Abstract: Clinical management of human cancer is dependent on the accurate monitoring of residual and recurrent tumors. We have developed a method, called personalized analysis of rearranged ends (PARE), which can identify translocations in solid tumors. Analysis of four colorectal and two breast cancers revealed an average of nine rearranged sequences (range 4 to 15) per tumor. Polymerase chain reaction with primers spanning the breakpoints were able to detect mutant DNA molecules present at levels lower than 0.001% and readily identified mutated circulating DNA in patient plasma samples. This approach provides an exquisitely sensitive and broadly applicable approach for the development of personalized biomarkers to enhance the clinical management of cancer patients.

Abstract: A method executable via operation of configured processing circuitry to identify applications by remote monitoring may include initiating remote communication with a target device through an access point, the access point providing network access to the target device, providing a series of ping messages to the target device via the access point to determine a delay signature of an application running on the target device, and generating application identification information based on the delay signature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of biomarkers to detect colorectal cancer. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for qualifying colorectal cancer status including, but not limited to, diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification, in patients. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) in a patient comprises the steps of (a) collecting a sample from the patient; (b) measuring the methylation levels of one or more biomarkers in the sample collected from the patient; and (c) comparing the methylation levels of the one or more biomarkers with predefined methylation levels of the same biomarkers that correlate to a patient having CRC and predefined methylation levels of the same biomarkers that correlate to a patient not having CRC, wherein a correlation to one of the predefined methylation levels provides the diagnosis.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-b-poly(?-amino ester) (PBAE) co-polymers (PEG-PBAE) and blends of PEG-PBAEs and PBAEs and their use for delivering drugs, genes, and other pharmaceutical or therapeutic agents safely and effectively to different sites in the body and to different cells, such as cancer cells, are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and urine sensing devices for and method of monitoring kidney function is disclosed, wherein acute kidney injury (AKI). Namely, a kidney function monitoring system provides a portable urine monitor system that can provide real-time and continuous feedback about urine output and/or level of at least one urinary component (e.g., sodium). The kidney function monitoring system further comprises at least one urine sensing device, wherein the urine sensing device comprises a digital weight scale, a stand onto which a urine collection vessel can be positioned, and an interface between the digital weight scale and the stand that transfers the force of the stand and contents of the urine collection vessel to the digital weight scale. Further, the portable monitoring device comprises an adaptive and modular self-learning algorithm for the real-time assessment of AKI risk.

Abstract: Controlled release dosage formulations for the delivery of one or more HIF-1 inhibitors are provided. The controlled release formulations contain one or more HIF-1 inhibitors conjugated to or dispersed in a polymeric vehicle. The one or more HIF-1 inhibitors can be dispersed or encapsulated in a polymeric matrix. In some embodiments, the one or more HIF-1 inhibitors are covalently bound to a polymer, forming a polymer-drug conjugate. Polymeric vehicles can be formed into implants, microparticles, nanoparticles, or combinations thereof. Controlled release HIF-1 formulations provide prolonged therapeutic benefit while lowering side effects by releasing low levels of one or more HIF-1 inhibitors and/or HIF-1 inhibitor conjugates over a prolonged period of time. Controlled release dosage formulations can be used to treat or prevent a disease or disorder in a patient associated with vascularization, including cancer, obesity, and ocular diseases such as wet AMD.

Abstract: A detector for detecting an agent within an aerosol is provided. The detector may include a liquid feeder configured to generate a droplet comprised of an assay reagent. The detector may further include an aerosol focuser configured to capture and focus the aerosol such that the aerosol is configured to be encapsulated within the droplet in order to cause the assay reagent to react in the droplet. The detector may even further include an interrogator configured to interrogate the droplet in order to detect the agent within the aerosol.

Abstract: A method of preserving a cell-free protein expression system includes preserving a cell extract with a first non-reducing sugar alcohol to provide a preserved cell extract, preserving a reaction buffer with a second non-reducing sugar alcohol to provide a preserved reaction buffer, and preserving an energy source, so that the cell extract, the reaction buffer, and the energy source are preserved separately.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for applying task-based performance predictors (measures of noise, spatial resolution, and detectability index) based on numerical observer models and approximations to the local noise and spatial resolution properties of the CBCT reconstruction process (e.g., penalized-likelihood iterative reconstruction). These predictions are then used to identify projections views (i.e., points that will constitute the scan trajectory) that maximize task performance, beginning with the projection view that maximizes detectability, proceeding to the next-best view, and continuing in an (arbitrarily constrained) orbit that can be physically realized on advanced robotic C-arm platforms.

Abstract: A synthetic gene delivery platform with a dense surface coating of hydrophilic and neutrally charged PEG, capable of rapid diffusion and widespread distribution in brain tissue, and highly effective gene delivery to target cells therein has been developed. Nanoparticles including nucleic acids, are formed of a blend of biocompatible hydrophilic cationic polymers and they hydrophilic cationic polymer conjugated to hydrophilic neutrally charged polymers such as polyethylene glycol. The nanoparticles are coated with polyethylene glycol at a density that imparts a near neutral charge and optimizes rapid diffusion through the brain parenchyma. Methods of treating a disease or disorder of the brain including administering a therapeutically effective amount of nanoparticles densely coated with polyethylene glycol are also provided.

Abstract: Highly specific and novel methods for analyzing glycans and proteoglycans are provided. Uses of the information generated by the inventive methods for diagnosis and treatment are also disclosed.

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 present invention relates to the field of drug abuse. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating drug abuse by preventing GAPDH nitrosylation. In one specific embodiment, a method for preventing the stimulant and neurotoxic effects of cocaine comprises the step of administering a compound that prevents the nitrosylation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) by nitric oxide (NO). In another embodiment, a method for preventing the stimulant and neurotoxic effects of cocaine comprises the step of administering a compound that prevents the binding of GAPDH to Siah.

Abstract: A method for isolating a computer platform includes receiving a service request from an external requestor via a network at processing circuitry associated with a hardware barrier between the computer platform and the network, causing the service request to be loaded into a first buffer having a dual port connection to a corresponding second buffer of the computer platform, providing an indication to the computer platform to indicate the service request is loaded into the first buffer to be pulled into the second buffer of the computer platform, responsive to processing of the service request by the computer platform, receiving a message indicating a response loaded in the second buffer has been pushed to the first buffer, and communicating the response to the external requestor. The buffers form the only access point to the computer platform. The indication is the only communication initiated from the external requestor that crosses the hardware barrier without control by the computer platform.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to antibodies, antibody fragments or derivatives thereof, which specifically bind to and/or interact with at least one epitope of the extracellular domain of the mammalian KCNK9 potassium channel, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, as well as to vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules. The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for the preparation of said antibodies, antibody fragments or derivatives thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic compositions, and kits comprising the same. Compositions, kits, methods, and uses of the antibodies, antibody fragments or derivatives thereof for assessing for the presence of KCNK9 expressing cells, inhibiting KCNK9 activity in cells, inhibiting the growth or survival of KCNK9 expressing cells (e.g., cancer cells), inhibiting the growth and/or metastases of tumors, stimulating complement-dependent cancer cell cytotoxicity, and the treatment of cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for administration of allogeneic lymphocytes as an exogenous source of CD4+ T cell help for endogenous, tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells. Depletion of CD8+ T cells from the donor lymphocyte infusion reduces the risk of sustained engraftment and graft-versus-host disease. Removal of regulatory T cells from the infused population may augment the ability of non-regulatory T cells to provide help for endogenous effectors of anti-tumor immunity. Allogeneic T cell therapy is typically given in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, in which the patient receives highly immunosuppressive conditioning followed by an infusion of a stem cell graft containing unselected populations of mature T cells. In the treatment described here, the graft is engineered to minimize the possibility of sustained donor cell engraftment, and the anti-tumor effector T cells derive from the host.

Abstract: A platform for creating an artificial blood brain barrier including a functional, perfused artificial vessel lined with endothelial cells embedded in a physiologically relevant three-dimensional extracellular matrix is described.

Abstract: Novel inhibitors of DXP synthase and methods of use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a spatially patterned structure includes forming a layer of a material on at least a portion of a substructure of the spatially patterned structure, forming a barrier layer of a flourinated material on the layer of material to provide an intermediate structure, and exposing the intermediate structure to at least one of a second material or radiation to cause at least one of a chemical change or a structural change to at least a portion of the intermediate structure. The barrier layer substantially protects the layer of the material from chemical and structural changes during the exposing. Substructures are produced according to this method.

Abstract: The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is increasingly recognized as a viable target for imaging and therapy of cancer. Various 99mTc/Re-labeled compounds were prepared by attaching known Tc/Re chelating agents to an amino-functionalized PSMA inhibitor with or without a variable length linker moiety. Ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo imaging demonstrated the degree of specific binding to engineered PSMA+ PC3 PIP tumors.