Abstract: Automated bag forming systems and methods for their use are disclosed. The automated bag forming systems described herein can be configured to receive a web of bag material and produce individual bags through a sealing and cutting process possessing a high degree of speed, precision, and reproducibility.

Abstract: Automated bag forming systems and methods for their use are disclosed. The automated bag forming systems described herein can be configured to receive a web of bag material and produce individual bags through a sealing and cutting process possessing a high degree of speed, precision, and reproducibility.

Abstract: A method for treating an individual at risk for a complement-associated disorder is provided, the method including: (a) obtaining a sample of a body fluid from the individual; (b) measuring a complement activation level in the sample via a point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay; (c) correlating the complement activation level in the sample to a risk of a complement-associated disorder by comparing the complement activation level in the sample to a reference level in a control, wherein a deviation in complement activation level in the sample compared to the reference level in the control indicates the individual is at risk for a complement-associated disorder; (d) selecting a treatment for the individual, based on the correlating of step (c); and (e) treating the individual with the treatment selected in accordance with step (d).

Abstract: New systems and methods for printing extruded materials using a 3-D printer are described. The printing can occur at higher speeds and still maintain the quality found at lower printing speeds. This is achieved by adjusting for the theoretical resistance to flow within the print head.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating one or more phenotypes of a macrophage-related cell, e.g., a macrophage. The invention further provides methods of treating disease by modulating macrophage phenotype. Representative phenotypes include pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, immunogenic, tolerogenic, tissue-destructive, tissue restorative, cytotoxic, migratory, bone-resorbing, pro-angiogenic, anti-angiogenic, suppressor, antigen presentation, or phagocytic. Representative diseases include atherosclerosis, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Abstract: A method for regenerating deactivated acidic ionic liquid is described. The method involves reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction to form a deactivated acidic ionic liquid having a reduced level of free hydrochloric acid; and regenerating the deactivated acidic ionic liquid having the reduced level of free hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A method for regenerating deactivated acidic ionic liquid is described. The method involves reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction to form a deactivated acidic ionic liquid having a reduced level of free hydrochloric acid; and regenerating the deactivated acidic ionic liquid having the reduced level of free hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assessing complement activation and methods for assessing the ability of an agent or condition of interest to modulate complement activation. The present invention provides methods for assessing whether a subject has or is at increased risk of developing a complement-mediated disorder, e.g., age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Also provided are kits containing materials useful for performing the methods.

Abstract: Methods of detecting complement activation including steps of detecting in a sample from a subject a level of iC3b wherein the detecting involves specific interaction between the iC3b and a non-cross-reactive antibody thereto, comparing the detected level with a reference level, which reference level is within a range of about 10 ng/ml to about 5,000 ng/ml, wherein determination that the detected level is above the reference level indicates that the subject is suffering from or susceptible to undesirable and/or pathologic complement activation, and administering treatment to treat undesired complement activation if the detected level is above the reference level. Other methods of detecting complement activation with or without measuring iC3b are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assessing complement activation and methods for assessing the ability of an agent or condition of interest to modulate complement activation. The present invention provides methods for assessing whether a subject has or is at increased risk of developing a complement-mediated disorder, e.g., age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Also provided are kits containing materials useful for performing the methods.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides composition, methods, and articles of manufacture for treating an eye disorder, e.g., a disorder characterized by macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, or retinal neovascularization. One method of the invention comprises the step of: administering first and second therapeutic agents to the subject's eye in a single procedure, wherein the first therapeutic agent provides rapid improvement in the condition of the subject's eye and the second therapeutic agent is administered as a sustained release formulation of the second therapeutic agent. For example, the first and second therapeutic agents are administered by intravitreal injection. The first therapeutic agent may be dissolved in a liquid medium located in the syringe and the sustained formulation of the second therapeutic agent may comprise an ocular implant or plurality of particles located in the needle.

Abstract: A method for treating an individual at risk for a complement-associated disorder is provided, the method including: (a) obtaining a sample of a body fluid from the individual; (b) measuring a complement activation level in the sample via a point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay; (c) correlating the complement activation level in the sample to a risk of a complement-associated disorder by comparing the complement activation level in the sample to a reference level in a control, wherein a deviation in complement activation level in the sample compared to the reference level in the control indicates the individual is at risk for a complement-associated disorder; (d) selecting a treatment for the individual, based on the correlating of step (c); and (e) treating the individual with the treatment selected in accordance with step (d).

Abstract: A method for treating an individual at risk for a complement-associated disorder is provided, including: (a) obtaining a sample of a body fluid from the individual; (b) measuring a complement activation level in the sample via a point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay; (c) correlating the complement activation level in the sample to a risk of a complement-associated disorder by comparing the complement activation level in the sample to a reference level in a control, wherein a deviation in complement activation level in the sample compared to the reference level in the control indicates the individual is at risk for a complement-associated disorder; (d) selecting a treatment for the individual, based on the correlating of step (c); and (e) treating the individual with the treatment selected in accordance with step (d). Lateral flow immunoassays and a method of monitoring an individual suffering from a complement-associated disorder are also provided herein.

Abstract: Methods of detecting complement activation including steps of detecting in a sample from a subject a level of iC3b wherein the detecting involves specific interaction between the iC3b and a non-cross-reactive antibody thereto, comparing the detected level with a reference level, which reference level is within a range of about 10 ng/ml to about 5,000 ng/ml, wherein determination that the detected level is above the reference level indicates that the subject is suffering from or susceptible to undesirable and/or pathologic complement activation, and administering treatment to treat undesired complement activation if the detected level is above the reference level. Other methods of detecting complement activation with or without measuring iC3b are also provided.

Abstract: A process in which the viscosity of an ionic liquid catalyst used in a continuous reaction is measured in order to determine the amount of conjunct polymer associated with the ionic liquid catalyst. The viscosity may be used to control: an amount of spent ionic liquid catalyst passed back to the reaction zone; an amount of spent ionic liquid catalyst passed to a regeneration zone; an amount of spent ionic liquid catalyst removed from the continuous reaction process; an amount of fresh ionic liquid catalyst passed to the reaction zone; an amount of regenerated ionic liquid catalyst passed to the reaction zone; or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating one or more phenotypes of a macrophage-related cell, e.g., a macrophage. The invention further provides methods of treating disease by modulating macrophage phenotype. Representative phenotypes include pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, immunogenic, tolerogenic, tissue-destructive, tissue restorative, cytotoxic, migratory, bone-resorbing, pro-angiogenic, anti-angiogenic, suppressor, antigen presentation, or phagocytic. Representative diseases include atherosclerosis, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Methods of detecting complement activation including steps of detecting in a sample from a subject a level of iC3b wherein the detecting involves specific interaction between the iC3b and a non-cross-reactive antibody thereto, comparing the detected level with a reference level, which reference level is within a range of about 10 ng/ml to about 5,000 ng/ml, wherein determination that the detected level is above the reference level indicates that the subject is suffering from or susceptible to undesirable and/or pathologic complement activation, and administering treatment to treat undesired complement activation if the detected level is above the reference level. Other methods of detecting complement activation with or without measuring iC3b are also provided.