Abstract: A 4D-perfused tumoroid-on-a-chip platform used in personalized cancer treatment. The platform includes a plate with a plurality of bottomless wells that resides atop a microfluidic channel layer, which in turn resides atop a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based sensor layer that is capable of measuring potential pH values of fluids disposed within the platform. The microfluidic channel layer includes a plurality of bioreactors, with each bioreactor including an inlet well, a culture well, and an outlet well. The inlet well, culture well, and outlet well form a closed system via fluid conduits spanning from the inlet well to the culture well, as well as from the culture well to the outlet well. Due to the fluid flow from the plate to the chip, and from the inlet well to the outlet well on the chip through the culture well, target cell (tumoroid) growth is promoted within the culture well.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a strategy of selectively targeting oncolytic virotherapy, using either naturally occurring or genetically modified viruses by packaging them in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The present invention concerns MSCs, compositions comprising the MSCs, and methods of using the MSCs for treatment of cancer and for lysing or inducing apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: A method of treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), otherwise known as COVID-19, infection by administering nicotinic receptor antagonists and/or PPAR-? agonists is presented. A combination of mecamylamine, or an isomer thereof, and pioglitazone synergistically reduces replication of SARS-CoV-2 in virus-infected cells and also synergistically reduces inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-?, and TNF?, which have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for neutralizing a virus. The methods involve interacting the virus with an oligochitosan or a derivative thereof having a molecular weight of at least 1 KDa and a degree of deacetylation of at least 1%. The methods described herein have numems applications with respect to the treatment or prevention of viral infections caused by a human immunodeficiency virus, a paramyxovirus, an orthomyxovirus, a coronavirus, or a filovirus as well as the detection and quantification of viral load. Also described herein are the synthesis of the oligochitosan and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle and method of treating diseases of the posterior segment of the eye is presented. The functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer effectively delivers drugs and/or genes to the posterior eye, thereby providing for the effective, non-invasive, and topical treatment of diseased in the posterior eye. The multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle has shRNA-encoding DNA and small molecule drug encapsulated cyclodextrin complexed to the outer surface of the dendrimer for delivery to the posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: A 4D-perfused tumoroid-on-a-chip platform used in personalized cancer treatment. The platform includes a plate with a plurality of bottomless wells that resides atop a microfluidic channel layer, which in turn resides atop a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based sensor layer that is capable of measuring potential pH values of fluids disposed within the platform. The microfluidic channel layer includes a plurality of bioreactors, with each bioreactor including an inlet well, a culture well, and an outlet well. The inlet well, culture well, and outlet well form a closed system via fluid conduits spanning from the inlet well to the culture well, as well as from the culture well to the outlet well. Due to the fluid flow from the plate to the chip, and from the inlet well to the outlet well on the chip through the culture well, target cell (tumoroid) growth is promoted within the culture well.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a strategy of selectively targeting oncolytic virotherapy, using either naturally occurring or genetically modified viruses by packaging them in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The present invention concerns MSCs, compositions comprising the MSCs, and methods of using the MSCs for treatment of cancer and for lysing or inducing apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and uses thereof for preventing and treating respiratory syncytial vims (RSV) infection. In some aspects, disclosed herein is a method for preventing or treating respiratory syncytial vims (RSV) infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a short-chain fatty acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods of deep learning for colorectal polyp screening and providing a prediction of neoplasticity of a polyp. A video of a colonoscopy procedure can be captured. Frames from the video or images associated with the colonoscopy procedure can be extracted. A model for classifying objects that appear in the frames or the images can be obtained. A classification can be determined for a polyp that appears in at least one of the frames or images based on applying the frames or images to an input layer of the model.

Abstract: The present application is directed to pharmaceutical combinations comprising mithramycin and immunotherapy to target cancer initiating stem cells (CSCs). The present application also discloses methods of treating cancer comprising administering mithramycin and immunotherapy to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) are presented. Novel dendriplexes are formed from poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers complexed with shRNA encoding DNA plasmids encapsulating shRNA encoding chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) gene, chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) gene, or a combination thereof. The dendriplexes are dually administered, both intranasally and intravenously, prior to administration of stem cells, such as human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Administration of the dendriplexes prior to stem cell administration resulted in a decrease in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, microgliosis and astrogliosis. In addition, a synergistic increase in brain derived trophic factor (BDNF) was shown by administration of the combination of dendriplex and stem cell administration.

Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic device includes a device configured to model a blood-brain barrier. The device includes a center well in fluidic communication with each of an inlet and an outlet. Each of the center well, inlet, and outlet includes a porous membrane that separates a “blood” portion (a fluid flow portion) from a “brain” portion (a fluid containing portion). The porous membrane is seeded with endothelial cells such as the human venule endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the blood side, and with astrocytes on the brain side, to accurately model the blood-brain barrier. Fluid flows between the inlet, the center well, and the outlet to test the permeability of the porous membrane, thereby providing an accurate in vitro model of a blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: A multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle and method of treating diseases of the posterior segment of the eye is presented. The functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer effectively delivers drugs and/or genes to the posterior eye, thereby providing for the effective, non-invasive, and topical treatment of diseased in the posterior eye. The multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle has shRNA-encoding DNA and small molecule drug encapsulated cyclodextrin complexed to the outer surface of the dendrimer for delivery to the posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: The present application is related to methods of treating ARDS in a subject in need thereof, by administering (a) pioglitazone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) mesenchymal stromal cells to the subject. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating one or more symptoms of ARDS in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle and method of treating diseases of the posterior segment of the eye is presented. The functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer effectively delivers drugs and/or genes to the posterior eye, thereby providing for the effective, non-invasive, and topical treatment of diseased in the posterior eye. The multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle has shRNA-encoding DNA and small molecule drug encapsulated cyclodextrin complexed to the outer surface of the dendrimer for delivery to the posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: A novel SH-SAW biosensor capable of non-invasive and touch-free detection of cancer cell viability and growth or proliferation in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures as well as stem cell regeneration as it pertains to cancer cell biology and anti-cancer drug development is presented. The biosensor includes two pairs of resonators including interdigital transducers reflecting fingers to quantify mass loading by the cells in suspension as well as within a tumoroid culture platform. The biosensor can be part of a perfused 3PNS-tumoroid system that is amenable to real-time non-invasive monitoring of the cell proliferation, viability, and multiplexed detection of key physiologic and clinical biomarkers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating cancer. Further provided herein are compositions and methods for reducing, inhibiting, or preventing resistance of cancer to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The methods may include administering an anti-resistance agent such as a CYP51A1 inhibitor or an agonist of miRNA-764 (SEQ ID NO: 4) to a subject. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor may also be administered to the subject in addition to the anti-resistance agent.

Abstract: A broad-based remediation mechanism against MRFs and alternative fecal indicators such as multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including nanotechnology formulations and methodologies that may be used to develop novel mitigation strategies against certain drug resistant bacterial strains. The current invention relates to mitigation of drug resistant bacteria, for example in hospitals and in food animals, and to the identification. The invention uses hybrid nanomaterials comprising oligo-chitosan and zinc oxide formulated as nanoparticles and micelles. The invention also relates to the treatment of multi-drug resistant biofilms which mimic in vivo conditions. The inventors unexpectedly found unique properties of very small oligomers of chitosan that effectively mitigate MRF and alternative resistant strain-induced illnesses without compromising the balance of the beneficial flora in the physiological and ecological microenvironments.

Abstract: A novel SH-SAW biosensor capable of non-invasive and touch-free detection of cancer cell viability and growth or proliferation in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures as well as stem cell regeneration as it pertains to cancer cell biology and anti-cancer drug development is presented. The biosensor includes two pairs of resonators including interdigital transducers reflecting fingers to quantify mass loading by the cells in suspension as well as within a tumoroid culture platform. The biosensor can be part of a perfused 3PNS-tumoroid system that is amenable to real-time non-invasive monitoring of the cell proliferation, viability, and multiplexed detection of key physiologic and clinical biomarkers.

Abstract: A broad-based remediation mechanism against MRFs and alternative fecal indicators such as multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including nanotechnology formulations and methodologies that may be used to develop novel treatment strategies against certain drug resistant bacterial strains. The current invention relates to the treatment of drug resistant bacteria from nosocomial infections, for example in hospitals and in food animals. The invention uses hybrid nanomaterials comprising oligo-chitosan and zinc oxide formulated as nanoparticles and micelles. The inventors unexpectedly found unique properties of very small oligomers of chitosan that effectively treat multi-drug resistant bacteria without compromising the balance of the beneficial flora in the physiological and ecological microenvironments in a host. Also, the combination of chitosan with zinc oxide demonstrated synergistic and unexpected effects in remediation of important food-borne bacteria including the resistant types.