Abstract: Provided is a method for mapping a neural area involved in speech processing, including applying a plurality of recording electrodes to a surface of a cortex of a human subject, presenting a plurality of auditory stimuli to the subject wherein some of the plurality of stimuli are speech sounds and others of the plurality of auditory stimuli are non-speech sounds, recording brain activity during the presenting of the plurality of auditory stimuli, and identifying one or more brain areas wherein activity changes more after presentation of speech sounds than it does after presentation of non-speech sounds, wherein the human subject does not speak during the presenting and the recording. Also provided is a method for mapping a neural area involved in speech production wherein the human subject does not speak during presenting speech stimuli and recording neural activity.

Abstract: Provided are survivin specific antibodies, nucleic acids encoding the antibodies and methods for treating tumors comprising survivin-expressing cells by administration of the antibodies. The antibody compositions were found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of tumors.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of ErbB2-positive cancer. The compositions include pharmaceutical preparations that contain isolated or recombinant or modified peptidase D (PEPD) proteins. The methods include prophylaxis and/or therapy of ErbB2-positive cancer by administering a PEPD to an individual who has or is at risk for developing ErbB2-positive cancer.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising porphyrin-phospholipid nanovesicles (PoP-NVs) which can be loaded with cargo. Methods for release of cargo from the PoP-NVs triggered by near infrared (NIR) light are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are peptide sequences derived from prostate serum antigen (PSA). The peptides are provided in cyclic and linear form. Methods for using the peptides for inhibition of angiogenesis, such as angiogenesis in a tumor, are provided.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer T cells, ?? T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of using biomarkers to improve diagnosis of forms of prostate. The method includes testing a biological sample from an individual for a interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and soluble tumor necrosis factor-? receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and may further include testing for prostate serum antigen (PSA). Use of these markers in combination provides tests that are more sensitive and specific than PSA in differentiating benign versus malignant prostate disease and/or localized CaP versus metastatic CaP and show that the specificity and sensitivity of a PSA-based CaP diagnosis can be significantly enhanced by measuring IL-8, TNF-a and sTNFR1.

Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting the presence of an anti-Zika virus (ZIKV) antibody in a sample, including contacting a sample with a suspension having a plurality of microspheres wherein individual microspheres are conjugated to a peptide and the peptide includes a ZIKV peptide selected from the group including ZIKV NS1, ZIKV NS5, and ZIKV envelope protein, forming a first incubated suspension by incubating said sample with said suspension to permit binding of anti-ZIKV antibodies present in the sample to said microspheres, forming a second incubated suspension by contacting said first incubated suspension with an anti-ZIKV antibody detecting-reagent to permit binding of the anti-ZIKV antibody detecting reagent to said microspheres, removing from the second incubated suspension anti-ZIKV antibody detecting-reagent molecules that are not bound to said microspheres, and detecting the presence of anti-ZIKV antibody detecting-reagent molecules in the second incubated suspension.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for converting the predominant circulating classical monocytes to a non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte phenotype through cytokine stimulation via, for example, macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Once cultured into dendritic cells, these non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte derived cells have increased costimulatory molecule expression, which leads to improved immune and clinical responses in cancer patients receiving dendritic cell vaccination and other immunotherapies. In addition, assays and diagnostic and theranostic methods are provided herein that relate to the discoveries that, prior to treatment, intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and non-classical (CD14dimCD16+) monocytes are increased more than two-fold in patients who later had complete responses to dendritic cell therapy or DC vaccination.

Abstract: A recombinant Flagrp170 protein and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a Flagrp170 protein and related molecules encoding same, and cells presenting such a protein are provided. The Flagrp170 protein comprises an NF-?B-activating domain of Flagellin and an ATP-binding domain truncated Grp170. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of cancer or infectious disease.

Abstract: The present invention includes a responsive neural stimulator having electrodes, a filter, a processor, a recording medium, an extractor for extracting instantaneous voltage amplitudes of biased oscillatory activity with asymmetrically distributed peak/trough amplitudes, and a neural stimulator connected to the processor configured to apply neural stimulation via the neural stimulator when a predetermined state of neuronal excitability is detected, a state of relatively higher neuronal excitability corresponding to a relatively lower instantaneous voltage amplitude extracted by the extractor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating or preventing a viral infection resulting from infection by a flavivirus, comprising administering to a subject a small molecule inhibitor of USP14, represented by Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, prodrug, chemically-protected form, enantiomer or stereoisomer thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) for use in the method.

Abstract: A recombinant Flagrp170 protein and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a Flagrp170 protein and related molecules encoding same, and cells presenting such a protein are provided. The Flagrp170 protein comprises an NF-KB-activating domain of Flagellin and an ATP-binding domain truncated Grp170. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of cancer or infectious disease.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a method of minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) training using a video of an MIS comprising the steps of providing a processor, a display, and a first input device. The method comprises the step of processing the video using the processor to determine a location of the first surgical tool in each of the frames, determining whether the configuration of the first input device substantially corresponds to the location of the first surgical tool in each frame of the video while the video is displayed. The present invention may be embodied as a system for MIS training. The system comprises a processor, a communication device, and a first input device in communication with the processor. The processor is programmed perform any or all of the described disclosed methods.

Abstract: A system and method for training a person in minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) utilizing a video of the MIS. The system comprises a processor, a display, and a first interaction device. The processor programmed to receive the video and to obtain tracking data. The tracking data may correspond to the motion of a tool controller. The tracking data may correspond to motion of a first surgical tool in the video. The processor programmed to calculate motion of the first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, to display the video, and to cause the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion. The method comprises receiving the video, obtaining the tracking data, calculating a motion of a first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, displaying the video, and causing the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion.

Abstract: Provided is a method for evaluating test agents as candidates for treating prostatic diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgen dependent and androgen independent prostate cancer. The method comprises providing a mouse comprising a human prostate primary xenograft, where the xenograft contains blood vessels that include human endothelial cells, initiating androgen deprivation in the mouse, administering to the mouse a test agent within a period of 1-7 days after initiating the androgen deprivation, and determining a reduction in human epithelial cells in the xenografts and/or a reduction in number of the endothelial cells or blood vessels in the xenograft. Also provided is a method for treating an individual for human prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting hypoxia-induced damage. The compositions and methods involve the use of one or more agents that can inhibit one or any combination of the genes BCL2L14, BLOC1S2, C20RF42, CPT1A, FBP1, GCNT3, RHOB, SCIN, TACR1 and TNFAIP6. Polynucleotide and non-polynucleotide agents which can be used for inhibiting one or more of the genes are included. The method involves introducing one or more gene inhibiting agents to a cell, tissue, organ, or individual such that formation of hypoxia related damage is inhibited. Kits which contain the agents and printed information about using them for inhibiting hypoxia induced damage are also included.

Abstract: Provided is a composition that contains a mixture of broccoli seed and mustard seed. Before mixing the broccoli seed with the mustard seed, the broccoli seed is subjected to baking and a pressurized heat treatment. The broccoli seed is baked at a temperature of at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 60 minutes, and is subjected to a pressurized heat treatment of at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit at a pressure of at least 10 pounds/square inch for at least 5 minutes. Also provided is a method for therapy and/or prophylaxis of bladder cancer in an individual. The method entails administering orally to the individual a composition that contains an isothiocyanate (ITC) or a derivative thereof such that the administration inhibits the growth and/or recurrence of bladder cancer. Nutraceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of genomic variants using next generation sequencing platforms, and increasing the positive predictive value and/or sensitivity of detection. The invention relates to methods and systems for detecting the presence or absence of at least one specific genetic variant, including an allelic variant, in a biological sample. Accurately detecting genetic variants can lead to more accurate diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various conditions and disease, including cancer.