Abstract: Described herein are methods, assays, and systems related to the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) and, e.g., pulmonary fibrosis in a subject. As described herein, subjects with HPS who have, will develop, or are most at risk or developing pulmonary fibrosis have elevated levels of CHI3L1. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering an agonist of IL-13R?2 or an inhibitor of CRTH2 to the subject.

Abstract: A lymphoma cell line was engineered to express surface IgG1 Fc. These tumor cells were taken up rapidly by DCs, leading to enhanced cross-presentation of tumor-derived antigen to CD8 T cells. IgG1-Fc tumors failed to grow in vivo and prophylactic vaccination in an animal model resulted in rejection of unmanipulated tumor cells. Furthermore, IgG1-Fc tumor cells were able to slow the growth of an unmanipulated primary tumor when used as a therapeutic tumor vaccine. This demonstrates that engagement of Fc receptors by tumors expressing the Fc region of IgG1 can induce efficient and protective anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses without prior knowledge of tumor-specific antigen.

Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that may be used to model human hematopoietic cell development, function, or disease. The genetically modified non-human animals comprise a nucleic acid encoding human IL-6 operably linked to an IL-6 promoter. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal expressing human IL-6 also expresses at least one of human M-CSF, human IL-3, human GM-CSF, human SIRPa or human TPO. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is immunodeficient. In some such instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is engrafted with healthy or diseased human hematopoietic cells. Also provided are methods for using the subject genetically modified non-human animals in modeling human hematopoietic cell development, function, and/or disease, as well as reagents and kits thereof that find use in making the subject genetically modified non-human animals and/or practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Described are embodiments related to gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN) biomarkers and agents, systems, and kits for detecting the same, and associated GEP-NEN diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive methods and uses thereof, such as detection, prediction, staging, profiling, classification, and monitoring treatment efficacy and other outcomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor for large-mammal lung tissue. The bioreactor is capable of hydraulic driven negative-pressure and positive-pressure perfusion and ventilation. Perfusion and ventilation is delivered at physiological rates and is easily controllable. In one embodiment, the bioreactor comprises a support scaffold to support the size of a large-mammal lung tissue. In another embodiment, the bioreactor comprises a pleural sack that provides a small isolated fluid chamber which surrounds an engineered lung, thereby minimizing the amount of culture media needed. The present invention also provides an in vitro model for examining the function of a test agent and compositions and methods for alleviating a lung defect in a large-mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of compositions and methods for therapeutic immunization for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Methods of the invention include a method generating an evolved high titer hybrid-hepatitis B virus (HBV) vector, methods of treating and/or preventing HBV, and methods of inducing a memory T and B cell immune response against HBV infection in a subject administered the VLV composition produced thereby. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition for vaccinating a subject to protect the subject against infection with HBV.

Abstract: Edge-emitting laser diodes having high confinement factors and lattice-matched, porous cladding layers are described. The laser diodes may be formed from layers of III-nitride material. A cladding layer may be electrochemically etched to form a porous cladding layer having a high refractive index contrast with an active junction of the device. A transparent conductive oxide layer may be deposited to form a top-side cladding layer with high refractive index contrast and low resistivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-thrombogenic compositions, including anti-thrombogenic vascular grafts. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise decellularized tissue coated with an anti-thrombogenic coating. The present invention also provides methods of preparing anti-thrombogenic compositions and methods of treatment comprising implanting the anti-thrombogenic compositions into a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) or (II), which are thought to be able to inhibit mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway, induce UPR (unfolded protein response), and/or perturb mitochondrial function of a cyst cell (e.g., a cyst cell causing polycystic kidney disease (PKD, e.g., autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) or autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD)) or polycystic liver disease (PLD, e.g., autosomal dominant PLD (ADPLD) or autosomal recessive PLD (ARPLD)). The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods involving the compounds described herein for use in treating PKD or PLD, inhibiting the growth of a cyst cell, and/or killing a cyst cell.

Abstract: Methods and structures for forming epitaxial layers of semipolar III-nitride materials on patterned sapphire substrates are described. Semi-nitrogen-polar GaN may be grown from inclined c-plane facets of sapphire and coalesced to form a continuous layer of (2021) GaN over the sapphire substrate. Nitridation of the sapphire and a low-temperature GaN buffer layer is used to form semi-nitrogen-polar GaN.

Abstract: Methods and structures for forming flat, continuous, planar, epitaxial layers of semipolar III-nitride materials on patterned sapphire substrates are described. Semipolar GaN may be grown from inclined c-plane facets on a patterned sapphire substrate, and coalesced to form a continuous layer of semipolar III-nitride semiconductor over the sapphire substrate. Planarization of the layer is followed by crystal regrowth using a nitrogen carrier gas to produce a flat, microfabrication-grade, process surface of semipolar III-nitride semiconductor across the substrate. Quality multiple quantum wells can be fabricated in the regrown semipolar material.

Abstract: A wireless Josephson-junction-based parametric converter is described. The converter may be formed on a substrate with antennas that pump are configured to wirelessly receive pump, signal and idler frequencies and couple the received frequencies to the converter's circuitry. Capacitors may also be fabricated on the same substrate and sized to tune operation of the converter to desired frequencies. The converter may be coupled directly to microwave waveguides, and may be tuned to different signal frequencies by applying magnetic flux to the converter circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a human gene, DCDC2 (MIM: 605755), associated with susceptibility for developing reading disability (RD), which is useful in identifying or aiding in identifying individuals at risk for developing RD, as well as for diagnosing or aiding in the diagnosis of RD.

Abstract: Compositions for transient but prolonged exogenous mRNA expression through the use of the transcription system of negative strand RNA viruses, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system contains only RNAs and does not include any DNA molecules. The compositions typically include an RNA template unit (rTeUn) that includes a virus regulatory sequences operably linked to a coding sequence of interest. The rTeUn is typically transfected to a host cell's cytoplasm in the presence of virus expression system proteins that mediate replication of the rTeUn and transcription of the transgene. The rTeUn RNA bonded to viral proteins exhibits high resistance to degradation, prolonged duration of expression, and is free of viral genes. The compositions can be used to reprogram cell. For example, the compositions and methods can be used to redirected lymphocytes to target cancer cells, or to dedifferentiate somatic cells into induce pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: A wireless Josephson-junction-based amplifier is described that provides improved tunability and increased control over both a quality factor Q and participation ratio p of the amplifier. The device may be fabricated on a chip and mounted in a waveguide. No wire bonding between the amplifier and coaxial cables or a printed circuit board is needed. At least one antenna on the chip may be used to couple energy between the waveguide and wireless JBA. The amplifier is capable of gains greater than 25 dB.

Abstract: The clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is difficult to predict. Described herein is a peripheral blood 52-gene expression signature useful to improve outcome prediction in IPF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for generating populations of tissue precursor cells from pluripotent cells, and preferably induction of stem cells into definitive endoderm to generate anterior foregut endoderm from pluripotent cells. The anterior foregut endoderm cells can then be differentiated into an alveolar epithelial type II cell.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel compounds and methods for preventing or treating diseases associated with and/or caused by overexpression and/or uncontrolled activation of a tyrosine kinase in a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the present invention comprise a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a linker and a ubiquitin ligase binder. The methods of the present invention comprise administering to the subject an pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling emissions of carbon capture facilities and associated methods are disclosed that generally involve a chamber defining at least one washwater packing. The exemplary apparatuses further include at least one washwater return line, a UV treatment zone and a hydrogen peroxide treatment zone. The UV treatment zone generally receives UV energy sufficient to substantially destroy a first emission compound and the hydrogen peroxide treatment zone generally receives a hydrogen peroxide medium sufficient to substantially oxidize a second emission compound to a less volatile final product. An alternative exemplary apparatus generally involves a UV treatment zone and an ozonation treatment zone, further including a hydrogen peroxide treatment zone applied within the ozonation treatment zone. The exemplary methods generally include applying at least one of a UV treatment, a hydrogen peroxide treatment and an ozonation treatment.

Abstract: Provided are bifunctional small molecules of Formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein M represents a small organic molecule which binds, covalently or non-covalently, a kinase, such as Her3 protein kinase; L1 represents a linker; and RH represents a hydrophobic group. An example of a compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (II): Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) or (II) and methods of using such compounds for treating proliferative diseases.