Abstract: Novel cromolyn analogs useful as imaging agents for detecting atherosclerotic plaques and for treating atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease, and methods of making the cromolyn analogs, are disclosed. The cromolyn analogs have the general formula: wherein X is OH, C1-C6 alkoxyl; Y and Z are independently selected from a C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxyl, halogen, un-substituted or C1-C6 substituted amine, 18F, 19F, or H; and n is 1, 2, or 3; and wherein for structure (I), if n are both 1 and Y and Z are both H and X is OH.

Abstract: A system and method for determining, from registered positron emission tomography (PET) sinogram data and magnetic resonance (MR) image data, an estimated attenuation sinogram uses a data consistency condition to evaluate a gradient of the PET sinogram data using the MR image data. An image of the subject is reconstructed using the estimate attenuation sinogram.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fluorescence decay in a biological sample is provided. The method includes acquiring optical signal data from at least a part of a biological sample undergoing fluorescence, assembling the optical signal data into a set of spatial time-series data, and converting the set of spatial time-series data into a set of spatial frequency time-series data. The method also includes applying a spatial filter to the set of spatial frequency time-series data to yield a set of filtered frequency-series data, the spatial filter configured to separate, from the set of frequency-series data, fluorescence signals consistent with a non-diffuse component and converting the set of filtered frequency-series data into a set of filtered time-series data.

Abstract: An implantable magnetic relaxation sensor is provided that comprises superparamagnetic nanoparticies functionalized with one or more agents that bond with a biomarker of interest. The sensor is configured for minimally-invasive implantation into a human or animal, and is configured to indicate the implanted sensor's cumulative exposure to the biomarker of interest by analysis using magnetic resonance relaxometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combination therapies for treating Alzheimer's disease or an amyloidosis-associated pathological condition comprising co-administering a therapeutically effective amount of a first compound, and a therapeutically effective amount of a second compound. In certain embodiments, the first compound or the second compound inhibits AB peptide polymerization; is an anti-inflammatory; improves cognitive function, mood, or social behavior; is associated with Tau or alpha-synuclein; or regulates amyloid peptide washout.

Abstract: Nanoparticles for a selective, two stage delivery to tumors have been developed. The nanoparticles are initially sized so that they preferentially accumulate in the tumor tissue as a result of leakage through the defective vascular in the solid tumors. Once in the tumor tissue, the nanoparticles are cleaved hydrolytically and/or by enzymatic cleavage over time to release smaller nanoparticles carrying therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents into the necrotic interior of the tumors. This provides a simple, elegant and highly effective means of delivery drug selectively not just to tumors generally, but, more importantly, into the poorly vascularized necrotic interiors which drugs are normally unable to penetrate. The nanoparticles have a number of advantages: less toxicity due to selective accumulation only in the tumors; access into the poorly vascularized necrotic interiors of the tumor; and sustained release over a period of time within the tumor.

Abstract: This invention relates to polycomb-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), libraries and fragments of those ncRNAs, inhibitory nucleic acids and methods and compositions for targeting lncRNAs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide antibodies, antigen binding portions thereof, and other polypeptides (e.g., CARs), that specifically bind to CSPG4, an antigen expressed on cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and/or CAR-T-cells that specifically bind to CSPG4 positive cancer cells are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, or prodrug thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, W1, W2, W3, and W4 are as described herein. The present invention relates generally to inhibitors of histone deacetylase and to methods of making and using them. In one aspect, the invention relates to selective HDAC3 inhibitors useful for protecting ?-cells and improving insulin resistence. The selective HDAC3 inhibitors are also useful for promoting cognitive function and enhancing learning and memory formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combination therapies for treating Alzheimer's disease or an amyloidosis-associated pathological condition comprising co-administering a therapeutically effective amount of a first compound, and a therapeutically effective amount of a second compound. In certain embodiments, the first compound or the second compound inhibits AB peptide polymerization; is an anti-inflammatory; improves cognitive function, mood, or social behavior; is associated with Tau or alpha-synuclein; or regulates amyloid peptide washout.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving the delivery and/or efficacy of a therapy (e.g., an anti-cancer, anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory therapy) are disclosed. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that metformin, a widely prescribed anti-diabetic drug, can affect the tumor microenvironment (e.g., directly, i.e., independent of its effects on cancer cells themselves or tumor metabolism). In embodiments described herein, metformin has been shown to reduce the amount of extracellular matrix, including collagen 1 and hyaluronan, in the fibro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment in a subject (e.g., a subject with a desmoplastic tumor).

Abstract: A portable magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system that uses static magnetic field inhomogeneities in the main magnet for encoding the spatial location of nuclear spins is provided. Also provided is a spatial-encoding scheme for a low-field, low-power consumption, light-weight, and easily transportable MRI system. In general, the portable MRI system spatially encodes images using spatial inhomogeneities in the polarizing magnetic field rather than using gradient fields. Thus, an inhomogeneous static field is used to polarize, readout, and encode an image of the object. To provide spatial encoding, the magnet is rotated around the object to generate a number of differently encoded measurements. An image is then reconstructed by solving for the object most consistent with the data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide artificial expression systems comprising the zinc-finger containing transcription factors and engineered promoters to modulate expression of genes of interest. Engineered zinc-finger transcription factors that interact with engineered promoters constitute synthetic and regulatable expression systems which facilitate the modulation of gene expression as desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified cells useful for viral replication and the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: The present application relates to functionalized 1,2,4,5-tetrazine compounds. The compounds are useful in compositions and methods using bioorthogonal inverse electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions for the rapid and specific covalent delivery of a “payload” to a ligand bound to a biological target.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that relate to inhibiting and/or reducing glycosylation of IgE for the treatment of allergic and atopic disorders. These compositions and methods are based, in part, on the discovery that glycosylation of IgE is a requirement for initiation of the allergic cascade and that a single N-linked site in the C?3 domain of mouse and human IgE, occupied by an oligomannose structure, specifically N394 of the C?3 domain of human IgE is required for the conformational integrity of the IgE.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to methods of aiding diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and evaluation of a disease or other medical condition in a subject by detecting a biomarker in microvesicles isolated from a biological sample from the subject.

Abstract: Methods for optical imaging, particularly with optical coherence tomography, using a low coherence light beam reflected from a sample surface and compared to a reference light beam, wherein real time dynamic optical feedback is used to detect the surface position of a tissue sample with respect to a reference point and the necessary delay scan range. The delay is provided by a tilting/rotating mirror actuated by a voltage adjustable galvanometer. An imaging probe apparatus for implementing the method is provided. The probe initially scans along one line until it finds the tissue surface, identifiable as a sharp transition from no signal to a stronger signal. The next time the probe scans the next line it adjusts the waveform depending on the previous scan. An algorithm is disclosed for determining the optimal scan range.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with simultaneous multivolume acquisition (SMVA) is described. One example nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples (k, t, E) spaces associated with different volumes (e.g., slices) in an object to simultaneously acquire sets of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) spaces. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and compares the NMR signal evolution to reference signal evolutions. Since different volumes are excited differently, resulting signal evolutions can be acquired simultaneously from the different volumes and NMR parameters may be simultaneously determined for the multiple volumes, which reduces acquisition time and parameter map creation time.