Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods comprising a chimeric coronavirus spike protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single domain specific binding molecule having the structure FW1-CDR1-FW2-HV2-FW3a-HV4-FW3b-CDR3-FW4 in which the Framework Regions FW1, FW2, FW3a, FW3b, and FW4, the Complementarity Determining Regions CDR1 and CDR3, and the Hypervariable Regions HV2, and HV4 have amino acid sequences as defined which provide a high affinity anti-human serum albumin (HSA) binding domain.

Abstract: A process of producing a yarn, ribbon or sheet that includes nanofibers in which the process includes forming a yarn, ribbon or sheet comprising nanofibers, and applying an enhancing agent comprising a polymer to the yarn, ribbon or sheet.

Abstract: A semiconductor light source includes a substrate, an optical waveguide having a reflection structure provided on the substrate with an oxide film in between and a semiconductor light emitting element provided on the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a constant width core layer portion located in a center portion, tapered core layer portions that are provided on either side of the constant width core layer and of which the core width gradually increases and a constant width core layer portion for an optical wire waveguide. The semiconductor light emitting element is placed so as to cover at least a portion of the tapered core layer portions on both sides.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for using actuated surface-attached posts for assessing biofluid rheology are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for testing properties of a biofluid specimen includes placing the specimen onto a micropost array having a plurality of microposts extending outwards from a substrate, wherein each micropost includes a proximal end attached to the substrate and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and generating an actuation force in proximity to the micropost array to actuate the microposts, thereby compelling at least some of the microposts to exhibit motion. The method further includes measuring the motion of at least one of the microposts in response to the actuation force and determining a property of the specimen based on the measured motion of the at least one micropost.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of antigens, including Mycobacterium sulphate assimilation pathway components such as CysD, for preventing and treating Mycobacterium infection, especially but not exclusively Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; to expression systems including live Mycobacterium for expression of said antigens for prevention and treatment of said infection; and to use of said antigens and expression systems for prevention and treatment of said infection.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.

Abstract: Provided are methods for labeling transfer RNA comprising replacing the uracil component of a dihydrouridine of said transfer RNA with a fluorophore. The disclosed methods may comprise fluorescent labeling of natural tRNAs (i.e., tRNAs that have been synthesized in a cell, for example, in a bacterium, a yeast cell, or a vertebrate cell) at dihydrouridine (D) positions, or fluorescent labeling of synthetic tRNAs. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for assessing protein synthesis in a translation system comprise providing a tRNA having a fluorophore substitution for the uracil component of a dihydrouridine in a D loop of the tRNA; introducing the labeled tRNA into the translation system; irradiating the translation system with electromagnetic radiation, thereby generating a fluorescence signal from the fluorophore; detecting the fluorescence signal; and, correlating the fluorescence signal to one or more characteristics of the protein synthesis in the translation system.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving GBV-C E2 polypeptides and peptides for use in modulating immune responses, including inhibition inflammation related to pathogenic T-cell activation.

Abstract: Biodegradable photoluminescent polymer (BPLP) which comprises an oligomer synthesized from a multifunctional monomer, a diol, and an amino acid by reacting (i) a multifunctional monomer comprising citric acid or triethyl citrate with (ii) a diol to form a reaction product, and further reacting the reaction product with (iii) an amino acid, wherein the amino acid is linked as a side group to the oligomer backbone. The BPLP of the present invention poses tunable fluorescence emission characteristics and are cell-compatible and biodegradable. The BPLP can serve as both implant materials and bioimaging probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for detecting, evaluating, and/or mapping 5-methyl-modified and/or 5-hydroxylmethyl-modified cytosine bases within a nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides comprising a TNNT1 mini-promoters are provided. The mini-promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, e.g. reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, anti-sense RNA, etc., and the like. In some embodiments a cell comprising a stable integrant of an expression vector is provided, which may be integrated in the genome of the cell. The promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, e.g. for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells, gene therapy, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomimetic sensor devices that utilize proteins—such as G-protein coupled receptors—and are useful in high-sensitivity analysis of analyte-containing samples. These sensors may be used to determine the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in a sample. The invention also includes methods of fabricating the devices and methods of using the devices to assay samples.

Abstract: This document provides prophylactic methods for reducing cancer metastasis by targeting LCN2, MMP9, and CX-CR4.

Abstract: A plasmonic structure (10) comprising a layer of metal (14) in which the metal is selected from: a Group 8 to Group 11 transition metal, aluminium, germanium, antimony or bismuth, and a barrier layer (16) formed from a 2-D material disposed on a surface of the layer of metal (14). The metal layer has a roughness that permits the propagation of running plasmons along the interface of the metal layer and the barrier layer.

Abstract: A harvesting device and methods of harvesting (i.e., dewatering) algae are described. The harvesting device and methods involve the use of stimuli-sensitive hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer scaffold design and method for treating segmental long bone defects without amputation that permits permanent regrowth of bone in the area of the segmental defect, without external fixation or other problems inherent in current systems. The polymer scaffold is preferably made from a poly(ester urea) polymer and includes an outer shell, sized to fit over a segmental defect in a bone, and a collagen containing material. In some embodiments, the collagen containing material is placed in a polymer insert sized to fit within the segmental bone defect and within said outer shell. In some embodiments, the outer shell may contain struts running longitudinal struts along the inside surface of the outer shell. In some of these embodiments, the insert will have a corresponding set of grooves sized to receive the struts.

Abstract: Methods for identifying subjects as candidates for embryo implantation are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a sample of endometrium isolated from a subject during the second half of the subject's menstrual cycle and determining whether the subject is a candidate based on the expression of BCL6 in the sample. Also provided are methods for identifying an increased risk for implantation failure subsequent to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or frozen embryo transfer (FET), methods for detecting endometrial receptivity, methods for facilitating diagnoses of infertility, methods for increasing the likelihood of embryo implantation, methods for detecting the presence of endometriosis, and methods for managing treatment of subjects with potential endometriosis, subfertility, or both.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive methods of detecting, diagnosing, and assessing neuronal damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Specific species of microRNAs (miRNA), small, noncoding RNA molecules that play gene regulatory functions, are correlated with cellular damage and oxidative stress following TBI or CTE, allowing for rapid, minimally-invasive diagnosis and assessment of brain injury. The early identification and longitudinal assessment of neuronal damage in subjects suffering from or at risk of suffering from a TBI (e.g., football players, boxers, military personnel, fall victims) will improve clinical outcomes by guiding critical medical and behavioral decision making.