Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting, diagnosing, and prognosing disease in a patient by analyzing the microbiome signature present in isolated exosomes. In one embodiment, provided herein are methods of detecting a microbiome in a patient, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a body fluid sample from a patient; (b) isolating an exosomes fraction of the body fluid sample; and (c) detecting a microbial macromolecule present in the exosomes fraction.

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic agent for radiation damage associated with radiation exposure, comprising an eosinophil-removing agent as an active ingredient and the like are provided as a technique for efficiently treating or preventing radiation damage associated with radiation exposure. According to the therapeutic or prophylactic agent comprising an eosinophil-removing agent according to the present invention, by suppressing migration and/or infiltration into target tissue and/or proliferation in the tissue of eosinophils and/or inhibiting the activity or function of the eosinophils, pathological conditions such as inflammatory responses and fibrosis of tissue can be suppressed to effectively treat or prevent radiation damage. Moreover, effective radiation therapy can be performed by suppressing radiation damage.

Abstract: Provided herein are selectin-binding peptide ligands having both D- and L-amino acids, and peptide conjugates including the provided peptide ligands. The peptide conjugates can include a biopolymer backbone, such as dermatan sulfate, and 33 or fewer peptide ligands conjugated to the biopolymer. Also provided are methods for using the provided peptide conjugates to treat patients suffering from endothelial dysfunction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions which shown preferential targeting or delivery of a nucleic acid composition to a particular organ. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a steroid or sterol, an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, a PEG lipid, and a permanently cationic lipid which may be used to deliver a nucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligomers targeted against bacterial mRNAs and other macromolecules associated with a biochemical pathway and/or cellular process, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions to treat an infected mammalian subject, for example, as primary antimicrobials or as adjunctive therapies with classic antimicrobials.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes: a direct current (DC) side; a first passive network; a first current switching network; at least one floating capacitor; a second current switching network; a second passive network; and an alternating current (AC) side. The first passive network is connected between the DC side and the first current switching network for linking the DC side and the first current switching network. The first current switching network comprises at least four serially linked switches for switching the power converter circuit between switching cycles. The at least one floating capacitor is connected to the first current switching network. The second current switching network comprises two pairs of switches for providing an interface between the first current switching network and the second passive network. The second passive network is connected between the second current switching network and the AC side.

Abstract: An adjustable aquaculture assembly including a container having a plurality of open sides and defining a retention space. The open sides are configured to allow flow through the retention space. A plurality of buoyancy members are positioned on the container. Each buoyancy member may be configured to be selectively filled with and emptied of air. A pump is coupled with the plurality of buoyancy members and is configured to control airflow to and from at least one of the plurality of buoyancy members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of secretory disorders, and provides novel methods of treatment of these disorders comprising the administration of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) or derivatives thereof. The methods of the invention are useful in conditions including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), for example EPI resulting from cystic fibrosis, alcoholism, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, gallstones, celiac disease, high triglycerides, or lupus. The methods of the present invention find further utility in the treatment of salivary flow disorders, for example Sjorgen's syndrome, and the treatment of EPI or pancreatitis resulting from surgical procedures.

Abstract: A device for determining a height of soil above a structure buried below a soil bed includes a sensor assembly comprising a total stress pressure sensor for transmitting a first signal indicating a total pressure, a pore water pressure sensor located proximate to the total stress pressure sensor, the pore water pressure sensor for transmitting a second signal indicating a fluid pressure, a sensor module configured to receive the first and the second signals, determine a difference between the first signal and the second signal, based on the difference between the first signal and the second signal, determine a height of soil above the sensor assembly, and transmit a third signal indicating the height of soil to an external device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery system and methods of using the delivery system, particularly a delivery system for transporting pharmaceutically active agents across, for example, the skin, the surface of the eye or mucosal membranes. The drug delivery system comprises a pharmaceutically effective moiety and a polyamine or amine moiety, wherein the polyamine or amine moiety does not comprise two or more contiguous basic amino acid residues. The drug delivery system may be provided for use as a medicament, or for use in the treatment of a disease or condition selected from eye disease, burns, infection, and trauma. The invention also provides a method comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of the drug delivery system of the invention to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that demonstrate efficacy in blocking PACAP receptors (e.g. PAC1) and associated methods of treating neurological diseases or disorders using the disclosed compounds. The neurological diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to, stress-related diseases (e.g. chronic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or general anxiety disorder), pain-related diseases (e.g. chronic pain, primary headache disorders, or migraines), or addiction (e.g. addiction to a substance (e.g. addiction to cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, nicotine, alcohol, prescription medication, marijuana, tobacco, or an opioid selected from heroin, fentanyl, codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and methadone)).

Abstract: Provided herein is an antibody as well as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to the Aspergillus antigen p60-binding domain. Further provided herein are immune cells expressing the CARs as well as methods of their use in the treatment of fungal infections and cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are chimeric polypeptides based on viral membrane fusion proteins. More particularly, the present invention discloses chimeric polypeptides that comprise a virion surface exposed portion of a viral fusion protein and a heterologous structure-stabilizing moiety, and to complexes of those chimeric polypeptides. The present invention also discloses the use of these complexes in compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response to a fusion protein of an enveloped virus, or complex of the fusion protein, and/or for treating or preventing an enveloped virus infection. The present invention further discloses the use of the heterologous structure-stabilizing moiety for oligomerizing heterologous molecules of interest.

Abstract: Methods for generating a prognostic and/or subtype signature for a subject with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include determining expression levels for one or more genes listed in Tables 2-5, 9, 10, or 11, and/or the DE-S and/or DE-T subset of genes in PDAC cells obtained from the subject, wherein the determining provides a prognostic and/or subtype signature for the subject. Also provided are methods for classifying a subject diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as having an activated stroma subtype or a normal stroma subtype of PDAC and/or a basal subtype or a classical subtype of PDAC; and methods for identifying a differential treatment strategy for a subject diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the preparation of nebulised droplets, for inhalation. The device has: a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transmission surface; a SAW transducer adapted to generate and propagate SAWs along the SAW transmission surface; and an array of cavities opening at the SAW transmission surface for containing a liquid. In operation, SAWs propagating along the SAW transmission surface interact with the liquid in the cavities to produce nebulised droplets of the liquid. Operation of the device results in a nebulised plume of droplets of average diameter in the range 1-5 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for detecting the presence of antibodies to folic acid in a sample.

Abstract: Embodiments of connectors for joining metal sheets, and methods of using the same, are described.

Abstract: Methods for controlling for non-systematic error in an amplification-based next generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation are described, which method includes using an internal amplification control (IAC) sharing identical priming sites to a native nucleic acid target template of interest in a NGS library preparation.

Abstract: A method of making an alloy includes mechanically alloying aluminum with an alloying element to form an alloy. The method may include a subsequent step of compacting the alloy powder to form an aluminum alloy compact. The alloying element may be chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), or silicon (Si).

Abstract: A photodiode for use in detecting X-rays and/or gamma rays is disclosed. The photodiode comprises InGaP arranged and configured to absorb X-rays and/or gamma-rays incident on the photodiode and generate charge-carriers in response thereto. The detector may be provided in an X-ray or gamma-ray photon counting spectrometer.