Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining tumoral sensitivity to hormonal (endocrine) therapy based upon an index of estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-related genes, referred to as the sensitivity to endocrine therapy index (SETER/PR index), and may have additional consideration for the proportion of ER gene (ESR1) RNA transcripts that contain a mutation relative to the value of the SETER/PR index. Further provided are methods of treating breast cancer patients determined to be sensitive to an endocrine therapy by the SETER/PR index.

Abstract: The methods, compositions, and kits of the disclosure provide a novel approach for a whole genome, unbiased DNA analysis method that can be performed on limited amounts of DNA. can be used to analyze DNA to determine its modification status. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for amplifying bisulfite-treated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules comprising: (a) ligating an adaptor to the DNA molecules, wherein the adaptor comprises a RNA polymerase promoter comprising bisulfite-protected cytosines; (b) treating the ligated DNA molecules with bisulfite; (c) hybridizing the bisulfite-treated DNA molecules with a primer; (d) extending the hybridized primer to make double stranded DNA; and (e) in vitro transcribing the double-stranded DNA to make RNA.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for in vivo tissue evaluation includes an elongated manipulator including an elongated proximal tube and an articulable distal portion, and a sensor provided at a distal end of the articulable distal portion, the sensor including a sensor head configured to be pressed against tissue and measure a reaction force of the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanoparticles comprising a lipid core comprising a sterol; and a complex comprising a cationic agent and a therapeutic agent, wherein the complex is encapsulated within the lipid core. Methods to produce the nanoparticle comprise: combining a cationic agent, a therapeutic agent, and a first water-immiscible solvent with a first aqueous solution, thereby forming a mixture comprising a complex comprising the cationic agent and the therapeutic agent; combining the mixture with a second waterim-miscible solvent, thereby forming an aqueous phase and an organic phase, and separating the organic phase comprising the complex; combining the organic phase comprising the complex with a sterol and a first water-miscible organic solvent; and dispersing the complex in a second aqueous solution to form a herein disclosed nanoparticle. Methods for treating a disease and for reducing nanoparticle burst rate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices for treating a bone and methods of inserting such devices into a bone are disclosed. A device for treating a bone may include a flexible tube, a stiffening mechanism and an actuator. The flexible tube has a distal end and a proximal end. The stiffening mechanism within the flexible tube is configured to cause the flexible tube to become rigid. The actuator is configured to cause the stiffening mechanism to cause the flexible tube to become rigid in response to the actuator being actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic liver-specific promoters and expression constructs for producing polypeptides and functional nucleic acids in the liver of a subject. The invention further relates to optimized polynucleotide sequences encoding Factor IX proteins, vector comprising the same, and methods of using these compositions to treat a bleeding disorder.

Abstract: A power electronics charge coupler (PECC) unit allows vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) energy transfer by forming a bidirectional buck/boost converter for supplying rapid energy transfer with wide input-output battery voltage and battery voltage levels. The PECC unit embeds DC-DC converter modules into the charging handles of the PECC unit. Each of the charging handles includes a half-bridge of the DC-DC converter and parasitic inductance of a cable between charging handles is utilized as a portion of the filter inductor for the converter. The PECC unit handles are each configured to connect to an electric vehicle and are dynamically configurable in one of four modes of operation based on the battery voltage of the electric vehicles to which the PECC unit is connected and based on which of the electric vehicles is designated as the receiver vehicle and which is designated as the supplier vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain 4-(substituted aniline)-2-(substituted piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide compounds which may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition mediated through signaling of CaMK1 isoforms. For example, such compounds and salts thereof may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a number of different cancers, metabolic diseases including type-2 diabetes, and/or immune-mediated disorders.

Abstract: A radio therapy system includes a first x-ray source. The first x-ray source is configured to produce first x-ray photons in a first energy range suitable for imaging and project the first x-ray photons onto an area designated for imaging. The system includes a second x-ray source configured to produce second x-ray photons in a second energy range higher energy than the first energy range, produce third x-ray photons in a third energy range higher energy than the first energy range, project the second x-ray photons onto the area designated for imaging, and project the third x-ray photons onto an area designated for treatment. The system includes an analytical portion configured to collect and combine data to create a composite output including at least one image, the combining based in part on a spectral analysis.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for improving or maintaining the barrier integrity of gingival tissue comprising administering an oral care composition comprising a curcurninoid, to the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered heme sequestering peptides and their use in treating cancer and inhibiting microbial infections and colonization.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect seizures using analog circuitry. One example method generally includes obtaining, at a seizure detection system, one or more electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, detecting a plurality of features associated with each of the one or more EEG signals, generating a bitstream indicating a seizure probability associated with each feature of the plurality of features to yield a plurality of bitstreams indicating a plurality of seizure probabilities, and generating a seizure detection output based on the plurality of bitstreams indicating the plurality of seizure probabilities of the plurality of features.

Abstract: A minimally invasive blood clot capturing invention made of nitinol. The nitinol is shaped into a plurality of fingers to form a frame for a basket and funnel to capture and remove blood clots. The basket and fennel being delivered to the blood clot by a catheter. The basket and funnel are capable of being collapsed within a catheter, capable of being deployed into a blood vessel, end capable of being retracted into the catheter for removal from the blood vessel.

Abstract: Described herein are water desalination membranes and methods of desalinating water. Sulfonated poly(arylene ether) polymers are also disclosed, including those comprising one or more sulfonate groups at various points along the polymer chain. The polymers may be used as at least a portion of a water desalination membrane. The polymers described herein are useful for preventing transport of aqueous ionic species (e.g., Na+ and Cl?) across a membrane made from the polymers while allowing water to pass. Chlorine-stable polymers are described, as well as polymers exhibiting good performance for rejecting monovalent cations in the presence of polyvalent cations.

Abstract: A method of measuring a junction temperature of a SiC MOSFET can be provided by applying a gate-source voltage to an external gate loop coupled to a gate of the SiC MOSFET, detecting a first time when the gate-source voltage exceeds a first value configured to disable conduction of a current in a drain of the SiC MOSFET, detecting, after the first time, a second time when a voltage across a common source inductance in a package of the SiC MOSFET indicates that the current in the drain is greater than a reference value, defining a time interval from the first time to the second time as a turn on delay time of the SiC MOSFET and determining the junction temperature for the SiC MOSFET using the turn on delay time.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and kits for the diagnosing a neurological disease within primary care settings comprising: obtaining a blood test sample from a subject, measuring IL-7 and TNF? biomarkers in the blood sample, comparing the level of the one or a combination of biomarkers and neurocognitive screening tests with the level of a corresponding one or combination of biomarkers in a normal blood sample and neurocognitive screening tests, and predicting that an increase in the level of the blood test sample in relation to that of the normal blood sample indicates that the subject is likely to have a neurological disease.

Abstract: Cellulose materials and methods of making the cellulose materials are described herein. The method can include contacting a cotton fabric with an oxidizing system to obtain an oxidized cotton material and processing the oxidized cotton material to form the cellulose material. The oxidizing system can include an aqueous mixture of a N-oxyl compound and a hypochlorite compound. During oxidation, the pH of the aqueous mixture can be maintained at from 8.5 to 11. Cellulose products can be formed from the cellulose materials. For example, the cellulose products can be used to form a packaging material, a biomedical device or implant, a drug delivery material, a fiber, a textile material, a template for electronic components, or a separation membrane. Methods of making the cellulose product include dissolving or suspending an active ingredient in a medium comprising the cellulose material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for diagnosing and determining the disease progression of neurodegenerative disorders in patients using neurophysiological biomarkers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to PD-L1 and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials for modulating the complement alternative pathway (CAP), the complement classical pathway (CCP), the complement lectin/mannose pathway (CMP), or combinations thereof, as well as methods and materials for targeting diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic agents to localized areas of tissue within the body where they may more directly exert their effects upon the intended target cells or tissue, with reduced, associated systemic effects compared with administration of the same or similar agents in an untargeted, systemic manner. The methods and materials of the present invention may therefore allow for increased efficacy, lower threshold effective dosages and/or lower effective maintenance doses, and/or reduced associated undesired or adverse effects in terms of frequency or severity of occurrence, or both.