Abstract: The invention provides a coverslip for automated decoverslipping of a tissue bearing slide comprising a horizontal base portion having a length, width, and height, at least two side wall portions extending downward from opposite sides of the base portion each having a length and width and h; and wherein the total wall volume to base volume ratio is greater than or equal to approximately 0.025.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to dry solid matrices for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of nucleic acids, particularly RNA, in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the nucleic acids stored in the dry solid matrix are also described.

Abstract: A solid matrix for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of nucleic acids is provided. At least one protein denaturant, and at least one acid or acid-titrated buffer reagent are impregnated in a dry state therein the matrix; and the matrix is configured to provide an acidic pH on hydration. The matrix is configured to extract nucleic acids from a sample and stabilize the extracted nucleic acids, particularly RNA, in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the nucleic acids stored in the dry solid matrix are also described.

Abstract: A solid substrate for biological sample storage under dry-state and elution of biomolecules is provided. The dry, solid substrate is coated with saccharides, such as monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides or combinations thereof, and the substrate is comprised of one or more protein denaturing agents impregnated therein under a substantially dry state. A method for elution of biomolecules from biological samples is also provided. The compositions disclosed herein provide for enhanced elution and recovery of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, from the sample. The sample is disposed on a substrate, dried to a substantially dry state; eluted from the biological sample dried on the substrate by rehydrating the substrate in an elution buffer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to dry solid matrices for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of nucleic acids, particularly RNA, in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the nucleic acids stored in the dry solid matrix are also described.

Abstract: A solid matrix for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of nucleic acids is provided. At least one protein denaturant, and at least one acid or acid-titrated buffer reagent are impregnated in a dry state therein the matrix; and the matrix is configured to provide an acidic pH on hydration. The matrix is configured to extract nucleic acids from a sample and stabilize the extracted nucleic acids, particularly RNA, in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the nucleic acids stored in the dry solid matrix are also described.

Abstract: A nanoparticle composition is provided, wherein the composition comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxide; and a phosphorylated polyol comprising at least two phosphate groups. The polyol comprises one or more hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of polyethylene ether moieties, polypropylene ether moieties, polybutylene ether moieties, and combinations of two or more of the foregoing hydrophilic moieties. A method of making the nanoparticle composition is also provided. The nanoparticle compositions provided by the present invention may be used as contrast agents in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A diagnostic agent composition is provided which comprises a nanoparticle composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The nanoparticle composition comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxide and a phosphorylated polyol, wherein the phosphorylated polyol comprises at least two phosphate groups and one or more hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of polyethylene ether moieties, polypropylene ether moieties, polybutylene ether moieties, and combinations of two or more of the foregoing hydrophilic moieties. The disclosure provides detailed guidance on methods of making and using such diagnostic agent compositions. The diagnostic agent compositions provided by the present invention are useful as contrast agents for medical diagnostic imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and X-ray imaging. The diagnostic agent composition may be administered to a subject via a variety of techniques, among them injection, inhalation, and ingestion.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core, having a core surface essentially free of silica, and a shell attached to the core surface. The shell comprises at least one silane-functionalized zwitterionic moiety.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a nanoparticle preparation at a high temperature is provided. A plurality of nanoparticles are purified to form the preparation, wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least a core and a shell and the shell comprises one or more ligand species attached to the core. The nanoparticle preparation is made by a purified nanoparticle composition, a carrier fluid and an excess of the one or more ligand species not attached to the core. The ligand species attached to the core and the excess ligand species added after purification are structurally identical. The nanoparticle preparation provided by the present invention may be used as contrast agents in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A solid matrix for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of nucleic acids is provided. At least one protein denaturant, and at least one acid or acid-titrated buffer reagent are impregnated in a dry state therein the matrix; and the matrix is configured to provide an acidic pH on hydration. The matrix is configured to extract nucleic acids from a sample and stabilize the extracted nucleic acids, particularly RNA, in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the nucleic acids stored in the dry solid matrix are also described.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core, having a core surface essentially free of silica, and a shell attached to the core surface. The shell comprises at least one silane-functionalized zwitterionic moiety.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to dry solid matrices for the extraction, stabilization, and storage of nucleic acids, particularly RNA, in a dry format under ambient conditions for a prolonged period of time. Methods for collecting and recovering the nucleic acids stored in the dry solid matrix are also described.

Abstract: The present application discloses nanoparticles, particularly nanoparticles of superparamagnetic iron oxide, which find utility in iron therapy and diagnostic imaging such as magnetic resonance (MR). The disclosed nanoparticles have been treated with an ?-hydroxyphosphonic acid conjugate containing polyethylene glycol as a hydrophilic moiety to render the nanoparticles sufficiently hydrophilic to find utility in diagnostic imaging. Among the modified hydrophilic nanoparticles disclosed are those in which the hydrophilic moieties of the modifying conjugate are polyethylene oxide-based polymers and have a molecular weight greater than 5,000 dalton and less than or equal to about 30,000 daltons. Surprisingly, these nanoparticles have a more rapid and complete processing in liver of retained nanoparticles when compared to similar nanoparticles in which the PEG-based hydrophilic moiety has a molecular weight less than 5,000.

Abstract: A diagnostic agent composition is provided which comprises a nanoparticle composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The nanoparticle composition comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxide and a phosphorylated polyol, wherein the phosphorylated polyol comprises at least two phosphate groups and one or more hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of polyethylene ether moieties, polypropylene ether moieties, polybutylene ether moieties, and combinations of two or more of the foregoing hydrophilic moieties. The disclosure provides detailed guidance on methods of making and using such diagnostic agent compositions. The diagnostic agent compositions provided by the present invention are useful as contrast agents for medical diagnostic imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and X-ray imaging. The diagnostic agent composition may be administered to a subject via a variety of techniques, among them injection, inhalation, and ingestion.

Abstract: A nanoparticle composition is provided, wherein the composition comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxide; and a phosphorylated polyol comprising at least two phosphate groups. The polyol comprises one or more hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of polyethylene ether moieties, polypropylene ether moieties, polybutylene ether moieties, and combinations of two or more of the foregoing hydrophilic moieties. A method of making the nanoparticle composition is also provided. The nanoparticle compositions provided by the present invention may be used as contrast agents in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: The present application discloses treating water insoluble nanoparticles, particularly nanoparticles of metals and metal compounds which find utility in diagnostic imaging such as MR and X-ray imaging, with an alpha-hydroxyphosphonic acid conjugate with a hydrophilic moiety to render the nanoparticles sufficiently hydrophilic to find utility in diagnostic imaging. Among the modified hydrophilic nanoparticles disclosed are those in which the hydrophilic moieties of the modifying conjugate are ethylene oxide based polymers and copolymers and zwitterions and the nanoparticles are composed of transition metal oxides such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and tantalum oxide. Disclosed are nanoparticles which are sufficiently hydrophilic to form stable aqueous colloidal suspensions. Also disclosed is diagnostic imaging such as MR and X-ray using the modified hydrophilic nanoparticles as contrast agents.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one net positively charged group and at least one net negatively charged group, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core and a shell. The shell comprises a plurality of silane moieties; at least one silane moiety of the plurality is functionalized with a net positively charged group and at least one silane moiety of the plurality is functionalized with a net negatively charged group.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one net positively charged group and at least one net negatively charged group, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core and a shell. The shell comprises a plurality of silane moieties; at least one silane moiety of the plurality is functionalized with a net positively charged group and at least one silane moiety of the plurality is functionalized with a net negatively charged group.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one net positively charged group and at least one net negatively charged group, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core and a shell. The shell comprises a plurality of silane moieties; at least one silane moiety of the plurality is functionalized with a net positively charged group and at least one silane moiety of the plurality is functionalized with a net negatively charged group.