Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating periodontal disease.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first layer of a porous material with pores having a first average pore size and a liquid-receiving area through which a liquid sample is received into the microfluidic device. A second layer of another porous material, with pores of a second average pore size, is stacked below the first layer and has a channel with a starting end positioned at least in part in an overlapping manner with the liquid-receiving area. The channel has a terminating end extending laterally at a predetermined wicking distance from the starting end. The first average pore size and the second average pore size cause a wicking effect in which at least some of the liquid sample flows along the channel at least a portion of the wicking distance between the starting end and the terminating end.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, among other things, compounds and methods for treating neuropathic pain, ocular pain, ocular inflammation, and/or dry eye and methods of detecting mutations in specific G-protein coupled receptors, such as missense mutations, and determining the extent to which these mutations alter the pharmacological response of the G-protein coupled receptor.

Abstract: Methods for improved imaging of internal tissue structures, such as lesions in the peritoneum, are disclosed employing color-weighted Polarization Enhanced Light (mPEL) imaging. A target tissue can be Illuminated with light of defined polarization at a plurality of wavelengths or wavelength bands. Scattered light from the tissue is collected and its polarization states analyzed and detected either via a polarization sensitive camera or a combination or polarizing filters and a standard camera. Light detected at distinct polarization states and colors is weighted by a factor and combined to yield an image that results in optimized visualization of lesions and/or discrimination of malignant from benign lesions. The factors may be identified based on a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and regression analysis to yield enhanced sensitivity to the tissue scattering power. Alternatively, the factors may be identified through machine learning based optimization algorithms to optimize tissue classification.

Abstract: Cell penetrating peptides that target many cells types including cells of the retina and cornea with high efficiency are provided herein. These peptides can be used to deliver cargo molecules across a plasma membrane, without the need for chemical conjugation. Compositions and viral vectors comprising these cell-penetrating peptides are also provided. Methods of using the peptides, compositions and viruses to deliver various agents to target cells and tissues are also provided.

Abstract: The tumor stroma, which accounts for a large part of the tumor mass, represents an attractive target for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic compounds. Here, the focus is notably on a subpopulation of stromal cells, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts, which are present in more than 90% of epithelial carcinomas, including pancreatic, colon, and breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts feature high expression of FAP, which is not detectable in adult normal tissue but is associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. The present invention provides small-molecule radiopharmaceutical and imaging agents based on a FAP-specific inhibitor.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to compositions, methods, delivery devices and kits for repairing or augmenting a tissue in a subject. The compositions described herein can be injectable such that they can be placed in a tissue to be treated with a minimally-invasive procedure (e.g., by injection). In some embodiments, the composition described herein comprises a compressed silk fibroin matrix, which can expand upon injection into the tissue and retain its original expanded volume within the tissue for a period of time. The compositions can be used as a filler to replace a tissue void, e.g., for tissue repair and/or augmentation, or as a scaffold to support tissue regeneration and/or reconstruction. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein can be used for soft tissue repair or augmentation.

Abstract: Polypeptide products, methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to, or at risk for exposure to, C. difficile microbial pathogens and toxin B produced by C. difficile (TcdB) pathogens. The methods, compositions and kits include a single domain, anti-TcdB VHH polypeptide (antibody), or toxin B binding portion thereof, that specifically binds to and/or neutralizes TcdB and treats or prevents illness and disease associated with C. difficile infection and TcdB intoxication. The anti-TcdB VHHs, or toxin B binding portion thereof, may be recombinantly produced.

Abstract: Disclosed are (i) compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and (ii) lipidoid nanoparticles comprising compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as their use as vehicles for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adiponectin receptor agonists and methods of using the same for the treatment of inflammation or bone loss in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are provided for treating complement related disorders in a subject with protein in combination having protein fusions of at least two of a CD46 protein, a CD55 protein and a CD59 protein or with a recombinant chimeric protein having at least two of a CD46 protein, a CD55 protein and a CD59 protein or with nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The composition negatively modulates classical and alternative complement pathways thereby treating complement related disorder such as macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, inflammatory bowel disease, thyroiditis, cryoglobulinaemia, fetal loss, organ graft rejection, cancer, etc.

Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, provides compositions including a solution comprising a plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or exfoliated silk nanofibrils, wherein the micro- or nano-fibrils are characterized as having a substantially nematic structure, as well as methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: An intelligent system, such as an autonomous robot agent, includes systems and methods to learn various aspects about a task in response to instructions received from a human instructor, to apply the instructed knowledge immediately during task performance following the instruction, and to instruct other intelligent systems about the knowledge for performing the task. The learning is accomplished free of training the intelligent system. The instructions from the human instructor may be provided in a natural language format and may include deictic references. The instructions may be received while the intelligent system is online, and may be provided to the intelligent system in one shot, e.g., in a single encounter or transaction with the human instructor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions for affecting the development of antigen presenting cell (APC, e.g., a macrophage or dendritic cell). The methods include maturing an APC, promoting anti-inflammatory phenotype, promoting development of a T regulatory cell (Treg) from a naive T cell. The methods generally include exposing an APC to a tryptophan derived microbiota metabolite (TDMM), such as an anti-inflammatory or pro-mucosal TDMM, and permitting the APC to mature. In some embodiments, the conditioned APC is exposed to a naive T cell to further promote development of a T regulatory cell (Treg). In some embodiments, the TDMM is selected from the group consisting of indole, indole-3-acetate, 5-hydroxyindole, and indole-3-pyruvate.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for color transfer. The method includes receiving a target image, and determining dominant source colors. The method further includes transforming the target image into a color model including a target luminance component and a target color information component. Additionally, the method includes segmenting the target image into a plurality of target segments based on the target color information component or the target luminance component and extracting dominant target colors from the target image by extracting information for at least one of the dominant target colors from each target segment of the plurality of target segments. Further, the method includes generating a color mapping relationship between the dominant target colors and the dominant source colors, and creating a recolored target image using the color mapping relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles and methods for blood separation. For example, inventive articles and methods that remove red blood cells from blood samples are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for promoting biostasis or preservation of a cell, tissue or organ during cancer treatment or for transplantation comprising contacting the cell, tissue or organ with an agonist of the ?-opioid receptor, SNC-80, an or Donepezil. Further provided herein is a method of treating a hematological neoplastic disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are potent immuno-DASH inhibitors and their use in the treatment of cell proliferative diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to methods and compositions for preparing a silk microsphere and the resulting silk microsphere. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions described herein are all aqueous, which can be used for encapsulating an active agent in a silk microsphere, while maintaining activity of the active agent during processing. In some embodiments, the resulting silk microsphere can be used for sustained delivery of an active agent encapsulated therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are combination therapies including administration of Caspase-1 dependent anticancer agents and PGE2 antagonists, and the use of such therapies in the treatment of cell proliferative diseases.