Abstract: Lymphocytes having a suppressed autophagy gene useful in immunotherapy are disclosed. The lymphocytes can express an antigen targeting receptor such as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or endogenous or engineered T-cell receptor to target cells expressing a tumor-specific antigen. Methods of making and using such lymphocytes are disclosed. Some such lymphocytes are useful in conducting CAR-T or TCR-T therapy.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a radiation dose is provided. The method can include receiving at least one polarized signal from a radio-luminescent element and determining a degree of linear polarization and an angle of linear polarization of the at least one polarized signal based on at least one predetermined polarization transmission axis. The system can include a polarization sensitive sensor for capturing at least one polarized signal from a radio-luminescent element; and a processor. The processor can be configured to: receive the at least one polarized signal; and determine a degree of linear polarization and an angle of linear polarization of the at least one polarized signal based on at least one predetermined polarization transmission axis.

Abstract: A spatial parallel mechanism comprises a platform. Three or more legs configured for extending from a base or ground to the platform, each leg has a distal link, one or more distal joint providing one rotational degree of freedom (DOF) about a distal rotational axis, the distal joint connecting a distal end of the distal link to the platform. A proximal joint provides at least two rotational DOFs at the proximal end of the distal link. Assemblies of joints and links provide DOFs to each said leg between the proximal joint and the base or ground. The distal rotational axes of the three legs are parallel to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to clinical diagnostics including diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, risk assessment and/or risk stratification of preterm birth (PTB) and subsequent treatment in a pregnant subject, and corresponding methods and products. The invention provides decision tools to help clinicians choosing the most appropriate management for the pregnant women. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, risk assessment and/or risk stratification of preterm birth (PTB) in a pregnant subject, the method comprising determining a level of one or more biomarkers in a sample that has been isolated from said pregnant subject, wherein the one or more biomarkers comprise at least one of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) or fragment(s) thereof and Pappalysin-2 (PAPP-A2) or fragment(s) thereof, wherein the level of the one or more biomarkers in the sample is indicative of the presence or absence of a subsequent PTB.

Abstract: The present description relates to methods for clinically assessing Parkinson's disease in a subject using protein biomarkers of erythrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EEV).

Abstract: Methods and products are described herein for the modification of nucleic acids using a CRISPR/Cas9 system. Also described herein are uses of such methods and products for the modification of a target nucleic acid in a cell, in vitro or in vivo. Such methods and products may also be used for prevention or treatment of a condition associated with a target polynucleotide.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis, prognosis, patient stratification and prediction of pharmacological response in patients afflicted by psychiatric disorders based on electroretinography (ERG) parameters are described.

Abstract: Colchicine derivative(s), method(s) and use(s) thereof for treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: The present application provides a synthetic method for production of 3-azido-3-deoxy-D-galactopyranose. Also provided are methods of using the 3-azido-3-deoxy-D-galactopyranose in the manufacture of galactoside galectin antagonists, such as TD139 (GB0139), GB1107, GB2064, and GB1211.

Abstract: Fiber amplifiers for extending their gain bandwidth through an optimization of the host matrix using phosphorus/aluminum (P/Al) as glass modifier are provided. In one aspect, an optical glass fiber comprising an Erbium doped silicate is provided, where the optical glass fiber comprises P2O5 of greater than 6 mol %; and Al2O3 of between 1.5 and 6 mol %, where a molar percent ratio of the P2O5 and the Al2O3 is between 2 and 4. Further, in some cases, use of yttrium as an alternative co-dopant to ytterbium may be used.

Abstract: A process for the total synthesis of selenoneine, iso-selenoneine, and isomers thereof is disclosed herein. Regarding the synthesis of selenoneine, the process comprises reacting an alkylated L-histidine methyl ester with a stable, acid-labile alkylating agent followed by reaction with elemental selenium under mildly basic conditions; and an acidic hydrolysis step. Regarding the synthesis of iso-selenoneine, the process comprises reacting hercynine with an electrophilic R—Se—X species, wherein the R—Se—X species is obtained by reaction of an alkyl diselenide with X2, and wherein X is F, Cl, Br or I; and a deprotection reaction.

Abstract: There is provided a process for manufacturing a carbonaceous anode for an electrolysis cell for the production of aluminium. The process comprises contacting coke particles with a boron-containing solution to obtain boron-impregnated coke particles, mixing the boron-impregnated coke particles with coal tar pitch to form an anode paste, and forming a green anode with the anode paste. A carbonaceous anode for an electrolysis cell for the production of aluminium is also provided, which comprises at least a first fraction of coke particle, a second fraction of coke particles and coal tar pitch, wherein at least the first faction of coke particles comprises boron-impregnated coke particles, the boron-impregnated coke particles being distributed throughout the carbonaceous anode. The carbonaceous anode presents good resistivity towards air and CO2 oxidation, which translates into less dusting of the anode, thus improving its integrity throughout its lifetime.

Abstract: There is described a method for determining a refractive index of a medium. The method generally has providing a substrate having a surface, the surface having a first surface portion and a second surface portion spaced-apart from the first surface portion and recessed of a depth relative to the first surface portion; receiving the medium at least on the second surface portion; propagating a first optical beam towards the first surface portion and a second optical beam towards the second surface portion; collecting the first and second optical beams after said propagating and generating first and second signals being indicative of a phase of a respective one of the first and second collected optical beams; and determining a refractive index of said medium based on the first and second signals, the depth, a wavelength associated to the first and second optical beams and a refractive index of the substrate.

Abstract: Mid-infrared-transparent optical fiber products with enhanced resistance to OH diffusion are disclosed, which may be used fiber laser oscillator and amplifiers systems. In one embodiment, an optical fiber product may include optical fiber configured for propagation of mid-infrared radiation toward a light-radiating endface of or coupled to the optical fiber, and a diffusion barrier disposed on the light-radiating endface and configured for allowing the mid-infrared radiation emanating from the light-radiating endface to pass therethrough and for preventing OH diffusion therethrough toward the light-radiating endface.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject to reduce the risk of early onset preeclampsia in a pregnant subject determining a level of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) or fragment(s) thereof in a sample that has been isolated from said pregnant subject. The the sample is isolated from a subject before the end of the 12th week of gestation, where the level of sFlt-1 or fragment(s) thereof is indicative of early onset preeclampsia occurring before the end of the 33rd week of gestation. The subject is then treated to decrease the risk of developing, delay the time point of the onset and/or reduce the severity of preeclampsia.

Abstract: A shotcrete nozzle assembly comprising: a tubular body including a body sidewall defining a central passageway extending along a central longitudinal passageway axis, and water dispensing bores extending through the body sidewall and including: first and second sets of water dispensing bores positioned such that outlet openings thereof defined in an inner face of the body sidewall are disposed in a respective one of longitudinally spaced-apart first and second transversal planes extending perpendicularly to the passageway axis, at least some of the water dispensing bores being oriented such that the central bore axes thereof extend in a non-radial direction relative to the passageway axis, and such that an orthogonal projection of the central bore axes of the first and second sets of water dispensing bores onto one of the transversal planes forms first and second projected central bore axes which intersect each other at a first non-zero angle.

Abstract: The optical interrogation technique can use an optical prism having two opposite sides including a sample side and a refraction side, the sample side having a plurality of interrogation areas; a source assembly generating a collimated field of illumination directed towards the refraction side; a screen disposed in a screen plane intersecting the field of illumination and shielding the refraction side from the field of illumination, the screen having an aperture allowing a portion of the field of illumination to reach and be refracted by the refraction side, be totally internally reflected at one of said interrogation areas of the sample side, thereby generating a signal, the signal refracted back through the aperture, the screen being movable within the screen plane to shift the aperture and expose different portions of the field of illumination to corresponding ones of the interrogation areas.

Abstract: Derivatives of 10S, 17S-diHIDA (protectin DX, PDX) and medicinal uses thereof are disclosed. These derivatives are specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPRMs). In specific embodiments, said derivatives are used in to prevent or treat viral infections (including influenza and coronavirus infections), insulin resistance, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: An optical fiber configured to improve the pump conversion efficiency of an L-band fiber amplifier which uses the multimode pump source. By directly absorbing multimode light including 915 nm, an active fiber core region co-doped with both erbium and ytterbium can provide gain to the L-band signals via stimulated emission. The unwanted C-band amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light generate from this active fiber core region can be absorbed by another active fiber core region doped with erbium, then provides additional gain to the L-band signals. Active regions and cladding can be configured to match a given spatial mode of the optical signal. Signal-pump combiners with end-coupling or side coupling can be used.

Abstract: There is described a method of optically coupling a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber to one another. The method generally has a step of bringing a free end of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber and liquid in close proximity to one another within a coupling region, the free end of the first optical fiber having a dimension below a critical dimension, the free end of the first optical fiber moving within said liquid to contact the second optical fiber along a given coupling length, said contact optically coupling the free end of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to one another.