Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of use comprising a chimeric dengue virus E glycoprotein comprising a dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone, which comprises amino acid substitutions that introduce a dengue virus E glycoprotein domain I and domain II hinge region from a dengue virus serotype that is different from the dengue virus serotype of the dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, devices, and kits for treating and/or reducing the risk of developing a condition associated with fibrosis and/or collagen deposition are provided. The method of treating and/or reducing the risk of developing a condition associated with fibrosis and/or collagen deposition in a subject includes administering an effective amount a miRNA-762 inhibitor to the subject, wherein the subject is identified as having a risk of developing and/or a need for treatment of the condition associated with fibrosis and/or collagen deposition. The kit includes a vial containing an miRNA-762 inhibitor and a device for use in a surgery creating a risk of fibrosis and/or collagen deposition. The composition includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising a miRNA-762 inhibitor and a second agent selected from the group consisting of: an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), another antihypertensive agent, a steroid, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A device includes a first member and a second member disposed in series along a longitudinal axis. The device also includes links coupling first joints of the first member to second joints of the second member. The first and second members and the links arranged to define a planar parallelogram linkage. The devices also include a resilient element disposed between the first member and the second member, the first member and the second member preloaded against the resilient element. The first member and the second member are preloaded to provide an arrangement of the first and the second joints in which a motion of the first joints with respect to the second joints is constrained to a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The devices further include a sensor for generating a signal indicating a separation between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions that comprise a cyclooxygenase-2-selective therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent having a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent conjugated to a NSAID drug; and a ROS-responsive nanoparticle. Methods of making and using these compositions for drug encapsulation and delivery are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple and inexpensive assays for the detection of virtually any analyte in any sample that is in liquid form or that can be solubilized. The assays utilize the fluid dynamics of drop evaporation whereby soluble materials, including analytes and particles binding thereto, are drawn to the center of the drop by Marangoni flow and ultimately form a concentrated residual spot. The presence or absence of certain reagents can then be detected through a number of different approaches.

Abstract: A method for automatic segmentation of intra-cochlear anatomy in post-implantation CT image of bilateral cochlear implant recipients includes coarsely segmenting a labyrinth with a labyrinth surface chosen from a library of inner ear anatomy shapes; creating a target specific ASM for each of the labyrinth and the SOIs using a set of inner ear anatomy surfaces selected from the library of inner ear anatomy shapes such that the set of inner ear anatomy surfaces has the smallest dissimilarity quantity with the coarsely localized labyrinth surface in the post-implantation CT image; refining the coarsely segmented labyrinth surface by performing an ASM-based segmentation of the labyrinth using the target-specific ASM of the labyrinth to obtain a segmented labyrinth; and fitting the points of the target-specific ASM of the SOIs to their corresponding points on the segmented labyrinth to segment the SOIs in the post-implantation CT image.

Abstract: Disclosed are adsorbent materials that comprise a porous material having a continuous silica phase coated with a carbon layer, and a water-insoluble precipitate comprising a metal cation and an anion disposed substantially evenly throughout the adsorbent material. In some examples, the plurality of pores can have an average characteristic dimension of from 0.1 ? to 100 ?. The water-insoluble precipitate can be formed in the plurality of pores of the porous material by contacting the porous material with a first aqueous solution comprising a metal cation; and contacting the porous material with a second aqueous solution comprising an anion; wherein the metal cation and the anion combine to form the water-insoluble precipitate in the plurality of pores of the porous material, thereby forming the adsorbent material.

Abstract: The present invention provide chemical modulators of insect olfactory receptors. In particular, compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit host targeting functions in insects such as mosquitos. Method of employing such agents, and articles incorporating the same, are also provided.

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: The present invention provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions for use in treating and preventing disorders involved epithelial cell apoptosis, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) in a subject, such as a human patient.

Abstract: A control method for an arm prosthesis having at least one powered joint and at least one inertial measurement sensor (IMS) includes determining a motion and an orientation of the arm prosthesis relative to the inertial reference frame based at least on an output of the IMS and generating control signals for the at least one powered joint based on the motion and the orientation of the prosthetic arm.

Abstract: A Doppler phantom includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a fluid line coupling the first and second reservoirs, a pressure line coupling the first and second reservoirs, and a tissue mimicking material surrounding at least the fluid line. The phantom can be positioned in first and second positions, where the first reservoir defines an elevated reservoir and the second reservoir defines a lower reservoir in the first position, where the second reservoir defines the elevated reservoir and the first reservoir defines the lower reservoir in the second position. The fluid line provides a path for fluid to travel from the elevated reservoir to the lower reservoir via gravity in either of the first or second positions, and the pressure line provides a path for gas to transfer from the lower reservoir to the elevated reservoir while the fluid travels in either of the first or second positions.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for inhibiting a biological activity of an aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1C3) polypeptide. In some embodiments, the compositions are indomethacin derivatives that are AKR1C3-specific inhibitors. Also provided are methods for producing disclosed indomethacin derivatives that substantially lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but that have AKR1C3 inhibitory activity, methods for inhibiting AKR1C3 polypeptide biological activities, and methods for treating prostate tumors in subjects.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a wire includes a first structure and a second structure pivotably mounted with respect to each other so as to define respective facing surfaces configured for alternating between a closed position and at least one open position, where each of the respective facing surfaces includes one or more detent elements and one or more tooth elements extending therefrom. In the device, the tooth elements of the first structure and the second structure are in an interlocking and overlapping arrangement in at least the closed position. Further, each of the tooth elements has a concave surface for defining a passage between the facing surface in the at least one open position. Additionally, each of the detent elements is arranged to face the concave surface of one of the tooth elements of an opposite one of the respective facing surfaces in the closed position.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an integrated bio-object microfluidics chip includes a fluidic network having a plurality of inlets for providing a plurality of fluids, a plurality of outlets, a bio-object chamber for accommodating at least one bio-object, a plurality of fluidic switches, and one or more pumps, coupled to each other such that at least one fluidic switch operably and selectively receives one fluid from a corresponding inlet and routes the received fluid, through the one or more pumps, to the bio-object chamber so as to perfuse the at least one bio-object therein, and one of the downstream fluidic switches selectively delivers an effluent of the at least one bio-object responsive to the perfusion to a predetermined outlet destination, or to the at least one fluidic switch for recirculation.

Abstract: Exemplary probes for detecting hypoxic cells and tissue have the structure of

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating addiction in a subject are disclosed. In particular, compositions and methods for treating addiction to a dopaminergic psychostimulant are disclosed. In some embodiments, addiction is treated by agonizing bile acid receptors in the subject. For example, in some embodiments, the method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a bile acid receptor agonist. In some embodiments, the method comprises surgically diverting bile acids in the subject in a manner suitable to increase circulating bile acids in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating and/or ameliorating muscular dystrophy and/or treating cardiomyopathy in muscular dystrophy patients by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of influencing, and enhancing, cognitive function and memory by increasing, and/or preventing interference with, Reelin levels as well as Reelin signaling. Cognitive function is improved, in a subject in need thereof, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator or an agonist of a lipoprotein receptor to the subject. The lipoprotein receptor can be selected from candidates such as ApoER2 and VLDLR. As disclosed herein, agonists of the lipoprotein receptor for use with the inventive method include APC, Sep and Fc-RAP. In addition to administering exogenous Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator, such as a recombinant Reelin fragment, can be used to increase Reelin levels and/or signaling.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of neurocutaneous syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis type I; disorders associated with overactivation of FGFR3, such as achondroplasia; bone or cartilage disorders; or vascular smooth muscle disorders; or for the elongation of bone. In some embodiments, the present invention provides polypeptides having an alkaline phosphatase peptide fused to an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin or a natriuretic peptide fused to an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin. Such polypeptides can be administered to subjects, e.g., subcutaneously, to treat a neurocutaneous syndrome, a disorder associated with overactivation of FGFR3, a bone or cartilage disorder, or a vascular smooth muscle disorder, or to elongate bone.