Abstract: Methods for preserving catalytic activity of a PSA polymer membrane in a humid environment by immobilizing in the membrane an organic acid having a pKa greater than the pKa of the PSA polymer membrane; optical sensors based on the PSA membranes further including an immobilized organic reagent capable of reacting with a target compound in a humid environment to produce a detectable color shifted product; and non-invasive methods for estimating blood glucose concentration by utilizing an optical sensor to detect concentration of acetone in exhaled human breath and correlating it to blood glucose concentration.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of diagnosing and treating a subject suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD), the method comprising: (a) obtaining a skin biopsy from a subject suspected of suffering from AD; (b) determining a level of RNA expression in the skin biopsy of genes selected from the 89ADGES gene panel; (c) comparing the determined level of RNA expression of the selected genes to the level of RNA expression of the selected genes in a reference sample comprising RNA expression products from normal healthy skin cells; (d) diagnosing the subject as suffering from AD when specific genes are up-regulated compared to the reference sample and when specific genes are down-regulated compared to the reference sample; and (e) treating the subject with a therapy effective for the treatment of AD. Methods of managing treatment of a subject suffering from AD are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of diagnosing and treating a subject suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD), the method comprising: (a) obtaining a skin biopsy from a subject suspected of suffering from AD; (b) determining a level of RNA expression in the skin biopsy of genes selected from the 89ADGES gene panel; (c) comparing the determined level of RNA expression of the selected genes to the level of RNA expression of the selected genes in a reference sample comprising RNA expression products from normal healthy skin cells; (d) diagnosing the subject as suffering from AD when specific genes are up-regulated compared to the reference sample and when specific genes are down-regulated compared to the reference sample; and (e) treating the subject with a therapy effective for the treatment of AD. Methods of managing treatment of a subject suffering from AD are also provided.

Abstract: An optical sensor for monitoring an environmental condition, the optical sensor comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane comprising a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component, wherein exposure of the optical sensor to a specific environmental condition produces a color shift on the optical sensor.

Abstract: Methods for preserving catalytic activity of a PSA polymer membrane in a humid environment by immobilizing in the membrane an organic acid having a pKa greater than the pKa of the PSA polymer membrane; optical sensors based on the PSA membranes further including an immobilized organic reagent capable of reacting with a target compound in a humid environment to produce a detectable color shifted product; and non-invasive methods for estimating blood glucose concentration by utilizing an optical sensor to detect concentration of acetone in exhaled human breath and correlating it to blood glucose concentration.