Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of methods and compositions for the generation of cells of endodermal lineage and beta cells and uses thereof.

Abstract: A microprobe is provided that includes a microsphere optical resonator operatively coupled to a nanoscatterer. The microsphere optical resonator includes a back surface and a front surface opposite the front surface. The front surface is configured to receive a focused laser beam, and the nanoscatterer is positioned adjacent to the back surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to improved methods and compositions for the detection of enterovirus D68.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antibodies specific to Zika virus and methods for detecting Zika virus infection in a subject. The present disclosure also relates to therapeutic antibodies useful in reducing viral load.

Abstract: The present disclosure reports a C-C chemokine type 2 receptor (CCR2) targeting mediated nanoimmunotherapy to treat cancer, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Also disclosed herein is the use of a biodegradable copper nanocluster (CuNC) for enhanced loading of chemotherapeutic drug, such as Gemcitabine (Gem).

Abstract: A barbed rod device is provided for tissue closure and approximation. The device includes two or more subassemblies. Each subassembly includes a receiver having a central opening and centerline axis, a plurality of barbs extending radially outward from the receiver, and a linking rod extending from the receiver along the centerline axis of the receiver. The linking rod includes a locking end opposite the receiver. The locking end of a first subassembly is configured to engage the receiver of a second subassembly.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of devices, systems, and methods for tracking the positions and orientations of at least one bone screw implanted within a surgical site. The disclosed device includes an extension that includes an extension base configured to couple to the bone screw, a marker arm coupled at one end to the extension base in a hinged arrangement, and an optical marker attached to a free end of the marker arm opposite the hinged attachment. The optical marker includes a pair of lenticular arrays in a coplanar arrangement in which the major axes of the lenticular arrays are mutually perpendicular. Each lenticular array is configured to display different hues at different viewing angles. The disclosed method includes transforming a single image of a surgical site containing at least one bone screw and extension into the global positions of each bone screw based on the pixel positions and hues corresponding to the lenticular arrays of each optical marker.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for correcting artifacts within CT images of a subject includes providing iteratively correcting a CT volumetric image with a high-contrast mask by overpainting the high-contrast mask within CT volumetric image set by evaluating a model function and updating the CT projections to reflect the overpainting using a gradient descent based on previous overpainted CT projections, back-projecting the corrected CT projections to produce a corrected volumetric image set, and comparing the corrected CT volumetric image set against a previous corrected CT volumetric image set until convergence. The original voxels overpainted by the high-contrast mask are re-inserted into the converged CT volumetric image to produce the final CT volumetric image set.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of methods to predict the risk of developing immunotherapy-associated neurotoxicity in a subject by measuring neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in a biological sample obtained from the subject, wherein the subject is receiving or may receive an immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy.

Abstract: Low-pass whole genome sequencing, as well as targeted hybrid-capture next-generation sequencing, were performed to detect both small mutations and genome-wide copy number alterations to more precisely detect MRD after physician's-choice neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A machine learning model using both cell-free DNA and pre-treatment clinical characteristics is disclosed. With this method, it was possible to significantly predict both progression-free and overall survival.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating diseases associated with vascular calcification and/or cardiovascular disease in a subject by using the level of a biomarker, in particular, snail homolog 1 (Snai1), phosphosmad2, phosphosmad3, urinary protein, dickkopf homolog 1 (Dkk1), collagen type 1 alpha 1 (Col1a1), activin (e.g., free activin), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), C-terminal type 1 collagen telopeptide (CTX), osterix, Klotho, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), myocardin (MYOCD), activin receptor type 2A (ActRIIA), axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2), and/or smooth muscle protein 22-alpha (Sm22-alpha), as an indicator(s) of responsiveness of the subject to the treatment, efficacy of the treatment, or appropriate dosage for the treatment with an activin type II receptor signaling inhibitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to microneedle patches for direct sampling and ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluids. The microneedle patches are comprised of polymers with high protein absorption capability (e.g. polystyrene) and are modified with capture biorecognition elements that are specific to target analytes in the interstitial fluid (ISF). Systems and methods are further provided for detection of a target ISF analyte obtained by in vivo sampling of the ISF using a microneedle patch.

Abstract: A 3D model system of human placental development that includes 3D stem cell-derived trophoblast organoids comprising self-organized trophoblast stem cells isolated from naive human pluripotent stem cells, and uses thereof, are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods of treating or preventing a headache disorder in a subject including administering to the subject a CCL2-CCR2 signaling inhibiting agent.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for labeling cells to track cell lineage within single-cell transcriptomic, genomic, epigenomic, and/or multi-omics assays are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating tagged objects in remote regions are presented herein, in one embodiment, a method of locating tagged objects in remote regions includes creating a signal strength probability density map by. The method also includes transmitting first packets of data from at least one first tag to a plurality of stations and determining, by a plurality of stations, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for received first packets of data. The method also includes transmitting, by the plurality of stations, the RSSI to an uplink node; and transmitting, by the uplink node, the RSSI to a database. The method further includes determining, by the database, the signal strength probability density map representative of probabilistic locations of the at least one first tag; and transmitting second packets of data from a second tag to the plurality of stations.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for vaccinating for or preventing a Coronavinus infection, antibody screening, and variant prediction are provided. The present disclosure also provides for compositions and methods useful for sera diagnostics, treatment screening, and methods of making the compositions described herein.

Abstract: Various methods and compositions for treating age-associated conditions and other medical conditions, such as muscle diseases, type 2 diabetes, and/or obesity are described. Methods of enhancing cellular uptake of NMN and stimulating NAD+ production are further described. Various mammalian cells and mammalian cell lines are described including those comprising a cDNA encoding a Slc12a8 protein. Gene therapy vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding Slc12a8 and non-human animals comprising an inactivating mutation in a Slc12a8 gene are also disclosed. Also described are methods for screening a candidate compound to identify compounds that promote NMN transport.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various methods of suppressing inflammasome activation. For example, the present invention relates to various methods of treating a disease or condition in which inflammation contributes to the disease or condition state.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions related to methods of treating, ameliorating, mitigating, slowing, arresting, preventing or reversing various diseases and conditions, including age-related obesity, age-related increases in blood lipid levels, age-related decreases in insulin sensitivity, age-related decreases in memory function, and age-related changes in eye function such as macular degeneration. The methods comprise administering nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to a subject. In some embodiments, the administration can be oral administration. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising NMN.