Abstract: Therapeutic agents, compositions, and methods are described for use in the treatment of acute or chronic pain, neuroinflammation, or conditions characterized by acute or chronic pain or neuroinflanmmation. The therapeutic agents comprise a synthetic amphipathic helical peptide capable of acting as a mimetic of apoA-I protein.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel ?-hairpin peptide hydrogel that can be labeled with contrast agent for CECT imaging. The ?-hairpin peptide hydrogel undergoes shear-thinning upon application of shear stress, and rheological recovery upon removal of the shear stress, and therefore is well-suited for delivery by syringe to a target location in a subject. Once delivered, the labeled ?-hairpin peptide hydrogel remains in place to allow CECT imaging of the target location in the subject, which can be used to guide administration of further agents to the target location.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the hPIV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the hPIV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or inhibiting a hPIV infection in a subject by administering a effective amount of the recombinant hPIV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating a TCR having antigenic specificity for a mutated amino acid sequence encoded by a cancer-specific mutation, the method comprising: identifying one or more genes in the nucleic acid of a cancer cell of a patient, each gene containing a cancer-specific mutation that encodes a mutated amino acid sequence; inducing autologous APCs of the patient to present the mutated amino acid sequence; co-culturing autologous T cells of the patient with the autologous APCs that present the mutated amino acid sequence; selecting the autologous T cells; and isolating a nucleotide sequence that encodes the TCR from the selected autologous T cells, wherein the TCR has antigenic specificity for the mutated amino acid sequence encoded by the cancer-specific mutation. Also disclosed are related methods of preparing a population of cells, populations of cells, TCRs, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: Apparatus include an illumination source configured to produce and direct a multi-wavelength illumination beam to a microfluidic target that can include nanotags, a detector configured to receive a multi-wavelength detection beam from the microfluidic target and to produce a detection signal, wherein the multi-wavelength detection beam comprises light that is elastically side-scattered by an interaction between the multi-wavelength illumination beam and the nanotags in the microfluidic target, and a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine the presence of the nanotags in the microfluidic target by comparing multiple wavelength side-scatter intensity characteristics of the detection signal with predetermined multi-wavelength elastic side-scatter intensity profiles of one or more nanotag types.

Abstract: Disclosed devices for recovering cryopreserved tissue can comprise a receptacle that receives a sealed, frozen tissue container containing cryopreserved tissue and cryopreservation media, with at least one recovery media chamber and a waste material chamber fluidly coupled to the tissue container receptacle. The recovery device can be inserted into a regulator apparatus that facilitates thawing and warming of the media and tissue, and regulation of the flow of recovery media through the tissue container to flush out the thawed cryopreservation media into the waste chamber. The regulator can identify the tissue based on an ID tag on the tissue container and automatically apply an appropriate algorithm for thawing, culturing, and maintaining the tissue in a viable state.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for measuring a level of a 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in a nucleotide sequence from a subject, wherein the subject is a subject having a cancer or suspected of having cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for measuring a level of a 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in a nucleotide sequence from a subject, wherein the subject is a subject having a cancer or suspected of having cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TET3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating, reducing, or preventing pruritis in a mammal, the method comprising administering at least one natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb) blocking agent to a mammal in an amount effective to treat or prevent pruritis in the mammal. An in vitro method of identifying a compound that inhibits Nppb activity is also disclosed.

Abstract: Human anti-human folate receptor beta antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof are described, as well as methods of using such antibodies and fragments to treat inflammatory disorders or cancers expressing cell surface FR?.

Abstract: The present invention concerns means and methods for predicting the risk of a subject to suffer from liver damage. In particular, it pertains to a method for predicting the risk of a subject to suffer from liver damage caused by acetaminophen comprising determining the amount of putrescine in a blood, serum or plasma sample that has been obtained from the subject after administration of acetaminophen, and comparing the determined amount to a reference, whereby the risk of the subject to suffer from liver damage caused by acetaminophen is predicted. Also provided are devices for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions related to chitosan antigen depots, and chitosan cytokine depots, and the use of depot compositions in treating and preventing diseases.