Abstract: A pre-loaded stent graft delivery device and stent graft, the stent graft delivery device. The stent graft has at least one fenestration or side arm and the fenestration is preloaded with an indwelling guide wire. Indwelling access sheaths are provided within auxiliary lumens of a pusher catheter and dilators are preloaded into the access sheaths along with the indwelling guide wire. The auxiliary lumens have an oblong cross-section. A handle assembly at a distal end of the guide wire catheter. The handle includes a multiport manifold with access ports to the auxiliary lumens in the pusher catheter. Upon deployment of the stent graft, the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate catheterization of a side branch or target vessel through the fenestration or be used to stabilize the access sheath during catheterization, advancement of the access sheath into the target vessel and deployment of a stent therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, vectors, and methods for treating and preventing rabies lyssavirus infection in a subject in need thereof, including rabies lyssavirus encephalitis. The disclosed compositions relate to anti-rabies immunoglobulins and vectors for expressing anti-rabies immunoglobulins such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors that express anti-rabies immunoglobulins in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods relate to treating and/or preventing an infection by rabies lyssavirus in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a dose of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector that expresses an immunoglobulin that binds and neutralizes rabies lyssavirus in the subject.

Abstract: N. gonorrhoeae has become resistant to almost every conventional antibiotic. Described herein is the use of CMP-nonulosonate analogues to counter gonococcal complement evasion. The nonulosonate sugar is incorporated into the lipooligosaccharide of the N. gonorrhoeae which in turn reduces the serum resistance of the bacteria. This provides a novel therapeutic strategy against the global threat of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea.

Abstract: An immunodeficient mouse is provided which is useful as a model of functions and regulation of human natural killer (NK) cells and other interleukin 15 (IL-15)-dependent cell populations and processes in studies of human immunity, cancer, infectious diseases, and other areas. According to specific aspects, an immunodeficient mouse is provided which is genetically modified to express human interleukin 15, wherein the mouse does not have or produce functional mouse natural killer cells, and wherein the mouse is modified to include human natural killer cells. Methods of identifying anti-tumor activity of a test substance using a mouse of the present invention are described along with methods of making the mouse.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present concepts reduce irritability in infants, such as infants suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or colic. According to one embodiment, a method for reducing irritability in an infant includes determining one or more physiological measurements from an infant. The one or more physiological measurements relate to a state of irritability in the infant. The method also includes determining the state of irritability based on the one or more physiological measurements and applying a stochastic stimulation to the infant based on the state of irritability. The stochastic stimulation may be applied via a mattress. The stochastic stimulation may be vibro-tactile or subsensory.

Abstract: N. gonorrhoeae has become resistant to almost every conventional antibiotic. Described herein is the use of CMP-nonulosonate analogues to counter gonococcal complement evasion. The nonulosonate sugar is incorporated into the lipooligosaccharide of the N. gonorrhoeae which in turn reduces the serum resistance of the bacteria. This provides a novel therapeutic strategy against the global threat of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods useful for treating or preventing viral and bacterial infection and reducing or preventing the effects of toxins. The methods comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a liposomal composition.

Abstract: N. gonorrhoeae has become resistant to almost every conventional antibiotic. Described herein is the use of CMP-nonulosonate analogues to counter gonococcal complement evasion. The nonulosonate sugar is incorporated into the lipooligosaccharide of the N. gonorrhoeae which in turn reduces the serum resistance of the bacteria. This provides a novel therapeutic strategy against the global threat of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and compositions for identifying novel therapeutic agents, and uses thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to novel methods for identifying agents useful in treating smooth muscle disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials comprising polymer network containing siloxanes or organic-based core structures, preferably the materials have thermal-responsive properties. In some embodiments, the invention relates to an organic core functionalized with polymers. In another embodiment, organic core-polymer conjugates comprise polylactone segments. The organic core-polymer conjugates may be crosslinked together to form a material, and these materials may be functionalized with bioactive compounds so that the materials have desirable biocompatibility or bioactivity when used in medical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials comprising siloxanes, preferably the materials have thermal-responsive properties. In some embodiments, the invention relates to silsesquioxane groups functionalized with polymers. In another embodiment, silsequioxane-polymer conjugates comprise polylactone segments. The silsequioxane-polymer conjugates may be crosslinked together to form a material, and these materials may be functionalized with bioactive compounds so that the materials have desirable biocompatibility or bioactivity when used in medical devices. In further embodiments, the invention relates to composite materials that contain a polymer matrix and aggregates, and in some embodiments, methods of making, and methods of using these materials. Preferably, the aggregates are calcium phosphate aggregates. Preferably, the material is resistant to fracture. In further embodiments, the materials are used in surgical procedures of bone replacement.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to functional polymers and hydrogels. More particularly, the invention provides versatile monomers and polymers with well-defined functionalities, e.g., polycarbonates and poly(ester-carbonates), compositions thereof, and methods for making and using the same. The invention also provides cytocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarobonate hydrogels (e.g., crosslinked by copper-free, strain-promoted “click” chemistry).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the prognostic evaluation of a patient suspected of having, or having, cancer by assessing the expression of IMP3 in a biological sample of a patient. Methods can be used at the time of initial diagnosis of malignant tumors to identify a group of patients with a high potential to develop progression or metastasis later. Therefore, methods not only are able to provide very useful prognostic information for patients but also can help clinicians to select a candidate patient likely to benefit from early and aggressive cancer therapy. Methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer associated with expression of IMP3 are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the prognostic evaluation of a patient suspected of having, or having, cancer by assessing the expression of IMP3 in a biological sample of a patient. Methods can be used at the time of initial diagnosis of malignant tumors to identify a group of patients with a high potential to develop progression or metastasis later. Therefore, methods not only are able to provide very useful prognostic information for patients but also can help clinicians to select a candidate patient likely to benefit from early and aggressive cancer therapy. Methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer associated with expression of IMP3 are also provided.

Abstract: Transgenic immunodeficient non-human animals according to embodiments of the present invention are described which include in their genome a nucleic acid encoding xenogeneic Stem Cell Factor operably linked to a promoter. Administration of xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells to the inventive transgenic animals results in engraftment of the xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells and xenogeneic leukocytes are produced in the animals, without conditioning such as without conditioning by irradiation and without conditioning by a radiomimetic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and prevention of type I diabetes. More specifically, the invention relates to compounds that treat or prevent the body's immune system from destroying ?-cells (i.e., insulin-producing cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans) by inhibition of JNK2, selective inhibition of JNK2, or inhibition of the expression of the MAPK9 gene or gene product. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates the diagnosis, identification, production, and use of compounds which modulate MAPK9 gene expression or the activity of the MAPK9 gene product including but not limited to, JNK2, the nucleic acid encoding MAPK9 and homologues, analogues, and deletions thereof, as well as antisense, ribozyme, triple helix, antibody, and polypeptide molecules as well as small inorganic molecules. The present invention contemplates a variety of pharmaceutical formulations and routes of administration for such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel signaling pathways controlling the pathogenesis of the human respiratory bacterium, Haemophilus influenzae. The lipooligosaccharide-phosphorylycholine (LOS-PC) cell surface epitope of H. influenzae enhances pathogenesis but also increases bacterial susceptibility to innate and adaptive immunity and the administration of therapeutic compounds. Modulation of the LOS-PC epitope may be affected by an interaction between environmental conditions (i.e., for example, oxygen tension) and genetic regulation of precursor biosynthetic pathway activity. LOS-PC epitope display increases under microaerobic conditions and decreases under aerobic conditions. This is consisent with a bacteria's propensity to initiate pathogensis under low oxygen conditions. Pathogenesis may be prevented by disrupting the role of the putative H. influenzae homologue of CsrA, that downregulates galU expression. Disrupting CsrA repression of galU expression resulted in increased LOS-PC epitope display.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that an intratumoral injection of: i) glycolipids with ?-gal epitope; ii) gene vectors comprising an ?1,3galactosyltransferase gene; or iii) a mixture of ?1,3galactosyltransferase, neuraminidase, and uridine diphosphate galactose results in tumor regression and/or destruction. Binding of the natural anti-Gal antibody to de novo expressed tumoral ?-gal epitopes induces inflammation resulting in an anti-Gal antibody mediated opsonization of tumor cells and their uptake by antigen presenting cells. These antigen presenting cells migrate to draining lymph nodes and activate tumor specific T cells thereby converting the treated tumor lesions into in situ autologous tumor vaccines. This therapy can be applied to patients with multiple lesions and in neo-adjuvant therapy to patients before tumor resection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating fertility. In particular the present invention provides cell lines and transgenic animals for use in identifying modulators of SREBP2gc transcription factors. The present invention further provides therapeutic agents that modulate SREBP2gc signaling for use as fertility modulators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining complete economic recovery for the costs of medical treatment of a person covered by Medicare or Medicaid. In the invention as described herein, a person who requires and receives medical treatment under Medicare or Medicaid, or the health care provider who provides such services, obtains recovery of costs by the use of a system of identifying a third party who carries a legal obligation to reimburse some or all of the expenses of the treatment. The systems and methods described use internet-mediated communication systems to identify such third parties, and use such systems to arrange for, and possibly to receive, reimbursement for expenses.