The disclosed method of treating a malignant solid tumor in a subject includes the steps of administering to the subject an immunomodulatory dose of a radioactive phospholipid ether metal chelate, a radiohalogenated phospholipid ether, or other targeted radiotherapy (TRT) agent that is differentially retained within malignant solid tumor tissue, and either (a) performing in situ tumor vaccination in the subject by introducing into at least one of the malignant solid tumors one or more agents capable of stimulating specific immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, or (b) performing immunotherapy in the subject by systemically administering to the subject an immunostimulatory agent, such as an immune checkpoint inhibitor. In a non-limiting example, the radioactive phospholipid ether metal chelate or radiohalogenated phospholipid ether has the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 comprises a chelating agent that is chelated to a metal atom, wherein the metal atom is an alpha, beta or Auger emitting metal isotope with a half-life of greater than 6 hours and less than 30 days, or wherein R.sub.1 comprises a radioactive halogen isotope. In one such embodiment, a is 1, n is 18, m is 0, b is 1, and R.sub.2 is —N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.3.

The disclosed method of treating a malignant solid tumor in a subject includes the steps of administering to the subject an immunomodulatory dose of a radioactive phospholipid ether metal chelate, a radiohalogenated phospholipid ether, or other targeted radiotherapy (TRT) agent that is differentially retained within malignant solid tumor tissue, and either (a) performing in situ tumor vaccination in the subject by introducing into at least one of the malignant solid tumors one or more agents capable of stimulating specific immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, or (b) performing immunotherapy in the subject by systemically administering to the subject an immunostimulatory agent, such as an immune checkpoint inhibitor. In a non-limiting example, the radioactive phospholipid ether metal chelate or radiohalogenated phospholipid ether has the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 comprises a chelating agent that is chelated to a metal atom, wherein the metal atom is an alpha, beta or Auger emitting metal isotope with a half-life of greater than 6 hours and less than 30 days, or wherein R.sub.1 comprises a radioactive halogen isotope. In one such embodiment, a is 1, n is 18, m is 0, b is 1, and R.sub.2 is —N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.3.

A disinfection apparatus and method is provided for disinfecting a fluid. The apparatus elements define three internal container volumes. Fluid is introduced into an entry volume where its flow is conditioned to reduce splash and slow the fluid flow. The fluid is then channeled into a disinfection volume where a disinfection unit delivers a disinfection agent to the fluid. Finally, the fluid exits the apparatus through an exit volume. In one aspect, a sink-trap is disclosed in which wastewater liquid contacts a pair of diverters. The diverters have conditioned contact surfaces that slows and spreads the liquid flow and reduces liquid splash. The wastewater then passes through a UV chamber in which it is disinfected. The liquid then exits the sink-trap. Advanced self-cleaning apparatus are additionally disclosed to clean and disinfect the sink-trap and trapped wastewater. The entire apparatus operates under computer control.

Methods and systems for radiation therapy involve administering a payload / combination of biocompatible high-Z and semiconductor NPs to tissue, such as a tumor or an eye. Ionizing radiation may be directed towards the payload, and ionized electrons generate Cerenkov radiation (CR). The CR interacts with semiconductor NPs to produce chemical species that are damaging to cells. The payload may be administered via injection or via a radiotherapy (RT) device that includes NPs in a biodegradable polymer matrix. Biodegradation of the polymer matrix, which results in release of its payload, may be remotely activated using, for example, electromagnetic or sound waves. The payload may include one or more immunologic adjuvants capable of promoting an immunologic response at remote sites (such as a metastatic tumors) that are separate from the site at which the NPs and adjuvants were administered.

Methods and systems for radiation therapy involve administering a payload / combination of biocompatible high-Z and semiconductor NPs to tissue, such as a tumor or an eye. Ionizing radiation may be directed towards the payload, and ionized electrons generate Cerenkov radiation (CR). The CR interacts with semiconductor NPs to produce chemical species that are damaging to cells. The payload may be administered via injection or via a radiotherapy (RT) device that includes NPs in a biodegradable polymer matrix. Biodegradation of the polymer matrix, which results in release of its payload, may be remotely activated using, for example, electromagnetic or sound waves. The payload may include one or more immunologic adjuvants capable of promoting an immunologic response at remote sites (such as a metastatic tumors) that are separate from the site at which the NPs and adjuvants were administered.

The present invention relates to novel variants of human BMP7 protein. The invention embodies vectors and host cells for the propagation of nucleic acid sequences encoding said proteins and the production thereof. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of cancer, cartilage damage and degeneration, pain associated with osteoarthritis, or bone healing.

The present invention relates to novel variants of human BMP7 protein. The invention embodies vectors and host cells for the propagation of nucleic acid sequences encoding said proteins and the production thereof. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of cancer, cartilage damage and degeneration, pain associated with osteoarthritis, or bone healing.

A medical wound healing accelerator having a body that is removably attached on a fixing pin, of an external fixator for fractures, that is insertable into a bone through skin is provided. The device can further include a plurality of light source units arranged on one surface of the body to emit light and provide a beneficial effect to the wound, and a controller electrically connected to the light source units. An osteomyelitis treatment device having an insert that is insertable into an osteomyelitis part in a human body, and a plurality of light-emitting members provided to the insert to emit light is also provided. The plurality of light-emitting members can be spaced apart from each other, and a part of the insert can be cut or bent to correspond to the shape of the osteomyelitis part.

A catheter insertion aid may comprise: an insertion tip located at a proximal end of the insertion aid; a flexible bag; a self-sealing mating mechanism on the proximal end of the insertion aid; and a physical interface that helps a user hold and support the insertion aid against the body when inserting the catheter tube into the male or female urethral tract. The catheter insertion aid may mate with a urinary intermittent catheter with a catheter tube to be inserted into a male or female urethral tract to facilitate drainage of urine from a bladder into a receptacle. The flexible bag may surround the catheter tube with a first collar connection mechanism connecting to the insertion aid and a second collar connection mechanism connecting to a catheter funnel. The self-sealing mating mechanism may mate with the catheter funnel to create a hermetic seal that is substantially air- and water-tight. The catheter insertion aid may further comprise a lubrication reservoir that holds a lubricant to coat a thin layer of the lubricant on the catheter tube facilitating insertion of the catheter tube into the male or female urethral tract.

A therapeutic device, for human hair and skincare, comprises a gripping unit a functional unit including a first functional module and a second functional module, the first functional module including a first plate and a second functional module including a second plate, wherein a second surface of the second plate is oriented in an opposite direction to a first surface of the first plate, a plurality of teeth oriented in the direction of the orientation of the first surface, the plurality of teeth including a plurality of respective primary Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a plurality of secondary LEDs provided on the second plate and oriented in the direction of the orientation of the second surface and a sensor unit configured to determine hair distribution data on a body portion of a user.