Abstract: Methods for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the treatment of mucormycosis are described. The methods can include detecting the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of subjects suspected of having mucormycosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2-amino-4-arylpyrimidine and 2-amino-4-aryltriazine compounds as inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 family of chaperone proteins. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and kits that include the compounds and compositions of the invention. The invention further relates to the medical use of these compounds and compositions for the treatment of a disorder in a subject. For example, the disorder is a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for reducing levels of blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and/or the treatment of diseases associated with high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, or high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), wherein the methods comprise administering a DRP1 inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the subject is selected for treatment as described herein when the subject exhibits intolerance to conventional statin therapy. Also contemplated herein are the use of DRP1 inhibitors in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Described are cell culture solutions and systems for epithelial stem cell and organoid cultures, formation of epithelial constructs and uses of the same in transplantation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for the use of treating and/or preventing Clostridium difficile infections, including recurrent C. difficile infections, in a subject. Aspects of the technology relate to administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a defined therapeutic microbiota comprising, e.g. Clostridial species. Also described herein are biomarker profiles, including a biomarker profile comprising two groups of Clostridial species, that is predictive of the likelihood of recurrent C. difficile infection and/or susceptibility to initial C. difficile infection.

Abstract: Described herein are novel compositions comprising bispecific and multispecific polypeptide agents, and methods using these agents for targeting cells, such as functionally exhausted or unresponsive immune cells, that co-express the inhibitory receptors PD-1 and TIM-3. These compositions and methods are useful for the treatment of chronic immune conditions, such as persistent infections or cancer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for presenting medical imaging data in an interactive virtual environment reality are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises a head mounted display (HMD) that: determines that a transparent 3D object overlaps a 3D model of a portion of anatomy based on a medical imaging scan; sets values for pixels corresponding to portions of the 3D model not occluded by the transparent object by performing a shading operation; sets values for pixels corresponding to portions of the 3D model at the boundary of the transparent object to intensity values taken from the medical imaging data; displays the 3D model with an exterior surface shaded to evoke a 3D object, and internal surfaces at the boundaries of the transparent object not shaded to preserve details embedded in the medical imaging data.

Abstract: Magnetic cell levitation and cell monitoring systems and methods are disclosed. A method for separating a heterogeneous population of cells is performed by placing a microcapillary channel containing the heterogeneous population of cells in a magnetically-responsive medium in the disclosed levitation system and separating the cells by balancing magnetic and corrected gravitational forces on the individual cells. A levitation system is also disclosed, having a microscope on which the microcapillary channel is placed and a set of two magnets between which the microcapillary channel is placed. Additionally, a method for monitoring cellular processes in real-time using the levitation system is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating pulmonary vascular disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a YAP/TAZ inhibiting composition and/or a GLS1 inhibiting composition.

Abstract: Articles and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject are described. These articles and methods may be useful, in some cases, for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the colon of a subject. In some embodiments, an article is configured to release a secretion inducing agent e.g., to stimulate the release of intestinal fluids. The article, in some embodiments, comprises a therapeutic agent such that the stimulated release of intestinal fluid increases the amount of therapeutic agent available for absorption by the colon. For example, in some embodiments, the articles and methods described herein advantageously promote increased absorption of therapeutic agents in subjects as compared to traditionally administered therapeutic agents without additional components such as a secretion inducing agent. In some embodiments, articles and methods described herein may increase the motility of the colon of a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of a deacetylated poly N-acetylated glucosamine (dPNAG) of Staphylococci. The dPNAG may be isolated from natural sources or synthesized de novo. The invention also relates to the use of dPNAG as a vaccine for inducing active immunity to infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, other related coagulase-negative or coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and other organisms carrying the ica (intracellular adhesion) locus. The invention further provides methods of use for antibodies directed to dPNAG, particularly for inducing passive immunity to the same class of infections.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to therapeutic methods and clinically useful molecular switches, for which activity or degradation of a switch-presenting polypeptide can be precisely induced via administration or withdrawal of an FDA-approved drug. Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to an engineered drug-inducible heterodimeric system including a first polypeptide presenting a CRBN polypeptide disrupted for or lacking a DDB1-interacting domain and a second polypeptide presenting a CRBN polypeptide substrate, where binding between the CRBN polypeptide and the CRBN polypeptide substrate are inducible via administration of an FDA-approved thalidomide analog immunomodulatory drug (IMiD). Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that presents a minimal fragment of the CRBN polypeptide substrate IKZF3 capable of triggering proteasomal degradation of CAR upon administration of an FDA-approved IMiD.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to pectin-based polymer compositions and methods of use thereof to cover, protect, and seal injuries, e.g., surgical wounds, in a mesothelial tissue. The methods include obtaining a bioadhesive pectin-based polymer composition including a complex of high-methoxyl pectin (HMP) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in a ratio from about 10 to 1 to 1 to 10 by weight; applying the composition to an injured mesothelial tissue; and applying pressure for at least one minute to enable the composition to bind to the mesothelial tissue.

Abstract: Described herein is a reporter material platform that can be used to directly monitor the drug response in real-time. The reporter material can include an activator element which undergoes a chemical change in response to an immunonological response to a drug, and the chemical change can be detected using a reporter element. The reporter material can include a drug and a reporter element that are physically constrained in a close proximity. The reporter element produces a signal only when the drug induces a direct or indirect physiological change in the tumor or surrounding tissue. The reporter material platform can self-assemble via supramolecular interactions. This reporter material platform can be used to directly monitor the drug response in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.

Abstract: An implantable, autonomously growing medical device is disclosed. The device may have an outer, braided outer element that holds an inner core. Degradation and/or softening of the inner core permits the outer element to elongate, allowing the device to grow with surrounding tissue. The growth profile of the medical device can be controlled by altering the shape/material/cure conditions of the inner core, as well as the geometry of the outer element.

Abstract: Provided herein are STING and SPARCS genes as biomarkers for determining an effective therapy for treating cancer. Further provided are methods for treating cancer using said biomarkers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, inter alia, compositions comprising drug containing polymeric particles that mimic lymphocyte migration in vivo and can specifically deliver immunosuppressive or immunoregulatory drugs to lymphoid tissues and sites of chronic inflammation where T-cell activation and T-cell mediated injury are occurring. Methods of preparing and using these drug-containing polymeric particles are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of food allergy. In particular, described herein are microbial consortia, including minimal microbial consortia, that can prevent and/or cure food allergy. In certain embodiments, the consortia comprise certain members of the taxa Clostridiales and/or Bacteroidetes.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to a method of stimulating the immune system in a subject in need thereof by administering an agent that increases the level or activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) and/or aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr).