Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for identifying at-risk patients and modulating thrombotic conditions in a cancer patient. Embodiments provided herein include a method of determining risk for a thrombotic event in a cancer patient comprising: detecting in a sample of a patient with cancer elevated levels of PPIA, PDIA3 and at least one of EIF5A, EIF4H, EIF4a3, UBE2N, UBE2L3, UBE2I, and HSP70.

Abstract: Transcription factors (TFs) represent a major class of therapeutic targets for the treatment of human diseases including cancer. Although the biological function and even crystal structure of many TFs have been clearly elucidated, there is still no viable approach to target the majority of TFs, thus rendering them undruggable for decades. PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) have emerged as a powerful tool for the pharmaceutical development since the effect of PROTACs largely relies on engineered protein-protein interaction to aid the degradation of targets by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The present disclosure provides a DNA-PROTAC platform for targeted degraders of individual TFs of interest. These DNA based Transcription Factor targetting PROTACS (or “TF-PROTACS”) may provide specificity to TF degradation based on the conserved DNA-binding motifs of respective TFs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible surgical system for endoscopic spinal decompression and methods thereof. Various methods of accessing the epidural space with this instrument are described. The system design enables placement of the device through several approaches. It is then advanced under direct visualization or fluoroscopic (X-Ray), for example, into areas of the spine including lumbar (low back), thoracic (mid and upper back) and cervical (neck). The pathologies encroaching upon the spinal space can then be visualized wherein the epidural membrane can optionally be displaced to further aid in visualization. The membrane can be used to protect regions of tissue adjacent the site to tissue removal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides anti-Tn antibodies (e.g., BaGs6 and/or Remab6) having superior specificity for Tn antigen on cancer cells. Also provided herein, are nucleic acids, vectors, or vector sets that encode the anti-Tn antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an approach to diagnosing pancreatic cystic lesions using light scattering spectroscopy. In some embodiments, the approach includes an apparatus including a spatial gating probe to isolate light reflected by the epithelial tissue of the internal cyst surface using spatial gating. In some further embodiments, the apparatus includes a scanning fiber probe that is capable of rotational and linear motion in order to scan the entire internal surface of the cyst. Use of such an approach may be advantageous to improve the accuracy of diagnosing pancreatic cystic lesions as cancerous, precancerous, or benign.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis and treatment of cancers by use of exosomes comprising miRNAs and precursors thereof. For example, in some aspects, a cancer may be diagnosed or evaluated by determining the miRNA content of exosomes in a sample from a subject or by detecting miRNA processing in exosomes.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides antibodies to Zika virus. The novel polypeptides are useful alone or as portions of larger molecules, such as antibodies or antibody fragments, that can be used to treat or prevent infection of Zika virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing soluble P-selectin and major thrombotic events in cancer patients.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates, in certain embodiments, to light-based treatments. In some case, a subject having or at risk for a condition such as insomnia can be treated, e.g., with light, such as green light. Other conditions include sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and other indications. In some cases, the light that is administered to the subject may be green light, or the light may have a characteristic wavelength only in a wavelength range between 510 nm and 550 nm with a bandwidth no larger than 20 nm full-width-half-maximum. Other embodiments described herein are generally directed to systems for treating such conditions, kits for treating such conditions, or the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems for determining a stretch condition of a tissue and assessing the stiffness of the tissue. Also provided herein are methods for using the systems for measuring stiffness of a tissue, assessing the effect of an agent on a tissue, and identifying subjects having a disease or disorder associated with increased or decreased stiffness of a tissue.

Abstract: Featured are PGT121 variant antibodies or fragments thereof, which can be administered, e.g., as antibody therapies for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, featured are methods of treating subjects infected with HIV and/or blocking HIV infections in subjects at risk of HIV transmission using the PGT121 variant antibodies or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel uses and methods for preventing and/or treating heart disease, which employ a therapeutically effective amount of an ActRII receptor antagonist, e.g., an ActRII receptor binding molecule, e.g., an ActRII receptor antibody, such as the bimagrumab antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.

Abstract: PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) are an emerging class of promising therapeutic modalities that degrade intracellular protein targets by hijacking the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system. However, potential toxicity of PROTACs in normal cells due to off-tissue on-target degradation effect limits their clinical applications. Precise control of PROTAC's on-target degradation activity in a tissue selective manner could minimize potential toxicity/side-effects. To this end, we developed a cancer cell selective delivery strategy for PROTACs by conjugating a folate group to ubqiquitin recruitment moiety to achieve targeted degradation of proteins of interest (POIs) in cancer cells versus normal cells. We show that our folate-PROTACs, including BRD PROTAC (Folate-ARV-771), MEK PROTAC (Folate-MS432) and ALK PROTAC (Folate-MS99, Folate-S2-MS4048) are capable of degrading BRDs, MEKs and ALK, respectively, in a folate receptor-dependent manner.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and apparatus for diagnosing neuromuscular diseases using an impedance-EMG needle, and for generating electrical impedance images using an impedance needle. Some embodiments provide an apparatus including an impedance-EMG needle, including both EMG electrodes and impedance electrodes, to measure both active and passive electrical properties of muscle. Other embodiments provide an apparatus including an impedance needle, including a plurality of impedance electrodes to measure impedance in tissue surrounding the impedance needle to generate an electrical impedance image. Use of such methods and apparatus may be advantageous in improving the accuracy of assessing and diagnosing neuromuscular disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an expanded renal (kidney) tissue sample suitable for microscopic analysis. Expanding the kidney sample can be achieved by binding, e.g., anchoring, key biomolecules to a polymer network and swelling, or expanding, the polymer network, thereby moving the biomolecules apart as further described herein. As the biomolecules are anchored to the polymer network, isotropic expansion of the polymer network retains the spatial orientation of the biomolecules resulting in an expanded, or enlarged, kidney sample.

Abstract: The invention features the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders associated with an innate immune response triggered by alpha amylase inhibitor CM3, alpha amylase inhibitor 0.19 (0.19), CM1, CM2, CMa, CMd, CM 16, CMb, CMX1/CMX3, CMX2, and/or alpha amylase inhibitor 0.53 (0.53). To this end, the invention features pharmaceutical compositions including neutralizing antibodies to CM3, 0.19, CM1, CM2, CMa, CMd, CM16, CMb, CMX1/CMX3, CMX2, and/or 0.53, food products containing reduced levels of CM3, 0.19, CM1, CM2, CMa, CMd, CM1 6, CMb, CMX1/CMX3, CMX2, and/or 0.53 protein, the use of oral TLR4 inhibitors to block the effect of said alpha-amylase inhibitors, assays for identifying CM3, 0.19, CM1, CM2, CMa, CMd, CM16, CMb, CMX1/CMX3, CMX2, and/or 0.53 content in food products, and assays for diagnosing subjects with a disorder related to CM3, 0.19, CM1, CM2, CMa, CMd, CM 16, CMb, CMX1/CMX3, CMX2, and/or 0.53 triggered innate immune responses.

Abstract: Featured are recombinant adenoviruses and vectors thereof. In particular, the adenoviruses are simian (rhesus) adenoviruses having a low seroprevalence and high immunogenicity (when expressing, e.g., an antigenic polypeptide) relative to other adenoviruses and vectors thereof. Also featured are methods for producing the adenoviruses and methods of treatment of diseases by administering the adenoviral vector(s) to a subject (e.g., a human).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting cell-bound and soluble antigens in a biological sample are described. The method comprises forming complexes of at least one antibody-coated bead and at least one antigen in a solution, placing the solution in a magnetic field such that the formed complexes levitate in the solution at a particular height, and determining at least one characteristic of the antigen in the complexes based, at least in part, on an image of the complexes showing the magnetic levitation height.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, stereoisomers, tautomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, polymorphs, and prodrugs thereof, wherein X1—X4, RX, RC, RB, n, and Ring A are as defined herein. The compounds may be aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists or partial aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) and methods of using such compounds for treating diseases and conditions related to the activity of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor, such as, for example, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and proliferative diseases.