Abstract: Provided herein are methods for preventing or treating a psychological disorder. A serotonin agonist or an agonist of serotonin receptors is administered separately, sequentially or simultaneously in combination with a serotonin receptor 2A antagonist.

Abstract: A method of using the transverse relaxation rate (R2) of solvent NMR signal to detect filling errors of an alum-containing product in real-time in-line during manufacturing, for example during a fill-finish unit operation. This technique can be used for quality control in vaccine manufacturing to ensure the delivery of the correct concentration of alum-containing product to the product container such as a vial or pre-filled syringe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting whether a pulmonary nodule in a subject is benign or non-small cell lung cancer, comprising obtaining the results of an assay that measures an expression level of miR205-5p in a plasma sample from the subject; obtaining the results of an assay that measures an expression level of miR126 in a plasma sample from the subject; obtaining the results of an assay that provides a size of the pulmonary nodule in the subject; and calculating a probability value based on the combination of the expression levels of miR205-5p and miR126, and the size of the pulmonary nodule, wherein if the probability value exceeds a specified threshold, the pulmonary nodule is predicted as non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides transseptal puncture devices configured to access structures on the left side of the heart from the right side of the heart without requiring open-heart surgery. The devices have adjustable stiffness to enter the vasculature in a flexible, atraumatic fashion, then become rigid once in place to provide a stable platform for penetration of the fossa ovalis. The devices are further configured to controllably and stably extend a needle to puncture the FO. The devices include an indwelling blunt stylus that can extend perpendicularly from the device to increase the accuracy of placement near the fossa ovalis.

Abstract: A device and method is provided herein for esophageal impingement of a patient's aorta. The device may be inserted into a patient's esophagus and positioned at the location where the esophagus passes over the patient's aorta. In this position, an actuation device is used to apply pressure to the patient's aorta through their esophagus to impinge or occlude the aorta to stop or significantly reduce hemorrhaging. A manually operable actuator handle enables a physician to manipulate a head assembly of the device through three distinct degrees of freedom of movement so as to control placement and direction of force against the patient's esophagus and, in turn, their aorta.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inter- and intra-catheter flow device for the management of vascular bleeding disorders that provide a liquid flow-pass between proximal and distal balloons for bridging the circulation between the upper and lower segments of a hemorrhaging artery or blood vessel, while blocking the blood flow to the hemorrhaging middle segment(s) of the artery or blood vessel between the two or more balloons. When only one balloon is inflated, these devices can create a pressure gradient between proximal or distal and middle segments of the artery or blood vessel. These devices are useful for controlling proximal artery blood pressure, preventing distal ischemia-reperfusion injury, identifying the bleeding location, controlling the bleeding, repairing and remodeling vascular structures, extending resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) use duration, and performing fluid resuscitation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods using ultrasound to predict if a patient's cardiac stroke volume will increase with a fluid bolus. Ultrasound measures are taken before administering a fluid bolus, including measurement of the left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTI), and venous measurements of the internal jugular vein. Data collected from such ultrasound scan is then used to predict the patient's cardiac volume response in the event that a fluid bolus is administered to that patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein translation inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that bind to an RNA Recognition motif in heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein A18 to inhibit binding to mRNA transcripts thereby inhibiting protein synthesis. Also provided is a method for treating a cancer by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable amounts of at least one of the protein translation inhibitors.

Abstract: A device for monitoring at least one parameter of a fluid specimen obtained from a patient. The device has a fluid conduit holder comprising a clamp configured to position a fluid conduit, which holds the fluid specimen obtained from the patient, in a position for optical analysis, and an optical analyzer having a light source and a light detector. The optical analyzer is configured to expose the fluid specimen contained within the fluid conduit to an illuminant and measure light received at the detector. The device has an optical alignment mechanism mechanically coupling the light source, the clamp, and the light detector together, and configured to align at least the light detector with the fluid conduit at the position for optical analysis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating subjects having increased lipid levels, methods of identifying subjects having an increased risk of developing an increased lipid level, methods of detecting human Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Transcription Factor 1 (SREBF1) variant nucleic acid molecules and variant polypeptides, and SREBF1 variant nucleic acid molecules and variant polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved percutaneous dilation tracheostomy device. The device is configured to include all of the required components to perform a percutaneous tracheotomy. The device includes a retractable needle and an extendable j-wire rather than having separate components as in typical percutaneous tracheostomy devices. The device includes a dilator section to expand the diameter of a patient's stoma. The device is further configured to allow an operator to perform a bubble test to alert the user that the tube is in the trachea. In addition, the device is generally more compact than typical emergency tracheostomy devices.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and methods that can greatly improve cell quality, streamline workflows, and lower costs. Applications include research and clinical diagnostics in cancer, infectious disease, and inflammatory disease, among other disease areas.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for high throughput purification of particles. In some cases, methods and devices described herein can be used to remove erythrocytes and purify leukocytes and raise the quality of umbilical cord blood and other transplant grafts, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting L-plastin activity for inhibiting bone resorption activity of osteoclasts. In certain instances, the compositions and methods are used to treat or prevent a disease or disorder associated with bone resorption. In one aspect, the compositions and methods relate to peptide inhibitors comprising an N-terminal fragment of L-plastin.

Abstract: The invention described herein is directed to methods and systems for protecting network trace data. Network traces are used for network management, packet classification, traffic engineering, tracking user behavior, identifying user behavior, analyzing network hierarchy, maintaining network security, and classifying packet flows. In some embodiments, network trace data is protected by subjecting network trace data to data anonymization using an anonymization algorithm that simultaneously provides sufficient privacy to accommodate the organization need of the network trace data owner, provides acceptable data utility to accommodate management and/or network investigative needs, and provides efficient data analysis, at the same time.

Abstract: Techniques for particle beam therapy include receiving a target region inside a subject for particle therapy, a minimum dose inside the target region, and a maximum dose inside the subject but outside target region. Multiple beam axis angles are determined, each involving a gantry angle and a couch position. Multiple spots within the target region are determined. For each beam axis angle a pristine particle scan beam (not coaxial with any other particle scan beam) is determined such that a Bragg Peak is directed to a spot, and repeated until every spot is subjected to a Bragg Peak or an intersection of two or more such pristine scan beams. Output data indicating the pristine beamlets is stored for operation of a particle beam therapy apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multivalent Shigella/Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vaccine for use in prophylaxis and treatment of diarrheal disease. The Shigella-ETEC vaccine provides increased coverage of a broader range of ETEC and Shigella isolates than prior vaccines, and includes CS14 antigens and serotypes (S. flexneri 7a, or S. flexneri 1b).

Abstract: A cell-based quantitative high-throughput screening assay to monitor the formation of PFK1-mEGFP clusters by the action of small molecules to identify small molecules that promote intracellular PFK1 clustering in a cell cycle-dependent manner and may be used to treat cancer.

Abstract: Antibody-based binding agents derived from human and camelid immunoglobulins are described, as well as strains of yeast engineered to secrete the binding agents, and methods of treating and preventing Clostridium difficile infections using the engineered strains of yeast. These binding agents recognize and bind with specificity to Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or toxin B and in some cases exhibit toxin neutralizing activity. The binding agents include camelid VHH peptide monomers, linked groups of VHH peptide monomers, VHH peptide monomers joined to antibody Fc domains, and VHH peptide monomers joined to IgG antibodies.

Abstract: Methods of formulating live biotherapeutics are disclosed in which a deficiency or excess of a specific bacterial strain in a person's microbiome is identified by comparing a gene-specific characterization of the person's microbiome against a comprehensive, non-redundant reference gene catalog, and the biotherapeutic is formulated by selecting bacteria to address the deficiency or excess. Embodiments include the formulation of live biotherapeutics for improving the health of a person's vaginal microbiome, i.e. using a vaginal reference gene catalog, and may be suitable for ameliorating, treating, or preventing a malignancy such as a cancer of the female genitourinary system.