Abstract: Various cells, stem cells, and stem cell components, including associated methods of generating and using such cells are provided. In one aspect, for example, an isolated cell that is capable of self-renewal and culture expansion and is obtained from a subepithelial layer of a mammalian umbilical cord tissue. Such an isolated cell expresses at least three cell markers selected from CD29, CD73, CD90, CD166, SSEA4, CD9, CD44, CD146, or CD105, and does not express at least three cell markers selected from CD45, CD34, CD14, CD79, CD106, CD86, CD80, CD19, CD117, Stro-1, or HLA-DR.

Abstract: Various cells, stem cells, and stem cell components, including associated methods of generating and using such cells are provided. In one aspect, for example, an isolated cell that is capable of self-renewal and culture expansion and is obtained from a subepithelial layer of a mammalian umbilical cord tissue. Such an isolated cell expresses at least three cell markers selected from CD29, CD73, CD90, CD166, SSEA4, CD9, CD44, CD146, or CD105, and does not express at least three cell markers selected from CD45, CD34, CD14, CD79, CD106, CD86, CD80, CD19, CD117, Stro-1, or HLA-DR.

Abstract: Various cells, stem cells, and stem cell components, including associated methods of generating and using such cells are provided. In one aspect, for example, an isolated cell that is capable of self-renewal and culture expansion and is obtained from a subepithelial layer of a mammalian umbilical cord tissue. Such an isolated cell expresses at least three cell markers selected from CD29, CD73, CD90, CD166, SSEA4, CD9, CD44, CD146, or CD105, and does not express at least three cell markers selected from CD45, CD34, CD14, CD79, CD106, CD86, CD80, CD19, CD117, Stro-1, or HLA-DR.

Abstract: Improved electrical and thermal properties of solder alloys are achieved by the use of micro-additives in solder alloys to engineer the electrical and thermal properties of the solder alloys and the properties of the reaction layers between the solder and the metal surfaces. The electrical and thermal conductivity of alloys and that of the reaction layers between the solder and the -metal surfaces can be controlled over a wide range of temperatures. The solder alloys produce stable microstructures wherein such stable microstructures of these alloys do not exhibit significant changes when exposed to changes in temperature, compared to traditional interconnect materials.

Abstract: A biopsy needle guide comprises a base, a flexible strap, a bracket, a needle guide bracket, and several locking mechanisms. The base has a first locking mechanism and a concave inner surface that conforms with an ultrasound probe. The flexible strap has a first end coupled to the base and a second free end coupled to the base with the first locking mechanism. The bracket is slidably disposed in a slotted region in the base. The needle guide bracket is configured to receive a biopsy needle guide and the needle guide bracket is slidably disposed in a slotted region in the bracket. Other locking mechanisms permit or prevent movement of the bracket relative to the base as well as movement of the needle guide bracket relative to the bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed are treatment methods, protocols, and compositions of matter useful for treatment of kidney failure. The invention discloses, in one embodiment, administration of immune cells that have been reprogrammed by co-culture with regenerative cells. In one embodiment said regenerative cells are umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells and said immune cells are peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In one embodiment cells are cultured together in the presence of interleukin 2 and/or an mTOR inhibitor. In one embodiment said cells are cultured together in the presence of an anti-CD3 and/or anti-CD28 antibody.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of ameliorating, inhibition, and/or reversing diabetes utilizing immune cells that have been reprogrammed ex vivo by contact with regenerative cells. In one embodiment said reprogrammed immune cells comprise peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from the patient in need of treatment wherein said cells are endowed with properties of immune modulation, and/or suppression of inflammation, and/or restoration of insulin sensitivity, and/or pancreatic regeneration. In one embodiment regenerative cells used for reprogramming are mesenchymal stem cells. In one particular embodiment said cells are umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells. Culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells together with said regenerative cells is performed in the presence of interleukin-2 and/or an mTOR inhibitor. In one embodiment said mTOR inhibitor comprises rapamycin and/or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, means and compositions of matter useful for treatment of heart failure, and/or post infarct pathological remodeling using ex vivo reprogrammed immune cells. In one embodiment, cells of the recipient (autologous) are cocultured with a regenerative cell population alone or in the presence of one or more adjuvants. Said adjuvants enhance transfer of regenerative activity from said mesenchymal stem cells to said immune cells. In one embodiment said ex vivo reprogrammed immune cells are capable of inducing death or inactivation of cardiac fibrotic cells. In other embodiments, said immune cells provide antifibrotic activity to induce suppression of cardiac fibrosis. In other embodiments, said immune cells provide for growth factors to enhance cardiac regeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, means and compositions of matter useful for treatment of liver failure using ex vivo reprogrammed immune cells. In one embodiment, cells of the recipient (autologous) are cocultured with a regenerative cell population alone or in the presence of one or more adjuvants. Said adjuvants enhance transfer of regenerative activity from said mesenchymal stem cells to said immune cells. In one embodiment said ex vivo reprogrammed immune cells are capable of inducing death or inactivation of hepatic stellate cells. In other embodiments, said immune cells provide antifibrotic activity to induce suppression of liver cirrhosis. In other embodiments, said immune cells provide for growth factors to enhance hepatic regeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed are means, methods and compositions of matter useful for inhibiting, in an antigen-specific manner, immunity towards an autoantigen or alloantigen. In one embodiment of the invention, regenerative cells are cultured ex vivo together with immune cells from a mammal suffering from an autoimmune condition. Autoantigens or alloantigens are added in the culture of regenerative cells and cells from an autoimmune disease suffering individual in a manner so that said regenerative cells can endow onto said immune cells of said patient suffering from autoimmunity a state of antigen specific infectious tolerance. In one embodiment, said infectious tolerance involves T regulatory cells inducing conversion of dendritic cells to tolerogeneic dendritic cells, and furthermore in other embodiments administration of tolerogenic dendritic cells induces T regulatory cells.

Abstract: A particulate lyophilized platelet lysate composition suitable for use as a cell culture medium can include growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines released from lysis of source platelets, wherein cellular debris from the source platelets is removed (partially or fully) by filtration. The growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines are lyophilized to form a particulate lyophilized platelet lysate composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a kit for evaluating system inertness. The kit includes a positive control comprising a metal interacting moiety, and a negative control that does not contain a metal interacting moiety. In some embodiments the kit also includes a container to hold a system suitability solution (e.g., an equimolar mixture of the positive control and the negative control).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of characterizing a system containing a chromatographic column. The methods can include introducing a sample comprising a positive control and a negative control to the system containing a chromatographic column, wherein the positive control is a sensitive probe that interacts with the system and the negative control is substantially non-interacting with the system; after passing the sample through the chromatographic column, detecting the positive control and the negative control; and determining system suitability by comparing the amount of detected positive control to negative control. In some embodiments, determining system suitability (e.g., inertness of sample to the system) is accomplished by determining a ratio of detected positive control to negative control.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for evaluating system inertness, such as the inertness of a LC or other fluidic system. Some methods are directed to tests wherein the column has been removed prior to injecting a sample including a positive (e.g., metal reacting moiety) control into the system. Some methods can include: (1) repeatedly injecting the sample into a system, the system comprising: fluidic paths wherein interior surfaces of the fluidic paths define wetted surfaces, and wherein at least a portion of the wetted surfaces of the fluidic flow path are coated with an inert coating, wherein the inert coating is inert to at least one analyte in the sample; (2) detecting a value associated with the positive control; and (3) analyzing values associated with the detected positive control to determine system inertness.

Abstract: Various cells, stem cells, and stem cell components, including associated methods of generating and using such cells are provided. In one aspect, for example, an isolated cell that is capable of self-renewal and culture expansion and is obtained from a subepithelial layer of a mammalian umbilical cord tissue. Such an isolated cell expresses at least three cell markers selected from CD29, CD73, CD90, CD166, SSEA4, CD9, CD44, CD146, or CD105, and does not express at least three cell markers selected from CD45, CD34, CD14, CD79, CD106, CD86, CD80, CD19, CD117, Stro-1, or HLA-DR.

Abstract: A technology is provided for conflict resolution in a data proxy for a mutation. A mutation may be received at a data proxy from an application, and the data proxy is in a service provider environment. The mutation may be sent to be processed by a data store via a data access resolver. A conflict message may be received at the data proxy via the data access resolver for a conflict mutation at the data store for the mutation. The conflict may be resolved at the data proxy using a conflict resolution function in the data proxy.

Abstract: Streamlined and integrated patient care and health information management systems and methods for reducing the need for costly, near constant patient monitoring by providing system components that allow healthcare professionals to view the most important data for a number of patients in varying physical locations in a seamless manner are disclosed. Various components of the system can be used to monitor patients; measure, record, and track vital signs; and coordinate patient care in an automated fashion. Patients that have a achieved a relatively stable condition during a recovery process, but who still require or would benefit from near constant, or frequent vital sign monitoring can be provided with one or more body worn vital sign sensors. These patient worn sensors can track vital sign and other information about patients, including patient movement, activity, and sleep patterns.

Abstract: A technology is provided for synchronizing data with delayed subscriptions. A request may be received at a data proxy for a data snapshot for an application that has been offline at the client. A subscription may be held for a pre-determined amount of time after the request for the snapshot. The data snapshot may be sent to the client. The data for the subscription may be sent after the pre-determined amount of time.

Abstract: Streamlined and integrated patient care and health information management systems and methods for reducing the need for costly, near constant patient monitoring by providing system components that allow healthcare professionals to view the most important data for a number of patients in varying physical locations in a seamless manner are disclosed. Various components of the system can be used to monitor patients; measure, record, and track vital signs; and coordinate patient care in an automated fashion. Patients that have a achieved a relatively stable condition during a recovery process, but who still require or would benefit from near constant, or frequent vital sign monitoring can be provided with one or more body worn vital sign sensors. These patient worn sensors can track vital sign and other information about patients, including patient movement, activity, and sleep patterns.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to compositions and methods of making and using lyophilized platelet lysates. Specifically, a method of preparing a composition suitable for therapeutic use or as a culture medium can comprise steps of concentrating platelets from a platelet source to form a platelet rich portion of the platelet source, and lysing the platelets in the platelet rich portion to form a plurality of lysates. An additional step includes lyophilizing the lysates to form lyophilized platelet lysates in a composition with released concentrations of available growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. In one example, at 30%, by platelet count, of platelets from a platelet source can be lysed using this process.