Abstract: In some examples, a prosthetic heart valve for implantation within a native heart valve includes a radially expandable frame and a valvular structure. The frame includes an annular main body having an inflow end and an outflow end. The main body is radially expandable between a radially compressed state and a radially expanded state. The valvular structure includes a plurality of leaflets disposed within and coupled to the frame. The frame includes a plurality of frame anchors coupled to the main body. Each frame anchor is configured to be positioned on or around a pair of free edges of two of the native leaflets of the native heart valve. In some examples, a prosthetic heart valve delivery assembly includes a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus for delivering the prosthetic heart valve to an implantation site.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a product includes a porous three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer structure having elastomeric shape memory, where the structure includes a material comprising a plurality of gas-filled microballoons. The 3D printed polymer structure has hierarchical porosity.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A tension-distribution device includes a rotationally-symmetric structure and two or more suture-engagement features associated with the rotationally-symmetric structure, the suture-engagement features being configured to receive one or more suture portions therein. The two or more suture-engagement features are evenly spaced rotationally about an axial center of the rotationally-symmetric structure.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a product includes a porous three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer structure having elastomeric shape memory, where the structure includes a material comprising a plurality of gas-filled microballoons. The 3D printed polymer structure has hierarchical porosity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one or more biomarkers to evaluate the likelihood that a rapamycin analog would produce an anti-cancer effect in a subject. It is based, at least in part, on the results of experiments employing an integrated next-generation sequencing approach to interrogate spatially separated tumor specimens from the same individuals to decipher intra-tumor and intertumor heterogeneity and determine the oncogenomic basis of exceptional therapeutic benefit to rapalogs in kidney cancer patients. These experiments implicated loss of function mutations in TSC1 and/or TSC2 and/or gain-of-function of mTOR in therapeutic responsiveness to rapamycin analogs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one or more biomarkers to evaluate the likelihood that a rapamycin analog would produce an anti-cancer effect in a subject. It is based, at least in part, on the results of experiments employing an integrated next-generation sequencing approach to interrogate spatially separated tumor specimens from the same individuals to decipher intra-tumor and intertumor heterogeneity and determine the oncogenomic basis of exceptional therapeutic benefit to rapalogs in kidney cancer patients. These experiments implicated loss of function mutations in TSC1 and/or TSC2 and/or gain-of-function of mTOR in therapeutic responsiveness to rapamycin analogs.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule inhibitors of Taspase1 and methods of using the small molecule inhibitors of Taspase1 to treat neoplasm in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule inhibitors of Taspase1 and methods of using the small molecule inhibitors of Taspase1 to treat neoplasm in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: A novel protease, Taspase1, is described. Taspase1 is involved in the cleavage of the MLL protein, which is required for proper HOX gene regulation. Diagnostic methods utilizing Taspase1 are provided, as well as inhibitors of Taspase1. Methods of using the inhibitors of Taspase1 are also described. For example an inhibitor of Taspase1 can be used to treat a cancer, e.g., leukemia, in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for modulating apoptosis. Methods are provided for inhibiting or preventing apoptosis by promoting formation of a complex of BAK and Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 2 (VDAC2). The invention also provides methods of promoting or inducing apoptosis by disrupting or inhibiting formation of a VDAC2/BAK complex. Also disclosed are methods of screening for compounds that promote or disrupt the VDAC2/BAK complex.

Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater.

Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater.

Abstract: A diode pumped, multi axial mode, intracavity doubled laser has at least two resonator mirrors that define a resonator cavity. A Nd:YVO4 laser crystal and a LBO doubling crystal are positioned in the resonator cavity. A diode pump source supplies a pump beam to the laser crystal and produces a laser crystal beam with at least three axial modes that are incident on the doubling crystal. A frequency doubled output beam is generated with an output power of at least 1 watt.

Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater .

Abstract: A diode pumped laser includes a resonator mirror and an output coupler, defining a laser resonator with a resonator optical axis. A strong thermal lens gain medium with a TEM.sub.00 mode diameter is mounted in the resonator along the resonator optical axis. The dopant level of the gain medium is in the range of 0.01 to less than 0.5 percent. A diode pump source supplies a pump beam to the gain medium in the laser resonator, and produces an output beam with a diameter larger than the TEM.sub.00 mode diameter to reduce thermal birefringence. A power source supplies power to the diode pump source. A polarizing element can be positioned in the resonator, along with a aperture stop The laser operates well over a large range of pump powers. Its slope efficiency in the TEM.sub.00 mode is greater than 40%, with an overall efficiency greater than 25%. One of the gain mediums used is Nd:YVO.sub.4. This material exhibits high gain and a short upper state lifetime.