Abstract: Surface-modified glass and polymer membrane interfaces form high-electrical resistance seals that can be used in microfluidic valves and array devices tailored for electrophysiological measurements. The incorporation of high seal resistance valves into the array device allows only the desired electrophysiological signal to be detected by a patch clamp amplifier, enabling parallel experiments with one patch clamp amplifier, which can greatly improve the cost efficiency. To achieve the desired high seal resistance, surface modification was performed on the glass components to increase the interaction between the glass and the membrane surfaces. The valves exhibit seal resistance of >500 G? after modification, which is 100× higher than reported for unmodified valves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of identifying infections, such as methods of identifying bacterial infections which utilize whole metagenome sequence analysis to sequence the entire wound microbiome of clinical samples. The disclosed methods use fast k-mer based sequence analysis, predictive modeling, and Bayesian network analysis, to analyze bacterial metagenomic sequence compositions in conjunction with clinical factors to stratify communities of bacteria into healing versus non-healing clusters. The methods of identifying infections can include performing molecular analysis of a patient wound sample, preparing the data obtained from the molecular analysis, diagnosing the wound sample and/or prognosing the wound sample. The disclosed methods can also be used to identify protein function as well as novel biomarkers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for activating TORC1 aggregate formation in a fungi or a parasite, wherein TORC1 aggregate formation inhibits growth of the fungi or parasite. TORC1 aggregate formation may be activated using small molecules or other agents, and said agents may be used to treat or prevent a disease or condition associated with the fungi and parasite. The agent may target Kog1 of TORC1, e.g., the agent may directly or indirectly inhibit Kog1 leading to aggregation of the TORC1 complex.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for rapidly replacing cMyBP-C in sarcomeres featuring the creation of Spy-C mice, which are mice genetically engineered to express cMyBP-C with a protease recognition site and SpyTag peptide introduced into the cMyBP-C gene. In permeabilized myocytes from the Spy-C mice, the cMyBP-C protein can be cleaved at the protease recognition site, and the N-Terminus of cMyBP-C can be removed while the C-terminus remains anchored to the thick filament. A new peptide featuring the SpyCatcher sequence can be covalently bonded to the remaining portion of cMyBP-C, thereby creating a modified cMyBP-C protein. The methods and compositions of the present invention allow for the reconstitution of full-length cMyBP-C at the precise position of native cMyBP-C in the sarcomere and allow for a variety of modifications to be introduced to cMyBP-C in situ.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods treating a clinical condition associated with a neurodegenerative disease or locomotor dysfunction in a subject. In particular, methods include administering to the subject in need of such a treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof, where X, Ra, Rb, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are those defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a compound having both agonist activity at opioid receptor(s) and antagonist activity at NK1 receptor, and methods for producing and using the same. This combination of activities provides several synergistic and/or beneficial effects such as enhanced potency in analgesic effect and reduction or inhibition of tolerance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of characterizing disease. In particular, this invention relates to methods for selecting a treatment, treating, and predicting survival time in subjects suffering from sepsis, based on the characterization of genes associated with a reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecular signature.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a modified MC1R peptide ligand comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) ligand and a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The subject invention also pertains to a MC1R peptide ligand-micelle complex comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor ligand connected via a click reaction product to a micelle. The micelle is stable in vivo and can target melanoma tumor cells by association of the peptide ligand with the MC1R or the tumor and selectively provide a detectable and/or therapeutic agent (such as an imageable contrast agent and/or anti-cancer agent) selectively to the tumor cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses methods for producing stereoisomerically enriched carbohydrate-based surfactants. In particular, methods of the invention include producing stereoisomerically enriched hydrophobic portion of the carbohydrate-based surfactants.

Abstract: Described herein various PCR based assays that can detect H. penaei and/or V. parahaemolyticus that causes AHPND in a nucleic acid sample obtained from one or more shrimp. In some aspects, the PCR based assays can detect one or more of the following genes: the flgE gene from H. penaei, the shrimp 18s rRNA gene, the shrimp beta actin gene from shrimp, a bacterial 16S rRNA gene from bacteria (any type of bacteria) the Vibrio pirA gene, and the Vibrio pirB gene. The assays described herein can be single assays or can be multiplexed such that more than one gene and/or more than one bacterial species can be detected in a single reaction. Other compositions, compounds, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings, detailed description, and examples.

Abstract: A light projection system including a light source, a light controller optically and/or electrically coupled to the light source to generate a plurality of spatially-separated and independently-modulatable beams of light, and an angular light modulator (ALM) positioned to receive the beams of light and selectively direct the light from each beam into one of a plurality of directions. The light source can include a laser diode array. The light controller can be a spatial light modulator or a processor programmed to control an output of each of the lasers of the laser diode array. The angular light modulator may be a digital micromirror device (DMD). The ALM may be configured to project the images into corresponding diffraction orders of the ALM or the ALM may be configured to continuously scan the images.

Abstract: Provided herein are biological information pattern (BIP) arrays and related methods for reading out information stored in a biological medium. In this manner, encoded digital information in biomolecular medium can be used as a high data density storage medium that may be read-out and accessed in a label-free manner.

Abstract: An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from a far-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to scanning tunneling thermometers and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) techniques. In one example, a method includes simultaneously measuring conductance and thermopower of a nanostructure by toggling between: applying a time modulated voltage to a nanostructure disposed on an interconnect structure, the time modulated voltage applied at a probe tip positioned over the nanostructure, while measuring a resulting current at a contact of the interconnect structure; and applying a time modulated temperature signal to the nanostructure at the probe tip, while measuring current through a calibrated thermoresistor in series with the probe tip. In another example, a device includes an interconnect structure with connections to a first reservoir and a second reservoir; and a scanning tunneling probe in contact with a probe reservoir. Electrical measurements are simultaneously obtained for temperature and voltage applied to a nanostructure between the reservoirs.

Abstract: The present invention provides carbohydrate-based surfactants and methods for producing the same. Methods for producing carbohydrate-based surfactants include using a glycosylation promoter to link a carbohydrate or its derivative to a hydrophobic compound.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having a piperidinyl-benzoimidazole structure which function as antagonists of small ubiquitin like modifier (SUMO) related modification (SUMOylation) of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of voltage gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) related itch, anosmia, migraine event, and/or pain (e.g., neuropathic pain).

Abstract: Disclosed is CT or MR contrast agent which comprises a base or carrier scaffold formed of a polyhydroxol compound having a linker to which a Gd-DOTA is covalently bonded. Also disclosed is a method of screening a patient for colon cancer using a CT or MR contrast, which method comprises administering to a patient undergoing screening a compound as above described.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for detecting a target in a sample. The imaging system includes a lens-free holographic microscope having a light source in a first plane spaced above an image sensor. The image sensor extends in a second plane. The system also includes a microfluidic chip positioned between the light source and the image sensor. The microfluidic chip extends in a third plane, which is parallel to the second plane. There is at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip configured to receive a sample solution with a target. The system also has a plurality of functionalized beads positioned within the at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip. Any two of the plurality of functionalized beads have an affinity for binding together when exposed to the target in the sample solution.

Abstract: A kinematically engaged yoke system (KEYS) for multiple-order-diffraction engineered material may comprise a harness comprising a frame and a plurality of semi-kinematic keys disposed on the frame, wherein the semi-kinematic keys are configured based on a MOD-side mechanical profile of a plurality of segments of a multiple-order-diffraction engineered material, and wherein the MOD-side mechanical profile, when engaged with the semi-kinematic keys, functions as a fiducial that provides alignment between neighboring segments; and one or more shims disposed between one or more pairs of neighboring segments of the plurality of segments of the multiple-order-diffraction engineered material, wherein the one or more shims facilitate alignment of the one or more pairs of neighboring segments of the plurality of segments based on a translation across one or more surfaces of the one or more shims.

Abstract: Night vision systems that are compact in size due to one or more of the design of the optical system and light detector module.