Abstract: A cushioning apparatus for a railway car employs a shortened yoke having a draft gear housing integral with the yoke. A stack elastomeric pads is provided in the housing, and a second stack of elastomeric pads and corresponding rigid metal plates, is positioned in the sill behind the modified yoke to absorb buff loads on the coupler. In embodiments, the entire assembly may be placed in a sill having forward stops, intermediate stops, and rear stops.

Abstract: A guide wire control device and methods of use are described herein. A novel method for optimizing a guide wire for a patient is described. The method includes steps of scanning a patient's anatomy and then fabricating, or selecting, a guide wire with optimal geometry for a particular patient and/or procedure. The guide wire may optionally be secured to a guide wire control device for improved control during transcatheter surgical procedures.

Abstract: Provided herein are several methods for selecting agents that bind to transmembrane receptors in a conformationally-selective way. In some embodiments, the method may comprise producing: a transmembrane receptor in an active conformation; and said transmembrane receptor in an inactive conformation and using cell sorting to select, from a population of cells comprising a library of cell surface-tethered extracellular capture agents, cells that are specifically bound to either the transmembrane receptor in its active conformation or the transmembrane receptor in its inactive conformation, but not both. In other embodiments, the method may comprise: contacting a GPCR with a population of cells that comprise a library of surface-tethered extracellular proteins; labeling the cell population with a conformationally-specific binding agent, e.g., a G-protein or mimetic thereof; and using cell sorting to select from the cell population cells that bind to the agent.

Abstract: A transcatheter delivery device having a sheath control wire and methods of use are described herein. A novel method for optimizing the angle between a capsule having a prosthetic heart and the catheter sheath is described. The catheter sheath contains a sheath wire in connection with an actuator of a delivery device. The sheath wire has a straight section and an angled section which cause the catheter sheath to bend at a flexible section.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inducing phagocytosis of a target cell, treating an individual having cancer, treating an individual having an intracellular pathogen infection (e.g., a chronic infection), and/or reducing the number of inflicted cells (e.g., cancer cells, cells infected with an intracellular pathogen, etc.) in an individual. Methods and compositions are also provided for predicting whether an individual is resistant (or susceptible) to treatment with an anti-CD47/SIRPA agent. In some cases, the subject methods and compositions include an anti-MHC Class I/LILRB1 agent. In some cases, the subject methods and compositions include an anti-MHC Class I/LILRB1 agent and an anti-CD47/SIRPA agent (e.g., co-administration of an anti-MHC Class I/LILRB1 agent and an anti-CD47/SIRPA agent). Kits are also provided for practicing the methods of the disclosure.

Abstract: A guide wire control device and methods of use are described herein. A novel method for optimizing a guide wire for a patient is described. The method includes steps of scanning a patient's anatomy and then fabricating, or selecting, a guide wire with optimal geometry for a particular patient and/or procedure. The guide wire may optionally be secured to a guide wire control device for improved control during transcatheter surgical procedures.

Abstract: Cell loss by apoptosis is a common feature in certain conditions, including cancer. Dying tumor cells induce immune tolerance within the tumor microenvironment largely through highly conserved homeostatic clearance programs that are designed to restore tissue homeostasis and contribute to the formation of an immunosuppressive niche. The translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) on cellular membranes, during the initial phases of apoptosis, functions as a recognition and removal signal that limits the immunogenicity of cell death. To remove inhibitory signals in the homeostatic clearance pathway a fusion protein comprising a phosphatidylserine binding domain and an immunostimulatory domain can restore immune responses to dead tumor cells in antigen cross presentation assays and promotes recruitment and retention of tumor antigen specific immune effector cells into tumors.

Abstract: High affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptides are provided, which (i) comprise at least one amino acid change relative to a wild-type PD-1 protein; and (ii) have an increased affinity for PD-L1 relative to the wild-type protein. Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of immune cells in a mammal by administering a therapeutic dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a high affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptide, which blocks the physiological binding interaction between PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 and/or PD-L2.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inducing phagocytosis of a target cell, treating an individual having cancer, treating an individual having an intracellular pathogen infection (e.g., a chronic infection), and/or reducing the number of inflicted cells (e.g., cancer cells, cells infected with an intracellular pathogen, etc.) in an individual. Methods and compositions are also provided for predicting whether an individual is resistant (or susceptible) to treatment with an anti-CD47/SIRPA agent. In some cases, the subject methods and compositions include an anti-MHC Class I/LILRB1 agent. In some cases, the subject methods and compositions include an anti-MHC Class I/LILRB1 agent and an anti-CD47/SIRPA agent (e.g., co-administration of an anti-MHC Class I/LILRB1 agent and an anti-CD47/SIRPA agent). Kits are also provided for practicing the methods of the disclosure.

Abstract: A selective cushioning apparatus for a railway car comprises an E-Type yoke having a stack of elastomeric units assembled in the interior space in the yoke absorbing draft and buff loads applied to a coupler of a railway car. The yoke is provided with butt support protruding from the top wall of the yoke to prevent the coupler from drooping after prolonged use.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for displaying a protein of interest (POI) on the surface of a eukaryotic cell by fusing the POI to a signal polypeptide, a stalk polypeptide, and a surface anchor polypeptide to generate a surface accessible fusion protein. Nucleic acids are provided that include nucleotide sequences encoding a signal polypeptide, a stalk polypeptide, and a surface anchor polypeptide. In some cases, a subject nucleic acid includes and insertion site for the insertion of a POI. In some cases, a subject nucleic acid includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes a POI. In some cases a stalk polypeptide is a synthetic stalk polypeptide and various example synthetic stalk polypeptides are disclosed. In some cases, a surface anchor polypeptide is a glycosylphosphatidylinisotol (GPI) anchor domain, which can be synthetic. Kits are also provided for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: High affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptides are provided, which (i) comprise at least one amino acid change relative to a wild-type PD-1 protein; and (ii) have an increased affinity for PD-L1 relative to the wild-type protein. Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of immune cells in a mammal by administering a therapeutic dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a high affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptide, which blocks the physiological binding interaction between PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 and/or PD-L2.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether to accelerate the funding of a financial item presented by a holder of the item for payment. A first risk range value is calculated according to stored transaction history data associated with at least one attribute of the presented financial item and a second risk range value is calculated if the transaction does not meet the criteria of the calculated first risk range value.

Abstract: Anti-SIRP? antibodies, including multi-specific anti-SIRP? antibodies, are provided, as are related compositions and methods. The antibodies of the disclosure bind to SIRP? and can block the interaction of CD47 on one cell with SIRP? on a phagocytic cell. Antibodies that are bispecific for SIRP? and a second antigen are termed Bi-specific Macrophage Enhancing (BiME) antibodies and have emergent properties. The subject anti-SIRP? antibodies find use in various therapeutic methods. Embodiments of the disclosure include isolated antibodies and derivatives and fragments thereof, pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more of the anti-SIRP? antibodies; and cell lines that produce the antibodies. Also provided are amino acid sequences of exemplary anti-SIRP? antibodies.

Abstract: Provided herein are SIRP-gamma, SIRP-beta or SIRP-beta2 decoy polypeptides for immunotherapy and/or treatment of cancer, anemia, transplant, asthma, allergy, auto-immune disease, and viral infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are SIRP-gamma, SIRP-beta or SIRP-beta2 decoy polypeptides for immunotherapy and/or treatment of cancer, anemia, transplant, asthma, allergy, auto-immune disease, and viral infection.

Abstract: Anti-SIRP? antibodies, including multi-specific anti-SIRP? antibodies, are provided, as are related compositions and methods. The antibodies of the disclosure bind to SIRP? and can block the interaction of CD47 on one cell with SIRP? on a phagocytic cell. The subject anti-SIRP? antibodies find use in various therapeutic methods. Embodiments of the disclosure include isolated antibodies and derivatives and fragments thereof, pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more of the anti-SIRP? antibodies; and cell lines that produce the antibodies. Also provided are amino acid sequences of exemplary anti-SIRP? antibodies.

Abstract: A cushioning apparatus for a railway car employs a shortened yoke with a reduced-width tail for placement between stops in a conventional railway car sill. A first stack of rigid plates with elastomeric pads is provided between the straps of the modified yoke behind the coupler follower, and a second stack of plates and elastomeric pads is positioned in the sill behind the modified yoke to absorb buff loads on the coupler. In embodiments, the entire assembly may be placed in a sill having forward stops, intermediate stops, and rear stops, adapted to house a hydraulic cushioning unit.