Abstract: Microfluidic “organ-on-a-chip” devices have been developed with the aim to replicate human tissues in vitro. However, there is no option to quantitatively monitor biological processes that take place within the chip, over time. Destructive methods in order to analyze, tissue formation, gene expression, protein secretion etc. require the harvest of the “tissue” at a certain time point. Described herein are methods and compositions for non-destructive molecular imaging methods and systems in order to quantitatively monitor specific biological processes, over time, within the chip, without the need to harvest.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating nephrotic syndrome using an anti-CD20 antibody. In one embodiment, that anti-CD20 antibody is Obinutuzumab.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for characterizing a biological sample in vivo or ex vivo in real-time using time-resolved spectroscopy. A light source generates a light pulse or continuous light wave and excites the biological sample, inducing a responsive fluorescent signal. A demultiplexer splits the signal into spectral bands and a time delay is applied to the spectral bands so as to capture data with a detector from multiple spectral bands from a single excitation pulse. The biological sample is characterized by analyzing the fluorescence intensity magnitude and/or decay of the spectral bands. The sample may comprise one or more exogenous or endogenous fluorophore. The device may be a two-piece probe with a detachable, disposable distal end. The systems may combine fluorescence spectroscopy with other optical spectroscopy or imaging modalities. The light pulse may be focused at a single focal point or scanned or patterned across an area.

Abstract: A method for performing real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on a subject is disclosed. A prep pulse sequence is applied to the subject to obtain a high-quality special subspace, and a direct linear mapping from k-space training data to subspace coordinates. A live pulse sequence is then applied to the subject. During the live pulse sequence, real-time images are constructed using a fast matrix multiplication procedure on a single instance of the k-space training readout (e.g., a single k-space line or trajectory), which can be acquired at a high temporal rate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for evaluating perioperative risk based on electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. In one example, perioperative risk for a patient is predicted via a convolutional neural network model comprising at least one atrous layer and using pre-operative ECG data as input. Further, in one example, responsive to determining the perioperative risk metric below a threshold risk, selecting a patient for a surgical procedure and performing the surgery on the patient.

Abstract: The aspects disclosed herein describe methods of identifying a subject that is non-responsive to anti-TNF therapy. The aspects disclosed herein further provide for a method of selecting a therapy for a subject with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and treating the subject with the therapy.

Abstract: Mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MA VS) protein mediates innate antiviral responses, and is an important component of the response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2). Herein methods are provided to increase expression of mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein in epithelial cells by use of a UVA therapy to expose the epithelial cells to the UVA therapy, or to contact a first set of epithelial cells with a second set of epithelial cells which have been exposed to the UVA therapy, or to contact a first set of epithelial cells with the cell lysates of the second set of epithelial cells that have been exposed to the UVA therapy.

Abstract: Described herein are humanized anti-TL1A antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's Disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for diagnosing and evaluating a subject that has sustained or may have sustained an injury to the head, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In particular, the present disclosure identifies various biomarkers, the detection and/or differential expression of which can be used to assess the presence or absence of a TBI in a subject, and can be used as a basis for diagnosing a subject as having a specific type of TBI (e.g., severe TBI or subclasses of mild TBI). The various TBI biomarkers can be detected individually or in combination and can be used as an important diagnostic, prognostic, and/or TBI risk stratification tool as part of assessing a subject's TBI status.

Abstract: A UV light delivery device for performing intra-corporeal ultraviolet therapy is provided. The device includes an elongated body separated by a proximal end and a distal end. The device also includes a UV light source configured to be received at the receiving space. In some examples, the UV light source is configured to emit light with wavelengths with significant intensity between 320 nm and 410 nm and is utilized in conjunction with an endotracheal tube or a nasopharyngeal airway.

Abstract: Described herein is functionalized glass allowing for robust attachment of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) withstanding extended culturing periods. By first treating glass with a sulfur silane reagent, the treated glass can be activated via an amine-sulfur linker, after which ECM proteins are attached to the linker. The Inventors observed that this glass treatment combination (sulfur silane-linker-ECM) resisted degradation when compared to conventional surface coatings, such as poly-L-orthinine coated glass.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Improved techniques for establishing highly efficient, reproducible reprogramming using non-integrating episomal plasmid vectors, including generation of iPSCs from lymphoblastoid B-cells and lymphoblastoid B-cell lines. Such methods and compositions find use in regenerative medicine applications.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for detecting and/or distinguishing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease. The methods and systems can utilize the detection of anti-CdtB antibodies and/or anti-vinculin antibodies to detect IBS, distinguish IBS from IBD and/or celiac disease. Further described are methods for selecting a therapy to treat IBS, IBD or celiac disease.

Abstract: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (Ipsc) technology enables the generation and study of living brain tissue relevant to Parkinson's disease (PD) ex vivo. Utilizing cell lines from PD patients presents a powerful discovery system that links cellular phenotypes observed in vitro with real clinical data. Differentiating patient-derived iPSCs towards a dopaminergic (DA) neural fate revealed that these cells exhibit molecular and functional properties of DA neurons in vitro that are observed to significantly degenerate in the substantia nigra of PD patients. Clinical symptoms that drive the generation of other relevant cell types may also yield novel PD-specific phenotypes in vitro that have the potential to lead to new therapeutic avenues for patients with PD.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Improved techniques for establishing highly efficient, reproducible reprogramming using non-integrating episomal plasmid vectors. Using the described reprogramming protocol, one is able to consistently reprogram non-T cells with close to 100% success from non-T cell or non-B cell sources. Further advantages include use of a defined reprogramming media E7 and using defined clinically compatible substrate recombinant human L-521. Generation of iPSCs from these blood cell sources allows for recapitulation of the entire genomic repertoire, preservation of genomic fidelity and enhanced genomic stability.

Abstract: Novel therapeutic protocols are provided relating to the use of an anti-IL-6 antibody, e.g., Clazakizumab, in order to prevent, stabilize, reduce or arrest antibody mediated rejection responses in patients receiving solid organ transplants, e.g., patients receiving transplanted kidney, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines or combinations of any of the foregoing. Also novel therapeutic protocols are provided pertaining to the use of an anti-IL-6 antibody, e.g., Clazakizumab, as part of a desensitization protocol for treating highly sensitized subjects waiting for and/or after allograft transplants, e.g., patients who are to receive solid organ transplants, e.g., kidney, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines, skin or combinations of any of the foregoing. The foregoing treatments may be effected in combination with one or more other immunosuppressant regimens or other desensitization procedures.

Abstract: We combined single nuclei RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics and single-cell resolution spatial proteomic analysis of human bladder cancer to identify an epithelial subpopulation with therapeutic response prediction ability. These cells express Cadherin 12 (CDH12, N-Cadherin 2), catenins, and other epithelial markers. CDH12-enriched tumors define patients with poor outcome following surgery with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), whereas CDH12-enriched tumors have a superior response to immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). Patient stratification by tumor CDH12 enrichment offered better prediction outcome than established bladder cancer subtypes. The CDH12 population resembles an undifferentiated state with chemoresistance. CDH12-enriched cells express PD-L1 and PD-L2 and co-localize with exhausted T-cells, possibly mediated through CD49a (ITGA1), likely explaining ICT efficacy in these tumors.

Abstract: The invention of the present disclosure relates to methods for diagnosing and for treating a progressive lung disease in a subject. In various embodiments, the method for treating a progressive lung disease in a subject includes administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the subject, wherein the method improves clinical outcome compared to an untreated control.

Abstract: Diabetes is a clinical condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and is treated by insulin replacement therapies. New strategies to create scalable and compatible pancreatic islets containing insulin-producing beta cells are necessary as an alternative to limited supply of cadaveric islets or multiple exogenous insulin applications. Improvements are still necessary since many immature polyhormonal cells remain, and cannot attain a monohormonal state. During human development, pancreas co-develops with endothelium and shares signals, allowing for better maturation of beta cells, and this is not included in the current differentiation protocols. The organchip microfluidic devices allows dynamic co-culture of different cells, thus resembling in vivo physiology. Here the Inventors establish organ-chip models co-culturing human iPSC-derived pancreatic precursors with iPSC-derived endothelial cells to obtain more functional and monohormonal iPSC-derived beta cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for applying attenuation correction to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging data for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) studies. SPECT-MPI imaging data can be provided to a deep-learning model to automatically generate simulated computed tomography attenuation correction (CT-AC) images from the non-corrected (NC) SPECT-MPI imaging data. These simulated CT-AC images can then be used to perform attenuation correction on the SPECT-MPI imaging data to generate corrected SPECT-MPI imaging data. The deep-learning model can be trained using corresponding pairs of non-corrected SPECT-MPI imaging data and traditional CT-AC imaging data. The deep-learning model can be a conditional generative adversarial neural network (cGAN).