Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for longitudinal closure of a dissected sternum are provided. The system includes first and second reinforcing members, fasteners, and closure members. Each reinforcing member is configured to be placed on an outer surface of a respective sternum portion, such that each reinforcing member is longitudinally disposed on an opposite side of a sternum opening with respect to the other reinforcing member. Fasteners may be placed in holes defined in the reinforcing members to secure a respective reinforcing member to a corresponding sternum portion. The closure members, which may be sternal closing wires, may then be wrapped around the sternum portions and the reinforcing members transversely to close the sternum opening. The system provides for a low installed profile, enhancing patient comfort and facilitating healing, and also provides for quick and easy access to the thoracic cavity for re-do sternotomies, if needed.

Abstract: Assemblies, devices, and methods for positioning the same proximate a target site within a body lumen are provided. The assembly includes first and second components that can function independently of one another to address a patient's vascular abnormalities or can cooperate to form an assembly. The assembly is designed to address aortic pathologies near clusters of arterial branches in a way that allows blood to continue flowing to the arterial branches during the procedure while providing an adequate landing zone for the adjoining component. One of the components may include a tapered portion near one end that can be received by a corresponding end of the other component. Alternatively, one of the components may include an invaginated end that is able to receive a corresponding end of the other component such that the position of each component is substantially fixed with respect to the other.

Abstract: Amphiphilic cationic polymers comprising a biocompatible amphiphile linked to an organic cation are provided. The polymers complex with therapeutic agents and facilitate delivery of such therapeutic agents, particularly therapeutic nucleic acids, both in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, the invention further provides methods of facilitating delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents to a cell and methods of treating a condition, such as a disease or infection, in an organism using the amphiphilic cationic polymers of the invention.

Abstract: A computer-based device and predictive model executable by computer software for use with the device to predict or estimate a percentage probability of death from thrombosis in a patient with active cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating or preventing fibrosis comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment or prevention an amount of microRNA-19b effective to treat or prevent said fibrosis. In some embodiments, the invention relates to inhibiting the activation of collagen-producing cells and thereby treating or preventing fibrosis. The methods of the invention also include detection of biomarkers that can be used to diagnose disease and/or evaluate the prognosis of a patient suffering from fibrosis or at risk of developing fibrosis, such as hepatic fibrosis. Such methods may be used to characterize the progression of diseases associated with fibrosis.

Abstract: Alkyl nitrate ester compounds are provided for the delivery of nitric oxide to targeted muscle tissues, and in particular, to normal and dystrophic muscles. In one aspect, nitrate ester compounds are provided having the following formula: wherein, R1 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, CnH2n+1OH, CnH2n+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; R2 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn?H2n?+1OH, Cn?H2n?+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; R3 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn??H2n?+1OH, Cn?H2n?+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; and R4 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn??H2n?+1OH, Cn?H2n?+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; wherein n is an integer from 0 to 9, n? is an integer from 0 to 9, and n? is an integer from 0 to 9, and n+n?+n??9, and wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is an ester nitrate selected from the group consisting of ONO2, CH2ONO2, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition and associated method for the treatment of musculoskeletal related disorders and diseases. In particular, the present invention provides a class of citrate compounds that can be used to for the treatment of diseases/disorders characterized by the degeneration of musculoskeletal tissues including menisci, bone, articular cartilage, and soft tissues. Examples of suitable citrate and citrate analog compounds include citrates having the following base formula (I): where X may be one of the following: wherein Y, Y?, and Y? are independently a citrate moiety, O, O—Y, OH, NH, NH—Y, R and R—Y, with R being an alkyl, alkyene, ester, aryl, or phenyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to antisense compounds and compositions for the treatment of muscular dystrophy, and in particular, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In one embodiment, the invention is directed to antisense oligonucleotide molecules, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations comprising antisense oligonucleotide molecules, and methods of treating muscular dystrophy related diseases and disorders wherein the antisense oligonucleotide molecules comprises a base sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 5-8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 24, 27, 28, 34, 35, 37, 40, 42, 44-46, 79, 97, 100, 101, and 116, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests or from professionally administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels as at different sound frequencies, as an individualized audiological profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address as closely as possible an individual's hearing deficits. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a convenient personal apparatus, such as a smartphone. The system includes the ability for capturing an environment profile. The user's hearing is protected against harm in the enhanced audio setting while being provided with the option of a “enhanced hearing” experience. The invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired. Thus the system is useful as a hearing aid.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of pulmonary embolism is a postoperative patient using the carbox ratio of the patient prior to the surgical procedure and the carbox ratio of the patient after to the surgical procedure. The characteristics of the breath of the patient are obtained prior to a surgical procedure for a baseline and then afterwards if the patient has difficult breathing. The mean carbox ratios from the baseline and post-surgical data collections are then compared to non-invasively predict the likelihood that the patient has developed pulmonary embolism. A decrease in the carbox ratio of more than twenty-five percent (25%) represents an abnormal test and is consistent with possible pulmonary embolism. No change or an increase in the carbox ratio suggests the absence of pulmonary embolism.

Abstract: A method and a test for using carbonic anhydrase (CA), particularly CA-I or CA-II, as a biomarker of hemolysis. The method and test detect hemolysis by determining a percentage erythrocyte hemolysis in a specimen or sample of blood based upon quantification of carbonic anhydrase present in the extracellular portion of the blood. The method and test serve to optimize therapeutic efficacy for treatments of hemolysis. Plasma carbonic anhydrase is used to determine the percentage hemolysis in plasma. Furthermore, CA is quantified with specificity to the isozyme present in the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting a pre-disposition of HBV-infected individuals to develop hepatacellular carcinoma (HCC).

Abstract: A method for determining whether a subject has Gram negative bacterial pneumonia based on the presence of lipopolysaccharide in exhaled breath condensate collected from the subject. The collection devices utilized to collect exhaled breath condensate from both spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated subjects and the devices utilized to determine whether lipopolysaccharide is present in the collected exhaled breath condensate.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring an elevation, ?, from horizontal of a backrest against which a backbody of an individual may lean, to provide an automatic notification in the event the elevation, ?, falls below a prescribed value.

Abstract: A mobile medical facility capable of treating a plurality of patients and being transported over the roadways without requiring extensive transporting means. In general the mobile medical facility includes a trailer. The trailer defines a floor area and has at least a first and second configuration. In the first configuration, the floor area is reduced to allow for transporting of the trailer over the public highways. In the second configuration, the floor area of the trailer is expanded and large enough to support a plurality of beds for treating patients. In some embodiments, the floor area in the second configuration may be at least twice as large as the floor area in the first configuration.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a subject has Gram negative bacterial pneumonia based on the presence of lipopolysaccharide in exhaled breath condensate collected from the subject. The collection devices utilized to collect exhaled breath condensate from both spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated subjects and the devices utilized to determine whether lipopolysaccharide is present in the collected exhaled breath condensate.

Abstract: A diagnosis method for respiratory disease based on the separation of the expired airway phase in an exhaled breath from the alveolar phase, and a device to accomplish the method. The device includes a cartridge assembly and a disposable condensing chamber carried in a substantially enclosed housing. The cartridge assembly includes a disposable cartridge and a reusable control system that monitors a characteristic of gas passing through the cartridge to determine when to divert the exhaled breath to an exhaust outlet and when to divert the exhaled breath to the condensing chamber. The characteristic is selected as being representative of the transition from the expired airway phase to the alveolar phase. Also included are a refrigeration system, an auxiliary monitoring system for determining when a sufficient volume of gas has been produced, and a built-in analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting a pre-disposition of HBV-infected individuals to develop hepatacellular carcinoma (HCC).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting a pre-disposition of HBV-infected individuals to develop hepatacellular carcinoma (HCC).

Abstract: An erythema meter includes a probe, a light source of one or more specific probing and reference wavelengths, and an acoustic detector which determines the level of erythema present in the dental pulp chamber of a tooth. The probing and reference wavelengths are delivered in pulsed or amplitude modulated fashion through the probe, thereby permitting electronic identification and filtering of the received data. The absorption of the light wave raises the temperature of the material in the tooth and causes it to expand, thus creating tiny shockwaves which are picked up with the acoustic detector, revealing information on the location of blood and the quantity of blood inside the tooth. The erythema meter accurately measures the erythema, or inflammation, within the tooth in a qualitative and quantitative manner.