Abstract: This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of antigenic components in a tissue or organ of interest.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a specific antibody that can simply and rapidly detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae which is a causative bacterium of mycoplasma pneumonia, with high sensitivity, and also an immunological detection method and a kit containing the same antibody. The present invention makes it possible to diagnose infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae more rapidly and specifically than the conventional method, by producing an antibody recognizing a specific epitope of P30 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and performing an immunological detection using the antibody. Also, the present invention enables easy and rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and diagnosis of infection with the same at a hospital or the like without need of specialized instruments or skilled techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for preventing, improving or treating a mental disorder, the composition containing a Lactobacillus sp. bacteria-derived vesicle as an active ingredient. The present inventors have confirmed that, when a Lactobacillus sp. bacteria-derived vesicle is administered to a stress and depression animal model, resistance to stress efficiently increases, and an effect of treating chronically persisting long-term depression behavior is exhibited, and thus the Lactobacillus sp. bacteria-derived vesicle, according to the present invention, is expected to be capable of being usefully employed in developing a medicine or a functional health food, etc., for preventing, reducing the symptoms of or treating a mental disorder such as stress, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia.

Abstract: Targeted disruption of a specific gene and its subsequent restoration in obligate intracellular bacteria remains extremely challenging due to their absolute requirement for residence inside a host cell to replicate. Here, targeted allelic exchange mutations were created to inactivate two genes and then to restore one of the two genes of a rickettsial pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. These methods were then also successfully utilized in Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocyophilum. The resultant mutated pathogens are useful in immunogenic compositions for reducing the incidence of or severity of infection with ricksettsial pathogens.

Abstract: Anaplasma phagocytophilum surface protein AipA and/or fragments thereof which comprise an invasin domain are used in compositions suitable to elicit an immune response to treat or prevent infections caused by tick-born bacteria of the Anaplasmatacaea family. AipA proteins and protein fragments or antibodies directed to AipA proteins and protein fragments are also used in diagnostic assays to detect exposure to and/or infection with Anaplasmatacaea. AipA and/or fragments thereof are also used for these purposes in combination with one or both of Asp14 and OmpA proteins and/or fragments thereof which comprise an invasin domain. Homologs of these proteins are also used in the compositions and assays.

Abstract: A protease directed to a non-neuronal SNARE protein is described. The protease is produced by selective mutation of a botulinum neurotoxin light chain, and is characterized utilizing a reporting construct that includes all or part of the non-neuronal SNARE protein. Such a protease has utility in the treatment of diseases associated with hypersecretion, where the hypersecretion is mediated by a non-neuronal SNARE protein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assaying the level of analytes in a sample, related to VLA-4, are disclosed. A method of decreasing the level of an anti-integrin antibody in a subject is described including a) contacting a biological sample from a subject with a detectable capture agent associated with a substrate, wherein the capture agent can bind an anti-integrin antibody in the sample; b) detecting binding of the capture agent with the level of the anti-integrin antibody; and c) treating the subject with plasma exchange until the level of the anti-integrin antibody in the sample reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detecting antibodies (e.g., anti-drug antibodies). Such methods and kits permit the detection of, for example, anti-drug antibodies in human body fluids, such as blood, plasma and serum.

Abstract: A determination processing unit determines a disease region in a medical image including an axisymmetric structure. A first determination section of the determination processing unit generates a feature amount map of the medical image from the medical image. A second determination section second inverts the feature amount map with reference to a symmetry axis to generate an inverted feature amount map. A third determination section superimposes the feature amount map and the inverted feature amount map on each other and determines the disease region in the medical image using the feature amount map and the inverted feature amount map superimposed on each other.

Abstract: A method for managing dental records using a blockchain includes receiving, from a dental device, one or more signals associated with a dental activity being performed by the dental device, detecting dental feature indictors with associated confidence levels by analyzing the dental signals, aggregating the dental feature indictors to compute a multi-dimensional feature vector, and determining whether to append the multi-dimensional feature vector to the blockchain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of Clostridium difficile infections. Methods of diagnosing, treating and preventing Clostridium difficile-associated disease and recurrent CDAD are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An affinity separation matrix includes a water-insoluble base material; and a ligand that is immobilized on the water-insoluble base material, wherein the ligand is an antibody ? chain variable region-binding peptide comprising B5 domain of Protein L derived from Peptostreptococcus magnus 312 strain or a part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an immunochromatographic analyzer that enables a quick and easy, high-sensitivity detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and thus more reliable and faster diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia. The immunochromatographic analyzer according to the present invention is for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and includes a sample adding section, a label-substance retaining section, a chromatographic medium section having a detection section, and an absorbing section. The label-substance retaining section and the detection section contain an antibody that strongly recognizes domain III of P30 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Definitive diagnosis and early start of treatment cannot be made for tuberculosis since conventional methods for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex require a long time plus enormous labor and expense. Because detection is difficult to perform directly from a biological sample, if the biological sample contains no or a very small amount of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-specific secretory protein, there is a risk infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex will be missed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection of a protein including a histidine-tag using immunochromatography. The detection method of the present invention uses immunochromatography using the polymer particle fixed with the histidine-tag, wherein a histidine-tag specific antibody alone is used to detect a histidine-tag conjugated protein (recombinant protein) quickly without using a target protein specific antibody. This method is also efficient in detecting and quantifying the histidine-tagged protein included in the sample without using an additional apparatus but quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of immunological-based diagnostic assays. Particularly, a method is contemplated herein for measuring cell-mediated immune response reactivity. The present disclosure further provides a method to reduce incidence of non-specific immune response reactivity in a cell-mediated immune response-based assay, comprising contacting a sample with a basic peptide structure capable of binding to lipopolysaccharides, such as polymyxin B or a sushi peptide.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to monitor component status in a bioprocessing environment are disclosed and described. Certain examples provide a sensor device for a disposable bioprocessing component. The example sensor device includes a first portion affixed to the component, the first portion configured to provide an identifier associated with the component. The example sensor device also includes a second portion configured to provide a status indication based on a state of the component. The example sensor device is configured to transmit the identifier and status indication to a control computer associated with a bioprocessing platform including the component.

Abstract: A number of standard methods exist for normalizing MALDI-TOF data, but they are not able to compensate adequately for the observed technical variability. The invention creates an improved normalization method for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry data. This is achieved by an intensity profile normalization, where, by way of example, 1) Firstly, an intensity profile is formed for each individual spectrum, and this intensity profile describes the statistical distribution of the intensity values within different mass ranges; 2) Then an average reference profile is formed for an ensemble of spectra; 3) Finally, the individual spectra are transformed in such a way that their intensity profiles correspond to the reference profile.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aptamers that bind specifically to the surface proteins of periodontal pathogens. Disclosed also herein are kits and methods for detecting bacteria associated with periodontal disease by using the present aptamers to analyze a sample taken from the oral cavity of a patient.

Abstract: Anaplasma phagocytophilum surface proteins Asp14 and OmpA and homologous genes from Anaplasmatacaea family members are used in compositions suitable for vaccines to treat or prevent infections caused by tick-born bacteria of the Anaplasmatacaea family. Asp14 and/or OmpA proteins or peptide fragments may be used in combination with other Anaplasmatacaea surface proteins to elicit an immune response. Furthermore, antibodies to Asp14 and/or OmpA proteins can be used in diagnostic methods to determine whether an individual has contracted an Anaplasmatacaea infection. Because of the conserved invasin domains in the surface proteins, a wide range of Anaplasmatacaea infections may be diagnosed, treated or prevented using compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A cartridge, an analysis system, a method and a computer program product for testing a sample, such as, environmental, food or biological sample, wherein the cartridge has two memory means that are different and/or can be read out by different methods and which correspond to the cartridge or to the batch thereof.

Abstract: In situ optical analysis of bacterial endospores can be inhibited when the endospores are present within an optically active carrier medium. To help isolate the endospores from the carrier medium, in some examples, the carrier medium is passed through a hydrophobic material that captures the endospores via hydrophobic attraction. Subsequently, a germination fluid and lanthanide source, such as terbium, can be added to the bacterial endospores captured on the hydrophobic material to form a lanthanide-dipicolinic acid complex in the germination fluid. The germination fluid can then be optically analyzed by measuring the fluorometric response of the lanthanide-dipicolinic acid complex to determine a concentration of the bacterial endospores in the carrier medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the concentration of LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. They include contacting an aqueous sample with a detection reagent to form a prepared sample. A physical property of the prepared sample may be measured to obtain at least one sample measurement characteristic of the prepared sample. Curve fitting may then be used to forecast a concentration of the LAL-reactive substance the aqueous sample will have at a specified time in the future based on the sample measurement and a correlation developed between at least one standard measurement of a physical quality of a solution with a known concentration of a LAL-reactive substance therein. The quality of the sample measurement may be validated using historical data and/or the standard measurement.

Abstract: A microbe quantifying apparatus includes: a filtering mechanism that filters microbes contained in a fluid sample with a filter; a quantifying mechanism that quantifies the microbes with a specified biological material contained in the microbes on the filter as an index; and an anti-drying mechanism that prevents drying of the microbes on the filter.

Abstract: A method of analysis of a hydrocarbon fuel for the presence of a micro-organism comprises contacting a fuel sample with an aqueous diluent and with an antibody reactive with the micro-organism, or reactive with a metabolite or breakdown product produced by the micro-organism, to detect the presence or absence of the micro-organism.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to monitor component status in a bioprocessing environment are disclosed and described. Certain examples provide a sensor device for a disposable bioprocessing component. The example sensor device includes a first portion affixed to the component, the first portion configured to provide an identifier associated with the component. The example sensor device also includes a second portion configured to provide a status indication based on a state of the component. The example sensor device is configured to transmit the identifier and status indication to a control computer associated with a bioprocessing platform including the component.

Abstract: Presented herein is a voltaic cell containing light harvesting antennae or other biologically-based electron generating structures optionally in a microbial population, an electron siphon population having electron conductive properties with individual siphons configured to accept electrons from the light harvesting antennae and transport the electrons to a current collector, an optional light directing system (e.g., a mirror), and a regulator having sensing and regulatory feedback properties for the conversion of photobiochemical energy and biochemical energy to electricity. Also presented herein is a voltaic cell having electricity-generating abilities in the absence of light. Also presented herein is the use of the voltaic cell in a solar panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multivalent Clostridium difficile vaccine comprising a Salmonella Typhi live vector comprising the cell binding domain of TcdA toxin (CBD/A) of Clostridium difficile or an antigenic fragment thereof and the cell binding domain of TcdB toxin (CBD/B) of Clostridium difficile or an antigenic fragment thereof and optionally the cell-binding subunit component (CdtB) of binary toxin of Clostridium difficile or an antigenic fragment thereof. The invention further provides methods of inducing an immune response and methods of preventing recurrence of C. difficile infections in subjects.

Abstract: Anaplasma phagocytophilum surface proteins Asp14 and OmpA and homologous genes from Anaplasmatacaea family members are used in compositions suitable for vaccines to treat or prevent infections caused by tick-born bacteria of the Anaplasmatacaea family. Asp14 and/or OmpA proteins or peptide fragments may be used in combination with other Anaplasmatacaea surface proteins to elicit an immune response. Furthermore, antibodies to Asp14 and/or OmpA proteins can be used in diagnostic methods to determine whether an individual has contracted an Anaplasmatacaea infection. Because of the conserved invasin domains in the surface proteins, a wide range of Anaplasmatacaea infections may be diagnosed, treated or prevented using compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Anaplasma Marginale surface protein OmpA and homologous genes from Anaplasmatacaea family members are used in compositions suitable for vaccines to treat or prevent infections caused by tick-born bacteria of the Anaplasmatacaea family. OmpA proteins or peptide fragments may be used in combination with other Anaplasmatacaea surface proteins to elicit an immune response. Furthermore, antibodies to OmpA proteins can be used in diagnostic methods to determine whether an individual has contracted an Anaplasmatacaea infection.

Abstract: A hand-held measuring instrument is used for detecting hidden mold damage in interior spaces. The measuring instrument includes at least one collection unit configured to intake at least of one interior space sample, at least one buffer unit, at least one immunological test unit, an evaluation unit and a control panel. The at least one buffer unit has a first compartment and a second compartment.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions for intestinal delivery of enzyme formulations and methods of treating health problems with these formulations. More specifically, the enzyme formulations include at least one histaminase and various methods of treatment of physical conditions, such as inflammation, allergy, histamine intolerance, and intestinal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods, kits-of-parts, and devices for the selective lysis of eukaryotic cells in a sample comprising micro-organisms such as bacteria unicellular fungi. The selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in an ionic surfactant under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: There are provided, inter alia, methods for decreasing mucus elasticity or decreasing mucus viscosity in a subject in need thereof, the methods including administering to the subject an effective amount of a thiosaccharide mucolytic agent, and compounds and pharmaceutical compositions useful for the methods.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting spores includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse within a first wavelength range, and a light sensor configured to detect a resulting phosphorescence emitted from one or more desiccated spores phosphorescing within a second wavelength range in a vicinity of the light pulse. The spore detector also includes circuitry configured to trigger emission of the light pulse and record the emitted phosphorescence at a pre-determined time after the light pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for detecting active tuberculosis infection in a subject using serological techniques and a first agent capable of binding an IgG, IgA and/or IgM directed to the first protein present in or on a Mycobacterium tuberculosis membrane vesicle or a Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) membrane vesicle. Also provided are methods of treating a subject with an active tuberculosis disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising EbpA and methods of use thereof. Specifically, methods useful in the treatment and prevention of EbpA-associated infections.

Abstract: The present invention concerns gp19 immunoreactive compositions for E. canis and compositions related thereto, including vaccines, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, and polynucleotides. In particular, epitopes for E. canis gp19 are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of the biological effect in a subject, wherein said polypeptide comprises at least one E3 ligase recognition motif in the light chain, wherein said E3 ligase recognition motif is preferably a binding motif for the E3 ligase MDM2. The invention further pertains to polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotide of the invention as well as polypeptides comprising one or more amino acid substitutions. Further encompassed by the present invention are vectors and host cells comprising the said polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising said polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detecting antibodies (e.g., anti-drug antibodies). Such methods and kits permit the detection of, for example, anti-drug antibodies in human body fluids, such as blood, plasma and serum.

Abstract: Point of care methods to detect the probability or status of tuberculosis infection in individuals by determining presence or absence of one or more peptide of SEQ ID NOS:1-22 in a biological fluid of a subject are described. These methods may be assays based on affinity reagents specifically reactive with these peptides.

Abstract: Herein are described 1058 different bacterial taxa that were unique to either human, grazing mammal, or bird fecal wastes. These identified taxa can serve as specific identifier taxa for these sources in environmental waters. Two field tests in marine waters demonstrate the capacity of phylogenetic microarray analysis to track multiple sources with one test.

Abstract: The present invention concerns gp19 immunoreactive compositions for E. canis and compositions related thereto, including vaccines, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, and polynucleotides. In particular, epitopes for E. canis gp19 are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to monitor component status in a bioprocessing environment are disclosed and described. Certain examples provide a sensor device for a disposable bioprocessing component. The example sensor device includes a first portion affixed to the component, the first portion configured to provide an identifier associated with the component. The example sensor device also includes a second portion configured to provide a status indication based on a state of the component. The example sensor device is configured to transmit the identifier and status indication to a control computer associated with a bioproces sing platform including the component.

Abstract: Chimera proteins including: (i) at least one sequence of a DbpA protein of a Borrelia species selected from B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. garinii, and (ii) at least one sequence of an OspC protein of a Borrelia species selected from B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. garinii. Also, a method and a kit for the in vitro diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis using said proteins.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a first species' Ig-CTF in a biological sample comprising exposing the biological sample to a first antibody of a second species that preferentially binds the first species' Ig-CTF or an antigen binding fragment of the antibody, forming a mixture, exposing the mixture to a second antibody or antigen-binding fragment of a third species that preferentially binds the first species' Ig, and detecting the Ig-CTF in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for examining a person having symptoms and/or biomarkers indicating an autoimmune disease for the presence of atrophic gastritis. The biomarker combination, which diagnoses atrophic gastritis, acts also as a part of a biomarker panel that helps diagnosis and assessment of autoimmune disease as well. The invention relates also to products used in these methods.

Abstract: A composition includes an artificial construct having (a) a reporter-containing portion chemically coupled to (b) a cleavage site. The cleavage site interacts with an investigational substance in a manner that cleaves the reporter-containing portion from a remainder of the construct. The cleaved portion is destroyed or otherwise degraded by the local environment, and presence of an investigational substance is evidenced by reduction in signal from the reporter. The investigational substance is preferably a Botulinum toxin (BoTN), and the cleavage sequence is all or part of a SNARE protein. The cleavable reporter-containing portion is preferably Yellow Fluorescent Protein (YFP), Citrine, Venus, or a YPet protein.

Abstract: A method for detecting and enumerating viable microorganisms in a sample suspected of containing said microorganisms (1) contacting said microorganisms of said sample with at least one repair compound and a growth medium, and (2) incubating the product of steps (1), and (3) detecting and quantifying said viable microorganisms, in which the microorganisms are of the species Legionella pneumophila, and in which the repair compound directly or indirectly causes an effect on the metabolism to reduce the oxidative stress of the microorganism. The invention also includes a kit for more accurately detecting and enumerating viable microorganisms of the species Legionella pneumophila in a sample suspected of containing said microorganisms.