Abstract: A mid-infrared cascading fiber amplifier device having a source configured to generate a first electromagnetic wave output at a first frequency, a fiber coupled to the source and a pump coupled to the fiber and configured to generate a second electromagnetic wave output at a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is higher than the first frequency and causes the fiber to undergo two or more transitions in response to stimulation by the first electromagnetic wave output at the first frequency, wherein the first transition generates the first electromagnetic wave output approximately at the first frequency and the second transition generates the first electromagnetic wave output approximately at the first frequency.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an autonomous continuous bladder irrigation device including: a color sensor programmed to detect a color of outflow from a catheter; an occlusion unit programmed to adjustably occlude a lumen providing irrigation to the catheter; and a controller in communication with the color sensor and the occlusion unit and programmed to control the occlusion unit to titrate irrigation flow to the catheter based on the color detected by the color sensor in order achieve a specified color of outflow from the catheter.

Abstract: Recombinant adenoviruses expressing the extracellular (EC) and transmembrane (TM) domains of human HER2 (HER2ECTM) are described. The recombinant adenoviruses express a chimeric fiber protein having the adenovirus type 35 (Ad5) shaft and knob domains, which facilitates transduction of human dendritic cells by the recombinant HER2ECTM expressing adenovirus. Compositions that include dendritic cells transduced by the recombinant adenovirus and their use for treating HER-positive tumors is described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for a fiber-coupled, metal-tip chemical imaging spectroscopy. The system couples the electromagnetic radiation (EMR), such as laser light, through an optical fiber to a conductive tip for both EMR excitation to the sample through the conductive tip and EMR signal collection from the sample through the conductive tip. The system and method effectively eliminates the need for an optical alignment between the EMR source and the tip, and still offers the customary spatial resolution of a non-coupled system.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition to a mammal to reduce a proliferation of hypoxic carcinoma cells, wherein the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition comprises a clathrate containing free oxygen gas (O2) molecules. The carcinoma cells may comprise colon adenocarcinoma cells (CaCo-2). The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide material is configured to provide bioavailable oxygen gas molecules to a mammal when administered to the mammal. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition can be administered intravenously, directly to carcinoma cells, and orally. The composition may comprise a fluid, where the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition is soluble in the fluid.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition to a mammal to reduce a proliferation of hypoxic carcinoma cells, wherein the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition comprises a clathrate containing free oxygen gas (O2) molecules. The carcinoma cells may comprise lung carcinoma (A549). The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide material is configured to provide bioavailable oxygen gas molecules to a mammal when administered to the mammal. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition can be administered intravenously, directly to carcinoma cells, and orally. The composition may comprise a fluid, where the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition is soluble in the fluid.

Abstract: A composition of chlorine-free poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide that comprises a clathrate containing oxygen gas molecules, and which may comprise a nutraceutical. In one embodiment, the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition is soluble, and may have particles having a diameter of 212 ?m or less. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide may comprise of a poly-oxygenated aluminum hydroxide. The nutraceutical may include one or more of a protein, vitamin, fiber, mineral and electrolytes. The composition may be in a powder or fluid form, where the poly-oxygenated aluminum hydroxide is soluble in the fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for a tunable ENZ material that can vary the absorption of radiant energy. The tunable ENZ material can act as a broadband absorber advantageously using a stack of ultrathin conducting layers having an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) regime of permittivity at different wavelengths. The conducting materials can include at least partially transparent conducting oxide or transition metal nitride layers with different electron concentrations and hence different ENZ frequencies for a broadband range of energy absorption. The layer(s) can be directly tuned to various frequencies to achieve high levels of absorption at deep subwavelength ENZ thicknesses. An applied electric bias can create electron accumulation/depletion regions in an ENZ semiconductor device and allows control of plasma frequency and hence high levels of absorption in the device. Further, for a stack of layers, the carrier concentration can be altered from layer to layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for the renewal of cardiomyocytes by targeting the Hippo pathway. In particular embodiments, an individual with a need for cardiomyocyte renewal is provided an effective amount of a shRNA molecule that targets the Sav1 gene. Particular shRNA sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of photoactivatable, lipid-based nanoparticles are disclosed, as well as methods of making and using the nanoparticles. Pharmaceutical compositions including the nanoparticles also are disclosed. The lipid-based nanoparticles include a vesicle wall surrounding a cavity, wherein the vesicle wall includes (i) a lipid bilayer comprising 1,2-bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC8,9PC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), and (ii) 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) within the lipid bilayer. The nanoparticles may further include an agent within the cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of treating, preventing, and/or reducing the risk of fibrosis in an individual in need thereof. In some embodiments, particular small molecules are employed for treatment, prevention, and/or reduction of the risk of fibrosis. In at least particular cases, the small molecules are inhibitors of STAT3.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating GLUT1 and related brain energy deficiencies comprising administering odd-carbon fatty acid sources, e.g., C5 or C7 fatty acid sources, and related compositions.

Abstract: Benzocyclooctene (fused 6,8 ring system) analogues and corresponding indene (fused 6,5 ring system) analogues function as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. The compounds are useful as anticancer agents in a new therapeutic approach for cancer treatment utilizing small-molecule inhibitors of tubulin polymerization that also act as vascular disrupting agents (VDAs).

Abstract: A method of modulating plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is disclosed, wherein an ammonia scavenger compound or a salt thereof, for example phenylbutyrate or an even numbered congener thereof or a salt thereof, is administered to an individual in need thereof. In various methods, a decrease in plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is effected to treat individuals suffering from an inborn error in metabolism of amino acids, such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease, for example.

Abstract: Insecticidal toxins described herein are fused toxin peptides made up of a targeting domain fused to a toxin domain. The targeting peptide generates a specific association with mosquitoes by causing the fused toxin peptide to bind mosquitoes in a way that leads to the insecticidal activity. Transgenic plants described herein are mosquitocidal by expressing an insecticidal toxin protein in nectar that includes a targeting peptide to ensure specificity against mosquitoes. These transgenic plants serve as role models for safety, since they are non-crop plants and specific to one mosquito species.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccine and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of inhibiting cancer cells by exposing the cancer cells to a purinergic receptor antagonist that targets one or more purinergic receptors of the cancer cells. The targeted purinergic receptors can include P2 purinergic receptors, such as P2X purinergic receptor subtypes (e.g., P2X3 or P2X5) and P2Y purinergic receptor subtypes (e.g., P2Y2). In some embodiments, the inhibited cancer cells are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. In additional embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treating hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject by administering a purinergic receptor antagonist to the subject such that the antagonist targets one or more purinergic receptors of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in the subject. In some embodiments, the subject is a human being suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment of prostate cancer, including metastatic prostate cancer or prostate cancer at risk for developing into metastatic prostate cancer, by providing an effective therapy to an individual that has been determined to have elevated levels of SRC-2 (also known as NCOA2, GRIP1 TIF2). In particular cases, sample from an individual known to have prostate cancer is assayed for the risk for developing metastatic prostate cancer and the individual is provided an effective therapy upon determination of elevated levels of SRC-2.

Abstract: Small molecule stimulators of steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) family proteins are provided, as well as methods for their use in treating or preventing cancer. Also provided are methods for stimulating SRC family proteins in a cell.

Abstract: A method of treating patients in need of treatment for a cardiac disorder has been found which comprises administering to the patient a seven carbon fatty acid compound or derivative thereof, wherein the compound or derivative thereof is able to readily enter the mitochondrion without special transport enzymes. A dietary formulation suitable for treatment of heart tissue in cardiac or surgical patients has been found which comprises a seven-carbon fatty acid chain, wherein the seven-carbon fatty acid chain is characterized by the ability to transverse the inner mitochondrial membrane by a transport mechanism which does not require carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, or carnitine/acylcarnitine translocase and the ability to undergo mitochondrial ?-oxidation, and wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of n-heptanoic acid or a derivative thereof, a triglyceride comprising n-heptanoic acid or a derivative thereof, and triheptanoin or a derivative thereof.