Abstract: Inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) is an attractive immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of a variety of cancers. Dysregulation of this enzyme has also been implicated in other severe diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and arthritis. Small molecule inhibitors of Formula (Ia) and (Ib) of IDO, their synthesis, and uses thereof are provided.

Abstract: There is described herein, a method of capturing cell-free methylated DNA from a sample having less than 100 mg of cell-free DNA, comprising the steps of: subjecting the sample to library preparation to permit subsequent sequencing of the cell-free methylated DNA; adding a first amount of filler DNA to the sample, wherein at least a portion of the filler DNA is methylated; denaturing the sample; and capturing cell-free methylated DNA using a binder selective for methylated polynucleotides.

Abstract: There is described herein, a method for inducing Tc22 lineage T cells from a population of CD8+ T cells, the method comprising: a) providing a population of CD8+ T cells; b) activating the population; and c) culturing or contacting the population of CD8+ T cells with Coenzyme A.

Abstract: A system for outputting a representation of a wound in tissue comprises a housing configured to removably receive at least a portion of a wireless communication device. At least one light source coupled to the housing is configured to emit excitation light to illuminate a target which includes at least a portion of the wound. A power supply contained in the housing is configured to provide power to the light source. A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a program executable to cause the performance of operations comprising detecting signals responsive to illumination of the target, outputting the representation of the target based thereon, storing data relative to one or more target surface parameter based on the detected signals, and displaying the representation. The signals correspond to at least one of endogenous or exogeneous fluorescence, absorbance, and reflectance from at least one biological component in and/or on the target.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method for expanding human CD4-CD8- regulatory T cells (DN Tregs) from a population of cells comprising DN Tregs, comprising: culturing the population of cells with artificial antigen presenting cells (APCs), preferably the DN Tregs are ??-TCR-CD56- or alternatively ?8-TCR+.

Abstract: Uptake of hypoxia-sensitive PET tracers is dependent on tissue transport properties, specifically, distribution volume. Variability in tissue transport properties reduces the sensitivity of static PET imaging to hypoxia. When tissue transport (vd) effects are substantial, correlations between the two methods of determining hypoxic fractions are greatly reduced—that is, trapping rates k3 are only modestly correlated with tumour-to-blood ratio (TBR). In other words, the usefulness of dynamic- and static-PET based hypoxia surrogates, trapping rate k3 and TBR, in determining hypoxic fractions is reduced in regions where diffusive equilibrium is achieved slowly. A process is provided for quantifying hypoxic fractions using a novel biomarker for hypoxia, hypoxia-sensitive tracer binding rate kb, based on PET imaging data. The same formalism can be applied to model the kinetics of non-binding CT and MT contrast agents, giving histopathological information about the imaged tissue.

Abstract: There is described herein a method of prognosing and/or predicting disease progression and/or in subject with prostate cancer, the method comprising: a) providing a sample containing mitochondrial genetic material from prostate cancer cells; b) sequencing the mitochondrial genetic material with respect to at least 1 patient biomarker selected from CSB1, OHR, ATP8 and HV1 (hypervariable region 1); c) comparing the sequence of the patient biomarkers to control or reference biomarkers to determine mitochondrial single nucleotide variations (mtSNVs); and d) determining the a prostate cancer prognosis; wherein a relatively worse outcome is associated with the presence of mtSNVs in CSB1, OHR, ATP8 and a relatively better outcome is associated with the presence of mtSNVs in HV1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agent that modulates a cis interaction between Repulsive Guidance Molecule A (RGMa) and Neogenin or lipid rafts. Modulation by the agent may include blocking the cis interaction between RGMa and Neogenin and/or disrupting lipid rafts. In turn, this promotes neuronal cell survival and axon growth and/or regeneration. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a disease in a subject in need thereof. The method may include administering the agent to the subject. Further disclosed herein is a method of identifying an agent that modulates the cis interaction between RGMa and Neogenin.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein compositions, methods, uses and systems for reducing pain in a patient that emanates from a body area, preferably spine or joint. Methods of treatment or prevention are described for a disease or condition selected from degenerative disc disease, disc injury, pain, arthritis, or suspected arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing the composite comprising: a) melt blending the matrix with the fibers to produce a melted composite, b) injecting the melted composite into a mold and allowing the melted composite to solidify and, c) removing at least a portion of the outermost layer of a composite such that the fibers protrude from the surface of the composite. Also provided is composite produced by the methods of the invention comprising soft and hard fibers embedded in a soft rubber-like matrix, wherein the fibers protrude from the composite's surface. In specific embodiments, the composite comprises carbon fibers and poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix, wherein the fibers protrude from the composite's surface. Slip-resistant product comprising the composite are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein compositions, methods, uses and systems for reducing pain in a patient that emanates from a body area, preferably spine or joint. Methods of treatment or prevention are described for a disease or condition selected from degenerative disc disease, disc injury, pain, arthritis, or suspected arthritis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed recombinant T cell receptors capable of binding a tyrosinase epitope, a MAGA-A1 epitope, a MART1 epitope, a MAGE-A3 epitope, or an SSX2 epitope and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules further comprise a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second nucleotide sequence or the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleotide sequence inhibits the expression of an endogenous TCR. Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule and cells comprising the recombinant TCR, the nucleic acid molecule, or the vector. Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the methods comprise treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of identifying MHC class II-specific T cell receptors (TCRs). In certain aspects, the method comprises contacting a T cell with a complex comprising an (i) MHC class II molecule having a higher affinity for CD4 than naturally occurring MHC class II molecules and (ii) a peptide, e.g., an epitope. In certain aspects, the HLA class II molecule comprises a beta chain having one or more mutations relative to a wild-type beta chain sequence.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting or preventing neurodegeneration, specifically hippocampal, cortical, and/or retinal ganglion cell neurons (RGC), and degeneration and/or cell loss or treating related disorders and diseases comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of one or more lipoxin compounds and/or lipoxin analogues such that degeneration and/or cell loss of neurons is inhibited or prevented.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed recombinant T cell receptors capable of binding a CCND1 epitope and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some aspects, the nucleic acid molecules further comprise a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second nucleotide sequence or the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleotide sequence inhibits the expression of an endogenous TCR. Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule and cells comprising the recombinant TCR, the nucleic acid molecule, or the vector. Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of using the same. In some aspects, the methods comprise treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to HLA class II molecules having a higher affinity for CD4 than naturally occurring HLA class II molecules. In certain aspects, the HLA class II molecule comprises a DP beta chain having (i) an amino acid other than leucine at a position corresponding to amino acid residue 112 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (ii) an amino acid other than valine at a position corresponding to amino acid residue 141 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (iii) or both (i) and (ii). Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to nucleic acid molecules encoding the HLA class II molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule, cells comprising the same, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to HLA class II molecules having a higher affinity for CD4 than naturally occurring HLA class II molecules. In certain aspects, the HLA class II molecule comprises a DR beta chain having (i) an amino acid other than leucine at a position corresponding to amino acid residue 114 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (ii) an amino acid other than valine at a position corresponding to amino acid residue 143 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (iii) or both (i) and (ii). Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to nucleic acid molecules encoding the HLA class II molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule, cells comprising the same, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to HLA class II molecules having a higher affinity for CD4 than naturally occurring HLA class II molecules. In certain aspects, the HLA class II molecule comprises a DQ beta chain having (i) an amino acid other than leucine at a position corresponding to amino acid residue 114 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (ii) an amino acid other than valine at a position corresponding to amino acid residue 143 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (iii) or both (i) and (ii). Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to nucleic acid molecules encoding the HLA class II molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule, cells comprising the same, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed recombinant T cell receptors capable of binding a MUC5AC epitope and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some aspects, the nucleic acid molecules further comprise a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second nucleotide sequence or the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleotide sequence inhibits the expression of an endogenous TCR. Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule and cells comprising the recombinant TCR, the nucleic acid molecule, or the vector. Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of using the same. In some aspects, the methods comprise treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed recombinant T cell receptors capable of binding a MAGE-A2 epitope and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some aspects, the nucleic acid molecules further comprise a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second nucleotide sequence or the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleotide sequence inhibits the expression of an endogenous TCR. Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule and cells comprising the recombinant TCR, the nucleic acid molecule, or the vector. Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of using the same. In some aspects, the methods comprise treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof.