Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for reconstructing biomedical images. A projection preparer may identify a projection dataset derived from a tomographic biomedical imaging scan. An encoder-decoder model may reconstruct reconstructing tomographic biomedical images from projection data. The encoder-decoder model may include an encoder. The encoder may include a first series of transform layers to generate first feature maps using the projection dataset. The encoder-decoder may include a decoder. The decoder may include a second series of transform layers to generate second features maps using the first feature maps from the encoder. The system may include a reconstruction engine executable on the one or more processors. The reconstruction engine may apply the encoder-decoder model to the projection dataset to generate a reconstructed tomographic biomedical image based on the second feature maps generated by the decoder of the encoder-decoder model.

Abstract: Provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating or preventing edema, using an anti-T cell agent, an anti-TGF-?1 agent, or an anti-angiotensin agent, preferably a combination of at least two such agents. The pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated for systemic or local administration, and are preferably administered topically.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for increasing the abundance of commensal bacteria belonging to the order Clostridiales, including Blautia, Ruminococcus, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Holdemania and Dorea species, that are associated with reduced lethal GVHD and improved overall survival following bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The present disclosure, therefore, provides methods for reducing the likelihood, incidence or severity of GVHD by (1) avoiding the loss of endogenous beneficial species through antibiotic selection; (2) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more Clostridiales associated with reduced GVHD to individuals who may lack or have lost those strains from their intestinal microbiota.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for methods and compositions for treating a neoplasia (e.g., multiple myeloma). It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target Fc Receptor-like 5 (FcRL5), e.g., domain 9 of FcRL5, and immunoresponsive cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed FcRL5-targeted CARs have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cells that are immune cells or precursor cells thereof, which cells recombinantly express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and a dominant negative form of an inhibitor of a cell-mediated immune response of the immune cell, wherein the CAR binds to a cancer antigen. Also disclosed herein are T cells that recognize and are sensitized to a cancer antigen, which T cells recombinantly express a dominant negative form of an inhibitor of a T cell-mediated immune response. Additionally provided are methods of using such cells to treat cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides peptides, immunogenic compositions and vaccines, and methods of treating, reducing the incidence of, and inducing immune responses to a WT1-expressing cancer, comprising heteroclitic peptides derived from the WT-1 protein.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to DLL3 and methods of using such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing susceptibility of cancer cells to ionizing radiation by delivering to the cells a radiosensitizing agent that has one of the following properties: (a) it perturbs the process of chromosome segregation thereby increasing chromosome missegregation; or (b) it is an inhibitor of an agent that promotes faithful chromosome segregation induces numeric chromosome instability in said cells and this instability is induced substantially simultaneously with or closely prior to or closely after irradiating the cells. Examples of such radiosensitizing agent include inhibitors of one or more of the following: Kif2b, MCAK, MPS1, Eg5/Kinesin-5 5, Polo-like kinase 4, MCAK, Bub1 and Hec1. Such agents specifically target proteins involved in maintaining or promoting faithful chromosome segregation.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides antibodies that mimic TCR recognition of HPV-derived epitopes presented by HLA class I molecules, antigen-recognizing receptors that target HPV-derived epitopes presented by HLA class I molecules, and methods of using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating a vascular malformation in a subject expressing a gain-of-function mutation in a PIK3CA gene comprising administering, to the subject, an effective amount of an agent that inhibits phosphoinositide 3-kinase (“PI3K”).

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides cells, compositions and methods for enhancing immune responses toward tumor. It relates to cells comprising: an antigen-recognizing receptor (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor, a TCR, or a TCR like fusion molecule), a Fas ligand polypeptide (FasL), and a gene disruption of a Fas locus. The gene disruption of the Fas locus can improve the activity and/or efficiency of the cells. The presently disclosed cells, compositions, and methods can be used in allogeneic settings.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to inhibit or treat brain cancers by locally inhibiting expression or activity of growth factors or growth factor receptors.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for methods and compositions for treating multiple myeloma. It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and immunoresponsive cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed BCMA-specific CARs have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for in vitro methods of inducing differentiation of human stem cells into neural crest, cranial placode or non-neuro ectoderm precursors, and cells generated by such methods. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides for uses of such cells for treating neurodegenerative and pituitary disorders.

Abstract: The present application relates to triterpene glycoside saponin-derived adjuvants, syntheses thereof, and intermediates thereto. The application also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the present invention and methods of using said compounds or compositions in the treatment of and immunization for infectious diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the immunological status of the adaptive immune system of a subject by identifying and quantifying rearranged DNA (and/or subsequently transcribed RNA) sequences encoding T cell receptor (TCR) and/or immunoglobulin (IG) polypeptides, in a lymphoid DNA-containing sample from the subject. TCR and/or IG sequence diversity and sequence distribution permit immunocompetence and immune repertoire assessment and reflect the degree of T cell or B cell clonality and clonal expansion in the sample. Methods for stratifying patient populations on the basis of immunocompetence including likelihood of responding to immunotherapy are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides organoid co-cultures and methods of using such co-cultures. In particular, the present disclosure provides organoid-immune cell and organoid-bacterial cell co-cultures. The present disclosure further provides methods for testing therapeutic agents using the disclosed organoid co-cultures.

Abstract: Provided herein is a nanoparticle for drug delivery, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) nanoparticle having a hydrophobic interior, polyglutamate folate ligands conjugated to the nanoparticle, and one or more PET detectable isotopes. Also provided herein are methods of using thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses systems and methods to detect blur in digital images. The solution can be incorporated into the quality control systems of pathology and other slide scanners or can be a stand-alone solution. The solution can identify scanned images that include blur and cause the scanner to automatically rescan the blurry image. The solution can also identify regions of the scanned image that include blur. The solution can generate blur maps for each of the scanned images that identify regions of the scanned image that include blur.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. It relates to immunoresponsive cells comprising antigen recognizing receptors (e.g., chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or T cell receptors (TCRs)), and expressing increased level of IL-18. In certain embodiments, the engineered immunoresponsive cells are antigen-directed and resistant to immunosuppression and/or have enhanced immune-activating properties.