Abstract: Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECS) can be generated from pluripotent stem cells, and possess membrane barrier functions along with capability for maturation into other developing tissues. This cell type has not been successfully frozen with loss of significant viability and/or BMEC functional properties. For example, BMECs can be used to model barrier function in blood brain barrier, by calculating the trans-endothelial resistance (TEER). However, thawed primary BMECs lose TEER resistance. By optimizing cell preparation, freezing media selection, and the controlled freezing, the Inventors have achieved complete recovery of frozen cells, achieving proper tight junction protein expression and physiologically relevant TEER. The freezing methods and compositions described herein, thereby allow for BMECs to be manufactured, frozen and distributed at scale.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention teaches methods and related systems for imaging the coronary arteries in high spatiotemporal resolution for the assessment of coronary stenosis. In some embodiments, the method teaches the use of a 3D radial k-space trajectory, continuous acquisition, retrospective cardiac and respiratory self-gating, and non-rigid cardiac and respiratory motion correction to reconstruct any arbitrary cardiac phase with minimal motion artifacts and high image quality.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for implementation of a breath testing system for convenient sampling of intestinal gases exhaled from a patient's breath. This may include a system with a manifold that includes thermal regulation components, for instance thermistors and resistive heating elements, which maintain the temperature of the gases above the body temperature of the patient. In some examples, the system will determine an indication of whether a patient has SIBO by adjusting a change in exhaled hydrogen concentration by a methane level exhaled by a patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating, inhibiting and/or reducing the severity of cancer in subjects in need thereof. The methods include providing an agent that inhibits expression or activity of ONECUT2 and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the agent so as to treat, inhibit and/or reduce the severity of cancer in the subject.

Abstract: A method of performing multidimensional magnetic resonance imaging on a subject comprises collecting imaging data for a region of interest of the subject, the imaging data related to one or more spatially-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; collecting auxiliary data for the region of interest in the subject, the auxiliary data related to one or more time-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; linking the imaging data and the auxiliary data; and constructing an image tensor with one or more temporal dimensions based on at least a portion of the linked imaging data and at least a portion of the linked auxiliary data.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for regulation of the p53 pathway, providing intrinsic “sternness” allowing for their efficient in vitro expansion following isolation. Pharmacologic approaches to modulate p53 signaling supports expansion of stem cells, including greater clonal expansion of lung stem cells when compared to use of other small molecules such as ROCK inhibitor Y27632 alone. Effects of combined treatment with Pifithrin-? and Y27632 are additive. The current invention involves use of drugs that target the p53 pathway to reversibly regulate stem cell expansion in vitro for banking of stem cells and for pre-conditioning of stem cells prior to orthotopic transplantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, systems and methods for cleaning medical tools having an elevator mechanism; for example, duodenoscopes, linear echoendoscopes, and side viewing endoscopes. The device includes two nozzles for being positioned near and/or inserted in spaces around the elevator mechanism. The system includes the device and a pump to supply liquid to the device.

Abstract: Described herein is a microphysiological system for models of disease. Specifically, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived cells, including those obtained from disease patients, are seeded onto microfluidic “chip” devices to study cellular development and disease pathogenesis. Herein, neurodegenerative disease modeling, including Parkinson's Disease (PD) is shown to reproduce key PD pathology in a vascularized human model that contains neurons relating to PD pathology. Such compositions and methods are used for research for PD biomarkers, patient screening for PD risk assessment, and therapeutic discovery and testing. A panel of biomarkers are generated through analysis of living PD-chips by neural activity, whole transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analysis, and functional enzyme tests of media and tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanovehicle, comprising: a core, wherein the core comprises at least one iron oxide: a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises at least one polymer; and at least one boron cluster. The invention provides a method of treating a disease, disorder, or disease condition in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the nanovehicle to the subject; and radiating the nanovehicle with neutrons. In various embodiments, the invention provides a method for detecting a cancer in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of at least one nanoparticle of the present invention to the subject. The invention also provides the nanovehicles (e.g., nanoparticles) described herein in the form of various pharmaceutical formulations. The invention provides a kit, the kit comprises: a quantity of the nanovehicle (e.g., nanoparticle) described herein.

Abstract: Described herein is a method employing acoustic data from a patient's abdominal cavity to predict potential onset of postoperative ileus (POI) in patients recovering from surgery. According to one embodiment of the method, the rate of intestinal motility events, as well as the change in the rate across specific time periods, is analyzed to predict, or rule out, potential onset of POI. The current risk assessment may then be reported, and used to determine a course of treatment, such as rapidly advancing diet in low risk patients according to enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. The method can be applied at the patient's bedside by a nurse or other medical provider, and used to determine the POI risk assessment for the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are method for treating liver diseases. The methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one FXR agonist and a therapeutically effective amount of SAMe. In various embodiments, the at least one FXR agonist and SAMe are administered sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanoparticle, comprising: a core, wherein the core comprises at least one iron oxide; a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises at least one polymer; and at least one targeting moiety attached to the shell, wherein the nanoparticle does not comprise boron, for use in methods for detecting and treating cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides systems for characterizing a biological sample by analyzing emission of fluorescent light from the biological sample upon excitation and methods for using the same. The system includes a laser source, collection fibers, a demultiplexer and an optical delay device. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Abstract: A UV light delivery device for performing intra-corporeal ultraviolet therapy is provided. The device includes an elongated body separated by a proximal end and a distal end. The device also includes a UV light source configured to be received at the receiving space. In some examples, the UV light source is configured to emit light with wavelengths with significant intensity between 320 nm and 410 nm and is utilized in conjunction with an endotracheal tube or a nasopharyngeal airway.

Abstract: Several embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to methods and compositions for the generation of biological pacemakers. In some embodiments, the methods comprise contacting non-pacemaker cells with one or more transcription factors (in vivo or in vitro) and inducing pacemaker functionality in the cells.

Abstract: A composition for IL-1 inhibition in combination with cancer therapies (e.g., chemotherapeutics including chemotherapy protective drugs) is provided for use in treating pancreatic cancer cachexia in patients, so as to reduce weight loss and improve the quality of life and survival of the patients. In one embodiment, the IL-1 inhibitor is an antibody, such as bermekimab, anakinra, canakinumab, gevokizumab, or rilonacept, administered simultaneously or sequentially with iritenocan, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid to a pancreatic cancer patient.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method of treating a lung injury at risk of progressing to a fibrotic lung disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutic amount of IL-6 polypeptide, hyaluronan (HA), mimetics thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or combinations thereof, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective to increase renewal of alveolar epithelial cell 2 (AEC2) stem cells, to repair the injury, to reduce lung fibrosis, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for reducing progression of lung fibrosis after a lung injury comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective: (a) to modulate expression of a T-box transcription factor in a population of cells in lung; and (b) to reduce proliferation of the population of cells in lung expressing the T-box transcription factor. According to some embodiments the T-box transcription factor is Tbx4.

Abstract: In various embodiments, provided herein are methods, devices and systems to optimize annular orientation of transcatheter valves and thereby facilitate transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the setting of challenging cardiovascular anatomy. These methods, devices and systems are used to treat patients with valvular diseases.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application discloses methods for detecting lung cancer. The method includes characterization of cells extracted from human sputum, which is a valuable tissue surrogate and source of upper respiratory cells that become cancerous early in 5 the process of lung cancer development. The method includes the staining of extracted cells with fluorescent reporters that produce a specific pattern in the nuclei of labeled cells, which can be made visible by light microscopy. The pattern is relevant to a type of epigenetic coding of DNA known as DNA methylation, which changes in specific cells of the lung during cancer development, in comparison to normal respiratory cells.