Abstract: Methods for treating an ear condition in a subject, comprising topically administering to the ear of the subject in need thereof a composition comprising: (i) an anti-infective agent-loaded biodegradable polymer microspheres; and (ii) a thermoresponsive hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker for promoting sleep and/or the treatment of insomnia. It is based, at least in part, on the results of experiments performed using a validated rat model of stress-induced insomnia in which candesartan was found to ameliorate sleep disturbances induced by stress. Further, it was observed that this effect seems to be caused by blockade of AT1 receptors located in several brain regions that are key components of the neural circuitry activated during insomnia. In contrast to currently marketed treatments for insomnia, the AT1 receptor blocker was found to restore normal sleep without inhibiting REM sleep and/or inducing atypical wave components in the EEG.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a formula I of: wherein Ar is an arylene or heteroarylene; R1 has a structure of: wherein W is an alkanediyl, alkenediyl, a carbonyl, or a combination thereof; X is —NR5—, wherein R5 is H or an alkyl, or —O—; and Y is optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heterocycloalkyl-substituted alkyl; each R2 is the same or different and has a structure of: wherein Z is —NR6—, wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, —O—, —S—, or —CH2—; Z1 is (—CH2-)m wherein m is 0 to 5, or an alkenediyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Cy is a 3-8-membered cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl ring; and each R4 is the same or different and is selected from hydroxy, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or amino; and c is 0 to 5; and each R3 is the same or different and is selected from hy

Abstract: The invention relates generally to generation of biomimetic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and, more particularly, to multi-level lamellar structures having rotated or alternated plywood designs to mimic natural bone tissue. The invention also includes methods of preparing and applying the scaffolds to treat bone tissue defects. The biomimetic scaffold includes a lamellar structure having multiple lamellae and each lamella has a plurality of layers stacked parallel to one another. The lamellae and/or the plurality of layers is rotated at varying angles based on the design parameters from specific tissue structural imaging data of natural bone tissue, to achieve an overall trend in orientation to mimic the rotated lamellar plywood structure of the naturally occurring bone tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of treating angiogenic disorders of the eye, such as macular degeneration, restenosis following glaucoma treatment or diabetic retinopathy, by administering an activator of C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3). In some embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is interferon-?-inducible 10 kDa protein (IP-10) or a fragment or variant thereof, such as a fragment comprising or consisting of the C-terminal ?-helix of IP-10. In other embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is platelet factor 4 (PF4) or a fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: Corneal stromal scars are the leading cause of corneal blindness. The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful in therapies for this pathological condition. The invention provides corneal stromal stem cells and certain other stem cells and as well as exosome polynucleotides produced by such cells, and methods for making and using these cells and compositions. The invention is based upon the discovery that exosomes and their associate active components obtained from these cells comprise agents having the same capacity as corneal stromal stem cells to reduce scarring and prevent scar formation in patients having corneal damage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to, e.g., 3-substituted, 5-amine-substituted-cyclohex-2-en-1-one compounds, and method of treatment and making associated with the same compounds.

Abstract: The absence of regulatory T cells (Treg) may underlie disorders including but not limited to autoimmunity, dermatitis, periodontitis and even transplant rejection. Enhancing local numbers of Treg through in situ Treg expansion or induction is contemplated herein as a treatment option for these disorders. Current methods for in vivo Treg expansion are not Treg specific and are associated with many adverse side-effects. The data presented herein provides in vitro testing of a Treg-inducing microparticle providing a predictable controlled release for combinations of cytokines and drugs (e.g., IL-2, TGF-?, and/or rapamycin) resulting in targeted Treg migration. These controlled release microparticles are also capable of inducing FoxP3+ Treg in human cells in vitro suggesting that these compositions be developed into an in vivo Treg induction and expansion therapy.

Abstract: Methods of regenerating vital tooth tissue in situ after endodontic therapy include introducing a hydrogel scaffold into a root canal of a tooth in a patient after native pulp has been removed from the root canal. The hydrogel scaffold may comprise a sponge scaffold, and can be acellular. The hydrogel scaffold can contain chemotactic, angiogenic, neurogenic, and/or immunomodulatory biofactors that cause infiltration of endogenous cells from the patient into the root canal. Alternatively, such biofactors/drugs can be administered to the patient separately from the hydrogel scaffold. The hydrogel scaffold can fill the periapical space of an abscessed root.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fusion proteins for use in treating an inflammatory or immune disorder and methods of use. In some examples, the fusion proteins include an anchor domain and a therapeutic polypeptide. In some examples, the fusion proteins and methods herein can be used to treat inflammatory or immune disorders.

Abstract: A method of forming a microneedle array can include forming a sheet of material having a plurality of layers and micromilling the sheet of material to form a microneedle array. At least one of the plurality of layers can include a bioactive component, and the microneedle array can include a base portion and plurality of microneedles extending from the base portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable, metal alloys, methods for their preparation and applications for their use. The alloys include magnesium and other components, such as, yttrium, calcium, zirconium, and zinc. These elements are alloyed together in specific combinations and amounts in order to achieve an alloy having desired properties and characteristics. In certain embodiments, strontium or cerium may be included as an additive. The resulting alloys are particularly suitable for forming various medical devices for implantation into the body of a patient.

Abstract: A method of classifying a swallow of a subject includes obtaining vibration data that is based on and indicative of a number of vibrations resulting from the swallow, and using a computer implemented deep learning classifier to classify the swallow based on the vibration data. Also, a system for classifying a swallow of a subject includes a computing device implementing a deep learning classifier. The computing device includes a processor apparatus structured and configured to receive vibration data that is based on and indicative of a number of vibrations resulting from the swallow, and use the deep learning classifier to classify the swallow based on the vibration data. The deep learning classifier may comprise a single layer or a multi-layer Deep Belief network.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to probiotics and probiotic compositions having modified energy metabolisms (e.g., modifying, metabolizing, or storing energy molecules, e.g., lipids, before the energy molecules are absorbed by a host subject), and thus modulating the absorption of the energy molecules by the host subject. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making such probiotics and probiotic compositions. The present disclosure further relates to methods of regulating (e.g., maintaining or reducing) body weight in a subject (e.g., a subject having a healthy BMI, a subject having an overweight BMI, a subject having an obese BMI), using the probiotics and probiotic compositions disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-assembled organosilane- and small molecule drug-containing coatings for resorbable medical implant devices. The coatings can be prepared from precursor compositions containing an organosilane and a small molecule drug, and can be applied to substrates. Prior to applying the coatings, the surfaces of the substrates can be pretreated. The coatings can be functionalized with a binding compound that is coupled with an active component. The coatings can be applied using various techniques and apparatus, more particularly, by a deep-coating process conducted at ambient conditions.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which combine electrospinning and a sacrificial template, such as with additive manufacturing (AM), to produce fibrous microvascular scaffolds which are biodegradable, porous, and easily handled. In one example, a process for fabricating a fibrous network construct is disclosed. The method includes electrospinning a first layer of fibrous material; printing a micropatterned sacrificial template; transferring the micropatterned sacrificial template onto the electrospun fibers; electrospinning a second layer of fibrous biomaterial onto the micropatterned sacrificial template thereby encapsulating the template and generating a construct with two layers; and removing the sacrificial template, producing a fibrous construct with channels or microstructures formed therein. Also disclosed are fibrous constructs and scaffolds produced by the provided methods.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the use of GC-1 (sobetirome), a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof to increase liver regeneration and healing in liver transplant donors and recipients.

Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention are directed to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating disease. The compositions of such embodiments include reversible nitroxide derivatives of nitroalkenes. The methods of various embodiments include administering an effective amount of any of these pharmaceutical compositions to a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to uses of TG02, for treating a glioma in a pediatric human subject. In certain embodiments, the glioma can be a pediatric high-grade glioma (PHGG), e.g., a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), and/or a H3.3-mutated glioma (e.g., a H3K27M-mutated glioma). The present disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits that include an ERK5 inhibitor.

Abstract: Composite nerve guides for nerve regeneration are provided, wherein the composite guide comprise a nerve graft and a nerve conduit continuing an active agent that promote axon regeneration. The devices can provide structural supports to guide nerve regeneration and locally deliver an active agent (e.g., glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and/or glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) to injured nervous system tissue upon implantation in a subject. Methods of treatment using such devices are also provided.