Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for treating a subject with cancer. The method includes administering an oncolytic virus simultaneously, sequentially, or separately in combination with an immunomodulatory agent in an amount effective to suppress both antiviral immunity and angiogenesis associated with the cancer.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: A method is provided for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an ocular tissue of a subject. The method includes providing an apparatus including at least one electrode, a medicament layer including at least one therapeutic agent, an electrical signal source, and logic configured to control the electrical signal source. The at least one electrode has oppositely disposed first and second dome-shaped major surfaces. The medicament layer is disposed on at least a portion of the second major surface. The electrical signal source is electrically connected to the at least one electrode. At least one portion of the first major surface is placed into contact with the ocular tissue so that the at least one portion substantially conforms to the contour of the ocular tissue. The electrical signal source provides a signal having certain characteristics to motivate the at least one therapeutic agent into the ocular tissue.

Abstract: A method of assessing the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and/or liver fibrosis in a subject includes obtaining a bodily sample from a subject and determining a level of the at least one oxidized fatty acid product in the sample. An increased level of at least one oxidized fatty acid product in the subject compared to a control is indicative of an increase in severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and/or liver fibrosis.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding VG5Q, a novel angiogenic growth factor protein with pro-angiogenic activity, a forkhead-associated domain, a G-patch domain; characteristic subcellular localization in an in vitro Matrigel model of angiogenesis: towards the cell periphery in early stages of tubulogenesis, between cells in newly formed endothelial tubes, and no nuclear staining after 24 hours; is expressed in endothelial cells; is secreted during angiogenesis; and interacts with TWEAK. The invention also provides for expression vectors containing nucleic acid sequences encoding VG5Q protein, and host cells containing one or more expression vectors for the recombinant expression of VG5Q. The invention also provides for methods of using VG5Q for the diagnosis and treatment of angiogenesis-mediated diseases or disorders.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue graft is provided. The tissue graft includes an extracellular matrix patch that has a peripheral surface and at least one fiber stitched in a reinforcing pattern to mitigate tearing of the graft, improve the fixation retention of the graft, and/or limit cyclic stretching of the graft and substantially maintain these properties following partial enzymatic degradation of the graft while it remodels. The at least one fiber includes at least one free end that extends beyond the peripheral surface of the extracellular matrix for securing the patch to a host tissue.

Abstract: A delivery system for an endoluminal device including an introducer, the introducer having a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end. A stent graft having a first and second end is retained upon the introducer, the stent graft defining a fenestration disposed through a wall of the stent graft between the first and second end. A valve arrangement is disposed within an interior lumen of the stent graft about the fenestration. A retention system including a trigger wire engages and retains the valve arrangement away from the fenestration. The fenestration is in fluid communication with the interior lumen of the stent graft.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. In an example, volumetric imaging data representing an anatomical volume of a brain of a patient can be obtained and transformed to brain atlas data. A patient-specific brain atlas can be created using the inverse of the transformation to map the brain atlas data onto the volumetric imaging data and a volume of influence can be calculated using the patient-specific brain atlas. In certain examples, the volume of influence can include a predicted volume of tissue affected by an electrical stimulation delivered by an electrode at a corresponding at least one candidate electrode target location.

Abstract: A method of placing a left ventricle outflow tract of a patient's heart into fluid communication with an ascending aorta through an artificial fluid flow path includes arranging a guidewire within a patient's body with a distal guidewire end in a left ventricle of the heart, a proximal guidewire end in the ascending aorta, and a guidewire body, extending longitudinally between the distal and proximal guidewire ends, located at least partially in a right atrium of the heart. A conduit is provided, the conduit having longitudinally spaced first and second conduit ends in mutual fluid communication through a tubular conduit body. The conduit is advanced along the guidewire from a chosen one of the proximal and distal guidewire ends toward the other one of the proximal and distal guidewire ends. The first conduit end is anchored in the left ventricle. The second conduit end is anchored in the ascending aorta to provide the artificial fluid flow path.

Abstract: A method of preparing for a surgical procedure includes creating a three-dimensional bone model of a subject bone of a patient. At least a portion of the bone model is compared to at least one three-dimensional reference anatomic model. At least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model is identified. At least one desired subject bone structural change is specified to produce a modified bone model responsive to the step of identifying at least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model. An apparatus for preparing for a surgical procedure is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding viruses; isolated polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences of the virus; vectors comprising the viral nucleic acid sequences; cells comprising the vectors; antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which have binding specificity for the virus; methods of detecting or screening for the virus (e.g., in an individual); methods of identifying agents that inhibit the virus; methods of inducing an immune response to the virus; methods of treating disease associated with the presence of XMRV in an individual (e.g., cancer such as prostate cancer); methods of detecting asymptomatic cancer (e.g., prostate cancer); methods of identifying an individual at risk for developing cancer (e.g., prostate cancer); and kits for detecting the virus.

Abstract: The subject matter provided herein relates to method for inhibiting or mitigating scar formation in a wound of the skin, by increasing the concentration of SDF-1 in, or proximate to, the wound. As described herein SDF-1 protein or an SDF-1 expression vector can be administered to a wound or the area proximate a wound by providing a therapeutically effective amount of SDF-1 protein or an SDF-1 expression vector.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a vascular system of a patient and for directing fluid flow includes a catheter body having a longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends with an intermediate catheter portion defined therebetween. An intermediate catheter outlet in the catheter body is located in the intermediate catheter portion and is spaced longitudinally from the proximal and distal catheter ends. A first lumen is defined within the catheter body and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first lumen ends with a reversing bend located therebetween, the first lumen providing fluid communication between the proximal catheter end and the intermediate catheter outlet. The reversing bend is located longitudinally between the intermediate catheter outlet and the distal catheter end. The reversing bend directs fluid flow to turn approximately 180° as the fluid flows through the first lumen. A method of using the catheter is also described.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. In an example, volumetric imaging data representing an anatomical volume of a brain of a patient can be obtained and transformed to brain atlas data. A patient-specific brain atlas can be created using the inverse of the transformation to map the brain atlas data onto the volumetric imaging data and a volume of influence can be calculated using the patient-specific brain atlas. In certain examples, the volume of influence can include a predicted volume of tissue affected by an electrical stimulation delivered by an electrode at a corresponding at least one candidate electrode target location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing the near term risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event in a patient presenting with chest pain are provided. In one embodiment the method comprises determining the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in a bodily sample obtained from the patient. In another embodiment, the method comprises determining the level of MPO mass in a bodily sample obtained from the patient. In another embodiment, the method comprises determining the level of one or more select MPO-generated oxidation products in a bodily sample obtained from the patient. The select MPO-generated oxidation products are dityrosine, nitrotyrosine, chlorotyrosine, methionine sulphoxide or an MPO-generated lipid peroxidation product.