Abstract: A gastrocutaneous closure device allows gastrocutaneous fistula closure from external abdominal access through the fistula site. Access through the fistula ensures accurate closure placement on the interior lumen wall of the stomach. A closure or clip has a plurality of prongs defined by a deformable material, such that the prongs extend radially from a central hub in an arcuate or curved, semicircular shape. The arcuate shape converges towards a central point or axis at a distal end, and the proximate end of the prongs attaches to the central hub such that the prongs radiate from the hub and the distal end curves back toward the axis through the hub. The deformable prongs may therefore radially compress or retract to define a larger or smaller diameter. The fistula lies on the axis such that the biased, inserted prongs pull the inner stomach wall closed around the healing fistula.

Abstract: A controlled access aerosolized particle enclosure for isolation of airborne contaminants includes a frame defining a patient isolation region over a patient bed. A linkage attaches the framed enclosure to a patient treatment vehicle, and a flexible elasticized barrier is suspended by the frame for enclosing the patient isolation region. The barrier is formed from deformable planer sheets of a flexible transparent material and extending adjacent to the patient treatment surface forming a draped edge around the bed or transport. A low pressure source is in fluidic engagement with the enclosure for reducing a pressure within the enclosure below that of ambient surroundings, such that the low pressure source provides a pressure for drawing the elasticized barrier against the patient treatment surface for restricting airborne particle passage from the enclosure to the ambient surroundings, but limits the negative pressure to avoid substantial deformation or collapse of the enclosure.

Abstract: Various exemplary angled surgical trocars and methods of using angled surgical trocars are provided. In general, a trocar configured to be advanced into a body of a patient can have an angled distal portion. The trocar can have a cut-out at its distal end in the angled distal portion of the trocar. The trocar can be advanced into the patient's body alone or with an obturator located therein. The obturator located in the trocar can have a flexible portion configured to bend within the trocar's angled distal portion. The trocar and obturator can be used in a variety of medical procedures, for example thoracic procedures in which the trocar is used to provide access to a thoracic cavity of a patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, methods, compositions, and kits for producing adipocyte populations such as beige adipocyte populations. Also included are methods and compositions for increasing the level of adipocyte populations (e.g., beige adipocyte populations) in a subject, as well as methods and compositions for treating subjects who are overweight, obese, or who have diabetes.

Abstract: A gastrocutaneous closure device allows gastrocutaneous fistula closure from external abdominal access through the fistula site. Access through the fistula ensures accurate closure placement on the interior lumen wall of the stomach. A closure or clip has a plurality of prongs defined by a deformable material, such that the prongs extend radially from a central hub in an arcuate or curved, semicircular shape. The arcuate shape converges towards a central point or axis at a distal end, and the proximate end of the prongs attaches to the central hub such that the prongs radiate from the hub and the distal end curves back toward the axis through the hub. The deformable prongs may therefore radially compress or retract to define a larger or smaller diameter. The fistula lies on the axis such that the biased, inserted prongs pull the inner stomach wall closed around the healing fistula.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, methods, compositions, and kits for producing adipocyte populations such as beige adipocyte populations. Also included are methods and compositions for increasing the level of adipocyte populations (e.g., beige adipocyte populations) in a subject, as well as methods and compositions for treating subjects who are overweight, obese, or who have diabetes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrically controllable surgical tools. In general, surgical devices are provided having an electrically controllable, fingered operating end for use in angiography, endovascular and/or neurological surgery. The finger(s) at the operating end can be made from ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) material to facilitate control of the finger(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides antagonists and methods of use thereof in the treatment of cancer and abnormal immune suppression diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides antagonists and methods of use thereof in the treatment of cancer and abnormal immune suppression diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrically controllable surgical tools. In general, surgical devices are provided having an electrically controllable, fingered operating end for use in angiography, endovascular and/or neurological surgery. The finger(s) at the operating end can be made from ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) material to facilitate control of the finger(s).

Abstract: The present invention features compositions featuring agents that bind to denatured collagen and methods of using such agents to treat or prevent fibrosis or inflammation in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods associated with cocktails of growth factors and small molecules that target specific cell signaling pathways, the cocktails having been formulated to allow/promote the expansion of progenitor cells (e.g., nephron progenitor cells) within a defined culture system.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and ischemia featuring agents that interfere with the expression or activity of Cthrc1. The invention also provides the use of Cthrc1 peptide as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute or chronic cardiac deficiencies. The invention further provides detection and monitoring of Cthrc1 peptide in blood or serum to assess or monitor cardiac function.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and methods of their use in treating bone disorders and bone-related conditions and in treating obesity.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for treating and preventing a metabolic syndrome featuring the collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (Cthrc1) protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer using the sodium salt of a benzoic acid derivative, alone or in combination with standard treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for treating and preventing a metabolic syndrome featuring the collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (Cthrc1) protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents and methods for the detection of osteopontin fragments and distinguishing them from each other and from the full-length osteopontin protein. The present invention also relates to assays for the determination of the presence of osteopontin fragments in samples obtained from subjects and, further, the correlation of osteopontin fragment levels fragment levels with disease detection, progression and prognosis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and ischemia featuring agents that interfere with the expression or activity of Cthrc1. The invention also provides the use of Cthrc1 peptide as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute or chronic cardiac deficiencies. The invention further provides detection and monitoring of Cthrc1 peptide in blood or serum to assess or monitor cardiac function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of a population of Epo-responsive marrow derived cells that express Epo-responsive genes and gene products. The present invention also relates to the detection of Epo-responsive genes and gene products as well as to the detection of the administration of Epo, Epo-derivatives and Epo-mimetics in subjects.