Abstract: A delivery/deployment system having a control handle configured to control delivery and/or deployment of a medical device with arms configured to grasp tissue therebetween. The system may include a device spreader with arms engaging the medical device arms and controlled by an actuator operably coupled with the control handle. The control handle may include a lever pivotable to similarly pivot the device spreader and medical device arms open or closed. A device retention assembly may be provided to retain the medical device with respect to the device spreader. The control handle may include a release element movable to shift the retention assembly into a disengaged configuration allowing release of the medical device from the device spreader. The control handle may axially translate and/or rotate the device spreader into a desired position, and may be fixable in position by a handle lock once in a desired position.

Abstract: This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions, hypertension, and other medical disorders. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation. In some embodiments, the ablation is performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can abate the formation of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia caused by the ablation.

Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for preparing a cell and tissue culture, including a hanging drop culture. Microwells are specially loaded with cell mixtures using a removable reservoir and forcing cells into the underlying microwells. The removable reservoir is removed and the cells partitioned into the individual microwells and covered by an immiscible layer of fluid. The microwells and immiscible layer is inverted and the cells in the microwells cultured. The microwells may have shape-controlling elements to control the three-dimensional shape of the culture.

Abstract: A flexible elongate member with the ability to deliver a material through a medium-delivery channel defined within a wall thereof. The flexible elongate member may have a tubular wall defining a lumen therethrough, the medium-delivery channel being formed within the tubular wall. The flexible elongate member may be a reinforced flexible tubular elongate member with a reinforcing layer within the tubular wall thereof. One or more filaments forming the reinforcing layer may be hollow to define the medium-delivery channel extending through the reinforced flexible tubular elongate member.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for identifying malignant skin lesions (e.g., malignant pigmented skin lesions). For example, methods and materials for using quantitative PCR results and correction protocols to reduce the impact of basal keratinocyte contamination on the analysis of test sample results to identify malignant skin lesions are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are qPCR-based methods for quantitatively detecting and differentiating between live and dead pathogenic bacteria such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Also provided herein are simple, fast, and reliable genomic DNA extraction methods with improved efficiency.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a disease can include detecting, in a sample from a patient, an autoantibody binding to Septin-7. A polypeptide comprising Septin-7 or a variant thereof can be used for the diagnosis of a disease. Preferably, the polypeptide is used to detect an autoantibody binding to Septin-7 in a sample. A kit is useful for the diagnosis of a disease. The kit may include a polypeptide that includes Septin-7 or a variant thereof or a medical device that includes a polypeptide that includes Septin-7 or a variant thereof and an autoantibody to Septin-7.

Abstract: This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions such as valvular stenosis. For example, this document provides devices and methods by which a guide catheter can align itself with a blood flow stream to thereby help direct a guidewire or other elongate device transmitted from the guide catheter through an orifice of a heart valve.

Abstract: A method for treating a mammal having an autoimmune disease, wherein said method comprises administering a SCD1 polypeptide inhibitor to said mammal, wherein said SCD1 polypeptide inhibitor is a compound having Formula (II): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein: R1 is halo; X is —(C?O)NR4—; Y is ?and R2, R3, and R4 are each independently H or an unsubstituted alkyl.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for reducing IOP in a patient suffering from an IOP-related ocular disorder or an ocular disorder responsive to the lowering of IOP, the compositions comprising a nucleic acid encoding the hormone peptide human stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1). In aspects provided herein, the STC-1 encoding nucleic acid is contained in a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an AAV capsid comprising a nucleic acid packaged therein, wherein the nucleic acid comprises an AAV 5? inverted terminal repeat (ITR), a promoter, and a coding sequence encoding a STC-1 polypeptide, and an AAV 3? ITR (rAAV-STC-1). The rAAV-STC-1 compositions and methods provided herein allow for repeatable, diffuse, and sustained expression of STC-1 for extended periods, resulting in prolonged periods of IOP-reduction in patients most at need.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in assessing mammals (e.g., humans) for arthritis. For example, methods and materials for assessing a mammal's gut microbial diversity to identify the mammal as having arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) are provided. This document also provides methods and materials involved in treating arthritis.

Abstract: A direct visualization catheter includes an elongate shaft defining a lumen and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a transparent balloon attached to the distal end portion of the shaft. The balloon includes a first layer comprising a thermoset polymer and a plurality of polymeric fibers at least partially embedded in the thermoset polymer and a second layer disposed on the first layer and comprising a hydrogel.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a soft tissue device, such as a transverse carpal ligament cutting device having one or more balloons that are deflated when the device is in an inactive position and are inflated when the device is in an active position. Other embodiments provide a soft tissue cutting method, such as a method of cutting a transverse carpal ligament that uses a soft tissue cutting device.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as pancreatic and colorectal cancer.

Abstract: Methods of using a soft tissue cutting device are disclosed. The methods include providing the soft tissue cutting device, positioning the soft tissue cutting device in a priming slot of a tray configured for receiving and holding the soft tissue cutting device, attaching a priming syringe to the soft tissue cutting device, priming a balloon disposed on a distal end of the soft tissue cutting device by equalizing a first pressure inside the balloon to a second pressure inside the priming syringe, removing the soft tissue cutting device from the priming slot, and positioning the distal end of the soft tissue cutting device on a safety slot included in the tray to determine whether the tissue cutting device has been properly primed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of use for draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a brain or a spinal canal in a subject, for example, to treat hydrocephalus or other conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a device comprising a flow controller positioned within a conduit that allows CSF to flow through the conduit from a first end to a second end. This may allow the CSF to drain, for example, from an intradural space (such as a thecal sac) into, for example, a paraspinal space, paraspinal vein or other venous space, or peritoneal cavity. A variety of methods may be used to hold or anchor the device in place, for example, an expansion apparatus. In some embodiments, the device can be implanted percutaneously at a location along or within a subject's spinal column, thus reducing the need for surgery, general anesthesia, and hospitalizations.

Abstract: This document describes methods and materials for reducing incision sizes for improving the treatment of pathological conditions, including arrhythmias and trauma, using temperature modulation via implantable devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for treating atrial and/or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium.

Abstract: Materials and methods for modulating protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) activity to alter myelination are provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for body conduit lengthening and anastomosis creation can be used to treat patients with a variety of health conditions. For example, among other uses, this document describes esophageal lengthening and anastomosis devices that can be used to remedy esophageal atresia in neonatal patients.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for expanding antigen-specific T cells (e.g., antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and/or antigen-specific CD8+ T cells) in culture. For example, methods and materials for performing a polyclonal stimulation step for a particular duration (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 48 hours) to increase the expansion of T cells having a desired antigen specificity are provided.