Abstract: The present application relates to methods, reagents and kits for the assessment of the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a patient over time, and/or of the likelihood that a subject suffers from NAFLD. The methods, reagents and kits are based on the determination of the levels of VEGFA, TGFB1, and/or CSF1 in a biological sample, such as a plasma sample, from the subject. The methods, reagents and kits may be used, for example, for assessing the progression of NAFLD in a patient and/or the response of the patient to therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for characterizing microsatellite instability in biological samples and for selecting a treatment for a subject having a neoplasia.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining a cancer treatment prognosis for a subject in need thereof by evaluating epigenetic and genetic changes within a tumor sample from the subject. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer in a subject by evaluating epigenetic and genetic changes within a tumor sample from the subject. In addition, the present invention provides methods of screening test agents to identify agents that decrease tumor cell plasticity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for susceptibility contrast imaging of nanoparticles at low magnetic fields. A susceptibility-based MRI technique, such as imaging with a balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) pulse sequence, may be used for imaging a contrast agent such as biocompatible superparamagnetic nanoparticles at ultra-low fields. The contrast agent and imaging technique may be used to improving the visibility of anatomical structures and detecting diseases, such as cancer, with low-field MRI.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, methods of discovering immunotherapy targets in vivo, therapeutic compositions (e.g., shRNA, immunoresponsive cells expressing shRNA and/or a chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating cancer and for selecting a cancer treatment based on the expression of Stag2/3 proteins and/or the presence of mutations in the genes encoding Stag2/3 proteins.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating or preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. In particular, systems and methods are provided for a phototherapy treatment or prevention system that delivers light radiation to a patient's body to photodissociate carbon monoxide from hemoglobin.

Abstract: An exemplary treatment system can be provided which can include a laser system configured to emit at least one laser beam, and an optical system configured to focus the laser beam(s) to a focal region at a selected distance from a surface of a tissue. The focal region can be configured to illuminate at least a portion of a target. The optical system can cause an irradiation energy transferred to the focal region of the laser beam(s) to (i) generate a plasma in a first region of the tissue adjacent to the target, and (ii) avoid a generation of a plasma in a second region of the tissue. The optical system has a numerical aperture that is in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.9. An exemplary method can also be provided to control such treatment system.

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 disclosure generally relates to compositions and method for delivery, e.g., sustained delivery of active agents, and their use for the treatment of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides triazolone compounds of general formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined herein, methods of preparing said compounds, intermediate compounds useful for preparing said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds and the use of said compounds for manufacturing pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prophylaxis of diseases, in particular hyperproliferative disorders, as a sole agent or in combination with other active ingredients.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and method for medical ice slurry production. In particular, systems and methods are provided for medical ice slurry production that enable an end user to produce and deliver a sterile medical ice slurry at the point of care.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking sympathetic-driven arousal state (SDAS) including nociception under anesthesia is described herein. The method includes obtaining heart rate variability and electrodermal activity of a subject. Point process models are generated for the heart rate variability and the electrodermal activity. A multimodal approach is implemented to determine a state space framework based on these point process models. SDAS can be estimated using the state space framework. In some implementations, an anesthesiologist can modify the dosage of drugs administered to the subject based on this estimation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for inducing an anti-tumor immune response and/or treating cancer comprising treating tumor tissue of the subject with energy to induce fractional tissue damage in combination with one or more checkpoint molecule modulating agents.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems can be provided for resurfacing of skin that include formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths greater than about 0.2 mm and less than about 0.7 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus. Compressive and/or tensile forces can then be applied to the treated region of skin as the damage heals to facilitate hole closure, and provide enhanced and/or directional shrinkage of the treated skin area.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for provided for automatic evaluation of a human embryo. An image of the embryo is obtained and provided to a neural network to generate a plurality of values representing the morphology of the embryo. The plurality of values representing the morphology of the embryo are evaluated at an expert system to provide an output class representing one of a current quality of the embryo, a future quality of the embryo, a likelihood that implantation of the embryo will be successful, and a likelihood that implantation of the embryo will result in a live birth.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.