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.

Abstract: The application discloses a linear or substantially linear epitope on netrin-1 that likely corresponds to the specific binding region of netrin-1 to receptor, in particular of the UNC5 class, especially UNC5B and UNC5A, or alternatively corresponds to a region nearby the specific binding region of netrin-1 to receptor that when bound to an antibody prevents netrin-1/receptor interaction. This determination of a linear epitope allows the Applicant to produce antibodies binding to netrin-1 and interfering with netrin-1/receptor interaction, thereby inducing apoptosis or cell death of tumour cells expressing or overexpressing netrin-1 and at least one netrin-1 receptor, owing the fact that this interaction inhibits netrin-1 binding to a receptor and the multimerization of the receptor. The application discloses a murine monoclonal antibody directed against this epitope and various humanized forms thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to treat microbial infections and heal wounds. In some embodiments, the microbial infection may be a microbial biofilm. In some embodiments, the composition of the invention may include at least one surface active agent. The surface active agents may be anionic, cationic or non-ionic, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a method of detecting malaria comprising the steps of: (i) delivering an evanescent IR beam through said ATR substrate in contact with a patient blood sample; (ii) detecting IR radiation transmitted from the ATR substrate to produce a signal characteristic for one or more lipids in the sample, and (iii) processing said signal and a set of reference library spectra of lipids associated with malaria parasites in order to detect matches and quantify said one or more lipids in the sample. In contrast to the prior art, the present invention relies on detecting lipids instead of hemozoin.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing excessive vascular development and treat related disorders. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for treating, reducing or inhibiting vascular development in a subject in need thereof. The methods of the invention comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a HK2 depleting agent that decreases the level of expression and/or activity of HK2. In some embodiments, the level of expression and/or activity of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), FGF ligand and/or FGF signaling is/are decreased. The invention also includes methods for diagnosing excessive vascular development and for measuring the efficacy of a treatment for an excessive vascular development in a subject in need thereof. The invention further includes a pharmaceutical composition for treating or reducing angiogenesis or lymphangiogenesis, comprising a HK2 depleting agent and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating and improving the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a binding agent that binds to transforming growth factor beta (TGF?).

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: The present invention refers to a GPR101 inhibitor, antagonist or inverse agonist or inverse agonist for use in preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of acromegaly and gigantism and to methods for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of acromegaly and gigantism. Further, the present invention provides a GPR101 agonist for use in preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of disorders selected from the group consisting of dwarfism, short stature, hypopituitarism and a disease of low levels of pituitary hormone secretion and to methods for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of dwarfism, short stature, hypopituitarism and a disease of low levels of pituitary hormone secretion wherein to a subject GPR101 agonist is administered.

Abstract: This invention relates to oxime and alkoxy derivatives of the general formula (I), or an enantiomer, diastereoisomer, hydrate, solvate, tautomer, racemic mixture or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use as a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of muscle atrophy in mammals and/or for limiting muscular atrophy in mammals and/or to promote muscle growth in exercising mammals aimed at increasing muscle mass and quality, preventing the occurrence of symptoms of sarcopenia related to age or rehabilitation after a muscle loss, age-related muscle atrophy and/or the consequences of drug therapy and/or immobilization and/or cachexia.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds and compositions for cartilage repair and methods related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of inducing cartilage growth and regeneration comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound disclosed herein to the subject or implanting a cartilage matrix comprising a compound disclosed herein in the subject. In certain embodiments, the compound is used locally such as injection at any desired site of cartilage formation.

Abstract: A multicomponent nanomaterial AuNP(DTDTPA)(Ga), where DTDTPA is an amino-carboxylate ligand (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, DTPA) linked to the surface of the Au nanoparticle (NP) via dithiol (DT) linkage. Another embodiment is a multicomponent nanomaterial AuNP(DTDTPA)(Ga) with a biomolecule attached. In preferred embodiments, the Ga is Ga-67 or Ga-68. Preferred synthesis methods are conducted at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for determining metabolic function in tissues of an animal. In particular, the invention relates to methods for determining the penumbra in ischaemic tissues using MRI techniques in association with hyperoxic conditions and an oxygen carrier. The invention also relates to systems adapted to perform the methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting the likelihood of acute kidney injury. An input interface is configured to receive a plurality of features derived from the results of a post-surgical metabolic blood panel and either a pre-surgical metabolic blood panel or a perisurgical metabolic blood panel. A predictive model is configured to calculate a parameter representing a likelihood of acute kidney injury from the plurality of features. A user interface is configured to provide the calculated parameter to a user in a human comprehensible form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with dyslipidemia, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, steatohepatitis, atherosclerosis, obesity, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and related aspects of and conditions associated with metabolic syndrome. The compositions and methods disclosed herein are useful for regulating the lipid balance (lipid homeostasis) in a subject. Compositions and methods including a Nuclear Transport Modifier may be administered to a subject to modulate the transport of transcription factors, mediated by nuclear import adaptors, into the nucleus of a cell resulting in a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and liver, a decrease in atherosclerotic lesion size, a decrease in body weight and in hyperglycemia, a reduction of fatty liver inflammation, and an improvement in liver function.

Abstract: There is a need for improved methods for determining the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with conditions, including autoimmune disease and cancer. Provided herein are methods for using DNA sequencing to identify personalized biomarkers in patients with autoimmune disease and other conditions. Identified biomarkers can be used to determine the disease state for a subject with an autoimmune disease or other condition.

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.

Abstract: A probiotic composition for inducing or supporting weight loss in a subject, the probiotic composition including an effective amount of a bacteria selected from the genus Bacteroides and a carrier for delivering the bacteria to the subject.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and control method to share content with a device and control the device are provide. The mobile terminal includes a communication unit to communicate with a host and the device; a search unit to receive content information and device information; an input unit to receive a content selection signal and a device selection signal; and a control unit to control the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives content information from a host and selects content to be outputted to a device selected from device information from the host. The mobile terminal controls the selected device using control commands transmitted to the selected device based on a control mode. If the control mode is not stored in the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal may receive the control mode from the host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification of anti-HIV miRNAs and anti-HIV pharmaceutical compounds using high-throughput screening methods, comprising: transfecting reporter cells with a panel of miRNAs, infecting the reporter cells with HIV, screening the cells to identify miRNAs that modulate HIV infection and identifying the specific pathways, nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that are targeted by the miRNAs. The invention further provides for the identification and screening of anti-HIV pharmaceutical compounds having known activity against the specific pathways, nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that are targeted by the miRNAs for efficacy in the treatment of HIV. The invention also provides for the use of miRNA mimics, miRNA inhibitors and pharmaceutical compounds (including oncology drugs and kinase inhibitors) in the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: A method of tightening inter-cellular junctions in endothelial or epithelial cells includes exposing the endothelial or epithelial cells to norrin. Upon sufficient contact time, for norrin to selectively up-regulate gene expression of Cadherin or claudin-5 in the endothelial or epithelial cells, the inter-cellular junctions are tightened.

Abstract: A method of tightening inter-cellular junctions in retinal or choroidal vessel cells includes exposing the retinal or choroidal vessel cells to norrin. Upon sufficient contact time, for norrin to selectively up-regulate gene expression of VE-cadherin or claudin-5 in the retinal or choroidal vessel cells, the inter-cellular junctions are tightened. The method is also suitable for treating retinal pigment epithelial cells in wet macular degeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices and systems for transcranial stimulation.

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: Methods of treating subjects having a disease or disorder responsive to IL-10, including methods of administration and dosing regimens associated therewith, are provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic intravital window includes an intravital imaging window adapted for implantation adjacent target tissue of a live animal, and a microfluidic fluid source and delivery system physically integrated into the window for controlled delivery of fluids to target tissue via the window. The microfluidic fluid source and delivery system is self-contained and completely located within the intravital imaging window, and includes at least one preloaded fluid reservoir, at least one fluid port in fluidic communication with both the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and the target tissue, and at least one light activated fluid flow control device situated between the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and at least one fluid port, to facilitate simultaneous in vivo viewing and remotely controlled fluid delivery to the target tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating, preventing, reducing the severity of, reducing the incidence of, delaying the onset of, or reducing pathogenesis of an inflammatory skin disease, condition or lesion in a human subject, which include the step of administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of mi RNA compositions. In addition, methods of this invention may be used to treat symptoms of inflammatory skin diseases and reduce and/or inhibit keratinocyte proliferation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated peptide inhibitor of the interaction between the TEAD and YAP or TAZ proteins and a derived chimeric peptide linked to a cell-penetrating peptide. These peptides which have a cytotoxic activity are useful, in particular for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is provided herein, and methods of making and using the non-naturally occurring PRRSV also are provided.

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: Phantoms for use in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) and, in particular, for use in quantifying fat concentration, iron concentration, or both, are provided. The phantoms are constructed to accurately reflect in vivo magnetic resonance signal behavior in the presence of both fat and iron. The phantoms described here can thus be used for phantom-based validation of MRI techniques for the joint quantification of fat and iron concentration, for phantom-based validation of MRI techniques for quantifying fat concentration in the presence of iron overload, and for phantom-based validation of MRI techniques for quantifying iron concentration given the confounding presence of fat.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating a neurodegenerative disorder by administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits or reduces translation of amyloid precursor protein. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer's disease or Down syndrome. Also disclosed are methods for decreasing amyloid-beta production in a subject's brain. Further disclosed is a method for restoring or maintaining iron homeostasis in a subject's brain.

Abstract: Provided is a rapid screening method for detecting mucopolysaccharidosis IVA and mucopolysaccharidosis VII. Biological samples containing glycosaminoglycans are enzymatically digested to converts chondroitin 6-sulfate into ?Di-6S. ?Di-6S is assayed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy analysis. Elevated ?Di-6S, and thus elevated chondroitin 6-sulfate present in the sample, indicates a likelihood that the test subject is afflicted with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA or mucopolysaccharidosis VII.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating immune cell function and Nedd-4 family member signaling are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of near-infrared (NIR) dyes are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting analytes with the NIR dyes. The NIR dyes have a structure according to the general structure At least one of R1/R2, R2/R3, R3/R4, R5/R6, R6/R7, and/or R7/R8 together forms a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient who has non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), lung cancer, gastric cancer, and/or glioblastoma includes administering to said patient a composition containing a population of activated T cells that selectively recognize cells in the patient that aberrantly express a peptide. A pharmaceutical composition contains activated T cells that selectively recognize cells in a patient that aberrantly express a peptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in which the T cells bind to the peptide in a complex with an MHC class I molecule, and the composition is for treating the patient who has NSCLC, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and/or glioblastoma. A method of treating a patient who has NSCLC, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and/or glioblastoma includes administering to said patient a composition comprising a peptide in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, thereby inducing a T-cell response to the NSCLC, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and/or glioblastoma.

Abstract: A method for determining, in vitro, the probability of a patient developing severe dengue, based on a blood sample, in which: a) the quantity in the blood sample of at least one marker, which is platelet factor 4, is determined; b) the quantity of platelet factor 4 determined in step a) is compared with a reference quantity of the marker obtained from a group of individuals who have been diagnosed with non-severe dengue, wherein, if the quantity of platelet factor 4 determined in step a) is less than the reference quantity established in step b), it is determined that the patient will develop severe dengue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding CCL17, polynucleotides encoding the antibodies or fragments, and methods of making and using the foregoing.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting one or more diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isoform in a cell in order to enhance the cytolytic activity of the cell. In one embodiment, the cells may be used in adoptive T cell transfer. For example, in some embodiments, the cell is modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Inhibition of DGK in T cells used in adoptive T cell transfer increases cytolytic activity of the T cells and thus may be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and immune disorders.

Abstract: In order to develop a technique for increasing an amino acid content and to provide a technique for easily producing a plant having an increased amino acid content, an amino acid content in a plant is increased by an amino acid content promoting agent, a composition containing the amino acid content promoting agent, a kit including an amino acid content promoting agent, or a kit including a composition containing the amino acid content promoting agent, and a plant having an increased amino acid content is produced.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a Coleopteran plant pest or a Diabrotica plant pest, decrease the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: disclosed herein, (but not including the forward and reverse primers.) or active variants and fragments thereof, or complements thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more of the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiments, the pest is D. virgifera virgifera, D. barberi, D. virgifera zeae, D. speciosa, D.