Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for assessing a disease condition of a cancer of a subject, including: receiving a blood sample from the subject; isolating a plurality of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood sample; measuring at least one of cell or cell nucleus sizes of each of the plurality of CTCs; determining a measured CTC size distribution of the plurality of CTCs based on the measuring; comparing the measured CTC size distribution to a reference CTC size distribution using a computer; and assigning the disease condition of the cancer of the subject based on the comparing.

Abstract: In various embodiments chimeric moieties (constructs) are provided that show significant efficacy against cancers. In certain embodiments the constructs comprise a targeting moiety that specifically binds CSPG4 attached to an interferon or to a mutant interferon. In certain embodiments, the constructs comprise anti-CSPG4 antibody attached to an interferon alpha (IFN-?) or to a mutant interferon alpha or to an interferon beta (IFN-?) or to a nutant interferon beta, or to an interferon gamma (IFN-?) or to a mutant interferon gamma.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a metabolic pathway for producing a metabolite, the metabolic pathway having a co-factor purge valve system for recycling a cofactor used in the metabolic pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for evaluating and/or predicting the outcome of a clinical condition, such as cancer, metastasis, AIDS, autism, Alzheimer's, and/or Parkinson's disorder. The methods can also be used to monitor and track changes in a patient's DNA and/or RNA during and following a clinical treatment regime. The methods may also be used to evaluate protein and/or metabolite levels that correlate with such clinical conditions. The methods are also of use to ascertain the probability outcome for a patient's particular prognosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are agents that bind to the lipid binding groove of Frizzled (FZD). In some embodiments, the agent is a fragment of TcdB corresponding to amino acids 1285-1804 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, binding of the agent to the lipid binding groove of FZD inhibits TcdB entry into cells, and/or inhibits Wnt signaling. Methods of treating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and methods of treating cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to proteins that bind to CD83 and uses thereof, for example, in therapy, prophylaxis, diagnosis, or prognosis.

Abstract: The use of stepped cannulas, wherein a step structure creates a backstop to reduce backflow along the cannula body, is known for convection enhanced delivery of agents to the brain and other structures within an animal. Described herein are novel and improved stepped cannula designs wherein the length of the cannula segment between the step and the dispensing outlet is variable and can be controllably adjusted inside the patient during delivery. This advantageously allows the operator to place the cannula step at the optimal position and deliver agents at one or more positions within the target structure.

Abstract: A vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) formulated for intranasal administration, comprises a first vaccine component comprising one or more M. tuberculosis, Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae) or Mycobacteroium bovis (M. bovis) antigens, and a second vaccine component comprising a Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) activator.

Abstract: Rechargeable antimicrobial materials that can provide continuous sanitation of contact surfaces or liquids are provided that are based on functionalized sanitization particles that are either freestanding or coupled to a surface film. The sanitization particles have a carrier particle and one or more antimicrobial agents loaded into, adsorbed onto or bonded to each carrier particle. The antimicrobial agents may also be joined to a polymer or particulates of clay or zeolite that are coupled to the carrier. Sanitization particles may also be coupled directly to a film or through a chemical linker. The particles and films provide methods of enhanced inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria, inactivation and dissipation of biofilms, and the reduction or elimination of bacterial pathogens from surfaces, medical devices, on food or in food containers.

Abstract: A label-free bio-aerosol sensing platform and method uses a field-portable and cost-effective device based on holographic microscopy and deep-learning, which screens bio-aerosols at a high throughput level. Two different deep neural networks are utilized to rapidly reconstruct the amplitude and phase images of the captured bio-aerosols, and to output particle information for each bio-aerosol that is imaged. This includes, a classification of the type or species of the particle, particle size, particle shape, particle thickness, or spatial feature(s) of the particle. The platform was validated using the label-free sensing of common bio-aerosol types, e.g., Bermuda grass pollen, oak tree pollen, ragweed pollen, Aspergillus spore, and Alternaria spore and achieved >94% classification accuracy. The label-free bio-aerosol platform, with its mobility and cost-effectiveness, will find several applications in indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods directed to multiplexed detection of the modulation of transcriptional activity using perturbation elements.

Abstract: A carbonized mushroom tissue electrode material and methods are shown. In one example, carbonized mushroom tissue is used as an electrode in a battery, such as a lithium ion battery. A battery, comprising: a first electrode, including: carbonized tissue from a mushroom; a second electrode; and an electrolyte in contact with both the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A system for magnetic resonance imaging a subject is provided. The system includes a magnet assembly and a controller. The controller is in electronic communication with the magnet assembly and operative to: perform an inversion recovery pulse on the subject via the magnet assembly; acquire an ultrashort echo from the subject via the magnet assembly using a hybrid encoding scheme; and generate an image of the subject based at least in part on the ultrashort echo.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing isopentenol and/or 3-methyl-3-butenol, comprising (a) an increased expression of phosphomevalonate decarboxylase (PMD) (b) an increased expression of a phosphatase capable of converting isopentenol into 3-methyl-3-butenol, (c) optionally the genetically modified host cell does not express, or has a decreased expression of one or more of NudB, phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK), and/or PMD, and (d) optionally one or more further enzymes capable of converting isopentenol and/or 3-methyl-3-butenol into a third compound, such as isoprene.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for preventing, reducing, mitigating and treating pain, particularly neuropathic pain by the combined administration of an agent that increases EETs and an agent that reduces/inhibits endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining physiological information in a subject. The system includes: a light source positionable along a first location outside of the subject; a photo-sensitive detector positionable along a second location outside of the subject and configured to detect scattered light and generate a signal; a processor having a program and a memory, wherein the processor is operably coupled to the detector and configured to receive and store the signals generated over a period of time; wherein the processor is programmed to derive contrast metrics from the stored signals, calculate a waveform from the contrast metrics, decompose the waveform into basis functions and respective amplitudes, and compare the basis function amplitudes to determine the physiological information.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate enhancing the energy storage capabilities of MnO2 in nanowire energy storage devices such as nanowire-based capacitors or batteries.

Abstract: Provided here are cell detection systems, fluidic devices, structures and techniques related to particle and cell sorting and detection in fluid, for example sorting specific subpopulations of cell types. A method for verification of sorting of particles includes receiving a first detection signal that is associated with optical characteristics of a particle in a first channel. A sorting channel of a plurality of second channels is determined based on the first detection signal, thereby determining the sorting of the particle into the sorting channel based on the optical characteristics of the particle. A sorting signal for sorting the particle from the first channel into the sorting channel is transmitted. A second detection signal is received that is associated with the presence of the particle in the sorting channel. The sorting of the particle from the first channel into the sorting channel is verified based on the second detection signal.

Abstract: A combination of three well-known and FDA approved compounds has been discovered to significantly suppress the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in clinically relevant models of pancreatic cancer. Embodiments of the invention include compositions of matter comprising a combination of agents such as metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin as well as methods of treating cancers using such agents. Illustrative methods include combining a population of pancreatic cancer cells with amounts of metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin sufficient to inhibit expression of BIRC5 protein in the population of pancreatic cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of the population of pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to inhibitory peptides which bind to ?-synuclein molecules and inhibit ?-synuclein amyloidogenic aggregation, ?-synuclein cytotoxicity, and spread of ?-synuclein. Methods of making and using the inhibitory peptides (e.g. to treat subjects having conditions or diseases that are mediated by ?-synuclein, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or MSA) are described.