Abstract: The invention relates to culturing motor neuron cells together with skeletal muscle cells in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the interaction of these cells mimic the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) providing a NMJ-on-chip. Good viability, formation of myo-fibers and function of skeletal muscle cells on fluidic chips allow for measurements of muscle cell contractions. Embodiments of motor neurons co-cultures with contractile myo-fibers are contemplated for use with modeling diseases affecting NMJ's, e.g. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of treating skeletal muscular myopathy, e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), wherein a therapeutically effective amount of CDCs is delivered to a targeted dystrophic skeletal muscle. Some embodiment enable delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of CDCs via intramuscular injection directly at a skeletal muscle or systemic administration, intravenous injection, in a single dose or multiple doses, to treat a targeted dystrophic skeletal muscle. Some embodiments provide a method for improving exercise capabilities in DMD patients. Additional embodiments relate to exosome, mediated transfer of noncoding RNAs ameliorates Duchenne muscular dystrophy by restoring dystrophin in heart and skeletal muscle. Delivery of noncoding RNA species found in CDC-derived exosomes mimics the ability of CDCs and CDC-derived exosomes to increase dystrophin protein levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of treating solid tumors, particularly, KRas mutated solid tumors and KRas mutated pancreatic cancer. The method includes administering glutamine alone or in combination with an anti-cancer agent; for example, gemcitabine or nab-paclitaxel. The method includes administering glutamine and radiotherapy, or glutamine and immunotherapy to treat these cancers.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a COVID-19 infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition that reduces the superantigen character of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. In some embodiments, the compositions are mimetic peptides of the superantigen region. In some embodiments, the compositions are humanized antibodies, such as humanized mAb 6D3, that bind to the superantigen region.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for imaging a sample. In various embodiments, the invention provides a system comprising an image sensor, a laser for emitting excitation light for an infrared or near-infrared fluorophore, a visible light source, a notch beam splitter, a notch filter, a synchronization module, an image processing unit, an image displaying unit, and light-conducting channels. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a system comprising an image sensor, a laser for emitting excitation light for an infrared or near-infrared fluorophore, a laser clean-up filter, a notch filter, a white light source, an image processing unit, an image displaying unit, and light-conducting channels. In accordance with the present invention, the image sensor can detect both visible light and infrared light.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the progress of post-operative ambulation is disclosed. A patient after a surgical procedure such as an operation is provided with an ambulatory routine. The ambulatory routine is monitored using a wearable biosensor device operable to track steps of the patient. The steps of the patient in following the ambulatory routine are recorded. The ambulation data is displayed on a periodic basis to provide feedback to both the patient and health care professionals.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for monitoring acoustical activity from the abdominal region to guide the optimal timing of food ingestion. According to one embodiment of the method, the rate of intestinal digestion events, as well as the change in the rate across specific time periods, is analyzed to guide ingestion behavior in a way that improves health. The result of guidance may be to reduce weight in people who are obese, to improve performance in athletes seeking to balance energy availability and energy expenditure, or to increase caloric intake in people who are undernourished. The method can be applied using a smartphone application to provide contextually appropriate and specific user guidance about whether, when, and how much to eat in a manner that aligns with the physiologic patterns of intestinal activity.

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 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating or preventing progressive pulmonary fibrosis in a subject.

Abstract: A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging on a subject comprises: injecting a contrast agent into a region of interest of the subject; applying a pulse sequence to the region of interest; collecting auxiliary data for the region of interest, the auxiliary data being related to one or more time-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; determining a temporal factor ? from the auxiliary data; collecting imaging data for the region of interest, the imaging data being related to one or more spatially-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; determining a spatial factor Ur from the imaging data; modeling a multi-dimensional image sequence as I=Ur?; and deriving at least a first metric and a second metric from the multi-dimensional image sequence I, the first metric and the second metric being associated with distinct perfusion-based imaging techniques.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for diagnosing reperfusion/non-reperfusion hemorrhage and predicting cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in subjects comprising using imaging techniques to detect regional iron oxide deposition. The invention also provides treatment methods for subject at increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

Abstract: The invention provides various methods of identifying myocardial infarction (MI) patients who have microvascular obstruction (MO), persistent microvascular obstruction (PMO), reperfusion hemorrhage, iron deposition, chronic iron deposition, and/or fat infiltration/accumulation. The invention provides various methods of identifying myocardial infarction (MI) patients who are at risk of prolonged inflammation burden in heart, adverse cardiac remodeling, electrical abnormality, mechanical abnormality, malignant cardiac arrhythmia, ischemic heart failure, and/or sudden cardiac death. The invention also provides various methods of treating these MI patients with chelation drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, fat-lowering drugs, cooling therapies, or device therapies, or their combinations.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for detecting and/or distinguishing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease. The methods and systems can utilize the detection of anti-CdtB antibodies and/or anti-vinculin antibodies to detect IBS, distinguish IBS from IBD and/or celiac disease. Further described are methods for selecting a therapy to treat IBS, IBD or celiac disease.

Abstract: Devices based on semi-quantitative “sandwich” lateral flow immunoassay and methods of using the devices are provided to determine the presence and estimate the quantity of Flt-1 protein found in the plasma, serum, whole blood, saliva, urine or another bodily fluid of pregnant women in order to predict or screen for the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Assays based on the devices are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are particular infection model systems, methods of studying infection, and method of screening compounds in various model systems. Particularly, SARS-CoV-2 is studied in these organ and infection models.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for safely and effectively deploying a hemoclip onto a patient's desired target using a hemoclip system. For instance, disclosed is an catheter that includes a lumen for a hemoclip to pass through. Additionally, disclosed are hemoclips that are configured to be in a compressed position until the hemoclip is deployed out of a catheter where it opens. Then, the hemoclip may be clipped onto the target to encapsulate the desired target within the patient. Once the hemoclip is clamped onto the target, the catheter can move onto the next target for successive deployment and utilization of the hemoclips without manual reload.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject with myocardial infarction are provided, which include selective targeting time-dependent iron products at different phases of the infarction. It is discovered that during acute phase of myocardial infarction, ferrous iron in the form of heme accumulate, often followed by infarct expansion, and during the chronic phase, ferric iron in the form of crystals are dominant Chelator agents specific for ferrous iron, heme or ferric iron are demonstrated in the protection of cardiomyocytes, reduction of infarct expansion, or improving cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction. Also provided are methods for determining the presence of intramyocardial hemorrhage by measuring plasma level of cardiac troponin before and after re-vascularization or a reperfusion therapy, which can be used to guide therapeutic treatment or intervention procedures to control the hemorrhage and mitigate infarct expansion.

Abstract: The in vitro organoid model is a major technological breakthrough and an essential tool to study the basic biology of an organ system and for the development of various clinical applications for disease intervention. Organoids can self-renew and exhibit similarities in function as of their tissue of origin. Here, a step-by-step protocol is described to isolate region-specific progenitors from the human lung and generate 3D organoid cultures as an experimental and validation tool.

Abstract: Several embodiments relate to engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) using the membrane cloaking platform technology described herein, the cloaking imparting to the EVs enhanced delivery to tissues of interest, such as damaged or dysfunctional tissue. Several embodiments relate to engineering exosomes derived from cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) using the membrane cloaking platform technology described herein to confer enhanced tissue homing specificities, thereby leading to repair and regeneration at sites of injury. Uses of engineered EV compositions to treat diseases are also provided for in several embodiments.

Abstract: Calcific and noncalcific aortic tissue components can be quantified. Pre-intervention planning computed tomography angiography imaging data is received. A region of interest is defined between the lower coronary ostium and the virtual basal ring. Cross-sectional images of the region of interest are rendered and calcific and noncalcific tissue components are identified based on Hounsfield unit thresholds. The volumes of the identified calcific and noncalcific tissue components are calculated and used to determine a total tissue volume (e.g., fibrocalcific volume) for the valve, as well as component percentages of the total tissue volume for the calcific and noncalcific components. These volumes and/or component percentages can be leveraged to predict severe AS, identify prognosis of post-TAVI outcomes, or otherwise facilitate planning of medical intervention.