Abstract: We queried DNA from saliva or plasma of 93 HNSCC patients, searching for somatic mutations or human papillomavirus genes, collectively referred to as tumor DNA. When both plasma and saliva were tested, tumor DNA was detected in 96% (95% CI, 84% to 99%) of 47 patients. The fractions of patients with detectable tumor DNA in early- and late-stage disease were 100% (n=10) and 95% (n=37), respectively. Saliva is preferentially enriched for tumor DNA from the oral cavity, whereas plasma is preferentially enriched for tumor DNA from the other sites. Tumor DNA in the saliva and plasma is a valuable biomarker for detection of HNSCC.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from a solution comprises passing a solution including one or more contaminants through a first cell comprising a first anode chamber and a first cathode chamber, passing a slurry comprising a flowing electrode material through the first anode chamber and the first cathode chamber while applying an electric potential between the first anode chamber and the first cathode chamber to transport anions from the solution to the first anode chamber and to transport cations from the solution to the first cathode chamber, the flowing electrode material comprising a MXene material, wherein M is a metal and X is one or both of carbon and nitrogen, and passing the slurry through a second cell to desorb the anions and cations from the flowing electrode material. Related systems for removing contaminants from a solution, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves ctDNA assays that interrogate many regions from a single sample with high precision and accuracy, while evaluating multiple forms of cancer-related genomic alterations including sequence mutations and structural alterations. The disclosure provides simplified yet robust methods that achieve high sensitivity and specificity by analyzing cancer genes using a limited pool of non-unique barcodes in combination with endogenous barcodes. Samples are captured and sequenced using high coverage next-generation sequencing to allow tumor-specific somatic mutations, amplifications, and translocations to be identified.

Abstract: As cell-free DNA from brain and spinal cord tumors cannot usually be detected in the blood, we assessed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes the CNS for tumor DNA, here termed CSF-tDNA. The results suggest that CSF-tDNA could be useful for the management of patients with primary tumors of the brain or spinal cord.

Abstract: A method of separating metals from a lithium-ion battery leachate includes obtaining a solution with iron, aluminum, nickel, and cobalt. Ammonium phosphate is added to the solution to adjust a pH of the solution to greater than or equal to about 3.00. After adjusting the pH of the solution, at least one phosphate—including iron phosphate and aluminum phosphate—is precipitated from the solution. Then, without adding a base to the solution, a crystallized nickel-cobalt Tutton's salt is precipitated from the solution.

Abstract: The present technology relates to methods, computing devices, and systems for identifying somatic mutational signatures (e.g., cancer, aging) from whole genome sequencing (e.g., low coverage WGS) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) obtained from subjects. Machine learning techniques may be applied to cfDNA mutational profiles, permitting accurate discrimination between cancer patients and healthy individuals or discrimination between different cancer types.

Abstract: A scoring functions is developed and used for identifying patients who might be responsive to a PD-1 axis directed therapy. The scoring functions are obtained by extracting features from multiplex-stained sections, selecting features that correlate with response to the therapy using a feature selection function, and fitting one or more of the selected features to a plurality of candidate scoring functions. A candidate scoring function showing the desired balance between predictive sensitivity and specificity may then selected for incorporation into a scoring system that includes at least an image analysis system.

Abstract: As cell-free DNA from brain and spinal cord tumors cannot usually be detected in the blood, we assessed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes the CNS for tumor DNA, here termed CSF-tDNA. The results suggest that CSF-tDNA could be useful for the management of patients with primary tumors of the brain or spinal cord.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new 1H-pyrazole derivatives of formula (I) as sigma ligands having a great affinity for sigma receptors, especially the sigma-1 receptor (?1) and/or sigma-2 receptor (?2), as well as to the process for the preparation thereof, to compositions comprising them, and to their use as medicaments.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for fracturing calcium in an artery of a patient. Certain embodiments include a diode laser light source and an optical fiber. In particular embodiments, the optical fiber comprises a polymer or glass optical core, a cladding surrounding the polymer or glass optical core. The optical fiber can comprise one or more emission elements configured to emit electromagnetic energy from the laser light source. The electromagnetic energy can be transmitted through a fluid in the expandable member to fracture the calcium.

Abstract: A method of removing impurities using an electrochemical membrane apparatus comprising introducing a leaching solution into an electrochemical membrane reactor. The leaching solution of the electrochemical apparatus comprises copper, aluminum, iron, cobalt, manganese, and nickel. The electrochemical membrane reactor comprises at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, and the leaching solution is in contact with the at least one negative electrode. A current is applied through the electrochemical membrane reactor to adjust a pH of the leaching solution and copper is deposited on the at least one negative electrode. The aluminum and the iron are removed from the leaching solution, and the cobalt, the manganese, and the nickel are recovered from the leaching solution. An electrochemical membrane apparatus including an electrochemical membrane reactor is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compounds of formula (I) as sigma ligands having a great affinity for sigma receptors, sigma-1 receptor (?1) and/or sigma-2 receptor (?2). The present invention also refers to the process for the preparation thereof, to compositions comprising them, and to their use as medicaments.

Abstract: A method of selectively recovering palladium from a palladium-containing material comprises providing a leaching solution comprising hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and an iron salt comprising one or both of ferric chloride or ferrous chloride and contacting a palladium-containing material with the leaching solution to dissolve palladium from the palladium-containing material. Related methods of selectively recovering palladium from a palladium-containing material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[4?,3?:4,5]thieno[2,3d] pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives as sigma ligands having a great affinity for sigma receptors, especially sigma-1 (?1), as well as to the process for the preparation thereof, to compositions comprising them, and to their use as medicaments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives of formula (I): as sigma ligands having a great affinity for sigma receptors, especially sigma-1 (?1) and/or sigma-2 (?2) receptors, as well as to the process for the preparation thereof, to compositions comprising them, and to their use as medicaments.

Abstract: Mutant epitopes encoded by cancer genes are virtually always located in the interior of cells, making them invisible to conventional antibodies. We generated single chain variable fragments (scFvs) specific for mutant peptides presented on the cell surface by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. These scFvs can be converted to full-length antibodies, termed MANAbodies, targeting “Mutation Associated Neo-Antigens” bound to HLA. A phage display library representing a highly diverse array of single-chain variable fragment sequences was first designed and constructed. A competitive selection protocol was then used to identify clones specific for peptides bound to pre-defined HLA types. In this way, we obtained scFvs, including one specific for a peptide encoded by a common KRAS mutant and another by a common EGFR mutant. Molecules targeting MANA can be developed that specifically react with mutant peptide-HLA complexes even when these peptides differ by only one amino acid from the normal, wild-type form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives having dual pharmacological activity towards both the ?2? subunit of the voltage-gated calcium channel and the sigma-1 (?1) receptor, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in therapy, in particular for the treatment of pain.

Abstract: A method of recovering lithium from a lithium-containing material comprises introducing a lithium-containing material to an electrochemical cell, transporting lithium ions from the lithium-containing material through a cation exchange membrane to a catholyte within a cathode chamber of the electrochemical cell, reacting the lithium ions with bicarbonate ions in the cathode chamber to form lithium carbonate, and removing the lithium carbonate from the catholyte. Related methods of recovering lithium from lithium-containing, materials, and related systems are disclosed.

Abstract: DNA containing somatic mutations is highly tumor specific and thus, in theory, can provide optimum markers. However, the number of circulating mutant gene fragments is small compared to the number of normal circulating DNA fragments, making it difficult to detect and quantify them with the sensitivity required for meaningful clinical use. We apply a highly sensitive approach to quantify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in body samples of patients. Measurements of ctDNA can be used to reliably monitor tumor dynamics in subjects with cancer, especially those who are undergoing surgery or chemotherapy. This personalized genetic approach can be generally applied.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising dostarlimab and methods of using the same to treat mismatch repair deficient (MMRd) rectal cancer (e.g., locally advanced rectal cancer).