Abstract: A surgical method for expanding a thoracic cage during a surgical procedure includes cutting through a thoracic cage to create an upper thoracic cage portion and a lower thoracic cage portion, separating the first thoracic cage portion and the second thoracic cage portion to open the thoracic cage, and installing, between the first thoracic cage portion and the second thoracic cage portion, a device that holds the first thoracic cage portion and the second thoracic cage portion apart from each other to expand a thoracic cavity of the thoracic cage. The surgical method includes a post-surgical cavity volume of the thoracic cage that is larger relative to a pre-surgical cavity volume of the thoracic cage.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods to predict primary graft dysfunction in a subject, comprising detecting and/or quantifying complement protein in allograft biopsy tissue up to 120 minutes post-reperfusion.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of treating or preventing acute or chronic lung disease in a subject, comprising administering an agent that modulates the expression of Serine Protease Inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) to the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of detecting the presence or absence of Serine Protease Inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) in a subject, comprising obtaining a biological sample comprising genomic DNA from a subject having or suspected of having chronic and acute lung diseases, and detecting the presence or absence of the SPINK1 in the biological sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preventing or reducing the incidence of primary graft dysfunction in a subject.

Abstract: A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions which may be utilized to inhibit and/or deplete non-classical monocytes during a transplantation procedure. The disclosed methods and compositions may be utilized in order to reduce damage to organs and tissues during a transplantation procedure and/or to improve the success rate of the transplantation procedure.

Abstract: A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Abstract: A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Abstract: A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic solution for effective control of symptoms related to nausea and vomiting. The therapeutic solution is a pharmaceutical composition which combines anti-emetics of different classes. These classes include dopamine receptor antagonists, serotonin receptor antagonists, butyrphenones, and neurokinin receptor antagonists. The combination of different anti-emetics mitigates adverse affects of a single anti-emetic alone while increasing drug efficacy and decreasing cost of administration to the individual patient.