This invention discloses a pretreatment approach for blood and bodily fluids to remove unwanted protein interferences in the measurement of analytes. Enzymes either contained in a cartridge or immobilized on a solid support break down proteins that complex with the analyte to shield it from detection. This pretreatment significantly enhances the detectability of analytes and does not require subsequent clean-up steps that would normally be required to ensure the functionality of the analysis method, thereby, creating a simple yet powerful approach for sample pretreatment in a variety of settings ranging from a complex laboratory infrastructure to a field deployable application.

To provide a method for detecting a target substance by using an interaction through a molecular species having low reactivity, with two types of microparticles as proximity probes. A target substance detection method includes the following steps of: a step (A) of bringing a biological sample into contact with an oxygen sensor bound to a first molecule that specifically binds to a target substance; a step (B) of bringing the biological sample into contact with a first solid phase support that holds a second molecule and an oxygen-consuming enzyme, the second molecule specifically binding to the target substance; and a step (C) of acquiring information generated from the oxygen sensor by the steps (A) and (B).

To provide a method for detecting a target substance by using an interaction through a molecular species having low reactivity, with two types of microparticles as proximity probes. A target substance detection method includes the following steps of: a step (A) of bringing a biological sample into contact with an oxygen sensor bound to a first molecule that specifically binds to a target substance; a step (B) of bringing the biological sample into contact with a first solid phase support that holds a second molecule and an oxygen-consuming enzyme, the second molecule specifically binding to the target substance; and a step (C) of acquiring information generated from the oxygen sensor by the steps (A) and (B).

A detoxification method includes the steps of inducing flow of patient blood through an extracorporeal device inlet and outlet in fluid connection to the circulatory system of a patient. Biological agents including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contained within patient blood can be detoxified by passing patient blood over a biochemical reactor surface having attached or immobilized Saccharomyces boulardii alkaline phosphatase enzyme, with the biochemical reactor being contained within the extracorporeal device.

A detoxification method includes the steps of inducing flow of patient blood through an extracorporeal device inlet and outlet in fluid connection to the circulatory system of a patient. Biological agents including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contained within patient blood can be detoxified by passing patient blood over a biochemical reactor surface having attached or immobilized Saccharomyces boulardii alkaline phosphatase enzyme, with the biochemical reactor being contained within the extracorporeal device.

A structure adapted to traverse a fluid environment exerting an ambient fluid pressure is provided. The structure includes an elongate body extending from a root to a wingtip and encapsulating at least one interior volume containing an interior fluid exerting an interior fluid pressure that is different from the ambient fluid pressure. A method of retrofitting a structure adapted to traverse a fluid environment exerting an ambient fluid pressure, the structure comprising an elongate body extending from a root to a wingtip and having at least one interior volume is also provided. The method includes sealing the elongate body to encapsulate the at least one interior volume containing an interior fluid; associating at least one valve with the at least one interior volume; and modifying interior fluid content via the at least one valve to produce an interior fluid pressure that is different from the ambient fluid pressure.

A structure adapted to traverse a fluid environment exerting an ambient fluid pressure is provided. The structure includes an elongate body extending from a root to a wingtip and encapsulating at least one interior volume containing an interior fluid exerting an interior fluid pressure that is different from the ambient fluid pressure. A method of retrofitting a structure adapted to traverse a fluid environment exerting an ambient fluid pressure, the structure comprising an elongate body extending from a root to a wingtip and having at least one interior volume is also provided. The method includes sealing the elongate body to encapsulate the at least one interior volume containing an interior fluid; associating at least one valve with the at least one interior volume; and modifying interior fluid content via the at least one valve to produce an interior fluid pressure that is different from the ambient fluid pressure.

The present disclosure relates to a method for pretreating an evaporator for accelerating odor reproduction of an odor reproduction device for a vehicle air conditioning system, and a method for pretreating an evaporator surface of the present disclosure may include: a step of preparing an inoculation of malodorous microorganisms; a step of preparing and pretreating an evaporator; and a step of immobilizing malodorous microorganisms on an evaporator surface.

The present disclosure relates to a method for pretreating an evaporator for accelerating odor reproduction of an odor reproduction device for a vehicle air conditioning system, and a method for pretreating an evaporator surface of the present disclosure may include: a step of preparing an inoculation of malodorous microorganisms; a step of preparing and pretreating an evaporator; and a step of immobilizing malodorous microorganisms on an evaporator surface.

Provided herein are methods for activating an immune cell in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods comprise passing an immune cell from a subject through an immune modulating chamber comprising a tumor cell, thereby activating the immune cell, and returning the activated immune cell to the subject. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise isolating an immune cell-containing portion of a sample and passing the immune cell-containing portion through the immune modulating chamber. Methods of treating cancer and methods of inducing an immune response against a tumor are also provided herein.