Abstract: A plating medium for the presumptive identification of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis and/or Bacillus anthrasis that includes a nutrient base to facilitate growth of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus anthrasis, a chromogenic substrate that changes color responsive to the presence of PC-PLC enzymes, and an ingredient that promotes the expression of the PC-PLC enzyme. In a preferred embodiment, the medium includes a second chromogenic substrate that changes color responsive to the presence of PI-PLC enzymes and an ingredient that promotes the expression of the PI-PLC enzyme.

Abstract: An assay is disclosed for measuring activity of enzymes, such as kinases, phosphatases, and proteases. Measurements of enzymatic activity are accomplished in a homogenous assay format utilizing a fluorescence quenching technique employing paramagnetic metal ions.

Abstract: A lanthanide is combined with a medium to be tested for endospores. The dipicolinic acid released from the endospores binds the lanthanides, which have distinctive emission (i.e., luminescence) spectra, and are detected using photoluminescence. The concentration of spores is determined by preparing a calibration curve generated from photoluminescence spectra of lanthanide complex mixed with spores of a known concentration. A lanthanide complex is used as the analysis reagent, and is comprised of lanthanide ions bound to multidentate ligands that increase the dipicolinic acid binding constant through a cooperative binding effect with respect to lanthanide chloride. The resulting combined effect of increasing the binding constant and eliminating coordinated water and multiple equilibria increase the sensitivity of the endospore assay by an estimated three to four orders of magnitude over prior art of endospore detection based on lanthanide luminescence.

Abstract: The application identifies fragments of alpha-synuclein in patients with Lewy Body Disease (LBD) and transgenic animal models thereof. These diseases are characterized by aggregations of alpha-synuclein. The fragments have a truncated C-terminus relative to full-length alpha-synuclein. Some fragments are characterized by a molecular weight of about 12 kDa as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis in tricine buffer and a truncation of at least ten contiguous amino acids from the C-terminus of natural alpha-synuclein. The site of cleavage preferably occurs after residue 117 and before residue 126 of natural alpha-synuclein. The identification of these novel fragments of alpha-synuclein has a number of application in for example, drug discovery, diagnostics, therapeutics, and transgenic animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing and/or treating multiple organ failure comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of agent comprising tumor cytotoxic factor-II (TCF-II) or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Methods of the present invention will be useful for preventing and/or treating the development of multiple organ failure resulting from burn, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), circulatory failure, hemorrhagic shock, infectious disease, acute pancreatitis, ischemic disorder, hepatorenal syndrome, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, nutritional metabolic failure, terminal cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), deterioration of systemic conditions due to radiation affection, and cachexia.

Abstract: The peritoneal function of a peritoneal dialysis patient is examined to evaluate the condition of the patient. An examining method comprises a step of alternately repeating introduction/drainage of a predetermined quantity of a peritoneal dialyzing fluid of an osmotic pressure and introduction/drainage of a predetermined quantity of another peritoneal dialyzing fluid of an osmotic pressure different from the former one, a step of examining the drain to determine the quantity of peritoneal dialyzing fluid staying in the abdominal cavity of the patient and the concentration of a solute of interest, a step of conducting a peritoneal equilibrium test, and a step of conducting a blood test to grasp the change of the state of the blood caused by the introduction and drainage. The blood test step is executed only once.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the enzymatic measurement of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors in biological samples. The present invention also provides assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing enzymatic measurement of imatinib mesylate and other bcr-abl protein kinase inhibitors in biological samples.

Abstract: An elastomeric article that contains a chromogen that undergoes a detectable change in color in the presence of one or more microbes is provided. For example, in one embodiment, the chromogen is a solvatochromic dye (e.g., Reichardt's dye) that undergoes a color change in the presence of bacteria or other microbes. More specifically, such dyes may respond to differences in polarity between microbe components (e.g., cell membrane, cytoplasm, etc.) and the environment outside the cell. Alternatively, other mechanisms may be wholly or partially responsible for the interaction between the dye and the microbe, such as acid-base reactions, redox reactions, and so forth.

Abstract: Stabilized aqueous solution of a coenzyme for hydrogen-transferring enzymes characterized in that the solution contains NAD, NADP or a derivative thereof in an oxidized or reduced form and one or several organic compounds or salts thereof having a pKa value between 1.5 and 6.0 and/or a nitrogen compound of the general formula in which the residues R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and denote hydrogen, or a saturated or unsaturated alkyl or aryl group as well as the use of the solution to determine dehydrogenases in particular lactate dehydrogenase or substrates thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula I which are useful for elevating the plasma level of growth hormone in a mammal as well as for the treatment of growth hormone secretion deficiency, growth retardation in child and metabolic disorders associated with growth hormone secretion deficiency.

Abstract: A microorganism staining agent characterized in that an alkali substance and a diazo dye or xanthene dye are contained therein; and a method of detecting microorganisms with the use of the agent. There are provided a microorganism staining agent which resolves the problem of pretreatment posed by the conventional direct speculum method, being capable of staining microorganisms in shorter time; and a method of detecting microorganisms with the use of the agent.

Abstract: Methods are described for detecting organophosphorus compounds in a sample.

Abstract: Methods for treating a mammal suffering from massive blood loss comprising administering to the mammal a polymerized hemoglobin solution.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of administering an amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii effective to enhance the milk fat content of a dairy cow.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: A composition having sustained pain-relieving properties such that the composition may be administered to a subject to alleviate chronic pain. The composition includes an effective amount of at least one glutaminase inhibitor. A method for alleviating chronic pain in a subject for an extended period of time is also disclosed, in which the compound is administered to a subject suffering from chronic pain at a site of inflammation such that the administration of the compound results in a reduction in at least one of thermal and mechanical pain responses at the site of inflammation for a period of at least two days without any resulting acute pain behavior. The composition may further include an effective amount of at least one compound having analgesic effects such that the composition also alleviates acute pain.

Abstract: Solvatochromic dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of bacteria by incorporating them into various substrates such as films, woven and nonwoven fabrics, paper towels, coform and airlaid materials and bonded carded webs. These dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye. A lateral flow device incorporating solvatochromic dyes and a method of detecting bacteria are also included.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides having WW domains of interest are described, along with DNA sequences that encode the same. A method of identifying these polypeptides by means of a sequence-independent (that is, independent of the primary sequence of the polypeptide sought), recognition unit-based functional screen is also disclosed. Various applications of the method and of the polypeptides identified are described, including their use in assay kits for drug discovery, modification, and refinement.

Abstract: A sparger for delivering fluid comprising a sparger pipe for carrying the fluid from a fluid source and downwardly directed nozzles to direct the delivery of fluid is disclosed. A substantially vertical connection pipe connects the sparger to the nozzles. Also, a method of delivering oxygen to an oxygen-depleted zone in the bottom of the fermenter using the sparger is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method to determine CETP activity in a bodily fluid sample wherein the sample may contain an inhibitor of CETP activity. The effect of the inhibitor is preserved to provide a more accurate determination of CETP activity in the fluid. Kits for the practice of the method are also provided.