Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identification of subjects with a rise in plasma coagulability post-diagnosis of thrombotic event (and consequent increased risk for recurrent thromboembolism) as well as for identification of subjects without thrombotic event who exhibit a rise in plasma coagulability for which prophylactic anticoagulation may be warranted for TE prevention, and other methods for identification of perioperative subjects who are at heightened risk for perioperative bleeding and/or for requiring blood transfusion, using the CloFAL assay, to aid in clinical decision making regarding anticoagulant and/or adjunctive clinical management designed to mitigate this heightened thromboembolic risk.

Abstract: A wearable sensor system includes a flexible patch, an electronic circuit disposed on the flexible patch, and a disposable sensor disposed on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit via a socket. The disposable sensor detects a chemical compound. The electronic circuit generates a detection signal commensurate with the chemical compound detected by the disposable sensor. The disposable sensor is removably plugged into the socket, thereby permitting replacement of the disposable sensor upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition. A battery disposed is on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit to power the electronic circuit. A transceiver is connected to the electronic circuit, wherein the transceiver transmits the detection signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of evaluating cardio-respiratory function, including detecting diseases, disorders, or conditions in test subjects involving the identification of respiratory timing patterns in respiratory audio signals. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods of RNA analysis. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method of RNA analysis that includes obtaining a sample, applying one or more multi-partite probes to the sample, where each of the one or more multi-partite probes includes at least two sub-probes, annealing at least one of the applied one or more multi-partite probes to at least one target nucleic acid within the sample, and ligating the at least two sub-probes associated with the at least one annealed multi-partite probe to create a target nucleic acid proxy that can be detected.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a novel approach for the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of Cap-Snatching virus infections, particularly all classes of human influenza, including pandemic influenza. The methods involve the use of constructs for RNA-interference (RNAi).

Abstract: An antenna includes a waveguide defined by a gap between a backplane with radial support ribs and a facesheet, a teardrop-shaped feed pin at a center of the backplane, and a foam spacer between the backplane and facesheet. An outward facing side of the facesheet includes thermal paint. The facesheet includes pairs of through-hole slots for releasing portions of a wave of radiation in the waveguide to generate a transmit-beam or to receive the receive-beam to generate the wave of radiation. The pairs may be disposed as a spiral array about a center of the facesheet. Each of the pairs may include first and second slots. A length of the second slot is oriented approximately perpendicular to a length of the first slot. Dispositions of the slots are set by a computer process. The dispositions optimize a trade-off between transmit and receive gains.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating hydrogel microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from aqueous polymer solutions. Such hydrogel microfibers can be generated from a variety of water-soluble natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed hydrogel fibers provides improved mechanical properties to hydrogel microfibers, and contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the hydrogel microfibers.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of cancer using a combination treatment comprising a locally administered chemotherapy and an immunotherapeutic agent. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of promoting the combination treatment and instructing a patient to receive the combination treatment are also provided, as well immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions comprising the combination treatment, and methods of using the immunotherapeutic, non-immunosuppressive compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a TGF?2-associated disease, disorder and/or condition, including, e.g., Scleroderma, other fibrotic disease, grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM) and/or Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG). The disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TGF?2-associated diseases, disorders and/or conditions.

Abstract: The identification of mutations that are present in a small fraction of DNA templates is essential for progress in several areas of biomedical research. Though massively parallel sequencing instruments are in principle well-suited to this task, the error rates in such instruments are generally too high to allow confident identification of rare variants. We here describe an approach that can substantially increase the sensitivity of massively parallel sequencing instruments for this purpose. One example of this approach, called “Safe-SeqS” for (Safe-Sequencing System) includes (i) assignment of a unique identifier (UID) to each template molecule; (ii) amplification of each uniquely tagged template molecule to create UID-families; and (iii) redundant sequencing of the amplification products. PCR fragments with the same UID are truly mutant (“super-mutants”) if ?95% of them contain the identical mutation.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods comprising isolated antibodies that can recognize human prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The presently disclosed antibodies can be used to for imaging and therapy of PSMA-expressing cancers, such as prostate cancer, in a subject.

Abstract: A soft tissue device can incorporate a composite material comprising a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A soft tissue device can further incorporate biologically active materials such as cells, tissues. A method for healing a soft tissue defect while promoting soft tissue regeneration can include applying a soft tissue device to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a soft tissue device for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel, disposing nanofibers within the gel, and a biologically active material.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of distinguishing between meiotic- and mitotic-origin aneuploidies in certain embodiments. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods comprising improvements of a CRISPR system (e.g. CRISPR associated (Cas) 9 (CRISPR-Cas9, non-Cas9 CRISPR systems). Such compositions may comprise modifications to the H1 promoter region, addition of 5?UTR modifications, different orthologous sequences of the H1 promoter, novel compact bidirectional promoter sequences with both pol II and pol III activity, addition of Kozak consensus sequences, termination sequences, addition of conditional pol II/pol III bidirectional promoter expression, addition of a donor template sequence for correcting mutations, or combinations thereof. Other aspects of the invention relate to modifications to Cas9 through post-transcriptional cell-cycle regulation fusions, engineered partial target sites such that the nuclease can bind without DNA cleavage, auto-regulation sites, and N-terminal modifications to modulate half-life.

Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion protein, wherein the annexin chimeric fusion protein comprises at least one immunogenic antigen, thereby enhancing the antigen specific immune response relative to administration of the immunogenic antigen alone. Methods and kits for treating or preventing recurrence of hyper proliferating diseases, e.g., cancer, are described. A method may comprise priming a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent and boosting the mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an annexin chimeric fusion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of treating cancer in a subject or preventing a relapse or reducing the incidence of relapse of cancer in a subject in remission, comprising administering to the subject: (a) a therapeutically effective amount of an immunotherapeutic agent, e.g., an immune checkpoint blockade therapy, an adoptive cellular therapy, a marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes, an adenosine A2aR inhibitor, or an antibody; and (b) a compound having formula (I): and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R2?, and X are as defined as set forth in the specification. Compounds having formula (I) are prodrugs that release glutamine analogs, e.g., 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON).

Abstract: Methods for treating a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment thereof an effective amount of a small molecule nSMase2 inhibitor.

Abstract: A composition for producing electrodes for lithium-sulfur batteries includes particles having a metal-organic framework structure and composition that define voids within the metal-organic framework structure; sulfur loaded into at least some of the voids defined by the metal-organic framework structure of the particles; graphene flakes obtained by polymer enhanced solvent exfoliation; and polymer residue from the polymer enhanced solvent exfoliation. A method of producing a composite electrode for a lithium-sulfur battery according to an embodiment of the current invention includes obtaining a composition according to an embodiment of the current invention and applying the composition to a substrate. An electrode for a lithium-sulfur battery includes a layer having the composition. A lithium-sulfur battery according to an embodiment of the current invention includes the electrode.

Abstract: A device may obtain field images of a tissue sample, apply, to the field images, spatial distortion and illumination-based corrections (including corrections for photobleaching of reagents) to derive processed field images, identify, in each processed field image, a primary area including data useful for cell or subcellular component characterization, identify, in the processed field images, areas that overlap with one another, and derive information regarding a spatial mapping of cell(s) and/or sub-cellular components of the tissue sample. Deriving the information may include performing segmentation based on the data included in the primary area of each processed field image, and obtaining flux measurements based on other data included in the overlapping areas.

Abstract: Blockade of immune checkpoints such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) shows promise in patients with cancer. Inhibitory antibodies directed at these receptors have been shown to break immune tolerance and promote anti-tumor immunity. These agents work particularly well in patients with a certain category of tumor. Such tumors may be particularly susceptible to treatment because of the multitude of neoantigens which they produce.