Abstract: We determined the sequence of ATRX and DAXX in 447 cancers from various sites. We found mutations most commonly in pediatric glioblastoma multiformae (GBM) (11.1%), adult GBM (6.5%), oligodendrogliomas (7.7%) and medulloblastomas (1.5%); and showed that Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT), a telomerase-independent telomere maintenance mechanism found in cancers that have not activated telomerase, perfectly correlated with somatic mutations of either gene. In contrast, neuroblastomas, and adenocarcinomas of the ovary, breast, and pancreas were negative for mutations in ATRX and DAXX. Alterations in ATRX or DAXX define a specific molecular pathway that is closely associated with an alternative telomere maintenance function in human cancers.

Abstract: This application provides isolated antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind Programmed Death 1 (PD-1). These PD-1 antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, have a high affinity for PD-1, function to inhibit PD-1, are less immunogenic compared to their unmodified parent antibodies in a given species (e.g., a human), are capable of increasing T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, and can be used to treat human diseases (e.g., cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, asthma, transplant rejection, and inflammatory disorders).

Abstract: This application provides, inter alia, antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, targeting OX40 expressed on injured tissues associated with multiple diseases. These OX40 antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, have a high affinity for OX40 and function as OX40 agonists or as OX40/OX40L antagonists. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments are useful for treatment of human diseases, infections, and other conditions.

Abstract: A volatile material dispensing system (100) includes a base (104) and a refill (102) attached to the base (104). The refill (102) includes a substrate (108) having a volatile material thereon. The dispensing system (100) further includes a cover (106). In an inactive state, the refill (102) is compressed within the cover (106) and the cover (106) is attached to the base (104) and in an active state, the cover (106) is removed from the base and the refill (102) automatically expands such that the volatile material is released from the substrate (108) and into the ambient environment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for rapidly constructing amplicon library including the following steps: 1. Synthesizing a primer combination for constructing an amplicon library of a DNA sample, the primer combination of the amplicon library used to construct the DNA sample includes: a forward fusion primer designed according to the target amplicon, a reverse fusion primer designed according to the target amplicon, a forward universal primer and a reverse universal primer; 2. Constructing a PCR reaction system for the DNA sample; 3. Performing PCR. The method according to the present invention can be used to construct an amplicon library in a simple and rapid manner, and since a barcode is introduced before the start of PCR, the possibility of cross-contamination between the sample and the library is greatly reduced.

Abstract: We found mutations of the R132 residue of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in gliblastomas that develop from these lower grade lesions. Those tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations at the analogous R172 residue of the closely related IDH2 gene. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant gliomas.

Abstract: A downlight apparatus includes a main housing, a light module capable of emitting light, a driving module electrically connected to the light module and configured to enable the light module to emit the light. The downlight apparatus includes an optical module mechanically coupled to the main housing, and the optical module is configured for receiving the light emitted by the light module and directing the light toward a forward direction. The downlight apparatus includes an installation module for facilitating installment of the main housing to a receptacle, and includes a replaceable surface housing removably coupled to the main housing.

Abstract: This application provides, inter alia, antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, targeting OX40 expressed on injured tissues associated with multiple diseases. These OX40 antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, have a high affinity for OX40 and function as OX40 agonists or as OX40/OX40L antagonists. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments are useful for treatment of human diseases, infections, and other conditions.

Abstract: We found mutations of the R132 residue of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in glioblastomas that develop from these lower grade lesions. Those tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations at the analogous R172 residue of the closely related IDH2 gene. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant gliomas.

Abstract: The majority of glioblastomas can be classified into molecular subgroups based on mutations in the TERT promoter (TERTp) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 (IDH). These molecular subgroups utilize distinct genetic mechanisms of telomere maintenance, either TERTp mutation leading to telomerase activation or ATRX-mutation leading to an alternative lengthening of telomeres phenotype (ALT). However, about 20% of glioblastomas lack alterations in TERTp and IDH. These tumors, designated TERTpWT-IDHWT glioblastomas, did not have well-established genetic biomarkers or defined mechanisms of telomere maintenance. The genetic landscape of TERTpWT-IDHWT glioblastoma includes tumors that have chromosomal rearrangements upstream of TERT. These rearrangements define a novel molecular subgroup of glioblastoma, that is a telomerase-positive subgroup driven by TERT-structural rearrangements (IDHWT-TERTSV).

Abstract: We surveyed 1,230 tumors of 60 different types and found that tumors could be divided into types with low (<15%) and high (?15%) frequencies of TERT promoter mutations. The nine TERT-high tumor types almost always originated in tissues with relatively low rates of self renewal, including melanomas, liposarcomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, urothelial carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue, medulloblastomas, and subtypes of gliomas (including 83% of primary glioblastoma, the most common brain tumor type). TERT and ATRX mutations were mutually exclusive, suggesting that these two genetic mechanisms confer equivalent selective growth advantages. In addition to their implications for understanding the relationship between telomeres and tumorigenesis, TERT mutations provide a biomarker for the early detection of urinary tract and liver tumors and aid in the classification and prognostication of brain tumors.

Abstract: We found mutations of the R132 residue of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in gliblastomas that develop from these lower grade lesions. Those tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations at the analogous R172 residue of the closely related IDH2 gene. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant gliomas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing heart failure using a glucagon receptor blocking agent. In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing heart failure (e.g., post-myocardial infarction heart failure), diabetic cardiomyopathy heart failure), and lateral ventricular (LV) remodeling, using antigen binding and antagonizing proteins, e.g., fully human antibodies, that specifically bind to and antagonize the function of the human glucagon receptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing obesity and/or nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs) and/or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using a glucagon receptor blocking agent. In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing NAFLD/NASH using antigen binding and antagonizing proteins, e.g., fully human antibodies, that specifically bind to and antagonize the function of the human glucagon receptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing heart failure using a glucagon receptor blocking agent. In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing heart failure (e.g., post-myocardial infarction heart failure), diabetic cardiomyopathy heart failure), and lateral ventricular (LV) remodeling, using antigen binding and antagonizing proteins, e.g., fully human antibodies, that specifically bind to and antagonize the function of the human glucagon receptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing obesity and/or nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs) and/or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using a glucagon receptor blocking agent. In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing NAFLD/NASH using antigen binding and antagonizing proteins, e.g., fully human antibodies, that specifically bind to and antagonize the function of the human glucagon receptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating type 1 diabetes (T1D) using a glucagon receptor blocking agent. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods for treating T1D using substantially lower doses of insulin supplementation, or even in the absence of insulin supplementation, using antigen binding and antagonizing proteins, e.g., fully human antibodies that specifically bind to and antagonize the function of the human glucagon receptor.

Abstract: A downlight apparatus includes a main housing, a light module capable of emitting light, a driving module electrically connected to the light module and configured to enable the light module to emit the light. The downlight apparatus includes an optical module mechanically coupled to the main housing, and the optical module is configured for receiving the light emitted by the light module and directing the light toward a forward direction. The downlight apparatus includes an installation module for facilitating installment of the main housing to a receptacle, and includes a replaceable surface housing removably coupled to the main housing.

Abstract: We surveyed 1,230 tumors of 60 different types and found that tumors could be divided into types with low (<15%) and high (?15%) frequencies of TERT promoter mutations. The nine TERT-high tumor types almost always originated in tissues with relatively low rates of self renewal, including melanomas, liposarcomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, urothelial carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue, medulloblastomas, and subtypes of gliomas (including 83% of primary glioblastoma, the most common brain tumor type). TERT and ATRX mutations were mutually exclusive, suggesting that these two genetic mechanisms confer equivalent selective growth advantages. In addition to their implications for understanding the relationship between telomeres and tumorigenesis, TERT mutations provide a biomarker for the early detection of urinary tract and liver tumors and aid in the classification and prognostication of brain tumors.

Abstract: We found mutations of the R132 residue of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in gliblastomas that develop from these lower grade lesions. Those tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations at the analogous R172 residue of the closely related IDH2 gene. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant gliomas.