Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a first patterned layer, and a second patterned layer. The first patterned layer may be coupled to the substrate and may have a first metasurface pattern. The second patterned layer disposed separately from the substrate and the first patterned layer, and may have a second metasurface pattern. Movement of the first patterned layer relative to the second patterned layer may be controllable via control circuitry such that a gap distance of a gap between the first patterned layer and the second patterned layer is changed to cause a transmittance for radiant energy of a selected wavelength passing through the apparatus to change from a first transmittance value to a second transmittance value.

Abstract: Dexterous manipulation devices are provided having an end effector enabling large curvature with a diameter of 1 mm or less that can articulate about an axis in a working space of about or less than 4 mm by 4 mm. Preferred devices are robotically actuated and controlled and can be used for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A method for identifying a predefined target organism includes extracting a nucleic acid from a sample to form an extracted nucleic acid, amplifying the extracted nucleic acid to form a nucleic acid amplicon, tagging the nucleic acid amplicon with a capture probe and a detector partner to form a detector partner-nucleic acid amplicon-capture probe complex, and performing a detection assay on the detector partner-nucleic acid amplicon-capture probe complex to identify whether the predefined target organism is present in the sample.

Abstract: The identification of mutations that are present in a small fraction of DNA templates is essential for progress in several areas of biomedical research. Though massively parallel sequencing instruments are in principle well-suited to this task, the error rates in such instruments are generally too high to allow confident identification of rare variants. We here describe an approach that can substantially increase the sensitivity of massively parallel sequencing instruments for this purpose. One example of this approach, called “Safe-SeqS” for (Safe-Sequencing System) includes (i) assignment of a unique identifier (UID) to each template molecule; (ii) amplification of each uniquely tagged template molecule to create UID-families; and (iii) redundant sequencing of the amplification products. PCR fragments with the same UID are truly mutant (“super-mutants”) if ?95% of them contain the identical mutation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for modulating wound healing and regeneration. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to immunomodulatory agents that promote wound healing and tissue regeneration, and that may be optionally used in combination with synthetic or biomaterial scaffolds.

Abstract: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists and their use for treating, preventing, or reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants are disclosed.

Abstract: An implant customization platform may receive image data associated with a bone of a patient. The implant customization platform may convert the image data to a structural representation of the bone. The implant customization platform may identify, based on the structural representation, a placement for an orthopaedic implant relative to the bone. The implant customization platform may determine a performance characteristic for a combination of the bone and the orthopaedic implant. The implant customization platform may determine, using an implant customization model, a data representation of the orthopaedic implant based on the structural representation, the placement, and the performance characteristic. The implant customization platform may perform an action associated with the data representation to permit the orthopaedic implant to be formed.

Abstract: A gastric drainage device includes a tube with a drainage lumen and a hub to receive an inflation device. The tube includes an intragastric portion having a set of holes to permit gastrointestinal contents to pass from a stomach cavity into the drainage lumen. The gastric drainage device includes a bolster with a cylindrical port to receive the tube and a disc to hold the tube in place on a skin side of a gastrostomy site. The gastric drainage device includes a balloon formed around the intragastric portion of the tube, wherein the balloon and the intragastric portion of the tube may be passed through the gastrostomy site into the stomach cavity while the balloon is deflated. Accordingly, the balloon is inflatable within the stomach cavity using the inflation device to secure the gastric drainage device at the gastrostomy site while the gastrointestinal contents are drained from the stomach cavity.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention features a method of inhibiting proliferation and/or reducing survival of a cell comprising a GNAQ polynucleotide or polypeptide having a R183Q or Q209L mutation, comprising contacting the cell with puromycin or a puromycin analog, thereby inhibiting proliferation and/or reducing survival of the cell. In another aspect, a method of treating a vascular malformation or related condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of puromycin or a puromycin analog is featured.

Abstract: Contaminate-sequestering coatings including a network of hydrolyzed silane compounds including a plurality of thiol functional groups, a plurality of fluorinated functionalities, or both are provided. The contaminate-sequestering coatings may sequester one or more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals, biological species or any combination thereof. Methods of functionalizing a substrate surface with contaminate-sequestering functionalities that sequester one or more PFAS, heavy metals, or both are also provided. Methods of removing contaminants from contaminate-containing liquids, and devices including the contaminate-sequestering coatings are also provided.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for assessing and/or treating subjects (e.g., subjects having autoimmune diseases). For example, materials and methods for determining if a subject (e.g., a human having an autoimmune disease) has one or more antibodies that can be used to identify the subject as having a lower risk of cancer or as having a higher risk of cancer are provided. Materials and methods for treating a subject (e.g., a human) identified as having a higher cancer risk for cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The identification of mutations that are present in a small fraction of DNA templates is essential for progress in several areas of biomedical research. Though massively parallel sequencing instruments are in principle well-suited to this task, the error rates in such instruments are generally too high to allow confident identification of rare variants. We here describe an approach that can substantially increase the sensitivity of massively parallel sequencing instruments for this purpose. One example of this approach, called “Safe-SeqS” for (Safe-Sequencing System) includes (i) assignment of a unique identifier (UID) to each template molecule; (ii) amplification of each uniquely tagged template molecule to create UID-families; and (iii) redundant sequencing of the amplification products. PCR fragments with the same UID are truly mutant (“super-mutants”) if ?95% of them contain the identical mutation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for administering and/or assessing a therapeutic agent intraarterially across disrupted blood-brain barrier, systemically or directly to the brain parenchyma in a subject. In a particular aspect, drug infusion parameters can be adjusted based on feedback from real-time MRI and quantitative assessment of brain uptake of the infused therapeutic molecules based on PET imaging.

Abstract: A low-profile intercranial device including a low-profile static cranial implant and a functional neurosurgical implant. The low-profile static cranial implant and the functional neurosurgical implant are virtually designed and interdigitated prior to physical assembly of the low-profile intercranial device.

Abstract: Coating compositions include a binder that has a first polymeric material that does not undergo ultraviolet (UV) degradation and/or does not absorb UV radiation/light. The coating compositions may further include at least a first UV-reflective pigment dispersed throughout the binder. The coating compositions may be provided in a cured form as a solid coating layer that may overly at least a portion of a substrate.

Abstract: Some embodiments present wearable devices that communicate with other like devices via wireless signals and respond to them based on criteria that the wearer controls. According to some embodiments, the wearable devices are bracelets that allow wearers to identify, primarily by way of multicolored light displays, others based on specific criteria relating to an event or specific need. These criteria are also useful for allowing the bracelets to be controlled by a single coordinator who creates an event for the wearers to opt into (e.g. the arena manager at a sports game, the emcee at a wedding, the coordinator of a meet and greet event, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for treating or ameliorating an effect of a solid tumor present in a human. These methods include administering intratumorally to the human a unit dose of C. novyi, preferably C. novyi NT, colony forming units (CFUs), which contains about 1×103-1×107 CFUs suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or solution. Methods for debulking a solid tumor present in a human, methods for ablating a solid tumor present in a human, a method for microscopically precise excision of tumor cells in a human, methods for treating or ameliorating an effect of a solid tumor that has metastasized to one or more sites in a human, unit doses of C. novyi, preferably C. novyi NT, CFUs, and kits for treating or ameliorating an effect of a solid tumor present in a human are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cells and methods for detecting compounds that affect G protein coupled receptor mediated conditions. The invention also relates to methods for treating adverse drug reactions, autoimmune disorders, and pruritus.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a robot structure that includes an MRI-Safe pneumatic stepper motor and optical encoding technologies. The present invention includes a needle guide and a needle depth limiter. The needle for biopsy is inserted through the needle guide and the depth of inserting is limited by the needle depth limiter. The robot is configured to control this procedure. The robot structure is adapted for biopsy, a novel way of setting the depth of needle insertion, image-to-robot registration. The system includes control for the robot.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for the treatment of urethral stricture. The present invention places and holds a graft at an incised urethral stricture site for 5-21 days, while the graft adherences to the incised urethral stricture site. A device of the present invention includes a delivery component, a graft carrier component, and a removal component. In some embodiments, the delivery and removal components may be combined into the same device. The delivery component, the graft carrier component, and the removal component are all configured to enter and exit the urethra without trauma. A method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes harvesting a graft, loading the graft onto the graft carrier component, introducing the delivery device into the urethra with the graft carrier component and graft loaded, and delivering of the graft to the incised urethral stricture site.