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.

Abstract: An electrode includes a body and a breakable container of contact-enhancing fluid on or in the body. The container is impermeable to the fluid, and is breakable in response to physical manipulation of the electrode to disperse the fluid into the body.

Abstract: A delivery/deployment system for delivering an implantable device within an implantable device housing and for deploying the implantable device from the implantable device housing. A stylet may be used to longitudinally advance or retract the implantable device with respect to the implantable device housing, such as to extend and deploy the implantable device from the implantable device housing. The delivery/deployment system has an implantable-device-extension-limiter arrangement configured to limit the distance which the implantable device may be extended from the implantable device housing. The delivery/deployment system optionally also has an implantable-device-rotation-limiter arrangement configured to limit rotation of the implantable device with respect to the implantable device housing.

Abstract: The present application provides methods for treating or preventing diseases and conditions associated with tissue fibrosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanoparticles complexed with binding agents and/or therapeutic agents (e.g., antibody-complexed albumin-bound paclitaxel/doxorubicin nanoparticles and antibody-complexed albumin-bound paclitaxel/SN38 nanoparticles) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Additionally, provided herein are methods of making nanoparticles complexed with binding agents and/or therapeutic agents (e.g., antibody-complexed albumin-bound paclitaxel/doxorubicin nanoparticles and antibody-complexed albumin-bound paclitaxel/SN38 nanoparticles) and methods of treating cancer in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A steerable device and system allowing a steerable elongate member positioned within another steerable tubular elongate member to be steered independently of the steerable tubular elongate member. The steerable tubular elongate member may be steered in a first plane, bending the steerable elongate member therein in the first plane as well. A steering mechanism operatively associated with the steerable elongate member has a distal portion operatively associated with a steerable region of the steerable elongate member to steer such steerable region within a second plane transverse to the first plane. The steering mechanism is independently movable with respect to a portion of the steerable elongate member proximal to the steerable region so as not to affect the orientation of the steerable region to be steered into a second plane transverse to the first plane.

Abstract: This document relates to adenovirus vectors and methods and materials related to using adenovirus vectors. For example, viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding viruses, cell lines containing viral vectors, and methods for using viruses to deliver nucleic acid to cells in vitro or in vivo are provided. Methods and materials for using adenovirus vectors to induce immune responses and to treat cancer also are provided.

Abstract: A system with an analyzer device in fluid communication with a sample of a bodily fluid is configured to chemically or electrochemically convert at least a portion of ammonium (NH4+) contained within the bodily fluid into ammonia (NH3) and dispel the converted ammonia (NH3) into a gas sensing chamber. An ammonia (NH3) sensor located within the gas sensing chamber in conjunction with a processor can quantify an amount of ammonia (NH3) present in the gas sensing chamber in relation to the total ammonia of the bodily fluid.

Abstract: Improved osseointegration devices and structures, including such structures that can be used in connection with prosthetic limbs. Examples include a self-centering implant/nut configuration, a centering device, a tapered mounting screw hole, a coupling device, and an aiming device. The devices are highly efficacious. For example, they can be secured with minimal residual bone, and may be removed without significant bone destruction.

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: This disclosure relates to methods and materials for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries). For example, biomaterial compositions (e.g., BEM compositions containing PRF and one or more nanoclay materials) for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries) within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and materials for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries). For example, hydrogel compositions for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries) within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: A DOPA-Gelatin is disclosed in which the monophenolic group of tyrosine, a prominent amino acid in porcine gelatin, is converted into a catechol group using an enzyme-based DOPA modification technique. The resulting DOPA-Gelatin has been discovered to exhibit good mechanical strength and adhesion. Moreover, in vitro studies show that DOPA-Gelatin has no cytotoxicity with HDF and HaCaT cells, two cells typically involved in the skin wound healing process. Further RT-PCR and angiogenesis investigation showed that DOPA-Gelatin can promote the expression of wound-related genes and facilitate neovascularization. In a full-thickness dorsal defect model in mice, DOPA-Gelatin treated groups decreased the wound closure time and enhanced hair follicle growth. These results demonstrate that the DOPA-Gelatin hydrogel compositions disclosed herein are an effective functional biomaterial that can potentiate the wound healing process.

Abstract: The present application provides methods and compositions for treating cancer, for example, renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, ovarian, breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic, bladder, liver, lung, and thyroid cancer, and more particularly to using an inhibitor of a stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) enzyme in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor to treat these disorders.

Abstract: This document describes methods and materials for mapping and modulating repolarization. For example, this document relates to methods and devices for mapping and modulating repolarization to target atrial and ventricular arrhythmias to deliver electrical stimulation pacing, ablation and/or electroporation.

Abstract: This document describes systems, methods, and devices for sensing electrical activity in a brain of a mammal Some aspects include a cortical electrode assembly configured, in use, to sense electrical activity at a surface of a brain, the assembly comprising: a ring-shaped substrate; and a plurality of electrical sensors affixed to the ring-shaped substrate, wherein the plurality of electrical sensors are spaced along the ring-shaped substrate so as to form a ring of electrical sensors that substantially encircle an aperture formed by the ring-shaped substrate.

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: This document provides methods and materials involved in identifying mammals (e.g., humans) having cancer cells with an elevated level of phosphorylated Ub polypeptides (e.g., an elevated level of Y59 phosphorylated Ub polypeptides). For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence of cancer cells having an elevated level of Y59 phosphorylated Ub polypeptides are provided.

Abstract: B7-H5 costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for performing retinal pigment epithelium transplantation. For example, methods and materials for using fibrin supports for retinal pigment epithelium transplantation are provided.