Abstract: Disclosed is a method of modulating DNA damage response (DDR) signaling in a cell in which the modulating of DDR signaling is desired. In representative embodiments, the method comprises administering to the cell an effective amount of a substance capable of modulating cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAS-cGAMP) pathway activity in the cell to thereby modulate DDR signaling in the cell.

Abstract: A system and method to determine characteristics of surgical related items and procedure related items present for use in the perioperative period. The system and method may apply computer vision for determining status and tracking of the surgical related items and procedure related items, as well as related clinical, logistical and operational events in the perioperative period. The system and method provides for an intuitive, automated, and transparent tracking of sterile surgical items (SSI) such as single-use, sterile surgical supplies (SUSSS) and sterile surgical instruments, and quantification of SSI waste. In doing so, the system and method empowers administrators to reduce costs and surgeons to demonstrate usage of important equipment. The system and method removes the guesswork from monitoring and minimizing SSI waste and puts the emphasis on necessity and efficiency.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying the production levels of alkaloids in plants are provided. Alkaloid production can be genetically controlled by modulating the transcriptional activation of PMT genes mediated by members of the ERF family and/or Myc family of transcription factors. Novel nucleotide sequences encoding the Myc family of transcription factors are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical incision apparatus and method for puncturing a cutaneous layer of a subject for providing guided access to a subcutaneous organ or subcutaneous cavity (or specified target region) of the subject. The apparatus may include a retention body configured for securing a cutting tool therein and a housing configured for receiving the retention body. The apparatus includes a guidewire holder member configured for receiving a guidewire therein and aligning with the guidewire to allow the cutting tool to travel along the guidewire. The retention body is configured to be movably attached relative to the housing to allow the retention body and cutting tool to advance toward the subject to a deployed position, and subsequently withdraw to a retracted position.

Abstract: A device and related method that provides, but is not limited thereto, a two-phase heat transfer device with unique combination of enhanced evaporation and increased cooling capacity. An advantage associated with the device and method includes, but is not limited thereto, increased cooling capacity per unit area, controlled and optimized evaporation, prevention of boiling, and prevention of drying of the evaporator. An aspect associated with an approach may include, but is not limited thereto, using anon-wetting coating or structure to keep working fluid away from the spaces between elongated members of an evaporator and using a wetting coating or structure to form thin films of working fluid around the distal region of the elongated members. For example it can be used to cool a computer chip, a skin of a hypersonic flying object, parabolic solar collector, turbine or engine blade, or any other heat source that requires high heat flux.

Abstract: Provided are bacterial minicells derived from genome reduced (GR) having a reduced number of expressed genes and/or is a bacterium having one or more mutated min genes. In some embodiments, the minicell has a recombinant protein present in and/or on the surface of the minicell. In some embodiments, the recombinant protein is an antigen and in some embodiments, the minicell induces an enhanced immune response against the antigen when administered to a subject. In some embodiments, the bacterium has an autotransporter (AT) expression vector encoding the recombinant protein to express the recombinant protein on the surface of the bacterium and/or the minicell derived therefrom. Also provided are vaccine compositions that include bacterial minicells, methods for producing antibodies, methods for vaccinating subjects, and expression vectors encoding heterologous proteins.

Abstract: A method of measuring thermal conductivity of a material includes focusing a modulated pump laser beam having a modulation frequency that induces a cyclical steady-state temperature rise at a spot of a material, focusing a CW probe laser beam at the spot and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot on the material, the reflected probe beam having a magnitude of a reflectance signal as a function of the temperature of the material and being periodic corresponding to the cyclical temperature rise, measuring the magnitude of the reflectance signals of the reflected probe beam, and determining the thermal conductivity by fitting the power of the pump beam and the measured magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model which is a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the radial heat flux to the temperature rise.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-Rapa cells and methods of making and using them. Specifically, methods of producing T-Rapa cells that can express chimeric antigen receptors is provided.

Abstract: Equivalent insulin pump retrospective virtual basal rates for daily injections are constructed from planned insulin injections according to a virtual basal rate profile developed for a patient, and a database of historical insulin injections, i.e. basal injections actually administered by the patient, providing a unified framework for analysis, design, optimization, and adaptation of MDI (multiple daily injections) and CSII (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (i.e. insulin pump) treatment parameters for patients with diabetes.

Abstract: This application generally relates to stable peptide compositions and kits comprising low levels of buffering and chelating agents, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method and system use mathematical models and available patient information to virtualize a continuous glucose monitoring trace for a period of time. Such a method and system can generate the virtualized trace when episodic patient data is incomplete. Such a method and system can also rely on self-monitored blood glucose measurement information to improve the virtualized continuous glucose monitoring trace.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for use of hornerin-binding molecules, including peptides and antibodies. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions that include horning-binding molecules, including but not limited to peptides, uses for the disclosed compositions, including in methods for treating tumors, methods for increasing the survival of subject with tumor, methods for suppressing tumor growth in subjects, methods for reducing tumor vascularity in subjects, methods for treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions associated with undesirable hornerin expression; methods for modulating hornerin biological activities, methods for imaging cells, tissues, and/or organs that expresses hornerin, and methods for delivering active agents to cells, tissues, and/or organ that expresses hornerin.

Abstract: The present application discloses a novel fusion peptide of IL-2 and IL-33 and its use. It comprises a biologically active domain of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) or a biologically active fragment or homolog thereof, and a biologically active domain of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) or a biologically active fragment or homolog thereof. The two portions can be linked by a linker sequence. The application discloses that combination therapies using IL-2 and IL-33 or a therapy using the IL233 fusion protein are effective in preventing or treating diseases and disorders such as autoimmune diseases and disorders, inflammation, etc. Depending on the subject's disease or disorder, the compositions of the invention are useful for preventing certain symptoms, treating the disease, and alleviating at least some of the symptoms.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying the production levels of alkaloids in plants are provided. Alkaloid production can be genetically controlled by modulating the transcriptional activation of PMT genes mediated by members of the ERF family and/or Myc family of transcription factors. Novel nucleotide sequences encoding the Myc family of transcription factors are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system use mathematical models and available patient information to virtualize a continuous glucose monitoring trace for a period of time. Such a method and system can generate the virtualized trace when episodic patient data is incomplete. Such a method and system can also rely on self-monitored blood glucose measurement information to improve the virtualized continuous glucose monitoring trace.

Abstract: An insulin monitoring system includes one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors. The program instructions include: first program instructions to track, in real time, the amount of insulin active in a patient; second program instructions to calculate the amount of insulin need of the patient by tracking the patient's metabolic states; third program instructions to compare the insulin active in the patient with the insulin need of the patient; and fourth program instructions to determine an insulin fault level based on the comparison.

Abstract: A set of target peptides are presented by HLA A*0101, A*0201, A*0301, B*4402, B*2705, B*1402, and B*0702 on the surface of disease cells. They are envisioned to among other things (a) stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., cancer, (b) to function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T cell therapy or as a vaccine, (c) facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, (d) act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and (e) act as targets in the generation antibody-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

Abstract: Existing feedstock for additive manufacturing is mostly stiff, fragile plastics. We report a class of 3D printable, ultrasoft and stretchable elastomers by exploiting the self-assembly of responsive bottlebrush-based triblock copolymers. The microphase separation of the architecturally and chemically distinct blocks results in physically crosslinked networks that are stimuli-reversible, enabling their use for in-situ direct-write printing soft, elastic, and deformable 3D structures. The elastomers are 100% solvent-reprocessable yet thermostable within a wide range of temperature. Moreover, they exhibit an extensibility up to 600% and a Young's modulus low to ˜102 Pa, 106 times softer than plastics and more than 100 times softer than all existing 3D printable elastomers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems that facilitate the integration of on-chip impedance sensors and measurement circuitries for quantifying the impedance/frequency response of microfluidic device under the same, or similar, conditions used for particle manipulation. The methods and systems can use a microfluidic chip comprising a microfluidic channel with one or more electric-field-generating structures located therein, including a first electric-field-generating structure, wherein the one or more electric-field-generating structures is configured to selectively polarize or manipulate biologic or particle components flowing within the microfluidic channel. The method and system can also employ a circuit configured for automated determination and quantification of parasitic voltage drops during AC electrokinetic particle manipulation, without the need to use valuable biological samples or model particles.

Abstract: A system for generating a hypoglycemia risk signal associated with exercise-induced Hypoglycemia. The system can include a processor configured to obtain a blood glucose signal (BGstart), a ratio of absolute insulin on board over total daily insulin signal (IOBabs/TDI), and an initial glycemic slope signal (S0); generate a hypoglycemia risk signal based on a hypoglycemia prediction algorithm that determines the probability of a user being hypoglycemic during or after exercise based on the obtained BGstart, IOBabs/TDI and S0.