Abstract: A cell transplant carrier including a carrier plate and a carrier housing. The carrier plate includes a body and one or more chambers defined in the body. Each of the one or more chambers is configured to receive a cell transplant and is shaped to cause the cell transplant to be at least partially exposed in order to permit removal of the cell transplant therefrom. The carrier housing includes a carrier plate opening leading to an inner compartment configured to removably receive the carrier plate.

Abstract: A spinal implant device comprising a frame and a plurality of mechanical stiffness members extending from the frame, with the plurality of mechanical stiffness members being individually customized to provide a specific axial stiffness. The plurality of mechanical stiffness members may be coupled to the frame, and the plurality of mechanical stiffness members may be a plurality of wave-spring modules. A method of treating spinal disease includes determining actual spatial mechanical properties across a vertebral contact surface of a vertebra of a patient. The method may also include manufacturing a spinal implant device that has conforming spatial mechanical properties that are specific to the patient and that are based on the actual spatial mechanical properties of the vertebral contact surface. The method may include surgically implanting the spinal implant device against the vertebral contact surface such that the actual spatial mechanical properties and the conforming spatial mechanical properties align.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of PEGylating a human truncated cystathionine ?-synthase protein containing a mutation of a cysteine to a serine at amino acid position 15 (htCBS C15S). The htCBS C15S was PEGylated with one of 5 kDa, 10 kDa, or 20 kDa NHS ester PEG molecules. In-process monitoring of the PEGylation process was used in the method to reduce levels of unPEGylated htCBS C15S and htCBS C15S with insufficient PEGylation. Administration of the PEGylated htCBS C15S had efficacy throughout the course of treatment for homocystinuria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel N-(substituted)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide compounds capable of inhibiting DksA activity in a bacteria cell. In certain embodiments, the compounds are capable of killing or weakening bacteria. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods of treating bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a system and method for tissue analysis, biopsy and/or treatment. In one example, a device is disclosed that includes a light generator and a probe in optical communication with the light generator. The probe includes an outer wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a plurality of receiver fibers that extend along a length of the outer wall and are positioned between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of transmitter fibers that extend along a length of the outer wall, adjacent to the plurality of receiver fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions of alpha-1 antitrypsin fusion polypeptides or peptide derivatives thereof. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods relate to generating a construct of use in pharmaceutically acceptable compositions to treat a subject in need of alpha-1 antitrypsin therapy or treatment. In other embodiments, compositions and methods disclosed herein concern linking alpha-1 antitrypsin or derivative thereof to an immune fragment.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides comprising phosphoramidimidate internucleotide linkages, and methods of efficiently synthesizing these oligonucleotides with high yield are provided. These oligonucleotides form duplexes with complementary DNA or RNA that are more stable than natural DNA or DNA/RNA complexes, are active with RNAse H1, and may be transfected into cells using standard lipid reagents. These analogues are therefore useful for numerous therapeutic antisense applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic knife and methods of its use for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The invention relates to a multi-blade device for cutting the tissues within the eye, for example, a trabecular meshwork (TM).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and systems useful in the prevention, management, or treatment of various conditions associated the lymphatic vasculature, including, but not limited to lymphedema. The disclosed methods and compositions are useful in reducing the activity of p53 in a subject at risk for or suffering from a disease or condition associated with lymphatic vasculature, including adults, children, infants, and embryos. Reduction in p53 activity may be achieve through reduction in one or more of p53 gene expression, p53 transcriptional activity, p53 DNA-binding affinity, etc. In many embodiments, the disease or condition is lymphedema, for example lymphedema associated with Milroy's disease, Klippel-Trenaunay and Cloves Syndromes. In many embodiments, treatment may involve administering a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject in need thereof, exemplary compounds include, anti-p53 compounds, PFT, and PFT-?.

Abstract: Through discrimination of the scattered signal polarization state, a lidar system measures a distance through semi-transparent media by the reception of single or multiple scattered signals from a scattering medium. Combined and overlapped single or multiple scattered light signals from the medium can be separated by exploiting varying polarization characteristics. This removes the traditional laser and detector pulse width limitations that determine the system's operational bandwidth, translating relative depth measurements into the conditions of two surface timing measurements and achieving sub-pulse width resolution.

Abstract: Methods for determining the presence or amount of oxopiperidine in a biological sample using mass spectrometry. These methods may be used to efficiently and non-invasively diagnose pyridoxine dependent epilepsy (PDE) due to deficient a-aminoadipic-?-semialdehyde (?-AASA) dehydrogenase activity due to mutations in ALDH7A1, resulting in the accumulation of ?1-P6C, P6CH, and 6-Oxo-PIP in biological samples.

Abstract: A self-propelled semi- or fully-autonomous robotic endoscope device is provided that include multi-degrees of freedom movement and may be sensor-enabled for colonoscopy procedures. The device may include two independently controlled motors configured to drive micro-pillared treads above and below the device, allowing for 2-degrees of freedom (DOF) skid-steering even in a collapsed lumen. The robotic device contains similar functionality of a traditional endoscope, such as a camera, adjustable LEDs, channels for insufflation and irrigation, and a tool port for common endoscopy instruments (e.g., forceps, snares, etc.).

Abstract: A magnetographic camera may be based on an optically pumped magnetometer (OPM). The magnetographic camera may measure a spatial distribution of magnetic field produced by a sample that may be stationary in time or may dynamically vary with time. The magnetographic camera may include a magnetic field detector housing containing a vapor cell. The magnetographic camera may include a laser light source to illuminate the vapor cell causing a magnetic field image of a sample to be generated. The magnetographic camera may include an optical detector to encode and store the magnetic field image of the sample that is spatially encoded as a distribution of light.

Abstract: A prodrug enzyme covalently photoconjugated to a live cell receptor survives endosomal proteolysis and retains its catalytic activity on the living cell membrane over multiple days. Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy is a promising approach for selective treatment of solid tumors, but methods are needed to preserve enzyme activity on living cell membranes over multiple prodrug dosings. A fusion protein was designed with both an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) affibody and the prodrug enzyme cytosine deaminase, which can convert prodrug 5-fluorocytosine to the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil. A benzophenone group was added at a site-specific mutation within the affibody portion, and the fusion protein was selectively and irreversibly photoconjugated to EGFR receptors expressed on membranes of live MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells.

Abstract: Polymers suitable for forming carbon nanotube-functionalized reverse thermal gel compositions, compositions including the polymers, and methods of forming and using the polymers and compositions are disclosed. The compositions have reverse thermal gelling properties and transform from a liquid/solution to a gel—e.g., near or below body temperature. The polymers and compositions can be injected into or proximate an area in need of treatment.

Abstract: A lacrimal drug delivery device includes a reservoir configured to hold a drug. The reservoir is moveable between a relaxed state and an expanded state. A connector is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a lumen is formed in the connector wherein the drug is configured to flow from the reservoir to an delivery site through the lumen. A hydrogel is within the lumen and configured to absorb the drug from the reservoir and deliver the drug from the lumen at the delivery site. The hydrogel includes a first section which absorbs the drug at a first rate of absorption. A delivery guide is detachably coupled to the reservoir to deliver the reservoir into a lacrimal sac of a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel use of photosynthetic microorganisms to allow for the generation of micron-scale optical output mechanical sensors. In one preferred embodiment, the invention includes systems, methods and compositions for the use of photosynthetic microbes as biologically-based micron-scale tunable, light/chemical-mechanical energy transducers, sensors, and/or actuators.

Abstract: Cement mixtures comprising a hydration retarder comprising algae, cement additives comprising algae and/or derivatives thereof, and methods of forming and using the mixtures and additives are disclosed. The algae can be treated to form desired functional groups to tune retardation properties of the hydration retarder.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cyanide, sulfide, or methane-thiol exposure in a subject. The compositions may include one or more cobinamide compounds, such as an amino-tetrazole-cobinamide and/or a di-(amino-tetrazole)-cobinamide.

Abstract: A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.