Abstract: This disclosure provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

Abstract: The present application provides materials and methods for treating a patient with a titin-based myopathy, particularly a titin-based cardiomyopathy, and/or other titinopathy. In addition, the present application provides materials and methods for editing the titin gene in a cell by genome editing.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions that are useful to lessen and/or cure bacterial biofilms and treat diseases or disorders associated with biofilms using one or more novel polypeptide vaccines, antibodies, antibody fragments and compositions. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

Abstract: It has been established that optimizing cell seeding onto tissue engineering vascular grafts (TEVG) is associated with reduced inflammatory responses and reduced post-operative stenosis of TEVG. Cell seeding increased TEVG patency in a dose dependent manner, and TEVG patency improved when more cells were seeded, however duration of incubation time showed minimal effect on TEVG patency. Methods of engineering patient specific TEVG including optimal numbers of cells to maintain graft patency and reduce post-operative stenosis are provided. Closed, single-use customizable systems for seeding TEVG are also provided. Preferably the systems are custom-designed based on morphology of the patient specific graft, to enhance the efficacy of cell seeding.

Abstract: The invention provides gene therapy vectors, such as adeno-associated vims (AAV) vectors, expressing a miniaturized human micro-dystrophin gene and method of using these vectors to express micro-dystrophin in skeletal muscle including diaphragm and cardiac muscle and to protect muscle fibers from injury, increase muscle strength and reduce and/or prevent fibrosis in subjects suffering from muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising a biocompatible microsphere, a biofilm-generating probiotic bacterium, a prebiotic, and/or a prebiofilmic. Methods for preparing and formulating the compositions and methods for treating or preventing a disease using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel CRISPR-Cas9 based system for editing mitochondrial DNA. Aspects of the disclosure provide for mitochondrial translocation of both the guide RNA and the recombinant Cas9 nuclease.

Abstract: Provided herein are microspheres containing an antimicrobial agent encapsulated within a glycosidic polymer and use thereof, especially to inhibit the growth of carie-causing organism.

Abstract: Recombinant polynucleotides and vectors containing an engineered (artificial) exon-intron-exon gene structure in a transgene are provided, which undergoes splicing when it is expressed in a target cell.

Abstract: The invention provides for recombinant AAV vectors comprising a polynucleotide sequence comprising the guide strand of miR-29c and methods of using the recombinant vectors to reduce or prevent fibrosis in subjects suffering from dystrophinopathy or muscular dystrophy. The invention also provides for combination therapies comprising expressing both miR-29 and micro-dystrophin to reduce and prevent fibrosis in patients suffering from dystrophinopathy or muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Described herein are recombinant AAV vectors comprising a polynucleotide sequence comprising ?-sarcoglycan and methods of using the recombinant vectors to reduce or prevent fibrosis in a mammalian subject suffering from a muscular dystrophy. Also described herein are combination therapies comprising administering AAV vector(s) expressing ?-sarcoglycan and miR-29c to a mammalian subject suffering from a muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue-specific promoter system for expressing microRNA (miRNA) for RNA interference-based methods of gene therapy. In these systems, the miRNA will inhibit gene expression or replace natural miRNA expression using microRNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and kits for determining whether a subject is suffering from endometriosis or an associated disorder. It also provides methods and kits for determining whether a subject suffering from endometriosis or an associated disorder is more or less likely to be responsive to a therapy to treat endometriosis or an associated disorder.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a non-natural herpes simplex virus (“HSV”), compositions comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or yet further consisting of the HSV, and methods of producing the HSV, or infecting a cell with the HSV. Also provided herein are methods of treating cancer or inhibiting the growth or metastasis of cancer cell in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and kits for determining whether a subject is suffering from cisplatin-containing resistant ovarian and methods for treating and reversing resistance.

Abstract: A sanitizable audio device for use in neonatal care and method of use are provided herein. The audio device comprises a smooth shell defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface forms a curved continuous smooth surface. The inner surface supports electronic elements. The shell defines one or more switch apertures, housing one or more actuatable electrical switches, in communication with the electronic elements. The method of use comprises generating an audio output including selecting content that is age appropriate for a particular infant, altering a sound emission of a recording of a care-giver of the particular infant, and programming a music player to emit the audio output below an age dependent volume, for an age dependent number of intervals per day and per week, for an age dependent duration.

Abstract: The invention provides for recombinant AAV vectors comprising a polynucleotide sequence comprising the guide strand of miR-29c and methods of using the recombinant vectors to reduce or prevent fibrosis in subjects suffering from muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: An adjustable protective mouth assembly and method for protecting the surroundings adjacent to the oral cavity of a patient is provided. The adjustable protective mouth assembly includes a channeled body comprising first and second legs spaced and integrally coupled by a connecting portion. The channeled body is for inserting into the oral cavity of a patient during use. The channeled body further comprises first and second ends, such that the channeled body of the first end is constructed to be received and nest within the channeled body of the second end, forming a connection therebetween.

Abstract: This disclosure provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

Abstract: This disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and purified or isolated naturally occurring exosome products that have therapeutic use for treating an unmet medical need. The exosome compositions contain an effective amount of exosomes isolated from a body fluid of a non-diseased subject. The compositions are useful in the treatment of a variety of fibrotic diseases.