Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, compositions and methods of increasing the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody immunotherapy in a subject. The compositions and methods comprise an NLRP3 inhibitor used in combination with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A kit for use in performing a cancer treatment, having a vial containing a phosphor-containing drug activator, wherein the phosphor-containing drug activator is present in the vial at a dosage level that is correlated with a size of tumor to be treated, and a container containing the vial; wherein the phosphor-containing drug activator contains an admixture of two or more phosphors capable of emitting ultraviolet and visible light upon interaction with x-rays; where the two or more phosphors include Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ and (3Ca3(PO4)2Ca(F, Cl)2:Sb3+, Mn2+) at a ratio (Zn2SiO4:Mn2+):(3Ca3(PO4)2Ca(F, Cl)2:Sb3+, Mn2+)) of from 1:10 to 10:1; wherein each of the two or more phosphors have at least one coating selected from an ethyl cellulose coating and a diamond-like carbon coating.

Abstract: A method for promoting continuous sleep of a subject by eliminating and/or preventing sleep associations includes: (a) providing an apparatus including at least one sensor and at least one output device; (b) monitoring a state of the subject using the apparatus; (c) determining the subject is in an awake state using the at least one sensor; (d) in response to determining the subject is in the awake state, initiating and maintaining an output using the at least one output device; (e) determining the subject is in a sleep state using the at least one sensor; (f) halting the output in response to determining that the subject is in the sleep state such that the apparatus does not produce any output; (g) repeating at least step (b) during a sleep session. The method further includes modifying an intensity of the output over time until the intensity reaches zero.

Abstract: A retinal vessel shadow view optical coherence tomography (RVSV-OCT) image can be created by receiving, at an enhanced OCT processing system, volumetric OCT scan of a patient. The system can segment the volumetric OCT scan to determine layer boundaries and delineate a boundary of interest based on the determined layer boundaries of the segmented volumetric OCT scan. En face vascular information can be extracted to create an RVSV-OCT image by determining a first offset from the boundary of interest and a second offset from the boundary of interest; extracting volumetric data from an area between the first offset and the second offset to create a three-dimensional volume; and identifying a two-dimensional surface from the three-dimensional volume, the two-dimensional surface being the RVSV-OCT image. The RVSV-OCT image can be provided for analysis, for example, to evaluate retinal vascular disease in preterm infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of formulae: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, n, and m are defined herein. These compounds are useful for treating Gram-negative bacteria infections. Also disclosed are methods of making these compounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are aptamers capable of inhibiting the activity of Von Willebrand Factor (VWF). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these aptamers are also provided. Methods of preventing blood clot formation in a subject by administering the aptamers are provided and methods of treating a blood clot by administering a VWF-targeting agent are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treating diseases related to Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 (HSF1) activity and/or function. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods of inhibiting HSF1 activity with these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating diseases associated with HSF1 activity and/or function, such as cancer.

Abstract: PARP inhibitor conjugates, including radiolabeled PARP inhibitor conjugates, and methods of treating cancer using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for optimizing two-qubit gates performance in a quantum circuit of a quantum computing system. A quantum computing system selects, from qubits in the quantum circuit, a pair of target qubits on which to perform a quantum gate operation. The quantum computing system selects, from the plurality of qubits, a second plurality of qubits on which to introduce an intentional noise. The intentional noise is applied to the second plurality of qubits via a numerical optimizer. An optimized frequency is determined based on the applied intentional noise. The quantum gate operation is performed by modifying the pair of target qubits frequency to the optimized frequency.

Abstract: A drainage or infusion catheter and methods of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a tube body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of ports arranged along the tube body from the distal end to the proximal end. The distal end of the tube body is configured to deform around itself into a substantially spiral shape so as to cover at least one of the plurality of ports located near the proximal end of the tube body. In another embodiment, a flap is configured to erupt from apertures arranged in the tube and extend outwardly around the tube body so as to cover at least one of the plurality of ports located near the proximal end of the tube body.

Abstract: Systems and method for multiplexing and alternating light of different wavelengths in an ophthalmoscope are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, an imaging system includes an illumination system configured to generate and output light that alternates between at least two different wavelengths. The imaging system includes a multiplexer configured to receive the output light and to multiplex the light of different wavelengths onto a single optical channel. Further, the imaging system includes a scanning laser ophthalmoscope probe configured to operatively receive the multiplexed light, to apply the multiplexed light to a subject for imaging, and to receive light returning from the subject for generating an image of the subject.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for imaging a target is provided. The system includes a plurality of transducer elements; at least one transmitter configured to excite at least one of the transducer elements to emit ultrasound energy to the target; a plurality of samplers configured to sample echo signals received by at least some of the plurality of transducer elements, the echo signals comprising acoustic echoes received from the target responsive to the ultrasound energy; a coherence calculator configured to calculate a plurality of coherence values, each of the coherence values corresponding to a measure of similarity between at least two sample echo signals; an estimator configured to estimate a coherence contribution estimate, the coherence contribution estimate comprising an estimate of a contribution of at least one coherence model to the plurality of coherence values.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting and treating acute transplant rejection.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the likelihood of a cancer or precancer developing resistance to a cancer therapeutic or prevention agent are provided herein. The methods include administering a vaccine comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide whose expression or activation is correlated with development of resistance of the cancer or precancer to the cancer therapeutic or prevention agent to a subject. The vaccine may include a polynucleotide encoding a HER2 polypeptide or a truncation, deletion or substitution mutant thereof. Methods of using the vaccine including the polynucleotide encoding the HER2 polypeptide to treat a cancer or precancer are also provided. The vaccines may be administered with a cancer therapeutic or prevention agent or a checkpoint inhibitor immunomodulatory agent.

Abstract: Described herein are unstructured polypeptides lacking any discernible repeat motif. Also described herein are fusion proteins including at least one of the unstructured polypeptides and at least one binding polypeptide. Further described are methods for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof. The methods may include administering to the subject an effective amount of the fusion protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for enhancing secretion of extracellular vesicles and/or AAV particles from cells. Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for altering and/or modifying the formation and/or secretion of extracellular vesicles and/or AAV particles from cells. Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for loading extracellular vesicles and or AAV particles with a cargo. Disclosed herein are isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide for promoting the formation of extracellular vesicles and AAV particles in cell or a polypeptide associated with extracellular vesicles and/or AAV particles secreted from a cell.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to reconstitute a continuous waveform to a discrete analogue version. The system includes a numerical optimizer configured to determine frequencies of a pulse sequence. The numerical optimizer uses radial motional mode frequencies and a desired gate time. The numerical optimizer generates the pulse sequence by closing phase-space trajectories, disentangling spins and motions, and constraining a Rabi frequency for motional sideband transitions. The system also includes a display configured to illustrate a discrete frequency modulation pulse sequence based on the determined frequencies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for genetically altering and screening Akkermansia bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila. The methods also provide genetically altered bacteria, libraries of genetically altered bacteria and use of such bacteria for treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining whether a subject has sepsis, or is at risk of developing sepsis, and methods of treating the subject based on the determination. Also provided are methods for determining an increased risk of mortality in a subject with sepsis or suspected of having sepsis, and methods of treating the subject based on the determination. Systems useful for the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of cervical pre-cancer includes: providing at least one cervigram; pre-processing the at least one cervigram; extracting features from the at least one pre-processed cervigram; and classifying the at least one cervigram as negative or positive for cervical pre-cancer based on the extracted features.