Abstract: A vascular graft may be configured to transition from an insertion state to a deployed state. The graft comprising a proximal end having an expandable mesh, a distal end having an expandable mesh, and at least one suture cuff positioned between the proximal and distal ends, wherein each suture cuff comprises additional material relative to the proximal and distal ends that is configured to form when the vascular graft transitions from the insertion state to the deployed state.

Abstract: Features relating to a vaporizer body are provided. The vaporizer body may include an outer shell that includes an inner region defined by an outer shell sidewall. A support structure is configured to fit within the inner region of the outer shell. The support structure includes a storage region defined by a top support structure, a bottom support structure, a bottom cap, and a gasket. An integrated board assembly is configured to fit within the storage region of the support structure. The integrated board assembly may include a printed circuit board assembly formed of multiple layers that form a rigid structure and that include an inner, flexible layer. A first antenna is integrated at a proximal end of the flexible layer, and a second antenna is integrated at a distal end of the flexible layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene signature for use in determining a likelihood of a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in a subject transitioning to active TB disease. The gene signature comprises at least SEPT4 and BLK, and optionally also GAS6 and/or CD1C. Expression levels of these genes are detected in a sample from the subject, and the ratios of expression of at least two of the above genes are calculated (e.g. SEPT4:BLK, SEPT4:CD1C, GAS6:BLK and/or GAS6:CD1C). A score is assigned to each ratio, the score being indicative of the likelihood of the latent TB infection transitioning into active TB disease, based on the ratio for the respective gene pair. The subject can be identified as having a latent TB infection that is likely to transition into active TB disease or that is not likely to transition into active TB disease based on the score or on the average of the scores.

Abstract: This invention relates to a prognostic method for determining the risk of an asymptomatic human subject with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection or apparent latent TB infection and/or after suspected exposure to TB progressing to active tuberculosis disease comprising the steps of quantifying and computationally analysing relative abundances of a collection of pairs of gene products (“TB biomarkers”) derived from a sample obtained from the subject. The invention further relates to a collection of TB biomarkers that generates a transcriptomic signature of risk for prediction of the likelihood of an asymptomatic human subject with latent TB infection and/or after suspected exposure to TB progressing to active tuberculosis disease. Furthermore, a kit comprising gene-specific primers or oligonucleotide probes for the detection of pairs of TB biomarkers that generates a prognostic signature of risk for use with the method of the invention is described.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene signature for use in determining a likelihood of a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in a subject transitioning to active TB disease. The gene signature comprises at least SEPT4 and BLK, and optionally also GAS6 and/or CD1C. Expression levels of these genes are detected in a sample from the subject, and the ratios of expression of at least two of the above genes are calculated (e.g. SEPT4:BLK, SEPT4:CD1C, GAS6:BLK and/or GAS6:CD1C). A score is assigned to each ratio, the score being indicative of the likelihood of the latent TB infection transitioning into active TB disease, based on the ratio for the respective gene pair. The subject can be identified as having a latent TB infection that is likely to transition into active TB disease or that is not likely to transition into active TB disease based on the score or on the average of the scores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and kit for determining a likelihood of a human subject with asymptomatic tuberculosis (TB) infection or suspected TB infection progressing to active tuberculosis disease, the method comprising detecting a presence or level of a first and a second pair of protein biomarkers selected from Complement Component 9 (C9) and Complement C1q Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein 3 (C1qTNF3); and C9 and Creatine Kinase M- and B-type (CKMB) in a sample from the subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a prognostic method for determining the risk of an asymptomatic human subject with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection or apparent latent TB infection and/or after suspected exposure to TB progressing to active tuberculosis disease comprising the steps of quantifying and computationally analysing relative abundances of a collection of pairs of gene products (“TB biomarkers”) derived from a sample obtained from the subject. The invention further relates to a collection of TB biomarkers that generates a transcriptomic signature of risk for prediction of the likelihood of an asymptomatic human subject with latent TB infection and/or after suspected exposure to TB progressing to active tuberculosis disease. Furthermore, a kit comprising gene-specific primers or oligonucleotide probes for the detection of pairs of TB biomarkers that generates a prognostic signature of risk for use with the method of the invention is described.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease and methods of detection thereof. In various embodiments, the invention relates to one or more biomarkers, biomarker panels, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for detecting and/or characterizing TB infection and/or disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clipping machine for closing tubular packagings. The machine has a blade and a counter blade for severing the packaging material. Both blades are arranged on closing arms of the machine. At least one of the blades has a drive which is also situated on one of the closing arms. This and the development of the cutting edges create an effective and at the same time space-saving cutting mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clipping machine for closing tubular packagings. The machine has a blade and a counter blade for severing the packaging material. Both blades are arranged on closing arms of the machine. At least one of the blades has a drive which is also situated on one of the closing arms. This and the development of the cutting edges create an effective and at the same time space-saving cutting mechanism.

Abstract: In the case of an apparatus for filling tubular or bag-shaped packagings with a paste-like product, said apparatus including a fill pipe (1) and a holder for a casing brake that is arranged at the fill pipe (1), the pull-off movement is effected by means of a pivoting and pulling movement when the fill pipe (5) is pivoted away. This means that the casing brake is able to assume three sturdy positions in relation to the fill pipe (5) whilst not taking up much space and is able to be removed from the pipe (5) in a simple manner for changing a packaging tube.

Abstract: In the case of an apparatus for filling tubular or bag-shaped packagings with a paste-like product, said apparatus including a fill pipe (1) and a holder for a casing brake that is arranged at the fill pipe (1), the pull-off movement is effected by means of a pivoting and pulling movement when the fill pipe (5) is pivoted away. This means that the casing brake is able to assume three sturdy positions in relation to the fill pipe (5) whilst not taking up much space and is able to be removed from the pipe (5) in a simple manner for changing a packaging tube.