Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying the composition of tight junction complexes and/or improving epithelial barrier function are disclosed.

Abstract: A homologous series of neutrally charged compounds having at least one functional group bearing a positive charge and at least one functional group bearing a negative charge are advantageous retention index standards for liquid chromatography, especially for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, more especially for LC-MS methods employing electrospray (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) ionization systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and methods for regulating immune pathways using NOTCH and NOTCH agonists. In particular, said agonists may be used in methods for sensitizing CD4+ CD25? cells to CD4+ CD25+ cell-mediated immunosuppression, for enhancing the TGF-? response of CD4+ CD25? cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to modulation of the rate of asymmetric proliferation of cancer cells. In some embodiments, the methods described herein relate to the treatment of cancer, at least in part, via the modulation of the rate of asymmetric proliferation of cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the seminal discovery that cord blood (CB) and adult bone marrow (BM) CD34+ cells can be reprogrammed to early stem cells. The invention provides the reprogramming of CB and adult bone marrow (BM) CD34+ cells from subjects without any pre-treatment. Provided are methods for reprogramming blood cells of a subject. Also provided are methods of disease modeling and methods of generating subject-specific differentiated cells. In addition, the invention provides methods of identifying an agent that alters a function of subject-specific differentiated cells as well as isolated pluripotent or multipotent stem cells reprogrammed from blood cells.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition including at least one epigenome-modifying compound, for a use thereof in the treatment of genetic muscular diseases linked to a conformational disorder of at least one protein, said disorder causing the cellular degradation of the protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device, a microfluidic system, and methods for tracking single cells, multiple cells, single cell lineages, and multiple cell lineages in series and/or in parallel. The microfluidic device comprises a substrate having one microfluidic channel formed therein or a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein and arranged in parallel. The microfluidic system comprises: a microfluidic device according to the present invention; a cell loading reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet end of each microfluidic channel of the microfluidic device; and an outlet reservoir in fluid communication with the outlet end of each microfluidic channel of the microfluidic device. The present invention also relates to a high throughput microfluidic system and a kit for tracking single cells and/or single cell lineages.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of using circulating diseased cells in the diagnosis, prognosis, or monitoring of diseases or conditions. The invention also provides methods of using circulating diseased cells to identify markers of diseases or conditions. This invention also provides methods for assessing the risk of developing a disease or condition, prognosing said disease, monitoring said disease progression or regression, assessing the efficacy of a treatment, or identifying a compound capable of ameliorating or treating said disease or condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula I in combination with one or both of a Compound of Formula II and/or a Compound of Formula III. The invention also relates to solid forms and to pharmaceutical formulations thereof, and to methods of using such compositions in the treatment of CFTR mediated diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: Non-human animals, cells, methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the non-human animals and cells comprise a humanized B-cell activating factor gene. Non-human animals and cells that express a human or humanized B-cell activating factor protein from an endogenous B-cell activating factor locus are described.

Abstract: A method for investigating one or a plurality of phase objects is described, in which a grid made up of elements is used, which is illuminated with light of a light source, the coherence length of which is larger than the average spacing of adjacent elements of the grid. A diffraction image of the illuminating light scattered on the grid is generated, whereby the one or the plurality of phase objects are placed in the light path between the light source and the grid and/or in the light path of the illuminating light scattered on the grid. At least a part of the diffraction image is detected by an optical sensor directly or after interaction with further optical components and converted into a signal. The signal is analysed further in order to ascertain information relating to the one or plurality of phase objects therefrom. A corresponding device is likewise described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of trimeric polypeptide complexes using polypeptide structural elements derived from the collagen XVIII protein, and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic systems in vivo and in vitro. The invention also relates to nucleic acids and vectors useful for producing said trimeric complexes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing the integration of processes for recovering products from algae-derived biomass. The enhanced process integration allows for increased use of input streams and other reagents that are derived from renewable sources. This increases the overall renewable character of the products extracted from the algae-derived biomass. The process integration can include exchange of input streams or energy between an algae processing system and a system for processing non-algal biomass. One example of improving process integration is using oxygenates that are generated in a renewable manner as a reagent for enhancing the algae processing system.

Abstract: A method for verifying carbon storage in seawater to which a growth stimulant has been supplied for stimulating a bloom of nitrogen fixing organisms for enhancing carbon storage therein, comprises selecting a region of seawater including a surface mixed layer, a euphotic zone extending below the surface mixed layer, and a plurality of deeper zones; determining the effect of growth stimulant on the rate of nitrogen fixation and carbon transport in the region; and determining the amount of carbon stored at different depths and projected duration of carbon storage at each of the depths.

Abstract: Luminescent labels based on aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, including reactive intermediates used to synthesize these compounds, and methods of synthesizing and using these reporter compounds. These labels combine high photostabilities, large Stokes' shifts and contain a pyrimidinium moiety as a water-soluble group. These luminescent compounds relate generally to the following structure: The methods relate generally to the synthesis and/or use of reporter compounds for fluorescence lifetime or fluorescence polarization based applications.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to human CD134. Invention anti-human CD134 antibodies specifically bind to the extracellular domain of human CD134, including non-OX40 ligand (OX40L) binding domains on human CD134, which is expressed on e.g. activated human conventional effector CD4 and/or CD8 T lymphocytes (Teffs) and on activated human suppressive regulatory CD4 T lymphocytes (Tregs). Invention anti-human CD134 antibodies are useful (e.g. to empower Teffs anti-cancer effector function and/or to inhibit Tregs suppressive function) for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A sample analyzer prepares a measurement sample from a blood sample or a body fluid sample which differs from the blood sample; measures the prepared measurement sample; obtains characteristic information representing characteristics of the components in the measurement sample; sets either a blood measurement mode for measuring the blood sample, or a body fluid measurement mode for measuring the body fluid sample as an operating mode; and measures the measurement sample prepared from the blood sample by executing operations in the blood measurement mode when the blood measurement mode has been set, and measuring the measurement sample prepared from the body fluid sample by executing operations in the body fluid measurement mode that differs from the operations in the blood measurement mode when the body fluid measurement mode has been set, is disclosed. A computer program product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject having a condition characterized by at least one of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation are provided. Methods of reducing astrogliosis in a subject having a condition characterized by increased astrogliosis are also provided. Methods of providing neuroprotection to a subject in need thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the risk of drug induced teratogenicity using pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to select an alfalfa plant with enhanced feed value and increased flexibility in management either to increase quality of forage provided or to enhance biomass available earlier.

Abstract: Soluble proteins, e.g. Hevin, can trigger synapse formation; and other soluble proteins, e.g. SPARC antagonize this activity. Such proteins are synthesized in vitro and in vivo by astrocytes. Methods are provided for protecting or treating an individual suffering from adverse effects of deficits in synaptogenesis, or from undesirably active synaptogenesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents that are inhibitors or activators of variant forms of endogenous proteins and novel methods of identifying such variants. Of particular interest are inhibitors and activators of endogenous protein variants, encoded by genes which have mutated, which variants often arise or are at least first identified as having arisen following exposure to a chemical agent which is known to be an inhibitor or activator of the corresponding unmutated endogenous protein.

Abstract: Fluorescent protein voltage sensors for measuring membrane potential and imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to engineered protein voltage sensors that comprise a voltage-sensing domain comprising four transmembrane domains linked to a circularly permuted fluorescent protein, which is inserted into the extracellular loop between the third (S3) and fourth (S4) transmembrane segments of the voltage-sensing domain. Such fluorescent protein voltage sensors can be used for measuring the electrical activity of neurons, including single action potentials, trains of action potentials, and subthreshold potential changes and, in particular, for imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of measuring the proliferative ability of individual patient cancer stem cells. The present invention provides a method for treating a cancer patient according to an assay of the individual patient's tumor's cancer stem cell sensitivity, by measuring the proliferative ability of cancer stem cells from the patient. By the methods of the present invention it is possible to treat individual cancer stem cells presented in tumor cells. Methods of detecting and enumerating cancer stem cells in hybrid spheroids comprised of fibroblasts and tumor cells are also provided by the present invention. The present invention also contemplates a method for drug and other treatment development, wherein the effects of a drug or combination of drugs or other treatments are determined on the individual patient's cancer stem cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a cell aggregate containing a ciliary marginal zone-like structure by culturing a cell aggregate containing a retinal tissue in which Chx10 positive cells are present in a proportion of 20% or more of the tissue in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium, each containing a substance acting on the Wnt signal pathway for only a period before the appearance of a RPE65 gene expressing cell, followed by culturing the “cell aggregate in which a RPE65 gene expressing cell does not appear” thus obtained in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium, each not containing a substance acting on the Wnt signal pathway and so on.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to the collection of biological samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions, methods, and uses related to using a biopolymer substrate to collect biological samples for analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and/or identifying target cells (e.g., bacteria) using engineered transduction particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes mixing a quantity of transduction particles within a sample. The transduction particles are associated with a target cell. The transduction particles are non-replicative, and are engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cell to produce a series of reporter molecules. The sample and the transduction particles are maintained to express the series of the reporter molecules when target cell is present in the sample. A signal associated with a quantity of the reporter molecules is received. In some embodiments, a magnitude of the signal is independent from a quantity of the transduction particle above a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for characterization, in a biological sample, of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) bearing at least one marker characteristic of the tumorous nature of the cell, the marker being selected from the groups constituted by: the oncogenic proteins characteristic of the CTCs, and the tumour markers. Also disclosed is the use of this method for deciding on the implementation of a treatment for a cancer patient.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and systems for assaying a sample for an analyte. Methods according to certain embodiments include illuminating a sample with a slit-shaped beam of light, detecting light transmitted through the sample, determining absorbance of the transmitted light at one or more wavelengths and calculating concentration of the analyte based on the absorbance to assay the sample for the analyte. Systems for practicing the subject methods are also described.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices fabricated from paper that has been covalently modified to increase its hydrophobicity, as well as methods of making and using thereof are provided herein. The devices are typically small, portable, flexible, and both easy and inexpensive to fabricate. Microfluidic devices contain a network of microfluidic components, including microfluidic channels, microfluidic chambers, microwells, or combinations thereof, designed to carry, store, mix, react, and/or analyze liquid samples. The microfluidic channels may be open channels, closed channels, or combinations thereof. The microfluidic devices may be used to detect and/or quantify an analyte, such as a small molecules, proteins, lipids polysaccharides, nucleic acids, prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, particles, viruses, metal ions, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods related to heme transporters and high-throughput methods of identifying agents that can modulate heme transporters. An approach for identifying a modulator of a eukaryotic heme transporter involves adding a toxic heme analog and at least one test agent to a culture of cells, wherein the cells express a recombinant heterologous eukaryotic heme transporter. The cells are incubated with the toxic heme analog and the test agent for a period of time. A change in toxic effect of the toxic heme analog relative to a control is indicative that the test agent is a modulator of the eukaryotic heme transporter. Heme transporter agonists and antagonists can be identified. Also provided is a cell culture comprising a plurality of cells which express a recombinant heterologous eukaryotic heme transporter. The plurality of cells are divided into a plurality of reaction chambers, each of which may contain a test agent, and may further contain a toxic heme analog.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a use and a kit for establishing the viability (ability to live) of biological samples using ageladine A. The invention is advantageously suitable for establishing the viability of biological samples which can otherwise be dyed in an intra-cellular manner by fluorescence dyes other than ageladine A not at all or only with difficulty. The invention is found to be very particularly advantageous for establishing the viability of eggs (ovaries) of the pig whipworm which are intended to be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of specific (gastroenterological) autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro or ex vivo method for preserving and/or keeping alive mammalian, preferably human skin biopsies, enabling to transport it and, if applicable, to culture it. Also disclosed is a skin biopsy thus preserved and obtained by such a method and relates to its use as a model especially in a kit for screening or selecting cosmetic or therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are an isolated or enriched population of tumor initiating cells derived from normal cells, cells susceptible to neoplasia, or neoplastic cells. Methods of use of the cells for screening for anti-hyperproliferative agents, and use of the cells for animal models of hyperproliferative disorders including metastatic cancer, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic methods are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dating a body sample, such as blood, includes taking at least one spectroscopic measurement of the sample at at least two predetermined positions in the spectrum having spectral characteristics corresponding to at least two predetermined substances present in the sample that have a time varying relationship with each other. A measured relative concentration of each of the predetermined substances is then determined from the measurement, and the measured relative concentrations of the two predetermined substances is compared with a known variation of the relative concentrations of the two predetermined substances over time. A good fit of the measured relative concentrations to the known variation of the relative concentrations is then determined, so as to provide an indication of the age of the sample. Alternatively, instead of measuring the relative concentrations of each of the predetermined substances, the rate of change of the relative concentrations is determined.

Abstract: A method for detecting electromagnetic waves derived from bacterial DNA, comprising extracting and purifying nucleic acids from a sample; diluting the extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; measuring a low frequency electromagnetic emission over time from the diluted extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; performing a signal analysis of the low frequency electromagnetic emission over time; and producing an output, based on the signal analysis, in dependence on the DNA in the sample. The DNA may be extracted from at least one of blood, feces, urine, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, sweat, seminal and vaginal fluids of a patient, or water to determine, e.g., potability. The samples may be frozen. The extracting and purifying may comprise diluting the sample with an aqueous buffer and mixing; degrading proteins in the diluted sample; precipitating DNA from the buffer solution; and resuspending the precipitated DNA in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising an assembly of hair follicle cells within a fibrous matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating a mood disorder or depressive symptoms associated with pain, inducing analgesia and treating pain in a subject by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an agent capable of one or more of increasing GluA1 level, expression, concentration, or biological activity, increasing calcium permeable AMPA (? amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid) receptor (CPAR) level, expression, concentration, or biological activity or potentiating a CPAR current. The agent may be an AMPA potentiator or ampakine. The agent may increase AMPA receptor currents by slowing the deactivation of open channels and may be, for instance, 2-pyrrolidinone, 4-[2-(phenylsulfonylamino)ethylthio]-2,6-difluorophenoxyacetamide (PEPA) or LY451646. The agent may also be a protein, RNA or DNA product.

Abstract: Monolayer protected nanoclusters (MPCs) are described herein. The MPCs contain a cluster of atoms or molecules (e.g. core) having bound thereto a plurality of ligands (e.g., monolayer). The ligands can be bound covalently or semi-covalently bound to the cluster. The ligands are generally in the form of a monolayer or mixed monolayer. The monolayer or mixed monolayer contains a plurality of ligands. In one embodiment, the monolayer and/or mixed monolayer contains 1,4-dithiolate ligands. The MPCs described herein exhibit improved quantum efficiency allowing for single cluster emissions to be measured. Moreover, some embodiments of the MPCs described herein exhibit enhanced redox activity, including the ability to transfer a plurality of electrons, i.e., up to about 19 or up to about 30 electrons under controlled conditions, while displaying improved overall chemical stability. Such behavior can be utilized in catalysis and nanoelectronics applications.

Abstract: Described herein are assays for determining total suspended solids (TSS) in liquids. Here TSS can be determined by flowing turbid liquid samples in a porous medium. Using such an assay, TSS can be determined with small volumes of liquid and in short times without the need for dedicated optics and instruments. The assays can be used to determine total suspended solids in any liquid medium, for example, the assay can be used in an immunoprecipitin assay to determine the amount of antigen or antibody present in blood or other fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods and methods of evaluating treatment protocols for disorders such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer and vascular disease by detecting the levels of a novel isoform of ChREBP, termed ChREBP ?. The invention also provides nucleic acids, proteins, reporter constructs based on ChREBP ? and methods of identifying one or more agents that modulate the expression of a ChREBP ? target gene.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel multi-modality probes for imaging, tracking and analyzing stem cells and related biological samples, and methods of preparation and use thereof. The molecular probes of the invention are constructed, for example, by utilizing (a) the high selectivity of long hydrocarbon chains for binding to plasma membranes of cells, (b) a near-infrared (NIR) dye for optical imaging, and (c) a radionuclide for PET or SPECT imaging. The in vitro and in vivo data of the optical and radiolabeled probes demonstrated their utility for detecting the presence of stem cells with multiple imaging modalities.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: Described herein are stein cells and related factors for treating degenerative and inflammatory disorders of lung tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of tumoural conditions and/or of the corresponding state of advance, wherein a sample from a patient comprising at least one tumour cell is obtained. According to the invention, a purified specimen of the at least one tumour cell is obtained by individually selecting and isolating single cells in a microfluidic device the purified specimen having a purity of at least 90%. On the purified specimen thus obtained there is subsequently performed a molecular analysis such as to highlight a characteristic thereof suited to enabling diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to fused cyclooctyne compounds, and to a method for their preparation. The invention also relates to a conjugate wherein a fused cyclooctyne compound according to the invention is conjugated to a label, and to the use of these conjugates in bioorthogonal labeling, imaging and/or modification, such as for example surface modification, of a target molecule. The invention further relates to a method for the modification of a target molecule, wherein a conjugate according to the invention is reacted with a compound comprising a 1,3-dipole or a 1,3-(hetero)diene.

Abstract: A method for quantifying metallothionein protein isomers is described herein. Such metallothionein isomer protein quantification is useful for detecting and monitoring disease. As illustrated herein, protein quantification is a more accurate measure of metallothionein induction than is mRNA quantification.

Abstract: The invention provides fusion proteins comprising at least one fluorescent protein that is linked to at least one transporter protein that changes three-dimensional conformation upon specifically transporting its substrate. The transporter protein may be a nitrate transporter, a peptide transporter, or a hormone transporter. The invention provides fusion proteins comprising at least one fluorescent protein that is linked to at least one mechanosensitive ion channel protein. The invention also provides for methods of using the fusion proteins of the present invention and nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for analysis of disease cell response to a therapeutic agent. In embodiments, a method comprises administering the therapeutic agent to a disease cell sample from the subject in a device that measures at least one physiological parameter of a cell; determining whether a change occurs in the physiologic parameter of the disease cell sample in response to the therapeutic agent as compared to a baseline measurement or the physiological parameter before administration of the therapeutic agent, and selecting the therapeutic agent that results in the change in the at least one physiologic parameter. In embodiments, the disease cells are whole, viable, and/or label free.