Abstract: This application discloses, inter alia, certain antibodies that specifically bind to human TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2). In some embodiments, the antibodies act as TREM2 agonists. In some embodiments, antibodies herein specifically bind to the stalk region of intact, human TREM2, without binding to soluble TREM2, which is the product of TREM2 cleavage between residues H157 and S158. In some embodiments, the antibodies act as TREM2 agonists, specifically bind to the stalk region of TREM2 with dissociation constants ranging from 10 nM to as low as 100-500 pM, 10-50 pM, or 1-10 pM, specifically bind to a TREM2 epitope spanning the H157-S158 cleavage site, and do not bind to soluble TREM2.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of recovering oil from microorganisms. The methods are useful, for example, in obtaining nutritional oils and/or lipid biofuels. The methods of recovering oil described herein include contacting a population of microorganisms with one or more enzymes under conditions that cause disruption of the microorganisms, concentrating the disrupted microorganisms, and extracting lipids from the disrupted microorganisms at high temperature in the presence of a salt and in the absence of solvent.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a system and method by which the magnetic susceptibility of a fluid is changed to separate the fluid according to differences in magnetic susceptibility. According to one embodiment, a fluid separation system and method can efficiently separate materials contained in a fluid according to magnetic susceptibility, without damage such as hemolysis or without changes in the types or concentrations of marker proteins in plasma.

Abstract: Therapeutic extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing high copies of functional nucleic acids and other biomolecules are produced in large quantities by laying donor cells on a surface of a chip, adding various plasmids, other transfection vectors and their combinations to a buffer on the chip, applying a pulsulatic electric field across the cells laid on top of the chip surface and plasmids/vectors buffer solution below the chip surface, and collecting the EVs secreted by the transfected cells. The chip surface has a three-dimensional (3D) nanochannel electroporation (NEP) biochip formed on it, capable of handling large quantities of the donor cells. The buffer is adapted for receiving plasmids and other transfection vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Actinomycetales strains for the improved formation of acarbose. Provided are Actinomycetales strains which are engineered to overexpress dTDP-D-glucose-4,6-dehydratase (AcbB) and/or uridyltransferase (GtaB). Also provided are Actinomycetales strains which are engineered to have a reduced or absent expression of the small carbohydrate binding protein (Cgt) and/or a reduced or absent expression of genes which are essential for carotenoid synthesis. Also provided are tools, methods and means to generate these strains.

Abstract: Pyridopyrimidinone derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same for use as an Axl inhibitor for the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by Axl such as cancer and metastasis, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for treating a Axl-mediated disease or condition by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of the pyridopyrimidinone derivative.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for producing and purifying sophorolipids (SLP). More specifically, the subject invention provides materials and methods for the purification of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic SLP molecules to a purity of, for example, at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 95% by weight, without using solvents or centrifugation. Advantageously, the subject invention is suitable for industrial scale production of purified SLP for use in, for example, cleaning products and detergents, and uses safe and environmentally-friendly materials and processes.

Abstract: The specification relates to conjugates comprising a linker of Formula (IA): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The specification also relates the use of the conjugates for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, and intermediates useful for the synthesis of the conjugates.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of ALS using chlorite or a pharmaceutical composition comprising sodium chlorite, for a target ALS patient population. Also provided herein are methods for identifying a target ALS patient population likely to be responsive to treatment with chlorite or a pharmaceutical composition comprising sodium chlorite, the methods including identifying ALS patients with elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and/or patients age 40-65, sporadic ALS pathology, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that includes a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and compositions for the treatment of demyelinating disorders. Specifically, the invention relates to the use guanabenz or guanabenz derivative for treating demyelinating disorders.

Abstract: The present application discloses method of controlling plant pathogen(s), e.g. fungal and bacterial pathogens, on a plant, wherein a composition comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FCC1256 deposited as ATCC No. PTA-122162 is applied to the plant, in particular to over-ground parts of the plant. The composition may comprise iturin and fengycin in a relative weight ratio of 1.3:1.0 to 3.0:1.0. The application also discloses an agricultural composition comprising the novel strain, a carrier, a surface-active agent and optionally a buffer, and a corresponding concentrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) proteins, human antibody molecules, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that immunospecifically bind to human programmed cell death protein-1 (hPD-1), and immunoconjugates comprising the same.

Abstract: A composition for preventing or treating an infection or disease caused by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis includes a Siphoviridae bacteriophage (Bac-FRP-5) having an ability to lyse the enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method for preventing or treating an infection or disease caused by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis includes administering to a subject a Siphoviridae bacteriophage and lysing the enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis cells by the Siphoviridae bacteriophage.

Abstract: A composition for preventing or treating an infection or disease caused by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis includes a Siphoviridae bacteriophage (Bac-FRP-4) having an ability to lyse the enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method for preventing or treating an infection or disease caused by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis includes administering to a subject a Siphoviridae bacteriophage and lysing the enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis cells by the Siphoviridae bacteriophage.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of bio-based carotenoids, particularly to methods for enhancing the titer and purity of beta-carotene fermentation in a suitable host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating obesity or sarcopenia, containing ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) and, more specifically, to a pharmaceutical composition and a food for preventing or treating obesity or sarcopenia, containing, as an active ingredient, IF1 having an effect of suppressed appetite or effects increased muscle mass and muscle production. According to the present invention, ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) exhibits, in an obesity-induced mouse model, effects of inhibited weight gain and decreased dietary intake without side effects, and exhibits, in obesity-induced or aged mouse, effects of increased muscle mass, increased muscle protein and muscle production, and thus is very useful as an agent for preventing, alleviating or treating metabolic diseases such as obesity, an agent for suppressing appetite and an agent for preventing, alleviating or treating muscle loss-related diseases such as sarcopenia.

Abstract: A composition for preventing or treating an infection or disease caused by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis includes a Siphoviridae bacteriophage (Bac-FRP-3) having an ability to lyse the enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method for preventing or treating an infection or disease caused by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis includes administering to a subject a Siphoviridae bacteriophage and lysing the enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis cells by the Siphoviridae bacteriophage.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for delivering a therapeutic protein to the central nervous system (CNS), in order to treat diseases and disorders that impair the CNS, such as treating lysosomal storage diseases are disclosed. Therapeutic proteins delivered via a therapeutically effective amount of a nucleotide composition encoding the therapeutic protein conjugated to a cell surface receptor-binding protein that crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB) are provided.

Abstract: A disposable test cartridge to determine the concentration of one or more liver enzymes in a blood sample includes a cartridge body having a plurality of chambers where at least one of the chambers contains a reactant mixture that reacts when catalyzed by one of the liver enzymes ALT, AST, ALP, or GGT in a blood sample forming a reaction solution, a removable cartridge cover connected to the cartridge body, and a test strip module connected to the cartridge body. The test strip module containing at least one analyte test strip configured for receiving a portion of the reaction solution and electrochemically measuring at least one analyte that is a reaction product in the reaction solution.