Abstract: The present invention relates to tolerogenic mammalian dendritic cells (iDCs) and methods for the production of tolerogenic DCs. In addition, the present invention provides methods for administration of tolerogenic dendritic cells as well as particles containing oligonucleotides to mammalian subjects. Enhanced tolerogenicity in a host can be useful for treating inflammatory and autoimmune related diseases, such as type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including nano-particles and a nano-structured support matrix, methods of their preparation and applications thereof. The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for use as anode material for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. The nano-structured support matrix can include nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, and mixtures thereof. The composition can further include a substrate on which the nano-structured support matrix is formed. The substrate can include a current collector material.

Abstract: A digital microfluidic system includes a substrate, a plurality of electrode sets provided on the substrate, wherein each of the electrode sets includes two co-planar interdigitated finger electrodes, and a driving circuit including an AC/DC voltage source and a controller. Each of the electrode sets is individually addressable by the driving circuit under control of the controller such that an AC/DC voltage generated by the AC/DC voltage source may be selectively provided to one or more of the electrode sets. Also, an anti-biofouling electrode for a digital microfluidic system includes an electrode layer, and a slippery liquid infused porous surface structure provided on the electrode layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to ex-situ biosensors that impedimetrically detect one or more target biomarkers of interest in bodily fluid sample derived from a patient. The biosensors include a multi-array of conducting material, such as platinum wires, having immobilized thereon antibody and/or aptamer that is selected to specifically and selectively bind to the one or more target biomarkers of interest. The biosensors are contacted with a portion of the bodily fluid sample, and the antibody and/or aptamer binds to the target biomarker(s) of interest in the bodily fluid sample. As a result, an electrochemical impedance signal is generated and therefore, a change in the electrochemical impedance is indicative of the presence of the target biomarker(s) of interest in the bodily fluid sample. The biosensors are point-of-care, on-demand devices that can be used in a medical environment, as well as in domestic and health emergency settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for targeted administration to the pancreas of a calcineurin inhibitor and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (“NSAID”) to reduce the risk and/or limit the extent of post-imaging pancreatitis associated with procedures that employ a radiocontrast medium, particularly procedures that selectively image the pancreas, gallbladder and/or biliary tree.

Abstract: A method comprising: introducing a sample volume into an inlet end of a liquid chromatography column, wherein the liquid chromatography column includes a focusing segment proximal to the inlet end of the liquid chromatography column and a separation segment proximal to an elute outlet of the liquid chromatography column; maintaining only the focusing segment at a first temperature as the sample is introduced into the focusing segment; and subsequently heating the focusing segment to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature after the entire sample volume has been introduced into the focusing segment.

Abstract: An agent comprising: an algin crosslinked with acetal linkages; and at least one cation coupled to the crosslinked algin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for expanding tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), such as tumor-infiltrating T cells, utilizing an agonist of PGC1? in vivo, ex vivo, or both. Exhausted T cells present in the TIL population fail to effectively proliferate, produce cytokines, or kill target cells. The present disclosure provides methods to correct these defects through the use of pharmacologic agents to reprogram the metabolism of the exhausted intratumoral T cells. Exemplary agonists of PGC1? include proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists (e.g., a thiazolidinedione (TZD), aleglitazar, farglitazar, muraglitazar, or tesaglitazar), AMPK activators (e.g., 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, AICAR), and sirtuin activators (e.g., resveratrol, SRT1720, SRT2104, SRT2183, SRT1460). Also provided are kits can compositions that can be used with such methods.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for identifying a compound of use in treating a condition treatable by metformin. The methods include determining if the test compound binds a subunit of the mitochondrial electron transport complex IV, and/or alters the function of the mitochondrial electron transport complex IV. Methods for treating a subject with a condition treatable by metformin, are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the condition is type II diabetes.

Abstract: Interferon-?-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) peptides, IP-10 peptide variants and in silico designed C—X—C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) peptide agonists are described. The small peptides can be used for inhibiting pathological tissue remodeling and treating fibrosis in a subject, such as a subject with fibrosis of the heart, lung, liver, kidney or skin. The peptide agonists can also be used to treat cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Also described are in silico designed peptide antagonists that bind CXCR3 or ligands of CXCR3. These antagonist peptides block CXCR3 signaling by disrupting interaction of CXCR3 with its ligand. Antagonist peptides can be used, for example, to treat myocarditis and atherosclerosis. In additional embodiments agonists and antagonists of CXCR4 are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying patients at risk of kidney injury. A risk score, which is a composite of a urinary concentration of IGFBP7 (insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7) and a urinary concentration of TIMP-2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2), is determined obtained from the patient, and is used to manage patient treatment.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating pulmonary vascular disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a YAP/TAZ inhibiting composition and/or a GLS1 inhibiting composition.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes a housing (2), a moveable device (12) disposed within the housing and including a first surface including a first material (15) and a second surface including a second material (17), wherein the moveable device is operable to move to bring the first and second surfaces together and apart to cause contact and separation between the first and second materials, a first strap (4) attached to the housing, a second strap (6) coupled to the moveable device, wherein movement of the second strap causes operation of the moveable device, and electronic circuitry (20) structured to harvest energy from the electrical charge generated by the contact between the first and second materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for ameliorating chronic pain signaling involving transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) by expressing PP1? in neurons. The invention also provides HSV vectors for expressing PP1? within neurons and compositions comprising such vectors.

Abstract: In vitro and in vivo methods of removing carbon monoxide from hemoglobin in blood or animal tissue are described. Methods of treating carboxyhemoglobinemia (carbon monoxide poisoning) in a subject are also described. The methods include administering natural or artificial oxygen carriers that are in their reduced form. Methods of producing a reduced oxygen carrier are further described. Methods of treating cyanide poisoning or hydrogen sulfide poisoning with oxygen carriers are also described.

Abstract: A method for quantifying an amount of fat contained in a liver or other tissue of a subject in vivo includes varying the temperature of a target area in a subject, imaging thermal strain of the target area using an ultrasound scanner, and quantifying the amount of fat in the targeted area based on the thermal strain imaging. In some embodiments, the thermal strain imaging is performed using high-resolution, phase-sensitive speckle tracking to differentiate between fat-based tissue and water-based tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating patients having cancer or a premalignant or neoplastic condition. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a genome editing technique that specifically targets a fusion gene can induce cell death in a cancer cell other than a prostate cancer cell, e.g., a hepatocellular cancer cell, having the fusion gene. The present invention provides methods for treating cancer patients that include performing a genome editing technique targeting a fusion gene present within one or more cells of a subject to produce an anti-cancer effect.

Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention are directed to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating disease. The compositions of such embodiments include thiolated nitro fatty acids. The methods of various embodiments include administering an effective amount of any of these pharmaceutical compositions to a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention are directed to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating disease. The compositions of such embodiments include reversible nitroxide derivatives of nitroalkenes. The methods of various embodiments include administering an effective amount of any of these pharmaceutical compositions to a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various bioreactor devices that mimic the mammalian joint. The bioreactor device can include a series of bioreactor chambers that contain different components of the joint, such as bone, cartilage, synovium, nerve and ligament. At least two different nutrient fluid circulation systems connect subsets of the bioreactor chambers to differentially supply nutrient fluids at concentrations optimized for the tissue that the fluid nourishes. For example, relatively hypoxic fluid can be supplied to synovium and cartilage to mimic oxygenation in the joint compartment, but normoxic fluid can be supplied to the bone and other components that have an arterial supply that provides higher oxygen concentrations. One or more or all of the bioreactor chambers can be supplied with separate inlets through which perturbation agents (such as drugs or other agents) can be introduced to model the effect of the perturbations on different components of the system.