Abstract: The invention provides prognostic methods for evaluating the severity of NMO and NMO-associated diseases as well as methods of treating NMO and NMO-associated diseases.

Abstract: A tray for a soft tissue cutting device includes a housing slot for removably housing the soft tissue cutting device prior to use and a priming slot for receiving the soft tissue cutting device during a priming procedure. The priming slot allows connection of the soft tissue cutting device to a priming syringe for priming the soft tissue cutting device. The tray also includes a safety slot for testing whether the soft tissue cutting device is primed for use and a sterile cover connectable to the tray. The sterile cover substantially encloses the tray when it is connected thereto.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for crossing a tissue region may include a catheter and a tip section arranged therewith. The tip section may be configured to puncture the tissue region and create an opening therein, dilate the opening in the tissue region, and pass through the opening.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions that can modulate mitochondrial function in neuronal cells are provided herein, as are methods for using the compounds and compositions to treat or prevent conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. For example, compounds of Formula I, compositions containing the compounds, and methods for using the compounds and compositions are provided herein: wherein X is absent, CH2, or C(O); R1 is H, OH, CN, NO2, halo, C1-3 alkyl, C1-3 haloalkyl, C1-3 alkoxy, C1-3 haloalkoxy, C3-7 cycloalkyl, amino, C1-3 alkylamino, or di(C1-3 alkyl)amino; R2 is H or C1-6 alkyl; R3 is H, C1-6 alkyl, —C(O)(C1-3 alkyl), or —C(O)O(C1-3 alkyl); R4 is C3-10 cycloalkyl, C6-10 aryl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl, or 5-10 membered heterocycloalkyl, each optionally substituted by 1, 2, 3, or 4 independently selected R5 groups; and R5 is OH, CN, NO2, halo, C1-3 alkyl, C1-3 haloalkyl, C1-3 alkoxy, C1-3 haloalkoxy, C3-7 cycloalkyl, amino, C1-3 alkylamino, or di(C1-3 alkyl)amino.

Abstract: This document provides polypeptide inhibitors of Smad3 polypeptide activities. For example, methods and materials for using polypeptides (e.g., polypeptides designed to include both a cell penetrating amino acid sequence and an amino acid segment of a SH3 domain of a SNX9 polypeptide) to inhibit one or more Smad3 polypeptide activities are provided. This document also provides methods and materials for using RNA interference to treat a disease (e.g., a fibrotic disease) in a mammal (e.g., a human).

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in assessing concentrations of analytes in an environment using a diamond-containing carbon electrode. For example, methods and materials for using FSCV or paired pulse voltammetry to discriminate analytes based on their adsorption characteristics to a diamond-containing carbon electrode are described herein.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for using nucleic acid libraries to treat cancer are provided.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating polycystic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease. For example, methods for using a TRPV2 agonist (e.g., probenecid) and optionally a vasopressin receptor antagonist (e.g., tolvaptan) to treat a mammal having polycystic kidney disease (e.g., autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) are provided.

Abstract: A wearable device combines its existing functions (e.g., a headphone) with non-invasive autonomic modulation using tragus or other external auditory meatus stimulation. The wearable device can output audio to a user, such as music, podcast, etc., and further provide modulation of the vagus nerve via tragus stimulation or other external auditory meatus stimulation to treat various diseases.

Abstract: Materials and methods for producing localized hypothermia in a patient (e.g., for treatment of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer).

Abstract: This document provides systems and methods that can improve the efficacy of tube and needle thoracostomy. For example, this document provides devices and methods for confirming the proper placement of a chest tube or needle within the pleural space to relieve a pneumothorax or tension pneumothoax.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for a swallowable pH sensor made entirely of edible and digestible materials. A substrate is provided and an electrical circuit pattern is printed on a top surface of the substrate. The electrical circuit pattern includes a plurality of interdigitated electrodes and an antenna portion. The substrate is rolled into a cylindrical form such that the interdigitated electrodes are positioned on an outermost layer of the rolled substrate. The rolling of the substrate also causes the antenna portion of the electrical circuit pattern to form into a coil shape.

Abstract: Provided herein are hip implant devices and related surgical methods. The hip implants and methods can optionally be used in patients of Asian descent.

Abstract: Multiple endoscopic devices and methods for closing perforations and/or creating anastomoses in tissue are described. For example, this document provides devices and methods for performing esophagogastric anastomoses and for closing esophageal perforations in a minimally invasive fashion. The devices and methods provided herein can also be used for, without limitation, colorectal anastomoses, any bowel anastomosis, gastric bypass anastomoses, and broader vessel anastomoses.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for reducing the risk of infection after a shoulder surgery or medical procedure. For example, this document relates to methods and materials for using a topical composition containing clindamycin or erythromycin to reduce the risk of or to prevent infection associated with shoulder surgeries or medical procedures.

Abstract: Devices and systems can be used to treating spinal conditions. For example, this document describes artificial facet joint systems that can be implanted to treat spinal conditions while facilitating normal stability and motions of the spine. Such systems and methods can be used to treat spinal conditions such as, but not limited to, spondylosis, vertebral fractures, and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for endoscopic dissection of blood vessels and control over cavity pressure within an endoscopic procedure are described herein. Apparatus, systems, and methods for harvesting of blood vessels are also described herein.

Abstract: Endotracheal devices, systems, and methods of using the same for transpulmonary thermal transfer to, e.g., induce transpulmonary hypothermia and/or warming. The endotracheal devices may include first and second lumens extending through the endotracheal device along with insulation located in an interior of the tube of the endotracheal device to limit thermal energy transfer between fluids in the first and second lumens.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for inhibiting the function of an intracellular domain of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) to sensitize cancer cells in a mammal (e.g., a human) to one or more cancer treatments (e.g., radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy) are provided. Also provided are methods and materials for identifying compounds that inhibit the function of an intracellular PD-L1 domain.

Abstract: This document relates to methods for detecting and quantifying heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin using mass spectrometry techniques.