Abstract: The present disclosure provides anti-SAS1B antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and antibody-drug conjugates and methods of their use. This present disclosure also provides an isolated antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof having at least one of SB antibodies binding to surface exposed SAS1B, and 6B1 antibodies identifying at least one set of cancer patients testing positive for SAS1B expression.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for tracking changes in average glycemia in diabetes is based on a conceptually new approach to the retrieval of SMBG data. Using the understanding of HbA1c fluctuation as the measurable effect of the action of an underlying dynamical system, SMBG provides occasional glimpses at the state of this system and, using these measurements, the hidden underlying system trajectory can be reconstructed for individual diabetes patients. Using compartmental modeling a new two-step algorithm is provided that includes: (i) real-time estimate of HbA1c from fasting glucose readings, updated with any new incoming fasting SMBG data point(s), and (ii) initialization and calibration of the estimated HbA1c trace with daily SMBG profiles obtained periodically. The estimation of these profiles includes a factorial model capturing daily BG variability within two latent factors.

Abstract: Both purinergic signaling through nucleotides such as ATP and noradrenergic signaling through molecules such as norepinephrine regulate vascular tone and blood pressure. Pannexin1 (Panx1), which forms large-pore, ATP-releasing channels, is present in vascular smooth muscle cells in peripheral blood vessels and participates in noradrenergic responses. Using pharmacological approaches and mice conditionally lacking Panx1 in smooth muscle cells, we found that Panx1 contributed to vasoconstriction mediated by the ?1 adrenoreceptor (?1AR), whereas vasoconstriction in response to serotonin or endothelin-1 was independent of Panx1. Analysis of the Panx1-deficient mice showed that Panx1 contributed to blood pressure regulation especially during the night cycle when sympathetic nervous activity is highest. Using mimetic peptides and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified a specific amino acid sequence in the Panx1 intracellular loop that is essential for activation by ?1AR signaling.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a muscle abnormality. The method may include acquiring image data associated with a plurality of muscles in an area of interest of a living subject and generating a data model for the plurality of muscles based on the image data. The method further includes calculating the volume and/or length of one of the plurality of muscles based on the data model, and determining if the volume and/or length for the muscle, as calculated, deviates from volume and/or length associated with a healthy muscle. If it is determined that the volume and/or length for the muscle deviates from the volume and/or length associated with a healthy muscle, a muscle abnormality can be identified based on the deviation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to anucelate cells (e.g., bacterial minicells) for pesticide degradation applications including related cells, polypeptides, and vectors.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for free-breathing cine DENSE MRI using self-navigation. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring magnetic resonance data for an area of interest of a subject, wherein the acquiring comprises performing sampling with phase-cycled, cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) during free-breathing of the subject; identifying, from the acquired magnetic resonance data, a plurality of phase-cycling data pairs corresponding to matched respiratory phases of the free-breathing of the subject; reconstructing, from the plurality of phase-cycling data pairs, a plurality of intermediate self-navigation images; performing motion correction by estimating, from the plurality of intermediate self-navigation images, the respiratory position associated with the plurality of phase-cycling data pairs; and reconstructing a plurality of motion-corrected cine DENSE images of the area of interest of the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor compounds, Their pharmaceutical compositions, uses, and methods of use, such as in the treatment of various cancers, and process for making the compounds. Also disclosed is an improved synthesis of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor and precursor compound thienopyridone (5).

Abstract: A feeding and weight resistance apparatus for an animal that includes a platform configured to move in response to lifting force exerted by the animal onto the platform; a food repository configured to store food; and a feeding interface. The feeding interface may be configured to: impair food to be dispensed in response to retrieval force exerted by the animal, and regulate food dispensed from the food repository for a predetermined duration in response to the lifting force exerted by the animal toward the platform. A method of feeding and applying weight resistance for an animal. A method of diagnosing or evaluating an animal using the feeding and weight lifting apparatus and method for the study and application in the field of biomedicine, including but not limited thereto, the field of exercise physiology.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying subjects suffering from dry eye that can be treated by topical administration of a composition comprising lacritin or a bioactive fragment thereof. The application discloses in part that a ˜90 KDa deglycanated form of syndecan-1 is abundant in tears of normal individuals but not individuals suffering from dry eye, whereas a ˜25 kDa syndecan-1 fragment is detectable in dry, but no normal tears.

Abstract: The present application discloses a recombinant AAV vector comprising a promoter that targets gene expression to myofibroblast-like lineage of cells in the heart. The present application, also discloses the preparation and use of AAV expression cassettes using a modified periostin promoter that successfully drives gene expression in cardiac myofibroblast-like cells. The present invention encompasses compositions and methods useful for treating myocardial infarction. Further comprising compositions and methods for preparing and using AAV vectors for targeting cells and inducing gene expression. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful for efficiently targeting cardiac myofibroblasts following a cardiac injury, disease, or disorder. Further comprising a kit for effecting alleviation of the various diseases or disorders recited herein.

Abstract: The present application discloses the unexpected result that a neuroactive steroid such as B260 can act as a general anesthetic and that it has no neurotoxic side effects such as impairing brain development.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fixing a stent in position in an anatomical lumen. Such systems and methods include an intra-luminal stent and a magnet, implanted, for example, in the subcutaneous layer of the subject. The stent and the magnet are magnetically coupled such that the magnetic forces fix the stent in position. Use of the invention permits fixation of an intra-luminal stent to avoid stent migration while minimizing tissue damage.

Abstract: A method of assisting a heart for the operation of a ventricular assist device comprising the steps of implanting a cannula to the heart and deploying a stent within a left ventricle, a right ventricle, a left atrium, or a right atrium of the heart. The stent may be transferable from a first compact configuration to a second open configuration to facilitate implantation. The stent may also have a flared distal end to assist with alignment, positioning, and prevent outgrowth.

Abstract: An adjustable and self-locking fixation device for fixedly securing two structures wherein the device comprises two spans and a receiving aperture configured to receive the spans and form a closed loop around a first structure. The two spans are further configured to secure and lock onto each other so as to form a second closed loop around the two structures and secure the two structures in a tensioned state.

Abstract: A quasi-vertical Schottky diode architecture includes a topside anode contact that connects to external circuitry through an airbridge finger, a thin mesa of semiconductor material with epilayers including a bottomside highly-doped layer, a bottomside ohmic contact directly below the anode, and a host substrate onto which the diode material is bonded by a thin adhesive layer. A method of fabricating the diode architecture includes preparation of the semiconductor wafer for processing (including initial etching to expose the highly-doped epilayer, deposition of metals and annealing to form the ohmic contact, application of the adhesive layer to the host substrate, thermal compression bonding of diode wafer and host wafer, with ohmic contact side facing host wafer to form a composite wafer, etching and formation of diode mesas to isolate devices on the host substrate, lithography and formation of topside anode contact and external circuitry on host wafer).

Abstract: The application discloses compositions, methods, systems, and apparatuses for rapid sequence analysis of proteins, including location of post-translational modifications and disulfide bonds. Limited digestion of fully denatured antibody occurs in seconds by flowing sample in 8M urea at constant pressure through a micro column reactor containing immobilized aspergillopepsin I, resulting in a product mixture containing 3-10 kDa peptides, which is then fractionated by capillary column chromatography and analyzed by both electron transfer dissociation (ETD) and collision activated dissociation mass spectrometry. This method provides 95% sequence coverage of a mAb and detects numerous post-translational modifications. For disulfide bond location, native mAb is subjected to longer digestion times. Release of disulfide containing peptides from accessible regions of the folded protein occurs with short digestion times.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying the production levels of alkaloids in plants are provided. Alkaloid production can be genetically controlled by modulating the transcriptional activation of PMT genes mediated by members of the ERF family and/or Myc family of transcription factors. Novel nucleotide sequences encoding the Myc family of transciption factors are also provided.

Abstract: A directed vapor deposition (DVD) method and system for applying at least one bond coating on at least one substrate for thermal barrier coating systems. To overcome the limitations incurred by conventional methods, the DVD system uses an electron beam directed vapor deposition (DVD) technique to evaporate and deposit compositionally and morphologically controlled bond coats at high rate. The present DVD system uses the combination of an electron beam and a combined inert gas/reactive gas carrier jet of controlled composition to create engineering films. In this system, the vaporized material can be entrained in the carrier gas jet and deposited onto the substrate at a high rate and with high materials utilization efficiency. The velocity and flux of the gas atoms entering the chamber, the nozzle parameters, and the operating chamber pressure can all be significantly varied, facilitating wide processing condition variation and allowing for improved control over the properties of the deposited layer.

Abstract: Visible-light communication (VLC) is an optical wireless communication technique that uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other optical sources to transmit information to a user equipment (UE) device. An optically-based location determination approach, such as using VLC infrastructure, can meet a desire for location-based services where use of VLC can provide a solution to an indoor localization or navigation problem. A fingerprinting approach can include use of an optical received signal strength (RSS) or other information (e.g., an image of a scene) to generate a spatial fingerprint map of an area. A later-received RSS on the UE device and the prior-generated fingerprint map representative of RSS can be received, and a fingerprint map and RSS observations can be provided as inputs to a Bayesian filter, such as an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) or a Particle Filter, to provide an estimated position for the UE device.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating arterial tone based on the discovery herein of novel expression and regulation of hemoglobin alpha and cytochrome B5 reductase 3 and the effects on NO and NOS.