Abstract: The receptor EP4 is identified as the PGE2 receptor that is most responsible enhancing the homing and engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Treatment of graft sources and graft recipients with compounds that preferentially target the EP4 receptor provide effective methods of increasing engraftment success while minimizing adverse side effects that may be associated with therapies that include the use of less selective molecules such as PGE2 and dmPGE2. One effective molecule used in such therapies is 5-[(1E,3R)-4,4-difluoro-3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-1-buten-1-yl]-1-[6-(2H-tetrazol-5R-yl)hexyl]-2-pyrrolidinone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (L-902, 688).

Abstract: Some embodiments include compounds that can inhibit the growth of bacterial and/or inhibit or reduce microbial infections caused by one or more microorganisms (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Cryptococcus neoformans) and methods of using these compounds to treat microbial infection and outbreaks and/or to reduce the formation of biofilms. Other embodiments include synthesis of the compounds that can inhibit the growth of one or more microorganisms and/or inhibit or reduce microbial infections.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for driving a circulatory assist device with motive power from a fluid motor. In one example a parallel plate Tesla-type of motor extracts power from the circulatory system of a biological unit to drive a non-positive displacement pump and increase blood pressure in the biological unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating tissue to preserve and/or rescue tissue from ischemic and/or reperfusion injury and methods for assessing ischemic and/or injuries in cardiac tissue. The disclosed compositions comprise at least a portion of mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides insecticides that can specifically target mosquitoes based on their sex. These sex-specific insecticides prevent maturation or development of larvae into adult insects using interfering RNA (iRNA). The present disclosure further provides compositions comprising sex-linked iRNA and methods of controlling, reducing, or treating an insect infestation with the iRNA or compositions described herein. The compositions and methods described herein can be used to sort mosquitoes based on sex.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a functionalized substrate having a first charged functional group, a metal dispersed on the substrate, wherein the metal comprises at least one of Pt, Rh, Pd, Ag, Au, Ni, Os, Ir, Mn, Co, alloys thereof, oxides thereof, or mixtures thereof, and an ionomer are disclosed. Methods manufacturing a functionalized catalyst comprising catalyzing a substrate with a metal, functionalizing the catalyzed substrate with a first charged functional group, and add an ionomer to the loaded functionalized catalyst are also disclosed. Also, methods comprising catalyzing a substrate with a metal, functionalizing the substrate with a first charged functional group, and adding an ionomer to the loaded functionalized catalyst are disclosed.

Abstract: A computing device is provided having at least one processor (104) operative to facilitate motion correction in a medical image file (102). The at least one processor (104) is configured to generate at least one unified frame file (110) based on motion image data (204), depth map data (206) corresponding to the motion image data, and region of interest data (200). Further, at least one corrected image file derived from the medical image file (102) is generated by performing the motion correction based on the at least one unified frame file (110) using the processor (104). Subsequently, the at least one corrected image file is outputted for display to one or more display devices (122).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified C-terminal fragments of FGF21 optimized for binding to Klotho ? or antagonizing FGF21 activity. FGF21 peptides modified to comprise modifications to the C-terminal amino acid sequence are disclosed that have enhanced activity at the FGF21 receptor. Additionally, conjugates formed between the optimized FGF21 peptide fragments and insulin like peptides or nuclear hormone receptor ligands are provided.

Abstract: Methods of reducing neuronal sensitivity, thereby reducing inflammation and chronic pain, in subjects having diabetes are disclosed herein. Particularly disclosed are methods of administrating the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 redox factor 1 (APE 1/Ref-1) inhibitor, APX3330, to enhance the DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway, thereby reducing neuronal sensitivity to inflammatory mediators and alleviating inflammatory or chronic pain.

Abstract: The therapies described herein can be selectively lethal toward a variety of different cancer cell types and cancer conditions in a subject. The combination therapies described herein can be useful for the management, treatment, control, or adjunct treatment of diseases, where the selective lethality is beneficial in immunotherapy, particularly where the disease is accompanied by elevated levels of NQO1. In particular, embodiments where an immunotherapy, such as a heckpoint inhibitor, are combined with a NQO1 bioactivatable drug.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods for the therapeutic treatment of cancer and angiogenesis. The enzyme Ape1/Ref-1, via its redox function, enhances the DNA binding activity of transcription factors that are associated with the progression of cancer. The present disclosure describes the use of agents to selectively inhibit the redox function of Ape1/Ref-1 and thereby reduce tumor cell growth, survival, migration and metastasis. In addition, Ape1/Ref-1 inhibitory activity is shown to augment the therapeutic effects of other therapeutics and protect normal cells against toxicity. Further, Ape1/Ref-1 inhibition is shown to decrease angiogenesis, for use in the treatment of cancer as well other pathologic conditions of which altered angiogenesis is a component.

Abstract: A method is provided for observing structure and function of individual cells in a living human eye, comprising: using an adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) system to image a volume of a retinal patch including numerous cells of different types, as for example, ganglion cells; using 3D subcellular image registration to correct for eye motion, including digitally dissecting the imaged volume; and using organelle motility inside the cell to increase cell contrast and to measure cell temporal dynamics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides uses of TRPV4 antagonists in the treatment or prevention of hydrocephalus symptoms, also known as hydrocephaly, including hydrocephalus as a result of any structural defect, any metabolic defect, any injury (direct force to the head, indirect force to the head, shock waves, pressure changes, etc.), any insult (microbial, chemical, toxins, allergic reactions or other inflammatory process, or other pathology, e.g. cancer, benign tumor, etc.). Related materials and methods are also provided herein.

Abstract: A method of determining a predisposition to contact lens discomfort in a patient is provided, comprising determining a detection threshold of the patient by delivering a cool mechanical stimulus to the cornea of the patient, optionally applying a series of cool mechanical stimuli to the cornea of the patient, and classifying the patient as being predisposed to contact lens discomfort if the detection threshold is at or below a cut-off value predetermined to be associated with predisposition to contact lens discomfort and/or the patient does not adapt to the series of cool mechanical stimuli.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery. In particular, disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery based on ratios of steroids in samples obtained from the pregnant female. Further, the methods can include treating the pregnant female identified susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery.

Abstract: A scar subcision devices comprising a first elongated element comprising a pivotal connection to a second elongated element, the first elongated element having a blunt distal end, the second elongated element having a proximal-facing cutting edge at a distal end thereof, the device having a first state wherein the cutting edge is retracted to a location within an outer perimeter of the first elongated element, and a second state wherein the cutting edge is exposed outside of the outer perimeter of the first elongated element and the device transitioning between the first state and the second state by the first elongated element and the second elongated element rotating relative to each other about the pivotal connection are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery. In particular, disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery based on ratios of steroids in samples obtained from the pregnant female.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions comprising one or more agents that inhibit the Nef-PAK2 interface, and methods of administering those therapeutic compositions to model, treat, reduce resistance to treatment, prevent, and diagnose a condition/disease associated with HIV-infection or a related clinical condition thereof, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining inflammation in subjects. Also disclosed are methods for determining whether a subject has sepsis. The methods include determining methylation of preproinsulin DNA and chromatin target of PRMT1 (CHTOP).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of insecticides for control of disease vector insects, particularly mosquitoes. These insecticides prevent maturation or development of larvae into adult insects using interfering RNA (iRNA). The present invention further includes compositions comprising iRNA and methods of controlling, reducing, or treating an insect infestation with the iRNA or compositions described herein.