Abstract: A method for ascertaining pulmonary fibrosis disease progression or treatment response includes obtaining a first set of computed tomography (CT) images of a lung and determining a first Pulmonary Surface Index (PSI) score for the lung by detecting a first actual lung boundary of the lung within the first set of CT images, determining a first approximated lung boundary within the first set of CT images, and determining the PSI score using inputs based on the first actual lung boundary and the first approximated lung boundary. The method also includes obtaining a second set of CT images of the lung and determining a second PSI score for the lung using inputs based on a second actual lung boundary and a second approximated lung boundary. The method also includes assessing pulmonary fibrosis treatment response or disease progression based on the first PSI score and the second PSI score.

Abstract: A method of treating a central nervous system cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject a preconditioning agent, and, administering to the subject a therapeutic dose of an oncolytic virus; wherein the preconditioning agent is an immunostimulant selected from the group consisting of a toll-like receptor agonist, a subtherapeutic dose of an oncolytic virus, and/or an interferon that induces a transient anti-viral response and/or upregulates an interferon response; and wherein the preconditioning agent and the therapeutic dose of the oncolytic virus is administered to the subject's cerebrospinal fluid or periependymal region. Provided herein are methods of treating a central nervous system cancer in a subject. This method allows for intrathecal administration of oncolytic virus, which, until the present invention, resulted in unacceptable toxicity.

Abstract: An electrode system for use in an AC-electrospinning process comprises an electrical charging component electrode and at least one of an AC field attenuating component and a precursor liquid attenuating component. The electrical charging component electrode is electrically coupled to an AC source that places a predetermined AC voltage on the electrical charging component electrode. In cases in which the electrode system includes the AC field attenuating component, it attenuates the AC field generated by the electrical charging component electrode to better shape and control the direction of the fibrous flow. In cases in which the electrode system includes the precursor liquid attenuating component, it serves to increase fiber generation, even if the top surface of the liquid precursor is not ideally shaped or is below a rim or lip of the reservoir that contains the liquid on the electrical charging component electrode.

Abstract: Relationships between morphological changes to an eye due to intraocular pressure changes and blood perfusion changes in the retina are determined by colocalizing retinal perfusion data and optic nerve head (ONH) mechanical deformation data. Perfusion changes from intraocular pressure (IOP) changes are determined by colocalizing retinal perfusion data with ONH mechanical deformation data. Optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) can be used to generate both retinal perfusion data and mechanical deformation data for an imaged volume. A three-dimensional model (e.g., connectivity map or connectivity model) of the vasculature can be generated from the OCT-A imaging data and used to predict changes in blood perfusion in various areas of the retina due to IOP-induced mechanical deformations.

Abstract: Compositions comprising colicin immunity proteins and methods of using same for protein purification are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel cell compositions engineered to express at least a chimeric antigen receptor and a survival factor. Methods of using such cell compositions are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant single-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp) and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are Mycobacterium smegmatis porin nanopores, systems that comprise these nanopores, and methods of using and making these nanopores. Such nanopores may be wild-type MspA porins, mutant MspA porins, wild-type MspA paralog porins, wild-type MspA homolog porins, mutant MspA paralog porins, mutant MspA homolog porins, or single-chain Msp porins. Also provided are bacterial strains capable of inducible Msp porin expression.

Abstract: Provided herein are CRISPR/Cas9 complexes and method of using same.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). More particularly, disclosed are a variety of antigen specific polypeptides, including soluble, monoclonal, and multivalent forms, as well as methods of using the polypeptides, antibodies that bind the antigen specific polypeptides, and nucleic acids, vectors and expression systems that encode the polypeptides. Antigen specific polypeptides that selectively bind pathogens, like anthrax, and carbohydrates, like blood group determinants, are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with thioquinolinone compounds for the treatment of disorders associated with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling dysfunction such as, for example, kidney diseases (e.g., chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury). This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is a compound of formula (I) in which Ar1, R1, U, V, W, X, and p are as described herein. Also provided are methods of using a compound of formula (I), including a method of treating cancer, a method of treating a patient with cancer cells resistant to an anti-cancer agent, and a method of inhibiting lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and/or lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) activity in a cell.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides recombinant polynucleotides. In some embodiments, the recombinant polynucleotides comprise a cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome, or a portion thereof, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen, wherein the CMV genome or portion thereof comprises a mutation within a interleukin-10-like gene sequence. Methods for preventing and treating diseases such as infectious diseases and cancer are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the inhibition of the formation of Streptococci biofilms through the inhibition of glucosyl transferase (Gtf). Compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting Streptococcus biofilm formation, as well as for preventing, inhibiting and/or treating the formation of dental caries, and methods of identifying compounds that prevent, inhibit and/or treat the formation of dental caries are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant single-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp) and uses thereof.

Abstract: The respiratory microbiomes of neonates and those with bronchopulmonary disease have been characterized. Provided are probiotic compositions, which can include at least one living bacterial strain and at least one killed bacterial strain, that can comprise a combination of Lactobacilli species, 5 that when delivered to the bronchi or lungs of a patient can provide a reduction in the symptoms of a bronchopulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photobleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide compositions and methods related to novel recombinant protein immunogens, comprising specific portions of alpha helical domains (aHD) and proline rich regions (PRD) of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which portions are linked to provide aHD-PRD constructs. The aHD and PRD proteins constituting the aHD-PRD constructs are selected to maximize cross-reactivity and provide protection against a broad spectrum of pneumococcal serotypes. Immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, comprising at least one aHD PRD construct may also include a non-linked aHD portion. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acid molecules that encode aHD-PRD constructs, vectors and recombinant host cells containing such molecules, aHD-PRD expression products, use of such nucleic acid molecules to express aHD-PRD constructs by recombinant techniques, and use of the expression products to elicit an immune or protective response against pneumococcal disease in a suitable host.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibody that selectively binds CD47 on tumor cells. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the antibody disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for delivering an insecticide to water-borne insect larvae are provided. Whereas individual cells of the insecticidal bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), are effective in killing insect larvae when ingested by same, their use in aqueous environments is restricted by the time that the bacterial cells remain suspended in water and hence available for ingestion by the larvae. To increase the time that the insecticidal bacteria remain in suspension, it has now been found advantageous to mix bacterial suspensions with nanoparticles comprising carbon that attach to the external surface of the cells.