Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiplexed amplification reaction kit for identifying a subject suffering from a malignancy sensitive to treatment with an inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway, comprising a primer pair capable of amplifying a PTPRK(e13)-RSPO3(e2) R-Spondin gene-fusion. Also disclosed is a method of identifying sensitivity to an inhibitor of Wnt signaling in a subject suffering from a malignancy, comprising detecting the PTPRK(e13)-RSPO3(e2) R-Spondin gene-fusion with a primer pair.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of fabricating a metal-carbon fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a fibrous support structure comprising composite nanocrystals and polymeric fibers, wherein each of the composite nanocrystals comprises metal ions connected by organic ligands; (b) growing the composite nanocrystals on the fibrous support structure; and (c) subjecting the fibrous support structure of step (b) to carbonization to form the metal-carbon fibrous structure, wherein the metal-carbon fibrous structure comprises metal nanoparticles derived from the composite nanocrystals. A metal-carbon fibrous structure comprising carbon based fibers arranged to form a porous network and the carbon based fibers are doped with metal nanoparticles, wherein the carbon based fibers have surfaces which comprise graphitic carbon, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided is an optical probe, and a Raman spectroscopy system using such, including excitation and detection optics coupled to a sampling optics via a beam splitter, in confocal arrangement with a sample focal plane of the sampling optics. The detection optics is arranged to receive Raman signal from the sample focal plane and direct it onto a tip of a detection optical fiber. The optical probe may further include a positioning device mechanically coupled to the sampling optics and configured to control a position of the sample focal plane. In the Raman spectroscopy system a light source is coupled to the excitation optics via an excitation optical fiber, and a spectrometer is coupled to a detection optics via a detection optical fiber. Provided is further a method for measuring Raman signal depth profile in a sample, wherein sample's Raman spectra is measured and stored at different focal plane positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluorescent compounds of formula (I) as disclosed herein or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Further provided are uses of said fluorescent compounds in methods of determining, in a sample, the presence and/or amount of pluripotent stem cells or cells undergoing reprogramming to become induced pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for identifying a protein interaction between one or more first proteins and one or more further proteins comprising the steps of: exposing one or more samples comprising the proteins to at least one preselected condition for at least one preselected duration; isolating and separating at least one soluble fraction from an insoluble fraction of said one or more samples; and analyzing the at least one soluble fraction or the insoluble fraction to identify said protein interaction between one or more first proteins and one or more further proteins. Use of the method of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating ?? T cells having at least one down-regulated co-inhibitory receptor, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing a population of cells comprising ?? T cells with a phosphoantigen to expand the ?? T cells; and (b) culturing the expanded ?? T cells with artificial antigen-presenting cells expressing a Fc receptor, and an anti-CD3 antibody. The present invention also relates to ?? T cells generated according to a method of the present invention, as well as methods of treatment and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming one or more composite structures is provided wherein one or more carbon structures is formed from a carbon source via a hydrothermal process. Said carbon source is a biomass material including glucose and glucosamine hydrochloride. In particular, the method further comprises introducing a seeding additive of potassium or phosphate salt, preferably monopotassium phosphate to the carbon source. The method includes introducing iron onto the carbon structures to form the one or more composite structures including carbon and iron.

Abstract: Techniques regarding chemical compounds with antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments describe herein can comprise a monomer that can comprise a molecular backbone. The molecular backbone can comprise a bis(urea)guanidinium structure covalently bonded to a functional group, which can comprise a radical. Also, the monomer can have supramolecular assembly functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of culturing primitive macrophages from stem cells. Specifically, the method comprises contacting and incubating stem cells with a serum-free culture media comprising a GSK3 inhibitor to differentiate stem cells into cell of the mesoderm lineage, contacting and incubating cells of the mesoderm lineage with a culture media comprising DKK1 to differentiate the cells into the hematopoietic lineage, maturing the cells of the hematopoietic lineage and contacting and incubating these cells with a culture media comprising M-CSF to drive differentiation into primitive-like macrophages. The invention also relates to a primitive-like macrophage, use of the primitive-like macrophage and a kit when used in the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing an antibody which is specific for a mutant p53 polypeptide over wildtype p53 polypeptide, comprising using the mutant p53 polypeptide as an immunogen wherein the polypeptide comprises: (i) an antigen sequence, comprising an amino acid sequence of the mutant p53 polypeptide including the mutation and at least one amino acid immediately adjacent to the mutation, and (ii) a scaffold sequence for providing the antigen sequence in a solvent-accessible configuration, in particular wherein the scaffold sequence is thioredoxin. In the specific embodiments, antibodies against mutant p53 comprising R175H, R248Q or R273H are generated. Also disclosed are the uses of the antibodies for diagnosis, prognosis and stratification of patient groups and further encompasses the use of antibodies for imaging and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for amplifying nucleic acids, e.g., genomic DNA, using nicking agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides and their ability to identify and bind to T cells specific for HBV-infected hepa-tocytes. In an first aspect of the invention, there is provided a peptide comprising an amino sequence selected from the group consisting of STLPETAVVRR, STLPETAVVR, STLPETTVVRR, STLPETTVIRR, STPPETTVVRR, STLPETTVVGR and STIPETTVVRR, wherein the peptide is derived from Hepatitis B virus core169 and is capable of binding HLA-A*1101 and when bound to HLA-A*1101 s capable of identifying T cells specific for Hepatitis B virus. In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided A T cell expressing a T cell receptor (TCR) molecule, wherein the TCR molecule comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group comprising: CASGDSNSPLHF, CASSGGQIVYEQYF, CSARGGRGGDYTF and CASSQDWTEAFF, the T cell receptor is able to bind to a pep-tide according to the first aspect of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables are as described herein. The compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can inhibit the G12D mutant of Kirsten rat sarcoma (K-Ras) protein and are expected to have utility as therapeutic agents, for example, for treating cancer. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions which comprise compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to methods for use of the compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts in the therapy and prophylaxis of cancer and for preparing pharmaceuticals for this purpose.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigen-binding molecules that specifically binds ALPPL2 and/or ALPP but not ALPL or ALPI. It also relates to a pharmaceutical composition, an immunoconjugate and a chimeric antigen receptor comprising said antigen-binding molecules. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the expression or activity of ALPPL2 in a cancer cell and methods of treating a cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clay-polyacrylate composite comprising layers of clay intercalated with polyacrylate, wherein the layers of clay comprises at least one organosilane coupling agent comprising an acrylate moiety; and wherein the polyacrylate comprises a first acrylate monomer and a second acrylate monomer having different solubility. A surfactant-free method of synthesizing the said clay-polyacrylate composite and a method for coating are also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the first acrylate monomer is a hydrophilic acrylate monomer, e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and the second acrylate monomer is a hydrophobic acrylate monomer, e.g. 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. The clay-acrylate composite can be used for forming a barrier coating, which exhibits low water and low oxygen permeability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing ribonucleic acid (RNA) interactions comprising: a) cross-linking base-paired nucleotides of at least one RNA molecule and/or at least one pair of RNA molecules using a tagged, reversible cross-linking agent (preferably tagged-psoralen) under ultraviolet irradiation; b) fragmenting the said cross-linked RNA molecule(s); c) using said tag to extract said cross-linked RNA fragment(s); d) ligating the said cross-linked RNA fragment(s) to produce cross-linked ligated RNA chimera(s); e) reversing the cross-linking of the said agent to the said RNA molecule(s); f) preparing a sequence library by sequencing the ligated RNA chimera molecule(s) or pair(s); and g) analysing the sequence library to determine RNA interactions. Also disclosed is a method of studying a subject by analysing RNA interactions and attributing them to a clinical picture, or a drug discovery method by attributing an efficacy score to the drug based upon determined RNA interactions.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous carbon composite fibrous mats formed of a network of carbon fibers incorporated with porous carbon particles. The method includes electrospinning a polymer solution to form a porous layer of polymeric fibers and the polymeric fibers are doped with a precursor of conductive metal particles, wherein the polymer solution includes a polymer and the precursor of the conductive metal particles, electrospraying a metal organic framework suspension onto the porous layer of polymeric fibers, wherein the metal organic framework suspension includes metal organic framework particles, repeating the electrospinning and electrospraying in an alternating manner to form a porous network of polymeric fibers incorporated with the metal organic framework particles, and heating the porous network of polymeric fibers incorporated with the metal organic framework particles to form the porous carbon composite fibrous mats.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to at least one method for ascertaining at least one attribute of pressure vessel wall. A method comprises: while a pressure vessel, which comprises a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, is operating: ascertaining a current wavelength shift of a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor disposed at a first outer surface location on the pressure vessel; and ascertaining a current thickness of the wall at the first outer surface location by: computing a vector based on a time series of the current wavelength shift, or a derivative of the time series, or a derivative of the current wavelength shift; providing the vector to a predetermined regression model; and using the regression model, ascertaining the current thickness of the wall.

Abstract: There is provided a material comprising a multi-block thermogelling polymer, said multi-block thermogelling polymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer block; a thermosensitive polymer block; and a hydrophobic polymer block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer block, the thermosensitive polymer block and the hydrophobic polymer block are chemically coupled together by at least one of urethane/carbamate, carbonate, ester linkages or combinations thereof, and wherein the material is suitable for use as a vitreous substitute. Also provided are a method of preparing said material and a synthetic vitreous humour or part thereof comprising said material.

Abstract: A traceback solution is provided. For a network of autonomous systems, the traceback solution traces the autonomous system path taken by traffic flows. Every link in the traceback path is created, verified, and audited by autonomous systems. Multiple autonomous systems may take part in the process, making the system robust against fake information. The database used to store the validated traceback paths is a decentralized and distributed storage. Multiple copies of the database may be maintained by the network of autonomous systems. The database may be accessible by any participating autonomous system; and is not accessible from outside the network of autonomous systems. The traceback solution achieves both validation and non-repudiation property among the ASes. The traceback solution mitigates some important attack scenarios that might be targeted specifically at the traceback solution.