Abstract: This document describes systems, methods, and devices for sensing electrical activity in a brain of a mammal. Some aspects include a cortical electrode assembly configured, in use, to sense electrical activity at a surface of a brain, the assembly comprising: a ring-shaped substrate; and a plurality of electrical sensors affixed to the ring-shaped substrate, wherein the plurality of electrical sensors are spaced along the ring-shaped substrate so as to form a ring of electrical sensors that substantially encircle an aperture formed by the ring-shaped substrate.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated apparatus that enables identification of invasive tumor cells directly from a specimen. The methods using the apparatus can be used to prognose or predict the survivability of the cancer in a subject and the risk of recurrence of the cancer in the subject after treatment. The methods disclosed herein can be used to determine which chemotherapeutic or other therapies most strongly inhibit the tumor cells invasiveness as a form of personalized therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are UAP inhibitors to inhibit glucose flux in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and methods of treating a disease using the inhibitors.

Abstract: This document describes systems, methods, and devices for sensing electrical activity in a brain of a mammal Some aspects include a cortical electrode assembly configured, in use, to sense electrical activity at a surface of a brain, the assembly comprising: a ring-shaped substrate; and a plurality of electrical sensors affixed to the ring-shaped substrate, wherein the plurality of electrical sensors are spaced along the ring-shaped substrate so as to form a ring of electrical sensors that substantially encircle an aperture formed by the ring-shaped substrate.

Abstract: ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) sensors and uses are disclosed. These ECoG arrays, systems, and processes may be operable or configured to: i) simultaneously record neural signals while providing stimulation on specific portions of the cortex using a user-guided stimulator; ii) acquire neural signals over a large cortex area; iii) provide individual or group stimulation while concurrently receiving neural feedback; and/or iv) acquire neural signals at a setting remote from the neural source using wireless or other communication techniques.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated apparatus that enables identification of invasive tumor cells directly from a specimen. The methods using the apparatus can be used to prognose or predict the survivability of the cancer in a subject and the risk of recurrence of the cancer in the subject after treatment. The methods disclosed herein can be used to determine which chemotherapeutic or other therapies most strongly inhibit the tumor cells invasiveness as a form of personalized therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides SPAK/OSR inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the disclosure can be used to treat, ameliorate, and/or prevent certain cancers in a subject.

Abstract: ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) sensors and uses are disclosed. These ECoG arrays, systems, and processes may be operable or configured to: i) simultaneously record neural signals while providing stimulation on specific portions of the cortex using a user-guided stimulator; ii) acquire neural signals over a large cortex area; iii) provide individual or group stimulation while concurrently receiving neural feedback; and/or iv) acquire neural signals at a setting remote from the neural source using wireless or other communication techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for creating a surgical training model, a surgical training model apparatus, a bone model, an article that emulates tissue of an animal musculoskeletal system, an article that emulates animal fat tissue, and an article that emulates animal skin tissue. One version of the method comprises placing a spinal vertebrae model in a cavity model that emulates an animal body cavity; forming a first layer on top of the vertebrae model, wherein the first layer emulates an animal muscle tissue; placing a second layer over the first layer, wherein the second layer emulates an animal fat tissue; and placing a third layer over the second layer, wherein the third layer emulates an animal skin tissue. The spinal vertebrae model can be 3D printed from a thermoplastic polymer and infiltrated with a foam into an interior space of the 3D printed spinal vertebrae model.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions, methods, and kits for transfecting adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) in freshly extracted adipose tissue using nanoparticles comprising biodegradable polymers self-assembled with nucleic acid molecules. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods for treating a neurological disease in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering the AMSCs transfected with the nucleic acid molecules to the patient, wherein the nucleic acid molecules encode one or more bioactive molecules functional in the treatment of a neurological disease, particularly wherein the neurological disease is a brain tumor.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated apparatus that enables identification of migratory cells directly from a specimen. The apparatus only requires a small number of cells to perform an assay and includes novel topographic features which can reliably differentiate between migratory and non-migratory cell populations in a sample. Both the spontaneous and chemotactic migration of cancer cells may be measured to distinguish between subpopulations within a tumor sample. The migratory cells identified using the apparatus and methods of the present invention may be separated and further analyzed to distinguish factors promoting metastasis within the population. Cells in the apparatus can be treated with chemotherapeutic or other agents to determine drug strategies to most strongly inhibit migration. The use of optically transparent materials in some embodiments allows a wide range of imaging techniques to be used for in situ imaging of migratory and non-migratory cells in the apparatus.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions, methods, and kits for transfecting adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) in freshly extracted adipose tissue using nanoparticles comprising biodegradable polymers self-assembled with nucleic acid molecules. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods for treating a neurological disease in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering the AMSCs transfected with the nucleic acid molecules to the patient, wherein the nucleic acid molecules encode one or more bioactive molecules functional in the treatment of a neurological disease, particularly wherein the neurological disease is a brain tumor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical training model apparatus and a method for creating a surgical training model. The training model apparatus includes a functional brain model that responds to electrical stimulation and enables users to simulate cortical brain mapping outside the operating room. Methods for creating a surgical training model include consideration of engineering design inputs and other parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising Verteporfin and other anticancer compounds linked to a hydrophilic peptide through a degradable linker molecule to allow the anticancer compounds to penetrate tissues via in situ administration. The compounds of the present invention are useful for sensitizing tumor cells to radiotherapy, preventing recurrence of tumors after surgical resection and for treating remaining unremoved cancer cells at the site of the tumor.

Abstract: An intracranial apparatus that may be used for electrophysiological monitoring and stimulation of brain tissue of a patient. Embodiments comprise a stylet including a body section and a tip configured to separate brain tissue, a sheath including a body section having an outer surface defining a central opening configured to receive the stylet such that the tip of the stylet extends beyond the body section of the sheath, and a plurality of electrodes disposed at the outer surface of the sheath and configured to be connected to the brain tissue surrounding the sheath for stimulating and/or monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated apparatus that enables identification of migratory cells directly from a specimen. The apparatus only requires a small number of cells to perform an assay and includes novel topographic features which can reliably differentiate between migratory and non-migratory cell populations in a sample. Both the spontaneous and chemotactic migration of cancer cells may be measured to distinguish between subpopulations within a tumor sample. The migratory cells identified using the apparatus and methods of the present invention may be separated and further analyzed to distinguish factors promoting metastasis within the population. Cells in the apparatus can be treated with chemotherapeutic or other agents to determine drug strategies to most strongly inhibit migration. The use of optically transparent materials in some embodiments allows a wide range of imaging techniques to be used for in situ imaging of migratory and non migratory cells in the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one biologically active agent (D) chemically conjugated to a peptide or oligopeptide with overall hydrophilicity (Pep). In some embodiments, the composition comprises D-Pep wherein the biologically active agents are linked to the Pep molecule via an chemical linker, such as amino acid linker. These compositions can be mixed with the other compositions to provide mixtures of nanofiber hydrogel structures that also can be used to locally deliver biologically active agents to tissues of interest. The methods and compositions disclosed herein are useful for sustained drug release when administered in situ to the tissue of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed are UAP inhibitors to inhibit glucose flux in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and methods of treating a disease using the inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed are UAP inhibitors to inhibit glucose flux in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and methods of treating a disease using the inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising Verteporfin and other anticancer compounds linked to a hydrophilic peptide through a degradable linker molecule to allow the anticancer compounds to penetrate tissues via in situ administration. The compounds of the present invention are useful for sensitizing tumor cells to radiotherapy, preventing recurrence of tumors after surgical resection and for treating remaining unremoved cancer cells at the site of the tumor.