Abstract: A high through-put screening method for identifying agents effective for inhibiting biofilm formation and/or killing established biofilm are disclosed. The method includes three tiers, and each tier includes three specific biological process assays. The tier levels are a primary screen, a confirmation screen, and a dose-response screen, and the biological process assays include as says for total bacterial growth, bacterial metabolic activity, and biofilm formation.

Abstract: The invention addresses confounding difficulties involving continuous sweat analyte measurement. Specifically, the present invention provides: at least one component capable of monitoring whether a sweat sensing device is in sufficient contact with a wearer's skin to allow proper device operation; at least one component capable of monitoring whether the device is operating on a wearer's skin; at least one means of determining whether the device wearer is a target individual within a probability range; at least one component capable of generating and communicating alert messages to the device user(s) related to: wearer safety, wearer physiological condition, compliance with a requirement to wear a device, device operation; compliance with a behavior requirement, or other purposes that may be derived from sweat sensor data; and the ability to utilize aggregated sweat sensor data that may be correlated with information external to the device to enhance the predictive capabilities of the device.

Abstract: A method of collecting and sensing a biofluid with enhanced concentration of analytes due to electroporation comprises electroporating biofluid glands (14) that are generating a biofluid and specifically sensing at least one analyte in said biofluid, the at least one analyte having a molecular weight greater than 50 Da. A device (100) wearable on a user's skin (12) for receiving an advective flow of a biofluid comprises at least one of a biofluid stimulation component (140), a biofluid sensor (220, 222) specific to an analyte, or a biofluid collection element (230, 232), at least one electroporation electrode (290) for enhancing concentration of at least one analyte in the biofluid having a molecular weight of greater than 50 Da, a counter electrode (195), and an electroporation waveform generator configured to cause the electroporation electrode (290) to generate and direct a plurality of electroporation pulses into the skin (12).

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a tissue with a high frequency electric field to activate MAPK/ERK pathways, induce angiogenesis, induce angionenic factos such as NO and VEGF, or promote wound healing. Aspects of the invention are directed to methods of treating chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers and hypoxia induced wounds. Aspects utilize high frequency electric field having a frequency in the GHz range, and preferably between about 1 GHz and about 10 GHz.

Abstract: A sweat sensing device includes a plurality of sweat collection pads communicating with a sensor. Each of the pads is activated by a timing circuit which allows one or more of the pads to be activated at a selected time and subsequent deactivated after a defined period of time. This allows for selective collection of sweat from a plurality of pads over a prolonged period of time. An impedance measuring circuit can be employed to determine if one or more of the pads becomes disconnected, in order to avoid irritation. Further, the devices can use a common microfluidic device which both transports sweat activating substance, such as pilocarpine, to the surface of the skin and directs sweat away from the skin to a sensing device.

Abstract: A device for sensing biofluid placed on skin with at least one pre-existing pathway includes a first analyte-specific sensor for sensing a first analyte in the biofluid and a volume-reduced pathway between skin and the first analyte-specific sensor configured to allow an advective flow of the biofluid from the at least one pre-existing pathway toward the first analyte-specific sensor. The first analyte-specific sensor does not consume the first analyte. The device further includes an iontophoresis electrode and a counter electrode for bringing the first analyte into the at least one pre-existing pathway. The biofluid may be more than 50% interstitial fluid or more than 50% sweat. The device may also include at least one of a wicking collector, a wicking coupler, or a wicking pump.

Abstract: Devices that sense sweat and are capable of providing chronological assurance are described. The device uses at least one sensor to measure sweat or its components and to determine a sweat sampling rate. The chronological assurance is determined, at least in part, using the sweat sampling rate. The sweat sampling rate may be determined, at least in part, using a sweat volume and/or a sweat generation rate, both of which may be measured or predetermined.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detection and quantification of EGFRvIII in the peripheral blood for monitoring the therapy of a GBM patients.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an aminoglycosidic antibiotic and at least one zinc-chelating agent in a specified concentration, and methods of inhibiting bacterial colonization, biofilm formation and if treating bacterial infections utilizing the compositions are provided. Topical formulations suitable for wound care, and surface-applicable formulations suitable for medical, industrial and household disinfecting needs are also described.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a fluid sensing device and method capable of collecting a fluid sample, concentrating the sample with respect to one or more target analytes, and measuring the target analyte(s) in the concentrated sample. The invention is also capable of determining the change in molarity of the fluid sample with respect to the target analyte(s), as the sample is concentrated by the device. The invention further includes a method for using a fluid sensing device to concentrate a fluid sample with respect to one or more target analytes. The disclosed method further includes the ability to correlate the measured target analyte concentration to a physiological condition of a device wearer, or of a fluid source.

Abstract: An active noise control (ANC) system includes a speaker and one or more processors. The one or more processors implement an adaptive subband filtered reference control algorithm that applies thresholds to reference and error feedback signal paths such that, in response to a series of broadband non-Gaussian impulsive reference signals indicative of road noise in the vehicle having an audible frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, weight coefficients defining an adaptive filter of the control algorithm converge and permit the ANC system to partially cancel the road noise via output of the speaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods of killing fungi using a surface plasmon coupled to a photosensitizer. A nanostructure (10) may include a silver nanoparticle core (12), a mesoporous silica shell (14), and a photosensitizer (16). A method of killing fungi may include contacting fungi with a nanostructure (10) including a silver nanoparticle core (12), a mesoporous silica shell (14), and a photosensitizer (16) to form a blend and exposing the blend to light.

Abstract: Expression of a phosphatase inhibitor in heart cells can be used to treat cardiac disorders, e.g., heart failure. Decreasing phosphatase activity can improve ?-adrenergic responsiveness.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a fluid sensing device and method capable of collecting a fluid sample, concentrating the sample with respect to one or more target analytes, and measuring the target analyte(s) in the concentrated sample. The invention is also capable of determining the change in molarity of the fluid sample with respect to the target analyte(s), as the sample is concentrated by the device. The invention further includes a method for using a fluid sensing device to concentrate a fluid sample with respect to one or more target analytes. The disclosed method further includes the ability to correlate the measured target analyte concentration to a physiological condition of a device wearer, or of a fluid source.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for detecting and characterizing surface depressions in a topographical landscape based on processing of high resolution digital elevation model data according to a local tree contour algorithm applied to an elevation contour representation of the landscape, and characterizing the detected surface depressions according to morphometric threshold values derived from data relevant to surface depressions of the topographical area. Non-transitory computer readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include computer implemented methods for generating dosage alert values for a drug. Some embodiments include dosage alert values xmin and ymin for a drug, as determined by methods described herein. Other embodiments of the invention include non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer program instructions executable by a computer processor to execute a method for generating dosage alert values for a drug. Still other embodiments of the invention include computer implemented methods for generating dosage alerts for a drug. Yet other embodiments of the invention include non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer program instructions executable by a computer processor to execute a method for generating dosage alerts for a drug. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease is provided herein, the method including administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, the pharmaceutical compositions including a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Provided are compounds according to the following Formula I: The Formula I compounds are activated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and are therefore selective anti-cancer therapeutics for cancers associated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Also provided are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating cancers associated with increased ROS.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods of killing bacteria using a surface plasmon coupled to a photosensitizer. A nanostructure (10) may include a silver nanoparticle core (12), a mesoporous silica shell (14), and a photosensitizer (16). A method of killing bacteria may include contacting bacteria with a nanostructure (10) including a silver nanoparticle core (12), a mesoporous silica shell (14), and a photosensitizer (16) to form a blend and exposing the blend to light.

Abstract: A method of separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising directing the plurality of particles (14) into a microchannel (12). A first portion (16) of particles (14) is focused into an equilibrium position in the microchannel (12). The focused first portion (16) is directed into a first outlet (18) aligned with the equilibrium position. A portion of the fluid is directed into one or more outlets (20, 22). A microfluidic device (10) for separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising a microchannel (12) having a first aspect ratio and a length L, thereby focusing the particles (14) directed therein into an equilibrium position in the microchannel, wherein at least a first portion (16) of the particles (14) focuses at distance X from a beginning of the microchannel (12).