Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods relating to genetically modified cells for the long-term expression of an antigen of interest.

Abstract: Based on the discovery that MBLAC1 is a specific, high-affinity target for Ceftriaxone (Cef), MBLAC1 may be used for identifying treatments for addiction to substances of abuse. Methods for identifying therapeutic agents for treatment of addiction to a substance of abuse include using an assay to determine if a test agent is capable of binding to MBLAC1 or disrupting binding between MBLAC1 protein and Cef, and identifying such a test agent as a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of addiction to a substance of abuse. MBLAC knock-out (KO) animals, methods of use thereof, and kits are used for identifying a therapeutic agent that reduces the actions of at least one substance of abuse. Methods also include using cellular extracts from tissue or cultured cells taken from wild-type (WT) MBLAC1 and MBLAC1 KO animals for screening for novel, Cef-like molecules in vitro, and using cells from a MBLAC1 KO animal to test for Cef-like actions of a test molecule.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing Zika virus and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists and methods of treating or preventing allergic inflammation and/or methods of treating or preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

Abstract: A method for identification of biochemical markers associated with cervical remodeling over the course of pregnancy of humans includes obtaining Raman signals from the cervix of each of a group of humans with pregnancy at each phase of pregnancy; finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of cervical tissue from the obtained Raman signals; and identifying biochemical markers associated with cervical remodeling at each phase of pregnancy corresponding to the Raman signatures.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a lower limb device having at least a powered joint are provided. A method includes configuring the device to a first state in a finite state model for a current activity mode including a stair ascent mode or a stair descent mode. The method also includes, based on real-time sensor information, transitioning the device between different states in the finite state model when pre-defined criteria for transitioning among the different states are met. In the method, the finite state model for stair ascent includes lifting and swing phases, where the lifting phase includes a powered knee extension and a powered ankle push-off. The finite state model for stair descent includes yielding and swing states, where the swing states include providing a powered plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint and the yielding states include providing a resistive and passive plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing Poxvirus and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cleavable agent for enhanced magnetic resonance generally corresponding to the formula Y-L-R, wherein Y represents a catalyst-binding moiety having at least one isotopically labeled heteroatom, L represents a cleavable bond, and R represents a hyperpolarized payload having at least one isotopically labeled carbon. Also disclosed herein is a method of cleaving the cleavable agent for enhanced magnetic resonance.

Abstract: Shaped charge devices, systems, and related methods of use. A housing sheet is configurable to form at least part of a shaped charge enclosure enclosing a shaped charge and biasing an explosion in a desired direction. The housing sheet can include one or more incisions in at least one surface thereof. The housing sheet can have at least one connection mechanism integrally formed therein, and the housing sheet can be configurable to form a plurality of sizes of shaped charge housing portions. The housing sheet can also provide for forming a plurality of dimensions of the shaped charge enclosure.

Abstract: Methods and compounds for use in promoting survival of at least one eukaryotic cell, wherein the compounds are effective as gamma-ketoaldehyde scavengers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing Zika vims and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to treating and preventing an engraftment arrhythmia with an effective amount of amiodarone and ivabradine. Also described herein is a method of cardiomyocyte transplant, the method comprises: dministering in vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes to cardiac tissue of a subject in need thereof; and administering to the subject an amount of amiodarone and an amount of ivabradine effective to reduce engraftment arrhythmia in the subject.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube (“CNT”) array includes providing a substrate with a CNT catalyst disposed on a surface of the substrate, heating the CNT catalyst to an annealing temperature, exposing the CNT catalyst to a CNT precursor for an exposure period to pre-load the CNT catalyst, and exposing the pre-loaded CNT catalyst to a carbon source for a growth period to form the CNT array. The formed CNT array comprises a plurality of CNT bundles that are aligned with one another in an alignment direction. At least one of the plurality of bundles comprises an average structural factor of 1.5 or less along an entirety of the length thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing henipavirus and methods for use thereof. Thus, in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method of detecting a henipavirus infection in a subject comprising (a) contacting a sample from said subject with an antibody or antibody fragment having clone-paired heavy and light chain CDR sequences from Tables 3 and 4, respectively; and (b) detecting henipavirus in said sample by binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to a henipavirus antigen in said sample.

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

Abstract: Systems and method for controlling the bending of a robotic catheter. A control backbone of the robotic catheter is coupled to a linear movement stage by a spring and linear movement of the control backbone causes a controllable bending of the robotic catheter. A sensor monitors a deflection of the spring and the bending of the catheter is controlled based on the spring deflection signal from the sensor. The spring allows passive bending of the robotic catheter without movement of the active linear movement stage and, conversely, allows external forces applied to the robotic catheter to limit a bending movement of the robotic catheter caused by—movement of the active linear movement stage. In some implementations, the robotic catheter includes a selectively deployable tip mechanism for deploying a steerable tip or for selectively exposing side windows on the catheter for increasing traction for clot removal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for compounds that inhibit the activity of an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) protein. The present disclosure 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 disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing Rift Valley Fever Virus and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for intraoperative assessment of parathyroid gland viability in a surgery. The method includes diffusing a beam of light onto a tissue surface of a parathyroid gland of a patient to illuminate the tissue surface; acquiring images of the illuminated tissue surface, where each of the acquired images includes a speckle pattern; and processing the acquired images to obtain speckle contrast images for the intraoperative assessment of parathyroid gland viability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are crosslinked polycarbonates, composition thereof and methods thereof. The crosslinked polycarbonates can be prepared from allyl or epoxy polycarbonates. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.