Abstract: A system and method for performing an electrocardiogram is described herein. The system may include one or more of an electrode strip, a data recorder, a connector, one or more computing platforms, and/or other components. The electrode strip may include multiple electrodes configured to provide signals conveying information associated with electrocardiograms. The multiple electrodes may be integrated into the electrode strip. The data recorder may be configured to receive and record information associated with electrocardiograms. Information associated with electrocardiograms may be communicated from the electrode strip to the data recorder via a connector. The connector may include a cableless connector. In some implementations, the information associated with electrocardiograms may be transmitted to one or more computing platforms.

Abstract: Described are stent grafts with at least on branch and mandrels used to form the stent grafts. Methods of making and using them are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit disorder, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and bipolar disorder. The methods entail administering to a patient diagnosed as having a neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit disorder, mild cognitive impairment, dementia bipolar disorder, etc.) or as at risk for a neuropsychiatric disorder a benzoic acid, benzoic acid salt, and/or benzoic acid derivative, and/or a sorbic acid, sorbic acid salt, and/or sorbic acid derivative, in combination with a neuropharmacological agent (e.g., an antipsychotic, an antidepressant, medications for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, cognitive impairment, or dementia, etc.) where the benzoic acid, benzoic acid salt, or benzoic acid derivative, and/or a sorbic acid, sorbic acid salt, and/or sorbic acid derivative, is in an amount sufficient to increase the efficacy of the neuropharmacological agent.

Abstract: A system and method for performing an electrocardiogram is described herein. The system may include one or more of an electrode strip, a data recorder, a connector, one or more computing platforms, and/or other components. The electrode strip may include multiple electrodes configured to provide signals conveying information associated with electrocardiograms. The multiple electrodes may be integrated into the electrode strip. The data recorder may be configured to receive and record information associated with electrocardiograms. Information associated with electrocardiograms may be communicated from the electrode strip to the data recorder via a connector. The connector may include a cableless connector. In some implementations, the information associated with electrocardiograms may be transmitted to one or more computing platforms.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a catheter configured to detect at least one blood gas parameter present in blood in an artery of a patient, including, but not limited to, a catheter wall forming at least one lumen configured for umbilical arterial catheterization, at least one optical fiber incorporated in the catheter wall, wherein the at least one optical fiber is configured to detected the at least one blood gas parameter.

Abstract: Presented herein, in certain embodiments, are compositions comprising antibody binding agents that specifically bind to A. baumannii and inhibit and/or block A. baumannii infection, and uses thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus may be configured for providing feedback to caregivers during a code blue scenario when adhered to the chest of a subject undergoing resuscitation by sensing and transmitting information associated with the code blue scenario. Such information may include one or more of vital signs of the subject during resuscitation, information associated with chest movements of the subject during resuscitation, and audio information from an environment of the subject during resuscitation. One or more processors may generate real-time feedback for communication to the caregivers during the code blue scenario based on the sensed and transmitted information.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining the overall survival of maintenance hemodialysis patients. The methods include measuring low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and subfraction concentrations as prognostic tools for early mortality risk detection. For example, the presence of increased very small LDL concentration or decreased LDL particle size in blood-serum serves as a useful means for prognostic risk assessment and monitoring.

Abstract: Presented herein, in certain aspects, are compositions that comprise novel toxin proteins, the nucleic acids that encode them, and/or portions thereof, which toxins are expressed by fungi of the Mucorales order and are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of Mucormycosis. Also presented herein, in certain aspects, are methods of detecting the presence or absence of novel fungal toxins and/or the nucleic acids that encode them in a sample, which methods can be used to identify the presence of Mucorales in a subject. Methods and/or compositions presented herein can be used to prevent and/or treat a Mucorales infection.

Abstract: Described are overinflation and/or overventilation devices. The devices can include a body configured to attach to a resuscitation interface and a gas source, a subject metric input component disposed at the body, the subject metric input component configured to receive input specifying a metric associated with a resuscitation subject; and a volume control mechanism disposed within the body, the volume control mechanism configured to control a volume of gas provided by the gas source during a manual resuscitation that is communicated to the resuscitation interface based on the metric provided by the subject metric input component. Methods of using these devices are also included.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, methods and uses of humanin or a humanin analog, for example, in treating a subject with humanin or a humanin analog, in part, to reduce, decrease, or inhibit cardiotoxicity caused or induced by an anti-cancer or anti-tumor therapeutic agent, or to protect or preserve cardiac function in the presence of an anti-tumor or anti-cancer therapeutic agent. In some aspects, humanin or humanin analogs, alone or in combination with another cardioprotective agent such as Dexrazoxane are used in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent to treat a hyperproliferative disease or disorder.

Abstract: Exemplary implementations may provide objective, continuous, and clinically useful assessment of asthma control in subjects including young children using a device that is compact, non-intrusive, and simple. The device may include a water-resistant, flexible patch that can be comfortably worn for two weeks or more. In some implementations, the patch may resemble a Band-Aid® that is placed on the supra-sternal notch. The device may record respiratory sounds that can be analyzed to identify coughing and wheezing episodes. The device may operate in different modes including ones for assessment of nocturnal symptoms, exercise-induced asthma, and overall asthma control. The device may be useful for objectively assessing asthma control to aid clinical therapy, and for an improved way to diagnose exercise-induced asthma.

Abstract: A technique for measuring thoracic vertebral bone density (BMD) and coronary calcium score (CCS). Representatively, BMD was measured and averaged at three consecutive thoracic spines (3T) starting from the left main coronary artery caudally and averaging the results of the measurements at the first, second and third spine regions to obtain a thoracic trabecular bone mineral density measurement. The “reference”, as the 3T BMD value of 30 year old and the piBMD (predicted individual BMD (piBMD) were developed. Based on the “reference”, and piBMD, T and Z score of 3T formula were derived in both genders. The new calibration phantom of TQCT and LQCT was designed. The ratios of CTHU/mg/cc were obtained with varying scanners, which were used to translate the CTHU to density units (mg/cc) in BMD and CCS mass measurement. A processor capable of quantitating both BMD and CCS burden was designed. In image without a calibration phantom, formulas were created to quantitate BMD with a high precision.

Abstract: A method including placing a portion of a foot of a newborn in a device, the device including a light emitter and a corresponding receiver coupled on opposite sides of the device, the device further including a processor for processing data from the light emitter and receiver; and determining a presence of congenital heart disease. An apparatus including a body including a chamber of a size to accommodate a portion of a newborn's foot; at least one light emitter and a corresponding detector coupled on opposite sides of the body, the emitter configured to emit light of a prescribed wavelength into the chamber; and a processor coupled to the body and configured to receive a signal from the at least one detector.

Abstract: The invention features a method of vaccinating a mammal against Staphylococcus aureus which includes the steps of: a) identifying a mammal at risk for the development of a Staphylococcus aureus skin or soft tissue infection; and b) administering to said mammal an immunogenic amount of a vaccine that includes a polypeptide including an isolated agglutinin-like sequence (Als) 3 protein (Als3p), or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining the overall survival of maintenance hemodialysis patients. The methods include measuring low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and subfraction concentrations as prognostic tools for early mortality risk detection. For example, the presence of increased very small LDL concentration or decreased LDL particle size in blood-serum serves as a useful means for prognostic risk assessment and monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel kinocidin peptides comprising a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin, wherein the C-terminal portion encompasses an ?-helical secondary structure and further displays antimicrobial activity. The kinocidin peptides of the invention are derived from and correspond to a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin that includes a ??o core and that can be a CXC, CC, or C class chemokine. Structural, physicochemical and functional properties of this novel class of antimicrobial peptides and amino acid sequences of particular kinocidin peptides are also disclosed. The invention also provides related antimicrobial methods.

Abstract: Antimicrobial peptides, compositions and methods are described that are useful for treating infectious diseases, including those caused by drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter) and parasite-caused diseases such as malaria. The peptides include a modular kinocidin gamma-core connected directly, or through a short spacer, to a kinocidin C-terminal alpha-helix.

Abstract: Methods of modulating a miRNA level, such as a miR-29c and/or miR-200c level, in a cell are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting the cell with an anti-fibrotic miRNA modulating active agent, such as a tranilast active agent. Also provided are compositions for use in practicing the methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including the treatment of fibrotic disorders, such as a uterine leiomyoma.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining the overall survival of maintenance hemodialysis patients. The methods include measuring low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and subfraction concentrations as prognostic tools for early mortality risk detection. For example, the presence of increased very small LDL concentration or decreased LDL particle size in blood-serum serves as a useful means for prognostic risk assessment and monitoring.