Abstract: A device for the thermal treatment of test samples is presented. The device comprises a sample holder and one or more thermoelectric elements which are in thermal contact with the sample holder. The sample holder comprises at least two holding positions configured to hold test sample consumables. The sample holder comprises an internal working fluid and a hollow body with an inner bottom surface and an inner top surface connected to each other with a pillar. The pillar extends along a vertical axis perpendicular to the inner bottom surface and substantially in the middle of the distance between the at least two holding positions. A laboratory instrument and a method for the thermal treatment of test samples is also presented.

Abstract: The disclosure provides improved magnetic glass particles for use in nucleic acid capture, enrichment, analysis, and/or purification. Various modifications to the disclosed compositions and methods of using the same, as well as devices and kits are described.

Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Babesia in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers and probes targeting Babesia and kits are provided that are designed for the detection of Babesia, including, but not limited to, the Babesia species of B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani, and B. venatorum. Also described are kits, reaction mixtures, and oligonucleotides (e.g., primer and probe) for the amplification and detection of Babesia.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for quality control of at least one digital image of a sample (112) mounted on a slide (114) is proposed. The method comprises the following actions: a) Providing at least one digital image of the sample (112) mounted on the slide (114) using at least one imaging device (116) of a slide imaging apparatus (110); b) Determining quality of the digital image by determining sharpness values of subregions of at least one region of interest of the digital image by using at least one edge detection image filter and comparing the sharpness values within the region of interest, wherein the quality of the region of interest is classified depending on the comparison; c) Generating at least one indication depending on the classification of the quality, wherein actions b) and c) are performed automatically.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for sonicating a biological sample. In one embodiment, a sample tube holder is pivotally suspended in a mount of a sonication device, thus allowing for a rotational degree of freedom and/or lateral movement that provides an optimized contact area between the sonotrode and the sample tube. Also disclosed is a method for sonicating a biological sample using the device described herein.

Abstract: A method comprises: receiving data corresponding to a plurality of data categories of a patient; selecting, from a plurality of trained machine learning models and based on the plurality of data categories, a first machine learning model and a second machine learning model, the first machine learning model being trained using first data of a first subset of the plurality of data categories and having a first weight indicative of a first performance metric value, the second machine learning model being trained using second data of a second subset of the plurality of data categories and having a second weight indicative of a second performance metric value; generating a first prediction result and a second prediction result using, respectively, the first model and the second model; and generating a combined prediction result based on the first prediction result, the second prediction result, the first weight and the second weight.

Abstract: An optical measurement unit for a scanning device, a scanning device, and a method for operating a scanning device, for high throughput sample analysis of biological samples are disclosed. An illumination system is used to emit light of at least two different illumination wavelength ranges, and an imaging system is used to detect light of at least two different detection wavelength ranges, in order to detect electromagnetic radiation within a field of view for determining the positioning of a sample within the field of view.

Abstract: Digital antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) systems and methods generate recommendations for a healthcare setting for treating a plurality of patients with a plurality of antibiotics, the recommendations based on medical data of the patients, antiobiogram information that indicate resistance of pathogens to the plurality of antibiotics within the healthcare setting, and a plurality of guidelines related to treatment of certain diseases using the plurality of antibiotics. The recommendation may include prescribing a dosage of an antibiotic or ordering a diagnostic test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of high throughput analysis of samples. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device, a System and a method for simultaneous tempering of multiple samples. More particular, the invention relates to the simultaneous thermocycling of multiple samples to perform PCR in a microtiter plate format.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for assessing the integrity of electrical connections between elements of interfacing electronic devices. In some aspects, a system includes an analysis device having electronics that interface with an assay cartridge inserted into the analysis device, wherein the analysis device is configured to conduct a preflight test in which impedance values for each circuit between the assay cartridge and analysis device are rearranged and assessed to determine the electrical connection integrity of the assay cartridge to the analysis device prior to implementing the assay.

Abstract: A method of verifying multi-modal medical data is proposed. The method comprises: accessing multi-modal medical data of a subject, the multi-modal medical data comprising a medical image of a specimen slide, wherein a specimen in the specimen slide was collected from the subject; generating a prediction pertaining to a biological attribute of the medical image based on the medical image; determining a degree of consistency between the biological attribute of the medical image and other modalities of the multi-modal medical data; and outputting, based on the degree of consistency, an indication of whether the multi-modal medical data contain inconsistency.

Abstract: A single technique for determining Ct is provided that can be used for standard sigmoidal growth curves and for problematic growth curves, such as parabolic curves. The Ct value can be determined as the intersection of a line tangent to the growth curve at the maximum of the second derivative with a baseline of the growth curve. Such a Ct value is usable for sigmoidal curves and parabolic curves, and can provide linear calibration curves to achieve accuracy in determining initial concentrations of a sample.

Abstract: A sample processing tubule is provided including, from a proximate to a distal end, an opening through which a sample is introducible, at least three segments, and an reagent introduction port operatively connected to a distal segment of the at least three segments. The reagent introduction port enables the addition of a reagent in the distal segment of the tubule, enabling the user to create a customizable assay tubule.

Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the target MG gene, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of MG.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for performing multiplex RT-PCR to amplify short nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising and methods of producing genetically engineered bacteriophages, bacteriophage-like particles and non-replicating transduction particles (NRTPs) that contain non-native tail fibers that display altered host specificity and/or reactivity. The present invention also relates to methods of using these bacteriophages and NRTPs for the development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and/or research reagents for bacteria-related diseases.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a clinical prediction are provided. In one example, the method comprises: receiving first molecular data of a patient, the first molecular data including at least gene expressions of the patient; receiving first biopsy image data of the patient; processing, using a machine learning model, the first molecular data and the first biopsy image data to perform a clinical prediction of the patient's response to a treatment, wherein the machine learning model is generated or updated based on second molecular data including at least gene expressions and second biopsy image data of a plurality of patients; and generating an output of the clinical prediction.