Abstract: A system may transform sensor data from a sensor domain to an image domain using data-driven manifold learning techniques which may, for example, be implemented using neural networks. The sensor data may be generated by an image sensor, which may be part of an imaging system. Fully connected layers of a neural network in the system may be applied to the sensor data to apply an activation function to the sensor data. The activation function may be a hyperbolic tangent activation function. Convolutional layers may then be applied that convolve the output of the fully connected layers for high level feature extraction. An output layer may be applied to the output of the convolutional layers to deconvolve the output and produce image data in the image domain.

Abstract: Asymmetric, single-channel radio frequency (“RF”) coils are provided for use with portable or other low-field magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) systems. In general, the asymmetric, single-channel RF coils make use of asymmetric, optimized winding configurations in order to reduce B1+ inhomogeneities and to reduce signal sensitivity outside of the desired imaging field-of-view (“FOV”).

Abstract: The invention provides agonistic TNFR2 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and encompasses the use of these antibodies as therapeutics to promote the proliferation of regulatory T cells (T-reg) for the treatment of immunological diseases. Antibodies of the invention can be used to potentiate the T-reg-mediated deactivation of self- and allergen-reactive T- and B-lymphocytes, and can thus be used to treat a wide variety of indications, including autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, asthma, graft-versus-host disease, and allograft rejection, among others.

Abstract: A method for assessing peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for a coil geometry includes retrieving a PNS Huygens' P-matrix for a body model. The PNS Huygens' P-matrix is defined on a Huygens' surface enclosing the body model. The method further includes generating a coil specific PNS P-matrix for the coil geometry based on at least the PNS Huygens' P-matrix for the body model, determining at least one PNS threshold for the coil geometry based on the coil specific PNS P-matrix, and storing the at least one PNS threshold in a storage device.

Abstract: Lipid suppression in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) is provided on a slice-by-slice basis using tailored local field control that is configured for lipid control for each slice in a planned slice prescription. Only those lipid voxels that fall within the bandwidth of the concurrent RF excitation pulse are targeted. Switched B0 offset fields are used to improve lipid suppression pulse performance by pushing water and lipids apart in the frequency domain. Multi-coil B0 shim arrays with rapidly switchable output currents that can be turned on during the lipid suppression pulse may be used. A convex optimization may be used to jointly solve for the shim currents and the lipid suppression pulse center frequency and bandwidth to optimize lipid suppression while minimizing water signal loss.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful for the treatment of subjects suffering from Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). The methods include administering compositions comprising probiotics, such as Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. Lactis) to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: Engineered versions of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and SpCas9 variants that have improved on-target editing capabilities, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to treating mitochondrial diseases, cancer and other conditions as a result of reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity by overexpressing the METTL17 gene, encoding methyltransferase-like 17. Currently, overexpression of METTL17 to increase its copy number and/or intra-mitochondrial activity has not been indicated as a possible therapeutic for treating mitochondrial disease or other diseases such as cancer or aging related to a decline in OXPHOS activity. A variety of gene therapy approaches are presented for overexpression of METTL17 including, but not limited to, AAV, adenovirus and lentiviral vector expression.

Abstract: Described in various embodiments herein are tiled amplification nucleic acid detection systems and uses thereof. In some embodiments, the nucleic acids amplified and detected are cell free DNA (cfDNA).

Abstract: A method for treating vascular diseases is provided. The method includes fabricating a sterile ice slurry including water and ice particles, cooling the sterile ice slurry to a predetermined temperature, and injecting the sterile ice slurry into a desired tissue region. The desired tissue region includes perivascular adipose tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel methods for treating, preventing, ameliorating, inhibiting and/or delaying the onset of tauopathies. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a small molecule peptidomimetic, such as (R)-2-amino-N—((S)-1-(((S)-5-amino-1-(3-benzyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)pentyl)amino)-3-(4-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl)-5-guanidinopentanamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, and/or solvate thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for differential phase contrast microscopy by transobjective differential epi-detection of forward scattered light are provided. In some embodiments, a microscope objective comprises: a housing with mounting threads at a second end; optical components defining an optical axis, comprising: an objective lens mounted at a first end, configured to collect light from a sample placed in a field of view, the plurality of optical components create a pupil plane at a first distance along the optical axis at which rays having the same angle of incidence on the objective lens converge at the same radial distance from the optical axis; a photodetector within the housing offset from the optical axis at a second distance along the optical axis; and another photodetector within the housing at second distance along the optical axis and offset from the optical axis in the opposite direction from the first photodetector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining the antigen specificity of T cells and in a scalable, high-throughput approach. The disclosure provides methods for producing RNA-barcoded pMHC multimers that can be decoded using single-cell RNA sequencing methods. Among these, disclosed herein are multivalent virus-like-particles bound with pMHC in E. coli cells that encapsulate an RNA barcode encoding the peptide identity.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions relating to the treatment of a tumor (e.g., schwannoma) by increasing expression of Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and/or gasdermin D. In some embodiments, the increased expression is provided by means of a vector or construct comprising a nucleic acid encoding Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and/or gasdermin D operably linked to a Schwann-lineage cell-specific promoter. In some embodiments, the vector is a viral vector.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds useful for imaging granzyme B. An exemplary compound provided herein is useful as a radiotracer for position emission tomography (PET) and/or single photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging. Methods of imaging granzyme B, combination therapies, and kits comprising the granzyme B imaging agents are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to therapeutic methods and clinically useful molecular switches, for which activity or degradation of a switch-presenting polypeptide can be precisely induced via administration or withdrawal of an FDA-approved drug. Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to an engineered drug-inducible heterodimeric system including a first polypeptide presenting a CRBN polypeptide disrupted for or lacking a DDB1-interacting domain and a second polypeptide presenting a CRBN polypeptide substrate, where binding between the CRBN polypeptide and the CRBN polypeptide substrate are inducible via administration of an FDA-approved thalidomide analog immunomodulatory drug (IMiD). Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that presents a minimal fragment of the CRBN polypeptide substrate IKZF3 capable of triggering proteasomal degradation of CAR upon administration of an FDA-approved IMiD.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising, and methods for using, biocompatible cold slurries and methods of administering the same to provide reversible inhibition of peripheral nerves in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions to determine viability of an organ for transplantation and other medical purposes. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for assessing the viability of an organ by measuring the energy parameters to determine the energy level of the organ by determining the stored cellular energy (e.g., ATP levels), and/or energy consumption over a particular time period of viability. The energy parameters can be compared to reference energy parameters as a highly accurate and reliable prediction of viable cell yield, and organ viability. Another aspect of the invention relates methods to preserve or extend the time period of viability of an organ any combination of (i) preservation perfusion of the organ to prevent ischemic damage, (ii) chemical metabolic suppression of the organ e.g., using metabolic suppressants, (iii) metabolic suppression by physical or environmental conditions, e.g., sub-zero non-freezing storage.

Abstract: Engineered CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with altered and improved PAM specificities and their use in genomic engineering, epigenomic engineering, and genome targeting.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a shape of a luminal sample including: a catheter including a lens, the catheter disposed within a strain-sensing sheath such that the lens rotates and translates; a structural imaging system optically coupled to the catheter; a strain-sensing system optically coupled to the catheter; and a controller coupled to the strain-sensing system and the structural imaging system. The controller determines: a first position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a first location within the strain-sensing sheath; a second position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a second location within the strain-sensing sheath; a first strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the first location; a second strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the second location; a local curvature of the luminal sample relative to the catheter; a local curvature of the catheter; and a local curvature of the luminal sample.