Abstract: Provided are vaccines, methods of making the vaccines and methods for administering the vaccines for immunotherapy of an individual bearing, or at risk for developing, solid nonlymphoid tumor. The vaccine comprises an immunotherapeutic composition and tumor-associated antigen, and may further comprise one or more of an immunomodulator or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method of immunotherapy of an individual comprises administering to the individual an amount of the vaccine effective to suppress a TH2 response, and to induce a TH1 response against solid nonlymphoid tumor, in an individual having a TH2/TH1 imbalance.

Abstract: A method for screening an individual for a pathological condition comprising a pro-tumor immune response by assaying a clinical sample, obtained from the individual, with a plurality of affinity ligands for detecting and determining an amount of mononuclear cell phenotype. The amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined in the clinical sample is then compared to a reference value for the mononuclear cell phenotype, wherein a difference in the amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined from the clinical sample as compared to the reference value comprises an indicator of the presence of a pro-tumor immune response.

Abstract: A magnetic sheet assembly for application to a device adapted for magnetic separation, the magnetic sheet assembly comprising: a magnetic sheet; a permanent, pressure sensitive adhesive; a carrier sheet; and a non-permanent pressure sensitive adhesive. Also provided is a method of mounting and removably adhering the magnetic sheet assembly to a surface of a device for magnetic separation, the method comprising the steps of aligning the magnetic sheet assembly with the surface of the device; and pressing the aligned magnetic sheet assembly in placing its non-permanent adhesive face into adhesive contact with the surface of the device.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, and optionally, for performing magnetic separation of cells desired to be cultured. The cell culture apparatus preferably comprises a frame; two membranes, preferably each being gas permeable, which are securedly sealed in a leak-proof selaing to a frame in forming a culture chamber therebetween; and at least one resealable aperture to allow substances to be introduced into, or withdrawn from, the culture chamber.

Abstract: Provided are one or more polynucleotides, and a method for inhibiting tumor progression in an individual comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the one or more polynucleotides. The one or more polynucleotides comprise FasL sense polynucleotide, or FasL antisense, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for screening for a pro-tumor immune response according to the present invention, the method comprises: contacting a clinical sample with one or more detector molecules for detecting, and then determining the amount of, mononuclear cell phenotype in the sample; and (b) comparing the amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined in the sample to a reference value for the mononuclear cell phenotype; wherein a significant difference in the amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined as compared to the reference value may be an indicator of the presence of a pro-tumor immune response. Also provided are assay kits for determining an amount of mononuclear cell phenotype in performing the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: A fluorescence cube comprising a housing; an exciter filter which allows passage of an incident light comprising a spectral range of from about 200 nanometers to about 400 nanometers; and either a beam splitter or a dichroic mirror which directs the incident light in a desired direction, and which transmits an emitted light in a desired direction. Also disclosed is a method of using the fluorescence cube for acquiring multicolor fluorescence images, the method comprising fluorescence labeling of a substrate with more than one species of water-soluble nanocrystals; and imaging the labeled substrate with a detection system comprising the fluorescence cube by exposing the labeled substrate to an incident light comprising an excitation spectral range, and detecting a transmitted light comprising an emission spectral range.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for tolerizing shed antigen-specific B cells involved in an immune complex-mediated disease progression. The composition comprises a substantially non-immunogenic carrier molecule to which is linked carbohydrate chains containing a suppressive amount of a repeated, antigenic carbohydrate determinant derived from a shed antigen of interest. In a method of tolerizing shed antigen-specific B cells involved in an immune complex-mediated disease progression, administered to an individual is a therapeutically effective amount of the composition which, when contacting the shed antigen-specific B cells, induces tolerization of the shed antigen-specific B cells.

Abstract: A method for treating a pro-tumor immune response in an individual having, or suspected of having, a pro-tumor immune response, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunotherapeutic composition which binds to a determinant on B cells, resulting in B cell depletion including of B cells that may be involved in promotion of tumor progression. Also provided are immunotherapeutic compositions which can be used for treating a pro-tumor immune response.

Abstract: Provided is a system and continuous flow process for producing monodisperse semiconductor nanocrystals comprising reservoirs for the starting materials, a mixing path in which the starting materials are mixed, a first reactor in which the mixture of starting materials is mixed with a coordinating solvent and in which nucleation of particles occurs, a second reactor in which controlled growth of the nanocrystals occurs, and a growth termination path in which the growth of the nanocrystals is halted.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic separation device comprising a container having one or more outer surfaces; at least one magnetic sheet; and a physical coupler that is used to detachably secure the container to the magnetic sheet.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising water-soluble, functionalized nanocrystals. The water-soluble functionalized nanocrystals comprise quantum dots capped with a layer of a capping compound, and further comprise, by operably linking and in a successive manner, one or more additional compounds. The one or more additional compounds is comprised of at least a diaminocarboxylic acid which is operatively linked to the capping compound, and may further comprise an amino acid, an affinity ligand, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods of using the functionalized nanocrystals having an affinity ligand to detect the presence or absence of a target substrate in a sample.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic separation device comprising a container having one or more outer surfaces; at least one flexible magnetic sheet; and a non-permanent adhesive that is used to detachably secure an outer surface of the container to a flexible magnetic sheet.