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: 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: The present invention provides a method of identifying meningitis as either bacterial meningitis or aseptic meningitis in a subject, comprising: a) measuring the amount of complement C3, complement factor B, complement membrane attack complex (MAC) protein, complement C5b, complement C6, complement C7, complement C8, and/or complement C9 in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample obtained from the subject; and b) comparing the amount of complement C3, complement factor B, complement MAC protein, complement C5b, complement C6, complement C7, complement C8, and/or complement C9 measured in (a) with the amount of complement C3, complement factor B, complement MAC protein, complement C5b, complement C6, complement C7, complement C8, and/or complement C9 measured in a control sample, wherein an amount of complement C3, complement factor B, complement MAC protein, complement C5b, complement C6, complement C7, complement C8, and/or complement C9 measured in (a) that is greater than the amount of complement C3, complement

Abstract: The present invention concerns groups of compounds derived from tunicates of the Synoicum species, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and uses thereof. Extracts from tunicates show selective toxicity against several different cancer cell lines in the NCI 60 cell line panel. These compounds are useful in the effective treatment of cancers, particularly malignant melanomas, colon cancer, and renal cancer cell lines.

Abstract: The present application provides methods of producing sortable sub-populations of retinal cells. Methods can be used in vivo. Methods can be used to produce sortable sub- populations of cells in non-human primate retina. Methods can be used in conjunction with vivo testing of gene therapy agents and ex-vivo cell sorting and analysis to determine the specificity and/or effectiveness of transgene transduction, transcription, expression, and/or function of the transgene product.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to methods for combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of a cancer.

Abstract: Novel rexinoid compounds are provided herein. Also provided herein are methods of using the compounds to treat disorders, such as metabolic disorders, diabetes, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, obesity, steatosis, inflammation, and/or cancer.

Abstract: Adeno associated viral (AAV) particles are emerging as useful vehicle for gene delivery to various organs and tissues, one of them being the retina. Provided here are variant AAV (e.g., variant serotype 2 (AAV2)) capsid proteins and variant capsid protein containing particles with enhanced ability to transduce retinal cells.

Abstract: Fastening devices are described. In one example, the fastening devices can be used for a landing string buoyancy solution. The landing string hardware includes a stop collar to be fitted and secured around a drill pipe and stop collar hardware to secure the stop collar together around the drill pipe. The stop collar can be secured at one end of a number of buoyancy modules placed along a longitudinal length of the drill pipe to hold them into place along the drill pipe. The stop collar can be formed from long fiber thermoplastic using extrusion-compression molding. The stop collar hardware includes a bolt having an external thread formed from long fiber thermoplastic and a nut having an internal thread formed from long fiber thermoplastic. Both the stop collar and the stop collar hardware are tested for suitability for the application of holding the buoyancy modules in place under operating conditions.

Abstract: A computerized information processing method for evaluating blood vessels is provided. The method includes acquiring a series of sequences of measurements, each at different time points in at least one cardiac cycle and at a different point along a blood vessel segment of a subject, generating corresponding profiles, calculating a transfer function for a subsegment between two selected points along a blood flow direction, and based thereon determining the physiological property of the subsegment. The measurements can contain information of blood velocity or blood pressure. A processing device and system implementing the information processing method are also provided. This approach can be used to evaluate arteries or veins and can be applied in screening, diagnosis, or prognosis of a variety of vascular diseases. For example, when combined with MRI scan, this approach can be used for non-invasively diagnosing pulmonary hypertension (PH) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a protective helmet includes an outer shell made of a polyethylene material, wherein the shell is locally deformable when impacted with a strong force and an inner liner provided within the outer shell. A protective helmet comprising: an outer shell made of a polyethylene material, wherein the shell is locally deformable when impacted with a strong force; and an inner liner provided within the outer shell.

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

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 disclosure provides a variety of methods based on the determination of cholesterol concentration in remnant lipoprotein and/or the determination of a remnant lipoprotein level in a sample from a subject. Such methods include, but are not limited to, a method of predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease, a method for evaluating a subject for treatment for a cardiovascular disease and a method for determining if a subject is suffering from cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for assessing risk of infection or cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a subject with an inflammatory disease, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis. The methods include performing immunoassays to generate scores based on quantitative data for expression of biomarkers relating to inflammatory biomarkers with or without additional clinical variables to assess infection and CVD risk. Also provided are uses of inflammatory biomarkers for guiding treatment decisions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods for purification of proteins, including multi-subunit complexes and membrane proteins. Modified colicin-DNAse domains and modified colicin immunity proteins are provided for use in purification methods. Also provided are related nucleic acids, vectors, genetically modified cells and affinity matrices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tether system for use with a protective helmet worn by a user includes multiple tethers, each tether having a first end adapted to attach to a shell of the protective helmet and a second end adapted to attach to an article worn by the user, wherein the tethers limit movement of the helmet.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with oxadiazole and thiadiazole analogs that are capable of inhibiting TGF-? and methods of treating cancers such as, for example, multiple myeloma and a hematologic malignancy, and methods of treating fibrotic conditions using these compounds. 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: Disclosed are synthetic apolipoprotein E-mimicking peptides, derivatives thereof, and related peptides, which are useful as therapeutic agents for reducing plasma cholesterol; synthetic methods of making the peptides; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides, and methods of treating lipid and metabolic disorders using the disclosed synthetic apolipoprotein E-mimicking peptides and compositions thereof. 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: Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6C, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit {?2) glucose 1 (1?3) glucose 2 (1?3) rhamnose (1?3) ribitol (5?phosphate}. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.