Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the delivery of agents to a subject, particularly to the central nervous system (CNS).

Abstract: A process for chemically recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which utilizes a microwave absorber to optimize glycolytic depolymerization of PET via microwave irradiation. The method of chemically degrading PET to its reactive intermediate, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), is carried out by: (a) combining PET with ethylene glycol and a catalytic system comprising a catalyst and a microwave absorber to produce a heterogeneous reaction mixture; and then (b) heating by microwave irradiating the reaction mixture to a temperature sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising BHET. The BHET monomer then can be purified and re-polymerized to form new, virgin PET.

Abstract: ILC2 cells play a role in the pathogenesis of graft versus host disease (GvHD) and idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS), both conditions associated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Infusion of IL-33 activated ILC2 cells into patients with ongoing GvHD or IPS, or prior to onset of GvHD or IPS in susceptible patients, substantially ameliorates the disease and improves survival.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing endometriosis and/or infertility in a subject, comprising: a) obtaining a sample from the subject; b) detecting a level of expression of a SIRT1 gene and/or protein in the sample; c) detecting a level of expression of a BCL6 gene and/or protein in the sample; d) comparing the level of expression detected in (b) with the level of expression of a SIRT1 gene and/or protein in a sample obtained from a control subject or a population of control subjects; e) comparing the level of expression detected in (c) with the level of expression of a BCL6 gene and/or protein in a sample obtained from a control subject or a population of control subjects; and f) diagnosing the subject as having infertility when the subject has a level of expression of the SIRT1 gene and/or protein greater than the level of expression of the SIRT1 gene and/or protein of the control subject or population of control subjects and also has a level of expression of the BCL6 gene and/or protein t

Abstract: A method for accelerating diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition via slice interleaved diffusion encoding (SIDE) includes conducting a plurality of simultaneous multislice (SMS) excitations for each of a plurality of SIDE diffusion-weighted volumes to obtain SMS images of an MRI subject at different diffusion orientations, regrouping the images into slice groups with different orientations, generating a plurality of slice-undersampled diffusion weighted volumetric images of the subject, wherein each of the plurality of slice-undersampled diffusion weighted volumetric images is produced by cyclically interleaving the slice groups, such that each slice group is associated with a different diffusion wavevector, and reconstructing a full diffusion-weighted volumetric image of the subject by providing the plurality of slice-undersampled diffusion weighted volumetric images to a neural network trained to produce full diffusion-weighted volumetric versions of diffusion magnetic resonance images from

Abstract: Provided are compounds and compositions for prevention and/or elimination of Zika virus infection. Also provided are methods for preventing and treating a subject in need of prevention or treatment of Zika virus.

Abstract: A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising exosomes and biological agents and methods of using the compositions for the delivery of biological agents to cells and to subjects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase comprising: a catalytic subunit; an electron transfer subunit; and a hitchhiker subunit; wherein each of the amino acid sequence of the catalytic subunit and the amino acid sequence of the electron transfer subunit comprises a cysteine residue introduced therein, the catalytic subunit and the electron transfer subunit being bound to each other through a disulfide bond between the cysteine residues to achieve improved thermal stability of the FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for taking measurements of a material, including determining material anisotropy, are provided. According to one aspect, a method for determining tissue anisotropy comprises: applying, to a tissue sample, a first force having a direction and having a coronal plane normal to the direction of the force, the first force having an oval or other profile with long and short axes within the coronal plane, the long axis being oriented in a first direction within the coronal plane, and measuring a first displacement of the tissue; applying, to the tissue sample, a second force, and measuring a second displacement of the tissue; and calculating a tissue elasticity anisotropy based on the measured first and second displacements. Furthermore, by applying the first and second forces multiple times, tissue viscosity, elasticity, or other anisotropy may be calculated from the multiple displacement measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antigen-capturing nanoparticles. Specifically, the subject matter contained herein pertains to novel nanoparticles that can capture a multitude of tumor antigens that are released from tumor cells. Also, provided herein are methods for preparing the antigen-capturing nanoparticles and methods for the treatment of disease in a subject comprising administering the antigen-capturing nanoparticles.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of transplanting cells by grafting strategies into solid organs (especially internal organs) are provided. These methods and compositions can be used to repair diseased organs or to establish models of disease states in experimental hosts. The method involves attachment onto the surface of a tissue or organ, a patch graft, a “bandaid-like” covering, containing epithelial cells with supporting early lineage stage mesenchymal cells. The cells are incorporated into soft gel-forming biomaterials prepared under serum-free, defined conditions comprised of nutrients, lipids, vitamins, and regulatory signals that collectively support stemness of the donor cells. The graft is covered with a biodegradable, biocompatible, bioresorbable backing used to affix the graft to the target site. The cells in the graft migrate into and throughout the tissue such that within a couple of weeks they are uniformly dispersed within the recipient (host) tissue.

Abstract: Nitric oxide-releasing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared using an aminosilane-template surfactant ion exchange reaction. Initially, bare silica particles were synthesized under basic conditions in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). These particles were functionalized with nitric oxide (NO) donor precursors via the addition of aminosilane directly to the particle sol, and a commensurate ion exchange reaction between the cationic aminosilanes and CTAB. N-diazeniumdiolate NO donors were formed at the secondary amines to yield NO-releasing silica MSNs. Tuning of the ion exchange-based MSN modification approach allowed for the preparation of monodisperse particles ranging from 30 to 1100 nm. Regardless of size, the MSNs stored appreciable levels of NO (0.4-1.5 ?mol/mg) with tunable NO-release durations (1-33 h) dependent on the aminosilane modification. The range of MSN sizes and NO release demonstrate the versatility of this strategy.

Abstract: Several embodiments of NO releasing structures are disclosed. In some embodiments, the structures are covalently modified to store and release nitric oxide. Some embodiments pertain to methods of making and use of these structures. The covalently modified polymer structures may be tailored to release nitric oxide in a controlled manner and are useful for treatment of various medical conditions.

Abstract: Uniform, functional polymer patches can be attached to a fraction of the surface area of living individual cells. These surface-modified cells can cross the blood-brain barrier while remaining viable after attachment of the functional patch. Functional payloads carried by the patch can include a drug. The patch can include one or more polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs).

Abstract: Human biliary tree stem/progenitors (hBTSCs) are being used for cell therapies of patients with liver cirrhosis. A cryopreservation method was established to optimize sourcing of hBTSCs for these clinical programs and that comprises serum-free Kubota's Medium (KM) supplemented with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ˜3% recombinant human albumin and 0.1% hyaluronans. Cryopreserved versus freshly isolated hBTSCs were similar in vitro with respect to self-replication, stemness traits, and multipotency. They were able to differentiate to functional hepatocytes, cholangiocytes or pancreatic islets, yielding similar levels of secretion of albumin or of glucose-inducible levels of insulin. Cryopreserved versus freshly isolated hBTSCs were equally able to engraft into immunocompromised mice yielding cells with human-specific gene expression and human albumin levels in murine serum that were higher for cryopreserved than for freshly isolated hBTSCs.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring a physical characteristic of a material includes performing one or more interrogations of a material sample, each interrogation using a push focal configuration. The method further includes taking measurements of displacement over time of a material sample caused by the one or more interrogations. Each measurement uses an interrogation focal configuration. The method further includes determining a physical characteristic of the material sample based on the measurements of displacement over time of the material sample. According to the method, at least one of the following is true: a tracking focal configuration used for one of the measurements is different from a tracking focal configuration used for another of the measurements; and a push focal configuration used for one of the interrogations is different from a push focal configuration used for another of the interrogations.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to methods for polymer xanthylation and the xanthylated polymers produced by such methods. Subsequent replacement of the xanthylate moiety allows facile entry into functionalized polymers.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of transplanting cells by grafting strategies into solid organs (especially internal organs) are provided. These methods and compositions can be used to repair diseased organs or to establish models of disease states in experimental hosts. The method involves attachment onto the surface of a tissue or organ, a patch graft, a “bandaid-like” covering, containing epithelial cells with supporting early lineage stage mesenchymal cells. The cells are incorporated into soft gel-forming biomaterials prepared under serum-free, defined conditions comprised of nutrients, lipids, vitamins, and regulatory signals that collectively support stemness of the donor cells. The graft is covered with a biodegradable, biocompatible, bioresorbable backing used to affix the graft to the target site. The cells in the graft migrate into and throughout the tissue such that within a couple of weeks they are uniformly dispersed within the recipient (host) tissue.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to compounds that inhibit of the interaction of RNA-binding proteins with RNA, intermediates thereof, compositions thereof, and methods of treatment utilizing such compounds, where the compounds are of Formula (I).