Pericytes are mural cells of brain capillaries that degenerate in multiple neurological disorders. Pericytes regulate neurovascular functions, but their role in the adult brain and disease is still poorly understood because of the lack of adequate pericyte-specific experimental models. All current pericyte-deficient models are not pericyte specific, and carry an inherited embryonic trait. Here, the Inventors generated an inducible pericyte-specific Cre line using a double-promoter strategy. The Inventors ablated adult mouse pericytes expressing Cre-dependent diphtheria toxin receptor after toxin administration. Pericyte ablation led to a rapid dysregulation of cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier breakdown. This was followed by behavioral deficits and neurodegenerative changes. These findings show that circulatory deficits leading to secondary neurodegeneration develop immediately after pericyte loss.

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron center selected from amino acids or ?-hydroxy acids, o-hydroxy benzoic acids or pyridine-2-carboxylic acids, such as ferric quinate, ferric tyrosine, ferric DOPA and ferric phenylalanine. Compounds which are structural and/or functional variants, derivatives and/or analogs of the foregoing compounds, as further described herein are also disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron center selected from amino acids or ?-hydroxy acids, o-hydroxy benzoic acids or pyridine-2-carboxylic acids, such as ferric quinate, ferric tyrosine, ferric DOPA and ferric phenylalanine. Compounds which are structural and/or functional variants, derivatives and/or analogs of the foregoing compounds, as further described herein are also disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

A collapsible beehive assembly is comprised of a bottom assembly having a plurality of collapsible boxes stacked thereon. Each of the plurality of collapsible boxes is configured to house a plurality of beehive frames. Each of the plurality of collapsible boxes is further configured to receive one or more insulation components to winterize the collapsible beehive assembly. An inner cover is positioned on top of the plurality of collapsible boxes and a hive cover positioned on top of the inner cover to enclose the beehive frames within the collapsible boxes. A weight is positioned on top of the hive cover to retain the hive cover in a suitable position.

The present invention relates to expression cassettes and vectors comprising Alzheimer's disease-related genes and a cell line transformed by the disclosed expression cassettes and vectors, and more specifically, the expression cassettes according to the present invention comprise amyloid precursor protein (APP), Tau protein, and presenilin-1 (PS1) genes associated with Alzheimer's disease so that mutant genes thereof can be simultaneously expressed. Additionally, the present invention relates to a cell line transformed by the disclosed expression cassettes or vectors comprising APP, Tau protein, and PS1 genes, and further, to an animal model transformed by the vectors or cell line.

Described herein is an animal model useful for identifying therapeutic agents that can inhibit the physiological effects or symptoms of COVID-19 infection, including the effects of the following on one or more organs of the animal: inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrin deposition, blood brain barrier breakdown, clotting, and vascular problems.

Described herein is an animal model useful for identifying therapeutic agents that can inhibit the physiological effects or symptoms of COVID-19 infection, including the effects of the following on one or more organs of the animal: inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrin deposition, blood brain barrier breakdown, clotting, and vascular problems.

Provided herein are screening methods and animal models related to intraocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), for example, for identifying candidate therapeutics for treating or preventing eye diseases, such as AMD. Also provided herein are compounds/compositions that are useful for killing or inhibiting the growth of a microorganism, such as Bacillus megaterium. Further provided herein are methods of using the compounds/compositions for treating infections with a microorganism, such as Bacillus megaterium and for treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with such infections, such as AMD.

Provided herein are screening methods and animal models related to intraocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), for example, for identifying candidate therapeutics for treating or preventing eye diseases, such as AMD. Also provided herein are compounds/compositions that are useful for killing or inhibiting the growth of a microorganism, such as Bacillus megaterium. Further provided herein are methods of using the compounds/compositions for treating infections with a microorganism, such as Bacillus megaterium and for treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with such infections, such as AMD.

An apparatus may include a vessel having an interior space to receive water and insect pupae. The apparatus may include a release container connected to the vessel and a sensor positioned proximate to the release container to detect an adult insect passing by the sensor and into the release container. A shutter may be positioned proximate to an entrance to the release container. The shutter may have an open position and a closed position to control access between the vessel and the release container.