Abstract: Cell culture devices and methods of their use are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include a base having a pair of spaced apart wells and at least one fluid port defined from an exterior of the base to each of the wells, each fluid port being spaced above the base sheet by a distance sufficient to introduce a material above a matrix deposited on the base sheet in the wells; and a cover having a pair of spaced apart well covering portions that are each disposed above a respective one of the one spaced apart wells of the base body when the cover is covering the upper surface of the base body and having a gas passage defined between the spaced apart well covering portions and at least one gas port defined from an exterior of the cover to each of the well covering portions.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor assembly includes an optical proximity sensor with an IR LED emitting light having an infrared wavelength, an IR photo detector sensitive to the infrared wavelength, an optical barrier blocking direct light rays from the LED to the IR photo detector and permitting reflected light rays to reach the at least one photo detector; and an electronic integrated circuit with an amplifier for amplifying a signal detected by the photo detector, an analog to digital converter, LED drivers, noise reduction and ambient light cancellation circuitry, and a digital interface for communication with a microcontroller. The optical proximity sensor is accommodated on a wearable carrier. A single sensor may include a plurality of identical or different LEDs, a plurality of photodiodes, or both. Also, several sensors may be placed on a person's skin along a vascular path to obtain data relating to blood flow and artery stiffness.

Abstract: A method of generating protein-induced pluripotent stem cells by delivering bacterial!y expressed reprogramming proteins into nuclei of starting somatic cells using the QQ-protein transduction technique, repeating several cell reprogramming cycles for creating reprogrammed protein-induced pluripotent stem cells, moving the reprogrammed cells into a feeder-free medium for expansion, and expanding and passaging the reprogrammed cells in a whole dish for generating homogeneous piPS cells. Also provided are the piPCS cells formed using this method and uses thereof.

Abstract: Down-regulating autoimmune regulator (AIRE) function in B cells to produce antibodies is described. The antibodies can be class-switched, high affinity, and neutralizing, and have a high degree of somatic hypermutations, even in the framework region, as compared to antibodies produced in the absence of AIRE downregulation.

Abstract: A system for determining a likelihood of current or near-future occurrence of sepsis in a patient analyzes patient information through applying a computational decision-making algorithm that is linked to patient category. If the result of the analysis satisfies the criteria of the algorithm, an alert is transmitted to a caregiver. The results of the analysis are stored in the system, and the stored results are periodically and automatically analyzed relative to false positives, false negatives, and correct decisions as part of the alert system operation. The algorithm and its related components are automatically modified to improve alert accuracy in subsequent applications of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibacterial compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the antibacterial compounds, and methods of treating bacterial infections using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Valproate is useful as an antifungal agent. The valproate compositions can be used to treat fungal infections. The valproate compositions can be formulated as topical antifungals.

Abstract: A nanodevice composition including N-acetyl cysteine linked to a dendrimer, such as a PAMAM dendrimer or a multiarm PEG polymer, is provided. Also provided is a nanodevice for targeted delivery of a compound to a location in need of treatment. The nanodevice includes a PAMAM dendrimer or multiarm PEG polymer, linked to the compound via a disulfide bond. There is provided a nanodevice composition for localizing and delivering therapeutically active agents, the nanodevice includes a PAMAM dendrimer or multiarm PEG polymer and at least one therapeutically active agent attached to the PAMAM dendrimer or multiarm PEG polymer.

Abstract: Fused cyclic pyrimidine compounds, including tautomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates and hydrates thereof, are disclosed having the general Formula I: These compounds are useful in methods for treating cancer, selectively targeting cancerous cells via the proton coupled folate transporter, folate receptor alpha, and/or folate receptor beta pathways, inhibiting GARFTase in cancerous cells, and selectively targeting activated macrophages in a patient having an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Biomarkers tests which can be used to predict a positive or negative risk of preeclampsia are described. More specifically, a panel of biomarkers including MMP-7 and gpIIbIIIa, described. The test is useful to predict preeclampsia when a biological sample is obtained between the 16th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Prediction later in pregnancy can be achieved by a combination of Siglec-6, Activin A, ALCAM, and/or FCN2.

Abstract: A compound having formula I is useful for treating a neurodegenerative disease: R1 is an C1-12 organyl group; is a C1-12 heterocyclic ring system containing 5 to 12 ring atoms and up to three heteroatoms individually selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, and Se; R2 are C1-12 organyl groups; R7, R8 are each independently, hydrogen (H), hydroxyl, oxo (i.e., carbonyl), C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxyl, C2-8 alkenyl, C2-10 alkynyl, C5-7 cycloalkyl, C5-7 cycloalkenyl, halo, C1-4 aldehyde, or —NR4q where R4 is H, C1-8 alkyl, C2-8 alkenyl, C4-8 cycloalkyl, C4-8 cycloalkenyl, or C6-10 aryl; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; A is a C6-12 aryl group, C5-12 heteroaryl group, or an optionally substituted 3-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-one; p is an integer from 1 to 6; and Zm is absent or a divalent linking moiety; and m is an integer representing the number of time Z is repeated.

Abstract: An ionizing system includes a channel and a heater coupled to the channel. The channel has an inlet disposed in a first pressure region having a first pressure and an outlet disposed in a second pressure region having a second pressure. The first pressure is greater than the second pressure. The heater is for heating the channel, and the channel is configured to generate charged particles of a sample in response to the sample being introduced into the channel.

Abstract: Kits and methods to distinguish between false and true labor are provided. The kits and methods can utilize differences in abundance and/or differences in the rate of change in abundance of B7-H2, SORC2, TF, C1-Esterase Inhibitor, Ran, IMD-H1 and/or PGAM1, as markers of true labor.

Abstract: Valproate is useful as an antifungal agent. The valproate compositions can be used to treat fungal infections. The valproate compositions can be formulated as topical antifungals.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subject in need thereof are provided which include administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein transduction reagent-modified reprogramming protein to the subject, wherein the protein transduction reagent is non-covalently bound to the reprogramming protein and wherein the protein transduction reagent comprises a cation reagent and a lipid. According to aspects, such methods provide delivery of protein-transduction reagent-modified reprogramming proteins to cancer cells, such as tumor cells, as well as diseased cells of diseased tissues and provide in vivo conversion of diseased cells into normal cells via protein-induced in situ cell reprogramming without administration of nucleic acids to the subject.

Abstract: A light therapy method, comprising identifying a pathological condition in a patient, selecting at least one light wavelength based on the identified pathological condition, and applying one or a combination of the selected light wavelengths to the patient using a light source.

Abstract: A method for forming an austempered iron composition with a nanoscale microstructure includes a step of heating an iron-carbon-silicon alloy with silicon to a first temperature that is lower than A1 for the iron-carbon-silicon alloy. The iron-carbon-silicon alloy is then adiabatically deformed such that the temperature of the iron-carbon-silicon alloy rises to a second temperature which is sufficient to form proeutectoid ferrite and austenite. The iron-carbon-silicon alloy is cooled to a first austempering temperature. The iron-carbon-silicon alloy is then heated to a second austempering temperature that is greater than the first austempering temperature to form a dual phase microstructure. Characteristically, the dual phase microstructure includes proeutectoid ferrite and ausferrite.

Abstract: Neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) agonist mediated protection of the eye is described. The protection can reduce dry eye and ocular infections, particularly in individuals with reduced NK1R activity.

Abstract: The present invention describes an injectable calcium polyphosphate (CPP) gel with dense structure, which can be applied as injectable bone void filler in medical field, such as orthopedic and dental applications. Amorphous CPP powder with fine particle size (<75 pm) can be completely dissolved in water, forming a homogeneous gelation phase separated from water phase. This homogeneous CPP gel with disentangled inorganic polyphosphate chains shows viscoelasticity and superior adhesion to natural bone, metal implant surfaces and other ceramic material surfaces. The CPP gel is biomimetic and biodegradable with strong osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity. The manufacturing procedure is easy and reproducible. The mechanical strength of CPP gel is controllable by modifications, such as sintering, incorporation of other biomaterials, etc.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.