Abstract: Systems and methods for determining effectiveness of semaglutide for a patient. One embodiment is a system for analyzing dosage effectiveness. The system is configured to receive health data for a population of patients, extract metrics for sex, sleep apnea, hypertension, and prescription history from the health data, and train a predictive model based on the metrics. The system is configured to identify a patient and a semaglutide dosage, and operate the predictive model to predict a likelihood of the semaglutide dosage accomplishing a selected amount of weight loss for the patient during a time period. In an event the likelihood is below a threshold, the system is configured to recommend that the dosage not be prescribed to the patient. In an event the likelihood is above the threshold, the system is configured to recommend that the dosage be prescribed to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and techniques for combinable gift card components during a checkout process in a retail environment. A gift card can include a first gift card component of a first type, the first gift card component including a first identifier (e.g., barcode), and a second gift card component of a second type that can be different from the first type and separate from the first gift card component, having a second identifier. The first and second identifiers can be scanned and used to associate the first gift card component with the second gift card component. The second gift card component can be an envelope or sleeve that can be a similar size and/or a similar shape as the first gift card component. The second gift card component can permanently attach to the first gift card component during the checkout process to form the gift card.

Abstract: The disclosed techniques provide for purchasing a decoupled gift card. Operations can include: receiving, from a point of sale (POS) terminal, user input to purchase a decoupled gift card, presenting, in a user interface (UI) at the POS terminal, instructions to scan a first identifier associated with a first gift card component, receiving, from a scanning device, the scanned first identifier, presenting second instructions to assemble the first gift card component with a second gift card component to create the decoupled gift card and scan a second identifier associated with the second gift card component, receiving the scanned second identifier, transmitting, to a backend system, the scanned first and second identifiers to determine whether the first and second gift card components are pre-authorized to create the decoupled gift card, receiving, from the backend system, information indicating the components are pre-authorized, and completing the purchase of the decoupled gift card.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting medication research. In an embodiment, an apparatus executes an algorithm to receive a request regarding a medication, obtain Electronic Health Record (EHR) data for a population of patients prescribed the medication within a target time period, perform electronic data processing on the EHR data for the population of the patients based on cohort criteria specified in the request to identify a cohort of the patients from the population, compile the EHR data for the cohort, and provide a report regarding the medication based on the compiled EHR data.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for inhibiting functions associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). The methods and compositions may involve the use of pan-variant specific aptamers for binding to VEGF-A, and preventing or reducing association of VEGF-A with Flt-1, KDR, or Nrp-1. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to receptor binding face of VEGF-A. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a receptor binding domain of VEGF-A. The application further provides anti-VEGF-A aptamers for the treatment of ocular diseases or disorders. In some cases, the anti-VEGF-A aptamers may have a stem-loop secondary structure.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for inhibiting functions associated with Interleukin-8 (IL8). The methods and compositions may involve the use of aptamers for binding to IL8 and preventing or reducing association of IL8 with CXCR1, CXCR2, or both. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to an N-terminal domain of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a hydrophobic pocket of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to an N-loop of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a GAG binding site of IL8. The application further provides anti-IL8 aptamers for the treatment of ocular diseases or disorders. In some cases, the anti-IL8 aptamers may have a stem-loop secondary structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and techniques for combinable gift card components during a checkout process in a retail environment. A gift card can include a first gift card component of a first type, the first gift card component including a first identifier (e.g., barcode), and a second gift card component of a second type that can be different from the first type and separate from the first gift card component, having a second identifier. The first and second identifiers can be scanned and used to associate the first gift card component with the second gift card component. The second gift card component can be an envelope or sleeve that can be a similar size and/or a similar shape as the first gift card component. The second gift card component can permanently attach to the first gift card component during the checkout process to form the gift card.

Abstract: Disclosed combinable gift card components for a gift card purchase. A gift card can include a card component having a front surface, a back surface, a window, and a first identifier, and a secure insert component having: a secure insert portion with a second identifier, teeth at a leading edge of the secure insert component to mate with corresponding teeth of a middle layer of the card component for fixed alignment of the secure insert component inside the card component, an adhesive-resistant covering that can fold over the secure insert portion to hide the second identifier before the secure insert component is inserted into the card component, and a tab affixed to an end of the adhesive-resistant covering that can be pulled to cause the adhesive-resistant covering to unfold out from inside the card component to reveal the second identifier through the window.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and techniques for combinable gift card components during a checkout process in a retail environment. A gift card can include a first gift card component of a first type, the first gift card component including a first identifier (e.g., barcode), and a second gift card component of a second type that can be different from the first type and separate from the first gift card component, having a second identifier. The first and second identifiers can be scanned and used to associate the first gift card component with the second gift card component. The second gift card component can be an envelope or sleeve that can be a similar size and/or a similar shape as the first gift card component. The second gift card component can permanently attach to the first gift card component during the checkout process to form the gift card.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bispecific aptamers having affinity for multiple ligands and in particular, VEGF, IL8 and Ang2, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. Methods of using some bispecific aptamers for the treatment of retinal diseases and disorders are also disclosed, as well as methods of making such bispecific aptamers and compositions.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for inhibiting functions associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). The methods and compositions may involve the use of pan-variant specific aptamers for binding to VEGF-A, and preventing or reducing association of VEGF-A with Flt-1, KDR, or Nrp-1. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to receptor binding face of VEGF-A. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a receptor binding domain of VEGF-A. The application further provides anti-VEGF-A aptamers for the treatment of ocular diseases or disorders. In some cases, the anti-VEGF-A aptamers may have a stem-loop secondary structure.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for inhibiting functions associated with Interleukin-8 (IL8). The methods and compositions may involve the use of aptamers for binding to IL8 and preventing or reducing association of IL8 with CXCR1, CXCR2, or both. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to an N-terminal domain of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a hydrophobic pocket of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to an N-loop of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a GAG binding site of IL8. The application further provides anti-IL8 aptamers for the treatment of ocular diseases or disorders. In some cases, the anti-IL8 aptamers may have a stem-loop secondary structure.

Abstract: Provided are chemically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers comprising one or more of 2?F guanylate, 2?OMe cytidylate, 2?OMe adenylate, and a deoxy pyrimidine nucleotide with a moiety on the 5 position of the pyrimidine; and methods of making the aptamers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for serum-stabilizing micelles for drug delivery or imaging agent delivery are provided, as well as methods and compositions to enhance micelle-mediated drug delivery. This invention provides a process for synthesizing a lipid micelle comprising one or more lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules, the process comprising contacting an amount of lipid molecules with an amount of lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules sufficient to create a lipid micelle comprising lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: Provided are chemically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers comprising one or more of 2?F guanylate, 2?OMe cytidylate, 2?OMe adenylate, and a deoxy pyrimidine nucleotide with a moiety on the 5 position of the pyrimidine; and methods of making the aptamers.

Abstract: A transaction card product comprising a transaction card, an account identifier, a security panel, and an activation code. The account identifier uniquely links the transaction card to a remote account having a balance value available for redemption toward one or more of goods or services. The security panel is coupled to the transaction card and substantially entirely covers the account identifier. The security panel is configured to be at least partially removed from a remainder of the transaction card product to permit access to the account identifier. The activation code has data therein to prompt a point-of-sale terminal to begin a transaction card activation process, the activation code having a first portion directly secured to and extending over the security panel, wherein the activation code is characterized by an absence of any data directly identifying the remote account.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.