Abstract: The concentration of an administered compound, such as a drug (D), in an organ or a bodily fluid, such as blood, is determined directly through detecting the drug (D) or its metabolites (DM) in sweat. The concentration may be determined indirectly by administering the drug (D) together with one or more tracer compounds (T, T2) or metabolites thereof (TM, T2M) or by detecting concentrations and trends of other analytes present in the body that react to the presence of the drug (D). By determining tracer concentration in sweat, the concentration of the drug (D) in blood or an organ can be determined. The tracer (T, T2) is a compound selected for ease of detection in sweat, known metabolic and solubility profiles that correspond to those of the drug (D), and safety of use. A smart transdermal delivery patch (300) is used to administer a dosage of drug to a wearer in coordination with at least one sweat sensor (324) reading conveying information about the wearer.

Abstract: RNA nanoparticles functionalized with a HER2-targeting RNA aptamer and at least one MED1 siRNA for targeted delivery of MED1 siRNA to human cancer cells via human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors, pharmaceutical compositions of the inventive RNA nanoparticles, and methods for treating breast, HER2-implicated cancers, and in particular therapeutic-resistant cancer such as tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, by administering pharmaceutical compositions of the inventive RNA nanoparticles.

Abstract: A sensor for isolating, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in a sample is provided, the sensor having a metal substrate base and a polymer waveguide disposed on the metal substrate base, the polymer waveguide including an optical channel and a polymer disposed in the optical channel; wherein the polymer waveguide optically couples a first and a second fiber optic cable. Also provided herein are methods of using the sensor for isolating, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in a sample, the method including contacting the polymer waveguide with a sample, sequentially heating the sensor to a plurality of temperature thresholds, obtaining an optical output at each temperature threshold, and analyzing differences in sequentially-obtained optical outputs in order to identify and determine concentrations of individual analytes of interest in the sample.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to methods of identifying, validating, and measuring clinically relevant, quantifiable biomarkers of diagnostic and therapeutic responses for blood, vascular, cardiac, and respiratory tract dysfunction, particularly as those responses relate to septic shock in pediatric patients. In particular, the invention relates to identifying two or more biomarkers associated with septic shock in pediatric patients, obtaining a sample from a pediatric patient having at least one indication of septic shock, then quantifying from the sample an amount of two or more of said biomarkers, wherein the level of said biomarker correlates with a predicted outcome.

Abstract: A nanoparticle delivery system designed for sustained delivery of microRNA-150 (miR-150) to FLT3-overexpressing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, the delivery system comprising poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers complexed with miR-150, wherein at least one dendrimer is surface-functionalized with a ligand specific for FLT3 receptor, and methods for treating AML characterized by FLT3-overexpression are provided.

Abstract: Methods are described for identifying CDI patients as well as CDI patients at risk for recurrence. Embodiments include: (1) flow cytometry of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to phenotype for the less efficient immunoglobulin response to bacterial toxins and surface antigens that characterizes patients who will become recurrent; (2) stratification by means of complete blood count (CBC) using a Coulter counter to detect the differences in lower angle light scatter (LAL), which has a larger range in the recurrent population; and (3) stratification by means of complete blood count (CBC) using a Coulter counter to detect the lower axial light loss (AL2) exhibited in recurrent patients.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols to improve MRI value are described herein. An example method includes selecting an imaging sequence, selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions, simulating a relationship between controllable acquisition variables and the objective functions, trade-offing the influence of the controllable acquisition variables for MRI value in whole k-space acquisition to determine optimal acquisition condition, acquiring at least one MR image using the optimal acquisition condition, receiving or estimating outcomes related to the at least one MR image, and evaluating an MR image value for the MR image based on the outcomes.

Abstract: A method of treating skeletal muscle cachexia and inflammation associated with burn injury in a subject in need thereof is provided, the method including administering to the subject an effective amount of a phosphodiesterase-4B (PED4B)-selective inhibitor.

Abstract: A system may include a first injection electrode, a second injection electrode, a first sensing coil, and a second sensing coil. The first injection electrode and the second electrode may each be configured to contact a material and conduct an alternating current through a portion of the material. The first sensing coil and a second sensing coil may each be configured to inductively sense a Hall current created by the alternating current and a magnetic field perpendicular to the alternating current. The first sensing coil and the second sensing coil may be coupled in series.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality of MR images acquired with optimal variable flip angles includes receiving MRI parameters for a target tissue, selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions, simulating a relationship between each flip angle and the at least one objective functions based on the MRI parameters, determining optimal variable flip angle distribution to reach optimization of the at least one objective function for whole acquisition of the MR image, selecting or optimizing a k-space strategy, applying a plurality of radio frequency (RF) pulses with the optimal variable flip angle distribution and the k-space strategy to a target area in an object, receiving MR signals from the target area, the MR signals corresponding to the plurality of RF pulses, acquiring, in the k-space strategy, k-space lines based on the MR signals, and reconstructing the MR image from the k-space lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomimetic, biodegradable composites including a magnesium (Mg) alloy mesh and a polymer/extracellular matrix (ECM). These hybrid composites, more particularly, are useful for the fabrication of medical implant devices, e.g., scaffolds, and are effective for bone regeneration. The fabrication process includes creating the Mg alloy mesh, and concurrently electrospinning the polymer and electrospraying the ECM onto the mesh.

Abstract: Devices and methods are used to modify a metabolic pathway of a digestive system by creating a pathway within the intestinal tract through an anastomosis between a proximal location within the intestinal tract and a distal location within the intestinal tract. In some examples, the small intestine has a first initial length and the created pathway defines a second length of the intestinal tract that is approximately ten to seventy percent of the first initial length of the small intestine.

Abstract: Acoustically responsive stabilized microbubbles formulated with a phospholipid monolayer shell, an encapsulated bioactive gas, and an encapsulated perfluorocarbon gas of the formula CxFy in a volume ratio of from about 10:1 to about 1:10, wherein X is greater than or equal to 3, are disclosed. Also provided are methods for promoting localized vasodilation in a patient in need thereof by delivering a microbubble comprising a phospholipid monolayer shell and an encapsulated bioactive gas locally to a target diseased section of the patient's vasculature; and releasing the bioactive gas at the target diseased section, wherein the microbubble comprises the bioactive gas in a ratio of from about 10:1 to about 1:10 by volume with a perfluorocarbon gas.

Abstract: A method for reducing N/2 ghost or Nyquist ghost in magnetic resonance (MR) images is provided The method includes acquiring k-space dataset for an object using an echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence, dividing the k-space dataset into first partial k-space subset data related to positive echoes and second partial k-space subset data related to negative echoes, obtaining third partial k-space subset data that is N/2 or Nyquist ghost-free subset data, respectively registering the first partial k-space subset data and the second partial k-space subset data to a first portion of the third partial k-space subset data corresponding to positive echoes and a second portion of the third partial k-space subset data corresponding to negative echoes, combining the registered first partial k-space subset data and the registered second partial k-space subset data to form full k-space dataset, and reconstructing an image for the object based on the full k-space dataset.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols to improve MRI value are described herein. An example method includes selecting an imaging sequence, selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions, simulating a relationship between controllable acquisition variables and the objective functions, trade-offing the influence of the controllable acquisition variables for MRI value in whole k-space acquisition to determine optimal acquisition condition, acquiring at least one MR image using the optimal acquisition condition, receiving or estimating outcomes related to the at least one MR image, and evaluating an MR image value for the MR image based on the outcomes.

Abstract: A composite comprising electrospun inorganic fibers and nanoparticles. The composite may carry a reagent, for example an oxidant. The composite may be formed by electro spinning a composition of a precursor material and nanoparticles to form a precursor composite followed by conversion of precursor fibers of the precursor composite to the inorganic fibers. The composite carrying a reagent may be used to absorb ethylene gas.

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: A method of treating cancer is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods of killing biofilm using a surface plasmon coupled to a photosensitizer. A nanostructure (10) may include a silver nanoparticle core (12), a mesoporous silica shell (14), and a photosensitizer (16). A method of killing biofilm may include contacting biofilm with a nanostructure (10) including a silver nanoparticle core (12), a mesoporous silica shell (14), and a photosensitizer (16) to form a blend and exposing the blend to light.

Abstract: A device (10) for directing a medical fabric (28) into a portion of a body. An elongated housing (12) having a distal end (16) and an opening (22) at the distal end (16). A supply of medical fabric (28) in the housing (12). An actuator (24) spaced from said opening (22) and configured to advance a portion of the medical fabric (28) through said housing (12) and out of the opening (22).