Abstract: Provided is an immunogenic composition including a peptide, wherein consecutive amino acids of the peptide include at least amino acids 186-193 of SEQ ID NO:1 and one or more adjuvants. In an example, the peptide is covalently linked to an amino acid sequence including SEQ ID NO:2. Also provided is a method of vaccinating a subject against Borrelia burgdorferi, including administering to the subject an effective amount of the immunogenic composition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for converting the predominant circulating classical monocytes to a non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte phenotype through cytokine stimulation via, for example, macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Once cultured into dendritic cells, these non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte derived cells have increased costimulatory molecule expression, which leads to improved immune and clinical responses in cancer patients receiving dendritic cell vaccination and other immunotherapies. In addition, assays and diagnostic and theranostic methods are provided herein that relate to the discoveries that, prior to treatment, intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and non-classical (CD14dimCD16+) monocytes are increased more than two-fold in patients who later had complete responses to dendritic cell therapy or DC vaccination.

Abstract: A composition including an anti-CD123 antibody-drug conjugate and a poly ADP ribose (PARP) inhibitor can be used in therapy or as a medicament. The composition including the anti-CD123 antibody-drug conjugate and the poly ADP ribose (PARP) inhibitor can be used for treating cancer or for inducing cancer cell death in a population of cancer cells. Hematological cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be treated with the composition. Administering an anti-CD123 antibody-drug conjugate and a poly ADP ribose (PARP) inhibitor is a method of treating cancer. Administering, to a population of cancer cells, an anti-CD123 antibody-drug conjugate and a poly ADP ribose (PARP) inhibitor is a method for inducing cancer cell death.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel anti-microbial peptides with inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis and streptococcus bacteria. Additionally, a method for designing novel anti-microbial peptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting the presence of an anti-Zika virus (ZIKV) antibody in a sample, including contacting a sample with a suspension having a plurality of microspheres wherein individual microspheres are conjugated to a peptide and the peptide includes a ZIKV peptide selected from the group including ZIKV NS1, ZIKV NS5, and ZIKV envelope protein, forming a first incubated suspension by incubating said sample with said suspension to permit binding of anti-ZIKV antibodies present in the sample to said microspheres, forming a second incubated suspension by contacting said first incubated suspension with an anti-ZIKV antibody detecting-reagent to permit binding of the anti-ZIKV antibody detecting reagent to said microspheres, removing from the second incubated suspension anti-ZIKV antibody detecting-reagent molecules that are not bound to said microspheres, and detecting the presence of anti-ZIKV antibody detecting-reagent molecules in the second incubated suspension.

Abstract: Linear accelerator (“linac”) downtime invariably impacts delivery of patients' scheduled treatments. Transferring a patient's treatment to an available linac is a common practice. Transferring a VMAT plan from a linac equipped with a standard-definition MLC to one equipped with a higher definition MLC is practical and routine in clinics with multiple MLC-equipped linacs. However, the reverse transfer presents a challenge because the high-definition MLC aperture shapes must be adapted for delivery with the lower definition device. An efficient method to adapt VMAT plans originally designed for a high-definition MLC to a standard definition MLC is disclosed herein. The dosimetric results of the present adaptation method are presented for head-and-neck, brain, lung and prostate VMAT plans. The delivery of the adapted plans was verified using standard phantom measurements.

Abstract: Provided is a method for mapping a neural area involved in speech processing, including applying a plurality of recording electrodes to a surface of a cortex of a human subject, presenting a plurality of auditory stimuli to the subject wherein some of the plurality of stimuli are speech sounds and others of the plurality of auditory stimuli are non-speech sounds, recording brain activity during the presenting of the plurality of auditory stimuli, and identifying one or more brain areas wherein activity changes more after presentation of speech sounds than it does after presentation of non-speech sounds, wherein the human subject does not speak during the presenting and the recording. Also provided is a method for mapping a neural area involved in speech production wherein the human subject does not speak during presenting speech stimuli and recording neural activity.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer T cells, ?? T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of ErbB2-positive cancer. The compositions include pharmaceutical preparations that contain isolated or recombinant or modified peptidase D (PEPD) proteins. The methods include prophylaxis and/or therapy of ErbB2-positive cancer by administering a PEPD to an individual who has or is at risk for developing ErbB2-positive cancer.

Abstract: Compounds including a tetrapyrrolic or reduced tetrapyrrolic group/moiety and an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting group are disclosed. For example, a compound includes a tetrapyrrolic or reduced tetrapyrrolic group or moiety, a linker moiety, an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting group, and, optionally, a PET-active functional group. Uses of the compounds, for example, methods of treating a hyperproliferative tissue in an individual, and kits including one or more of the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: A shaking device includes at least one pad, a mover configured to reciprocally move the pad, and a mount configured to support the mover. The shaking device may be connected with a medical device using a feedback system. The shaking device may be configured to change settings based on readings from the feedback system.

Abstract: Provided is a method for mapping a neural area involved in speech processing, including applying a plurality of recording electrodes to a surface of a cortex of a human subject, presenting a plurality of auditory stimuli to the subject wherein some of the plurality of stimuli are speech sounds and others of the plurality of auditory stimuli are non-speech sounds, recording brain activity during the presenting of the plurality of auditory stimuli, and identifying one or more brain areas wherein activity changes more after presentation of speech sounds than it does after presentation of non-speech sounds, wherein the human subject does not speak during the presenting and the recording. Also provided is a method for mapping a neural area involved in speech production wherein the human subject does not speak during presenting speech stimuli and recording neural activity.

Abstract: A cart for dispensing, storing, and tracking medical instruments is provided. The cart has a housing, a first motor, a second motor, one or more trays, and a processor. The trays hold one or more medical instruments, and have a door and door opening assembly. The processor is in communication with the motors for rotating the housing and opening the doors. The processor has a storage medium for storing the cart's instrument dispensing history. The processor also has a user interface for capturing user input.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for treating prostate conditions. The methods involve administering to an individual in need thereof a composition that contains i) an inhibitor of methionine salvage pathway in prostate of the individual and ii) a polyamine analogue. The methods are for use in individuals who have been diagnosed with, or are suspected of having or at risk for developing androgen sensitive prostate cancer (AS-CaP), or Castration recurrent CaP (CR-CaP), or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The disclosure includes use of inhibitors of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), and a polyamine analog that upregulates polyamine catabolism by increasing spermidine/spermine N1-acetyl transferase (SAT1) activity, such as methyl-thio-DADMe-Immucillin (MTDIA), and 1),N(11)-bisethylnorspermine (BENSpm), respectively. Pharmaceutical formulations that contain a combination of the inhibitor of the methionine salvage pathway and a polyamine analogue are included, as are kits that contain such agents.

Abstract: A system and method for interstitial photodynamic light therapy (I-PDT) of a tissue. A plurality of light-transmitting catheters (LTCs) are provided and placed in the tissue according to a pre-determined treatment plan, wherein an LTC includes a first treatment fiber disposed therethrough, and an LTC includes a dosimetry fiber disposed therethrough. A dose light is provided to the tissue by way of the first treatment fiber according to the pre-determined treatment plan. Light received at the dosimetry fiber is measured using a spectrometer in operable communication with the dosimetry fiber. One or more properties of a photosensitizer in the tissue are determined. The treatment plan is modified based on the properties of the photosensitizer, and an updated dose light is provided to the tissue by way of the first treatment fiber according to the modified treatment plan.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising inhibitors of human histone methyltransferase EZH2 and one or more other therapeutic agents (such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors or VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors), particularly anticancer agents such as sunitinib, and methods of combination therapy for administering to subjects in need thereof for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Provided are recombinant polynucleotides, including expression vectors encoding an alpha chain and/or a beta chain of a TCR having amino acid sequences from any of novel the AL, KQ, PP, 19305CD8, BB, KB, ST, JD, 19305DP, PB-P, PB-T, and PB 13.2 T Cell Receptors (TCRs) that are embodiments of the invention. Cells comprising the polynucleotides are provided, as are libraries of the recombinant polynucleotides and expression vectors. Methods are provided and involve administering to an individual modified human T cells that express a novel recombinant TCR. The methods are for prophylaxis and/or therapy of an individual diagnosed with, suspected of having or at risk for developing or recurrence of a cancer, wherein the cancer includes cancer cells which express NY-ESO-1 and/or its highly homologous LAGE-1 antigen.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing innate apolipoprotein B editing catalytic protein (APOBEC) driven C>U RNA deamination of RNA in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of atpenin A5 with or without interferon. Specifically, APOBEC3A is a cytidine deaminase enzyme that edits RNA transcripts of hundreds of cellular genes upon stimulation of innate immune cells by low oxygen tension (hypoxia) or antiviral factor interferon. Atpenin A5 induces APOBEC3A-mediated RNA editing in normoxia to levels comparable to those seen in hypoxia. The method can be used to treat viral conditions.

Abstract: Provided are macrocyclic compounds and iron or cobalt coordinated macrocyclic compounds. The compounds can be used as MRI contrast agents. Certain compounds are redox active and can be used to assess the biological redox status of a sample.

Abstract: A method of treating an inflammatory disease or disorder is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 11-15. The inflammatory disease is not cancer, osteoporosis, rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis or angiogenesis-related eye disease.