Abstract: Indazole compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease states associated with glutamate dysfunction.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes a compound comprising a first monomer, which is allyl-functionalized and crosslinkable, and a second monomer, which is not crosslinkable. In some embodiments the compounds are photocrosslinkable, and in certain embodiments are photocrosslinkable by ultraviolet light. Also provided are shape memory vascular grafts comprised the of present compounds that can transition from a temporary shape to an original shape when heated above a melting temperature of the graft. Still further provided are methods for treating vascular conditions that utilize embodiments of the present grafts.

Abstract: A method of delivering cells to a target tissue is provided comprising depositing a hydrogel pre-gel comprising magnetic particle-loaded cells to the target tissue and, prior to or during gelation of the hydrogel, drawing the magnetic particle-loaded cells to the tissue with a magnetic field, followed by gelation of the hydrogel to lock the cells in place on the tissue. The cells may be mesenchymal stem cells, such as adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and the target tissue may be adventitial tissue of an aneurysm in a blood vessel. Also provided are devices useful in the method.

Abstract: Parallel variable stiffness actuators are disclosed. The parallel variable stiffness actuator can comprise a spring and a variable-stiffness mechanism. The variable-stiffness mechanism can be configured to modulate a stiffness of the parallel variable stiffness actuator. The parallel variable stiffness actuator can further comprise a direct-drive motor arranged in parallel with the spring. A force of the direct-drive motor can be applied directly to a load. Resonant energy accumulation methods implemented by a parallel variable stiffness actuator are also disclosed. A stiffness of a spring can be changed when there is no energy stored by the spring. A resonant energy accumulation method where a force of a direct-drive motor can be applied in resonance with the oscillatory motion, while the stiffness of the parallel variable stiffness actuator can be changed to keep the amplitude of the oscillatory motion nearly constant.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*32:01 allele in a subject as disclosed are useful, for example, to determine whether the subject is at risk for developing or has vancomycin-induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Methods of treating bacterial infection in a subject with vancomycin-induced DRESS are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to human monoclonal IgE antibodies, and IgG antibodies engineered therefrom. Such engineered antibodies can be used to blunt pathologic IgE responses in subjects, such as in the treatment or prevention of allergies.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding previously undefined epitopes on influenza A virus hemagglutinin and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: A 2D spatial differentiator operates in transmission and comprises a Si Nano rod photonic crystal that can transform an image, Ein, into its second-order derivative, Eout ??2Ein, allowing for direct discrimination of the edges in the image. The use of a 2D photonic crystal allows for differentiation and edge detection in all directions with a numerical aperture (NA) up to 0.315 and an experimental resolution smaller than 4 ?m. The nanophotonic differentiator is able to be directly integrated into an optical microscope and onto a camera sensor, demonstrating the ease with which it can be vertically integrated into existing imaging systems. Furthermore, integration with a metalens is demonstrated for realizing a compact and monolithic image-processing system. In all cases, the use of the nanophotonic differentiator allows for a significant reduction in size compared to traditional systems, opening new doors for optical analog image processing in applications involving computer vision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing an adaptive immune response against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a subject. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the composition comprises a vaccine comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing the coronavirus designated SARS-CoV-2 and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: Devices and methods for non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensing are disclosed. In one aspect, a non-dispersive infrared sensor is disclosed which, in one embodiment includes a nanophotonic infrared emitting metamaterial (NIREM) emitter configured to selectively emit radiation corresponding to a respective vibrational resonance frequency for each of a plurality of different analytes of interest. The broadband detector can be configured to detect photons associated with vibrational resonance of each of the plurality of analytes of interest in response to the emitted radiation from the NIREM emitter, in order to determine properties of one or more of the analytes of interest.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and methods for gene silencing. The compound includes a RNA directly conjugated to an albumin-binding group. The method includes administering a compound comprising a RNA directly conjugated to an albumin-binding group to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compounds that inhibit the activity of an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) protein. The present invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions as well as methods for using compounds for treatment of diseases and conditions (e.g., cancer) characterized by the over-expression or dysregulation of Mcl-1 protein.

Abstract: A nasal trans-esophageal echocardiography system includes a nasal trans-esophageal device comprising a sheath defining a lumen therein, the sheath having a width sufficiently narrow to fit through a nasal passage of a subject, an ultrasound probe having a width sufficiently narrow to extend through said lumen defined by said sheath, and a workstation configured to communicate with said ultrasound probe to receive ultrasound signals from said ultrasound probe and to form ultrasound images based on said ultrasound signals.

Abstract: Accurate measurement of gradient waveform errors can often improve image quality in sequences with time varying readout and excitation waveforms. Self-encoding or offset-slice method sequences are commonly used to measure gradient waveforms. However, the self-encoding method requires a long scan time, while the offset-slice method is often low precision, requiring the thickness of the excited slice to be small compared to the maximal k-space encoded by the test waveform. This disclosure describes a novel hybrid of those methods, referred to as variable-prephasing (VP). Like the offset-slice method, VP uses the change in signal phase from offset-slices to calculate the gradient waveform. Similar to the self-encoding method, repeated acquisitions with a variable amplitude self-encoding gradient mitigates the signal loss due to phase wrapping, which, in-turn, allows thicker slices and greater SNR.

Abstract: A nanotweezer and method of trapping and dynamic manipulation thereby are provided. The nanotweezer comprises a first metastructure including a first substrate, a first electrode, and a plurality of plasmonic nanostructures arranged in an array, and a trapping region laterally displaced from the array; a second metastructure including a second substrate and a second electrode; a microfluidic channel between the first metastructure and the second metastructure; a voltage source configured to selectively apply an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a light source configured to selectively apply an excitation light to the microfluidic channel at a first location corresponding to the array, thereby to trap a nanoparticle at a second location corresponding to the trapping region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating fibrosis syndrome, and in particular cardiac fibrosis, by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of ifetroban, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein is an IVRO surgical guide for positioning a cutting guide on a mandibular ramus such that the mandibular ramus is clamped between a hooked distal end and a slidable component having a curved claw. The cutting guide is placed at a predetermined distance from the posterior edge of the ramus at the mid-waistline of the mandibular ramus along a curvilinear shaft in contact with the lateral surface of the ramus. The cutting guide can accommodate a saw for performing the osteotomy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancer such as melanomas are disclosed.

Abstract: A minimally invasive device, containing a pressure channel, camera, and optical fiber imaging probe, to measure the stiffness of tissues in vivo and ex vivo is disclosed. The device is inserted into a patient and navigated to a tissue of interest, where stiffness is evaluated by applying suction and measuring the elongation or by applying compression force and measuring the compression of the tissue. Biopsies can be taken for further analysis, or tissue can be removed using an ablation laser. Small fluorescent molecules or therapeutics can also be delivered for improved visualization and targeted treatment. As such, this technology may be used to evaluate the stiffness of biomaterials as well as tissues and organs that are difficult to access, allowing for simultaneous diagnosis, treatment, and excision of diseased tissues.