Abstract: An example system has a pulse generator configured to deliver a first series of electrical signals to a right atrium of a heart. The first series of electrical signals can increase a first heart rate toward a target heart rate. The system can have a monitoring device configured to retrieve physiological data from a user of the system while the heart is receiving the first series of electrical signals. The system can have a controller configured to determine whether a physiological parameter has met a physiological threshold based on the physiological data. If the physiological threshold has been met, the controller can modify the first series of electrical signals to a second series of electrical signals that restores the physiological parameter to an acceptable level.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula I: or a salt thereof, wherein R1-R4 have any of the values described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula I. The compounds are useful in immunotherapy as a potential treatment, or co-treatment, for cancer or infectious diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for anti-PACAP antibodies, or anti-PACAP receptor antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, for potential use in treating or preventing PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion, and therapeutic compositions containing and methods of using anti-PACAP antibodies, or anti-PACAP receptor antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to compounds of the formulae (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (IIa) (III), (IV), (V), and (VI); methods for treating cancer with one or more compounds of the formulae (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (IIa); (III), (IV), (V), and (VI); and methods for inhibiting a human topoisomerase with one or more compounds of the formulae (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (IIa); (III), (IV), (V), and (VI).

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method for improving maternal and/or offspring health, comprising administering an effective amount of a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursor to a female mammal (e.g., pregnant or lactating female mammal).

Abstract: A system for simulating surgery includes an electromagnetic tracking system comprising an emitter and a plurality of electromagnetic sensors and a plurality of model bone fragments, each of the model bone fragments operatively connected to one of the plurality of electromagnetic sensors. A method for simulating surgery includes electromagnetically tracking position of a plurality of model bone fragments and a model bone shaft using an electromagnetic tracking system and displaying virtual fluoroscopic images based on sensed position of the model bone fragments and the model bone shaft.

Abstract: An irrigation cannula is provided for irrigating a chest cavity during thoracoscopic surgery. The cannula includes a bowl with a drain opening, and a hollow leg extending from the bowl beneath the drain opening. An obturator has an upper handle and a lower end which is manually pushed through the drain opening and into the leg so that a handle resides in or above the bowl and a tip extends beyond the end of the leg. The obturator facilitates insertion of the cannula leg through the incision and into the chest cavity. After the cannula is in position, an irrigation solution is added to the bowl, and drain through the leg into the chest cavity.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a framelet-based iterative algorithm for polychromatic CT which can reconstruct two components using a single scan. The algorithm can have various steps including a scaled-gradient descent step of constant or variant step sizes; a non-negativity step; a soft thresholding step; and a color reconstruction step.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of producing biosynthetic bacterial cellulose membranes having improved characteristics that are advantageous for use in various biological applications, including medicine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions including an aptamer bound to a complex, wherein the complex comprises at least two polypeptides. Accordingly, methods of using the aptamers and making the aptamers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for isolating viable cancer cells from a sample that comprises a mixture of cancerous cells and normal (non-cancerous) cells are provided. In the methods, a fluid preparation comprising a mixture of cancerous and normal cells is repeatedly exposed to fluid shear stresses, whereby the repeated exposure to the fluid shear stresses preferentially imparts fluid shear stress-resistance to the cancerous cells.

Abstract: The invention provides in certain embodiments, a method of generating a re-programmed differentiated epithelial cell comprising (a) contacting a non-stem somatic cell obtained from a subject with an effective amount of a de-differentiation agent to form a de-differentiated cell, and (b) transfecting the de-differentiated cell with an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a conversion agent to form a re-programmed differentiated cell. The invention also provides in certain embodiments, a method of generating a re-programmed differentiated epithelial cell comprising (a) contacting a non-stem somatic cell obtained from a subject with an effective amount of a de-differentiation agent to form a de-differentiated cell, and (b) contacting the de-differentiated cell with a conversion agent to form a re-programmed differentiated cell.

Abstract: A percutaneous catheter system for use within the human body and an ablation catheter for ablating a selected tissue region within the body of a subject. The percutaneous catheter system can include two catheters that are operatively coupled to one another by magnetic coupling through a tissue structure. The ablation catheter can include electrodes positioned within a central portion. The ablation catheter is positioned such that the central portion of a flexible shaft at least partially surrounds the selected tissue region. Each electrode of the ablation catheter can be activated independently to apply ablative energy to the selected tissue region. The ablation catheter can employ high impedance structures to change the current density at specific points. Methods of puncturing through a tissue structure using the percutaneous catheter system are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for ablating a selected tissue region using the ablation catheter.

Abstract: Novel systems and methods for airway segmentation are disclosed using confident airway volume, multi-scale topological and geometric leakage detection, exact leakage localization and correction, forbidden volume insertion and freezing, iterative shift in growing techniques starting with a conservative parameter/strategy and progressing toward generous ones, and a final pruning using machine learning, neural network, deep learning or artificial intelligence methods. The systems and methods are fully automated requiring no manual inputs or post-editing steps. The systems and methods use region growing-based segmentation to iteratively grow an airway tree starting with an initial seed, possibly inside the trachea, and a conservative segmentation parameter, e.g., a conservative threshold value for intensity-based region growing. The method then gradually progresses toward more generous values of the segmentation parameters until there is convergence.

Abstract: An adjustable cranioplasty plate assembly is provided for use following a craniectomy. The assembly includes a ring which is attached to the skull around the skull opening and a plate adjustably mounted to the ring. The plate is moveable between a raised position spaced above the ring and a lower position substantially flush with the ring. The plurality of extendable and retractable struts extends between the ring and the plate to provide the plate adjustability. The plurality of stay cables extending between the ring and the plate provide lateral stability in the raised position. The assembly replaces the native bone and eliminates the need for subsequent cranioplasty surgery. In one embodiment, the plate includes a rigid central portion, three rigid mounting tabs, and a plurality of malleable tapered perimeter petals which provide a smooth interface between the plate and the skull of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): or a salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 have any of the values defined in the specification, as well as methods of using such compounds and salts to separate an aryl compound from a mixture.

Abstract: In embodiments described herein, a light emitting diode device comprises an emission device with an emission region and a bottom contact layer. The emission region comprises n cascading emission layers, where n is a whole and positive number. The n cascading emission layers comprise at least one superlattice structure. In an embodiment, a tunnel junction is spaced between a first superlattice structure and a second superlattice structure. In an embodiment, light extraction is enhanced with a trapezoidal shaped chip, a roughened exit interface, and encapsulation of the chip with a hemispherical shaped polymer. In an embodiment, the superlattice structure may be repeated periods of InAs/AlGaInSb. In another embodiment, the superlattice may be repeated periods of InAs/GaInSb/InAs/AlAsSb. In another embodiment, between the bottom contact layer and the emission region is a tunnel junction where the bottom contact layer and the tunnel junction form an n-type anode layer.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and methods of using them include a biodegradable or bioerodible polyanhydride nanoparticle comprising 1,8-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG) and 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) copolymers, an immunogenic protein of an Influenza Virus and an adjuvant entrapped within an interior of the nanoparticle, and an excipient. The immunogenic composition may be administered to a subject to confer both local and systemic immunity to the Influenza Virus.

Abstract: The invention provides for delivery, engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences especially for use as to nucleotide repeat disorders. Provided are delivery systems and tissues or organ which are targeted as sites for delivery especially for use as to nucleotide repeat disorders. Also provided are vectors and vector systems some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex or system especially for use as to nucleotide repeat disorders, as well as methods for the design and of such. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex or system formation in eukaryotic cells especially for use as to nucleotide repeat disorders including with consideration of specificity for target recognition and avoidance of toxicity and editing or modifying a target site in a genomic locus of interest to alter or improve the status of a disease or a condition.

Abstract: A hand-held tool is provided for retraction of internal organs during transhiatal mediastinal surgery. The tool includes a handle and a blade extending forwardly from the handle. The blade has an acute end extending rearwardly and then curves forwardly and upwardly to form an open mouth for receiving the organ.