Abstract: A surgical drain for monitoring an internal site in a patient. The surgical drain can include an outer flexible tube, a first tube, and a second tube. The outer flexible tube can include a plurality of ports extending from a proximal end to a distal patient end. The first tube can be inserted within the first port, having at least one lumen side extending therethrough in fluid communication with a collection device. The first tube is configured to drain fluid from an internal site in the patient to the collection device. The second tube can extend through a second port having a camera at the distal patient end of the second tube.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of dissolved hydrogen in a purification process for the removal of Bromine Index (BI)-reactive compounds from an aromatic-containing hydrocarbon stream derived from various sources, such as petroleum fractionation, reforming, thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, isomerization, transalkylation, alkylation, coking, conversion of oxygenates, conversion of biomass, etc. The purification process comprises contacting the aromatic-containing hydrocarbon stream in the liquid phase in the presence of dissolved hydrogen with at least one suitable catalytic material under conditions effective to provide a product stream having a lower concentration of BI-reactive compounds than the untreated stream.

Abstract: Provided herein are a kit and method for detecting mutations in CTNNB1, and their use in detection and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The kit comprises a first pair of primers, configured to specifically bind sequences flanking the genomic region for amplifying the genomic region in a first PCR reaction; and at least one clamp, each configured to bind to one first allele but not any second allele at an annealing temperature in the first PCR reaction to thereby selectively suppress amplification of the one first allele but still allow amplification of other second allele(s). A method for detecting or monitoring recurrence of HCC is further disclosed, which comprises determining levels of five DNA markers, including CTNNB1 mutations, hTERT mutations, TP53 mutations, RASSF1A methylation, and GSTP1 methylation.

Abstract: Provided herein are a kit and method for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT, and their use in detection and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The kit comprises a first pair of primers, configured to specifically bind sequences flanking the genomic region for amplifying the genomic region in a first PCR reaction; and at least one clamp, each configured to bind to one first allele but not any second allele at an annealing temperature in the first PCR reaction to thereby selectively suppress amplification of the one first allele but still allow amplification of other second allele(s). Kits and methods for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT are also provided. A method for detecting or monitoring recurrence of HCC is further disclosed, which comprises determining levels of five DNA markers, including CTNNB1 mutations, hTERT mutations, TP53 mutations, RASSF1A methylation, and GSTP1 methylation.

Abstract: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection results in the entry of viral genomic DNA into host liver cells. This viral relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) is transported into the nucleus and converted into covalent closed-circular DNA (cccDNA), which serves as a template for viral transcription. Elimination of cccDNA is needed to cure HBV infection, which remains a major therapeutic challenge. A robust and sensitive method to measure cccDNA described here is useful to facilitate drug development and to monitor efficacy of therapy. A set of primers were designed in combination with sodium bisulfite treatment of viral DNA, allowing specific amplification of cccDNA without interfering amplification of rcDNA. This method can be used to further guide therapeutic development, and to provide a non-invasive alternative to monitoring of HBV-infected patients undergoing antiviral treatments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the enrichment and purification of circulating, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from a biological specimen. The method uses optimized mixtures and ratios of magnetic particles and reagents to efficiently enrich, purify, and isolate cfDNA that can be useful for cancer detection and monitoring for precision medicine. The method can be used for optimized detection of infectious diseases. The versatility of the method enables both manual use and high-throughput automation use. A kit for the use of this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are a kit and method for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT, and their use in detection and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The kit comprises a first pair of primers, configured to specifically bind sequences flanking the genomic region for amplifying the genomic region in a first PCR reaction; and at least one clamp, each configured to bind to one first allele but not any second allele at an annealing temperature in the first PCR reaction to thereby selectively suppress amplification of the one first allele but still allow amplification of other second allele(s). Kits and methods for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT are also provided. A method for detecting or monitoring recurrence of HCC is further disclosed, which comprises determining levels of five DNA markers, including CTNNB1 mutations, hTERT mutations, TP53 mutations, RASSF1A methylation, and GSTP1 methylation.

Abstract: This application relates to a DNA marker for HBV-HCC detection and the methods, kits for quantitatively measuring the amount of HBV DNA and bisulfite treated HBV DNA, and methylated HBV DNA, and the aberrant methylation of the HBV genome for the used in the chronic HBV infected populations. Detection of the presence or absence of HCC, with elevated methylation levels in the one or more regions of DNA of the mammals as compared to the level of methylation in the one or more regions of DNA in the one or more control body fluids or tissues indicating the presence of the cancer, and the absence of elevated methylation levels indicating the absence of HCC.

Abstract: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection results in the entry of viral genomic DNA into host liver cells. This viral relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) is transported into the nucleus and converted into covalent closed-circular DNA (cccDNA), which serves as a template for viral transcription. Elimination of cccDNA is needed to cure HBV infection, which remains a major therapeutic challenge. A robust and sensitive method to measure cccDNA described here is useful to facilitate drug development and to monitor efficacy of therapy. A set of primers were designed in combination with sodium bisulfite treatment of viral DNA, allowing specific amplification of cccDNA without interfering amplification of rcDNA. This method can be used to further guide therapeutic development, and to provide a non-invasive alternative to monitoring of HBV-infected patients undergoing antiviral treatments.

Abstract: The invention concerns a xylenes isomerization process for the production of equilibrium or near-equilibrium xylenes from a feedstream comprising phenol and/or styrene.

Abstract: The invention concerns a xylenes isomerization process for the production of equilibrium or near-equilibrium xylenes from a feedstream comprising phenol and/or styrene.

Abstract: This application relates to a DNA marker for HBV-HCC detection and the methods, kits for quantitatively measuring the amount of HBV DNA and bisulfite treated HBV DNA, and methylated HBV DNA, and the aberrant methylation of the HBV genome for the used in the chronic HBV infected populations. Detection of the presence or absence of HCC, with elevated methylation levels in the one or more regions of DNA of the mammals as compared to the level of methylation in the one or more regions of DNA in the one or more control body fluids or tissues indicating the presence of the cancer, and the absence of elevated methylation levels indicating the absence of HCC.

Abstract: The invention concerns a xylenes isomerization process for the production of equilibrium or near-equilibrium xylenes from a feedstream comprising phenol and/or styrene.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon upgrading process, a hydrocarbon feed is treated in at least one of a steam cracker, catalytic cracker, coker, hydrocracker, and reformer under suitable conditions to produce a first stream comprising olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. A second stream composed mainly of C4 to C12 olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons is recovered from the first stream and at least part of the second stream is contacted with a catalyst in the absence of added hydrogen under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 450° C. to about 70° C. effective to dealkylate, transalkylate, crack and aromatize components of the second stream to produce a third stream having an increased benzene and/or toluene content compared with the second stream and a C3? olefin by-product. The C3? olefin by-product and a fourth stream comprising toluene are then recovered from the third stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of dissolved hydrogen in a purification process for the removal of Bromine Index (BI)-reactive compounds from an aromatic-containing hydrocarbon stream derived from various sources, such as petroleum fractionation, reforming, thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, isomerization, transalkylation, alkylation, coking, conversion of oxygenates, conversion of biomass, etc. The purification process comprises contacting the aromatic-containing hydrocarbon stream in the liquid phase in the presence of dissolved hydrogen with at least one suitable catalytic material under conditions effective to provide a product stream having a lower concentration of BI-reactive compounds than the untreated stream.

Abstract: A method of optimizing pre-operative procedures in the field of neurosurgery. The method facilitates the identification of essential fiber tract pathways that must be avoided when planning and performing an operation, thereby increasing surgical safety and avoiding complications. The method includes the combined use of four variables in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)-Fiber Tracking (FT) of projection fibers in the brain. These variables include Jain-Brem™ fractional anisotropy constant for tractography (JB-FACT), Jain-Brem™ fiber length (JB-FL), subcentimeter size placement of regions of interest (ROI), and the placement of ROIs to cover the anatomical pathway of projection fibers. JB-FACT and JB-FL provide rapid, reproducible tracking for projection fibers in the brain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a xylenes isomerization process for the production of equilibrium or near-equilibrium xylenes from a feedstream comprising phenol and/or styrene.

Abstract: In a process for producing olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed comprising a biomass pyrolysis oil or a fraction thereof is supplied to a steam cracking unit operating at a temperature of 600° C. to 1000° C. or a reverse flow reactor operating at a temperature of 900° C. to 1,700° C. and is thermally cracked to produce one or more hydrocarbon effluent fractions.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon upgrading process, a hydrocarbon feed is treated in at least one of a steam cracker, catalytic cracker, coker, hydrocracker, and reformer under suitable conditions to produce a first stream comprising olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. A second stream composed mainly of C4 to C12 olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons is recovered from the first stream and at least part of the second stream is contacted with a catalyst in the absence of added hydrogen under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 450° C. to about 70° C. effective to dealkylate, transalkylate, crack and aromatize components of the second stream to produce a third stream having an increased benzene and/or toluene content compared with the second stream and a C3? olefin by-product. The C3? olefin by-product and a fourth stream comprising toluene are then recovered from the third stream.

Abstract: A method of optimizing pre-operative procedures in the field of neurosurgery. The method facilitates the identification of essential fiber tract pathways that must be avoided when planning and performing an operation, thereby increasing surgical safety and avoiding complications. The method includes the combined use of four variables in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)-Fiber Tracking (FT) of projection fibers in the brain. These variables include Jain-BremTM fractional anisotropy constant for tractography (JB-FACT), Jain-BremTM fiber length (JB-FL), subcentimeter size placement of regions of interest (ROI), and the placement of ROIs to cover the anatomical pathway of projection fibers. JB-FACT and JB-FL provide rapid, reproducible tracking for projection fibers in the brain.