Abstract: A system for buoyant separation includes a separation container. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include an automated instrument, one or more processing components, and/or any other components. A method for buoyant separation can include any or all of: manipulating the separation container; adding materials to the separation container; removing materials form the separation container; otherwise processing the separation container; and/or any other processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods of treating cancer and methods of delivering toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to solid tumors in the liver using a locoregional therapy through the vasculature. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of treating metastases of uveal melanoma of the liver comprising administering TLR9 agonists to the liver.

Abstract: A mechanical prosthetic heart valve having a ring, multiple hinges, and multiple leaflets. The hinges are attached to the ring and are evenly spaced from one another along the inner circumference of the ring. Each leaflet is rotably attached to a hinge by an opening located in the center of the lower portion of the leaflets. The ring can include multiple protrusions located along the inner circumference of the ring. The protrusions of the ring limit the opening angle of the leaflets. By limiting the opening angle of the leaflets, wear and tear of the hinges and leaflets, as well as the probability of malfunction of the mechanical prosthetic heart valve are reduced. In addition, limiting the opening angle of the leaflets may increase the opening and closing speed of the leaflets, thus improving performance of the mechanical prosthetic heart valve when the patient is experiencing an elevated cardiac frequency.

Abstract: A biological specimen of a subject is handled and tracked for a procedure involving that specimen. Prior to initiation of the procedure, a first procedure data structure (PDS) is generated. The first PDS binds an identifier corresponding to the subject with an indicator of a procedure to be performed on the specimen and identifiers of a specimen container and a specimen holder that physically contacts the biological specimen, as well as a scheduled time for the procedure. A schedule of a plurality of PDSs including the first PDS, is displayed on a display device of a graphical user interface. Following initiation of the procedure, the first PDS is updated based on user input, and after the procedure, at least a portion of the first PDS, as updated, is stored in a database in conjunction with other PDSs respectively associated with other completed procedures.

Abstract: The invention encompasses formulations and methods for the production thereof that permit the delivery of concentrated protein solutions. The inventive methods can yield a lower viscosity liquid protein formulation or a higher concentration of therapeutic or nontherapeutic proteins in the liquid formulation, as compared to traditional protein solutions. The inventive methods can also yield a higher stability of a liquid protein formulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a high-throughput screening system and method for identification of novel drugs and drug targets. The method enables large-scale analysis of interactions between allogeneic pairs of target cells and immune cells by using an immune-bridge protein, library of guide RNA, and/or 3D tumor model.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for providing one or more food item recommendations for an individual. Methods can include determining an individual set of conditions from an overall set of conditions for the individual. Methods also include generating recommendations involving consumption of food, supplement and/or ingredients to affect the one or more biological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic peptides. The invention is directed to modifications of a synthetic peptide of 15 amino acids from the Polar Assonant (PA) peptide, which is a scrambled peptide derived from human astrovirus protein. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to peptides that are modifications of PA including sarcosine substitutions at certain amino acid positions that are stapled and/or have D-enantiomeric substitutions of certain amino acids. The invention further provides methods of selecting at least one synthetic peptide for treating various conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic peptides. The invention is directed to modifications of a synthetic peptide of 15 amino acids from the Polar Assortant (PA) peptide, which is a scrambled peptide derived from human astrovirus protein. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to peptides that are modifications of PA including sarcosine substitutions at certain amino acid positions that are stapled and/or have D-enantiomeric substitutions of certain amino acids. The invention further provides methods of selecting at least one synthetic peptide for treating various conditions.

Abstract: A radio frequency applicator for a thermoacoustic imaging system is disclosed. The applicator includes, a waveguide with an internal radio frequency source, wherein the waveguide has an opening, an electromagnetic matching layer coupled to the waveguide and proximate to the opening, and an acoustic absorbing layer that is coupled to the matching layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified T-cells so that the modified T-cells are capable of penetrating the fugetactic wall generated by tumors, including solid mass tumors, as well as imparting tumor specific targeting for these modified T-cells.

Abstract: The invention encompasses formulations and methods for the production thereof that permit the delivery of concentrated protein solutions. The inventive methods can yield a lower viscosity liquid protein formulation or a higher concentration of therapeutic or nontherapeutic proteins in the liquid formulation, as compared to traditional protein solutions. The inventive methods can also yield a higher stability of a liquid protein formulation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for an optimized tissue homogenization buffer composition and a method of using an optimized tissue homogenization buffer for efficient quantitation of a therapeutic oligonucleotide in multiple tissues. The exemplary method comprising: mixing the tissue with a homogenization buffer composition to create a tissue homogenate; adding the tissue homogenate to a quantity of oligonucleotide-free plasma to create a tissue homogenate solution; adding a quantity of a reference standard oligonucleotide to the tissue homogenate solution to create a homogenate/plasma/standard solution; adding a quantity of a phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol to the homogenate/plasma/standard solution; employing centrifugal force to separate a supernatant from the homogenate/plasma/standard solution; and analyzing the supernatant for a concentration of the oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The invention encompasses formulations and methods for the production thereof that permit the delivery of concentrated protein solutions. The inventive methods can yield a lower viscosity liquid formulation or a higher concentration of therapeutic or nontherapeutic proteins in the liquid formulation, as compared to traditional protein solutions.

Abstract: Provided is a compound comprising the structure: (SIG)-(SI-MOD)m. In this compound, SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. With this compound, when MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided is a method of determining whether a sample comprises an activator, using the above-described compound. Additionally provided is a method of determining whether a cell comprises a nitroreductase using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator. Further provided is a method of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator.

Abstract: The invention encompasses formulations and methods for the production thereof that permit the delivery of concentrated protein solutions. The inventive methods can yield a lower viscosity liquid formulation or a higher concentration of therapeutic or nontherapeutic proteins in the liquid formulation, as compared to traditional protein solutions.

Abstract: Provided is a compound having the structure: (SIG)-(SI-MOD)m where SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. When MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided are methods of determining whether a sample, such as a cell, comprises an activator, such as a nitroreducase, using the compound. Further provided are methods of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator. A method of detecting a microorganism that comprises a nitroreductase using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator is also provided.

Abstract: A system to store specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes at least a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature in a first region of the temperature controlled environment in an interior of the cryogenic storage tank and at least a first level sensor positioned to sense a level of a cryogenic medium within the temperature controlled environment in the interior of the cryogenic storage tank. A method of storing specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes monitoring one or more parameters within the temperature controlled environment to prevent exposure of biological samples within the specimen containers to parameters that put the viability of the biological samples at risk.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic measurement probe may include an open-ended hollow radio-frequency (RF) waveguide; and a thermoacoustic transducer, wherein the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, in the form of a sleeve, surrounds and is mechanically joined to the thermoacoustic transducer.