Abstract: A Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiome provides the first line of defense against numerous adverse genital tract health outcomes. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms by which the vaginal microbiome modulates protection. Metagenomic community state types (mgCSTs), which uses metagenomic sequences to describe and define vaginal microbiomes based on both composition and function are described herein, along with their use in prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic applications against bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patient's body using coaptive ultrasound that combines magnetic guidance with ultrasound visualization of the medical member in the patient's body. A coaptive ultrasound probe adaptor magnetically attracts an elongate medical member within the patient with sufficient force so as to allow the operator to manually guide the member to its intended location. The adaptor mates with an ultrasound probe to provide the medical operator ultrasound feedback of the position of the member, thus allowing internal placement without the need for more specialized medical equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system that contains three laser heads with two scan mirrors for each head and a controller, to conduct full-field scanning of a plate-like or beam-like structure under sinusoidal excitations to measure its 3D vibrations and operating deflection shapes, and method of using same.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for treating a cancer in a subject by quantitating the concentration of a soluble form of Semaphorin 4D (sSema4D) in a blood sample obtained from the subject and administering an immunotherapy when the blood concentration of sSema4D is below a threshold value of 155 ng/ml. Also provided is a method for determining the continued susceptibility of a tumor tissue to immunotherapy in a subject by identifying the inflammatory subtype of the tumor tissue from a blood sample from the subject and administering immunotherapy over at least one interval as long as the tumor tissue exhibits an inflamed subtype.

Abstract: A tissue anchor deployment device includes a needle having a slotted portion including a longitudinal slot that runs from a distal end of the needle and a suture having a first coil portion including a plurality of turns that wrap around a first portion of the slotted portion of the needle, a second coil portion including a plurality of turns that wrap around a second portion slotted portion of the needle that is proximal to the first portion of the slotted portion of the needle, and an internal coupling portion that runs within the first coil portion and the second coil portion and couples a distal end of the first coil portion to a proximal end of the second coil portion.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents, compositions, and methods are described for use in the treatment of acute or chronic pain, neuroinflammation, or conditions characterized by acute or chronic pain or neuroinflanmmation. The therapeutic agents comprise a synthetic amphipathic helical peptide capable of acting as a mimetic of apoA-I protein.

Abstract: A bioprocessing system for protein manufacturing from human blood is provided that is compact, integrated and suited for on-demand production and delivery of therapeutic proteins to patients. The parent's own blood can be used as the source of cell extracts for the production of the therapeutic proteins.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern compositions and methods of use related to particular c-kit+ mesenchymal cells, including cardiac stem cells, obtained from a pediatric or neonatal individual. In specific embodiments, the cells, or conditioned medium or partial or total secretomes thereof, are provided in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: A portable and mobile bioprocessing system and method for protein manufacturing that is compact, integrated and suited for on-demand production of any type of proteins and for delivery of the produced proteins to patients or for assay purposes. The portable system and method can also be used for efficient on-demand production of any type of protein with point-of-care delivery.

Abstract: Optic nerve lamina region neural progenitor cells (ONLR-NPCs) are provided. Such cells secrete growth factors and survival factors that can be used in the treatment of optic nerve diseases, such as glaucoma. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing optic nerve diseases, such as glaucoma, using one or more factors secreted by ONLR-NPCs, combinations of factors secreted by ONLR-NPCs, or culture media conditioned by ONLR-NPCs.

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 method of using the relaxation rate (R1 and/or R2) of solvent NMR signal to invasively or noninvasively assess whether vaccines and other aqueous-based pharmaceutical products have been frozen during transport and/or storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of small molecule inhibitors of GPR68/OGR1, a proton-sensing/stretch-sensing/sheer-stress-sending G-protein coupled receptor, and related receptors GPR4 and GPR65. These inhibitors are useful as a therapeutic for glioblastoma and other neoplasms, as a monotherapy or adjuvant, and also can be used as a treatment for other conditions, such as osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory pain syndromes, GERD, aspiration pneumonitis, bacterial and viral pneumonia, COPD, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and COVID-19.

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.

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 invention provides methods and apparatus comprising a multi-wavelength laser source that uses a single unfocused pulse of a low intensity but high power laser over a large sample area to collect Raman scattered collimated light, which is then Rayleigh filtered and focused using a singlet lens into a stacked fiber bundle connected to a customized spectrograph, which separates the individual spectra from the scattered wavelengths using a hybrid diffraction grating for collection onto spectra-specific sections of an array photodetector to measure spectral intensity and thereby identify one or more compounds in the sample.

Abstract: One of the significant challenges to translation of intravenously administered nanomaterials has been complement-mediated infusion reactions which can be lethal. Slow infusions can reduce infusion reactions, but slow infusions are not always possible in applications like controlling bleeding following trauma. Nanocapsules based on polyurethane are introduced as candidates that do not substantially activate complement protein C5a and the PEGylation and functionalization of the nanocapsules with the GRGDS peptide to create a new class of hemostatic nanomaterials is disclosed. Advantageously, the nanocapsules substantially avoid complement-mediated infusion reactions, promote faster clotting than controls, maintain maximum clot firmness, and do not activate pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating inflammation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits binding of fibrin to Very Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (VLDLR) or combination of this agent with agents inhibiting binding of fibrin to VE-cahherin (vascular endothelial cadherin).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patients body using coaptive ultrasound. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a flexible tube includes a first balloon at a distal end of the tube, and a second balloon at the distal end of the tube and positioned within the first balloon. The first and second balloons are inflatable to form one or more echogenic windows between them, which echogenic window may be detected from within a patient's body by an ultrasound probe that is external to the patient's body. Detection of such echogenic window is used to identify an acceptable location on the patient's body at which to insert a guidewire configured to receive an elongate medical member without damage to surrounding patient tissues or organs.

Abstract: Bait and capture methods and compositions for removing bio-synthetic nano-particles from body fluids. Bio-synthetic nano-particles are baited with one-half of a bait and capture complex and lyophilized. The baited bio-synthetic nano-particle is reconstituted and administered to a subject for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. To remove the bio-synthetic nano-particle from the body, the body fluid containing the baited bio-synthetic nano-article is contacted with the capture portion of the bait and capture complex. The body fluid from which the bio-synthetic nano-particles have been removed may be returned to the subject.