Abstract: Disclosed herein, are antibody-polymer-drug conjugates. The conjugate comprises a targeting moiety, one or more polymers, and one or more therapeutic agents. Also described herein, are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A tether assembly may be attached to a bone to correct a rotational deformity. The bone may have a growth plate that separates a first section of the bone from a second section of the bone. The tether assembly may have a tether member with a first end, a second end, and a central portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first end may have a closed outer wall that defines and fully bounds a first aperture. The second end may have an open outer wall that defines and partially bounds a second aperture. The open outer wall may define a slot in communication with the second aperture. The first and second ends may be securable to the first and second sections of the bone via coupling members inserted through the first and second apertures and anchored in the first and second sections, respectively.

Abstract: Split enzyme reporter systems are disclosed for detecting an analyte in a mixture. Fragments of the split enzyme may be covalently bound to targeting domains that bind to target regions of an analyte, thereby causing formation of an active complex. Some split enzyme reporter systems can be used to detect an analyte without the use of analyte immobilization, blocking, or wash steps. Some reporter systems also enable rapid detection of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a chondrocyte cell sheet comprising one or more layers of confluent cells comprising chondrocytes and chondroprogenitor cells. Methods of generating cartilage tissue in a subject are also provided. The disclosure also provides a method for producing chondrocyte cell sheets comprising culturing chondrocytes and chondroprogenitor cells in culture solution on a temperature-responsive polymer which has been coated onto a substrate surface of a cell culture support, wherein the temperature-responsive polymer has a lower critical solution temperature in water of 0-80° C.; adjusting the temperature of the culture solution to below the lower critical solution temperature, whereby the substrate surface is made hydrophilic and adhesion of the cell sheet to the surface is weakened; and detaching the cell sheet from the culture support.

Abstract: A system for low power chemical sensing can include a voltage shift unit which receives a voltage signal from a chemical sensor unit. The voltage signal can be determined by a concentration of an analyte. The voltage shift unit can transform the voltage signal to an input voltage signal, and send the input voltage signal to a plurality of frequency selective surface (FSS) units of an FSS array. The FSS array can communicate a radio frequency (RF) signal in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) S band with a resonant frequency based on the input voltage to provide the concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: A variable focus optical device (100) can include first optically transparent membrane (102) and a second membrane (104) that at least partially define a chamber (106) retaining an optically transparent liquid. A transparent piston (110) is attached to the second membrane (104). At least one actuator (112a-c) is operatively coupled to the transparent piston (110) and configured to move to change a focal length of the variable focus optical device (100) via actuation of the transparent piston (110). Three curved bimorph actuators (112a-c) can surround and be coupled to the piston (110) for actuation of the piston (110) to generate a plano-convex or plano-concave lens via the membranes (102, 104). A smart eyeglasses system includes a pair of variable focus optical devices (100), an object distance sensor, a battery, optional eye-tracking camera(s), and a microcontroller, collectively used for purposes of sensing distance of objects and adjusting said focal length via the variable focus optical devices (100).

Abstract: An isolated and purified peptide, neonatal NET-inhibitory Factor (nNIF), is disclosed. Methods for treatment of and prophylaxis against inflammatory disorders are also disclosed, including methods of treatment of and prophylaxis against inflammatory disorders comprising administering NET-inhibitory peptides (NIPs), which may be a nNIF, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNIF, a nNIF analog, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNIF analog, a nNIF-Related Peptide (nNRP), including the nNRP, Cancer-Associated SCM-Recognition, Immune Defense Suppression, and Serine Protease Protection Peptide (CRISPP), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNRP, a nNRP analog, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNRP analog, to an individual.

Abstract: A dental pulp capping composition can comprise a particulate base material which is non-toxic, and capable of forming a structural capping matrix; and a particulate setting material which is non-toxic, water-soluble, biocompatible, and capable of setting the composition. Optional growth factors can also be introduced into the composition to facilitate dental tissue repair. A complimentary method of restoring damaged tooth features can comprise removing diseased and/or damaged portions of the tooth to expose a prepared tooth region. Water can be added to the dental pulp capping composition to form a workable coherent paste. The workable coherent paste can be introduced into the prepared tooth region. The workable coherent paste can then be shaped within the prepared tooth region and then set to form a rigid biomimetic structure within the prepared tooth region.

Abstract: An ophthalmic composition or dosage form can include a therapeutically effective amount of a copper-containing agent that is sufficient to increase corneal lysyl oxidase activity in an eye of a subject in an amount sufficient to treat myopic progression and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition or dosage form can be used to treat or prevent progression of myopia by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition to an eye of a subject during a treatment period.

Abstract: Methods of minimizing dysregulation of Staufen1-associated RNA metabolism can include introducing an amount of a Staufen1-regulating agent to a target cell sufficient to minimize the dysregulation. Therapeutic compositions for treating a neurodegenerative condition associated with Staufen1-induced dysregulation of RNA metabolism can include a therapeutically effective amount of a Staufen1-regulating agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Methods of making permeable aerogels (100) can include providing a sol mixture (110) comprising an organic scaffold, an inorganic aerogel precursor, and a first solvent. The organic scaffold can be insoluble in the first solvent. The sol mixture can react to form a gel (120) such that an interconnected channel network is formed which is at least partially defined by the organic scaffold. The first solvent in the gel can be exchanged (130) with a second solvent. The second solvent can dissolve the organic scaffold to expose the interconnected channel network. The gel can be dried (140) to form the permeable aerogel.

Abstract: A tissue sample processing system and associated methods is disclosed and described. The tissue sample processing system (100) can include a microfluidic separating system (110). The microfluidic separating system (110) can include a fluid channel to receive a carrier fluid (104) and a tissue sample (102), and a plurality of outlets. Flow of the carrier fluid (104) and the tissue sample (102) in the fluid channel can facilitate segregation of materials in the tissue sample (102) based on size into a plurality of size fractions, such that each one of the plurality of outlets receives a different size fraction of the materials in the tissue sample. In addition, the sample processing system (100) can comprise a cryopreservation system (120) associated with at least one of the plurality of outlets to freeze the material in the tissue sample (102) associated with the at least one of the plurality of outlets.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting eosinophil degranulation in the respiratory tract of subjects. Also, disclosed are methods of producing medical images of the respiratory tract of subjects. The method can include administering radiolabeled heparin to the respiratory tract of subjects, wherein the radiolabeled heparin binds to one or more eosinophil granule protein in the mucosal tissue of the respiratory tract.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide conjugates comprising an active agent, a spacer moiety, and a dimeric collagen hybridizing peptide comprising a first and second collagen hybridizing peptide, a linker; and a branch point, wherein the first and second collagen hybridizing peptides comprise the sequence of at least (GXY)n, wherein G is glycine, wherein X and Y are any amino acid, and wherein n is any number between 3 and 12. Also disclosed are methods of detecting denatured collagen in a sample comprising contacting a composition comprising any one of the disclosed peptide conjugates to a sample, wherein the active agent comprises a therapeutic agent, and detecting the presence or absence of binding of the peptide conjugate to denatured collagen, the presence of binding indicating the presence of denatured collagen in the sample.

Abstract: A therapeutic delivery device that provides a controlled release of high doses of a therapeutic agent in a local area, sustains the high dose controlled release with a percutaneous port for refilling the device, and is versatile for use with multiple types of therapeutic agents and/or implant systems. A rate determining/controlled release membrane is used to decrease the molecular mobility of the therapeutic compounds thereby controlling the therapeutic release profile. The therapeutic delivery device includes a body defining an internal reservoir for receiving a therapeutic agent and including a first membrane for providing a controlled release of the therapeutic agent to the surgical site, a port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a sleeve configured to encapsulate the body, and a rigid housing configured to support the body and a portion of the sleeve, the rigid housing configured to release the body and the sleeve after the body and the sleeve are anchored position relative to the surgical site.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for anastomosing vascular systems in medical procedures. A pair of similar or identical coupling devices may be disposed at the ends of two vessels, either natural or synthetic. The coupling devices may be capable of hermaphroditically connecting to one another to provide a simple and secure connection which promotes growth of the vessels between the bio-absorbable coupling devices.

Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.

Abstract: A differential emissivity imaging device for measuring evaporable particle properties can include a heated plate, a thermal camera, a memory device, and an output interface. The heated plate can have an upper surface oriented to receive falling evaporable particles. The evaporable particles have a particle emissivity and the upper surface has a plate surface emissivity. The thermal camera can be oriented to produce a thermal image of the upper surface. A memory device can include instructions that cause the imaging device to calculate a mass of the individual evaporable particle via heat conduction using a calculated surface area and an evaporation time.

Abstract: An imaging system that is translucent can be achieved by placing an image sensor (204) at one of more edges or periphery of a translucent window (202). A small fraction of light from the outside scene scatters off imperfections (218) in the translucent window (202) and reach the peripheral image sensor (204). Based on appropriate calibration of the response of point sources (206) from the outside scene, the full scene can be reconstructed computationally from the peripherally scattered light (210, 212). The technique can be extended to color, multi-spectral, light-field, 3D, and polarization selective imaging. Applications can include surveillance, imaging for autonomous agents, microscopy, etc.

Abstract: An oxygen-sensing assembly for attachment to a urinary catheter may include a housing having a flow pathway extending between an inlet end and an outlet end thereof, an oxygen sensor in operable communication with the flow pathway of the housing, the oxygen sensor configured to detect oxygen levels of a fluid flowing through the flow pathway and a flowrate sensor configured to detect a flowrate of the fluid flowing through the flow pathway. A risk of acute kidney injury may be determined based on the mass flowrate of oxygen through the flow pathway, determined based on the detected oxygen levels and the flowrate of the fluid through the flow pathway. Related catheter assemblies and methods are also disclosed.