Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for generating islet-like cell clusters. The methods include culturing a whole non-islet pancreatic cell discard or cells sorted therefrom with an effective amount of a molecule having Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) activity (e.g., a BMP polypeptide). The effective amount of said molecule having BMP activity (e.g., BMP polypeptide) is sufficient to induce the formation of islet-like cell clusters. The methods further include treating or attenuating insulin-deficiency disorders, including type 1 diabetes. In one non-limiting embodiment, an insulin-deficiency disorder in a subject is treated or attenuated by culturing a whole non-islet pancreatic cell discard or cells sorted therefrom with an effective amount of a molecule having BMP activity (e.g., a BMP polypeptide) such that tho formation of islet-like cell clusters occurs.

Abstract: Quantification of symmetry and repeatability in limb motion for treating abnormal motion patterns. In the context of gait analysis, gait data may be acquired as signals from inertial sensors (e.g., gryoscopes). Each signal represents an angular velocity of a lower limb segment of a subject during ambulation. Each signal may be segmented into stride signals, and a gait metric may be calculated based on the stride signals. The gait metric may comprise a symmetry metric that represents a similarity of the stride signals across two signals acquired for at least one pair of contralateral limb segments. Additionally or alternatively, the gait metric may comprise a repeatability metric that represents a similarity of the stride signals within a signal. In other embodiments, other types of sensors may be used and/or motion data may be acquired and metrics calculated for other types of motions and/or for upper limb segments.

Abstract: A plasmonic photoconductor sensing platform is provided. The plasmonic photoconductor sensing platform includes an insulating substrate; a semiconducting film placed on top of the insulating substrate; two metal contacts placed at least in part on the semiconducting film to enforce an electric field; a plurality of plasmonic nanostructures deposited on the semiconducting film and physically separated from metal contacts; an insulating layer, the insulating electrically isolating the plasmonic nanostructures from semiconductor; at least one energy source; and at least one microfluidic channel disposed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: An objective screening platform for mTBI screening includes a vergence testing stimulus generator visible to a subject and configured for presenting visual stimulus to a subject which forms an optical target stimulus for at least one vergence test; at least one data acquisition unit for obtaining objective physiologic responses of the subject unit based upon each of the visual stimulus presented to the subject in each test, wherein the objective physiologic responses for each test include at least one eye position parameter and at least one pupil area parameter; and a controller configured for using at least one eye position parameter and at least one pupil area parameter to screen for the presence of mTBI of the subject.

Abstract: Device for arterial puncture assistance. In an embodiment, the device comprises an upper component, lower component, and coupling mechanism that couples the lower component to the upper component. The upper component may comprise a platform configured to support a syringe. The lower component may comprise one or more finger holes, wherein each of the one or more finger holes is configured to receive a human finger therethrough, so as to enable contemporaneous stabilization of the lower component on the human finger and palpation of an arterial pulse by the human finger during an arterial puncture.

Abstract: Antibodies specific for secretogranin III (Scg3) are disclosed. Methods of using the antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same in the treatment of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, neovascular age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, and cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This document provides novel compositions and methods utilizing immunomodulating agents that can stimulate or indirectly augment the immune system, or can have an immunosuppressive effect. TNFR25 agonists disclosed herein have an anti-inflammatory and healing effect. They can be used, e.g., to treat disease caused by asthma and chronic inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. TNFR25 antagonists disclosed herein can inhibit CD8 T cell-mediated cellular immune responses and can, for example, mitigate organ or tissue rejection following a tissue transplantation. TNFR25 agonists disclosed herein represent biological response modifiers that alter the interaction between the body's cellular immune defenses and cancer cells to boost, direct, or restore the body's ability to fight the cancer when given with tumor vaccines.

Abstract: Described herein are nanoparticle-based compositions, kits and methods and platforms for delivering one or more nucleic acids to a cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vector and/or vaccine that can be used for therapeutic and preventive purposes. The virus is based on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with a substituted VSV G (glycoprotein) for HTLV-1 G, referred to as gp62. The vector and/or vaccine further comprise a fusion protein comprising HTLV-1 regulatory proteins (HBZ and TAX) together to make a fusion product (HBZ-TAX) and mutated versions thereof. The vector and/or vaccine do not impede innate immune signaling and generate neutralizing antibodies and CTLs to gp62, HBZ, and TAX.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating or preventing renal disease in a subject suffering from Alport Syndrome, as well a method of treating or preventing chronic kidney disease. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of human apolipoprotein M.

Abstract: A cell culture medium comprising adenosine triphosphate; a carrier protein; cholesterol, linoleic acid, and lipoic acid; glutathione; at least one nucleotide salvage pathway precursor base; phosphoethanolamine; selenium; transferrin; triiodothyronine; all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and vitamin C; zinc, magnesium, and copper; an agent that increases intracellular cAMP; epidermal growth factor (EGF); hydrocortisone; insulin; and charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum, wherein said cell culture medium is substantially free, if not entirely free, of vitamin D, androgenic hormones, androgenic ligands, estrogenic hormones, estrogenic ligands, and/or androgenic receptors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving accuracy of visual field testing in head-mounted displays. The method includes retrieving a visual field testing pattern for a head-mounted display, the visual field testing pattern including icons displayed at respective locations in a visual field of the head-mounted display. The visual field testing pattern is generated on the head-mounted display. Data is retrieved from a tilt sensor, located at the head-mounted display, for detecting degrees of head tilt of a user wearing the head-mounted display and the degree of head tilt is determined. A comparison is made between the degree of head tilt of the user to a first threshold degree. In response to the degree of head tilt of the user meeting or exceeding the first threshold degree, a recommendation to the user is generated for display on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: In some embodiments, initial feedback indicating threshold characteristics (under which a user sees initial stimuli presented on a user interface) may be provided to a prediction model, and a set of predicted characteristics (for a set of locations of the user interface) and a set of confidence scores associated with the set of locations may be obtained via the prediction model. Based on the set of confidence scores, one or more locations may be selected to be tested during a visual test presentation. As an example, the locations may be selected over one or more other locations of the set of locations based on the set of confidence scores. Based on predicted characteristics associated with the selected locations, stimuli may be presented at the selected locations during the visual test presentation. Visual defect information for the user may be generated based on feedback from the visual test presentation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, initial feedback indicating threshold characteristics (under which a user sees initial stimuli presented on a user interface) may be provided to a prediction model, and a set of predicted characteristics (for a set of locations of the user interface) and a set of confidence scores associated with the set of locations may be obtained via the prediction model. Based on the set of confidence scores, one or more locations may be selected to be tested during a visual test presentation. As an example, the locations may be selected over one or more other locations of the set of locations based on the set of confidence scores. Based on predicted characteristics associated with the selected locations, stimuli may be presented at the selected locations during the visual test presentation. Visual defect information for the user may be generated based on feedback from the visual test presentation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in general, a method of diagnosing and treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders.

Abstract: Double reflector electromagnetic systems implementable in miniaturized satellites and other applications for compact, light weight, and broadband antennas. The disclosed methods and devices include primary and secondary reflectors, where the secondary reflector is held in the aperture plane of the primary reflector to minimize required space. A specific Cassegrain configuration is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides dendrimer conjugates. The present invention provides a composition comprising a dendrimer conjugate and a cell, such as a cell covered with dendrimer conjugates, in which dendrimer conjugates home the cell to a target tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein are Zika virus (ZIKV) binding constructs, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and antibody mimetics, as well as related conjugates, polypeptides, nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, kits, and assay systems. Methods detecting ZIKV infection and/or ZIKV exposure and/or ZIKV immunity are provided.

Abstract: Conjugates of synthetic nanocarriers, complexed with syngeneic (self) proteins adducted with haptens or other poorly immunogenic antigens (antigens of low immunogenicity), elicit selective humoral responses or antibodies against the hapten or antigen and not to self-protein. Compositions include these conjugates, which can be used as vaccines. Methods of making and using them are described herein. In a typical embodiment, a conjugate including a hapten or antigen of low immunogenicity associated with a particular disease (e.g., infection, cancer) can be used as a vaccine by eliciting antibodies that specifically neutralize the hapten or antigen. These hapten (and other poorly immunogenic antigen)-carrying nanocarriers selectively target antigen presenting cells resulting in a strong anti-hapten humoral response, and thus find use in vaccines for cancer (e.g., cancers of lung, cervix, breast, brain, liver pancreas, ovaries, skin, etc.

Abstract: A device to change the temperature of a localized volume of material. A workable device includes at least one heat transfer mechanism having an external surface for direct contact with an exposed surface of the material. A working fluid is directed by input and output conduits to contact an internal surface of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer mechanism exchanges heat between the working fluid and the material. Temperature of the working fluid may be regulated by a thermal system disposed at a remote location. An optional temperature sensing element may monitor a local temperature of the heat transfer mechanism or otherwise infer a temperature of a portion of the material. Sometimes, a device includes a cooperating anchoring arrangement to facilitate holding the heat transfer mechanism in a desired spot. Certain devices may be plastically deformed to a desired device shape.