Abstract: A non-synthetic, hydrophilic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide based non-toxic anti-adhesion hydrogel barrier is disclosed herein. The barrier of the present invention is formed by constructing a unique interpenetrating, crosslinked network with a unique porosity. Furthermore, the barrier of the present invention is comprised of tunable biopolymers for controllable mechanical robustness and degradation. The barrier of the present invention effectively reduces unwanted adhesions using non-synthetic components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for modulating an amount or activity of a gene or a gene product in a cell. The methods herein may comprise contacting a cell with a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition, which lipid composition may comprise a dendrimer or dendron which may comprise one or more degradable diacyl group, in which may result in modulating the amount or activity of the gene or the gene product in the cell. The therapeutic agent modulating a gene or gene product in a cell may be sufficient to treat a disease or disorder in a subject. Further disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and lipid compositions for modulating an amount or activity of a gene or a gene product in a cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymers which contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic segment which is sensitive to pH as well as a metal chelating group. In some aspects, the metal chelating group is chelated to a metal ion capable of positron emission. In some aspects, the polymers form a micelle which is sensitive to pH and results in a change in fluorescence based upon the particular pH. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides methods of using the polymers for the imaging of cellular or extracellular environment or delivering a drug.

Abstract: The present methods use gene therapy to confer inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression solely in the tumor space, using focused ultrasound targeting. NOS catalyzes the reaction that generates nitric oxide (NO), a potent endogenous vasodilator. Microbubble-mediated non-viral delivery overcomes major barriers associated with non-viral NO gene therapy. The methods increase tumor perfusion and compound the efficacy of a vast array of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune-based treatments.

Abstract: Described are nicotine-degrading enzyme variants that exhibit increased nicotine-degrading activity and/or decreased immunogenicity relative to the wild-type NicA2 and NOX enzymes, compositions comprising the variants, and methods using them.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a cantilever, a bottom electrode on the substrate, a bottom piezoelectric transducer on the bottom electrode such that the bottom electrode is between the substrate and the bottom piezoelectric transducer, a middle electrode on the bottom piezoelectric transducer such that the bottom piezoelectric transducer is between the bottom electrode and the middle electrode, a top piezoelectric transducer on the middle electrode such that the middle electrode is between the bottom piezoelectric transducer and the top piezoelectric transducer, and a top electrode on the top piezoelectric transducer, such that the top piezoelectric transducer is between the middle electrode and the top electrode. Illustrative embodiments also provide a method of making the apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for atomic force microscopy.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to NEIL2 compositions and method of using NEIL2 composition to treat subjects in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a battery pack. The battery pack, in accordance with this aspect, includes an enclosure. The battery pack, in accordance with this aspect, further includes an intake port attached to a first section of the enclosure, the intake port coupleable to a source of cooling fluid, a first exhaust port attached to a third section of the enclosure and a second exhaust port coupled to a fourth section of the enclosure. The battery pack of this aspect further includes a first set of battery cells located within the enclosure in the first and third sections, the first set of battery cells separated by one or more first fluid passageways and a second set of battery cells located within the enclosure in a second and the fourth sections, the second set of battery cells separated by one or more second fluid passageways.

Abstract: Methods for increasing immune therapy response and predicting likelihood of cancer metastasis by analyzing the expression of genes associated with replication stress response. In some aspects, cancers are treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or MEK inhibitors. Methods for selecting patients by analyzing the expression of genes associated with a defect in replication stress response are also provided.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for isothermal nucleic acid amplification and detection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a nanobeam cavity device includes an elongated waveguide having a central optical cavity, first and second lateral substrates that are positioned on opposed lateral sides of the waveguide, and carrier-injection beams that extend from the first and second lateral substrates to the central optical cavity of the elongated waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatus, systems, methods and kits for performing immunoassay tests on a sample. The A sensing apparatus is provided for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in a sample. The apparatus may comprise an array of sensing devices provided on a substrate, each sensing device in the array comprising a working electrode having (1) semiconducting nanostructures disposed thereon and (2) a capture reagent coupled to the semiconducting nanostructures that selectively binds to a different target analyte in the sample. The apparatus may also comprise sensing circuitry that (1) simultaneously detects changes to electron and ion mobility and charge accumulation in the array of sensing devices when the capture reagents in the array of sensing devices selectively bind to the plurality of different target analytes, and (2) determines the presence and concentrations of the plurality of different target analytes in the sample based on the detected changes.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for the treatment and/or amelioration of breast cancer. The compounds and methods may treat and/or ameliorate breast cancer by way of activity on isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). The breast cancer may be estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. Also disclosed are compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, for the treatment and/or amelioration of breast cancer.

Abstract: Antimicrobial catheters and medical devices are provided. In some aspects, a low durometer aliphatic polyether polyurethane may be impregnated with a first antimicrobial agent (e.g., minocycline and rifampin) and coated with a second antimicrobial agent (e.g., chlorhexidine, gendine, or gardine). The antimicrobial catheters may display improved flexibility and resistance to kinking. Methods of producing the antimicrobial catheters are also provided.

Abstract: A Micro-Well Array Plates (MWAP) assembly for high throughput microfluidic devices for studying cells and method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The MWAP assembly includes a top plate having a plurality of macro-wells arranged in an array within a frame. The MWAP assembly also includes a bottom plate operable to be secured to the bottom surface of the frame, the bottom plate having a plurality of arrays of micro-wells. The MWAP assembly includes a well grid formed when the bottom plate is secured to the top plate via the plurality of macro-wells and the plurality of arrays micro-wells. The well grid with the plurality of macro-wells and the plurality of arrays micro-wells enable visualization of cells via a high throughput.

Abstract: A method for eliminating hydrocarbon fouling and reducing pumping power during hydrocarbon transportation. A dielectric layer covers the inner surface of a pipeline for transporting a water-hydrocarbon mixture. A proximity electrode is immersed in the water-hydrocarbon mixture, and an electrical voltage is applied across the dielectric layer. A buffer layer of water is formed on the dielectric layer since water is electrically attracted from the water-hydrocarbon mixture. This water layer, located between the dielectric layer and the water-hydrocarbon mixture, eliminates hydrocarbon fouling on the inner surface of the pipeline or any other internal surface that needs fouling protection. Alternatively, the dielectric layer covers an outer surface of the pipeline and is covered by an external conducting layer.

Abstract: A system for indexing, updating, and search haplotypes for genetic genealogical discovery in genotype databases. The system includes a pool of genetic indexes, a haplotype ingestion engine, and a haplotype query engine. The haplotypes of a number of individuals in a genotype database are indexed by a pool of multiple panels, and each panel pool can be dynamically updated by the insertion or deletion of individual haplotypes. A genetic genealogical search of a query haplotype against the database is achieved by first projecting the query onto a subset of panels in the pool, then conducting long match queries over each panel, and finally aggregating the identified long matches into Identical-by-Descent segments, i.e., DNA matches, between the query and the haplotypes in the database.

Abstract: Methods of using an organic framework (OF) are provided herein, including methods of using an OF comprising a repeat unit of the formula: The OFs provided herein may be used in the separation of two or more molecules from each other. In some embodiments, the molecules are propylene and propane.

Abstract: A Cell Migration Assay Plates (CMAP) assembly for high throughput microfluidic migration assays and method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The CMAP assembly includes a top plate having a plurality of wells aligned with a bottom plate having a plurality of troughs. Each of the plurality of wells is defined at least in part by first and second reservoirs and a divisional wall extending between the reservoirs. The bottom plate is secured to the top plate to form a plurality of micro-channels, such that each one of the plurality of micro-channels is defined by a portion of one of the divisional walls and a portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of troughs. The plurality of micro-channels enable communication between the reservoirs and visualization of cells migrating through the micro-channels. In this manner, migration of cells through the micro-channels can be visualized for testing and screening applications.