Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biotechnologies and in particular to the use of a nucleotide sequence having transcription promoter activity in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell systems.

Abstract: A method for determining or diagnosing the presence or absence, or the risk of development, or the therapy control of autoimmune hepatitis in a subject is provided. In a method, the presence or absence of antibodies against the huntingtin interacting protein 1 related protein (HIP1R) or against immunoreactive peptides derived therefrom are analyzed, the presence of said antibodies is indicative for the presence, or the risk of development or for therapy control of autoimmune hepatitis of the subject. The use of the HIP1R or an immunoreactive peptide derived therefrom in the diagnosis, the risk assessment or therapy control of hepatitis diseases by determining the presence of antibodies against said HIP1R or immunoreactive peptide derived therefrom, may be helpful for differential diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for improved techniques for multi-level memory cell programming are described. A memory array may receive a first command to store a first logic state in a memory cell for storing three or more logic states. The memory array may apply, as part of an erase operation, a first pulse with a first polarity to a plurality of memory cells to store a second logic state different from the first logic state in the plurality of memory cells, where the plurality of memory cells includes the memory cell. The memory array may apply, as part of a write operation or as part of the erase operation, one or more second pulses with a second polarity to the memory cell to store the first logic state in the memory cell based on applying the first pulse.

Abstract: There is described herein a method of detecting the presence of DNA from cancer cells in a subject comprising: providing a sample of cell-free DNA from a subject; 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, then optionally denaturing the sample; capturing cell-free methylated DNA using a binder selective for methylated polynucleotides; sequencing the captured cell-free methylated DNA; comparing the sequences of the captured cell-free methylated DNA to control cell-free methylated DNAs sequences from healthy and cancerous individuals and from individuals with distinct cancer types and subtypes; identifying the presence of DNA from cancer cells if there is a statistically significant similarity between one or more sequences of the captured cell-free methylated DNA and cell-free methylated DNAs sequences from cancerous individuals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initial access based on a Channel Access Priority Class in a wireless communication system is provided. A wireless device receives, from a network, a specific Channel Access Priority Class (CAPC). A wireless device performs LBT procedure based on the specific CAPC. A wireless device attempts an uplink access to the RAN node after the LBT procedure, wherein the specific CAPC is included in a paging.

Abstract: A method to apply a nerve inhibiting cloud surrounding a blood vessel includes creating a treatment plan, wherein the treatment plan prescribes application of the nerve inhibiting cloud towards at least a majority portion of a circumference of a blood vessel wall, and applying the nerve inhibiting cloud towards the majority portion of the circumference of the blood vessel wall for a time sufficient to inhibit a function of a nerve that surrounds the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: Reagents for stabilizing the nucleic acids of a biological cell, compositions, kits and methods of use thereof are described. The stabilization reagents may prepare the nucleic acids within the biological cell for storage and preserve the representative population of the nucleic acids for later isolation and analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving one or more electronic slide images associated with a tissue specimen, the tissue specimen being associated with a patient and/or medical case, partitioning a first slide image of the one or more electronic slide images into a plurality of tiles, detecting a plurality of tissue regions of the first slide image and/or plurality of tiles to generate a tissue mask, determining whether any of the plurality of tiles corresponds to non-tissue, removing any of the plurality of tiles that are determined to be non-tissue, determining a prediction, using a machine learning prediction model, for at least one label for the one or more electronic slide images, the machine learning prediction model having been generated by processing a plurality of training images, and outputting the prediction of the trained machine learning prediction model.

Abstract: This application relates to a composition for diagnosis of leptospirosis and a method for diagnosis of leptospirosis by real-time PCR. For example, the application relates to a pair of primers of SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2 and a probe of SEQ ID NO: 3, a kit for diagnosis of leptospirosis, comprising the diagnostic composition, and a method for providing information for diagnosis of leptospirosis are provided. The composition and the method can specifically detect L. interrogans IS 1500 gene and exhibit excellent accuracy and sensitivity, compared to conventional well-known detection methods. Thus, the simple method through real-time PCR using the composition allows the quick and accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for color-coded visualization to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The color-coded visualization mechanism can be driven by an integrated machine learning (ML) model, which can take as its inputs neuroimaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET)) data, neuropsychological test scores, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker, and/or risk factors. With these inputs, the ML model can generate a color-coded visualization of the disease state.

Abstract: A method and a kit are provided for predicting a favorable or a non-favorable response of a cancer patient to treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor by determining in a biological sample obtained from the cancer patient, before and after the treatment, the changes of the levels of factors/biomarkers generated by the cancer patient in response to said treatment, and a method for treatment of a cancer patient with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for screening and diagnosing prostate cancer based on a correlation between cancer cell growth, cancer lethality or recurrence and the expression level of ZFP36 or NEDD9 and PTEN in conjunction with ZFP36. The disclosure also provides methods for screening and diagnosing prostate cancer based on a correlation between cancer lethality and the genotype of rs1910301 SNP. Also provided are methods for treating prostate cancer comprising providing a treatment or monitoring based on the expression level of ZFP36, the expression level of NEDD9, and the expression level of ZFP36 in conjunction with PTEN levels or the genotype of rs1910301 SNP.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancers with reduced or absent CDH1 using a RHOA dominant negative polypeptide or biologically active fragment thereof, and/or a nucleic acid encoding a RHOA dominant negative polypeptide or biologically active fragment thereof.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring inflammation status of a subject comprise determining levels of at least one neutrophil activation marker, or at least three markers, in urine samples taken from the subject at multiple time points, wherein increased levels of the at least one neutrophil activation marker, or at least one of the markers, in a urine sample are indicative of or predictive of an exacerbation of inflammation and/or wherein decreased levels of the at least one neutrophil activation marker, or at least one of the markers, in a urine sample following an increase are indicative or predictive of recovery from, or successful treatment of, an exacerbation of inflammation. Corresponding systems, test kits and computer programs are provided.

Abstract: The present application provides methods of treating a CNS disorder (such as glioblastoma and epilepsy) in an individual, comprising systemically (e.g., intravenously or subcutaneously) administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising an mTOR inhibitor (such as a limus drug, such as sirolimus or a derivative thereof) and an albumin, optionally further comprising administering a second agent (such as an anti-VEGF antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, or an alkylating agent).

Abstract: A racially unbiased mammogram analyzer includes an interface for receiving mammograms; a processor for extracting features of mammograms of general population; a processor for extracting features of mammograms of a specific race. In one embodiment, the general population mammogram features are represented by middle layers of a CNN and the race specific features are represented by the end layer of the CNN network. In one embodiment, the race specific layers of CNN change dynamically according to the race indication done explicitly. In one embodiment the race specific layers of CNN change dynamically according to the race indication given by race indication processor. In one embodiment, the race indications are computed by a network of parallel variational autoencoder networks. In one embodiment, the race indicator computes race specific information to the CNN and are provided by variational autoencoders.

Abstract: The present invention provides ribosomal RNA origami nanostructures and in particular nanostructures comprising RNA staples, composition comprising such origami nanostructures as well as methods for manufacturing such origami structures.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and compositions for protein and peptide sequencing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions to detect MET exon 14 skipping using RT-PCR, and methods of treating individuals with MET exon 14 deleted cancers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for generating induced cardiomyocytes and/or inducing a cardiomyocyte phenotype in cells in vivo or in vitro, such as by expression of ASCL1 or MYF6 and MYOCD. The present disclosure further provides gene-delivery vectors comprising one or more polynucleotides selected from ASCL1, MYF6, MYOCD, MEF2C, and TBX5. It further provides compositions comprising induced cardiomyocytes and provides methods of treating a heart condition, such as myocardial infarction. The disclosure also provides engineered myocardin proteins with an internal deletion, vectors encoding such engineered mycocardins, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing assays in compartmentalized nano-volumes to screen for functional bispecific or multispecific biologics, including: providing a plurality of at least two distinct types of cells, wherein two or more first-type cells are engineered to express substantially a single genetic-variant per cell for a bispecific or multispecific biologic in a secreted form, wherein two or more second-type cells are selected or engineered to produce a positive reporter molecule signal that is triggered by a functional variant of the said biologic expressed by a first-type cell; providing a plurality of compartmentalized nano-volumes, wherein two or more nano-volumes are each provided with substantially one first-type cell, and one or more second-type cell(s); incubating the said nano-volumes over a period of time to allow the expression and secretion of the said biologics inside the said nano-volumes; collecting data representing the positive reporter molecule signal triggered by secreted biologics

Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling and detecting white blood cell population dynamic for diagnosis and treatment, e.g., of acute coronary syndrome or leukocytosis.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for amplifying alpha globin genes HBA1, HBA2 and HBA12 in a single PCR tube to determine an HBA genotype of a subject. This method employs five primers selected to accurate and sensitively identify the HBA1, HBA2, and HBA12, a gene found at a higher frequency in citizens of Saudi Arabia, by accurately annealing to nucleic acids in a biological sample and simultaneously amplifying sequences encoding the alpha globin genes. This invention includes a procedure and required reagents for the amplification of alpha globin genes in a single PCR tube.

Abstract: Treating colorectal cancer in a stage IV uses a systemic chemotherapy, either a FOLFOX regimen or a FOLFIRI regimen. However, a method of predicting which of the regimens is effective to an individual patient would be advantageous. Provided is a biomarker that indicates which of the regimens, the FOLFOX regimen or the FOLFIRI regimen, is advantageous to select for a patient having colorectal cancer. The biomarker is characterized by being a gain in the copy number of at least one region on human chromosomes among 7p15.3, 7q34, 8q24.1, 8q24.2, 8q24.1-q24.2, 9q34.3, 13q12.2, 13q14.11, 13q22.1, 13q32.2-q32.3, 13q34, 20q12, 20q13.13, 20q13.2, and 20q13.3. Using such a biomarker enables to determine which, the FOLFOX regimen or the FOLFIRI regimen, is more advantageously selected.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an inlet port configured to receive a sample, a first reaction chamber fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a first pump fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a second pump fluidically coupled to a mixing chamber, a metering channel fluidically coupled to the first reaction chamber and to the mixing chamber, and one or more second reaction chambers fluidically coupled to the mixing chamber. The first pump is configured to move fluid from the inlet port to the first reaction chamber and from the first pump to the inlet port. The second pump is configured to move fluid from the second pump to the mixing chamber, from the first reaction chamber to the mixing chamber, and from the mixing chamber to the one or more second reaction chambers.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and kits for authentication of botanical DNA fragments isolated from processed botanical products, including dietary supplements or nutraceutical compositions including botanical extracts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibody sequences found in antibodies that bind to human CD25, in particular an anti CD25-a-674 antibody which do not block the binding of CD25 to IL-2 or IL-2 signalling. The claimed antibody binds to the epitopes: YQCVQGYRALHRGP (150 to 163) or SVCKMTHGKTRWTQP (166 to 180) on CD25 Antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof including such sequences can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment, in particular for treating cancer.

Abstract: A quantum dot including a core including a first semiconductor nanocrystal including a Group III-V compound; and a semiconductor nanocrystal shell disposed on the core, the semiconductor nanocrystal shell including zinc, tellurium, and selenium, wherein the quantum dot does not include cadmium, and the semiconductor nanocrystal shell has a mole ratio of tellurium to selenium of less than about 0.025:1, a composition including the quantum dot, a quantum dot-polymer composite, a patterned layer including the composite, and an electronic device including the patterned layer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an in vitro method for determining the efficacy of anti-HER2 therapy in the absence of chemotherapy in a patient with HER2+ breast cancer comprising the detection and/or quantification of the expression of HER2 in an isolated biological sample of the patient, either (1) before or (2) before and during the anti-HER2 therapy in the absence of chemotherapy treatment. The present invention also refers to the use of a gene expression product of HER2 as a as an in vitro marker for determining the efficacy of anti-HER2 therapy in the absence of chemotherapy in a patient with HER2+ breast cancer, or alternatively as an in vitro marker for deciding or recommending whether to initiate an alternative medical regime to anti-HER2 therapy without chemotherapy in a patient with HER2+ breast cancer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated assessment of spermatogenesis. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to drug development and testicular toxicity in safety evaluation studies, and more particularly to automatic assessment of spermatogenesis through a staging of seminiferous tubules using Artificial Intelligence/deep learning methods. A method disclosed herein includes detecting the seminiferous tubules by analyzing a testes tissue specimen and mapping the seminiferous tubules to detect and segment germ cells. The method includes classifying the seminiferous tubules into respective stages based on the segmented germ cells. The method further includes categorizing the seminiferous tubules into a normal category and an abnormal category based on the segmented germ cells. The method further includes categorizing the testes tissue specimen into the normal category and the abnormal category based on the classification of the seminiferous tubules for toxicity analysis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a body fluid extract comprising micro RNA.

Abstract: A heating system for an EWOD device using a single, spatially-structured temperature control element, used to create a zone with a specific temperature profile. The heating system uses multiple contact regions between the temperature control element and the device. One or more contact regions are separated from the temperature control element by one or more thermally resistive layers that restrict heat flow from the temperature control element to the device, and further restrict lateral flow of heat between adjacent contact regions. The heating system can use materials with different thermal resistance to alter the heat flow to different regions. The spatial location of the contact regions is also used to determine the temperature profile within the device. The device has an optional temperature control element which offsets the low temperature point from the inlet temperature. This invention includes methods to process multiple droplets within the multiple temperature zones.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for identifying malignant skin lesions (e.g., malignant pigmented skin lesions). For example, methods and materials for using quantitative PCR results and correction protocols to reduce the impact of basal keratinocyte contamination on the analysis of test sample results to identify malignant skin lesions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the prognosis of a breast cancer patient. More specifically, to provide information needed to predict the prognosis of a breast cancer patient, the method for predicting the prognosis of breast cancer including the following steps of the present invention comprises: (a) obtaining a biological sample from a breast cancer patient; (b) measuring the mRNA expression level of matrix metallopeptidase 11 (MMP11) and the mRNA expression level of cluster of differentiation 2 (CD2) from patient information or the sample of step (a); (c) normalizing the gene mRNA expression levels selected and measured in step (b); and (d) predicting the prognosis of breast cancer by combining the gene expression levels normalized in step (c), wherein overexpression of the MMP11 indicates a bad prognosis, and overexpression of CD2 indicates a good prognosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of heavy metals and more particularly provides a device and a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of heavy metals utilizing a rotary disc system.

Abstract: The invention provides in vitro methods of determining whether an individual has a pre-cancer or cancer comprising determining the presence or absence of one or more methylation markers of a methylation marker set in a urine sample of said individual; and determining whether the individual has pre-cancer or cancer based on the detection of the presence or absence of said one or more methylation markers in the urine sample, wherein the presence of said one or more methylation markers indicates that the individual has pre-cancer or cancer. The invention further provides methods for typing pre-cancer or cancer based on the the presence or absence of one or more methylation markers of a methylation marker set in a urine sample.

Abstract: By a genome-wide gene analysis of expression profiles of over 50,000 known or putative gene sequences in peripheral blood, the present inventors have identified a consensus set of gene expression-based molecular biomarkers associated with chronic allograft nephropathy and/or interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy CAN/IFTA and subtypes thereof. These genes sets are useful for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and/or subtyping of CAN/IFTA.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers, capture probes, and detection probes, for detection of Zika virus nucleic acid. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for drug discovery, drug development, drug screening, or drug validation. The system includes: a sample chamber comprising a target protein and a drug candidate that may interfere with the target protein in the sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber is configured to: detect one or more of the following: (a) interference between the drug candidate the target protein and/or (b) one or more dynamics of the drug candidate on the target protein, wherein the one or more dynamics comprise affinity of the drug candidate to the target protein, and select the drug candidate if one or more desirable dynamics is detected. The system includes one or more immobilized surfaces and is configured to detect interactions between the drug candidate and the target protein at the single-molecule level.

Abstract: A method for detecting oncogenic growth and viability, and/or degree of cellular transformation and/or identifying an agent that inhibits cellular transformation is disclosed. The method including: providing a cellular sample, such as a sample of cells obtained from a subject or a cell line; culturing the cellular sample in low attachment conditions; and detecting growth and7or cell viability of the sample, wherein increased growth relative and/or viability relative to a control or control level indicative of basal growth and/or viability indicates cellular transformation. In some embodiments, the method includes introducing a n expression vector into cells of the cellular sample, wherein the expression vector comprises a gene product expression sequence being tested for transformation ability. In some embodiments the cellular sample is contacted with a test agent and growth and/or cell viability of the sample is determined to determine if the agent inhibits transformation.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A GAPDH nucleic acid detection kit includes a primer set for detecting GAPDH nucleic acid. The primer set for detecting GAPDH nucleic acid includes a forward inner primer for GAPDH nucleic acids, a forward outer primer for GAPDH nucleic acids, a backward inner primer for GAPDH nucleic acids and a backward outer primer for GAPDH nucleic acids. The primer set for detecting GAPDH nucleic acid is used in a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biotechnologies and in particular to the use of a nucleotide sequence having transcription promoter activity in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell systems.

Abstract: A new use of OsDGD2? gene in breeding of male sterile rice materials is disclosed. The OsDGD2? gene deletion mutant created by technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is stable in male sterility, with no negative impact on female fertility and other traits (such as photosynthesis), making it uniquely superior in cross breeding and utilization of heterosis.

Abstract: Provided is a PCR primer pair, comprising: a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer comprises a first specific sequence and a first random sequence; the first specific sequence is located on 3? end of the first primer, and the first random sequence is located on 5? end of the first primer; the second primer comprises a second specific sequence and a second random sequence, the second specific sequence is located on 3? end of the second primer, and the second random sequence is located on 5? end of the second primer; moreover, the first specific sequence and the second specific sequence are an upstream primer and a downstream primer directed to a target sequence respectively, and the first random sequence and the second random sequence are inverse complementary.

Abstract: The present application is to provide a composition and method for stabilizing and maintaining the viability of hardy microorganisms from sample collection to downstream analysis. In particular, there is a method for preserving viable hardy bacteria, such as Mycobacteria, Bacillus anthracis, or Clostridium difficile, in a biological sample, comprising contacting the biological sample with a stabilization composition, wherein the stabilization composition comprises a chelating agent, a denaturing, a salt and has a pH between about 6 and about 11.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for determining platelet reactivity where the levels of Fc?RIIa on the surface of platelets is measured and if the levels of Fc?RIIa are greater than a reference value, the platelets have enhanced reactivity.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the treatment of multiple myeloma. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating multiple myeloma (MM) in an individual, the method comprising: administering to the individual an effective amount of trichostatin A (TSA).

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for adjunctive therapy using 25-hydroxyvitamin D are disclosed. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D may be administered with an agent that increases the risk of hypocalcemia, such as cinacalcet or a salt thereof, and/or an anticancer agent. The adjunctive therapy is effective to treat and prevent iatrogenic hypocalcemia and/or secondary hyperparathyroidism, as well as delay cancer progression and the time to a post-treatment skeletal related event.