In some aspects, methods of detecting complement activation in vivo, e.g., in an eye, are provided. In some embodiments, methods comprise detecting drusen containing or in close proximity to complement activation. In some embodiments methods comprise detecting one or more drusen having inflamed endothelium underlying or in close proximity thereto. In some embodiments methods comprise detecting eye-derived extracellular microvesicles, e.g., exosomes, in a body fluid. In some embodiments any of the methods further comprises treating a subject at risk of developing AMD, GA, or advanced AMD or at increased likelihood of rapid progression of AMD with a complement inhibitor. In some aspects, agents useful for performing one or more of the methods are described.

The present disclosure relates to prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted compounds conjugated to near-infra red (NIR) dyes and methods for their therapeutic and diagnostic use. More specifically, this disclosure provides compounds and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases associated with cells and/or vasculature expressing prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), such as prostate cancer and related diseases. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for making and using the compounds, methods incorporating the compounds, and kits incorporating the compounds.

A method and device for preferentially delivering a compound such as an antigen to the cytosol of an immune cell. The method comprises passing a cell suspension comprising the target immune cell through a microfluidic device and contacting the suspension with the compound(s) or payload to be delivered.

An example device includes an elongated body defining a lumen, the elongated body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; and one or more sensors configured to: stimulate a fluorescence response from one or more fluorescent probes released into a fluid and flowing with the fluid through the lumen; and detect the fluorescence response, wherein the fluorescence response is indicative of a composition of the fluid.

Closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems include a sealed, closed cavity enclosing a sensor and forming a closed cavity sensor assembly. The closed cavity sensor assembly may be tilted and/or translated relative to a platform in order to adjust the orientation of the sensor to align it with an imaging optical axis. Following alignment, the closed cavity sensor assembly may be permanently or reversibly fixed in place. The closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems may be part of medical imaging systems such as endoscopic imaging systems and/or open field imaging systems.

Compositions, products and devices are provided for promoting wound healing. The compositions, products and devices have a topographical complex surface.

A computer-implemented method determines a geometric feature of a section of a blood vessel in an operating region. An image of the section is provided. An adapted blood vessel model is provided via image processing for the section by adapting a blood vessel model, which describes the section as a flow channel with a wall delimiting the latter and with an axis of symmetry. A centerline of the section of the blood vessel is determined as a contiguous pixel line. A relative spatial position of the side of the wall is ascertained based on the centerline and the image provided. The geometric feature is derived from the adapted blood vessel model. The disclosure also relates to a method for determining the length of a contiguous pixel line in an image and a system for determining a geometric feature of a section of an object.

In the present invention, the development of various oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions containing an oil phase or oil core, preferably selected from vitamin E or oleic acid, stabilized by a sphingolipid of the sphingomyelin type, and optionally other lipids such as phospholipids, cholesterol, octadecylamine, DOTAP (N-[1-(2,3-Dioleoyloxy) propyl]-N, N, N-trimethylammonium methyl-sulfate), and PEGylated derivatives (derivatives with polyethylene glycol), for use as a nanotech vehicle, in particular for the management of cancer and metastatic disease, is herein described. Said nanoemulsions can be functionalized with ligands capable of interacting or binding to receptors expressed on the cell membrane of tumor cells, and in particular capable of interacting or binding to receptors expressed on the membrane of primary and/or disseminated or metastatic tumor cells. Also, antitumor drugs or therapeutic biomolecules can be encapsulated in said nanoemulsions and, finally, contrast agents can be incorporated for their use in the in vivo diagnosis in said nanoemulsions.

The instant invention provides near-infrared fluorescent biological contrast agents and methods of using them.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for allowing a target cell to emit light, in which the target cell is present inside of a cell mass and is aimed to emit light by a fluorescent probe. The present invention provides a method for allowing the target cell to emit fluorescence comprising removing calcium ions from within the cell mass or a tissue containing the target cell and contacting the cell mass or the tissue with the fluorescent probe which emits fluorescence when contacted with or taken up into the target cell, thereby allowing the target cell present inside of the cell mass or the tissue to emit light, and thus can be used in a detection of the target cell in a sample, such as a clinical sample, in which the target cell may not be present on the surface of the sample.