Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method that is used to create three-dimensional synthetic vascular networks. Micromachining and molding techniques are used to create a template in a shape that mimics a biological network. Cellular material can be seeded around the template or a space created by the template and grown into an engineered tissue-construct.

Abstract: A method for sustained delivery of an agent to an ocular organ in a subject, comprising topically delivering to the ocular surface a liquid thermoresponsive hydrogel comprising agent-loaded polymer microparticles, wherein the agent is sustainably released for a period of at least five days.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peripheral nerve-specific hydrogel material, which is deliverable in a minimally invasive fashion, sustains the growth of neurons, and speeds recovery following surgical reconstruction.

Abstract: Embodiments of techniques or systems for usage modeling or gesture based authentication are provided herein. Actions of a user may be captured, classified, and utilized to generate an authentication scheme for a device based on gesture recognition, gesture analysis, or action analysis. Training data may be determined based on actions deemed to be training actions and one or more action models may be generated based on the training data. An action model may be indicative of how a user performs a particular or predetermined action. When a security mode is enabled, usage actions may be recorded and usage data may be extracted or determined based on the usage actions. A usage action may be identified and corresponding usage data may be compared with training data from an appropriate action model. An identity of a user associated with the usage action may be determined based on this comparison.

Abstract: A method for making microparticles having an exterior surface that includes preparing a self-assembled arrangement of microparticles; contacting the self-assembled microparticles with a patch-forming agent resulting in a microparticle/patch-forming agent assembly having proximal regions between adjacent microparticles and/or proximal regions between a microparticle and another substrate, wherein the patch-forming agent is present in the proximal region; and condensing the patch-forming agent such that a pattern of a plurality of discrete patches of patch-forming agent are formed on the exterior surfaces of the microparticles at the proximal regions. A synthetic microsphere having an exterior spherical surface, wherein the exterior spherical surface comprises a first material and a plurality of discrete, uniformly-dimensioned, patches of a second bioactive material arranged in an orderly array over more than one hemisphere of the microsphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomarkers associated with CTCL, including TOX, PLS3, KIR3DL2, GATA3 and RUNX3, where increased expression, relative to normal control, of one or more of TOX, PLS3, KIR3DL2, and/or GATA3 is associated with CTCL and decreased expression of RUNX3, relative to normal control, is associated with CTCL. One or more of these biomarkers may be used to diagnose CTCL and/or design and monitor treatment.

Abstract: Methods for treating inflammation are disclosed, such as for treating ocular inflammation. In some embodiments, the ocular inflammation is inflammation of an ocular surface, such as keratitis. The methods include administering to a subject with inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of SLURP1, or a nucleic acid encoding SLURP1, thereby treating the inflammation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro-or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.

Abstract: A method of decoding, an encoded signal includes steps of receiving the encoded signal, creating a decoding signal by delaying the encoded signal by a predetermined amount of time ?, sampling the encoded signal using the decoding signal, and determining a value of each of a plurality of decoded bits represented by the encoded signal based on the sampling. Also, a method of operating a shift register wherein the shift register has an initialization state wherein a first binary symbol is stored in a first position and a second binary symbol different than the first binary symbol is stored in each of one or more intermediate positions and a last position. The method includes determining that the shift register is full responsive to detecting that the first binary symbol has been stored in either one of the intermediate positions or the last position.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of treating angiogenic disorders of the eye, such as macular degeneration, restenosis following glaucoma treatment or diabetic retinopathy, by administering an activator of C-X-C chemokine receptor 3(CXCR3). In some embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is interferon-?-inducible 10 kDa protein (IP-10), or a fragment or variant thereof, such as a fragment comprising or consisting of the C-terminal ?-helix of IP-10. In other embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is platelet factor 4 (PF4) or a fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I and their metabolites are potent mediators of an inflammatory response: where a, b, c, d, e, f, V, W, X, Y, Ra, Ra?, Rb, Rb?, Rc, and Rc? are defined herein. In particular, the compounds of the invention are candidate therapeutics for treating inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A method of classifying ciliary motion includes receiving digital video data representing the ciliary motion generated by an image capture device, wherein the digital video data includes a plurality of frames. The method further includes receiving an indication of a region of interest applicable to each of the frames, wherein the region of interest includes a plurality of pixels in each of the frames, calculating time series elemental motion data for at least one elemental motion parameter for the region of interest based on the digital video data, and using the time series elemental motion data to classify the ciliary motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel analogs of FR901464, as well as an improved methodology for preparing FR901464 and its analogs. These compounds display an anti-cancer activity and are candidates for therapies against a number of disease states associated with dysfunctional RNA splicing.

Abstract: Described herein is the finding that a mutant form of human neuroglobin (H64L) with a stable five-coordinate geometry reduces nitrite to nitric oxide approximately 2000-times faster than the wild type neuroglobin. Five-coordinate neuroglobin is also capable of binding and releasing oxygen. Based on these findings, the use of five-coordinate neuroglobin as a blood substitute is described herein. Particularly provided is a method of replacing blood and/or increasing oxygen delivery to tissues in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of neuroglobin with a stable five-coordinate geometry. In some cases, five-coordinate neuroglobin is administered in combination with another therapeutic agent or composition, such as a second blood replacement product (for example, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier), a blood product (such as red blood cells, serum or plasma) or whole blood.

Abstract: A method of aiding the diagnosis of otitis media in a patient includes obtaining image data in a processor apparatus of a computing device, the image data being associated with at least one electronic image of a tympanic membrane of the patient, calculating a plurality of image features, each image feature being calculated based on at least a portion of the image data, classifying the at least one electronic image as a particular type of otitis media using the plurality of image features, and outputting an indication of the particular type of otitis media. Also, a system for implementing such a method that includes an output device and a computing device.

Abstract: Engineered chloride channel receptors, nucleic acids encoding these receptors, expression vectors including these nucleic acids are disclosed herein. Nanoparticles and pharmaceutical compositions including these engineered chloride channel receptors, nucleic acids, and expression vectors are disclosed. The use of these compositions and nanoparticles, such as for the treatment of pain, cystic fibrosis and asthma, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of antimicrobial chrysophaentin compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the chrysophaentin compounds, methods for using the chrysophaentin compounds, and methods for synthesizing the chrysophaentin compounds are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the chrysophaentin compounds inhibit FtsZ protein, thereby inhibiting the growth of clinically relevant bacteria, including drug-resistant strains.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that condroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), also known as high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen, is overexpressed on basal breast carcinoma cells (BBC), specifically triple negative basal breast carcinoma cells (TNBC). Methods for detecting basal breast cancer in a subject are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for inhibiting the growth of a basal breast cancer cell. These methods include contacting the basal breast cancer cell with an effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds CSPG4. Additional treatment methods, and the use of antibody panels, are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating pancreatitis and/or organ failure comprising administering, to a subject in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a lipase inhibitor. It is based, at least in part, on the discoveries that lipotoxicity contributes to inflammation, multisystem organ failure, necrotic pancreatic acinar cell death and in acute pancreatitis, and that inhibition of lipolysis was able to reduce indices associated with these conditions. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides for methods and compositions for limiting lipotoxicity and thereby reducing the likelihood of poor outcomes associated with acute pancreatitis and other severe systemic conditions, especially in obese individuals.

Abstract: A photonic bandgap crystal or photonic bandgap crystal material comprising a self-assembled crystalline colloidal array (CCA) of monodisperse spherical particles having a face-centered-cubic (fcc) or a body-centered-cubic (bcc) lattice dispersed in a medium. The photonic bandgap crystal or photonic bandgap crystal material has a photonic bandgap for light in the visible and near-IR or a photonic bandgap for light in the visible range of wavelengths less than about 700 nm.