Abstract: A method for slowing the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an adult subject in need thereof is provided herein, the method including inhibiting motor neuron degeneration by administering to the subject a modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector having a recombinant AAV (rAAV)-based genome with an AAV backbone, a control element, and a ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor alpha (CNTFR?) cDNA insert, wherein the modified AAV vector is engineered to direct enhanced skeletal muscle expression of CNTFR?.

Abstract: Controlled release hydrogel formulations of one or more simvastatin metabolites 3?-hydroxy simvastatin (hSV), 6?-exomethylene simvastatin (eSV), 3?,5?-dihydrodiol simvastatin, 3?,5?-dihydrodiol simvastatin (dSV), simvastatin-beta-hydroxy acid (SVA), and methods for the treatment of patients suffering from injured or degenerating substantially avascular cartilaginous tissue.

Abstract: A biomedical implant (16, 18) is formed from magnesium (Mg) single crystal (10). The biomedical implant (16, 18) may be biodegradable. The biomedical implant (16, 18) may be post treated to control the mechanical properties and/or corrosion rate thereof said Mg single crystal (10) without changing the chemical composition thereof. A method of making a Mg single crystal (10) for biomedical applications includes filling a single crucible (12) with more than one chamber with polycrystalline Mg, melting at least a portion of said polycrystalline Mg, and forming more than one Mg single crystal (10) using directional solidification.

Abstract: A storage solution for packed red blood cells is disclosed where the solution is alkaline and has a viscosity at 4° C. greater than about 20 millipascal seconds. In one embodiment, the storage solution comprises from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent of hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose. In another embodiment, the storage solution has a pH greater than about 8.

Abstract: Targeted drug delivery systems comprising a therapeutic agent solubilized with undecylenic acid (UA)-based nanocarrier vesicles that may be polymerized or provided as an mPEG ester are provided to achieve targeted delivery of, for example, ROS-activated cytotoxic agents to cancer cells exhibiting high levels of ROS. Methods utilizing photodynamic and sonodynamic generation of ROS to enhance targeted delivery are also provided.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously outputting a plurality of cavitation types on a digital image is provided. The method includes detecting acoustic emissions corresponding to the plurality of cavitation types, the plurality of cavitation types including at least some combination of linear scatter, stable cavitation, and inertial cavitation, generating, based on the acoustic emissions, a two-dimensional color map of the plurality of cavitation types on the digital image, the two-dimensional color map includes a first acoustic emission corresponding to linear scatter or stable cavitation and a second acoustic emission corresponding to linear scatter or inertial cavitation, and outputting on the digital image, displayed on the display of the computing device, the two-dimensional color map of the plurality of cavitation types.

Abstract: Decellularized matrix microspheres comprising a polymeric material and a donor tissue are provided. Also disclosed are structures containing a plurality of decellularized matrix microspheres incorporating a first polymer and a donor tissue; and a second polymer, wherein the decellularized matrix microspheres and the second polymer are in the form of a filament. Methods of treating a tissue injury employing the matrix microspheres and structures described as well as their methods of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting labile zinc (Zn2+) in a biological material is provided herein, the method including: (a) contacting the biological material with a composition including NapBu-BPEA; and (b) imaging the biological material via molecular fluorescence imaging to detect the labile zinc in the biological material. Also provided herein are methods for morphology-correlated detection of labile zinc localization in a subcellular organelle of a living cell and methods for tracking a change in labile zinc localization in a biological material.

Abstract: A remote health care apparatus is disclosed that incorporates a drone device and a health kit. The drone device includes one or more communication devices, and the drone device is capable of two-way auditory and visual communication. The health kit is capable of being transported by the drone device and can be detached from the drone device. In one embodiment, the health kit contains one or more medical devices selected from the group consisting of biometric measuring devices, specimen collection devices and lab testing tools.

Abstract: Methods, software, and apparatuses for accurate and computationally fast and efficient topologic and geometric characterization of porous material or medium, flow characterization of porous material or medium, and porous material or medium design are described.

Abstract: A feedback providing facial mask is provided. The mask includes a facial adaptive component including a deformable member embedded in an interior region of the facial adaptive component and circuits, each of the circuits being operable in an open-circuit state or a closed-circuit state. The mask also includes a battery, light elements coupled to the battery and positioned within the deformable member, and sensors positioned at a plurality of locations within the deformable member. The sensors are connected to one of the light elements, wherein each of the circuits include the battery, one of the light elements, and at least one of the plurality of sensors, and wherein one or more of the circuits change from operating in the open-circuit state to the closed-circuit state in response o the one or more of the sensors contacting skin on an object that is external to the mask.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making low voltage joule heating elements (10, 40, 50) from carbon nanotubes (CNT) (32). In an embodiment, the heating element (10) includes layers (12) of aligned thin film CNTs. In another embodiment, the heating element (40) includes CNTs (32) dispersed in a polymer (34) to form a CNT polymer composite (30). In another embodiment, the heating element (50) includes CNT thread (52) stitched to a fabric (54). Each embodiment further includes a pair of electrodes (20, 22, 42, 44, 56, 58) that are configured to be couple to a source of electricity. Embodiments further include an encapsulating film (24, 46) over at least the heating element. The heating elements (10, 40, 50) produced by the processes disclosed herein are lightweight and highly efficient and suitable for many uses including incorporation into objects such as clothing and footwear.

Abstract: A tandem electrode for electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide is described. The electrode includes a first distinct catalyst layer and a second distinct catalyst layer. The first distinct catalyst layer is made of a C1 hydrocarbon or C2+ product selective catalyst and the second distinct catalyst layer is comprised of a CO selective catalyst. In one embodiment, the second distinct catalyst layer is concentrated at one end of the tandem electrode. In another embodiment, the tandem electrode also includes a microporous layer and a substrate layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an enhanced ultrasound biofeedback therapy for an improved speech remediation treatment for an individual include transmitting a plurality of ultrasound (US) waves toward a tongue of the individual; receiving a plurality of reflected US waves; converting the plurality of reflected US waves into a plurality of US signals to transmit to an ultrasound machine; and generating one or more enhanced images of the tongue at least partially based on the US signals in real-time, the enhanced images including identified Regions of Interest (ROIs) along tongue sub-parts comprising the tongue root, the tongue dorsum, and the tongue blade and respective ROI points identified therein. An interactive visual story is generated and updated in real-time with a tongue-mapping trajectory of the individual on a display based on the enhanced one or more images to determine a successful or unsuccessful sound production.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating cancers such as glioblastoma. SapC-DOPS was found to be synergistically effective at inducing cell death when administered in conjunction with rampamycin. SapC-DOPS/rapamycin combination therapy allows physicians to give lower doses of each drug and achieve better therapeutic efficacy. The compositions also allow for less toxicity and fewer off-target effects. Related methods and materials are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods for treating pancreatic cancer cells with a combination of gemcitabine (GEM) and SapC-DOPS. In some aspects, GEM treatment preferentially targets G1 phase cells which are low in surface phosphatidylserine (PS), resulting in an increased median surface PS level of PDAC cells. Inversely, SapC-DOPS targets high surface PS cells which are predominantly in the G2/M phase. In other aspects, a combination therapy on tumors in vivo with SapC-DOPS and GEM or Abraxane® (Abr)/GEM is demonstrated to significantly inhibit tumor growth and increases survival.

Abstract: A novel cooling system is disclosed. It includes one or more thermoelectric (TE) modules, each TE module having at least one semiconductor element located between two ceramic plates. The ceramic plates also include one or more electrodes. The cooling system further includes one or more heat exchangers, where the heat exchangers are in contact with at least one ceramic plate. In addition, the system includes one or more solid desiccant-based dehumidification compartments. Further, the cooling system is configured to direct air over both the TE modules and the desiccant dehumidifier.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions including a combination of therapeutic agents comprising a therapeutically effective amount of merestinib and a therapeutically effective amount of LY2584702. Also provided herein are methods of treating glioblastomas in a subject by administering the disclosed compositions, as well as methods of inducing cell death in a PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cell by administering the disclosed compositions.

Abstract: Many tumors induce and maintain an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that enables tumor to escape host immune system. The present disclosure identifies that cancer cells secrete exosome/microparticle-free, soluble, phosphorylated Hsp70 (pHsp70 (Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70))), which triggers macrophage (M) M2 polarization. It is a further aspect that lipid nanovesicles (NVs) made of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) and of DOPG complexed with saposin C (SapC) bind to cancer secreted Hsp70, inhibit M differentiation and polarization, and reduce tumor growth. In addition, administration of DOPG-NVs rendered monocytes insensitive to TLR2 (Toll Like Receptor 2) and TLR6 (Toll Like Receptor 6) ligands, suggesting that administration of DOPG-NVs interferes with TLR function.

Abstract: A complex of curcumin with a polyphenolic macrocyclic host is disclosed. The macrocyclic host is a resorcin[4]arene. In one approach, the polyphenolic macrocyclic host is calix[8]arene. In another approach, the polyphenolic macrocyclic host is tert-butylcalix[8]arene.