Embodiments of the disclosure encompass methods of amplifying nucleic acid from one or more cells using MALBAC (multiple annealing and looping-based amplification cycles) primers. In particular embodiments, the nucleic acid is amplified as amplicons in a linear manner. Specific embodiments include the removal or effective destruction of nonlinearly produced amplicons.

The present invention refers to a process for classifying tumor samples of unknown and/or uncertain primary origin, specifically including the steps of obtaining patterns of biological activity modulation of tumor of unknown and/or uncertain primary origin and comparing them to an specific and unique group of biomarkers which determine the profiles of biological activity modulation of known origin tumors. The present invention belongs to the molecular biology and genetics field.

Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.

In flow cytometry, particles (2) can be distinguished between populations (8) by combining n-dimensional parameter data, which may be derived from signal data from a particle, to mathematically achieve numerical results representative of an alteration (48). An alteration may include a rotational alteration, a scaled alteration, or perhaps even a translational alteration. Alterations may enhance separation of data points which may provide real-time classification (49) of signal data corresponding to individual particles into one of at least two populations.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for processing a biological sample. Methods according to certain embodiments include contacting a biological sample having cells with an assay reagent that includes one or more analyte-specific binding members to produce a biological sample assay composition and introducing the biological assay composition into an inlet of a flow cytometer having an integrated acoustic separator. Systems, including a flow cytometer with integrated acoustic separator having one or more acoustic concentrator devices suitable for practicing the subject methods are also described.

Viruses and other bioagents are of high medical and biodefense concern and their detection at concentrations well below the threshold necessary to cause health hazards continues to be a challenge with respect to sensitivity, specificity, and selectivity. Ideally, assays for accurate and real time detection of viral agents and other bioagents would not necessitate any pre-processing of the analyte, which would make them applicable for example to bodily fluids (blood, sputum) and man-made as well as naturally occurring bodies of water (pools, rivers). We describe herein a robust biosensor that combines the sensitivity of surface acoustic waves (SAW) generated at a frequency of 325 MHz with the specificity provided by antibodies and other ligands for the detection of viral agents. In preferred embodiments, a lithium tantalate based SAW transducer with silicon dioxide waveguide sensor platform featuring three test and one reference delay lines was used to adsorb antibodies directed against Coxsackie virus B4 or the negative-stranded category A bioagent Sin Nombre virus (SNV), a member of the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae, negative-stranded RNA viruses. Rapid detection (within seconds) of increasing concentrations of viral particles was linear over a range of order of magnitude for both viruses, although the sensor was approximately 50×104-fold more sensitive for the detection of SNV. For both pathogens, the sensor's selectivity for its target was not compromised by the presence of confounding Herpes Simplex virus type 1. The biosensor was able to detect SNV at doses lower than the load of virus typically found in a human patient suffering from hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Further, in a proof-of-principle real world application, the SAW biosensor was capable of selectively detecting SNV agents in complex solutions, such as naturally occurring bodies of water (river, sewage effluent) without analyte pre-processing.

The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for the characterization of cellular pathways in cells containing genetic alterations.

The present invention relates to in vitro methods of assessing the susceptibility or responsiveness of a subject to the treatment with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor/antagonist, wherein the subject has been diagnosed or suspected of suffering from inflammation-associated. These methods comprise determining the level of expression of EGFR in myeloid cells in a sample from the subject, wherein an expression of EGFR in the myeloid cells is indicative of the subject being susceptible to the treatment with an EGFR inhibitor/antagonist. The invention also relates to EGFR inhibitors/antagonists for use in the treatment or amelioration of inflammation-associated cancer. The invention furthermore provides in vitro methods of prognosing the survival time, progression-free survival time or disease course of a subject that has been diagnosed or suspected of suffering from from inflammation-associated cancer. In addition thereto, the invention relates to in vitro diagnostic methods of assessing the proneness of a subject to develop inflammation-associated cancer in which the expression of EGFR is determined in myeloid cells from the subject.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method of diagnosing chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) in a subject, said method comprising the steps of: a) Detecting a monocyte population in a biological sample from said subject; b) Quantifying the CD14+/CD16− monocytes in said biological sample; c) Comparing the value of step b) to a reference value; and d) Diagnosing CMML based on said comparison. Preferably, said detecting step a) is performed by an exclusion gating strategy by flow cytometry.

The present disclosure provides robust, high-throughput, and clinically applicable methods for simultaneously separating and quantifying the biologically active forms of Vitamin B1 (TPP) and Vitamin B6 (PLP) from human whole blood.

A population of bright and stable nanocrystals is provided. The nanocrystals include a semiconductor core and a thick semiconductor shell and can exhibit high extinction coefficients, high quantum yields, and limited or no detectable blinking.

Oakland's alaMar Kitchen & Bar is about to start serving 1,500 free meals per week to restaurant workers who have been displaced and derailed by the coronavirus outbreak.

Located at 100 Grand Ave., chef Nelson German's popular seafood restaurant has just issued this announcement:

"We are here for you, Oakland! ...…

Off the Grid will stage a two-part free-meal giveaway today, April 8, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at Nob Hill Foods Alameda and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pak 'N Save Emeryville.

It's part of the Grocery Employees Meal Fund, which OTG recently launched to help creators feed grocery-store employees and their family members throughout the Covd-19 crisis.…

The owners of Oakland's Homestead Restaurant have just debuted a new business concept that is meant to outlast the Covid-19 crisis.

Currently operating at the restaurant's 4029 Piedmont Ave. space Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. via curbside pickup and Caviar or Doordash delivery, The Humble Sandwich comprises a selection of classic deli sandos made with the same high-quality ingredients for which the seven-year-old restaurant is revered.…

Oakland-based food-and-drinks company Purity Organic announced today that it is launching a limited new line of Sweet Leaf beverages that consumers can buy directly online.

"We can't wait to get Sweet Leaf back into the hands of our customers online," said Purity Organic vice president of marketing Bill Porter.…

Oakland-based Nybll, a health-focused food service whose clients include high-profile companies and world-championship sports teams, has just introduced a new option beyond plant-based meal delivery and catering.

Last week, just in time to meet new needs spurred by shelter-in-place restrictions, chef/owner Kristen Thibeault launched Nybll Grocery.…

The owners of Oakland's Homestead Restaurant have debuted a new concept meant to outlast the COVID-19 crisis.

Shelter-in-place rules prevent Local Food Adventures founder Lauren McCabe Herpich from leading groups on East Bay culinary walking tours, as is her usual stock-in-trade.

But she has come up with another project to further tempt food fans while supporting local makers and proprietors.…

Just in time to celebrate its ten-year anniversary, popular Filipino-fusion food truck Señor Sisig has established a long-term location in Oakland.

The brand-new spot is at 3331 Fruitvale Ave. in the Dimond District.…

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent UC Berkeley chancellor Carol Christ a letter today requesting permission to place a banner on the university's famous clocktower that reads "It's High Time We Went Vegan. PETA."…

Now through May 5, healthcare workers and first responders can collect free "Thank You Meals" at any McDonald's location nationwide.

The promotion began on April 22.…

Celebrated chef-restaurateur Kyle Itani, who helms both Itani Ramen and Hopscotch Restaurant & Bar in Uptown Oakland, has just launched a brand-new project: a takeout sushi spot.

Operating out of Itani Ramen and serving its fare via pickup and delivery, Nikkei Sushi will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. during its soft opening with hours extending in the future.…

Together with a team of volunteers — including the Street Royalty Motorcycle Club — popular pitmaster Matt Horn prepared and served 600 pork and chicken sandwiches to feed the entire staff at Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno.

Rather than lament the delayed opening of his eagerly awaited Horn Barbecue brick-and-mortar restaurant in the heart of Oakland, last month the pitmaster created a philanthropic project, the Horn Initiative, which has since mid-March facilitated the making and serving of over 4,000 meals to frontline workers and others in need.…

Uptown Oakland's alaMar Kitchen & Bar will celebrate its sixth anniversary this Friday, May 1, with a contactless, social-distancing, Covid-19-crisis parade.

"In celebration of this milestone, we are asking all of our fans and supporters to parade in the safety of their cars," management announced in a press release today.…

Celebrated chef-restaurateur Kyle Itani, who helms Itani Ramen and Hopscotch Restaurant & Bar in Uptown Oakland, has just launched a brand-new project: a takeout sushi spot.

Here's a leaked track from Oakland vocalist Karyn Paige.

Stories you shouldn’t miss:

1. Alameda County Public Health Director Muntu Davis contends that gentrification should be examined in terms of health impacts because of the displacement and stress it causes for low-income residents, the Bay Area News Group$ reports.…

A rework grid array interposer with direct power is described. The interposer has a foundation layer mountable between a motherboard and a package. A heater is embedded in the foundation layer to provide local heat to reflow solder to enable at least one of attachment or detachment of the package. A connector is mounted on the foundation layer and coupled to the heater and to the package to provide a connection path directly with the power supply and not via the motherboard. One type of interposer interfaces with a package having a solderable extension. Another interposer has a plurality of heater zones embedded in the foundation layer.

A method and system for cooling a device (preferably a micro-device), comprising cooling the device by using a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) mixture. Enhancement of heat transfer rates is achieved during phase separation of a two-component system (two-component mixture) with a LCST. Convective heat transfer rates in small diameter pipes and over a vertical (hot) plate are demonstrated.

An SSD with a package optimized for semiconductor wafers is configured by thinning a plurality of undiced wafers and stacking the wafers. The wafers are connected to each other by TSV. A subset of the wafers include memory circuits. One of the wafer not in the subset includes peripheral circuits. A casing houses the wafers.

A wiring device includes a housing that encloses a line voltage port and a low-voltage port for providing power to at least one removable load. The removable load can couple to a connector PCB. The connector PCB may include a tongue portion with retention surface features and a body portion with supporting circuitry. The tongue portion may be disposed within a low-voltage port of the wiring device. A plurality of conductive traces may extend from the body to the tongue of the connector PCB. The low voltage port may include sidewalls disposed around the tongue portion to guide the plug of a removable load into engagement with the conductive traces of the tongue portion so that one or more of the plurality of conductive traces electrically contact the removable load to deliver power to the removable load.

A household distribution box comprises a distribution box case; two service lines introduced from a transformer into the distribution box case of a consumer; three main lines installed in the distribution box case and provided with two lines and a second service line; two sub-lines installed in the distribution box case and formed by branching the second service line among the main lines into two lines; a first circuit breaker installed in the distribution box case; a second circuit breaker installed in the distribution box case; and a controller connected to the first circuit breaker.

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breaker testing system can include an enclosure having at least one wall that forms a cavity. The system can also include at least one GFCI breaker disposed within the cavity. The system can further include a sensing circuit assembly having at least one switch, where the at least one switch is electrically coupled to the at least one GFCI breaker. The system can also include a user interface assembly disposed, at least in part, outside the cavity, where the user interface assembly is coupled to the sensing circuit assembly, where the user interface assembly instructs the at least one switch to test the at least one GFCI breaker.

A surge suppression device includes a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch electrically connected to a current path. Additionally, the surge suppression device includes a transient voltage suppression (TVS) device electrically connected in series to the MEMS switch. The surge suppression device is configured to protect electronic components from voltage surges or current surges.

An electrical energy receiving end capable of overvoltage protection and a wireless electrical energy transmission device are provided. An electrical energy receiving coil is divided into a first receiving coil and a second receiving coil, so that under normal operation the first receiving coil and the second receiving coil jointly resonate with an impedance matching network to receive energy. When the electrical energy receiving end has an overvoltage, the first receiving coil and the impedance matching network (or the second receiving coil and the impedance matching network) form a loop, and due to the impedance mismatch, the energy received by the electrical energy receiving end is greatly reduced to solve the problem of overvoltage at the electrical energy receiving end.