Abstract: Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Abstract: Hypotonic microbicidal compositions including an antimicrobial, such as an antiviral compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a solution formulation having hypotonic osmolarity have been developed for administration rectally to the gastrointestinal mucosa. In a preferred embodiment for use in preventing or decreasing HIV infection, the microbiocidal is tenofovir, or a prodrug or derivative thereof. The formulations may include additional agents such as surfactants to enhance cleansing, buffers, or preservatives. Polymers may be included for osmolarity as well as comfort.

Abstract: A system for controlling gene expression in yeast comprises a repressible gene expression plasmid that has a regulator binding sequence for camR and a target gene sequence. The system also includes a transcription enhancer expression plasmid; wherein said transcriptional activator protein binds to the regulator binding sequence in the absence of a transcriptional inhibitor. The system is used in a method for controlling expression of the target gene through the use of camphor. The target gene is expressed in the absence of camphor but unexpressed if camphor is added to a solution of cells containing the plasmids.

Abstract: A system for multimodal laser speckle imaging may include a first light source positioned to emit laser light toward a target, a second light source positioned to emit light toward the target, a camera positioned to receive light scattered from the target, and a processor.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A reactive composite foil, including metallic fuel particles, oxidizer particles, and a diluent, which, when ignited, produces a self-propagating thermite reaction to produce a molten metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cells. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating a subject with acute liver injury comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one stem cell mobilizer. In particular embodiments, the subject is treated with plerixafor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

Abstract: A magnetoelectric memory cell with domain-wall-mediated switching is implemented using a split gate architecture. The split gate architecture allows a domain wall to be trapped within a magnetoelectric antiferromagnetic (MEAF) active layer. An extension of this architecture applies to multiple-gate linear arrays that can offer advantages in memory density, programmability, and logic functionality. Applying a small anisotropic in-plane shear strain to the MEAF can block domain wall precession to improve reliability and speed of switching.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the induction of cell death, for example, cancer cell death. Combinations of compounds and related methods of use are disclosed, including the use of compounds in therapy for the treatment of cancer and selective induction of apoptosis in cells. The disclosed drug combinations can have lower neurotoxicity effects than other compounds and combinations of compounds.

Abstract: This disclosure provides novel hydrogels that can undergo multiple gel-sol transitions and methods of making and using such hydrogels, particularly in anastomosis procedures. The peptide hydrogels comprising a fibrillar network of peptides that are in an amphiphilic ?-hairpin conformation. The peptides comprise photo-caged glutamate residues with a neutral photocage that can be photolytically selectively uncaged to disrupt the fibrillar network and trigger an irreversible gel-sol phase transition of the hydrogel. Isolated peptides for making the disclosed hydrogels are provided, as are methods of using the peptide hydrogels in anastomosis procedures.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods and compounds for inhibiting SMN-NAT, the natural antisense transcript of SMN.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for quantifying levels of glutamine antagonists, such as 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), including such glutamine antagonists resulting from in vivo conversion of ester prodrugs of such glutamine antagonists, in a biological sample.

Abstract: Resins are provided including bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin. Compositions are also provided, including a primary amine curative and the bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or the bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin. Further, polymerized products are provided of the bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or the bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin. In addition, a method of making a polymerized network is provided. A two component system is further provided, including a curative in one of the components and the bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or the bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin in the other component. In addition, a resin blend is provided, including a blend of at least two of bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin, bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin, or bisphenol T diphthalonitrile ether resin.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an implanted catheter and an external device that the patient uses to inject a therapeutic into the implanted tube. The implanted catheter can be equipped with a fixation mechanism that secures the catheter in place and eases physician insertion and removal. The fixation mechanism can include shape memory arms having silicone tips or can be a second catheter branch configured to hold the device in the user's sinus cavity. The catheter can also include numerous exit holes to prevent obstruction and deliver the therapeutic. An interface between the implanted catheter and the external device is incorporated, to ensure a reliable seal for medication passage. A method and device for delivery of the catheter to the correct position can also be included.

Abstract: A system and method for generating dynamic susceptibility contrast information from medical imaging data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and from a subject having received a dose of a contrast agent. A plurality of images are acquired of the subject. Using the images, an arrival time correction (ATC) is determined that includes a value for at least one of a time shift variable, a time stretch variable, and an amplitude scale variable. The ATC is applied to a model of dynamic susceptibility contrast that relates a measure of signal change over time with a correction term to dynamic susceptibility contrast information to create a corrected model of dynamic susceptibility contrast including the ATC. At least one contrast agent concentration curve is generated from the plurality of images using the corrected model.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods for using a non-spherical biomimetic artificial cell comprising a three-dimensional microparticle or nanoparticle having an asymmetrical shape and a supported lipid bilayer (SLB). The non-spherical biomimetic artificial cells can be used in cell biomimicry and for active targeting mediated drug delivery.

Abstract: A method, computer system and computer readable storage medium for searching for one or more images having a region of interest similar to the region of a subject, including: receiving imaging data comprising a plurality of image elements of the region of interest of the subject; segmenting the imaging data of the region of interest of the subject into a plurality of sub-regions corresponding to various structures at a plurality of levels of granularity, the plurality of levels of granularity having a relationship such that a level of granularity has fewer structures at a lower level of granularity; and calculating at each of the plurality of levels of granularity an abnormality factor or risk factor for the segmented various structures of said region of interest, to provide a segmented said region of interest of said subject with at least one of said abnormality factor or risk factor associated therewith.

Abstract: A system quantifying clinical skill of a user, comprising: collecting data relating to a surgical task done by a user using a surgical device; comparing the data for the surgical task to other data for another similar surgical task; quantifying the clinical skill of the user based on the comparing of the data for the surgical task to the other data for the other similar surgical task; outputting the clinical skill of the user.

Abstract: A novel method for simulating radiation dose reduction that enables previews of low-dose x-ray projection images, low-dose computed tomography images and/or cone-beam CT images. Given an existing projection or set of projections of the patient acquired at a nominal dose, the method provides a means to produce highly accurate preview images that accurately reflect the image quality associated with reduced radiation dose. The low-dose preview image accounts for characteristics of the imaging system, including blur, variations in detector gain and electronic noise, and does so in a manner that yields accurate depiction of the magnitude and correlation of image noise in the preview images. A calibration step may be included to establish the system-specific relationship between the mean and variance in detector signal, and incorporate an accurate model for system blur such that correlations in the resulting LDP images are accurate.

Abstract: Provided are modified microorganisms which are modified such that their growth can be controlled using exogenously provided compounds. The microorganisms can be modified by genetic alterations that include a promoter inducible by a first exogenously supplied compound. The promoter can be configured to drive expression of an RNA coding sequence that may be essential to growth of the microorganism. The microorganisms may also be modified to include site specific recombinase recognition sites flanking or within the RNA coding sequence so that expression of the corresponding site specific recombinase will disrupt transcription of the RNA. The site specific recombinase can be configured such that it expression and/or activity is suppressed by a second exogenously supplied compound. Methods of making the modified microorganisms and kits that contain reagents for making and using the modified microorganisms are also provided.