Abstract: A high power electron tube, such as a magnetron, has the disadvantage that, to reduce the chances of the ceramic RF window failing in use, the manufacturing step entails a prolonged ageing period of powering the magnetron at low power on test, in order to drive any absorbed gases out of the RF window. According to the invention, the RF window 6 is internally glazed (8), which makes it possible to avoid the ageing period.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: A method of inducing a specific immune response in a mammal, comprising: providing a first composition comprising isolated ubiquitinylated proteins in solution in the absence of membrane bound organelles, the isolated ubiquitinylated proteins comprising one or more specific antigens, and further comprising a threshold quantity of polyubiquitinylated short-lived proteins and polyubiquitinylated defective ribosomal products. The isolated ubiquitinylated proteins are affinity-purified from tumor-derived cells grown in culture, the tumor-derived cells being inhibited from degrading ubiquitinylated proteins via the proteasome while being grown in culture. In this way, highly immunogenic short-lived proteins and defective ribosomal products may be loaded onto dendritic cells for cross-presentation and priming of antigen-specific T cells restricted by either classical or non-classical MHC.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: A cathode of a magnetron having a radial extension to accommodate the cathode terminals is supported by arms which have a greater diameter over the region in which they are supported in the glass thimble than over the region of the free ends. This shifts any vibrations to a higher frequency band, which is less liable to be excited in the event the magnetron is moved rapidly as in a linac used for radiotherapy purposes.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: A composition, comprising: an enriched population of autophagosomes derived from a non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line, and wherein the enriched population of autophagosomes includes: one or more toll-like receptor agonists; one or more tumor antigens; and one or more damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. In this way, an off-the-shelf vaccine may be available to be administered in order to stimulate a targeted immune response in patients bearing different tumor types.

Abstract: A method of inducing a specific immune response in a mammal, comprising: providing a first composition comprising isolated ubiquitinylated proteins in solution in the absence of membrane bound organelles, the isolated ubiquitinylated proteins comprising one or more specific antigens, and further comprising a threshold quantity of polyubiquitinylated short-lived proteins and polyubiquitinylated defective ribosomal products. The isolated ubiquitinylated proteins are affinity-purified from tumor-derived cells grown in culture, the tumor-derived cells being inhibited from degrading ubiquitinylated proteins via the proteasome while being grown in culture. In this way, highly immunogenic short-lived proteins and defective ribosomal products may be loaded onto dendritic cells for cross-presentation and priming of antigen-specific T cells restricted by either classical or non-classical MHC.

Abstract: A magnetron has an anode and a cathode. The cathode includes two parts joined by sleeves of ferrous alloy spaced by a sleeve of insulating material. The ferrous alloy sleeves are adapted to be connected to opposite poles of a power supply for heating the cathode. A high frequency power supply is used to heat the cathode. The ferrous alloy sleeves have a surface coating of conductive material. The currents induced by the magnetic field generated by the high frequency currents of the power supply are largely confined to the conductive coating due to the skin effect, avoiding the heating of and losses in the ferrous alloy itself which would otherwise ensue.

Abstract: A composition, comprising: an enriched population of autophagosomes derived from a non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line, and wherein the enriched population of autophagosomes includes: one or more toll-like receptor agonists; one or more tumor antigens; and one or more damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. In this way, an off-the-shelf vaccine may be available to be administered in order to stimulate a targeted immune response in patients bearing different tumor types.

Abstract: A high power electron tube, such as a magnetron, has the disadvantage that, to reduce the chances of the ceramic RF window failing in use, the manufacturing step entails a prolonged ageing period of powering the magnetron at low power on test, in order to drive any absorbed gases out of the RF window. According to the invention, the RF window 6 is internally glazed (8), which makes it possible to avoid the ageing period.

Abstract: A magnetron has an anode and a cathode. The cathode includes two parts joined by sleeves of ferrous alloy spaced by a sleeve of insulating material. The ferrous alloy sleeves are adapted to be connected to opposite poles of a power supply for heating the cathode. A high frequency power supply is used to heat the cathode. The ferrous alloy sleeves have a surface coating of conductive material. The currents induced by the magnetic field generated by the high frequency currents of the power supply are largely confined to the conductive coating due to the skin effect, avoiding the heating of and losses in the ferrous alloy itself which would otherwise ensue.

Abstract: A cathode of a magnetron having a radial extension to accommodate the cathode terminals is supported by arms which have a greater diameter over the region in which they are supported in the glass thimble than over the region of the free ends. This shifts any vibrations to a higher frequency band, which is less liable to be excited in the event the magnetron is moved rapidly as in a linac used for radiotherapy purposes.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for stimulating an immune response against a target antigen, such as one or more tumor associated antigens. In particular examples the method includes reducing the number of CD4+ T cells in a subject after the subject receives a first dose of an immunogenic composition that includes the target antigen (such as a cancer vaccine), wherein the subject has a tumor that expresses the target antigen. The subject is administered a second dose of the immunogenic composition, thereby stimulating an immune response against the target antigen. In some examples the method also includes administering to the subject peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (for example a population of PBMCs depleted of CD25 cells, CD81 cells, CD134+ cells, Areg+ cells, Ptgr3+ cells, or combinations thereof) prior to receiving the first dose of the immunogenic composition.

Abstract: A high voltage switching apparatus delivers kV pulses to a load such as a magnetron. The switching apparatus comprises a switching stack surrounded by capacitors and both arranged within a housing. Lt power is supplied to the stack, e.g. for control electronics, by magnetic coupling across a non-conducting wall of the housing. Annular inserts are arranged on either side of the wall. Each insert receives a transformer core and winding. The bottom surfaces of the inserts carry a conductive coating to minimise electric stresses. Ht power is also supplied through the wall.

Abstract: A high voltage switching apparatus delivers kV pulses to a load such as a magnetron. The switching apparatus comprises a switching stack surrounded by capacitors and both arranged within a housing. Lt power is supplied to the stack, e.g. for control electronics, by magnetic coupling across a non-conducting wall of the housing. Annular inserts are arranged on either side of the wall. Each insert receives a transformer core and winding. The bottom surfaces of the inserts carry a conductive coating to minimise electric stresses. Ht power is also supplied through the wall.