Abstract: Disclosed herein are IL-4 cytokine compositions with enhanced biological activity having increased selectivity for IL-4 cytokine receptors, and methods for their use. These compositions encompass interleukin-4 (IL-4) muteins. The disclosed methods encompass administering an IL-4 to treat neoplastic diseases, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases or for expanding a hematopoietic cell population.

Abstract: Described are aqueous rechargeable hydrogen batteries operating in the full pH range (e.g., pH: ?1 to 15) with potential for electrical grid storage. The pH-universal hydrogen batteries operate with different redox chemistry on the cathodes and reversible hydrogen evolution/oxidation reactions (HER/HOR) on the anode. The reactions can be catalyzed by a highly active ruthenium-based electrocatalyst. The ruthenium-based catalysts exhibit comparable specific activity and superior long-term stability of HER/HOR to that of state-of-the-art Pt/C electrocatalyst in the full pH range. New chemistries for aqueous rechargeable hydrogen batteries are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of using pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy to treat pancreatic disorders such as type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are provided. The methods utilize pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy either by itself or in combination with islet transplantation and/or stem cell therapy to promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue, increase insulin secretion in response to glucose, or improve engraftment and revascularization of transplanted islets or beta cells. Additionally, methods of using pFUS are provided for modulating paracrine secretion in the pancreas, islets, beta cells, or stem cells, or at a transplantation site to therapeutically alter levels of various factors including, without limitation, cytokines, growth factors, angiogenic factors, and cell adhesion molecules.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods and compositions useful for imaging inflammation and inflammatory disease markers with an affinity for TREM-1 antibodies. The methods and compositions can include a labeled probe having a TREM-1 antibody and a radiolabel.

Abstract: Improved acoustic neurostimulation is provided by having two or more acoustic transducers generate an acoustic interference pattern in a region of a patient being treated. The apparatus has at least two operating modes it can switch between. A first operating mode has the transducers driven at the same frequency. A second operating mode has the transducers driven at different frequencies. Full control of the acoustic transducers allows the acoustic interference pattern to be varied electronically at will.

Abstract: A method of forming a cathode for hydrogen evolution reaction includes: (1) providing a substrate; (2) forming a precursor layer covering the substrate; and (3) annealing the precursor layer to form an electrocatalyst layer covering the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding intended symbols from neural activity in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a symbol decoding system for brain-computer interfacing, including a neural signal recorder implanted into a brain of a user, and a symbol decoder, the symbol decoder including a processor, and a memory, where the memory includes a symbol decoding application capable of directing the processor to obtain neural signal data from the neural signal recorder, estimate a symbol from the neural signal data using a symbol model, and perform a command associated with the symbol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding indented speech from neuronal activity in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods based on the use of 15-PGDH and/or PGE2 as a therapeutic target, for example, to regenerate or rejuvenate injured, damaged, aged, or diseased tissue and/or injured, damaged, aged, or diseased organs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data-compressive sensing in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. In one embodiment, a sensor array includes an array of sensor circuitries including a sensor and a comparator. Sensor circuitries in the array are connected via wires which form a series of wired-OR circuits. Readouts can be used to measure the signal on the wires and a decoder in communication with the readouts can be used to resolve signals sensed by particular sensors in the array and their locations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring potential damage to a tissue within a patient caused by tissue retraction during a surgical procedure, the system comprising: a housing body; an attachment mechanism for attaching the housing body to a tip of a surgical retractor; a force sensor; an inertial sensor; a feedback module; and a control module configured to: track force applied by the retractor tip to the tissue based on force signals received from the force sensor; detect the force applied approaching a force threshold, the force threshold based on a relationship between force applied by the retractor tip to the tissue and orientation of the retractor tip against the tissue; in response to the force applied approaching the force threshold, generating a first warning prompt indicating a possibility of damage to the tissue; and outputting the first warning prompt via a feedback module.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and tools that measure ionic concentrations and downhole enthalpy of a flowing geothermal fluid in real-time at high-temperature and pressure. The systems, methods and tools include measuring the concentration of selected naturally occurring ions found in the liquid phase of the geothermal fluid throughout the wellbore using novel electrochemical sensor technologies. The change in liquid-phase ion concentration will be used to calculate the proportion of liquid to steam and allow for accurate enthalpy measurements. The techniques and technologies described here can be applied to any application of electrochemical sensing in extreme environments.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of improving, enhancing, and/or rejuvernating neuromuscular junction morphology and/or function in a subject by administering to the subject an amount of a 15-PGDH inhibitor effective to inhibit 15-PGDH activity and/or reduce 15-PGDH levels in the subject. The methods described herein are useful for treating subjects afflicted with neurogenic myopathies, aged-induced loss of muscle mass, genetic neuromuscular wasting disorders, or after trauma or injury, among others.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for functional ultrasound imaging, where the system comprises: a) an apparatus for delivering a nucleic acid encoding a mechanosensitive ion channel to a target neural cell population in a region of a brain; and b) a functional ultrasound imaging device. The present disclosure provides a method for functional ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: Provided are delocalized lipophilic cation (DLC) compounds and methods of using such compounds. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions that include a DLC compound. Provided methods include methods of killing cells and methods of fluorescently labeling mitochondria by contacting the cells with a DLC compound of the present disclosure. Also provided are methods of imaging cell mitochondria, methods of determining whether a patient has a mitochondria related disease, and methods of treating a patient for a mitochondria related disease. Kits that include compounds of the present disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: Human pluripotent stem cells are differentiated in vitro into forebrain subdomain structures, which are then fused to generate an integrated system for use in analysis, screening programs, and the like.

Abstract: A noninvasive patient-specific method is provided to aid in the analysis, diagnosis, prediction or treatment of hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system of a patient. Coronary blood flow and pressure can be predicted using a 3-D patient image-based model that is implicitly coupled with a model of at least a portion of the remaining cardiovascular system. The 3-D patient image-based model includes at least a portion of the thoracic aorta and epicardial coronaries of the patient. The shape of one or more velocity profiles at the interface of the models is enforced to control complex flow features of recirculating or retrograde flow thereby minimizing model instabilities and resulting in patient-specific predictions of coronary flow rate and pressure. The invention allows for patient-specific predictions of the effect of different or varying physiological states and hemodynamic benefits of coronary medical interventions, percutaneous coronary interventions and surgical therapies.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the cell-based delivery of collagen VII for the treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa and corneal erosion. The disclosure also provides a composition and a pharmaceutical composition comprises, comprise, or alternatively consist essentially of, or yet further consist of a keratinocyte sheet or a corneal cell sheet.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an iboga alkaloid and a cardioprotective agent are provided. Use of the compositions in treating neuropsychiatric disorders are described, where the cardioprotective agent is administered before, during and/or after the iboga alkaloid.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of generating human monoclonal antibodies that specifically binds to an allergen are provided. In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies are generated from sequences identified from isolated single B cells from a human subject who is allergic to the allergen.