Abstract: p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) is a biomarker associated with islet cell health. If PUMA is low, islet cells are typically healthy. If PUMA is high, islet cells are typically unhealthy or dying. PUMA may be measured by either measuring its nucleic or amino acid. PUMA mRNA may be induced by TNF-? stimulation in a time- and dose-dependent manner and ? cell apoptosis is induced through a mitochondrial pathway. TNF-? significantly inhibited glucose-induced preproinsulin precursor mRNA synthesis. Such ? cell stress signaling in human islets indicates overall state of islet health and, ultimately, the risk of onset and/or degree of severity of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of diagnosing diseases and measuring homeostatic states. In particular, the methods described here are used to characterize RNA from vesicles for expression of disease related markers. Embodiments of the invention also relate generally to the characterization of RNA by using sensitive techniques such as PCR to internally sample organ health using whole blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides new materials that combine the advantages of well-defined polymeric starting materials and the convenience of surface modification by physical methods into one package and, thus, offers a general and powerful platform suitable for use in numerous applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of characterizing kidney function. In particular, several embodiments quantify kidney-associated marker RNA isolated from vesicles contained in patient urine samples. In some embodiments, the quantified RNA from urine vesicles is compared to a normal population and in some embodiments is compared to the patient to evaluate kidney function over time.

Abstract: A method of amplifying a nucleic acid includes combining a first linear primer with a polymerase and a circular probe. The circular probe contains at least one antisense sequence to a second nucleic acid sequence and at least one antisense sequence to the first linear primer. The method also includes producing at least one repeat of an antisense copy of the circular probe by rolling circle amplification. The antisense copy contains at least the second nucleic acid sequence. The method further includes generating more than one second linear primers from each copy of the second nucleic acid sequence; and hybridizing the second linear primers to more than one of the circular probes. A ribbon probe includes a circular probe and a lock probe. The lock probe contains at least a cleavable linker, and the circular probe and the lock probe are unable to dissociate without cleaving the cleavable linker.

Abstract: Band electrode arrays, methods of manufacturing, and a method of using are disclosed. The arrays have individually addressable band electrodes such that diffusion layers of the band electrodes overlap. An exemplary method of manufacturing may comprise: a first insulating layer is disposed on a substrate; a first band electrode is disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer is disposed on the first insulating layer and completely covers the first band electrode; a second band electrode is disposed on the second insulating layer; a third insulating layer is disposed on the second insulating layer and completely covers the second band electrode; the first and second band electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and individually addressable; cross-sectional surfaces of the first and second band electrodes are exposed on the test surface; and these exposed cross-sectional surfaces substantially overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ex vivo methods of quantifying expression of leukocyte-function associated mRNAs and using the quantification to characterize an individual's potential responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy. Certain embodiments relate to methods to monitor the efficacy of ongoing cancer immunotherapy by evaluating expression of leukocyte-function associated mRNAs genes before and administration of an anti-cancer immunotherapy regimen.

Abstract: Cross-linked, conjugated organic semiconducting polymer networks that combine improved solubility with improved electrical and/or optical properties in one package have been developed. New materials that combine advantages of good charge-carrier mobility organic materials and conjugated polymer networks as well as fairly good solubility in common organic solvents, into one package and thus offers a general and powerful platform suitable for use in numerous applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides new materials that combine the advantages of well-defined polymeric starting materials and the convenience of surface modification by physical methods into one package and, thus, offers a general and powerful platform suitable for use in numerous applications.

Abstract: An ionic polymer composite device and methods for fabricating the ionic polymer composite device are provided. The ionic polymer composite device includes two extended electrode layers, each extended electrode layer including at least one ionic polymer with a plurality of electrically conductive particles, and a dielectric layer including at least one sulfonated poly ether sulfone polymer or a derivative between the two extended electrode layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, device kits, and systems for improved quantification of mRNA from whole blood. More particularly, the devices and kites related thereto are useful for the controlled and repeatable ex vivo stimulation of whole blood.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the characterization of bone marrow conditions through the quantification of bone marrow-associated markers. In several embodiments, the bone marrow-associated markers are expressed in exosomes, which can be obtained from biological fluid samples, such as plasma or whole blood. In several embodiments, quantification of such markers allows for the assessment of bone marrow recovery following bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract: Band electrode arrays, methods of manufacturing, and a method of using are disclosed. The arrays have individually addressable band electrodes such that diffusion layers of the band electrodes overlap. An exemplary method of manufacturing may comprise: a first insulating layer is disposed on a substrate; a first band electrode is disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer is disposed on the first insulating layer and completely covers the first band electrode; a second band electrode is disposed on the second insulating layer; a third insulating layer is disposed on the second insulating layer and completely covers the second band electrode; the first and second band electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and individually addressable; cross-sectional surfaces of the first and second band electrodes are exposed on the test surface; and these exposed cross-sectional surfaces substantially overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods detecting, quantifying, or purifying nucleic acids by way of agglutination reactions. Several embodiments amplify target nucleic acids while incorporating a label such as 5-methyl-cytosine into amplified product and detecting, quantifying, or purifying the product with latex beads coupled to antibody reactive to the 5-methyl-cytosine labeled nucleic acid. Several embodiments incorporate DNA labels into specifically designed primers in order to detect, quantify, or purify a product after agglutination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of characterizing kidney function. In particular, several embodiments quantify kidney-associated marker RNA isolated from vesicles contained in patient urine samples.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of diagnosing diseases and measuring homeostatic states. In particular, the methods described here are used to characterize RNA from vesicles for expression of disease related markers. Embodiments of the invention also relate generally to the characterization of RNA by using sensitive techniques such as PCR to internally sample organ health using whole blood.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ex vivo methods of quantifying expression of interferon responsive genes and characterizing an individual's potential responsiveness to interferon administration. Certain embodiments relate to methods to monitor the efficacy of ongoing interferon therapy by evaluating expression of interferon responsive genes before and after interferon administration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric materials including a copolymer of at least a first and second monomer that have desirable electrical and optical properties, such as a low band gap and near infrared (NIR) absorption, respectively. More specifically, the present invention is directed to polymeric materials with charge neutrality that display increased solubility in aqueous media while retaining their electrical and optical properties. The polymeric materials in accordance with the present invention can be modified with any desired functional group to tailor the polymer materials for a specific application. Also described are methods of making the polymeric materials in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A culturing method includes culturing a sample having one or more species of target pathogens of a detection assay and competing microorganisms under oxygen-poor condition in a growth medium. The growth medium can be a non-selective medium. The oxygen-poor condition is effective to prevent competing microorganisms from suppressing growth of the target pathogens. This method can be used in combination with a sample preparation method for large volume particulate samples using highly porous filter material and porous spherical filter aid.

Abstract: Methods for selectively detecting a live pathogen in a sample containing live and dead pathogens, without detecting the dead pathogen are disclosed. Such methods may include: (i) immobilizing at least a portion of the live and dead pathogens on a solid support with a physical barrier; (ii) incubating the solid support in a growth medium, where the live pathogen can multiply and the multiplied pathogen move from the solid support to a supernatant of the growth medium; and (iii) detecting the multiplied pathogen in the supernatant by a pathogen assay.