Diagnostic screening tests that can be used to identify if a patient is a good candidates for an implantable vagus nerve stimulation device. One or more analyte, such as a cytokine or inflammatory molecule, can be measured from a blood sample taken prior to implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator to determine the patient's responsiveness to VNS for treatment of an inflammatory disorder.

Provided herein are methods of monitoring progression, regression, or stage of an AID in a subject, measuring a level of expression of a gene, an RNA, or a protein, or a combination thereof, in a sample obtained from a niche at the implantation site of a synthetic scaffold in the subject at a first time point and at a second time point, wherein the expression level measured at the first time point is compared to the expression level measured at the second time point, wherein the difference in the level of expression at the second time point relative to the level of expression at the first time point is indicative of progression, regression, or stage of the autoimmune disease. Related methods of detecting an AID, determining treatment for a subject with an AID, determining efficacy of an AID treatment, or treating an AID, are further provided.

The present invention relates to kits and methods based on lateral flow assay devices for detecting the presence or quantity of one or more test analytes within a test sample taken from the skin of a mammal.

The current disclosure provides use of high dose nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursor regimens for reduction of inflammation in human patients with preexisting inflammation. The NAD precursor can be nicotinamide riboside (NR) and the high dose regimen can include at least 1000 or 2000 mg/day for at least 9 days.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting components of the inflammasome in a sample from a subject as markers for brain injuries such as multiple sclerosis, stroke or traumatic brain injury. Methods of using such inflammasome markers to determine prognosis, direct treatment and monitor response to treatment for the subject with a brain injury such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, mild cognitive impairment or traumatic brain injury are also described.

A method to predict a propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis is disclosed. The method, which involves use of biological markers, can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of a composition to treat atopic dermatitis.

The invention relates to biocompatible, bioabsorbable derivatized non-crosslinked chitosan compositions optionally crosslinked to gelatin/collagen by 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) for biomedical use and methods of making and testing such compositions, including a modified acute systemic toxicity test. The compositions comprise derivatized chitosan reacetylated to a degree of N-deacetylation (DDA) of between about 15% and 40%. The compositions are typically bioabsorbed in about 90 days or less and can be made to bioabsorb at differing rates of speed. The compositions are initially soluble in aqueous solution below pH 6.5. The compositions have an acid content that can be adjusted between about 0% (w/w) and about 8% (w/w) to customize the composition for uses that require and/or tolerate differing levels of cytotoxicity, adhesion, composition cohesion, and cell infiltration into the composition.

Biomarker panels for the prediction of patient response to immunotherapy, and methods of use thereof.

Diagnostic screening tests that can be used to identify if a patient is a good candidates for an implantable vagus nerve stimulation device. One or more analyte, such as a cytokine or inflammatory molecule, can be measured from a blood sample taken prior to implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator to determine the patient's responsiveness to VNS for treatment of an inflammatory disorder.

Compositions and methods for detecting components of the inflammasome in a sample from a subject as markers for inflammasome-related diseases or disorders such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, age-related macular degeneration, NASH, inflammaging or traumatic brain injury. Methods of using such inflammasome markers to determine prognosis, direct treatment and monitor response to treatment for the subject with an inflammasome-related disease or disorder such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, age-related macular degeneration, NASH, inflammaging or traumatic brain injury are also described.