Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions related to treatment of one or more medical conditions with one or more negative modulators of GABAA receptors. In specific embodiments, depression and/or suicidability is treated or ameliorated or prevented with one or more negative modulators of GABAA receptors, such as a partial inverse agonist of a GABAA receptor comprising an alpha5 subunit.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit p38? MAPK protein, and methods of using the same, are provided for treating or preventing diseases such as cancer or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator is disclosed comprising a housing, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a spiral volute, a gas inlet, an oxygenator fiber bundle, and a gas outlet. The housing encloses the fiber bundle and provides the structure for the blood flow path and connectors. The fiber bundle comprises gas-exchange membranes which transfer oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide when the blood flows across the membranes. The spiral volute guides the blood to flow through the fiber bundle. A gas flow chamber receives sweep gas containing oxygen and distributes the sweep gas into the fiber membranes, which gas is then exchanged with the blood being oxygenated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an antibody by identifying a circulating antibody with activity from a subject comprising i) subjecting biological fluid selected from the group consisting of blood, plasma and serum and combinations thereof from the subject to one or more rounds of affinity chromatography to purify the circulating antibody; ii) optionally further subjecting the circulating antibody to isoelectric focusing to purify the circulating antibody based on charge; iii) testing the purified circulating antibody for activity; iv) digesting the purified circulating antibody from parts i) or ii) to create an antibody fragment; v) subjecting the antibody fragment to mass spectrometry to generate a mass assignment and a deduced amino acid sequence of the antibody fragment; vi) comparing the deduced amino acid sequence with an amino acid sequence of an antibody generated from the subject's B-cells to identify an antibody sequence that matches the deduced amino acid sequence; vii) generating

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of microfluidics in the preparation of cells and compositions for therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assaying living cells comprising a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises one or more tethering molecules which adhere to the substrate and are capable of interacting with cell membranes of the cells, wherein the cells maintain a free-floating, non-adherent character when bound to the one or more tethering molecules.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes a shaft having a side catheter guide attached thereto via a guide coupler into an inferior vena cava and a superior vena cava such that the guide coupler is disposed in a right atrium, and applying a distal force to a proximal portion of the side catheter guide such that a distal end of the side catheter guide deflects laterally about the guide coupler towards a septum. The method further includes extending a side catheter that is disposed within the side catheter guide distally from the side catheter guide towards and into contact with the septum. The method further includes, with the side catheter in contact with the septum, extending a septum penetrator that is slidably disposed within the side catheter distally from the side catheter such that the septum penetrator pierces the septum.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes a shaft having a side catheter guide attached thereto via a guide coupler into an inferior vena cava and a superior vena cava such that the guide coupler is disposed in a right atrium, and applying a distal force to a proximal portion of the side catheter guide such that a distal end of the side catheter guide deflects laterally about the guide coupler towards a septum. The method further includes extending a side catheter that is disposed within the side catheter guide distally from the side catheter guide towards and into contact with the septum. The method further includes, with the side catheter in contact with the septum, extending a septum penetrator that is slidably disposed within the side catheter distally from the side catheter such that the septum penetrator pierces the septum.

Abstract: Metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) still carries a dismal prognosis with the current treatment paradigms. The effectiveness of drug treatment for many solid tumors such as TNBC is limited by tumor heterogeneity, lack of tumor specificity, off-target toxicities, and transient therapeutic action(s). Strategies that provide tumor-specific, sustained concentrations of drugs to the tumors and tumor receptor-specific binding, while reducing off-target effects are needed to ensure sufficient tumor cell uptake within the primary and metastatic tumor microenvironment. The decreased non-specific adhesivity, receptor-targeted nanoparticle formulations (“DART” nanoparticles) of the invention were assessed for clinical potential in directing biological agents to the cell surface receptor Fn14, which is expressed in many solid cancer types, including TNBC primary tumors and metastatic lesions.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting that a caregiver will order a blood transfusion during a treatment. The method includes obtaining, on a processor, first data that indicates values for one or more parameters of a characteristic of a peak of a Fourier transform of a continuous photoplethysmographic (PPG) waveform or a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform or both collected during the treatment. The method further includes applying, on the processor, coefficients to the values for the one or more parameters. The method further includes determining, on the processor, second data that indicates a prediction that the caregiver will order the blood transfusion during the treatment based on applying the coefficients to the values. The method further includes presenting on a display device output data based on the second data. An apparatus is also provided for predicting that the caregiver will order the blood transfusion during the treatment.

Abstract: Techniques for emergency apneic oxygenation include a cannula having a longitudinal inner passage with an inner diameter. A distal portion has a first outer diameter greater than the inner diameter, and is made of shape memory material shaped to bend in a first direction along the inner passage. A cannula base has a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. A distance from a distal end of the cannula to a proximal end of the distal portion of the cannula is less than a distance from a surface of a throat of a subject to a distal surface of an airway of the subject. The inner passage is configured to pass a catheter connected at a proximal end to an oxygen source. In various embodiments, the cannula is used with a trocar and, optionally, a system base, or supplied in a kit with a catheter.

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.

Abstract: Provided are targeted structure-specific particulate-based delivery systems comprising: a nanoparticle; a PEG polymer coating on the surface of the nanoparticle; a targeting moiety conjugated on a surface of the nanoparticle and configured to promote specific binding to a cell surface molecule expressed by a target cell; and a biologically active agent in or on the nanoparticle, wherein the biologically active agent is selected to enhance a desired response in a target cell intracellularly or extracellularly. Methods of treating a disease or disorder administering the delivery system are contemplated.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a lumen scanner (260) configured to scan a body lumen and acquire data for rendering a 3D model of the body lumen. The lumen scanner includes: an optical sensor (240) configured to acquire images of the body lumen while the lumen scanner is disposed inside the body lumen; and a fluid nozzle (202) configured to direct fluid onto an area of the body lumen imaged by the optical sensor while the lumen scanner is disposed inside the body lumen.

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: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue by intertwining two or more sutures together. The sutures are attached to the targeted tissue and routed to a twister device. The twister device secures end portions of the sutures and twists them to intertwine the sutures. Controlling the number of twists provides control over the forces applied to the targeted tissue. In conjunction with visualization feedback, real-time adjustments can be made to achieved targeted results, such as elimination of mitral regurgitation when the disclosed methods and apparatus are applied to mitral valve repair.

Abstract: Methods of alleviating or prophylactically blocking pain through the alteration of certain metabolic pathways in a subject experiencing pain or expecting to experience pain are disclosed. In particular, methods of increasing the amount of the neutral amino acid transporter ASCT2 in neurons are disclosed. Increased glutamine uptake by neurons leads to reduced extrusion of lactate and protons into the extracellular space and by extension, reduced sensitization of the neurons. Reduced sensitization of the neurons lessens the feeling of pain in the subject.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and methods that can separate and concentrate particles in a sample.

Abstract: A thermo-responsive ultrasound coupling gel that contains a thermo-responsive polymer such as poly(n-isopropyl acrylamide), the gel having a phase shift at a temperature in the range of 32 to 35° C. such that the gel has a loss factor G?/G? of >1 at <32° C. and a loss factor G?/G? of <1 at >35° C. The gel can also contain at least one of a solvent and gelling agent. Methods and uses for the thermo-responsive ultrasound coupling gel in an ultrasound and/or ultrasound guided procedure.