Abstract: The present invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a platelet; and optionally an agent for preventing, treating, diagnosing, or prognosing the disease or disorder and/or monitoring prevention or treatment of the disease or disorder. Exemplary diseases or disorders include hemorrhage (bleeding), cardiovascular diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders associated with narrowing of a blood vessel, tumors or cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of infection by a platelet-targeting microbe in a subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating (and/or related uses) infection by a platelet-targeting microbe in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising a) an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, b) an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a platelet; and optionally c) an agent for preventing said infection, treating said infection, diagnosing said infection, prognosing said infection and/or monitoring prevention or treatment of said infection. Exemplary platelet-targeting infections include infections by a bacterium, a virus, a fungus and/or a parasite.

Abstract: This disclosure provides treatment kit that are capable of modulating the immune response. The treatment kit may also be used enhance the immunogenicity of antigens released from cell debris. Also provided are methods of using the treatment kit.

Abstract: A method of making a natural fiber composite panel includes extracting bamboo fibers from bamboo and embedding the extracted bamboo fibers in a polymer matrix material. The bamboo includes bamboo fibers and lignin, and the step of extracting includes mechanically scraping the bamboo fibers to remove at least some of the lignin. In some cases, the bamboo is steamed, soaked in water, soaked in an acidic solution and/or soaked in an alkaline solution before mechanical scraping.

Abstract: An installable and dismantlable apparatus provided by the present invention includes: a load bearing part, a toggle assembly rotatably disposed on the load bearing part and a fixing assembly movably disposed on the load bearing part, and the fixing assembly is driven to move for fixing while the toggle assembly rotates. Through the use together of the load bearing part, the toggle assembly and the fixing assembly, while installed, the toggle assembly rotates and the fixing assembly is driven to move, and then the fixing assembly acts on another part for fixing; while dismantled, only the fixing assembly needs to be pushed towards its initial position, which not only ensures the convenience, reliability and firmness during the installation and fixation, but also saves manpower; and in practical use it is easy to operate and convenient for workers to install and dismantle quickly while ensuring the fixing effect.

Abstract: An installable and dismantlable apparatus as provided by the present invention includes: a load bearing part; a fixing mechanism including an unlocking drive component and a fixing moving component, the unlocking drive component disposed on the load bearing part, and the fixing moving component connected with the unlocking drive component; and a transmission mechanism including a first stage transmission component and a second stage transmission component, the first stage transmission component located on the load bearing part, the second stage transmission component connected with the unlocking drive component, and the first stage transmission component connected with the second stage transmission component. The present invention not only realizes quick installation and dismantling, and improves the efficiency, but also saves manpower and time, and reduces cost.

Abstract: A therapeutic nanoparticle containing a cationic polypeptide and a polyanionic molecule, in which the cationic polypeptide, exerting antibacterial activity, forms electrostatic interaction with the polyanionic molecule, and the therapeutic nanoparticle has a diameter of less than 50 nm. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition, a treatment method, and a preparation method, all related to the therapeutic nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising a polymeric hydrogel impregnated with a toxin-absorbing or binding nanoparticle. The present invention also provides for the use of the above compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin, or for treating or preventing an infection by a microbe that produces a toxin, in a subject. The exemplary toxin is a biological toxin such as a viral, bacterial, fungal, plant or animal toxin.

Abstract: A fastener and method for joining dissimilar materials. The fastener has a metal body and a hollow portion. The method includes the steps of: layering a thermoplastic first component with a second component such that the first component covers an opening formed through the second component; pressing the metal fastener against the first component through the opening in the second component; and heating the thermoplastic at an interface of the metal fastener and the first component so that the thermoplastic flows into the hollow portion of the metal fastener during the step of pressing. A portion of the metal fastener is thus embedded in the thermoplastic and a joint is formed that attaches the first and second components together when the thermoplastic is cooled.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for selective photo-destruction of one chiral enantiomer of a compound using nanostructures by enhancing differential absorption of circularly polarized light by the one chiral enantiomer. Methods and devices are disclosed for selective enrichment of one chiral enantiomer of a compound using nanostructures by enhancing differential absorption of circularly polarized light by the one chiral enantiomer. The nanostructures support optical frequency electric resonances and optical frequency magnetic resonances.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising a polymeric hydrogel impregnated with a toxin-absorbing or binding nanoparticle. The present invention also provides for the use of the above compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin, or for treating or preventing an infection by a microbe that produces a toxin, in a subject. The exemplary toxin is a biological toxin such as a viral, bacterial, fungal, plant or animal toxin.

Abstract: The present invention relates treatments of a toxin in a subject. The toxin at least partially effects its toxicity in the subject via binding to a target cell of the subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a source cell. Exemplary toxins include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as organophosphate poisoning.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising a polymeric hydrogel impregnated with a toxin-absorbing or binding nanoparticle. The present invention also provides for the use of the above compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin, or for treating or preventing an infection by a microbe that produces a toxin, in a subject. The exemplary toxin is a biological toxin such as a viral, bacterial, fungal, plant or animal toxin.

Abstract: The present invention relates treatments of a toxin in a subject. The toxin at least partially effects its toxicity in the subject via binding to a target cell of the subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a source cell. Exemplary toxins include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as organophosphate poisoning.

Abstract: Nanoparticles are provided comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a bacterial membrane, e.g., a bacterial membrane derived from a bacteria outer membrane vesicle. Also provided are compositions, e.g., medicament delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the present nanoparticles. Also provided are uses of the present nanoparticles, pharmaceutical compositions and medicament delivery systems for treating and/or preventing a disease or condition, e.g., bacterial infection, in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: Nanoparticles are provided comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a bacterial membrane, e.g., a bacterial membrane derived from a bacteria outer membrane vesicle. Also provided are compositions, e.g., medicament delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the present nanoparticles. Also provided are uses of the present nanoparticles, pharmaceutical compositions and medicament delivery systems for treating and/or preventing a disease or condition, e.g., bacterial infection, in a subject.

Abstract: Nanoparticles are provided comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a bacterial membrane, e.g., a bacterial membrane derived from a bacteria outer membrane vesicle. Also provided are compositions, e.g., medicament delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the present nanoparticles. Also provided are uses of the present nanoparticles, pharmaceutical compositions and medicament delivery systems for treating and/or preventing a disease or condition, e.g., bacterial infection, in a subject.

Abstract: A process, system and method of joining dissimilar materials. The process utilizes a rivet configured to extend through two layers or dissimilar materials in various configurations. The rivet is inserted using both force and heat generated through resistance heating, specifically one sided spot welding. Preheating may be used to assist with penetration of the rivet into the materials.

Abstract: A method of generating an internally fixed lipid vesicle, comprising: providing a precursor lipid vesicle that contains an aqueous interior enclosed by a lipid membrane, wherein the lipid membrane of the precursor lipid vesicle is non-permeable to a crosslinker; permeabilizing the lipid membrane transiently to generate a permeable vesicle; contacting the permeable vesicle with an inactive activatable crosslinker, whereby the inactive activatable crosslinker enters the permeable vesicle; allowing the permeable vesicle to return to a non-permeable vesicle; removing any extravesicular crosslinker; and activating the inactive activatable crosslinker to allow crosslinking to occur inside the non-permeable vesicle, whereby an internally fixed lipid vesicle is generated.