Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods comprising microbiome biomarkers of responsiveness/resistance to immunotherapy (e.g., anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy), and diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic uses thereof. In particular, the amount, identity, presence, and/or ratio of microflora in the microbiome of a subject is used to determine the responsiveness/resistance of the subject to immunotherapy, and/or the microbiome of a subject is manipulated to enhance the responsiveness of the subject to various immunotherapies and co-therapies.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions comprising 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid (4Cl-IAA) or an analogue thereof, or a combination of the latter, in the form of a potassium salt, a sodium salt or an amine salt. For example, such compositions can be used used in methods for selectively causing damage or mortality to weed.

Abstract: An ingestible capsule for detecting cancerous and non-cancerous tissues in a colon of patient is disclosed. The capsule has a radiation source integrated into the capsule body for illuminating tissues within a colon of the patient. Tissues of the colon are irradiated with radiation from the radiation source to elicit a fluorescence response, and a photon detector measures photons of the fluorescence response. Intensity and fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescence response is determined based on measured photons. A system employing the capsule is configured to distinguish cancerous and non-cancerous tissues based on the determined fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescence response.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions that are useful to lessen and/or cure bacterial biofilms and treat diseases or disorders associated with biofilms using one or more novel polypeptide vaccines, antibodies, antibody fragments and compositions. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit disorder, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and bipolar disorder. The methods entail administering to a patient diagnosed as having a neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit disorder, mild cognitive impairment, dementia bipolar disorder, etc.) or as at risk for a neuropsychiatric disorder a benzoic acid, benzoic acid salt, and/or benzoic acid derivative, and/or a sorbic acid, sorbic acid salt, and/or sorbic acid derivative, in combination with a neuropharmacological agent (e.g., an antipsychotic, an antidepressant, medications for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, cognitive impairment, or dementia, etc.) where the benzoic acid, benzoic acid salt, or benzoic acid derivative, and/or a sorbic acid, sorbic acid salt, and/or sorbic acid derivative, is in an amount sufficient to increase the efficacy of the neuropharmacological agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions forming a low viscosity mixture of: a) 20-80 wt. % of at least one diacyl glycerol and/or a tocopherol; b) 20-80 wt. % of at least one phosphatidyl choline (PC); c) 5-20 wt. % of at least one biocompatible, organic mono-alcoholic solvent; d) up to 20 wt. % polar solvent e) at least one peptide active agent; f) optionally at least one antioxidant; wherein the ratio of components a:b is in the range 40:60 to 54:46; wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with excess aqueous fluid. The invention further relates to methods of treatment comprising administration of such compositions, and to pre-filled administration devices and kits containing the formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and kits for detecting one or more biomarkers, such as an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation, e.g., T790M mutation, L858R mutation, one or more exon19 insertions and/or one or more exon19 deletions in the EGFR gene, in a biological sample to aid in diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, or therapy selection for a disease such as, for example, cancer. The methods and kits are useful in aiding in diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, or therapy selection for lung cancer, e.g., non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining efficacy of a cosmetic composition to inhibit an atmospheric pollutant from contacting skin, comprising the steps of: (i) filling a sample holder of known dimensions with known amount of said composition to form a layer of defined thickness therein, where said sample holder is amenable to fluorescence-based assay; (ii) depositing, on said layer, a known amount of a model fine particulate matter which resembles an atmospheric pollutant at least in size and which comprises a material responsive to fluorescence microscopy which is excitable by a wavelength (?ex) and which emits radiation (?em) where (?ex)?(?em); (iii) irradiating said composition and said model fine particulate matter by said ?ex and recording intensity of fluorescence at ?em a plurality of times for a defined period during which said model fine particulate matter interacts with said layer; and, (iv) determining, corrected intensity of fluorescence at ?em by the following equation; corrected Intensity=recorde

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing microbial infection in a subject in need of treatment by administering a therapeutically effective amount of ergothioneine, or functional analog, or prodrug, or salt thereof. Ergothioneine may be advantageously administered in conjunction with lactoferrin.

Abstract: A method of predicting the responsiveness of a patient to a pharmaceutical drug by measuring metabolites in a biological sample from the patient is disclosed. Specific drug metabolites in blood from breast cancer patients are analyzed using NMR spectroscopy whereby responsiveness of the human cancer patients before, during and after treatment with a cancer drug is assessed by measuring the change in clinical outcomes. Data obtained is used to identify particular NMR resonances that are strongly correlated with whether the patient is responsive or resistant to each drug. As such, models for predicting the responsiveness of a patient to each drug based on metabolites from the patient are provided.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing biomass and secondary metabolite accumulation of microalgal species are described herein. A cell culture of the microalgal species were elicited using a combination of techniques for a period of time. Experimental studies compared biomass dry weight production, chlorophyll dry weight content and astaxanthin dry weight content between controls and elicitation treatments. The present invention demonstrated that combined elicitation is an effective method for improving cell biomass growth and astaxanthin production.

Abstract: Provided herein are custom therapeutic compositions combining select Chinese herbs and strains of Cannabis, methods of making the compositions, and methods of using the composition for treatment of headache pain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinantly manufactured fusion proteins comprising a SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain (SARS-CoV-2-RBD) fragment or an analog thereof linked to a human Fc fragment for use in relation to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Embodiments include the administration of the fusion proteins to patients that have recovered from COVID-19 as a booster vaccination, to antibody naïve patients to produce antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enable the patients to become convalescent plasma donors, to patients who have been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and have contracted COVID-19 in order to limit the scope of the infection and ameliorate the disease, and as a prophylactic COVID-19 vaccine. Exemplary Fc fusion proteins and pharmaceutical formulations of exemplary Fc fusion proteins are provided, in addition to methods of use and preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that contain COVID-19 peptide specific cytotoxic T cells, and to methods for treating or preventing COVID-19 infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for preventing and treating damage to the heart subsequent to myocardial infarction (MI) resulting from harmful fibrotic remodeling, thereby improving cardiac function and reducing mortality from subsequent heart failure.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating melanoma in a subject.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles may include: a biocompatible polymer and/or functional metal nanostructures. The biocompatible polymer may be a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The functional metal nanostructures may include at least one noble metal, at least one magnetic metal oxide, or mixtures thereof. The biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles may have an average size less than or equal to 200 nanometers (nm).

Abstract: Provided herein are composition comprising novel epitopes of ApoB100, as well as sub-sequences, portions and modifications thereof, and uses thereof for treating adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and certain liver disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for disrupting biofilms in vitro and in vivo. Also disclosed are antibodies comprising a specified heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and/or a specified light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions comprising an iodinated contrast agent and indocyanine green co-encapsulated inside a liposomal carrier, various uses thereof as well as methods for their preparation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program which are capable of suppressing an increase in consumption of system resources used for suppressing a spread of an infection disease are acquired. An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding an infection disease of a first animal infected with the infection disease, a specification unit that specifies a second animal positioned within a behavior area of the first animal, a determination unit that determines whether or not the infection disease of the first animal is likely to infect the second animal, and a notification unit that notifies an owner of the second animal of an alarm regarding the infection disease in a case where it is determined that the infection disease of the first animal is likely to infect the second animal.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for volumetric excitation in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) using frequency modulated radio frequency (“RF”) pulses. In general, quadratic phase modulation along the slice encoding direction is implemented for additional spatiotemporal encoding, which better distributes signal content in the slice direction and enables higher acceleration rates that are robust to slice-undersampling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assessing the characteristics of the swallowing process in a subject a sensor that is capable of detecting vibrations of the throat during swallowing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, in part, compositions comprising improved flagellin derived constructs and methods of using for vaccination, including adjuvants comprising flagellin-based agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a level of fat-free body mass (FFM) in a paediatric subject comprising determining a level of phenylacetylglutamine (PAG) in a sample obtained from the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to immunoisolation of cells and tissues, including, but not exclusively, to compositions, methods, and kits for encapsulating cells and/or tissues within an immunoisolating device to protect the cells/or tissues from host immune rejection.

Abstract: The invention relates to saRNA targeting a C/EBP? transcript and therapeutic compositions comprising said saRNA. Methods of using the therapeutic compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for estimating future axial elongation of an individual's eye as a way to predict and track refractive error progression of an individual. The method includes: receiving, via a computer interface, data relating to refractive change in a prior pre-determined time period for the individual from a reference timepoint; receiving data representing an age of the individual and data representing a current axial length value of the eye as measured at the reference timepoint; calculating, by said processor, a future axial elongation of the eye as a function of the age of the individual, the current axial length value of the eye as measured at the reference timepoint, and the refractive change in the prior pre-determined time period; generating, an output indication of said computed axial elongation of the eye, and using said output indication to select a myopia control treatment for said individual.

Abstract: Compositions which comprise a gold nanoparticle, dithiolated diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTDTPA), and a thioctic acid terminated peptide, wherein the DTDTPA is directly linked to the gold nanoparticle surface via an Au—S bond, and wherein the thioctic acid terminated peptide is directly linked to the gold nanoparticle surface via an Au—S bond.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, an indication to initiate a contextual session associated with a context; receiving, at the device, at least one context input during a duration of the contextual session; and responsive to receiving the at least one context input, extending the duration of the contextual session, wherein the extended duration does not require receipt of subsequent indications. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising: a) one or more antigen of M. hyorhinis and one or more antigens of M. hyosynoviae; and b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an immunogenic composition that comprises a) one or more mycoplasma antigens of mycoplasma bacteria selected from the group consisting of M. hyorhinis, M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyosynoviae; and b) one or more components of a eukaryotic cell system. Moreover, the present invention also provides an immunogenic composition obtained by a method comprising a) cultivation of a mycoplasma bacteria selected from the group consisting of M. hyorhinis, M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyosynoviae in a serum-reduced, eukaryotic cell system; b) obtaining an antigen of such mycoplasma bacteria; and c) addition of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides treprostinil derivatives that can act as prodrugs of treprostinil. The treprostinil derivatives can be used to treat any conditions responsive to treatment with treprostinil, including pulmonary hypertension, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention discloses fluorescent compounds and a method for their use for selective imaging of blood vessels and blood flow. By applying these fluorescent compounds and the imaging process to a zebrafish model, the present invention further provides methods and procedures for the discovery, selection, and characterization of pro- and anti-angiogenic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, in part, compositions comprising improved flagellin derived constructs and methods of using for vaccination, including adjuvants comprising flagellin-based agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of gastric cancer in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the SCNN1B gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating gastric cancer by increasing SCNN1B gene expression or activity.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, and methods of making and using the same. The compositions of the disclosure are useful to stimulate an antigen-specific immune response and, in some embodiments, a protective immune response in an animal after challenge to pathogens. The compositions of the disclosure are also useful for treatment and prevention of disease in a subject such as cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for synthesizing the compound (2R,3S,4E)-N-methyl-5-(4?-pentylphenyl)-2-aminopent-4-ene-1,3-diol, also known as SK1-I, and intermediate compounds used in its synthesis.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to restorative solutions for segmental peripheral nerve (PN) defects using allografted PNs for stimulating PN repair. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for localized immunosuppression (LIS) surrounding PN allografts as an alternative to systemically suppressing a patient's entire immune system. Methods include localized release of immunosuppressive (ISV) agents are contemplated in one embodiment. Methods also include localized application of immunosuppressive (ISV) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in other embodiments. Hydrogel carrier materials for delivery of ISV agents and are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention provide for an olfactometer for delivering one or more odors and one or more computing devices configured to: receive user input for an odor memory test and an odor discrimination test; calculate a score for the odor memory test and the odor discrimination test; calculate a first and second confidence interval threshold and a second confidence interval threshold for a first and second predicted odor memory score respectively, based on a relationship between, respectively, the odor memory test score and odor discrimination test score, and previously-entered performance data queried from the database; and responsive to the score for the odor memory test not being greater than the first confidence interval threshold and the score for the odor discrimination test not being greater than the second confidence interval threshold, generate a report identifying a user as high risk for a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: Methods are provided for assessing a clinical response to a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (GRA) in a human subject and for diagnosing Cushing's syndrome.

Abstract: Methods of breaking down a biofilm or inhibiting, preventing or treating a microbial infection that produces a biofilm are disclosed, which involves administration of a polypeptide that has one or more HMG-box domains to a subject suffering from the infection or having the biofilm. By competing with microbial proteins that bind to DNA scaffold in the biofilm, these polypeptides destabilize the biofilm leading to destruction and removal of the biofilm by the immune system.

Abstract: Detecting glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and/or determining the level of one or more glycosaminoglycans can be useful, e.g., in identifying or monitoring various medical conditions, the status of patients having various medical conditions, and/or the response to treatment of individuals having various medical conditions. The present invention provides methods for detecting glycosaminoglycans and/or determining the level of glycosaminoglycans through the use of, e.g., mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Provided is a new application for D-pantothenyl alcohol. It is a melanogenesis inhibitor comprising D-pantothenyl alcohol.

Abstract: Nanoparticles described as metal-encapsulated carbonaceous dots or M@C-dots are disclosed. Also disclosed are specific M@C-dots with gadolinium, so called Gd@C-dots. These nanoparticles are biologically inert and preclude the release of metal in biological environments. In addition, despite a dimension exceeding the commonly recognized threshold for renal clearance, the disclosed nanoparticles can be efficiently cleared via urine after systematic injection. Methods of making and using such nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and method related to variants of SPINK2 that bind to targets other than an endogenous target of SPINK2. In one embodiment, a peptide is provided that comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1. In further embodiments, an amino acid sequences encoded by nucleotide positions 4 to 42 and/or nucleotide positions 94 to 189 in the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 flank the amino terminus and the carboxyl terminus, respectively, of the amino acid sequence. In another embodiment, a peptide is provided that comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 in which a conservative substitution, deletion, addition and/or insertion of 1 to 5 (inclusive) amino acids has occurred at amino acids other than the 1st Xaa to the 12th Xaa counting from the amino terminus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to trigonal GLP-1/glucagon/GIP receptor agonists and their medical use, for example in the treatment of disorders of the metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and obesity, as well as for reduction of excess food intake.

Abstract: This provides pharmaceutical compositions that comprise a combination of an anti-cancer agent which is an first antibody and a second antibody. In some embodiments, the first antibody is an anti-Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) antibody. In certain embodiments, the composition is a fixed dose formulation. In certain embodiments, the composition is administered as a flat-dose. The disclosure also provides a kit for treating a subject afflicted with a disease, the kit comprising a dosage of any composition disclosed herein and instructions for using the composition in any of the disclosed methods for treating a disease.

Abstract: Provided are therapeutic methods for treating a patient with lymphedema, or prophylactically treating an individual susceptible to lymphedema, by inhibiting synthesis activity of leukotriene B4.

Abstract: Synthetic inert 3D gel culture systems are described that can be finely tuned to exhibit desired and predetermined physical, chemical, mechanical, and biochemical properties. The culture system can be utilized to study the effect of microenvironmental factors on cancer cell response, and in particular on cancer stem cell (CSC) response. Cancer cells can be encapsulated in a crosslinked gel system having a narrow range of predetermined gel stiffness. One or more biochemical factors including peptides that can affect the growth, development, and/or proliferation of CSCs can be incorporated in the system to examine the effects of the factor(s) on the encapsulated cells with regard to growth, proliferation, size, etc.