Abstract: A host's immune function can be characterized by quantifying changes in offensive and defensive immune function associated markers. Certain methods can be used to identify a potentially efficacious therapy for a subject based on the induction of expression of offensive and defensive immune function-associated markers. Additionally, some methods can be used to identify drugs that allow the stimulation of either the offensive or defensive immune response while inhibiting the other of offensive or defensive immune response.

Abstract: Provided herein are primer/probe sets useful for detecting HIV (HIV-1) in a test sample. The primer/probe sets can be employed according to nucleic acid amplification procedures including PCR, real-time quantitative PCR, or RT-PCR. The primer/probe sets can also be provided in the form of a kit with other reagents for performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: A method for predicting patient responsiveness to rheumatoid arthritis treatments involving altering expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily (“TNFSF”)-2, TNFSF-8, or TNFSF-15 is disclosed. A method for monitoring the effectiveness of such therapy is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method of screening compounds for use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is disclosed. A method of monitoring the disease state over time in rheumatoid arthritis patients is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device kit, and automated system for simple, reproducible, and high-throughput quantification of mRNA from whole blood. More particularly, the method, device, kit and automated system involve combinations of leukocyte filters attached to oligo(dT)-immobilized multi-well plates.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device kit, and automated system for simple, reproducible, and high-throughput quantification of mRNA from whole blood. More particularly, the method, device, kit and automated system involve combinations of leukocyte filters attached to oligo(dT)-immobilized multi-well plates.

Abstract: A method of producing silicon nanowires includes providing a substrate in the form of a doped material; formulating an etching solution; and applying an appropriate current density for an appropriate length of time. Related structures and devices composed at least in part from silicon nanowires are also described.

Abstract: Methods and filter systems for detecting microorganisms in a sample, such as a food sample, are disclosed. The filter is configured to attract the microorganism, for example by electrostatic charge. The filter containing the microorganism is incubated to grow the microorganism so that it may be detected. The filter may be degradable and the detection may involve extracting the microorganism or the molecular marker of the microorganism from the filter for detection. The filter system may also include a porous microbead component selected to trap dirt and other contaminants from the sample while allowing the microorganisms to pass among the microbeads. Methods are disclosed for detecting microorganisms in samples using the filter systems described. The methods may also include adding a polymer and/or a microorganism detection reagent to the filter to localize microorganism growth and prevent evaporation of reagents.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining whether a human having Crohn's disease is likely to respond to a therapy targeting a TNFSF member or a cytokine by measuring the level of certain mRNAs in response to a stimulus. A method of evaluating the effectiveness of a Crohn's disease therapy in a human is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method of screening compounds for use in the treatment of Crohn's disease is disclosed. A method of monitoring the disease state over time in Crohn's disease patients is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for predicting patient responsiveness to rheumatoid arthritis treatments involving altering expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily (“TNFSF”)-2, TNFSF-8, or TNFSF-15 is disclosed. A method for monitoring the effectiveness of such therapy is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method of screening compounds for use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is disclosed. A method of monitoring the disease state over time in rheumatoid arthritis patients is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a reaction, such as the synthesis of concentrated cDNA, in the wells of a microplate while minimizing the volume of the solution of reagents required to perform the reaction. In the method, a pestle is inserted into the well of a microplate to which a substance has been immobilized. A volume of reagent solution is introduced into the well that is insufficient to cover the portion of the well onto which the substance is immobilized. The insertion of the pestle displaces reagent solution and increases the surface area of the solution in contact with the portion of the well to which the substance has been immobilized when the pestle is inserted.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device kit, and automated system for simple, reproducible, and high-throughput quantification of mRNA from whole blood. More particularly, the method, device, kit and automated system involve combinations of leukocyte filters attached to oligo(dT)-immobilized multi-well plates.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is capable of inducing apoptosis by interacting with specific TNF receptors on the surface of cancer cells. Because multiple members of TNF ligand and receptor are present within each superfamily, over 300 different ligand-receptor combinations exist. Activated blood leukocytes produce TNF as part of the immune response to cancer, as well as producing chemokines to attract other leukocytes to the site. A method is disclosed of detecting significant induction of a variety of TNF superfamily subtype and chemokine mRNAs in blood leukocytes when whole blood is exposed to heat-aggregated IgG or anti-T cell receptor antibodies as a model of immune system interactions. Substantial individual-to-individual variation is observed in TNF subtypes and chemokines induced. Since peripheral blood leukocytes are the supply of anti-cancer immune cells, the quantitation of ex vivo inducibility of appropriate TNF ligands and chemokines in blood will be useful in individualized cancer immunotherapy.

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: A method of producing silicon nanowires includes providing a substrate in the form of a doped material; formulating an etching solution; and applying an appropriate current density for an appropriate length of time. Related structures and devices composed at least in part from silicon nanowires are also described.

Abstract: The use of probe arrays in which probes of various biological substances such as DNA are immobilized on the surface of a solid is becoming established as an effective means for high-speed screening. Different kinds of probes, such as DNA, are immobilized on the surface of a multiple number of independently treatable fine particles, such as beads, instead of the surface of a single solid, and the resulting beads are aligned in a capillary or a cell in a designated order. The size of the area where one probe is immobilized is reduced. The bead probe array is characterized in that such small beads are aligned one by one in a designated manner using a sheet with holes, and one or a multiple number of beads are held in the holes and then transferred to a probe array holder such as a capillary.

Abstract: Aptamers bind to Listeria surface proteins. A method of assaying a sample for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes includes exposing the sample to an aptamer that specifically binds one of the following proteins: Listeria monocytogenes internalin A protein, Listeria monocytogenes internalin E protein, and Listeria monocytogenes 0610 protein. The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the sample is detected when the aptamer binds the protein present in the sample. A method of treating Listeria monocytogenes infection includes administering the aptamers to the mammal at a concentration sufficient to reduce Listeria monocytogenes infection.

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: A method is disclosed for determining whether a human having Crohn's disease is likely to respond to a therapy targeting a TNFSF member or a cytokine by measuring the level of certain mRNAs in response to a stimulus. A method of evaluating the effectiveness of a Crohn's disease therapy in a human is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method of screening compounds for use in the treatment of Crohn's disease is disclosed. A method of monitoring the disease state over time in Crohn's disease patients is also disclosed.

Abstract: Heparinized human whole blood from patients with invasive breast cancer, with (multiple primary) and without (single primary) a second primary cancer, and from unaffected controls was stimulated with 0.1-10 Gy of radiation and incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours. P21 and PUMA mRNA were then quantified. The results suggest that cancer susceptibility represented by the multiple primary cases was significantly related to over-reaction of p21 mRNA, and not PUMA.

Abstract: Aptamers bind to Listeria surface proteins. A method of assaying a sample for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes includes exposing the sample to an aptamer that specifically binds one of the following proteins: Listeria monocytogenes internalin A protein, Listeria monocytogenes internalin E protein, and Listeria monocytogenes 0610 protein. The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the sample is detected when the aptamer binds the protein present in the sample. A method of treating Listeria monocytogenes infection includes administering the aptamers to the mammal at a concentration sufficient to reduce Listeria monocytogenes infection.