Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating retinal damage and/or retinal degradation. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods for treating degradation of the retinal pigment epithelium by administering compositions comprising a nucleoside and/or a nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to classes of compounds that bind the chromo-barrel domain of AT-rich interactive domain 4B (ARID4B). In some aspects, the compounds are of the Formula (II) as described herein, or a diamine composite thereof as set forth in Formula III herein. In some aspects, the compound is selected from compounds 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j, (as described herein) or combinations thereof. The present disclosure further considers administration of the compounds to target ARID4B in cells and for the treatment of cancerous breast tissue cells.

Abstract: A method of anatomic classification of blood vessel anatomy in aneurysms includes the steps of accessing an image of a blood vessel, analyzing the image to identify a point of divergence of the blood vessel and one or more additional points of reference of the blood vessel. One or more distances are then measured between the point of divergence of the blood vessel and at least one of the one or more additional points of reference. The aneurysm is then classified based upon the measured distances. A method of treatment of an aneurysm in a blood vessel further includes implanting one or more devices within the blood vessel for treatment of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation having a well bore includes steps of sequentially injecting different slurries with nano, micro and then macro sized proppants generated from coal ash into the well bore in order to enhance oil and gas production from fracking. A slurry useful in the method includes (a) water, (b) coal combustion fly ash particles that have a mean particle size (d50) of about 6 microns and (c) a surfactant.

Abstract: A D-tagatose spray-drying feed formulation is a mixture of D-tagatose and a functional excipient co-dissolved in a solvent to produce a excipient/D-tagatose composite having a glass transition temperature of greater than 30° C. A method of spray-drying D-tagatose includes the steps of (a) preparing the D-tagatose spray-drying formulation, (b) atomizing the D-tagatose spray-drying formulation in a drying chamber containing a hot inert processing gas and evaporating droplets to produce solid particles of excipient/D-tagatose composite and (c) separating and collecting the solid particles of excipient/D-tagatose composite from the processing gas.

Abstract: Combinations and methods for treating a subject experiencing or at risk of experiencing an undesired consequence of stimulant use are provided. The combinations include topiramate and phentermine. The methods include administering an effective dose of a combination of topiramate and phentermine to a subject. In some embodiments, the methods include administering an effective dose of a combination of topiramate and phentermine to a subject with cocaine use disorder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of detecting gene expression in a biological sample from an animal. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods of detecting risk for a catastrophic injury in an animal, such as a non-human athletic animal, based on the expression of select genes within a biological sample from the animal, which can be determined using mRNA expression analysis.

Abstract: A treatment method for cerebral vasospasm involves determining amounts of let-7b-5p, miR-9-3p, miR-142-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-19b-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-142-3p in a biological sample obtained from a subject following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) to identify the subject as having an elevated risk of cerebral vasospasm, and administering a treatment to the subject when the elevated risk of cerebral vasospasm is identified.

Abstract: A guiding sheath system includes a first sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, an extension member connected to the distal end of the first sheath, the extension member terminating in a distal end, a second sheath extending through the first sheath, the second sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and a cap connected to the distal end of the extension member and the distal end of the second sheath. Upon advancing the second sheath through the first sheath, the cap restrains the distal end of the second sheath and the cap deflects relative to the first sheath thereby causing a portion of the second sheath protruding from the first sheath to bend into a curve with the distal end of the second sheath at a vector different from a vector of the first sheath.

Abstract: A quality assurance device for a medical accelerator includes a housing having an inner radioluminescent layer adapted to provide a visual indication when contacted with invisible radiation generated by the medical accelerator. In addition, the quality assurance device includes one or more cameras located within the housing and adapted to image the inner radioluminescent layer of the housing including the visual indication.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modulating the alkaloid content of a plant (e.g. a tobacco plant), the method comprising modifying said plant by modulating the activity or expression of at least one Nic1 ERF gene. The present invention also provides for the use of at least one Nic1 ERF gene for modulating the alkaloid content of a plant, as well as tobacco cells, plants, plant propagation materials, harvested leaves, processed tobaccos, or tobacco products obtainable in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter generally relates to methods for detecting the presence of amylin in a patient's erythrocytes, determining the risk for the development of prediabetes, type-2 diabetes or comorbidities thereof, and methods of treating said diseases and risks.

Abstract: This invention concerns the incorporation of curcumin into the backbone of a hydrolytically degradable crosslinked hydrogel that utilizes poly(beta amino ester) (PBAE) chemistry to provide a tunable protective network with the ability to release at a controlled rate. Upon the introduction of these microparticle systems in to a free radical generating environment, the constituent amount of curcumin present in solution was improved in comparison to a free curcumin state. From these results, a kinetic rate model was developed to estimate oxidative consumption parameters of curcumin and curcumin monoacrylate and quantify theoretical levels of free radicals present depending on the rate of release of curcumin provided. Modeled curcumin conjugated PBAE microparticles improve translation and overall success in delivering a therapeutic agent that matches levels of oxidative stress.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions having antifungal activity, and methods of using the antifungal compounds and compositions, are described for use in treating fungal infections.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modified nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), such as and compositions thereof, as well as methods useful for treating retinal damage and/or retinal degradation/retinal degeneration, for inhibiting inflammasome activation by Alu RNA associated with a cell, for reducing ATP-induced permeability of a cell, for reducing an amount of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in a cell, and for reducing an amount of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in a cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for use in binding opioids, such as 6-MAM, morphine, heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, meperidine, and fentanyl, while avoiding binding to OUD treatment agents, such as naloxone and naltrexone. Methods are also provided for use in a systematic structure-based virtual screening and design approach for identification of such antibodies. Methods are also provided for use in treating OUD. Methods are also provided for use in detecting an opioid in a sample.

Abstract: A biomass fuel slurry includes a mixture of a biomass material and a plastic material suspended in water. In other embodiments, the biomass fuel slurry also includes coal. A method of making a biomass fuel slurry includes the steps of encapsulating a biomass material with a plastic material to produce a plastic encapsulated biomass material and suspending the plastic encapsulated biomass material in water.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). The compounds and compositions can reduce inflammation in a subject, such as inflammation caused by an inflammation disorder or symptoms thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound are also provided. Furthermore, methods are provided for reducing inflammation and/or inhibiting mPGES-1. The methods can comprise administering an effective amount of the composition to a subject.

Abstract: A compound and a method of detecting CLN3 are provided. The compound includes a heavy isotope labeled CLN3 proteotypic peptide. The method includes i) selecting a CLN3 proteotypic peptide that exhibits linear behavior in the mass spectrometer; ii) generating a stable isotope labeled standard; iii) spiking known amounts of the stable isotope labeled standard into a sample to form a spiked sample; iv) determining retention times and establishing calibration curves using the spiked sample; and v) detecting unlabeled selected CLN3 proteins in the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds and compositions that inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome, for example, a compound according to formula I wherein R1 is C1-4 alkyl; and R2 is H or C1-4 alkyl, provided that when R2 is H. R1 is not CH3. Also disclosed are methods for treating multiple sclerosis using the compounds and compositions.