Abstract: Provided herein are polymer materials that find use in, for example, delivery of short-chain fatty acids. In particular, polymers are provided that form stable nanoscale structures and release their payload, for example, by cleavage of a covalent bond (e.g., via hydrolysis or enzymatic cleavage). The polymers are useful, for example, for delivery of payloads (e.g., SCFAs) to the intestine for applications in health and treatment of disease, and have broad applicability in diseases linked to changes in the human microbiota including inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, metabolic, and central nervous system diseases, among others.

Abstract: An encoding/decoding apparatus and method using a low-density parity-check code (LDPC code) is disclosed. Basic column group information, serving as a set of information regarding positions of rows with weight 1, is extracted from a reference column in each column group of a predetermined parity-check matrix. Column group information transforms the positions of rows with weight 1 into positions whose lengths are within a required parity length. A parity-check matrix is generated according to the generated column group information. Data is enclosed or decoded based on the generated parity-check matrix.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired. Fusions with targeting peptides direct the fusions to the target, for instance a tumor, where the erythrocyte-binding ligands reduce or entirely eliminate blood flow to the tumor by recruiting erythrocytes to the target.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired. Fusions with targeting peptides direct the fusions to the target, for instance a tumor, where the erythrocyte-binding ligands reduce or entirely eliminate blood flow to the tumor by recruiting erythrocytes to the target.

Abstract: Block copolymers containing charged blocks or chemical moieties sensitive to oxidation or hydrolysis have been developed. We describe the use of such block copolymers in supramolecular structures, e.g., micelles or vesicles, and pharmaceutical compositions and in methods of preparing the supramolecular structures and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention is particularly useful for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents, e.g., nucleic acids, to cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing a polymeric scaffold for use in tissue engineering applications or soft tissue surgery, as wellto the produced scaffolds and an associated kit. The method features a first fast drying step of applying a as mechanical compression on a polymeric gel layer and a second slow drying step of the gel up to reach a polymer mass fraction of at least 60% w/w in the final scaffold. The method allows the production of scaffolds with high regeneration and healing properties of a grafted tissue via host cell invasion and colonization, and a good suturability. These goals are achieved through the formation within the scaffold of a non-uniform architecture creating softer and stiffer areas, which is maintained even upon re-swelling of the scaffold upon hydration of the final dried product.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for evoking protective immune responses against pathogen infection or cancer. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions comprise a lymphangiogenesis inducer and an antigen.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present disclosure relate to glycotargeting therapeutics that are useful in the treatment of transplant rejection, autoimmune disease, food allergy, and immune response against a therapeutic agent. In several embodiments, the compositions are configured to target the liver and deliver antigens to which tolerance is desired. Methods and uses of the compositions for induction of immune tolerance are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Monomers and copolymers are provided that both target antigen presenting cells (APCs) and activate toll-like receptor (TLR) on the APCs. In some embodiments, compositions and methods involve a polymer that targets the mannose receptor on APCs, in addition to activating a TLR. These can then be conjugated to protein antigens to efficiently target antigens to DCs and simultaneously induce the up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules that are essential for effective T cell activation. This copolymer is a more efficient activator of DCs, as measured by the surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules and the release of proinflammatory cytokines, than the monomeric form the TLR agonist used in the polymer formulation. Aspects of the disclosure relate to novel compounds, methods, and compositions for treating diseases using the compounds, copolymers, and compositions described herein.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present disclosure relate to therapeutic compositions configured to target the liver of a subject and that are useful in the treatment or prevention of one or more of transplant rejection, autoimmune disease, food allergy, and immune response against a therapeutic agent. In several embodiments, the compositions are configured to target the liver and deliver antigens to which tolerance is desired. In several embodiments, the compositions are configured for clearance of a circulating protein or peptide or antibody associated with one or more of the above-mentioned maladies. Methods and uses of the compositions for induction of immune tolerance are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present disclosure relate to glycotargeting therapeutics that are useful in the treatment of transplant rejection, autoimmune disease, food allergy, and immune response against a therapeutic agent. In several embodiments, the compositions are configured to target the liver and deliver antigens to which tolerance is desired. Methods and uses of the compositions for induction of immune tolerance are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.