Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming a ventricular support device for a diseased heart, including providing imaging data of the diseased heart, forming a three-dimensional (3D) heart model based on the imaging data, providing strain data including a plurality of strain estimates for at least one segment of the diseased heart, mapping the plurality of strain estimates onto corresponding portions of the 3D heart model to form a 3D diseased heart model, based on the 3D diseased heart model, forming a model of the ventricular support device configured to surround at least a portion of the diseased heart and provide support based upon said strain estimates, and converting the model of the ventricular support device to a digital file useful for directing a 3D printer device to print said ventricular support device for said diseased heart. Also provided is a customized ventricular support device so produced.

Abstract: Provided herein is a delivery system, including: (a) an optical sensor configured to detect data to create a map of a patient bodily surface; and (b) a dispenser operatively associated with the optical sensor and configured to deliver compositions (optionally including cells) to the patient bodily surface based upon the data or map. Methods of forming a tissue on a patient bodily surface of a patient in need thereof are also provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products useful for processing patient bodily surface data.

Abstract: Provided herein are cell compositions useful for making artificial liver constructs. The cell composition my include, in combination, (a) hepatocyte cells, (b) Kuppfer cells, (c) hepatic stellate cells, (d) sinusoidal endothelial cells, and (e) cholangiocyte cells.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides therapeutic methods and compositions for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. In particular, methods are provided for increasing protective antibody levels induced by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide. Immunogenic compositions are also provided comprising one or more pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens and an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein is a construct comprising, in combination: an EphA3, EphA2 and/or EphB2 binding ligand; and at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the at least one effector molecule comprises a therapeutic agent, a nanoparticle, a detectable group, a lipid, or a liposome. In some embodiments, the construct is a fusion protein and/or a covalent conjugate. Further provided is a construct comprising, in combination: a ligand that binds to EphA2, EphA3 and/or EphB2; a ligand that binds to IL-13R?2; and at least one effector molecule. Also provided are methods of use thereof for treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind IL-13RA2 with cross-reactivity in humans and canines. Also provided are methods of use of the antibodies in the treatment and monitoring of cancers.

Abstract: This invention relates to C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), vectors encoding the same, and methods of using the same for a male subject that has undergone prostate surgery to treat urological symptoms of the surgery.

Abstract: Described herein are bioink compositions, which may have an elastic modulus similar to a natural tissue and/or tunable mechanical properties, along with methods of preparing and using the compositions. The compositions described herein may be useful as a medium for cell and/or tissue culture and/or for bioprinting, but are not limited thereto.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising an isolated Lactobacillus paracasei D3.5 strain or cellular components thereof. In some embodiments, the composition is provided in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which may be a food product, tablet or capsule suitable for enteral administration, etc. Also provided is a composition comprising lipoteichoic acid isolated from Lactobacillus paracasei D3.5 strain, which may be provided in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method includes receiving data about a patient, computing geometric characterization of one or more organs at risk proximate to a target volume of a patient or vice versa, and selecting relevant treatment knowledge and experience. The method also includes generating, based on the received data, computed geometric characterization, and available knowledge and experience, a first set of radiation treatment planning parameters that will lead to a high quality plan for the patient. Further, the method includes model-based prediction, based on the data, a second set or more of radiation treatment planning parameters that will lead to alternative achievable plans with different organ sparing objectives for treating the patient. The multiple sets for parameters can be used separately or in conjunction to generate treatment plans.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a myopathy. In certain embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for treating, improving muscle function, and prolonging survival in a subject with X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM). The present invention provides a method comprising systemic administration of a composition that induces the increased expression of myotubularin in the muscle of a subject. The invention provides sustained regional and global increases in muscle function.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for repair of shoulder injuries by employing disaggregated muscle fiber fragments to regenerate functional shoulder muscle tissue. In some embodiments, the fragments retain functional satellite cells but exhibit cell wall rupture and have an average size of less than 150 ?m. The methods include the preparation and implantation of compositions by extracting muscle tissue from a donor site, disaggregating muscle fibers from the extracted tissue, and fragmenting disaggregated muscle fibers into fiber fragments that exhibit cell wall rupture and preferably have an average size of less than 150 microns, more preferable less than about 100 microns, while retaining functional satellite cells. Upon injection, e.g., into the supraspinatus or other rotator cuff muscles, the muscle fiber fragment compositions are capable of reconstituting or reconstructing elongated muscle fibers from the fragments and orienting in alignment with native shoulder muscle fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waste container comprising a port in communication with a tube where the port is configured to receive a fluid from an implement and the tube is configured to direct the fluid from the implement toward an absorbent material within the waste container.

Abstract: An incremental syringe useful for multiple injections of medications like botulinum toxin is provided. The syringe includes detents on the syringe plunger which provide a tactile feeling, a discrete audible sound or “click,” or preferably both, for every unit of medication aspirated or injected to or from an individual syringe. Hence, there is no need to look at the syringe, or bring it to the eye level, during use thereof. In some embodiments, a second set of detents is included, and in some embodiments a third set of detents is included. Syringe plungers useful for combining with a syringe body to produce such an incremental syringe are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying autism and autism spectrum disorders in humans. The invention also includes compositions and methods for identifying unique gene expression profiles in children with regressive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ileocolitis.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of culturing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells by cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells on a support in vitro for a time sufficient to produce said organized skeletal muscle tissue, including reseeding said organized skeletal muscle tissue by contacting additional precursor muscle cells to said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said solid support, and then repeating said step of cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells in said support in vitro for time sufficient to enhance the density (i.e., increased number of nuclei and/or number of multinucleated cells) of said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said support.

Abstract: A method of treating hypoxic tissue such as wound tissue comprises contacting a composition to the hypoxic tissue in a hypoxia-treatment effective amount, the composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and an inorganic peroxide incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming tissue engineered, tubular gut-sphincter complexes from intestinal circular smooth muscle cells, sphincteric smooth muscle cells and enteric neural progenitor cells. The intestinal smooth muscle cells and neural progenitor cells can be seeded on a mold with a surface texture that induces longitudinal alignment of the intestinal smooth muscle cells and co-cultured until an innervated aligned smooth muscle sheet is obtained. The innervated smooth muscle sheet can then be wrapped around a tubular scaffold to form an intestinal tissue construct. Additionally, the sphincteric smooth muscle cells and additional enteric neural progenitor cells can be mixed in a biocompatiable gel solution, and the gel and admixed cells applied to a mold having a central post such that the sphinteric smooth muscle and neural progenitor cells can be cultured to form an innervated sphincter construct around the mold post.

Abstract: The present application relates to biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, constructs and methods of making the same. The three-dimensional scaffold can include a sacrificial internal cast and a durable external scaffold material, wherein the durable external scaffold material comprises a biocompatible material which completely surrounds the sacrificial internal cast and wherein the sacrificial internal cast be removed to yield a branching 3D network of hollow, vessel-like tubes that substantially mimics a native tissue or organ.