Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of increasing skin pigmentation in a subject in need thereof using salt-inducible kinase (SIK) inhibitors, such as macrocyclic compounds of Formula (I), bicyclic urea compounds of Formula (II), (III), and (IV), and compounds of Formula (V), (VI), (VI-A), or (VII). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods, and uses that include or involve a compound described herein.

Abstract: Diffusion metric maps are generated from a limited input of magnetic resonance data to a suitably trained machine learning algorithm, such as a suitably trained neural network. In general, a downsampling strategy is implemented in the joint k-q space to enable the simultaneous estimation of multiple different diffusion metrics from a more limited set of input diffusion-weighted images.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system which is capable of operating in two or more optical bandwidth configurations for the purpose of trading off between high resolution imaging and high signal-to-noise ratio imaging, wherein the later enables deeper imaging depth. The system and associated methods allow for both high resolution, shallow penetration depth and low resolution, deep penetration depth optical coherence tomography imaging to be performed using a single light source. Methods and apparatus are described that allow a single system to dynamically switch between modes, or to operate in a hybrid mode that achieves a balance between resolution and SNR/depth of penetration.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for characterizing mutational profiles in patients with bladder cancer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for capsule-based multimode endoscopy are provided. In some embodiments, a probe for capsule-based multimode endoscopy is provided, the probe comprising: a rigid capsule; a flexible tether coupled to a proximal end of the capsule; a rotatable reflective surface disposed within the capsule; a static ball lens disposed within the capsule; a first optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the first optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a second optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the second optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a graded index fiber disposed between a distal end of the second optical fiber and the ball lens, the graded index fiber optically coupled to the second optical fiber and the ball lens.

Abstract: A probe for performing endomicroscopy, including: a light source; a waveguide coupled to the light source; a diffraction grating, the waveguide directing light from the light source to the diffraction grating; and a lens having a first aspheric surface and a second biconic surface, diffracted light from the diffraction grating being directed into the aspheric surface of the lens and being emitted from the biconic surface of the lens towards a transparent cylindrical surface of the probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of reducing fertility and/or preventing puberty in prepubescent non-human subjects (e.g., kittens and puppies) by administering a composition comprising a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) operatively linked to one or more regulatory elements. In some embodiments, administration is via a single or multiple injection. Other aspects relate to method and compositions for delaying puberty in a human female subject by administering a recombinant human MIS variant protein.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically estimating a hepatorenal index (HRI) from ultrasound images s provided. The method includes acquiring a sequence of ultrasound image data until a desired ultrasound image view is obtained. The method includes segmenting, a liver and a renal cortex in the obtained ultrasound image view. The method includes identifying valid samples in the liver and the renal cortex in the obtained ultrasound image view by excluding invalid samples. The method includes automatically positioning a liver region of interest and a renal cortex region of interest in the obtained ultrasound image view based on the valid samples and at least one criterion. The method includes determining an HRI and causing a display system to present the HRI.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof. One of the top gene products in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is KLRB1 (also known as CD161), a C-type lectin protein that binds to CLEC2D. Binding of CLEC2D to the KLRB1 receptor inhibits the cytotoxic function of NK cells as well as cytokine secretion. KLRB1 is only expressed by small subpopulations of human blood T cells, and consequently little is known about the function of this receptor in T cells. However, preliminary data demonstrate that KLRB1 expression is induced in T cells within the GBM microenvironment. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided comprising administering an agent capable of blocking the interaction of KLRB1 with its ligand. The agent may comprise an antibody or fragment thereof, which may bind KLRB1 or CLEC2D.

Abstract: A device, kit, and method for performing photochemical tissue bonding on a biological structure is provided. The device includes a first channel, a second channel, and an open window. The first channel is sized to receive a first portion of the biological structure, the second channel is sized to receive a second portion of the biological structure. The open window is positioned between the first channel and the second channel so that a third portion of the biological structure is exposed within the open window when the first channel receives the first portion and the second channel receives the second portion, where photochemical tissue bonding may be applied to the third portion.

Abstract: A system for generating nitric oxide can include an apparatus positioned in a trachea of a mammal, the apparatus including a respiration sensor for collecting information related to one or more triggering events associated with the trachea, an oxygen sensor for collecting information related to a concentration of oxygen in a gas, and one or more pairs of electrodes for initiating a series of electric arcs to generate nitric oxide, and the system for generating nitric oxide can also include a controller for determining one or more control parameters based on the information collected by the respiration sensor and the oxygen sensor, wherein the series of electric arcs is initiated based on the control parameters determined by the controller.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus can be provided which can include a laser arrangement that is configured to provide a laser radiation, and including an optical cavity. The optical cavity can include a dispersive optical waveguide first arrangement having first and second sides, and which is configured to (i) receive at least one first electro-magnetic radiation at the first side so as to provide at least one second electro-magnetic radiation, and (ii) to receive at least one third electro-magnetic radiation at the second side so as to provide at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation. The first and second sides are different from one another, and the second and third radiations are related to one another. The optical cavity can also include an active optical modulator second arrangement which can be configured to receive and modulate the fourth radiation so as to provide the first electro-magnetic radiation to the first arrangement.

Abstract: A FabI inhibitor called fabimycin that has impressive activity against >200 clinical isolates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and A. baumannii. Fabimycin has activity in multiple mouse models of infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including a model of urinary tract infection. Fabimycin has translational promise, and its discovery provides data indicating that antibiotics whose spectrum of activity is restricted to Gram-positive bacteria can be systematically modified to accumulate in Gram-negative bacteria and be effective against these problematic pathogens.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and compositions for substantially increasing the concentration of DNA in macrophages of a patient. By administering to a patient one or more agents which prevent the activity of deoxyribonucleases within lysosomes of macrophages, degradation of DNA phagocytosed by macrophages is temporarily blocked, permitting its accumulation. This strategy has the potential to enhance the detection of genetic biomarkers from cells typically phagocytosed by macrophages, such as tumor cells, and thus has applications for early or residual detection of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of drug-tolerant glioblastoma, and in particular glioblastoma stem cells. Specifically, the methods comprise contacting a glioblastoma stem cell with a platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha inhibitor and one or more of a histone lysine demethylase inhibitor and a Notch inhibitor.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of contraception by administering to a female subject a composition comprising Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS). The MIS can be produced endogenously in the subject by a vector, where the vector comprises a polynucletide encoding a recombinant MIS protein. In some embodiments, the contraception is permanent and only requires administration of the composition once. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of preserving an ovarian reserve, the method comprising administering to a female subject a composition comprising MIS or an inducible vector that comprises a polynucleotide encoding a recombinant MIS protein.

Abstract: Provided are chimeric VEGF-binding proteins and nucleic acids (e.g., a vector) encoding chimeric VEGF-binding proteins, methods and host cells for producing these proteins and nucleic acids, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these proteins and nucleic acids. Also provided are methods of treating an angiogenic disease or disorder that include administering at least one of the chimeric VEGF-binding proteins or at least one of the nucleic acids (e.g., a vector) encoding a chimeric VEGF-binding protein.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus including: a fluid-impermeable membrane configured to contain a fluid and be placed in the cavity; a light emitter provided within the membrane; and a fluid provided within the membrane, wherein the fluid scatters light emitted by the light emitter such that the intensity of the light is substantially uniform over the inner surface of the cavity proximal to the membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and related methods of recapitulating bone marrow stroma using scaffold materials (e.g., a porous alginate hydrogel scaffold) containing one or more cellular differentiation factors, and one or more growth factors. Such methods and compositions promote the formation of an ectopic nodule or site that can improve transplanted cell engraftment and selectively drive the development of lymphocytes and the reconstitution of the adaptive immunity after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating, in part, to the generation of human progenitor cells committed to the lung lineage and uses of such cells for treatment of lung diseases/disorders or injury to the lung. Whether an adult stem cell can be isolated from human adult lung remains controversial in the art and at present, methods for isolating and using adult lung stem cells from humans lack reproducibility. Thus, the methods and compositions described herein are advantageous over the present state of knowledge in the art and permit the generation of human lung progenitor cells for treatment, tissue engineering, and screening assays.