Abstract: A novel class of drugs for treating androgen receptor (AR) positive cancer including prostate cancer and breast cancer are described. The drugs include the chemical scaffolds of a high affinity androgen receptor ligand and a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Also described are compositions including the novel drugs and methods of treating AR positive cancer using the compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for monitoring the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time and a control system for adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain stimulation in the neural fulcrum zone based on detected changes in the physiological response to stimulation.

Abstract: A controlled release system for kojic acid having improved stability has been identified. To minimize degradation, kojic acid was incorporated into a hydrolytically degradable polymer (e.g., a polycarbonate-ester)). By synthesizing polymer precursors containing kojic acid-linker-kojic acid chemical structures, versatile monomers were developed that can be used to modulate polymer properties. Additionally the synthetic method lends itself to the development of other polymer systems. Polymers having one or more groups that will yield kojic acid upon degradation of the polymer backbone, as well as methods of use thereof are described.

Abstract: The invention provides polymers of Formulas I-III, such as polyesters and unsaturated polyesters, and crosslinked and copolymerized polymers thereof. The invention also provides methods to catalytically ring-open five-membered rings such lactones, lactams, and thiolactones, as via ring-opening polymerization. The polymerization products are recyclable and can be depolymerized back to their monomer form via thermolysis and acid or base catalysis.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a Quadruple Butterfly Coil (QBC) configuration having enhanced focality for stimulation of specific areas of a brain for therapeutic treatment. Finite element simulations were conducted for the QBC, the QBC with a single shield, and the QBC with a double shield. The stimulation profiles for these coil configurations were assessed with 50 anatomically realistic MRI derived head models. The coils were positioned on the vertex and the scalp over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to stimulate the brain. Computer modeling of the coils was performed to determine volume of stimulation, maximum electric field, location of maximum electric field, and area of stimulation across all 50 head models for both coils.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming hydrogen sulfide. The methods include contacting a precursor compound with an unmasking agent; wherein the precursor compound comprises a hydrogen sulfide releasing moiety and a masked nucleophile; and wherein the contacting is conducted under conditions sufficient for cyclization of the precursor compound via lactone or lactam formation; thereby releasing hydrogen sulfide from the precursor compound. Hydrogen sulfide precursor compounds according to Formula I are also described, as well as methods for treating diseases and conditions using hydrogen sulfide precursors.

Abstract: Composite molded pulp products prepared from fruit or vegetable-based pomace, fibrous paper-based materials, and cellulose nanofiber and methods for preparing the same are provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device above the drop positioned on the surface. In some embodiments, the system may include a light emitter. The light emitter may emit, during use, a beam of light substantially parallel to the surface at the drop. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustable support coupled to the stage. The adjustable support may adjust, during use, an angle of the stage relative to the surface. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a contact angle of the drop relative to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified metformin compounds, particularly mito-metformin compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of using the compounds to provide neuroprotection and in the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases are also described.

Abstract: A method for forming a compound on a substrate is provided. The method includes depositing a composition onto a surface of a substrate; illuminating the composition and the substrate with pulsed energy; melting the substrate and decomposing the composition simultaneously; and forming a compound on the substrate. A first component of the compound is derived from the substrate and a second component of the compound is derived from the composition.

Abstract: Inhibitors of SecA, and methods of making and using thereof, are described herein. The compounds described herein can be used to treat or prevent microbial infections, such as bacterial infections.

Abstract: Embodiments of near-infrared (NIR) dyes are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting analytes with the NIR dyes. The NIR dyes have a structure according to the general structure At least one of R1/R2, R2/R3, R3/R4, R5/R6, R6/R7, and/or R7/R8 together forms a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Provided is a protein contrast agent for enhancing an MRI image and comprising a polypeptide having a conformation presenting at least five oxygen atoms positioned to chelate at least one paramagnetic metal ion such as Gd3+, each oxygen atom being between about 2 angstrom units and about 5 angstrom units from the metal ion; the metal ion has at least one water molecule electrostatically interacting a distance of less than about 10 angstrom units a target-specific moiety conjugated thereto, at least one polyethylene glycol molecule, and a paramagnetic metal ion. Also provided is a method of obtaining an enhanced MRI image using the protein contrast agent to a T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio of the MRI image; and (d) obtaining an image of the T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to methods and systems for fast imprinting of nanometer scale features in a workpiece. According to one aspect, a system for producing nanometer scale features in a workpiece is disclosed. The system includes a die having a surface with at least one nanometer scale feature located thereon. A first actuator moves the die with respect to the workpiece such that the at least one nanometer scale feature impacts the workpiece and imprints a corresponding at least one nanometer scale feature in the workpiece.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting pulmonary embolisms in a subject's vasculature are provided. In some aspects, the method includes acquiring a set of images representing a vasculature of the subject, and analyzing the set of images to identify pulmonary embolism candidates associated with the vasculature. The method also includes generating, for identified pulmonary embolism candidates, image patches based on a vessel-aligned image representation, and applying a set of convolutional neural networks to the generated image patches to identify pulmonary embolisms. The method further includes generating a report indicating identified pulmonary embolisms.

Abstract: A sample preparation device for electron microscopy (EM) that is configured to eliminate user-to-user variations and environment contaminations, which are often present in the conventional method of sample preparation. The device not only provides a means for evenly and reproducibly delivering a fluid or sample to an EM grid, but also provides a means for sealing the EM grid in an air-tight chamber and delivering air-sensitive samples to the EM grid. The platform may comprise readily fabricated glass chips with features integrated to preserve the integrity of the sample grid and to facilitate its extraction. The methods may eliminate the element of user dependent variability and thus improve the throughput, reproducibility and translation of these methods.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are RSV polynucleotide sequences that make use of multiple codons that are containing silent nucleotide substitutions engineered in multiple locations in the genome, wherein the substitutions introduce a numerous synonymous codons into the genome. Due to the large number of defects involved, the attenuated viruses disclosed herein provide a means of producing attenuated, live vaccines against RSV.

Abstract: A apparatus for detecting electrooculograph (EOG) signals, comprising: a pair of temple pieces connected to a bridging structure; at least one electrode on each temple piece configured to contact the skin at the temple, and to receive an EOG signal from a proximate orbital socket; a reference electrode displaced from each temple; and a processor configured to process signals from the sensors to detect saccade movements of the eyes. A wavelet-based algorithm permits analysis and coding of the saccade movements.

Abstract: A neutron detection apparatus includes a neutron detector and an analyzer. The neutron detector includes a plurality of neutron detector assemblies, where each of the neutron detector assemblies includes a plurality of neutron detection devices. The neutron detector also includes a moderating volume. The plurality of neutron detector assemblies are disposed within the moderating volume so as to form a three-dimensional array of neutron detection devices within the moderating volume. The analyzer is communicatively coupled to each of the neutron detection devices of the plurality of neutron detector assemblies. The analyzer configured to receive one or more measured response signals from each of the neutron detection devices, and perform one or more analysis procedures to determine one or more characteristics associated with the one or more neutron sources based at least on the received one or more measured response signals.