Abstract: Biochemically active PASTA kinase inhibitors which exploit subtle structural differences between human kinases and bacterial PASTA kinases to improve specificity and inhibitor activity.

Abstract: An apparatus provided for detecting tooth pulp vitality includes a handle, a pivot and a caliper. A pair of fiber optic lines pass through an interior of the handle, the pivot and the caliper. One of the fiber optic lines is a source line with a connector at an end of the source line and another of the fiber optic lines is a detector line with a connector at an end of the detector line. The source line is single mode in the handle and the detector line is multi mode. A system is also provided for detecting tooth pulp vitality that includes the apparatus. Additionally, a method is provided for detecting tooth pulp vitality that employs the apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, methods, kits, and devices for detecting and treating a fungal infection in a subject. In particular, provided herein are host gene markers that can be used for identifying and treating an Aspergillus infection. The methods, devices, kits, and systems disclosed herein are used to classify subjects based on the expression levels of the identified gene markers. In some embodiments, the Aspergillus infection comprises an infection with Aspergillus fumigatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for inducing production of full-length progranulin (GRN) from a nucleotide encoding a GRN with a premature stop codon (GRN-PTC), comprising exposing the GRN-PTC to an aminoglycoside. Methods for inducing production of full-length progranulin (GRN) from a nucleotide encoding a GRN with a premature stop codon (GRN-PTC), comprising administering gentamicin or G418 is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compounds and compositions for forming bone and methods related thereto. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a composition comprising a compound disclosed herein, such as 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine derivatives or salts thereof, for use in bone growth processes. In a typical embodiment, a bone graft composition is implanted in a subject at a site of desired bone growth or enhancement.

Abstract: A sensing device can be placed within the colon to study bowel function. The sensing device can include a flexible printed circuit board that includes at least one senor configured to record data related to bowel activity from a patient's colon; and a wireless transmitter configured to send the data from the patient's colon to an external device. The sensing device can also include at least one mucosal clip configured to fix the sensor board to a wall of the patient's colon for a measurement period. The flexible printed circuit board and/or the at least one mucosal clip are configured to be passed from the patient's colon after the measurement period through normal defecation.

Abstract: A load cell apparatus for use with a bed includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a load cell device held by the bottom portion of the housing. The load cell device is structured to generate a signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a first force being applied to the load cell device. The load cell apparatus also includes a button member held by the housing in a manner wherein the button member is structured to engage the load cell device and apply the first force to the load cell device in response to a second force being applied to the top portion of the housing. Also, various systems for monitoring parameters such as weight, sleep quality, fall risk, and/or pressure sore risk that may incorporate such a load cell apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a standardized pressure value representing a transient pressure event within a region of interest within a living body. An air-charged catheter is configured to record pressure data representing the region of interest. A measurement assembly includes a parameter calculation component configured to calculate at least a peak pressure representing the transient pressure event and a time to peak pressure, representing the time necessary to reach the peak pressure, from the recorded pressure data. A standardization component is configured to calculate the standardized pressure value as a function of the peak pressure and the time to peak pressure. A user interface is configured to display at least the standardized pressure value at an associated display.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to using detected bladder events for the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. A system includes a sensing device comprising a pressure sensor to directly detect a pressure within a bladder. The sensing device is adapted to be located within the bladder. The system also includes a signal processing device to: receive a signal indicating the detected pressure within the bladder; detect a bladder event based the detected pressure within the signal; and characterize the bladder event as a bladder contraction event or a non-contraction event. The characterization of the bladder event can be used in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Abstract: A load cell apparatus for use with a bed includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a load cell device held by the bottom portion of the housing. The load cell device is structured to generate a signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a first force being applied to the load cell device. The load cell apparatus also includes a button member held by the housing in a manner wherein the button member is structured to engage the load cell device and apply the first force to the load cell device in response to a second force being applied to the top portion of the housing. Also, various systems for monitoring parameters such as weight, sleep quality, fall risk, and/or pressure sore risk that may incorporate such a load cell apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns protection of an organ or tissue following an ischemic episode In particular aspects, the invention concerns organ preservation for transplantation, angina pectoris, kidney reperfusion injury, and so forth In specific embodiments, the organ is subjected to an inhibitor of an NCCa-ATP channel that is regulated by SUR1 Exemplary inhibitors include sulfonylurea compounds, such as glibenclamide, for example.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that are utilized for treatment and/or prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage or progressive hemorrhagic necrosis (PHN), particularly following spinal cord injury. In particular, the methods and compositions are inhibitors of a particular NCca-ATP channel and include, for example, inhibitors of SURI and/or inhibitors of TRPM4. Kits for treatment and/or prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage or progressive hemorrhagic necrosis (PHN), particularly following spinal cord injury, are also provided. The present invention also concerns treatment and/or prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in infants, including premature infants utilizing one or more inhibitors of the channel is provided to the infant, for example to brain cells of the infant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lift to assist in standing and/or walking for persons who have insufficient strength or movement in their legs. The inventive lift walker includes a frame assembly having a lower an upper and lower portion that wheels are provided beneath the lower frame so as to enable the lift to be propelled and maneuvered. A bracing assembly is provided at the upper portion and comprises a supporting platform which is adapted to fit under the forearms of a person, and optional handles for gripping by the user's left and right hands. An elevator assembly is provided which includes lift and stabilization tracks for raising and lowering the supporting assembly in a coordinated, purely vertical fashion, and further includes gas lift means for effectuating the same via use of a remotely switched activation mechanism. There are also anti-tip means for maintaining the stability of the device when contacting uneven ground surface during movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel approach means of screening foot skin condition of patients at risk for foot tissue breakdown, such as persons with diabetes, through the provision of a remote screening device that can be used in telemedicine or home self-monitoring approaches. The invention would record high resolution images of the bottom of the patient's feet, without artifacts or other distortions that might arise from images taken of feet that have been compressed through standing and the like. These images could immediately be viewed by the patient and/or electronically submitted to a medical facility where clinicians could screen the images for signs of tissue breakdown.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for analyzing images. An exemplary method can comprise receiving at least one image having one or more annotations indicating a feature. The method can comprise generating training images from the at least one image. Each training image can be based on a respective section of the at least one image. The training images can comprise positive images having the feature and negative images without the feature. The method can comprise generating a feature space based on the positive images and the negative images. The method can further comprise identifying the feature in one or more unclassified images based upon the feature space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self leveling walker to assist persons who have insufficient strength or movement in their legs when standing and walking on uneven surfaces, and for traversing ramps and stairs. The inventive self leveling walker includes a frame assembly with a leveling assembly for adapting the relative length of the four legs of the walker to accommodate a substantially constant level of the walker so that the user may maintain an erect standing posture at all times, without the need to lean forward or back to accommodate uneven surfaces. The invention employs a fluid or gas based circuit between the front and back walker legs on each respective side, so as to shorten or lengthen each front and back leg with respect to each other, thereby maintaining the overall level of the walker on the subject surface being traversed.

Abstract: Method for modulating or controlling sodium channel current of a cell includes inducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the cell.

Abstract: A method of treating, preventing, reversing, or ameliorating diastolic dysfunction includes reducing S-glutathionylated myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C) level by administering to a host in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic compounds, treatment methods, and kits affecting the NCCa-ATP channel of neural tissue, including neurons, glia and blood vessels within the nervous system, and methods of using same. The NCCa-ATP channel is newly expressed in neural tissue following injury such as ischemia, and is regulated by the sulfonylurea receptor SUR1, being inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds, e.g., glibenclamide and tolbutamide, and opened by diazoxide. Antagonists of the NCCa-ATP channel, including SUR1 antagonists, are useful in the prevention, diminution, and treatment of injured or diseased neural tissue, including astrocytes, neurons and capillary endothelial cells, that is due to ischemia, tissue trauma, brain swelling and increased tissue pressure, or other forms of brain or spinal cord disease or injury. Agonists of the NCCa-ATP channel may be are useful in the treatment neural tissue where damage or destruction of the tissue, such as a gliotic capsule, is desired.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for isolation of proliferating cells. In particular, the methods enrich stem cells in a mixture of stem cells and non-stem cells, and in some cases the non-stem cells may be differentiated cells. The methods exploit the non-adherent property of stem cells, as opposed to the adherent property of differentiating cells, by serially passaging the suspended cells in liquid media.