attack, and coordination of attacks.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of for treating plants infected with fungal pathogens by contacting an infected plant or plant at risk of infection with a fungicidal composition comprising an fungicide selected from copper compound such as copper octanoate or copper hydroxide, or a triazole fungicide such as myclobutanil, propionazole, tebuconazole or epoxiconazole, an enhancer selected from apyrase inhibitors, e.g., N-(m-tolyl)-[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-sulfonamide, S-heptyl 2-oxo-2H-chromene 3-carbothioate, 3-(N-(4-bromophenyl) sulfamoyl)-N-(3-nitrophenyl)benzamide, or (E)-3-methyl-N-(1-(naphthalen-2-yl) ethylidene)benzohydrazide and, optionally, a phytologically-acceptable inert carrier.

Abstract: Provided herein are T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeted to B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R). The CAR targeted to BAFF-R (BAFF-R CAR) described herein includes a domain that binds BAFF-R. Methods of making and using the BAFF-R CAR are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions for treating a neurological disorder comprise lanosterol synthase inhibitors.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligomers targeted against bacterial mRNAs and other macromolecules associated with a biochemical pathway and/or cellular process, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions to treat an infected mammalian subject, for example, as primary antimicrobials or as adjunctive therapies with classic antimicrobials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an isolated monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds specifically to leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor 4 (LILRB4). In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment, when bound to LILRB4, modulates the activation of LILRB4. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment, when bound to LILRB4, activates LILRB4. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment, when bound to LILRB4, suppresses activation of LILRB4. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment, when bound to LILRB4, specifically blocks binding of ApoE to LILRB4. In another aspect, there is provided a method of treating or ameliorating the effects of a cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof or an engineered cell as provided herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for generating MAGE-B2 specific T cells and compositions comprising engineered MAGE-B2-specific T cell receptors. Further provided are methods of treating cancer comprising administering the MAGE-B2-specific T cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of treating, inhibiting or attenuating a microbial infection in an individual who has or is at risk for developing such an infection, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a StIR composition to the individual.