Abstract: The present disclosure provides a construct comprising a coding sequence operably linked to a promoter, wherein the coding sequence encodes a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binding agent or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, a construct is an AAV construct. In some embodiments, an AAV construct is a part of an AAV particle. Compositions comprising constructs and AAV particles described herein can be useful in treating hearing loss, for example, hearing loss associated with vestibular schwannoma.

Abstract: An optical source is described. This optical source may include a semiconductor laser chip and a silicon-photonics chip that provide an optical cavity. The semiconductor laser chip may provide gain at multiple lasing wavelengths in a band of wavelengths. Moreover, the silicon-photonics chip may adjust a size of an optical signal proximate to an interface between the semiconductor laser chip and the silicon-photonics chip. Furthermore, by adjusting a phase of a phase shifter and resonance frequencies of a micro-ring resonator in the silicon-photonics chip, a center frequency of a passband of the micro-ring resonator may be matched to a non-zero integer multiple of a cavity-mode spacing. This may allow the optical source to mode-lock the lasing wavelengths of the optical source by suppressing unwanted lasing wavelengths and re-enforcing the lasing wavelengths. In some embodiments, a free-spectral range of the optical source may be between 100 GHz and 800 GHz.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include introducing into an inner ear of a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector that includes a nucleotide sequence encoding (a) a polypeptide including an antibody heavy chain variable domain operably linked to a signal peptide and a polypeptide including an antibody light chain variable domain operably linked to a signal peptide; (b) a polypeptide including an antigen-binding antibody fragment operably linked to a signal peptide; or (c) a soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor operably linked to a signal peptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of a stereocilin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors that, when introduced into a primate cell, the at least two different vectors undergo concatamerization or homologous recombination with each other, thereby forming a recombined nucleic acid that encodes a full-length target protein (e.g., a supporting cell target protein or a hair cell target protein). Also provided are compositions that include a single AAV vector that, when introduced into a primate cell, a nucleic acid encoding a full-length target protein (e.g., a supporting cell target protein or a hair cell target protein) is generated at the locus of the supporting cell target gene, and the primate expresses the target protein (e.g., a supporting cell target protein or a hair cell target protein).

Abstract: Medical safety needle assembly comprising a medical needle (14) having a distal and a proximal end and a stem extending there between, the needle having a tip at its distal end, the proximal end of the needle being connected to a tubing (15) with a connection hub for connecting the tubing (15) to a syringe (30), the connection being able to resist tensile loads, and a base plate (10) the needle (14) extending slidably through the base plate (10) and having an inserted position with the needle tip extending in distal direction from the base plate (10) and a retracted position with the needle tip being in a position inside a cavity of the base plate, characterized in that the needle comprises a first attachment element at its proximal side of the base plate (10), and the connection hub comprises a second attachment element (31) being able to engage with the first attachment element in order to pull the needle (14) through the base (10) plate into its retracted position.

Abstract: Medical safety needle assembly comprising a medical needle having a distal and a proximal end and a stem extending there between, the needle having a tip at its distal end, the proximal end of the needle being connectable to a fluid path, and the needle stem having a 80°-90° bend, and a safety device comprising a base plate and a housing the base plate and the housing enclosing together a cavity, the safety device being slidably arranged on the needle stem distal from the bend, and the needle stem passing through a distal opening in the base plate and a proximal opening in the housing, the needle having an inserted position with the needle tip extending in distal direction from the base plate and a retracted position with the needle tip being in a position inside the cavity, characterized in that the housing consists of a first part attached to the base plate and a second part (32) attached by means of extendible attachment elements (33) to the first part, wherein the proximal opening is arranged in the secon

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides which have been shown to be FGF18 agonists are described. Topical compositions for decreasing, eliminating, or suppressing hair growth are disclosed herein. Methods for reducing hair growth, improving the appearance of skin, kits, and related cosmetic formulations are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include introducing into an inner ear of a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector that includes a nucleotide sequence encoding (a) a polypeptide including an antibody heavy chain variable domain operably linked to a signal peptide and a polypeptide including an antibody light chain variable domain operably linked to a signal peptide; (b) a polypeptide including an antigen-binding antibody fragment operably linked to a signal peptide; or (c) a soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor operably linked to a signal peptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: The compositions of various embodiments include a tocopherol phosphate mixture (TPM) comprising a liposome having a lipid bilayer and an internal aqueous compartment, a lipophilic ingredient, a polar solvent system, an alcohol, a base, and a water soluble phase, wherein the liposome is made of a tocopherol phosphate derivative, wherein the lipophilic ingredients are entrapped in the lipophilic bilayer of the liposome, and wherein a water soluble ingredient is dissolved in the water soluble phase and is in the internal compartment of the liposome. The methods include improving the look of skin particularly of the neck and décolletage, increasing expression of an extracellular matrix proteins in skin, improving a keloid scar in a subject, and improving aging skin. Additionally, methods for preparing the compositions are described herein.

Abstract: A check-in system for an dispensing items includes a computing device having an application installed thereon. The computing device is configured to check in a customer to notify the kiosk of a time range during which an order of the customer is picked up. The kiosk is configured to receive a check-in message from the computing device, receive the location of the computing device, receive a message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower, retrieve information of the order from an order database stored on a remote server, assemble the order based on the check-in message and the information of the order, and move the assembled order close to a pick-up location of the automated tower to facilitate pick-up of the assembled order.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relates, to an item manipulation system that can include a control system and an end effector. The end effector can include a tube defining a channel between a first end and a second end. The tube can include, a flexible suction cup that can be disposed within the channel of the tube. In some examples, the flexible suction cup can engage a surface of the item based on suction force generated through the flexible suction cup. The end effector also includes a linear actuator that can be mechanically coupled to the flexible suction cup. The end effector can be configured to: extend, the flexible suction cup towards the second end of the channel to position at least a portion of the flexible suction cup outside the tube and retract, the flexible suction cup within the channel to position the flexible suction cup within the tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides constructs comprising a coding sequence operably linked to a promoter, wherein the coding sequence encodes a polypeptide (e.g., a therapeutic polypeptide, e.g., a Connexin 26 polypeptide). Exemplary constructs include AAV constructs. Also provided are methods of using disclosed constructs for the treatment of hearing loss and/or deafness.