Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing trabecular bone material, such as trabecular bone or trabecular bone matrix and cells useful in preparing the trabecular bone material.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to compositions and methods of treating migraine and related neurological disorders. In certain aspects, methods and compositions are for reducing cortical spreading depression and/or suppressing the neurochemical basis for chronic and acute migraine events, and provide methods and pharmaceutical compositions related to both acute and preventive therapies for migraine events and related headaches.

Abstract: A heat-inducible self-assembling fusion protein that includes a self-assembly domain and a target protein, wherein the self-assembly domain remains folded during assembly. The aggregate forming fusion protein can be induced to form protein aggregates conjugated to a target protein. The aggregates can be used similarly to beads in many laboratory protocols and other applications. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the protein aggregates.

Abstract: Methods for forming samples of noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals having very low size and shape polydispersities from samples of mixed noble metal nanocrystals are provided. The samples include those comprising high purity, substantially monodisperse, plasmonic gold bipyramid nanocrystals. Also provided are methods of growing secondary twinned metal nanocrystals using the noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals as seed particles. Like the seed bipyramid nanocrystals from which they are grown, the secondary nanocrystals are twinned nanocrystals and may also be characterized by very low size and shape polydispersities. Secondary twinned nanocrystals grown by these methods include enlarged metal bipyramid nanocrystals and nanocrystals with anisotropic “dumbbell” shapes having a variety of tip geometries. Methods for using noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals as plasmonic heaters to heat reaction solutions via plasmonic-photothermal radiation-to-heat conversion are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated cavity output spectroscopic (ICOS) device includes a cavity and a mirror positioned at an output end of the cavity. The ICOS device also includes a first collection lens positioned between a detector and the mirror at the output end of the cavity, and a second collection lens positioned between the first collection lens and the detector. The ICOS device further includes an optical component configured to reduce skew of an optical signal output from the cavity, where the optical component is positioned between the mirror and the first collection lens.

Abstract: Colloids comprising inorganic nanocrystals dispersed in a molten salt or a liquid metal are provided. The molten salt may comprise an ion which is a Lewis acid or a Lewis base in the presence of the inorganic nanocrystals. Solid composites formed from the colloids are also provided. Methods of using the colloids as media for inducing chemical transformations using the inorganic nanocrystals are also provided.

Abstract: An optode has a planar radiation guiding medium having a first planar surface and a second planar surface and one or more perimeter surfaces bounded by the first and second planar surfaces. An excitation energy source of the optode is configured to output into the radiation guiding medium first energy at a wavelength selected to excite a fluorophore. The optode also includes a photodetector configured to image at least a portion of the first planar surface of the radiation guiding medium by detecting second energy transmitted through the radiation guiding medium.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating polyglutamine diseases, e.g., spinocerebellar ataxia Type 6, in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an IRES inhibitor in an amount effective for treating the SCA6 in the subject. Also provided herein are the IRES inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to compositions and methods for targeting an antigen to a liver and lymph node C type lectin (LSECtin). In particular aspects the compositions disclosed herein can induce tolerogenic immunity to the targeted antigen.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and compositions for the treatment of demyelinating disorders. Specifically, the invention relates to the use guanabenz or guanabenz derivative for treating demyelinating disorders.

Abstract: Indoline sulfonamide compounds that can inhibit DapE and/or bacterial metallo-?-lactamases (MBLs), such as NDM-1, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating an individual suffering from a bacterial infection using the indoline sulfonamide compounds disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and compositions useful in a vaccination strategy capable of neutralizing Hla to provide immunoprotection against S. aureus pneumonia. In certain aspects the invention includes a Hla with reduced toxicity, represented by a recombinant mutant form of Hla (HlaH35L) in which histidine 35 is converted to leucine, which can be used to abrogate the productive assembly of the toxin and protect a subject from staphylococcal pneumonia.

Abstract: Provided are freeze-dried (FD) products of biological materials that have improved stability and reduced risk of collapse. The FD products include nanoparticles that are added to formulations including the biological materials prior to freeze-drying. Also described herein are methods of freeze-drying (FD).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to perform constrained optimization of a constrained property of an apparatus, which is complex due to having several components, and these components are configurable in real-time. The optimization is achieved by detecting values of the constrained property and a plurality of other properties of the apparatus when the apparatus is configured in a first subset of the plurality of configurations. A model is learned using the detected values of the constrained property. The model represents the constrained property and can also represent other properties as a function of the configurations. The model can also include estimated uncertainties of the constrained property in the model. Then, using the d model and the estimated uncertainties, the optimal configuration can be selected to minimize an error value (e.g., the difference between a desired value and an observed value of the at least one constrained property).

Abstract: Embodiments concern methods and composition related to anergic T-cells in patients, such as cancer patients.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a user to annotate a medical image. A collection of key-value pairs is provided, in which a key represents an image-observable quantity and a value represents the value of the image-observable quantity. A collection of structured finding objects is provided, wherein each structured finding object represents a set of key-value pairs, each set of key-value pairs representing a different annotation of the medical image. The user is enabled to select one or more of the collection of key-value pairs, thereby obtaining a user-selected structured finding object which represents a preliminary annotation of the medical image by the user. At least one recommended structured finding object is selected by using the user-selected structured finding object as input to a probabilistic recommendation algorithm. Feedback is provided to the user on the basis of the recommended structured finding object. The annotation is well suited for, e.g.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods for preventing or treating tumor growth, tumor metastasis and/or abnormal proliferation of tumor cells in a subject, wherein the methods involve administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising methylnaltrexone. Also presented herein are methods for inhibiting or slowing the growth of a tumor in a subject, wherein the methods include selecting a subject who is a suitable candidate for treatment with methylnaltrexone, and administering a composition comprising methylnaltrexone to the subject.

Abstract: Described are methods for preventing or inhibiting genomic instability and in cells affected by diagnostic radiology procedures employing ionizing radiation. Embodiments include methods of preventing or inhibiting genomic instability and in cells affected by computed tomography (CT) radiation. Subjects receiving ionizing radiation may be those persons suspected of having cancer, or cancer patients having received or currently receiving cancer therapy, and or those patients having received previous ionizing radiation, including those who are approaching or have exceeded the recommended total radiation dose for a person.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of formula (I) and formula (II): (I) (II) wherein R1, R2, A, and B are as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of blocking transmission of a Plasmodium parasite and a method of treating or preventing malaria comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of a first compound of formula (I) or (II) either alone or in combination with a second compound selected from elesclomol, NSC174938, NVP-AUY922, Maduramicin, Narasin, Alvespimycin, Omacetaxine, Thiram, Zinc pyrithione, Phanquinone, Bortezomib, Salinomycin sodium, Monensin sodium, Dipyrithione, Dicyclopentamethylene-thiuram disulfide, YM155, Withaferin A, Adriamycin, Romidepsin, AZD-1152-HQPA, CAY10581, Plicamycin, CUDC-101, Auranofin, Trametinib, GSK-458, Afatinib, and Panobinostat.