Abstract: Methods and materials for treating bacterial vaginosis (“BV”) are provided. Cervicovaginal secretions (“CVS”) from a woman with Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated (>50%) vaginal microbiota is transplanted to women with BV as a method for restoring beneficial vaginal microbial communities and/or increasing resistance to sexually transmitted disease. Efficacy can be enhanced, or the properties of the endogenous CVS improved, through administration of an acidifying agent such as lactic acid. The examples demonstrate the role of healthy CVS in disease resistance, and the effect of pH on CVS properties. The examples also describe the collection and transplantation of healthy beneficial CVS into women at risk for, or after treatment for, BV.

Abstract: AnnexinA2 (ANXA2), a member of the Annexin family of calcium-dependent, phospholipid binding proteins, is one of a panel of identified antigens recognized by the post-vaccination sera of patients who demonstrated prolonged disease-free survival following multiple vaccinations. AnnexinA2 is abundantly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and cell surface/membrane AnnexinA2 increases with the progression from premalignant lesions to invasive pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The cytoplasmic to cell surface translocation of AnnexinA2 expression is critical for pancreatic cancer cell invasion. In addition, phosphorylation of AnnexinA2 at Tyrosine 23 is important for its localization to the cell surface and for the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, loss of AnnexinA2 leads to the loss of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Abstract: A method of detecting colorectal cancers using a hyperspectral sensor system includes receiving a training set of hyperspectral data from colorectal tissue that includes known normal and known cancerous tissue using the hyperspectral sensor system, applying a machine learning algorithm to the training set of hyperspectral data to provide predictor parameters for one of cancerous tissue or non-cancerous tissue, receiving measurement hyperspectral data from colorectal tissue of interest, and using the predictor parameters to classify the colorectal tissue of interest as one of cancerous tissue or non-cancerous tissue. The training set of hyperspectral data and the measurement hyperspectral data include reflection spectra across wavelength bands of light that include at least visible, near infrared and short-wave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: More than 2% of adults harbor a pancreatic cyst, a subset of which progress to invasive lesions with lethal consequences. To assess the genomic landscapes of neoplastic cysts of the pancreas, we determined the exomic sequences of DNA from the neoplastic epithelium of eight surgically resected cysts of each of the major neoplastic cyst types: serous cystadenomas (SCAs), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and solid pseudo-papillary neoplasms (SPNs). SPNs are low-grade malignancies, and IPMNs and MCNs, but not SCAs, have the capacity to progress to cancer. We found that SCAs, IPMNs, MCNs, and SPNs contained 10=4.6, 27=12, 16=7.6, and 2.9=2.1 somatic mutations per tumor, respectively. Among the mutations identified, E3 ubiquitin ligase components were of particular note. Four of the eight SCAs contained mutations of VHL, a key component of the VHL ubiquitin ligase complex that has previously been associated both with renal cell carcinomas, SCAs, and other neoplasms.

Abstract: Imaging of internal structure of a patient, such as the prostate, is performed using ultrasound tomography by inserting a first ultrasound probe into the rectum of the patient, positioning a second ultrasound probe on an abdomen of the patient, and aligning the first and second ultrasound probes with one another to obtain acoustic information for reconstructing tomographic images of the internal structure. Light sources can also be shined to the tissue of interest, such as prostate say by a transurethral catheter thus making photoacoustic waves that can be received by the said TRUS or TRAB/TRPR transducers to reconstruct photoacoustic tomographic image of the tissue, as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detection of different ontologies using advanced unsupervised machine learning which will be used to visualize factors not visible to the human observer, such as unknown characteristics between imaging datasets and other factors to provide insights into the structure of the data. This methodology is referred to herein as Contribution Scattergram. An example includes using radiological images to determine a relationship in dimension, structure, and distance between each parameter. This information can be used to determine if changes in the images have occurred and for treatment response.

Abstract: The present invention is based, at least in part, on the development of a mating-based yeast two-hybrid screen that allows simultaneous screening for mutations that disrupt yeast two-hybrid interactions between a protein and multiple interacting partners. By coupling PCR mutagenesis and homologous recombination/gapped plasmid repair with a mating-based assay, the present invention allows screening for unique mutations that disrupt interaction with one partner, but not others. It also allows identification of specific mutations that may lie at protein-protein interfaces common to two or more partners, without employing multiple rounds of screening. In addition to screening against multiple interacting partners, the present invention removes the need for a two-step selection because truncations, frameshifts, or any mutations that affect folding are eliminated as disruptions that affect all protein partners.

Abstract: An attachment device includes a robot-engaging portion having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof for receiving a finger of a robot. The attachment device also includes a tool-engaging portion coupled to the robot-engaging portion. The tool-engaging portion is configured to be coupled to a tool that is to be used by the robot to perform a task. A damping member is positioned at least partially between the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion. The damping member is configured to be adjusted to vary a magnitude of oscillations that are transferred from the tool-engaging portion to the robot-engaging portion.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: Implantable pressure-actuated systems to deliver a drug and/or other substance in response to a pressure difference between a system cavity and an exterior environment, and methods of fabrication and use. A pressure-rupturable membrane diaphragm may be tuned to rupture at a desired rupture threshold, rupture site, with a desired rupture pattern, and/or within a desired rupture time. Tuning may include material selection, thickness control, surface patterning, substrate support patterning. The cavity may be pressurized above or evacuated below the rupture threshold, and a diaphragm-protective layer may be provided to prevent premature rupture in an ambient environment and to dissipate within an implant environment. A drug delivery system may be implemented within a stent to release a substance upon a decrease in blood pressure. The cavity may include a thrombolytic drug to or other substance to treat a blood clot.

Abstract: The present invention provides heavy chain immunoglobulins of the VHH type or fragment thereof having affinity for a target antigen of interest, including glycoprotein D2 (gD2) of HSV-2 or antigen thereof, and for envelope proteins of HIV-1 or an antigen thereof linked to Pseudomonas exotoxin A or functional fragments thereof. Also included are multimeric forms of the immunoglobulins and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of HSV2 and/or HIV-1.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The MR scanner comprises a main magnet providing a substantially uniform main magnetic field B0 for a subject under observation, the subject represented by a spatial distribution of magnetizations; a radio frequency (RF) coil system configured to irradiate a plurality of radio frequency (RF) pulses into a region of interest of the subject and to detect a plurality of RF response signals emitted from the region of interest; a gradient coil system configured to provide a perturbation of the main magnetic field B0 using a gradient pulse sequence that causes the RF response signals to encode the spatial distribution of magnetizations in a Fourier domain on a plurality of read-out paths; and a controller in communication with the RF coil system and the gradient coil system to synchronously provide the RF coil system with the plurality of RF pulses and the gradient coil system with the gradient pulse sequence.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating eye disorders by administering a drug delivery system into an eye compartment of the patient, wherein the drug delivery system contains a particle containing a core; a coating associated with the particle, wherein the coating is covalently or non-covalently associated with the particle and presents a hydrophilic region to the environment around the particle; and a therapeutic agent are disclosed. The eye compartment can exhibit reduced inflammation or IOP after administration of the drug delivery systems to a patient than if a drug delivery system including an uncoated particle were administered to the patient.

Abstract: The treatment of many ocular disorders is hampered because of poor penetration of systemically administered drugs into the eye. The tight junctional complexes (zonulae occludens) of the retinal pigment epithelium and retinal capillaries are the site of the blood-ocular barrier. This barrier inhibits penetration of substances, including antibiotics, into the vitreous. Over the last 18 years we have evaluated the nontoxic doses of various drugs. These include antibiotics and antifungals for treatment of bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis, antivirals for treatment of viral retinitis (specifically, when medication with these drugs poses the threat of toxicity to other organs). Intravitreal antineoplastic drugs have been studied to prevent cell proliferation in the vitreous cavity after retinal attachment surgery, which can lead to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Abstract: A micromanipulation system includes a micromanipulator that includes a handpiece, and a micromanipulation tool that includes a tool shaft and is operatively connected to the handpiece. The micromanipulator further includes an actuator assembly connected to the micromanipulation tool to provide manual control of the micromanipulation tool, and a force sensing system comprising a force sensor attached to the tool shaft. The force sensing system is configured to provide an output signal that indicates a force imposed on the tool shaft. The micromanipulation system also includes a processor that is in communication with the force sensing system, and is configured to receive the output signal and compensate for forces due to actuation of the micromanipulation tool to determine a force due to interaction of the micromanipulation tool with a region of interest. The processor outputs an indication of at least one of a magnitude and a direction of the determined force.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanoparticle composition that is decorated with a urea-based small-molecule peptidomimetic inhibitor of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is expressed by almost all solid tumors. This strategy takes advantage of both the avidity of the functionalized nanoparticle for binding to PSMA and the ability of the nanoparticle to be retained for longer periods of time in the tumor due to enhanced leakage via EPR into the tumor interstitium and poor clearance due to underdeveloped or non-existent lymphatics within the tumor.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a technique for localizing structures of interest in projection images (e.g., x-ray projection radiographs or fluoroscopy) based on structures defined in a preoperative 3D image (e.g., MR or CT). Applications include, but are not limited to, spinal interventions. The present invention achieves 3D-2D image registration (and particularly allowing use with a preoperative MR image) by segmenting the structures of interest in the preoperative 3D image and generating a simulated projection of the segmented structures to be aligned with the 2D projection image. Other applications include various clinical scenarios involving 3D-2D image registration, such as image-guided cranial neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, biopsy, and radiation therapy.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods for the expression of CRISPR guide RNAs using the H1 promoter. In particular, compositions and methods are provided for the use of the H1 promoter to express CRISPR guide RNA (gRNA) with altered specificity of the 5? nucleotide, as well as use of the H1 promoter sequence as a bidirectional promoter to express Cas9 nuclease and the gRNA simultaneously. Compositions and methods are also provided for the expression and regulation of gRNA expression in vivo through the use of RNA ribozymes and regulatable aptazymes.

Abstract: A system for stereo reconstruction from a monoscopic endoscope includes an image pick-up element at a distal end thereof and a working channel defined by a body of the monoscopic endoscope. The system comprises a light patterning component configured to be disposed within the working channel such that a light emitting end of the light patterning component will be fixed with a defined relative distance from the distal end of the image pick-up element. The system also includes a data processor adapted to be in communication with the image pick-up element. The light patterning component forms a pattern of light that is projected onto a region of interest. The data processor receives an image signal of the region of interest that includes the pattern, and determines a distance from the endoscope to the region of interest based on the image signal and based on the defined relative distance.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a system and method for determining cardiac events. The system and method include using an imaging modality to obtain a cardiac image of the subject. The image is then used to determine the subject's systolic, post-systolic, and early diastolic strain peaks. Additionally, a strain rate index (SRI) value is computed for the subject using the systolic, post-systolic, and early diastolic strain peaks. The SRI value can then be used to determine a level of risk of cardiac failure. Further, a likelihood of atrial fibrillation can also be determined. The SRI value and risk of cardiac event can then be used to create a treatment plan for the subject, if necessary.