Abstract: This invention describes the synthesis and pharmacologic activity of n=2, n=3, n=4, n=5, and n=6 D-lactic acid oligomers. D-lactic acid dimer has pharmacologic activity and sequesters L-lactate, and the other D-lactic acid oligomers have no activity in vitro, but may have pharmacologic activity in vivo as prodrugs of D-lactic acid dimer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and method for generating surgical maps that provide a surgeon with information regarding the placement of features of interest. More particularly, the system is configured to display optical coherence tomography (OCT) images to a medical professional. The medical professional can select anatomical features, biomarkers, and other features of interest within each of the OCT images. The system can then translate the location of the features of interest within the OCT images to an en face image to generate a map of the features that the medical professional can use for surgical guidance.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure are directed towards safely projecting a diffracted light pattern, such as in an infrared laser-based projection/illumination system. Non-diffracted (zero-order) light is refracted once to diffuse (defocus) the non-diffracted light to an eye safe level. Diffracted (non-zero-order) light is aberrated twice, e.g., once as part of diffraction by a diffracting optical element encoded with a Fresnel lens (which does not aberrate the non-diffracted light), and another time to cancel out the other aberration; the two aberrations may occur in either order. Various alternatives include upstream and downstream positioning of the diffracting optical element relative to a refractive optical element, and/or refraction via positive and negative lenses.

Abstract: At equimolar concentrations, D-lactic acid dimer is more cytotoxic than L-lactic acid when directly applied to human HeLa cells in culture. The cytotoxicity of D-lactic acid dimer is an independent effect exclusive of the lower pH when applied to cancer cells in culture. At equimolar concentrations, D-lactic acid dimer is less cytotoxic than L-lactic acid when applied to normal human fibroblasts in culture. D-lactic acid dimer is cytotoxic when applied to human retinoblastoma cells in culture in a dose-dependent fashion. The experimental data supports the cytotoxic mechanism of D-lactic acid dimer via the Warburg effect.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to holographic near-eye display systems. One example provides a near-eye display device, comprising a diverging light source, an image producing dynamic digital hologram panel configured to receive light from the diverging light source and form an image. The near-eye display device also includes and a combiner comprising a holographic optical element positioned to receive light from the dynamic digital hologram panel and to redirect the light toward an eyebox, the holographic optical element being positioned between the eyebox and a view of an external environment to combine a view of the image formed by the dynamic digital hologram panel and the view of the external environment.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to holographic near-eye display systems. One example provides a near-eye display device, comprising a diverging light source, an image producing dynamic digital hologram panel configured to receive light from the diverging light source and form an image. The near-eye display device also includes and a combiner comprising a holographic optical element positioned to receive light from the dynamic digital hologram panel and to redirect the light toward an eyebox, the holographic optical element being positioned between the eyebox and a view of an external environment to combine a view of the image formed by the dynamic digital hologram panel and the view of the external environment.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of multipotent stem cells capable of differentiating into trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, methods of obtaining an isolated population of TM cells, and isolated populations of TM cells obtained therefrom. Compositions, kits, and devices comprising the isolated populations of multipotent stem cells or TM cells are also provided herein. Further provided are methods of using the compositions, kits, and devices for decreasing intraocular pressure in an eye, increasing cell density in a trabecular meshwork of an eye, increasing outflow of aqueous humor from an eye, or treating or preventing a medical condition in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for generating virtually averaged optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. An illustrative method can include receiving an image, identifying a first voxel of the image, and selecting a plurality of local voxels of the image. Each of the plurality of local voxels is within a defined region of the first voxel. The values of the plurality of local voxels can indicate an appearance of the local voxels in the image.

Abstract: The innovation provides for a system and method available to image and visualize the palisades of Vogt via a non-contact process, analyze the image volumes acquired, evaluate the status of the palisades of Vogt from the data represented therein, and display the data in real-time or as a part of a medical record for ongoing consideration and evaluation.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to a near-eye display device including a holographic display system. The holographic display system includes a light source configured to emit light that is converging or diverging, a waveguide configured to be positioned in a field of view of a user's eye, and a digital dynamic hologram configured to receive the light, and project the light into the waveguide such that the light propagates through the waveguide.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure are directed towards safely projecting a diffracted light pattern, such as in an infrared laser-based projection/illumination system. Non-diffracted (zero-order) light is refracted once to diffuse (defocus) the non-diffracted light to an eye safe level. Diffracted (non-zero-order) light is aberrated twice, e.g., once as part of diffraction by a diffracting optical element encoded with a Fresnel lens (which does not aberrate the non-diffracted light), and another time to cancel out the other aberration; the two aberrations may occur in either order. Various alternatives include upstream and downstream positioning of the diffracting optical element relative to a refractive optical element, and/or refraction via positive and negative lenses.

Abstract: At equimolar concentrations, D-lactic acid dimer is more cytotoxic than L-lactic acid when directly applied to human HeLa cells in culture. The cytotoxicity of D-lactic acid dimer is an independent effect exclusive of the lower pH when applied to cancer cells in culture. At equimolar concentrations, D-lactic acid dimer is less cytotoxic than L-lactic acid when applied to normal human fibroblasts in culture. D-lactic acid dimer is cytotoxic when applied to human retinoblastoma cells in culture in a dose-dependent fashion. The experimental data supports the cytotoxic mechanism of D-lactic acid dimer via the Warburg effect.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device comprises a rendering engine configured to generate a hologram representative of a three-dimensional object. The hologram includes depth information that causes the three-dimensional object to be rendered with a focus that is determined by the depth information. The device also includes a spatial light modulator that modulates light from a light source as indicated by the hologram. A switchable hologram comprises multiple stacked switchable gratings. Each of the stacked switchable gratings is associated with one or more resulting exit pupil locations on a viewing surface. The system also comprises an eye tracker configured to map a viewing direction of a user's eye to a viewing location on the viewing surface. A processor is configured to activate a particular switchable grating within the switchable transmission hologram that is associated with an exit pupil location that aligns with the viewing location.

Abstract: A lid assembly that can be placed on a pan having a bottom surface that is configured for placement on a burner of the stove top with one or more foods to be cooked supported above an inner bottom surface of the pan by a rack. The lid assembly covers the pan and thereby encloses the one or more foods to be cooked and the rack within a cavity defined by the pan and the lid assembly. An air flow generator mounted on a shaft that extends through a cover portion of the lid from a motor disposed on an opposite side of the cover portion rotates the shaft to produce airflow within the cavity. The lid assembly cooks foods in less time and using less energy than normally required with a conventional oven.

Abstract: The innovation provides for a system and method available to image and visualize the palisades of Vogt via a non-contact process, analyze the image volumes acquired, evaluate the status of the palisades of Vogt from the data represented therein, and display the data in real-time or as a part of a medical record for ongoing consideration and evaluation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for normalizing an image of an eye among multiple optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices. The system can receive an OCT image and generate a normalized OCT image. The system is configured to normalize a sample density of the received image, normalize an amount of noise using a suitable noise reduction technique, normalize a distribution of signal amplitudes of the image, and then normalize a signal quality of the image. The resulting normalized image of the eye can then be used in the comparison among OCT images taken from multiple OCT devices.

Abstract: The vitelline membrane of an egg is a novel, inexpensive and useful model of the human blood brain barrier (BBB). FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Red #3, quinine and fluorescein do not cross the vitelline membrane and do not cross the human BBB. Ethanol, diethyl ether, 2-chloroprocaine and acetaminophen, cross the vitelline membrane and are known to cross the human BBB. Using the vitelline membrane, as model of the human BBB, may decrease the time and cost of discovering lead drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Abstract: A method of preparing a functional trabecular meshwork (TM) cell from adipose-derived stem cells is provided. Methods of treating glaucoma, implanting trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, or repairing or regenerating the aqueous outflow pathway of an eye of a patient also are provided.

Abstract: Intractable pain is a horrific cause of world-wide suffering. Nervous system excitation is a hallmark of intractable pain and lesioning of excited pathways and structures can produce sustained analgesia. This invention shows that red blood cells exposed to changing magnetic fields are disrupted, releasing hemoglobin, and that this effect is related to the dose (conformation, frequency, strength and duration) of the changing magnetic fields. Extrapolating these finding to the nervous system, transcranial magnetic lesioning of select areas of the central nervous system, in particular the anterior cingulate cortex or anterior cingulate cortices, can provide relief for patients who suffer devastating intractable pain. The changing magnetic fields are produced by electrical current through a Helmholtz coil with a soft iron core.

Abstract: Esters prodrugs that cross the blood brain barrier can be ideal drugs for treatment of diseases of the central nervous system because the cerebral spinal fluid contains an abundance of esterases. The prodrug can be hydrolyzed into an active drug and a metabolite such as cholesterol that is known to be non-toxic and is familiar to the central nervous system. This invention describes a modification of the Fischer-Speier or Fischer esterification reaction in which one reagent is lipophilic and the other reagent is hydrophilic. The reaction occurs in a heterogeneous mixture. The preferred catalyst is 1.0 M hydrochloric acid and the preferred solvent is acetone. The presence of ester synthesis was confirmed by the hydroxamic acid-ferric perchlorate reaction. The synthesis can be conducted without chemical scaffolds and without protecting functional groups.