Abstract: Modeling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) aims to reenact embryogenesis, maturation, and aging of spinal motor neurons (spMNs) in vitro. As the maturity of spMNs grown in vitro compared to spMNs in vivo remains largely unaddressed, it is unclear to what extent this in vitro system captures critical aspects of spMN development and molecular signatures associated with ALS. Here, the Inventors compared transcriptomes among iPSC-derived spMNs, fetal, and adult spinal tissues. The Inventors resolved gene networks and pathways associated with spMN maturation and aging. These networks enriched for familial ALS genetic variants and were affected in sporadic ALS. Altogether, the Inventors' findings suggest that developing strategies to further mature and age iPSC-derived spMNs will provide more effective iPSC models of ALS.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and techniques related to generation and therapeutic application of cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) and CDC-derived exosomes. These cells and their secreted vesicles contain a unique milieu of biological factors, including cytokines, growth factors, transcription factors, nucleic acids including non-coding nucleic acids such as microRNAs, that serve to initiate and promote many therapeutic effects. Exosomes and their “cargo” contents, such as microRNAs can favorably modulate apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis in the injured heart. Thus, CDC-derived exosomes represent a novel “cell-free” therapeutic candidate for tissue repair.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract symptoms into machine learning based clusters. In some examples, a diagnostic questionnaire is processed by a machine learning model to evaluate a patient's urinary tract health condition and determine a diagnosis based on one or more indications of urinary tract health of the patient. In one example, the machine learning model is trained using datasets labelled according to one or more diagnostic clusters generated by an unsupervised learning model, such as a clustering model. In some examples, a measure of severity of the diagnosis is output by the machine learning model or a second machine learning model.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods related to use of exosomes, including cardiosphere derived cell (CDC)-derived exosomes for treatment and prevention of heart related disease and conditions, such as ventral arrhythmias, such as tachycardias. CDC-derived exosomes delivered by endocardial injection can diminish the total amount of isolated late potentials associated with an isthmus of slow conduction, while reducing the isoelectric interval between late abnormal ventricular activity and decreasing the incidence of inducible ventricular arrhythmias, thereby providing a biological treatment for arrhythmias which otherwise requires therapeutic interventions with adverse effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, in part, methods and compositions for the treatment of methanogen-associated disorders such as, for example, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Particularly, modified-release formulations comprising at least one antimethanogenic statin are provided which release the antimethanogenic statin in the intestines.

Abstract: The invention describes methods for a method of detecting levels of one or more microorganisms, selecting treatment for interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain, bladder pain and myofascial pain and treating interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain, bladder pain and myofascial pain. The invention also describes detecting bacterial phenotype and kits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for desensitizing a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitized subject to prepare for an organ transplant with an improved transplant survival and function, and/or treating or reducing the likelihood of antibody mediated rejection (ABMR) of an organ transplant in a subject are provided, generally including administering an effective amount of an anti-CD38 antibody or a CD38-targeting therapy to reduce the symptoms or ABMR or HLA levels. The subject in the methods may have developed or is experience drug-resistant sensitization, and to whom standard techniques like intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis are ineffective.

Abstract: A method of analyzing computed tomography (CT) images comprises receiving an initial CT image of an object, identifying calcium-free regions and a calcified region in the initial CT image of the object, generating a calcium-free image patch, and applying the calcium-free image patch to the initial CT image patch to produce a final CT image. The initial CT image shows a calcium deposit and a target structure in the object. The calcified region in the initial CT image shows the calcium deposit in the object obscuring a portion of the target structure. The calcium-free regions show the remaining portions of the target structure. The calcium-free image patch corresponds to the calcified region in the initial CT image. The final CT image shows the calcium-free image patch and the calcium-free region from the initial CT image. The calcium-free image patch is generated and applied using a convolutional neural network.

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: Described herein are methods and compositions using PTH and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treatment of osteoporosis, bone fractures, and related conditions. Administration of both PTH and MSCs leads to increased homing of MSCs to sites of vertebral bone and rib fracture. The described methods and compositions provide therapeutic approaches that rely, in-part, on stem cell capacity for regeneration and repair. The potential for enhanced bone formation and fracture repair may allow for both preventative and palliative treatments in osteoporotic patients, with combined PTH+MSC therapy producing bone regeneration capacity that is significantly superior to either treatment alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding that TL1A enhances differentiation of TH17 cells, and enhance IL17 secretion from TL17 cells. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating an inflammatory disease comprising determining the presence of a TL1A signaling profile, and treating the disease by administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective dosage of one or more inhibitors of TL1A or TH17 cell differentiation. In another embodiment, the disease is characterized by TH17 differentiation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for cardiovascular imaging for diagnosing and/or detecting various cardiovascular diseases. Various embodiments of the invention provide using magnetic resonance imaging of the cardiovascular system of a subject at rest or a normocapnic condition, as well as at a stressed or hypercapnic condition, in a repeated manner enhancing the statistical power, such that fast, motion-corrected, free-breathing, whole-heart imaging of the cardiovascular system is utilized to identify impaired cardiovascular function in a manner with improved specificity and accuracy.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are provided. A clasp or clamp is used to anchor a TR-treatment device to an existing lead of a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that passes through the tricuspid valve. The TR-treatment device can be a balloon occluder that is adjustable by filling or withdrawing filler material from the occluder through a proximal port implanted in the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Described herein are humanized anti-TL1A antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's Disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating nephrotic syndrome using an anti-CD20 antibody. In one embodiment, that anti-CD20 antibody is Obinutuzumab.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for diagnosing cancer in a subject by determining the gene expression level of one or more genes in extracellular vesicles isolated from samples obtained from a subject.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst composition for para-hydrogen induced polarization includes ligand-capped nanoparticles dispersed in water. The ligand-capped nanoparticles include metal nanoparticles that are surface functionalized with organic ligands, a molecular weight of the organic ligands is no greater than 300 g/mol, and the organic ligands each includes multiple binding moieties as coordinates sites for binding to a nanoparticle surface.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating antibody mediated rejection (ABMR), especially chronic active ABMR (cABMR), of transplanted organs using clazakizumab Human kidney transplant recipients with biopsy-proven cABMR, transplant glomerulopathy and who are donor-specific antibody positive showed stabilization of renal function and lowered DSA levels following clazakizumab treatment. The estimated glomerular filtration rate of the patients at six, 12 or even 18 months were stabilized, inflammatory markers of cABMR were reduced or stabilized, and inflammatory blood markers were reduced, since clazakizumab treatment.

Abstract: The invention describes methods of treating COVID-19, particularly treating men who have COVID-19. The treatment includes administering a progesterone receptor agonist, such as progesterone to a subject who has one or more symptoms of COVID-19, or who is confirmed to have COVID-19.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of diagnosis, predicting and diagnosing susceptibility to, predicting disease progression and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and/or subtypes of Crohn's disease (CD) and/or Ulcerative Colitis (UC). In one embodiment, a method of the invention is practiced by determining the presence or absence of the genetic variants NOD2, TLR8, TLR2, CARD8, CARD15 and/or JAK3 to diagnose, predict and diagnose susceptibility and predict disease progression in an individual. In another embodiment, a method of the invention is practiced by determining the presence or absence of anti-Cbir1, anti-OmpC, ASCA, anti-I2 and/or pANCA in an individual. In another embodiment, the invention further associates the presence or absence of the risk variants with the expression of anti-Cbir1, anti-OmpC, ASCA, anti-I2 and/or pANCA for the diagnosis, prediction of susceptibility, prediction of disease progression and/or treatment of IBD, including CD and/or UC.