Abstract: The present inventors have identified specific oncogenic pathways preferentially activated in BRAF-mutated-melanoma cells and a pathway pattern that predicts resistance of BRAF-mutated melanoma to BRAF/MEK inhibitors, providing novel clinical implications for melanoma therapy. In one embodiment, a method comprises (a) testing a sample oiBRAF-mutated melanoma cells isolated from a patient and measuring the expression levels of genes expressed in the following oncogenic pathways: TNFa, EGFR, IFNa, hypoxia, IFNy, STAT3 and Myc; (b) calculating a 7-pathway activation pattern based on the measured expression levels of step (a); and (c) identifying the patient's resistance level to BRAF/MEK inhibitor treatment based on comparison of the calculated 7-pathway activation pattern to a reference.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a niobate material include the following steps: (i) providing a niobium-containing source; (ii) providing a transitional metal source (TMS), a post-transitional metal source (PTMS), or both; (iii) dissolving (a) the niobium-containing source, and (b) the TMS, the PTMS, or both in an aqueous medium to form an intermediate solution; (iv) forming an intermediate paste by admixing an inert support material with the intermediate solution; (v) optionally coating the intermediate paste on a support substrate; and (vi) removing the inert support material by subjecting the intermediate paste to a calcination process and providing a transition-metal-niobate (TMN) and/or a post-transition-metal-niobate (PTMN). Anodes including a TMN and/or PTMN are also provided.

Abstract: A cartilage dicing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes blades disposed in a housing configured to mitigate entry of the cartilage into the housing of the device. The device includes a number of circular blades used to dice the cartilage in a uniform fashion. The blades are disposed in a housing with a base that prevents the tissue from entering the body of the housing, which ensures that more of the tissue is available to be diced and used in a medical procedure. The blades are spaced at uniform distance.

Abstract: The present invention in various aspects and embodiments involves pharmaceutical compositions prepared by contacting a candidate ?- or ?-integrin-binding molecule, or panel thereof, with an integrin heterodimer, and quantifying heterodimer disruption by the candidate molecule. An integrin-binding molecule, or derivative thereof, that disrupts the integrin heterodimer is selected and is formulated into a pharmaceutical composition for administration to a subject, e.g., who has a disease or disorder related to abnormal vascularization.

Abstract: A marker for identifying a portion of a surgical margin includes a first element to attach the marker to the surgical margin of a surgical cavity located in a body of a patient, and a second element attached to the first element. The second element includes an indicator to uniquely identify the portion of the surgical margin through a radiological scan.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of detecting a pathology in an ear of a subject that include matching properties of captured images and/or videos with properties of an ear pathology model that is trained on a plurality of reference images and/or videos of ears of reference subjects, which properties of the ear pathology model are indicative of the pathology. Related kits, devices, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer-readable medium for registering one or more structures to a desired orientation for planning and guidance for surgery is provided. The method includes in a preoperative stage, obtaining one or more 3D models of one or more structures from one or more CT images using an image processing segmentation technique or a manual segmentation technique; in the preoperative stage, registering the one or more structures to a template that is adapted to an alternating registration for a patient-specific shape and pose for a desired reduction and corresponding reduction transformations; in an intraoperative stage, mapping the one or more structures to one or more radiographs via a 3D-2D registration that iteratively optimizes a similarity metric between acquired and simulated radiographs; and in the intraoperative stage, providing an output that is representative of a radiograph or a 3D tomographic representation to provide guidance to a user.

Abstract: TERT promoter mutations occur in both papillary and flat lesion bladder cancers, are the most frequent genetic alterations identified to date in noninvasive precursor lesions of the bladder, are detectable in urine, and appear to be strongly associated with bladder cancer recurrence. The TERT promoter mutations are useful urinary biomarker for both the early detection and monitoring of bladder neoplasia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing an adaptive immune response against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a subject. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the composition comprises a vaccine comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods and compositions for treating diseased or damaged cardiac tissue comprising regenerative cells harvested from donor cardiac tissue. In one embodiment, regenerative cells are harvested from an allogeneic source and after administration result in increased viability and/or functional improvement of damaged or diseased cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Non-linear multiblock copolymer-drug conjugates for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders of the eye are provided. The polymer-drug conjugates can form nanoparticles, microparticles, and implants that are capable of effectively delivering therapeutic levels of one or more active agents for an extended period of time. Administration to the eye of an active agent in the form of a non-linear multiblock copolymer-drug conjugate produces decreased side effects when compared to administration of the active agent alone. Also provided are methods of treating intraocular neovascular diseases, such as wet age-related macular degeneration as well as diseases and disorders of the eye associated with inflammation, such as uveitis.

Abstract: Provided are modified microorganisms which are modified such that their growth can be controlled using exogenously provided compounds. The microorganisms can be modified by genetic alterations that include a promoter inducible by a first exogenously supplied compound. The promoter can be configured to drive expression of an RNA coding sequence that may be essential to growth of the microorganism. The microorganisms may also be modified to include site specific recombinase recognition sites flanking or within the RNA coding sequence so that expression of the corresponding site specific recombinase will disrupt transcription of the RNA. The site specific recombinase can be configured such that it expression and/or activity is suppressed by a second exogenously supplied compound. Methods of making the modified microorganisms and kits that contain reagents for making and using the modified microorganisms are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for visualizing tissue under illumination with near-infrared radiation, including compounds comprising near-infrared, closed chain, sulfo-cyanine dyes and prostate specific membrane antigen ligands are disclosed.

Abstract: Articles and insulating systems include a wicking layer, an incompressible insulation layer, and a water scavenging system comprising a superhydrophobic layer in operative communication with one or more water collecting components.

Abstract: A microfluidic assembly may include a microfluidic chip operably coupled to a device source pressure port and a device relief pressure port, first and second input reservoirs, an output reservoir, and a reservoir interface. The microfluidic chip may include a microfluidic circuit configured to support a fluid flow that includes a gas flow and a liquid flow within the microfluidic circuit. The reservoir interface may be configured to operably couple the first and second input reservoirs to the microfluidic circuit. The device source pressure port may be configured to receive a source pressure to generate the fluid flow through the microfluidic circuit and cause a mixing of liquids to form an output liquid for delivery to the output reservoir via the fluid flow. The first liquid, the second liquid, and the output liquid need not contact the device source pressure port or the device relief pressure port during the mixing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of generating optimized models of vascular grafts for subjects in certain embodiments. Methods of treating subjects in need of vascular grafts are also provided. Related systems and computer program products are additionally provided.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for 3D-2D registration (for example, registration of a 3D CT image to a 2D radiograph) that permits deformable motion between structures defined in the 3D image based on a series of locally rigid transformations. This invention utilizes predefined annotations in 3D images (e.g., the location of anatomical features of interest) to perform multiple locally rigid registrations that yield improved accuracy in aligning structures that have undergone deformation between the acquisition of the 3D and 2D images (e.g., a preoperative CT compared to an intraoperative radiograph). The 3D image is divided into subregions that are masked according to the annotations, and the registration is computed simultaneously for each divided region by incorporating a volumetric masking method within the 3D-2D registration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to produce 3D organ equivalents of the brain (i.e. “mini-brains”). The invention also relates to methods of using human induced pluripotent stem cells, a combination of growth and other soluble factors and gyratory shaking. Cells from healthy or diseased donors or animals can be used to allow testing different genetic backgrounds. The model can be further enhanced by using genetically modified cells, adding micro-glia or their precursors or indicator cells (e.g. with reporter genes or tracers) as well as adding endothelial cells to form a blood-brain-barrier.

Abstract: A method of identifying potential lesions in mammographic images may include operations executed by an image processing device including receiving first image data of a first type, receiving second image data of a second type, registering the first image data and the second image data by employing a CNN using pixel level registration or object level registration, determining whether a candidate detection of a lesion exists in both the first image data and the second image data based on the registering of the first image data and the second image data, and generating display output identifying the lesion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting novel mutations in a PKD1 and/or PKD2 gene that have been determined to be associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in order to detect or predict the occurrence of ADPKD in an individual.