Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes a tubular member which is flexible and configured to receive ultraviolet (UV) light from a UV illumination coupler. The tubular member contains a lumen defining a longitudinal interior space within the tubular member, a tubular body bounded by an inner wall defining an outer boundary of the lumen and an outer wall defining an outer surface of the tubular member, at least one optical fiber disposed outside of the interior space not parallel to an axis of the lumen and adapted to receive the UV light from the UV illumination coupler, and a protective component adapted to prevent substantively all of the UV light emitted from the optical fiber from exiting the outer wall. Methods for producing and using such devices are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Tissue scaffolds for neural tissue growth have a plurality of microchannels disposed within a sheath. Each microchannel comprises a porous wall having a thickness of ?about 100 ?m that is formed from a biocompatible and biodegradable material comprising a polyester polymer. The polyester polymer may be polycaprolactone, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer, and combinations thereof. The tissue scaffolds have high open volume % enabling superior (linear and high fidelity) neural tissue growth, while minimizing inflammation near the site of implantation in vivo. In other aspects, methods of making such tissue scaffolds are provided. Such a method may include mixing a reduced particle size porogen with a polymeric precursor solution. The material is cast onto a template and then can be processed, including assembly in a sheath and removal of the porogen, to form a tissue scaffold having a plurality of porous microchannels.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a complex rhythm disorder in a human heart includes accessing signals from a plurality of sensors disposed spatially in relation to the heart, where the signals are associated with activations of the heart, and identifying a region of the heart having an activation trail that is rotational or radially emanating, where the activation trail is indicative of the complex rhythm disorder and is based on activation times associated with the activations of the heart.

Abstract: Methods of treating an adult mammal for an aging-associated condition are provided. Aspects of the methods include enhancing a TIMP activity, e.g., a TIMP2 activity, in the mammal in a manner sufficient to treat the adult mammal for the aging-associated condition. Also provided are compositions for use in practicing methods of the invention. A variety of aging-associated conditions may be treated by practice of the methods, which conditions include cognitive impairments.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of treating a subject having an ocular condition, methods of isolating ocular stem cells, methods of selecting and/or producing ocular grafts for transplantation, and methods of promoting ocular cell regeneration as well as to grafts and preparations containing isolated ocular stem cells characterized by the expression of ABCB5 on their cell surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for assessing severity, determining future risk, matching with a drug treatment, and measuring response to treatment, for stress disorders. Also disclosed are new methods of use for drugs and natural compounds repurposed for use in reducing stress severity, as well as for preventing and treating stress disorders. All the above mentioned methods are computer assisted methods analyzing the expression of panels of genes, clinical measures, and drug databases. A universal approach in everybody, as well as a personalized approaches by gender, and by diagnosis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for assessing a risk of fall based on tracking data of a subject tracking a moving target. Tracking data of a first subject to the moving target is determined based on sensing a body of the first subject that measure a position of one or more body segments at time increments over a time period. A response of the first subject is characterized based on the tracking data of the first subject. Tracking data of a second subject to the moving target is determined based on sensing a body of the second subject that measure a position of one or more body segments at each time increment over the time period. A risk of fall of the second subject is determined based on the response of the first subject and the response of the second subject.

Abstract: Inhibition of the expression and/or function of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) can reduce, prevent or reverse the pathophysiological vascular changes associated with the onset and progression of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Compositions and methods to inhibit the expression and function of NAMPT for treating and preventing Pulmonary Fibrosis in a subject in need are provided. The compositions and methods are useful for the modulation of pathophysiological processes that contribute to the development and progression of Pulmonary Fibrosis by reducing lung inflammation, aberrant myofibroblast accumulation and deposition of collagen in fibrotic foci.

Abstract: Hair follicle bulge region/LLP region CD34(+) MeSCs can be isolated from mammalian skin bearing hair follicles. These cells are multipotent and retain the ability to differentiate into cells of neural crest lineage, including glia-like cells that express the glial marker Gfap, and are able to express myelin basic protein, and to remyelinate naked (unmyelinated or demyelinated) neuronal processes with a functional, dense myelin sheath. These cells of neural crest lineage can be used to produce a dense myelin sheath on neurons which lack myelin due to genetic defect, trauma, toxin, infection, or disease process. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide methods for preparing such cells, the cells themselves and compositions containing the cells, as well as methods for using the cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns protection of an organ or tissue outside of the central nervous system following an ischemic episode. In particular aspects, the invention concerns organ preservation for transplantation, angina pectoris, kidney reperfusion injury, and so forth. In specific embodiments, the organ is subjected to an inhibitor of an NCCa-ATP channel that is regulated by SUR1. Exemplary inhibitors include sulfonylurea compounds, such as glibenclamide, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass methods and/or compositions for ameliorating or preventing intimal damage caused by mechanical stimulation of endothelial cells. The damage may be caused by use of a device within an artery, vein, or capillary of an individual, such as to remove a thrombus, an embolus or an atherosclerotic plaque in the vessel. Treatment and prevention embodiments concern therapeutically effective amounts of one or more antagonists of the SUR1-TRPM4 channel that is upregulated upon the mechanical stimulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the presence, species, and/or quantity of Leishmania in a sample.

Abstract: A system for processing cardiac activation information associated with a complex rhythm disorder identifies a location of the heart rhythm disorder by determining activations within cardiac signals obtained at neighboring locations of the heart and arranging the activations to identify an activation trail. The activation trail may define a rotational pattern or radially emanating pattern corresponding to an approximate core of the heart rhythm disorder.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to the modelling, treatment, reducing resistance to the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of diseases/symptoms induced by multiple myeloma. Embodiments include methods of treating a bone related disease, comprising the steps of: administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of a compound disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting an intracellular target in a cell with a bispecific antibody comprising contacting the cell with a bispecific antibody having a first Fv fragment with a cell-penetrating determinant and a second Fv fragment with an intracellular target-binding determinant under suitable conditions so that the first Fv fragment causes the bispecific antibody to enter the cell and the second Fv fragment binds the intracellular target in the cell and thereby inhibiting the intracellular target.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for non-invasively diagnosing and/or prognosing a lung cancer and for determining the efficacy of a therapeutic treatment regimen for the lung cancer. Expression levels of at least two small non-coding RNAs, for example, microRNAs and small nucleolar RNAs, are measured and used to calculate an area under the curve (AUC) that provides a probability of lung cancer in the subject. The smoking history of the subject and, if present, the size of pulmonary nodules may be incorporated into the calculation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials and methods for maintaining and propagating mammalian mesenchymal stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cells and applications of the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic compositions targeting the NCCa-ATP channel of an astrocyte, neuron or capillary endothelial cell and methods of using same. More specifically, agonists and antagonists of the NCCa-ATP channel are contemplated. The therapeutic compositions are used to treat cancer, more specifically, a metastatic brain tumor, wherein a tumor-brain barrier is present. Such treatments are contemplated in combination with conventional anti-cancer therapies. Alternatively, the compositions are used to prevent cell death and to treat cerebral edema that result from ischemia, due to interruption of blood flow, to tissue trauma or to increased tissue pressure.

Abstract: The invention features probiotic bacteria expressing Clostridium difficile SlpA, or fragment thereof, and its use for the treatment or prevention of Clostridium difficile infection and gut colonization.

Abstract: A composition comprising a novel Ca2+-activated, [ATP]i-sensitive nonspecific cation (NCCa-ATP) channel is described. The channel is found in mammalian neural cells and exhibits a different sensitivity to block by various adenine nucleotides, and is activated by submicromolar [Ca]i. The NCCa-ATP channel is activated under conditions of ATP depletion, which causes severe cell depolarization, followed by cell swelling. The NCCa-ATP channel is regulated by a sulfonylurea receptor and is inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Methods employing compositions comprising the NCCa-ATP channel to screen for compounds that block the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described. In addition, methods employing compositions comprising the Kir2.3 channel to screen for compounds that open the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described.