Abstract: This document provides biomarkers of gut microbiota dysbiosis. Bacteria that are increased or decreased in gut microbiota dysbiosis can be used as biomarkers to predict dysbiosis in patients with diarrhea and/or to predict susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). In addition, provided herein are compositions including at least three bacteria that are decreased in gut microbiota dysbiosis which can be used, for example, to restore heathy gut microbiota (e.g., by probiotic or by fecal microbiota transplant) to treat CDI.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for using butyrylcholinesterases (BChE) to treat cancer (e.g., triple negative breast cancer or prostate cancer). For example, methods and materials for using nucleic acid vectors (e.g., viral vectors) to express BChE polypeptides under conditions that reduce the number of cancer cells (e.g., triple negative breast cancer cells or prostate cancer cells) within a mammal (e.g., a human) and/or reduce the growth rate of cancer cells (e.g., triple negative breast cancer cells or prostate cancer cells) within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes an expandable disc replacement body and an adjustment mechanism. The expandable disc replacement body includes a first wall, a second wall, a hinge connecting the first wall and the second wall, and a first bone-screw receiving section at a proximal end of the first wall. The adjustment mechanism is positioned between the first wall and the second wall, and an angle between the first wall and the second wall can be varied by movement of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for using an inhibitor of UFM1 activity or expression and/or an inhibitor of UFL1 activity or expression to reduce a cancer cell's ability to carry out a DDR, thereby increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to treatment with a DNA damaging therapy such as radiation or chemotherapy, are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for using one or more oncolytic viruses (e.g., one or more replicating oncolytic viruses) to treat cancer in a mammal (e.g., a human) identified as having a cancer likely to respond to oncolytic virotherapy are provided.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to vesicular stomatitis viruses. For example, replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, methods for making replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, and methods for using replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses to treat cancer or infectious diseases are provided.

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 gastric cancer.

Abstract: Surgical gowns can be configured to be worn by a human and to be sterile for use in a sterile surgical environment. Such a sterile surgical gown can include one or more pockets attached to the gown and configured to store surgical instruments. The sterile surgical gown can also include one or more rings attached to the gown and configured to hold surgical instruments. In some embodiments, a patch that is attachable to the gown. The patch can include one or more additional pockets or additional rings.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for generating and implementing a hybrid machine learning and mechanistic model to produce biological feature maps, or other measurements of biological features, based on an input of multiparametric magnetic resonance or other images. The hybrid model can include a combination of a machine learning model and a mechanistic model that takes as an input multiparametric MRI, or other imaging, data to generate biological feature maps (e.g., tumor cell density maps), or other measures or predictions of biological features (e.g., tumor cell density). The hybrid models have capabilities of learning individual-specific relationships between imaging features and biological features.

Abstract: Particle or hadron therapy is used on abnormal tissue using carbon atoms, protons, or helium atoms run through a linear accelerator and then directed at the target in the body. This can be used to treat, for example, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, hypertension, seizures, gastrointestinal maladies, etc. Contouring and gating may be used to account for cardiac and respiratory motion, helping reduce collateral damage.

Abstract: This document describes methods and devices for securing epicardial devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for securing epicardial devices by passing a sheath into a pericardial space of a patient through a first percutaneous access site, passing a guidewire through the sheath into the pericardial space of the patient, passing the guidewire through a transverse sinus of the patient, passing a snare device into the pericardial space through a second percutaneous access site, and capturing a free end portion of the guidewire using the snare device.

Abstract: The invention provides computer assisted methods for selecting an antidepressant medication for a patient. The methods utilize a combination genotype comprising at least three genes to guide medication selection.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to interactive medical visualization systems for visualizing stimulation lead placements and related methods. In an embodiment, a medical visualization system can be included having a video processing circuit, a central processing circuit in communication with the video processing circuit, and a user interface. The user interface can be generated by the video processing circuit and can include a three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional model can include at least a portion of a subject's anatomy and a graphic representation including at least one cancer therapy stimulation lead, and a visual thermal heating zone associated with the graphic representation of the at least one cancer therapy stimulation lead and/or a visual electrical field strength zone associated with the graphic representation of the at least one cancer therapy stimulation lead. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for identifying metastatic 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 metastatic malignant skin lesions are provided. This document also provides methods and materials for treating skin cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a mammal (e.g., a human) having a pre-metastatic skin lesion (e.g., pre-metastatic melanoma) and treating that mammal with pentamidine (4,4?-[pentane-1,5-diylbis(oxy)]dibenzenecarboximidamide) are provided.

Abstract: A steering system for a steerable flexible elongate member such as for delivering a medical device and/or system. The steering system may be configured for two-way or four-way steering. A control knob is rotatable to control steering of the steerable flexible elongate member in a first direction or a second direction within a steering plane. In a four-way steering system, a first control knob steers the steerable flexible elongate member in a first steering plane, and a second control knob steers the steerable flexible elongate member in a second steering plane transverse to the first steering plane. The steering system may be supported on a stand configured to allow rotational support of the steering system. The stand may support two steering systems in a manner allowing relative axial translation therebetween.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment system having a control handle operable to deliver and/or deploy an implantable device, e.g., transluminally. A steering control system may include a steering control knob rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the handle to axially pull on a steering element to steer a flexible elongate member to deliver an implantable device to a desired site. An implantable device deployment system may include a slider selectively slidable with respect to the control handle to deploy an implantable device, and optionally to retain the implantable device in a delivery position. A tether adjustment system may include a knob rotatable about the handle's longitudinal axis to axially pull on a tether element to adjust the tension and/or length thereof. A tensioning and locking system may include a knob rotatable about the handle's longitudinal axis to shift a tensioning and locking device to set the tether element's tension and/or length.

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.