Abstract: Methods and systems to validated physiologic waveform reliability and uses thereof are provided. A number of embodiments describe methods to validate waveform reliability, including blood pressure waveforms, electrocardiographic waveforms, and/or any other physiological measurement producing a continuous waveform. Certain embodiments output reliability measurements to closed loop systems that can control infusion rates of cardioactive drugs or other fluids in order to regulate blood pressure, cardiac rate, cardiac contractility, and/or vasomotor tone. Further embodiments allow for waveform evaluators to validate waveform reliability based on at least one waveform feature using data collected from clinical monitors using machine learning algorithms.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of monitoring and treating a subject with ALS based on biomarkers.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of treating a subject having or at risk of having graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) generally includes administering to the subject a plurality of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) effective to ameliorate at least one symptom or clinical sign of graft-versus-host disease compared to a suitable control subject. In another aspect, a method of treating a tumor in a subject generally includes administering to the subject an anti-tumor therapy and co-administering to the subject an inflammasome inciting agent in an amount effective to increase inflammasome activation of MDSCs sufficiently to reduce suppressor function of the MDSCs.

Abstract: Sub-millimeter scale three-dimensional (3D) structures are disclosed with customizable chemical properties and/or functionality. The 3D structures are referred to as drop-carrier particles. The drop-carrier particles allow the selective association of one solution (i.e., a dispersed phased) with an interior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles, while a second non-miscible solution (i.e., a continuous phase) associates with an exterior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles due to the specific chemical and/or physical properties of the interior and exterior regions of the drop-carrier particles. The combined drop-carrier particle with the dispersed phase contained therein is referred to as a particle-drop. The selective association results in compartmentalization of the dispersed phase solution into sub-microliter-sized volumes contained in the drop-carrier particles. The compartmentalized volumes can be used for single-molecule assays as well as single-cell, and other single-entity assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are star-shaped polymers and methods of use thereof. Also provided are oral compositions comprising a star-shaped polymer and an orally acceptable carrier and methods of using same. The star-shaped polymers, as provided herein, have a structure according to Formula (I).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of glycosylation in the formation of disaccharides, trisaccharides, and oligosaccharides using fluoroglycosides, silyl ether glycosides and a triaryl borane catalyst.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating eye disorders. In particular, provided herein are neuroprotective compositions and methods for treating vision loss and related disorders.

Abstract: A CD20-OR-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) protein construct is provided. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the CD20-OR-CD19 CAR; and methods of use, e.g. in the treatment of B cell malignancies. The CD20-OR-CD19 CAR of the invention is a bispecific CAR that can trigger T-cell activation upon detection of either CD19 or CD20 (or both). It is a single molecule that confers two-input recognition capability upon human T cells engineered to stably express this CAR.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing X-ray optics are described. The optics are formed from CVD thin film diamond. The optics lave three sections that include a tip on which X-rays impinge, a base, and an intermediate section connecting the base and the tip. The intermediate section tapers from the base to the tip. The base has a substantially larger thickness than the tip. The base is disposed within a holder that securely retains the optics to provide vibration control, while the tip is thin enough to provide thermal management and reduce crystal strain.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to bispecific antibodies which bind to both PD-L1 and PD-L2, and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1, PD-L2, or both.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a solid electrolyte membrane are described. More particularly, a small amount of binder may be fiberized through a dry calendering process to prepare a solid electrolyte membrane. Since the fiberized binder is included in an entangled state within the solid electrolyte membrane, it shows excellent characteristics in both ionic conductivity and strength.

Abstract: Provided, inter alia, are synthetic melanin nanoparticles (MelNPs) useful for protecting keratinocytes from UV-damage and for treating melanin-defective diseases.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for optimization techniques and a realistic 3D model to design optimal parameters for transcutaneous stimulation to achieve focalized stimulation of a target tissue such as the spinal cord, brain or other internal organ. The methods, apparatus, and systems include generation of a 3D model from a CT/MRI image, as well as an optimization algorithm that enables stimulation of any target location (e.g., on the dorsal root, or on the dorsal column) with any orientation at high precision.

Abstract: Methods for treating, reducing, ameliorating or inhibiting symptoms idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or interstitial pneumonia, comprising administering to a subject in need of an effective amount of a) multiple EGF-like-domains-9 (MEGF9) or a biologically active fragment thereof; b) uncoordinated receptor 5A (UNC5A) or a biologically active fragment thereof; c) dolichyl-phosphate beta-glucosyltransferase (ALG5) or a biologically active fragment thereof; d) a combination of two or three of a)-c); e) an antibody specifically binding to a); f) an antibody specifically binding to b); g) an antibody specifically binding to c); h) a combination of two or three of e)-g); or i) a combination of at least one of a)-c) and at least one of e)-g). Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for making and using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system configured to transform a lateral scan motion into axial refocusing, thus enabling aberration free remote focusing. In one embodiment, the imaging system provides aberration free remote focusing by causing a beam of light to be scanned over a stationary mirror having a variable height in the scan direction, thereby causing the beam of light to be defocused in an axial direction in the return direction (e.g., the direction of propagation for the reflected beam of light). By configuring the back-reflected light resulting from the lateral scan component as described herein, a pure axial scan motion may be obtained at the rate of the employed (lateral) scanning technology (e.g., a GSM). This capability allows the imaging system of the present inventive concept to leverage rapid lateral scan technologies to produce rapid axial displacement of the axial focus of the beam of light.

Abstract: Described herein is an ion pump system implementing an electronic ratchet mechanism produced by modulating a spatially varying electric potential distribution that can result in a net ionic current and voltage. The ion pumping membrane system includes an ion-permeable layer integrated with ion-selective membranes. The electric potential distribution within the ion-permeable layer is modulated through external stimuli. When immersed in solution, ions within the ion-permeable layer experience a time varying, spatially asymmetric electric field distribution resulting in ratchet-driven direction pumping, which can be used in applications such as desalination.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising amino acids, individually and in combination, and methods of making the compositions and methods of using the compositions as pharmaceutically active agents to, inter alia, treat disease in animals, including humans.

Abstract: A CD20-OR-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) protein construct is provided. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the CD20-OR-CD19 CAR; and methods of use, e.g. in the treatment of B cell malignancies. The CD20-OR-CD19 CAR of the invention is a bispecific CAR that can trigger T-cell activation upon detection of either CD19 or CD20 (or both). It is a single molecule that confers two-input recognition capability upon human T cells engineered to stably express this CAR.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods that include a CasY transactivating noncoding RNA (trancRNA) (referred to herein as a “CasY trancRNA”), nucleic acids encoding the CasY trancRNA, and/or a modified host cell comprising the CasY trancRNA (and/or a nucleic acid encoding the same). Subject compositions and methods can also include one or more of: (a) a “CasY” protein (also referred to as a CasY polypeptide, a Cas12d protein, and a Cas12d polypeptide), a nucleic acid encoding the CasY protein, and/or a modified host cell comprising the CasY protein (and/or a nucleic acid encoding the same); and (b) a CasY guide RNA (also referred to herein as a “Cas12d guide RNA”) that binds to and provides sequence specificity to the CasY protein, a nucleic acid encoding the CasY guide RNA, and/or a modified host cell comprising the CasY guide RNA (and/or a nucleic acid encoding the same).

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a rapid dissolving, high potency, substantially amorphous nanostructured aggregate for pulmonary delivery of tacrolimus and a stabilizer matrix comprising, optionally, a polymeric or non-polymeric surfactant, a polymeric or non-polymeric saccharide or both, wherein the aggregate comprises a surface area greater than 5 m2/g as measured by BET analysis and exhibiting supersaturation for at least 0.5 hours when 11-15-times the aqueous crystalline solubility of tacrolimus is added to simulated lung fluid.