Abstract: Triosephosphate isomerase deficiency (TPI Df) is a devastating childhood degenerative disease for which there are currently no treatments. Pathogenesis of this disease is driven by mutations that destabilize the TPI protein. A genome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila to identify regulators of TPI stability is described. The screen identified 25 proteins that are critical to TPI stability, each of which has a human ortholog. Methods of promoting TPI protein stability and treating TPI Df in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits expression or activity of one of the identified regulators are described. Also described is a method for the identification of agents capable of promoting stability of mutant TPI. Methods for treating a subject who has TPI Df by administering an agent that promotes stability of mutant TPI is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to chromane compounds, chromane compounds demonstrating HDAC inhibition, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Additional embodiments include methods of using the chromane compounds. For example, the disclosure includes methods of inhibiting histone acetylation in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with a chromane compound of the disclosure. Additional embodiments include methods of treating a disease capable of treatment by inhibition of histone acetylation in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a chromane compound of the disclosure.

Abstract: Implants include a single tapped coil antenna having a first section and a second section for wireless power transfer, data downlink and data uplink. A modulated wireless power transfer signal is received by the tapped coil antenna and used to provide electrical power. The modulation is detected to generate downlink data. A switch is used to charge a section of the tapped coil antenna by establish a current which is then be interrupted by opening the switch. The switching produces a high-amplitude pulsed magnetic field (PMF) for use in data uplink over a large distance between the implant and an external transceiver.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modelling a therapeutic response of a cancer cell or tumor, comprising: calculating a weight for each of a plurality of high-dimensional redundant multi-omics features that predict agent sensitivity or other clinical features based on statistical or machine learning methods; and calculating an integral genomic signature score for the cancer cell or tumor based on the weights, while algorithmically resolving the feature redundancy based on unlabeled genomic datasets for large cohorts of human tumors. Also provided is an iGenSig model for an agent that calculates the probability of response or resistance of a patient having a cancer or tumor to treatment with the agent. Also provided is a method for selecting a patient having a cancer or tumor for treatment with an agent. Further provided is a method of treating a patient having a cancer or tumor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring free flap patency includes transmit and receive transducers structured to be coupled to a blood vessel, and a plurality of circuitry modules structured to insonify a blood flow volume within the blood vessel and receive a scattered signal from the receive transducer, extract a baseband Doppler blood flow signal, VBASEBAND, from the scattered signal, extract a plurality of features from VBASEBAND, and classify the plurality of features and generate a binary signal based on the classification of the plurality of features, wherein the binary signal will have a first state responsive to the classification of the plurality of features indicating that a flow rate within the blood vessel is less than a predetermined level and a second state responsive to the classification of the plurality of features indicating the flow rate within the blood vessel is greater than or equal to the predetermined level.

Abstract: Oncolytic viruses encoding a recombinant form of TGF-? engineered to prevent homodimerization and recruitment of TGF-? receptor I are described. The engineered TGF-? monomers function as dominant-negative TGF-? inhibitors. Oncolytic viruses encoding a TGF-? monomer can be used for cancer immunotherapy to inhibit the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for multi-parameter hemodynamic monitoring are provided. Determining a cardiac output of a patient using a cuff device includes measuring a cuff pressure waveform of a subject during inflation and/or deflation of the cuff device, computing systolic and diastolic blood pressure from the cuff pressure waveform using the cuff device, constructing a blood pressure waveform from the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and cuff pressure waveform using the cuff device, computing brachial artery compliance from the cuff pressure waveform, and computing the cardiac output from the blood pressure waveform and/or brachial artery compliance using the cuff device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining blood pressures are provided. In one example, a device for determining blood pressure of a subject includes a camera configured to measure a finger photo-plethysmography (PPG) waveform, an accelerometer configured to measure a vertical height of the device relative to a heart of a subject, an output device configured to guide the subject to raise a hand to vary the transmural pressure of an artery while maintaining a finger pressure on the camera, and a processor configured to compute pulse pressure of the subject from the finger PPG waveform and the vertical height, and display the pulse pressure on the screen.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method, computing device, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium are provided. A dynamical network model is parameterized by state transition matrices based on monitored interictal brain data. A node influence-to network score for each respective node is calculated indicating how influential the respective node is. An influenced-by score is calculated for the each respective node indicating an amount by which the respective node is influenced by the nodes. A score is calculated for the each respective node based on a sink index, a source influence index, and a sink connectivity index. Nodes that are in the epileptogenic zone are determined based on the calculated score for each of the nodes. An indication of the nodes in the epileptogenic zone is provided.

Abstract: A synthetic dystroglycan oligosaccharide comprising: wherein a repeating disaccharide motif consists of Glucuronic Acid (ClcA) and Xylose (Xyl) having a defined glycosyl connection GlcA-?-(1?3)-Xyl-?-(1?3)-GlcA; wherein either end of the synthetic dystroglycan oligosaccharide is conjugatable with chemical or biological vehicle or support; wherein the non-reducing terminal is conjugatable win any oligosaccharides or groups that can modify a hydroxyl functionality; and wherein the reducing terminal is conjugatable with any tags, oligosaccharides or anything that can modify a hydroxyl functionality.

Abstract: Provided are improved methods for making immune effector cells, as well as improved immune effector cells generated using the methods. The improved T cells have improved respiratory capacity and mitochondrial mass. Adoptive T cell immunotherapies using such cells demonstrate improved survival, expansion, and persistence in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable, magnesium alloys, compositions and composites, methods for their preparation and applications for their use as implantable medical devices in load-bearing conditions. The magnesium alloys are composed of alloying elements selected from yttrium, calcium, zirconium, zinc, and strontium, with the remainder being magnesium and impurities arising due to production, and preparation of the alloy by melting together the elements and casting the resulting melted mixture. In certain embodiments, the methods of preparation include solution treatment and hot extrusion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein implantable material and methods for treatment of growth plate injuries and other purposes. These materials can be particularly useful for treating children whose growth plates are active, and can help encourage proper healing and inhibit unwanted bone formations. Exemplary compositions can comprise poly (ethylene glycol) (“PEG”), gelatin (“GEL”), and heparin (“HEP”). The PEG, GEL, and HEP components can be present in various forms of these materials, such as methacrylated forms, etc. The implanted materials can be anti-osteogenic and/or ant-mineralization, and can help prevent unwanted bone growth in the implanted area, such as boney tethers, which can inhibit desirable growth plate healing and overall bone growth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are methods and systems for utilizing spike trains. In one aspect, encompassed by the disclosure is a method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, a plurality of spike trains from a plurality of neurons of a cerebral cortex of a subject. The method may comprise determining, by the at least one processor, a plurality of first layer feature vectors, the plurality of first layer feature vectors including a first feature vector that comprises temporal-relation values of a subset of the plurality of spike trains with respect to a time instance of a reference spike train of the subset, corresponding to a time constant ? having a first value. The method may comprise establishing, by the at least one processor, a first layer comprising a first plurality of clusters of the first layer feature vectors.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to optically high transparency and high haze structures and, more particularly, to plastic, e.g., polymer, and glass structures having a sub-wavelength texture formed on a surface thereof, which is effective to impart the optical properties of high transparency and high haze to the structures. The texture is in a grass-like or needle-like form. Additionally, the optically high transparency and high haze structures may include a transparent conductor. Furthermore, the glass structures may exhibit a self-cleaning function.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a fistula in a subject, such as, but not limited to, an anal fistula. In some embodiments, the method includes administering locally to the fistula in the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a mammalian acoustic extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel, and optionally trehalose. Compositions of use in these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Artificial heart valve structures and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. The heart valve structures may be fabricated from a biocompatible polymer and include one or more heart valve leaflet structures incorporated within a conduit. The valve structures may incorporate one or more conduit sinuses, as well as a gap between the lower margin of the valve leaflets and the interior of the conduit. In addition, the valve structures may include one or more valve sinuses created in a space between the valve leaflets and the conduit inner surface. Computational fluid dynamics and mechanical modeling may be used to design the valve leaflets with optimal characteristics. A heart valve structure may also incorporate a biodegradable component to which cells may adhere. The incorporated cells may arise from patient cells migrating to the biodegradable component, or the component may be pre-seeded with cells prior to implantation in a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable endovascular devices, and methods for their preparation and use as medical implant devices. The invention includes flexible, drug-eluting, biodegradable endovascular devices that provide optimum treatment of peripheral arterial disease in small arteries and across joints. According to the invention, the biodegradable endovascular medical implant devices include a thermoformed tube or cylinder constructed of a flexible polymeric material, positioned in a vascular region of a patient, wherein the thermoformed tube or cylinder conforms to the geometry or anatomy of the vascular region to treat peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the use of one or more inhibitors to treat a disease, e.g., cancer, in a subject. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that protein kinase B (AKT) and ring finger protein 167 (RNF167)-mediated CASTOR1 degradation activates the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) independent of arginine and promotes cancer progression. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter provides for compositions, methods, and kits for treating a subject using an RNF167 inhibitor, an inhibitor that reduces phosphorylation of CASTOR1 at S14, ubiquitination and/or degradation of CASTOR1, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed catheter insertion systems enable the user to identify the location of the needle based on the electrical properties of subcutaneous tissue relative the electrical properties of other fluids such as blood or air. Disclosed systems can include one or more of the following features: 1) the catheter assembly is modular (e.g., the catheter can be connected and disconnected from the detection unit at will); 2) the detection unit employs an electrical circuit that allows for the discernment between subcutaneous tissue and blood; 3) the system assists the end user with catheter advancement. Some embodiments can be used to insert catheters into a spaces where the needle passes first through subcutaneous fat and muscle before entering fluid or air.