Abstract: An in vitro liver organoid is provided along with methods of making and using the organoid. A cell culture system that includes the liver organoid is also provided. The liver organoid has fetal liver characteristics and supports expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Described are methods of detecting modified nucleotide bases in a DNA sample using specific DNA glycosylases to excise target modified bases. DNA molecules are then labeled using a DNA polymerase lacking 3??5? exo-nuclease activity and strand displacement activity. The methods can be used to detect epigenetic changes and DNA damage. Provided are methods for diagnosing a disease or condition, determining risk of a disease or condition, identifying appropriate treatment, monitoring effectiveness of treatment, and monitoring side effects of treatment in subjects based on detection of modified bases. Also provided are methods for determining environmental exposure, or an environmental exposure time, of a biological sample containing DNA. Also provided are kits, systems, and devices for performing the described methods.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: Solid particulate measuring devices, systems, and methods for using the devices and systems are provided for easier and more accurate measurement of specific volumes. For example, a specific dose of a pharmaceutical multiparticulate composition can be measured out accurately and easily in a variety of settings using the devices and systems described herein.

Abstract: Peptide constructs comprising a mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) peptide and a cell penetration peptide are disclosed, which are useful for stimulating interferon production in vitro and in vivo. Lactate has been discovered to inhibit glycolysis-mediated retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptor signaling by directly binding to the MAVS transmembrane (TM) domain and preventing MAVS aggregation; peptide constructs according to the disclosure can prevent or reverse this inhibition to stimulate interferon production. Methods for stimulating interferon production in a cell are also described, as well as methods for the treatment of viral infections and cancer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming tissue engineered, tubular bowel constructs from intestinal circular smooth muscle cells and enteric neural progenitor cells. The intestinal smooth muscle cells and neural progenitor cells can be seeded on a mold with a surface texture that induces longitudinal alignment of the intestinal smooth muscle cells and co-cultured until an innervated aligned smooth muscle sheet is obtained. The innervated smooth muscle sheet can then be wrapped around a tubular scaffold to form an intestinal tissue construct.

Abstract: Angiotensin (1-7) analogs are provided. Also provided are methods of making such analogs methods for using analogs as therapeutic compositions such as, for example, treatment cancer.

Abstract: Methods are provided to produce optimal fractionations of charged keratins that have superior biomedical activity. Also provided are medical implants coated with these keratin preparations. Further provided are methods of treating blood coagulation in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Modified alginates are described herein along with hydrogels comprising the same. A modified alginate may be prepared by reacting alginate and an aromatic compound (e.g., an aromatic amine) and/or pH sensitive compound. The modified alginates, hydrogels, and/or methods described herein may be used to coat and/or encapsulate at least a portion of a bioactive substance, optionally for oral delivery in humans and other animals.

Abstract: Vascular scaffolds and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed for tissue engineering of vascular constructs. By combining electrospun matrices with cell sheet technologies, vascular constructs with more mature cell layers can be obtained for reconstruction of blood vessels, heart valves and the like. A engineered smooth muscle cell sheet, wrapped around an electrospun vascular scaffold, is able to provide a mature SMC layer that expresses strong cell-to-cell junction markers and contractile proteins. In addition, preconditioning of the cell sheet covered vascular scaffold maintained cell viability and infiltration into the scaffold.

Abstract: Provided herein is a construct comprising, in combination: an EphA3, EphA2 and/or EphB2 binding ligand; and at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the at least one effector molecule comprises a therapeutic agent, a nanoparticle, a detectable group, a lipid, or a liposome. In some embodiments, the construct is a fusion protein and/or a covalent conjugate. Further provided is a construct comprising, in combination: a ligand that binds to EphA2, EphA3 and/or EphB2; a ligand that binds to IL-13R?2; and at least one effector molecule. Also provided are methods of use thereof for treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided are live, artificial, skin substitute products and methods of making and using the same, such as for wound treatment and compound testing, including compound testing for efficacy, toxicity, penetration, irritation and/or metabolism testing of drug candidates or compositions such as cosmetics. Described herein is an artificial mammalian skin substitute product, comprising: (a) optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, a first (“hypodermis-like”) layer comprising live mammalian adipocytes (e.g., induced pre-adipocytes) in a first hydrogel carrier; (b) a second (“dermis-like”) layer contacting or directly contacting the first layer and comprising live mammalian fibroblast cells and' live mammalian follicle dermal papilla cells in combination in a second hydrogel carrier; (c) a third (“epidermis-like”) layer contacting or directly contacting the second layer (i.e.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treatment for kidney stones, e.g., for controlling or inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones by inhibiting the production of glyoxylate and/or oxalate, treatment of primary hyperoxaluria, etc. In some embodiments, methods comprise administering to a subject in need thereof, in combination, an inhibitor of hydroxyproline dehydrogenase (HYPDH), an inhibitor of glycolate oxidase (GO), and/or another agent for the treatment of kidney stones. Compositions for such use or the use of active agents in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of kidney stones are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a myopathy. In certain embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for treating, improving muscle function, and prolonging survival in a subject with X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM). The present invention provides a method comprising systemic administration of a composition that induces the increased expression of myotubularin in the muscle of a subject. The invention provides sustained regional and global increases in muscle function.

Abstract: Angiotensin (1-7) analogs are provided. The analogs contain one or more substitutions with non-natural amino acid cis-3-(aminomethyl)cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (ACCA). Also provided are methods of making such analogs and methods for using such analogs as therapeutic compositions to treat or prevent various diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Provided herein are monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind IL-13RA2 with cross-reactivity in humans and canines. Also provided are methods of use of the antibodies in the treatment and monitoring of cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods that treat damaged spinal cord tissue, such as spinal tissue damaged by disease, infection, or trauma, which may lead to the presence of swelling, compression, and compromised blood flow secondary to interstitial edema.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods are described herein for the selective detection and quantitative analysis of biological molecule compositions. A method described herein comprises providing a mixture comprising biological molecules, such as DNA, RNA or proteins, complexed with a translocating agent, such as another DNA or protein, and non-complexed biological molecules. The mixture is contacted with a membrane comprising at least one nanopore and an electric field is applied across the nanopore to selectively translocate the biological molecules complexed with the translocating agent through the at least one nanopore. Concentration of the complexed biological molecules is determined based on the translocation rate of said molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein the cells have been expanded in vitro. The kidney cells preferably produce erythropoietin (EPO). The kidney cells may also be selected based upon EPO production. Methods of producing an isolated population of EPO producing cells are also provided, and methods of treating a kidney disease resulting in decreased EPO production in a patient in need thereof are provided, including administering the population to the patient, whereby the cells express EPO in vivo in an oxygen tension-dependent manner.

Abstract: The disclosure provides improved materials and methods for optically clearing biological tissue that is subsequently used for deep tissue imaging analysis. Also provided is a description of a microscopic image acquisition methodology in which imagery of intact tissues are acquired to rapidly acquire microscopy data on a whole-organ scale to maximize cost effectiveness for biological microscopy and minimize time spent performing such analysis.