Abstract: The invention improves TdaP vaccines by including a TLR agonist in them. This agonist can provide stronger protection, longer-lasting protection, and/or can reduce the amount of antigen which is required to achieve a particular immune response.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring biomechanical properties of tissues without external excitation are capable of measuring and quantifying these parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The system and method preferably utilize a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the displacement caused by the intrinsic heartbeat. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. Preferably, the method is used to detect tissue stiffness and to evaluate its stiffness due to intrinsic pulsatile motion from the heartbeat. This noninvasive method can evaluate the biomechanical properties of the tissues in vivo for detecting the onset and progression of degenerative or other diseases and evaluating the efficacy of therapies.

Abstract: There is a need for robust and portable system, and apparatus for ophthalmology. We propose use of foldable ophthalmic system. Our system will have a chin-rest (or face-rest or forehead rest) that can be folded so that the ocular device could be transported in a brief-case type casing. Our system can be used for many modalities including optical coherence tomography.

Abstract: Combination vaccine compositions as well as methods for their manufacture have a relatively low amount of antigen and/or a relatively low amount of aluminium, but they can nevertheless have immunogenicity which is comparable to combination vaccines with a relatively high amount of antigen and/or a relatively high amount of aluminium. Aluminium-free combination vaccine compositions are also provided e.g. compositions which are adjuvanted with an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: An excitation force (internal or external) and phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, used in conjunction with a data analyzing algorithm, is capable of measuring and quantifying biomechanical parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The method was approbated and demonstrated on an example of the system that combines a pulsed ultrasound system capable of producing an acoustic radiation force on the crystalline lens surface and a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the lens displacement caused by the acoustic radiation force. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. The noninvasive measurement method also utilizes phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) to distinguish between tissue stiffness, such as that attributable to disease, and effects on measured stiffness that result from external factors, such as pressure applied to the tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides sterile microparticle compositions comprising biodegradable microparticles, which comprise at least one biodegradable polymer. In other aspects, the present invention provides methods of making and using such compositions as well as articles of manufacture and kits containing the same.

Abstract: An excitation force (internal or external) and phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, used in conjunction with a data analyzing algorithm, is capable of measuring and quantifying biomechanical parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The method was approbated and demonstrated on an example of the system that combines a pulsed ultrasound system capable of producing an acoustic radiation force on the crystalline lens surface and a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the lens displacement caused by the acoustic radiation force. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. The noninvasive measurement method also utilizes phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) to distinguish between tissue stiffness, such as that attributable to disease, and effects on measured stiffness that result from external factors, such as pressure applied to the tissue.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver negatively charged molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The cationic lipid can interact with the negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the emulsion particles. The cationic emulsions described herein are particularly suitable for delivering nucleic acid molecules (such as an RNA molecule encoding an antigen) to cells and formulating nucleic acid-based vaccines.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver nucleic acid molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The emulsion particles have an average diameter of about 80 nm to about 180 nm, and the emulsion have an N/P ratio of at least 1.1:1.

Abstract: An eco-smart panel is described comprising a a solar thermal panel, a phase change material, a metal foil layer, and a structural frame constructed of materials including wood studs, gypsum, or fiberglass-reinforced concrete. The materials may be variously configured to create modular systems for fabricating buildings or structures. Eco-smart panels may be utilized to create buildings or structure with enhanced energy efficiency, increased fire resistance, increased flood resistance, and decreased construction cost and time.

Abstract: To formulate amphiphilic pharmacological agents (in particular, amphiphilic immunopotentiators) in oil-in-water emulsions the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase, an oil phase, a surfactant, and a phospholipid.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver nucleic acid molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The emulsion particles have an average diameter of about 80 nm to about 180 nm, and the emulsion have an N/P ratio of at least 1.1:1.

Abstract: High loading of lipophilic pharmacological agents (in particular, lipophilic immunopotentiators) in oil-in-water emulsions can result in crystallisation of the lipophilic agent. To overcome this problem the invention uses an oil-in-water emulsion in combination with a crystallisation inhibitor, and this combination provides emulsions which can be loaded with high levels of lipophilic pharmacological agents.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods to measure the intraocular pressure, ocular tissue geometry and the biomechanical properties of an ocular tissue, such as an eye-globe or cornea, in one instrument. The system is an optical coherence tomography subsystem and an applanation tonometer subsystem housed as one instrument and interfaced with a computer for at least data processing and image display. The system utilizes an air-puff and a focused micro air-pulse to induce deformation and applanation and displacement in the ocular tissue. Pressure profiles of the air puff with applanation times are utilized to measure intraocular pressure. Temporal profiles of displacement and/or spatio-temporal profiles of a displacement-generated elastic wave are analyzed to calculate biomechanical properties.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver negatively charged molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The cationic lipid can interact with the negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the emulsion particles. The cationic emulsions described herein are particularly suitable for delivering nucleic acid molecules (such as an RNA molecule encoding an antigen) to cells and formulating nucleic acid-based vaccines.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that contain high concentrations of cationic lipids and have a defined oil:lipid ratio. The cationic lipid can interact with the negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the emulsion particles. The cationic emulsions described herein are useful for delivering negatively charged molecules, such as nucleic acid molecules to cells, and for formulating nucleic acid-based vaccines.

Abstract: There is a need for robust and portable system, and apparatus for ophthalmology. We propose use of foldable ophthalmic system. Our system will have a chin-rest (or face-rest or forehead rest) that can be folded so that the ocular device could be transported in a brief-case type casing. Our system can be used for many modalities including optical coherence tomography.

Abstract: Serogroup B meningococcus antigens can successfully be combined with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis toxoids (“DTP”) to provide effective combination vaccines for protecting against multiple pathogens. These combinations are effective with a range of different adjuvants, and with both pediatric-type and booster-type DTP ratios. The adjuvant can improve the immune response which the composition elicits; alternatively, by including an adjuvant it is possible for the compositions to have a relatively lower amount of antigen while nevertheless having immunogenicity which is comparable to unadjuvanted combination vaccines.

Abstract: Immunopotentiators can be adsorbed to insoluble metal salts, such as aluminum salts, to modify their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, intramuscular retention time, and/or immunostimulatory effect. Immunopotentiators are modified to introduce a moiety, such as a phosphonate group, which can mediate adsorption. These modified compounds can retain or improve their in vivo immunological activity even when delivered in an adsorbed form.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides sterile microparticle compositions comprising biodegradable microparticles, which comprise at least one biodegradable polymer. In other aspects, the present invention provides methods of making and using such compositions as well as articles of manufacture and kits containing the same.