Abstract: The invention relates to an in-utero ventriculoamniotic shunting device that includes a shunt tube (26) composed of polymer composite and having metallic wire embedded therein, one or more anchors (30) composed of superelastic wire, e.g., thermal shape-set nitinol structures, that are mechanically attached to an exterior surface of the shunt tube (26), and a one-way passive valve (32) composed of a thin polymer membrane. The anchors (30) are effective to prevent migration and dislodgement of the shunting device following its deployment, and the valve (32) is effective to prevent the backflow of amniotic fluid (23).

Abstract: This disclosure related to modular and programmable peptide-oligonucleotide chimeras comprising of peptide and oligonucleotide segments interlinked by an organic core are presented and their assembly as morphologically-tunable soft materials, for example, nanostructure compositions comprising a plurality of compounds comprising a peptide segment and an oligonucleotide segment interlinked by an organic core moiety.

Abstract: The invention relates to ex-situ biosensors that impedimetrically detect cardiac biomarkers of interest in a bodily fluid sample derived from a patient. The biosensors include a multi-array of vertically aligned platinum wires having immobilized thereon an aptamer that is selected to specifically and selectively bind to the cardiac markers of interest. The biosensors are contacted with a portion of the bodily fluid sample, and the aptamer binds to the cardiac markers of interest in the bodily fluid sample. As a result, an electrochemical impedance signal is generated and therefore, a change in electrochemical impedance is indicative of the presence of the cardiac markers of interest in the bodily fluid sample. The biosensors are point-of-care, on-demand devices that can be used in a medical environment, as well as in domestic settings.

Abstract: Described is a formulation and method for reducing and treating bacterial infections in humans and animals with digested or non-digested extracellular matrix materials derived from non-epithelial and epithelial tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of treating angiogenic disorders of the eye, such as macular degeneration, restenosis following glaucoma treatment or diabetic retinopathy, by administering an activator of C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3). In some embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is interferon-?-inducible 10 kDa protein (IP-10) or a fragment or variant thereof, such as a fragment comprising or consisting of the C-terminal ?-helix of IP-10. In other embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is platelet factor 4 (PF4) or a fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.

Abstract: A method of imaging a blood vessel includes delivering a bubble-based contrast agent within the vessel and positioning at least one ultrasound device in the vicinity of the bubble-based contrast agent within the vessel. A first burst of low-frequency ultrasound energy can be delivered to excite the bubble-based contrast agent into oscillation within the vessel, and a second burst of high-frequency ultrasound energy can be delivered at the excited bubble-based contrast agent. A return signal from the burst of high-frequency ultrasound energy can be received and processed to obtain one or more images.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides including DEDE(SSD)nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 1, RRRDEDE(SSD)nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 2, RRRGDEDE(SSD)nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 3, and LKKLKKLDEDE(SSD)nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 4, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20. The invention also relates to phosphorylating these peptides at multiple amino acid sites by employing casein kinases. These phosphorylated peptides may be used in various applications such as forming mineralized collagen fibrils and biomimetic composites for use in tissue repair and regeneration.

Abstract: Cell-based therapies show considerable potential as an immunomodulatory strategy for a variety of lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiolitis, acute lung injury, lung allograft rejection (acute or chronic), pulmonary fibrosis. Described herein is the development of red blood cell membrane-derived microparticles (RBC MPs), which are depleted of hemoglobin (Hb) and express phosphatidylserine on their surface, for the treatment of lung disease. Administration of RBC MPs to the lung via inhalation promotes the production of immunoregulatory cytokines (such as IL-10), and reduces inflammation and injury in the lung.

Abstract: A method of forming a microneedle array can include forming a microneedle array that has one or more bioactive component. The microneedle array can include a base portion and plurality of microneedles extending from the base portion, and the one or more bioactive components are present in a higher concentration in the plurality of microneedles than in the base portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for machine perfusion of an organ that includes a chamber including an organ support platform for supporting an organ and a perfusion circuit for providing an oxygenated perfusion fluid to the organ and carrying oxygen-depleted perfusion fluid away from the organ. The organ support platform includes perforations for fluid drainage. In some examples, the organ support platform is substantially horizontal. The device also includes a pump for circulating the perfusion fluid through the perfusion circuit, an oxygenating device in the perfusion circuit to oxygenate the perfusion fluid, and a temperature regulator for controlling the temperature of the perfusion fluid in the perfusion circuit. The device in some examples also includes a vascular perfusion cannula through which the perfusion fluid can flow to an organ placed on the organ support platform. Also disclosed are methods of perfusing an organ utilizing the machine perfusion devices.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a formula I of: wherein Ar is an arylene or heteroarylene; R1 has a structure of: wherein W is an alkanediyl, alkenediyl, a carbonyl, or a combination thereof; X is —NR5—, wherein R5 is H or an alkyl, or —O—; and Y is optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heterocycloalkyl-substituted alkyl; each R2 is the same or different and has a structure of: wherein Z is —NR6—, wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, —O—, —S—, or —CH2—; Z1 is (—CH2—)m wherein m is 0 to 5, or an alkenediyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Cy is a 3-8-membered cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl ring; and each R4 is the same or different and is selected from hydroxy, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or amino; and c is 0 to 5; and each R3 is the same or different and is selected from hy

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting peripheral mitochondrial DNA damage and dysfunction. Methods are also disclosed that utilize blood samples to detect a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's disease, and determine the efficacy of therapy.

Abstract: Nitro oleic acid and related metabolites are agonists of PPAR-?. Surprisingly, nitro oleic acid is a more potent agonist of PPAR-?, relative to nitro linoleic acid. Thus, nitro oleic acid and its metabolites, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrug forms, are candidate therapeutics for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, which results from insulin resistance accompanying the improper functioning of PPAR-?.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.

Abstract: A method of segmenting an MR organ volume includes performing regional mapping on the MR organ volume using a spatial prior probability map of a location of the organ to create a regionally mapped MR organ volume, and performing boundary refinement on the regionally mapped MR organ volume using a level set framework that employs the spatial prior probability map and a propagated shape constraint to generate a segmented MR organ volume.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously monitoring the health of surgical drills and detecting proximity to critical structures during surgery is described herein. By using various sensors (e.g. microphones, accelerometers, temperature sensors, etc.), signals from the drill can be measured and analyzed. The processed signals can then be used to indicate the proximity of the drill bit to critical structures, such as the patient's brain, and identify drill health issues (e.g. worn bearings, misaligned rotational axis, etc.).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating fibrosis in a subject using a CD70 agonist. In some examples, the agent is an antibody that binds CD70, an antigen biding fragments thereof, soluble CD27, or a small molecule. In some embodiments, the fibrosis is fibrosis of the skin and/or the lung. In some embodiments, the subject is administered a nucleic acid molecule encoding a CD70 agonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for determining whether a subject having prostate cancer is at greater risk of developing progressive disease, and methods of treating the subjects. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that approximately 90% of men carrying at least one of the following fusion genes: TRMT11-GRIK2, SLC45A2-AMACR, MTOR-TP53BP1, LRRC59-FLJ60017, TMEM135-CCDC67 and CCNH-C5orf30 experienced prostate cancer recurrence, metastases and/or prostate cancer-specific death after radical prostatectomy (each examples of “progressive prostate cancer”), while these outcomes occurred in only 36% of men not carrying any of these fusion genes. It is also based, at least in part, on the discovery that no patient studied survived five years without recurrence if their primary prostate cancer contained a TRMT11-GRIK2 or MTOR-TP53BP1 fusion gene. It is also based, at least in part, on the discovery that the protein encoded by the MAN2A1-FER fusion gene exhibits kinase activity.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, according to formula I: R20—(Z)b—(Y)c—(R21)a—(X)d—R22—R23 wherein R20 is aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a thio-containing group, or a seleno-containing group; Z is alkanediyl, substituted alkanediyl, cycloalkanediyl, or substituted cycloalkanediyl; Y is S, O, S(?O), —S(?O)(?O)—, or NR10, wherein R10 is H or alkyl; R21 is alkanediyl, substituted alkanediyl, cycloalkanediyl, substituted cycloalkanediyl alkadienyl, substituted alkadienyl, alkatrienyl, substituted alkatrienyl; X is —C(?O)—, —S(?O)(?O)—, or —N(H)C(?O)—; R22 includes at least one divalent amino radical; R23 is aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a thio-containing group, or a seleno-containing group; a, b, c, and d independently are 0 or 1.