Abstract: Artificial microvascular network (AMVN) devices are provided and related methods of making and methods of using such devices are provided. The present disclosure generally relates to an AMVN device comprising a substrate including a capillary network configured so as to simulate those actually encountered in the circulation of various humans and animal model systems. In certain aspects, the AMVN devices may be used, e.g., to investigate the effect of storing RBCs under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. However, the use of such AMVN devices is not so limited.

Abstract: The invention provides devices for supporting regeneration of body tissue and of tubular structures, such as the esophagus or intestine, and methods for making and for using the devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic pentapeptide and hexapeptide analogs of endomorphin that have (i) a carboxy-terminal extension with an amidated hydrophilic amino acid and (ii) a substitution in amino acid position 2. These peptide analogs exhibit decreased tolerance relative to morphine, increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs, while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating a fresh tissue sample, prepared as to fluoresce under illumination, during a medical procedure. A structured light source is configured to project a spatially patterned light beam onto the fresh tissue sample. An imaging system is configured to produce an image from fluorescence emitted from the illuminated fresh tissue sample. A system control is configured to provide a human-comprehensible clinically useful output associated with the medical procedure.

Abstract: The use of photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert solar energy to electricity is becoming increasingly prevalent; however, there are still significant limitations associated with the widespread adoption of PV cells for electricity needs. There is a clear need for a high efficiency solar power system that supplies electricity at a competitive cost and that provides for an on-demand supply of electricity as well as energy storage. By combining aspects of concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaics, the present invention provides a device that enables the conversion of sunlight to electricity at very high efficiencies and that enables the transmission of thermal energy to heat storage devices for later use. The disclosed device enables transmissive CPV through the use of a multijunction PV cell mounted on a transparent base. The use of a multijunction cell allows for highly efficient absorption of light above the bandgap of the lowest bandgap subcell.

Abstract: Artificial microvascular network (AMVN) devices are provided and related methods of making and methods of using such devices are provided. The present disclosure generally relates to an AMVN device comprising a substrate including a capillary network configured so as to simulate those actually encountered in the circulation of various humans and animal model systems. In certain aspects, the AMVN devices may be used, e.g., to investigate the effect of storing RBCs under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. However, the use of such AMVN devices is not so limited.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the morphology of hollow, double-shelled submicrometer particles generated through a rapid aerosol-based process. The inner shell is an essentially hydrophobic carbon layer of nanoscale dimension (5-20 nm), and the outer shell is a hydrophilic silica layer of approximately 5-40 nm, with the shell thickness being a function of the particle size. The particles are synthesized by exploiting concepts of salt bridging to lock in a surfactant (CTAB) and carbon precursors together with iron species in the interior of a droplet. This deliberate negation of surfactant templating allows a silica shell to form extremely rapidly, sealing in the organic species in the particle interior. Subsequent pyrolysis results in a buildup of internal pressure, forcing carbonaceous species against the silica wall to form an inner shell of carbon. The incorporation of magnetic iron oxide into the shells opens up applications in external stimuli-responsive nanomaterials.

Abstract: Methods to treat infectious diseases are disclosed herein. Some embodiments of the invention include administration of one or more COX inhibitors (e.g., COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitors) to treat infectious diseases. Other embodiments of the invention include administration of one or more COX inhibitors (e.g., COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitors) and administration of one or more antibiotics to treat infectious diseases.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material includes a composite having a first electrically conducting component and second low thermal conductivity component. The first component may include a semiconductor and the second component may include an inorganic oxide. The thermoelectric composite includes a network of the first component having nanoparticles of the second component dispersed in the network.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic pentapeptide and hexapeptide analogs of endomorphin that have (i) a carboxy-terminal extension with an amidated hydrophilic amino acid and (ii) a substitution in amino acid position 2, and in some embodiments, a 2?,6?-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) residue in place of the N-terminal tyrosine residue a position 1. These peptide analogs exhibit increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic analogs of endomorphin. These peptide analogs exhibit decreased tolerance relative to morphine, increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs, while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: Provided is a jaw tool formed from two separable units and which includes a fastening device that attaches the two units together when the jaw tool is in use and which may automatically separate the units after the device performs its function such as clamping and/or cutting. Also provided is a jaw tool having a cutting blade wherein the contours of the device are shaped so that force is concentrated on the cutting bade when the device is closed. The jaw tool may be manufactured from a single injection molded-component that is used in duplicate to form the jaw tool. The jaw tool may be used in various applications in which it may be beneficial to simultaneously clamp and cut an object, such as various medical applications including vascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and placental.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and kits for controlled incremental filtration (CIF), as well as methods of designing CIF devices. For example, a method for CIF may modulate a concentration of particles of a desired size in a fluid. The fluid including the particles may be flowed along a flow path through a central channel to contact a plurality of gaps that fluidically couple the central channel to at least one adjacent side channel network. Flow resistance may be decreased along at least a portion of the flow path effective to modulate the concentration of particles. The method may include selecting the plurality of gaps to be larger than the particles. The method may include causing a consistent flow fraction fgap in the central channel to traverse each gap in the plurality of gaps and flow through the at least one side channel network along the flow path.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a cell culturing system, and specifically to a three-dimensional cell culturing system for neuronal cells that promotes both structural and functional characteristics that mimic those of in vivo peripheral fibers, including cell myelination. Using a dual hydrogel construct and explants from neuronal cells, the present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for in vitro spatially-controlled, three-dimensional models that permit intra- and extra-cellular electrophysiological measurements and recordings. The three-dimensional hydrogel constructs allow for flexibility in incorporated cell types, geometric fabrication, and electrical manipulation, providing viable systems for culture, perturbation, and testing of biomimetic neural growth with physiologically-relevant results.

Abstract: Immunogenic influenza hemagglutinin-derived peptide conjugates described herein induce a specific therapeutic antibody response against influenza virus. The immunogenic peptide conjugates comprise a segment from the fusion initiation region (FIR) domain of an influenza hemagglutinin protein conjugated to an immunogenic carrier protein, such asbovine serum albumin (BSA), an influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein (i.e., full length HA), and the like. The immunogenic peptide conjugates described herein can be utilized to treat or prevent influenza infection and to prepare influenza-specific therapeutic antibodies that interfere with influenza virus-host cell membrane fusion. The peptide conjugates can be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions useful for broad spectrum treatment or prevention of influenza infections.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treatment, prevention or management of obesity, obesity related disorders, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome in a subject by administering a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor and/or a ghrelin receptor antagonist to the subject. The invention also provides ghrelin receptor antagonists of formula (VII): A11-A12-A13-Gly-Ser-A14-Phe-Leu-A15-A16-A17-A18, wherein each of A11, A12, and A13 is independently absent, an amino acid, or an amino protecting group; each of A15, A16, A17, and A18 is independently absent or an amino acid; and A14 is a serine conjugated with a —C(O)C1-C20alky or a diaminopropionic acid conjugated with a —C(O)C1-C20alkyl group, provided that at least one of A11, A12, or A13 is present.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a measles virus infection. A pharmaceutical composition comprises a polypeptide in a biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, in which the polypeptide consists of at least a portion of SEQ ID NO: 5 or SEQ ID NO: 6. A method embodiment comprises administering the polypeptide (preferably in a biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier) to a subject suffering from a measles infection.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for treatment of cancers, including breast cancer, comprising at least one novel daidzein analog, as well as methods of using the same for preventing or treating cancer or tumor growth.

Abstract: Simultaneous Multiple Sample Light Scattering systems and methods can be used for polymer stability testing and for applying stressors to polymer or colloid solutions including heat stress, ultrasound, freeze/thaw cycles, shear stress and exposure to different substances and surfaces, among others, that create a polymer stress response used to characterize the polymer solution and stability.

Abstract: Immunogenic influenza hemagglutinin-derived peptide conjugates described herein induce a specific therapeutic antibody response against influenza virus. The immunogenic peptide conjugates comprise a segment from the fusion initiation region (FIR) domain of an influenza hemagglutinin protein conjugated to an immunogenic carrier protein, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), bovine serum albumin (BSA), an influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein (i.e., full length HA), and the like. The immunogenic peptide conjugates described herein can be utilized to treat or prevent influenza infection and to prepare influenza-specific therapeutic antibodies that interfere with influenza virus-host cell membrane fusion. The peptide conjugates can be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions useful for broad spectrum treatment or prevention of influenza infections.