Abstract: The present disclosure relates to microcapsules, methods of using such microcapsules in the delivery of drugs and probiotic microbes to subjects in need thereof, and methods of using such microcapsules for in vitro culture of microbes. In particular, the microcapsules comprise novel siloxane-based membranes that maintains transport properties essential to communication and growth of microbes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a blood flow sensor device such as a non-invasive cardiac arrest monitor (NICAM) that uses ultrasound to detect blood flow is used to monitor blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. One or more gating signal generation devices transmit gating signals to a blood flow monitoring computing device. The blood flow monitoring computing device uses the gating signals to determine time periods during which blood flow information generated by the blood flow sensor device is most likely to be accurate. The blood flow monitoring computing device measures blood flow during the time periods. In some embodiments, the blood flow monitoring computing device presents the measured blood flow to a user. In some embodiments, the blood flow monitoring computing device transmits a command to a chest compression device based on the measured blood flow.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for extracting a broken fragment of a dental abutment screw from a dental implant. One such system includes an extractor tool having a tubular outer body and a conductor positioned within the tubular outer body, and an applicator that receives and end of the extractor tool and also includes a heating element that converts electrical energy into heat that is conducted to the extractor tool to melt a thermoplastic adhesive in a cavity at the distal end of the extractor tool, such that the melted thermoplastic adhesive can conform to and engage with a broken fragment of a dental abutment screw within a dental implant when the adhesive cools. The extractor tool can then be rotated to unscrew the broken fragment from the dental implant.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting the development of a tumor in a subject. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dominant negative tumor necrosis factor (DN-TNF)-? protein and/or a nucleic acid encoding the DN-TNF-? protein. The DN-TNF-? protein and/or a nucleic acid encoding the DN-TNF-? protein can be administered alone or in combination with other agents.

Abstract: A compound of Formula II, or a salt, ester, solvate, hydrate or prodrug thereof: where: X1 is a branched or unbranched C1-10 alkyl, (CH2)s—NH—(CH2)t, (CH2)s—O—(CH2)t, or (CH2)s—C(NH2)—(CH2)v—NH—(CH2)t, where s, t and v are each, independently an integer from 1 to 5; A and B are each, independently, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C3-9 heteroaryl, or C3-9heteroaryl-C1-6alkyl, each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 independently selected Rg groups; C and D are each, independently, C3-7 cycloalkyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-7 heterocycloalkyl, C3-7 heterocycloalkyl-C1-6 alkyl, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C3-9 heteroaryl, or C3-9heteroaryl-C1-6alkyl, each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 independently selected Rg groups; each Rg is, independently, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, hydroxyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkoxy, amino, C1-6alkylamino, or di-C1-6alkylamino; and n1 and p1 are each, independently, integers from 1 to 10.

Abstract: Bioconjugates and methods of making bioconjugates are provided, wherein the bioconjugates comprise glucose oxidase and nanoparticles that can kill tumor cells. For example, glucose oxidase-iron oxide bioconjugates can produce reactive oxygen species from blood glucose, causing cell death. The use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can provide magnetic resonance imaging guidance to facilitate imaging-guided drug delivery and combine diagnostics with therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides modified griffithsin polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as corresponding nucleic acids, vectors, cells, fusion proteins, constructs, conjugates, and methods of inhibiting viral infection.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compounds for extracting water from an aqueous solution. For example, some embodiments include method for extracting water from an aqueous solution, comprising contacting the aqueous solution with a compound comprising one or more carbonyl moieties having an equilibrium constant for a hydration of the carbonyl moiety of at least about 0.5; separating a composition comprising the hydrated compound from the aqueous solution; and reacting the hydrated compound to obtain water.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing the proliferation of a tumor cell, increasing apoptosis of a tumor cell, and/or decreasing migration of a tumor cell. These methods include contacting the tumor cell with an effective amount of solubilized ECM or a soluble fraction of extracellular matrix (ECM), thereby reducing the proliferation of the tumor cell, increasing apoptosis of the tumor cell, and/or decreasing migration of the tumor cell. Methods are also disclosed for treating a subject with a tumor. The methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a soluble fraction of an ECM and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby treating the tumor in the subject. In specific non-limiting examples, the tumor is a glioma and/or the ECM hydrogel is a urinary bladder ECM hydrogel.

Abstract: An improved method of treating depression in a person can be generally said to include applying to a body area of the person a therapeutic stimulation device having a tactile transducer that is positioned proximate the body area, and emitting with the tactile transducer a vibrational output toward the body area. A therapeutic stimulation device and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solutions for use with machine perfusion of one or more organs. In some embodiments, the solutions comprise acellular cross-linked hemoglobin in a physiologically acceptable medium. Also disclosed herein are methods for machine perfusion of one or more organs, for example utilizing the disclosed perfusion solutions. In some embodiments, the methods include perfusing an organ with an oxygenated solution (such as the disclosed solutions) which is at a temperature between about 12-37° C., for example at a temperature of about 21° C.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates induction of immunological tolerance thereby providing permanent allograft acceptance. This method obviates the need for a lifelong regimen of immunosuppressive agents which can increase the risk of infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Immunological tolerance is thought to be mediated by regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg cells) with immunosuppressive capabilities. A therapeutically relevant platform comprising artificial constructs are contemplated comprising numerous soluble and surface bound Treg cell stimulating factors that may induce tolerance following allograft transplantation. Such artificial constructs, being the sire of a cell, have surface bound monoclonal antibodies specific to regulatory T-cell surface moieties and encapsulated soluble regulatory T-cell modulating factors.

Abstract: Various light emitting diode device embodiments that include emissive material elements, e.g., core-shell quantum dots, that are either (i) provided in nanoscale holes provided in an insulating layer positioned between an electron supply/transport layer and a hole supply/transport layer, or (ii) provided on a suspension layer positioned above and covering a nanoscale hole in such an insulating layer. Also, various methods of making such light emitting diode devices, including lithographic and non-lithographic methods.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that a FAK inhibitor induces conversion of acinar cells into beta cells. Methods are provided for increasing beta cell proliferation by administering an effective amount of a FAK inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. Methods are also provided for treating a subject with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a FAK inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. The treatment of kidney disease may be tailored depending upon the need for, or expectation of, long-term dialysis. For example, prediction of long-term dialysis treatment can be determined by monitoring urine biomarkers related to the development of chronic kidney disease. For example, a normalized time course of approximately fourteen Days measuring hyaluronic acid, death receptor 5, and/or transforming growth factor ?1 can be used to establish the risk of recovery versus non-recovery in patient's having suffered an acute kidney injury.

Abstract: An apparatus including (i) a processor including a plurality of main buffer on board (BOB) memory controllers (MCs) and a secure engine, (ii) a plurality of simple BOB MCs, (iii) a secure delegator, and (iv) a plurality of memory modules. The secure delegator coupled to a first main BOB MC and a first simple BOB MC creates a secure channel. A second main BOB MC coupled to a second simple BOB MC creates a non-secure channel. The plurality of main BOB MCs, the secure engine and the secure delegator are provided within a trusted computing base (TCB) of the apparatus and the plurality of simple BOB MCs and the plurality of memory modules are provided outside the TCB. The secure delegator is configured to: (i) secure communication between the first main BOB MC and the secure delegator, and (ii) perform Path ORAM accesses to the plurality of memory modules.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunogen comprising a fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a Zika virus (ZIKV) envelope protein, optionally a signal peptide, and a multimerization domain. The signal peptide is a premembrane (prM) signal peptide, an IgG signal peptide, or a human secretory signal peptide hidden Markov model, and the multimerization domain is an immunoglobulin Fc domain, a T4 fibritin foldon trimerization domain, or a human collagen XV trimerization domain. Nucleic acids, vectors, and microneedle arrays including these compositions are disclosed. Methods of producing an immune response to ZIKV are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating cancer patients carrying one or more specific fusion genes. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the protein encoded by the MAN2A1-FER fusion gene exhibits kinase activity and the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting MAN2A1-FER in a cancer other than prostate, for example hepatocellular cancer, led to dramatic improvement of survival of animals xenografted with the cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomarkers associated with CTCL, including TOX, PLS3, KIR3DL2, GATA3 and RUNX3, where increased expression, relative to normal control, of one or more of TOX, PLS3, KIR3DL2, and/or GATA3 is associated with CTCL and decreased expression of RUNX3, relative to normal control, is associated with CTCL. One or more of these biomarkers may be used to diagnose CTCL and/or design and monitor treatment.

Abstract: An optical sensor device includes an optical waveguide portion having a core, the core having a first refractive index, and a functional material layer coupled to the optical fiber portion, the functional material layer being made of a metal oxide material, the functional material layer being structured to have a second refractive index, the second refractive index being less than the first refractive index. The functional material layer may be a nanostructure material comprising the metal oxide material with a plurality of holes or voids formed therein such that the functional material layer is caused to have the second refractive index.