Abstract: This invention provides compounds that inhibit p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Moreover, the invention provides methods for testing a candidate compound for a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase modifying activity by calculating the level of relocalization of an SMN complex component from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of a cell. Additionally, the invention provides a kit and a system for calculating the same.

Abstract: The invention features lentiviral transfer vectors that include heterologous nucleic acids to be introduced into a cell. The lentiviral transfer vector may be characterized by the following features: (a) including a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter; (b) including a polynucleotide encoding a partial gag protein that includes a mutated INS1 inhibitory sequence that reduces restriction of nuclear export of RNA; (c) not including a polynucleotide encoding the INS2, INS3, and INS4 inhibitory sequences of gag; (d) not including an SV40 origin of replication and/or an f1 origin of replication; (e) including a cPPT sequence that contains splice site; (f) including an EF1alpha promoter with intact splice donor and acceptor sites; and (g) including hepatitis B PRE with mutation in start codon of X protein ORF.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one AAV vector formulated for central nervous system delivery is described. The composition comprises at least one expression cassette which contains sequences encoding an anti-neoplastic immunoglobulin construct for delivery to the brain operably linked to expression control sequences therefor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The anti-neoplastic immunoglobulin construct may be an immunoglobulin modified to have decreased or no measurable affinity for neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). Also provided are methods of using these constructs in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof in anti-neoplastic regimens, particularly for primary and/or metastatic cancers of the brain.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to valve replacement devices that are foldable for catheter-based deployment to the site of implantation, as well as systems for the delivery of valve prostheses, including prostheses having the special characteristics of the disclosed valve replacement devices. The devices include highly effective adhering mechanisms for secure and enduring precision implantation. The adhering mechanisms may employ a unique sealing mechanism that includes a cuff that expands slowly whereby the device is not secured in place until the completion of the implantation procedure. The implanted device, optionally together with the cuff, prevents perivalvular leaks and incorporate an appropriate leaflet system for reliable functioning in situ.

Abstract: Provided herein is an immunogenic composition comprising a synthetic consensus antigen to Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) protein which is abundant in many ovarian cancer sub-types. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a tumor associated pathology in a subject in need thereof, by administering the immunogenic composition to the subject.

Abstract: Provided are methods for assigning a subject having idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) to a group having a higher or lower probability of responding to treatment for iMCD using measured quantities of CXCL13. Also disclosed are methods of treating idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an inhibitor of CXCL13 or of CXCR5. Also provided herein are methods for assigning a subject having idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) to a group having a higher or lower probability of responding to treatment for iMCD using measured quantities of specified biomarkers. The present disclosure also provides methods of treating idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an inhibitor of the JAK-STAT3 pathway. Also disclosed are methods for assessing the absence or presence of iMCD in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for enhancing utrophin protein production by inhibiting binding of a Let-7c microRNA molecule to its binding site in the utrophin mRNA 3?-untranslated region (UTR). In particular, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO) site blocking oligonucleotides (SBOs) that inhibit Let-7c miRNA binding to its binding site in the utrophin mRNA 3?UTR. Moreover. methods of enhancing utrophin protein production in muscle cells can be used to treat muscular dystrophy and/or other myopathies.

Abstract: A method for designing a knitted textile or fabric, the method includes receiving graphical input from a user regarding a knit pattern comprised of different types of individual stitches to be included in a textile or fabric design. The method further includes graphically displaying a representation of the textile or fabric design. The method further includes merging sections of continuous stitches of the same type into at least one block. The method further includes graphically displaying the textile or fabric design as a pattern of the at least one block. The method further includes applying edge rolling indicators and/or folding indicators to the displayed pattern of the at least one block, where the edge rolling and/or folding indicators respectively and graphically illustrate predicted edge rolling and folding behaviors of a physical textile or fabric.

Abstract: Methods of making robust bijels include dispersing metal oxide precursors and/or metal salts into at least one phase of a bijel and hydrolyzing and condensing the metal oxide precursors and/or metal salts in a sol-gel reaction to form sintered bridges between interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles. The methods can be used with any bijels, including those produced during solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STRIPS) methods and other methods. A robust bijel includes chemically sintered bridges between the interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles. Methods of making nanocatalyst-functionalized sintered bijels include adsorbing metal salts to a surface of sintered interfacially jammed nanoparticles of bijels, and reducing the metal precursors on the surface of the sintered nanoparticles. Nanocatalyst-functionalized sintered bijels include catalytically active metal or metal oxide nanocatalysts on a surface of the sintered interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles.

Abstract: Viral vectors comprising engineered hOTC DNA and RNA sequences are provided which when delivered to a subject in need thereof are useful for treating hyperammonemia, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency and symptoms associated therewith. Also provided are methods of using hOTC for treatment of liver fibrosis and/or cirrhosis in OTCD patients by administering hOTC.

Abstract: A method of correcting singletons in a selected AAV sequence in order to increasing the packaging yield, transduction efficiency, and/or gene transfer efficiency of the selected AAV is provided. This method involves altering one or more singletons in the parental AAV capsid to conform the singleton to the amino acid in the corresponding position(s) of the aligned functional AAV capsid sequences.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing images are disclosed. An example method may comprise inputting one or more of a first image or a second image into a fully convolutional network, and determining an updated fully convolutional network by optimizing a similarity metric associated with spatially transforming the first image to match the second image. The one or more values of the fully convolutional network may be adjusted to optimize the similarity metric. The method may comprise registering one or more of the first image or the second image based on the updated fully convolutional network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition including a recombinant nucleic acid sequence that encodes an anti-influenza-hemagglutinin synthetic antibody. The disclosure also provides a method of preventing and/or treating influenza in a subject using said composition and method of generation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections and Zika virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infection, by administering a compound or composition of the invention, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections, in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits useful for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating type II diabetes in a feline are provided. A viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding a feline GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Abstract: Novel AAV capsids and recombinant AAV vectors comprising the same are provided.

Abstract: Improved anti-HPV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HPV39 E6E7 and HPV45 E6E7. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising DNA plasmid and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HPV are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors, capable of detecting various analytes, including toxins, at comparatively low concentrations. Also provided are methods of fabricating and using such aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for providing prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in a computed tomography (CT)-negative subject. The invention further relates to monitoring the severity of brain damage resulting from TBI in a subject and determining the prognosis of a subject that has suffered from mTBI. This invention also relates to methods of predicting who is at risk for developing brain damage and long-term dysfunction.

Abstract: An ambulatory respiratory assist device utilizes a cuirass worn on the chest and/or abdomen and supported by a hip belt so that it does not place a load on the patient's shoulders. The belt also supports a ventilator that includes a pump and its power supply, valving, controls and auxiliary equipment. The device is optionally integrated with auxiliary features such as chest wall vibration, which can be achieved by utilizing cuirass pressure modulation, with shoulder or upper arm supports for simulating the “tripod position”, with positive pressure ventilation apparatus, or with patient monitoring. Shoulder or upper arm supports can extend directly from the belt to the shoulders or upper arms, utilized independently of the cuirass, and optionally integrated with one or more of the above-mentioned auxiliary features.