Abstract: The present invention provides viral-based nanoparticles for therapeutic and diagnostic use, and methods for making and using the nanoparticles. Specifically, such nanoparticles comprise decoration-competent viral particles shells such as expanded capsids of phages, stabilized with engineered decoration proteins that have been linked to one or more compounds not naturally occurring on a wild type viral capsid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for microwave-frequency, passive sensing of internal body temperature. Some implementations include one or more wearable sensors that wirelessly transmit temperature data continuously to a remote receiver. The sensor can include a probe designed to be placed on a skin site of an individual to receive near-field radiation at the skin site, and a radiometer to detect a total power of the received near-field radiation. The remote receiver includes a signal processing system that can convert the detected total power to an internal tissue temperature measurement by applying the detected power to a tissue stack model. The tissue stack model can characterize the skin site according to a set of weighting functions, each weighting function corresponding at least to electromagnetic characteristics of an associated tissue layer of the tissue stack model.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical device in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure comprises an elongate element and a filament. The device may further comprise one or more of a shaft, an actuator, an actuator handle, a shaft handle, a vent, and a filament stop. The device may be used to mechanically push objects, as in retinal detachment repair, gasp objects, as in the removal of a dislocated intraocular lens or an intraocular foreign body, aspirate fluid, and cut materials, such as intraocular fragments.

Abstract: An example multimode fiber endoscope may include an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end; a multimode fiber disposed within the elongated body and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated body; a light source disposed relative to the proximal end of the elongated body; a light detector disposed relative to the proximal end of the elongated body; and multiple optical elements disposed between the light source and the multimode fiber. One or more of the optical elements are configured to direct light from the light source into the multimode fiber. One or more of the optical elements are configured to direct light from the multimode fiber to the detector. In some embodiments, the multimode fiber may be a single multimode fiber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for liquid deposition photolithography are described. In particular, some embodiments relate to systems and methods for using photolithography to control the 2D structure of a thin layer of material (e.g., photopolymer) using various masks, projection optics and materials. In one or more embodiments, this thin layer can be manipulated by micro-fluidic techniques such that it can be formed, patterned and post-processed in a liquid environment, vastly simplifying the creation of multi-layer structures. Multiple layers are rapidly built up to create thick structures of possibly multiple materials that are currently challenging to fabricate by existing methods.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating a probability that a patient is bleeding or has sustained intravascular volume loss (e.g., due to hemodialysis or dehydration) and/or to estimate a patient's current hemodynamic reserve index, track the patient's hemodynamic reserve index over time, and/or predict a patient's hemodynamic reserve index in the future. Tools and techniques for estimating and/or predicting a patient's dehydration state. Tools and techniques for controlling a hemodialysis machine based on the patient's estimated and/or predicted hemodynamic reserve index.

Abstract: A wavefront is optimized imaging a sample. A binary off-axis hologram is encoded by selective adoption of states for each mirror of a deformable mirror device, which is illuminated with an incident beam of light. A single diffraction order that has encoded phase-mask information is selected from light reflected from the deformable mirror device and focused onto the sample. Light scattered from the sample is directed to a photodetector. A transmission matrix through the sample is calculated from light received by the photodetector.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to an immunogenic composition composed of a chimeric molecule including a conformationally stable adhesin from Escherichia coli fused to a bacterial toxin A subunit, such as cholera toxin A subunit or heat-labile Escherichia coli toxin A subunit. The invention also relates to the adhesin-toxin chimera noncovalently associated with a toxin B subunit of the same or different species as the A subunit. The invention also relates to a method of utilizing an adhesin/toxin fusion composition to elicit an immune response.

Abstract: An implantable ophthalmological device (10) in the form of a punctal plug or canalicular implant is configured for use at or near the nasolacrimal drainage system. In a deployed state, the device (10) may include an elongated body (25), an anchor (15) operably connected to the elongated body (25), a radially expanding occlusive feature disposed on an outer circumference of the elongated body (32), and a flange (30). The elongated body (25) may define a lumen (35) configured to receive a pharmacological treatment (55). The device (10) is made of a shape memory material such as a shape memory polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to methods, compositions and uses of CaMKII inhibitors. Other embodiments relate to methods, compositions and uses of agents that target CaMKII. Yet further embodiments relate to compositions, methods and uses of CaMKIIN-derived molecules and other CaMKII inhibitor molecules that inhibit autonomous CaMKII activity. In accordance with these embodiments, compositions that inhibit autonomous CaMKII activity may be used for treating conditions causing neuronal cell death, for treating cancer or for treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.

Abstract: Methods for improving selectivity in heterogeneous catalysts, and products thereof, are disclosed. In exemplary embodiments, multifunctional oxygenates may be selectively converted to value-added products through reaction at a single functional position. Addition of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), or SAM-like structures to a supported metal catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to said subject an miRNA that inhibits Six1. In some embodiments, the invention further provides for the administration of a second cancer therapy to the subject.

Abstract: Modulation of the complement system represents a therapeutic modality for numerous pathologic conditions associated with complement activation. In a strategy to prepare complement inhibitors that are targeted to sites of complement activation and disease, compositions comprising a complement inhibitor linked to complement receptor (CR) 2 are disclosed. The disclosed are compositions can be used in methods of treating pathogenic diseases and inflammatory conditions by modulating the complement system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an optical image include forming an optical image with at least one optical element of an optical imager while modifying wavefront phase. Modifying the phase does not reduce an optical bandpass limited by an aperture of the optical imager. The systems and methods also include detecting the optical image over a range of spatial frequencies such that there are no zeros in an optical transfer function of the optical imager over detected spatial frequencies within the optical bandpass and over an extended depth of focus that is larger than a depth of focus occurring without modifying wavefront phase.

Abstract: A digital controller configured to inject a signal into a digital feedback path that facilitates regulation of a power converter and measure the corresponding phase, gain, or frequency. The digital controller may also include an adaptive tuning controller for adjusting power converter operating attributes based in part on the measurements. In an exemplary embodiment, the adaptive tuning controller uses the phase, gain, and/or frequency measurements to adjust the digital feedback signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the adaptive tuning controller compares the operating measurements with desired values and generates adjusted operating attributes. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the monitoring and adjusting of the digital feedback signal occurs while the digital controller is regulating a power signal in the power converter.

Abstract: A modular surfactant architecture based on room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been developed that affords non-polymerizable and polymerizable amphiphiles that form lamellar (L), hexagonal (H) or bicontinuous cubic (Q) LLC phases when mixed with water or RTILs serving as the polar solvent. The amphiphiles are imidazolium salts having two or more imidazolium head groups joined by one or more spacers. Polymerization of the LLC assembly can produce polymeric materials having ordered nanopores, with the ordering of the pores determined by the LLC phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing angiogenesis using a phospholipase C.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect molecular recognition events. The invention also provides methods to detect the presence of or identify a target species based on its interaction with one or more probe species. The methods of the invention are based on amplification of the signal due to each molecular recognition event. The amplification is achieved through photopolymerization, with the polymer formed being associated with the molecular recognition event. In an embodiment, a fluorescent polymer, a magnetic polymer, a radioactive polymer or an electrically conducting polymer can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another embodiment, a polymer gel swollen with a fluorescent solution, a magnetic solution, a radioactive solution or an electrically conducting solution can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another embodiment, sufficient polymer forms to be detectable by visual inspection.