Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining activity of mTOR variants upon exposure to mTOR inhibitors, such a rapamycin or rapalogs thereof, methods for determining kinase activity of a mTOR variant, and methods for determining tumor cell response to treatment with rapamycin or rapalogs thereof. A method for determining whether a compound inhibits mTOR activity in a cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of quantifying microflora in vaginal samples. Quantitative assessment of vaginal microflora by real-time PCR to create a profiling of Lactobacillus species, Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera Type 1 and Type 2 and BVAB2 permits evaluation of bacterial vaginosis. Kits containing reagents for quantitative assessment of microflora are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-sense oligonucleotides (AONs) used to induce exon 9 skipping in IL-23R? gene. Exon 9 skipping of the IL23R? gene ultimately causes specific induction of a novel soluble truncated IL-23R? (?9) protein, characterized by a lack in a transmembrane domain and has a unique eight (8) amino acids (GLKEGSYC) at its C-terminus end as a result of frame-shift. The present invention provides a utility application of the use of AONs to induce production of a ?9 protein which inhibits IL-23R-mediated cell signaling. More particularly, ?9 protein blocks STAT3 formation as well as Th17 maturation. There is provided a therapeutic application of AONs in treating a mammal such as a human patient inflicted with Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of quantifying miR-185 as a potential biomarker in lipid disorder or cardiovascular diseases in human. The present invention also provides a method of modulating miR-185 in regulating LDL and cholesterol metabolism in cells. The present invention has therapeutic potential in the treatment of cholesterol/LDL related cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of detecting a DEK protein in a human urine sample using an ELISA assay. Methods and compositions for detection of DEK using mAb 260-6F9F6 (as detection antibody) and mAb 16-2C9C3 (as capture antibody) in human urine are provided herein. Specifically, the ELISA assay utilizes a capture mAb and a detection mAb to yield a high sensitivity of <50 ng/mL. The presence of DEK in urine is useful in predicting or diagnosing the occurrence of bladder cancer in humans.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of a novel repressor located between ˜1.2 kb to ˜1.6 kb from the translation start site of the IFN-?1 promoter. The present invention provides a method of using siRNAs against ZEB1 (binds to the repressor region) and BLIMP-1 (binds outside the repressor region) and increases the promoter activity of IFN-?1 (i.e., increases the production of IFN-?1 protein). siRNAs against ZEB1 mRNA or BLIMP-1 mRNA increase IFN-?1 gene activity. There is provided a therapeutic application of siRNAs against ZEB1 and BLIMP-1 mRNAs in treating a mammal (including a human) by increasing the production of IFN-?1 protein that promotes an anti-viral response as well as treats asthma diseases and colon diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of novel polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of detecting a DEK protein in a human urine sample using an ELISA assay. Methods and compositions for detection of DEK using mAb 260-6F9F6 (as detection antibody) and mAb 16-2C9C3 (as capture antibody) in human urine are provided herein. Specifically, the ELISA assay utilizes a capture mAb and a detection mAb to yield a high sensitivity of <50 ng/mL. The presence of DEK in urine is useful in predicting or diagnosing the occurrence of bladder cancer in humans.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of quantifying miR-185 as a potential biomarker in lipid disorder or cardiovascular diseases in human. The present invention also provides a method of modulating miR-185 in regulating LDL and cholesterol metabolism in cells. The present invention has therapeutic potential in the treatment of cholesterol/LDL related cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of attenuating activity of the PME-1 gene. siRNAs or shRNAs are used to target against PME-1, thereby reducing the PME-1 mRNA. It is disclosed that the siRNAs or shRNAs targeted against PME-1 attenuate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, thereby inhibit endometrial cancer and triple negative breast cancer development. A kit containing siRNA or shRNA reagents for attenuating the PME-1 gene expression is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of attenuating activity of the PME-1 gene. siRNAs or shRNAs are used to target against PME-1, thereby reducing the PME-1 mRNA. It is disclosed that the siRNAs or shRNAs targeted against PME-1 attenuate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, thereby inhibit endometrial cancer development. A kit containing siRNA or shRNA reagents for attenuating the PME-1 gene expression is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for receiving and handling a plurality of clinical samples and managing information associated therewith for generating and reporting any of a plurality of different diagnostic results from each sample in a timely manner, particularly within about thirty (30) hours. Methods described comprise, for example, receiving a plurality of single gynecological swab samples, each having identity and test requisition information associated therewith, wherein the test requisition information indicates a test for at least one causative agent, from a choice of a plurality of agents (for example, between about 5 and about 25 different microbiological agents) and managing information associated therewith for generating and reporting any of a plurality of different diagnostic results for each sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel linear and cyclic polypeptides that bind to IL-23 receptor and inhibit the binding of IL-23 to its corresponding receptor and cell signaling thereof. The novel polypeptides of the present invention has a core structure of WX1X2X3W, where W is tryptophan, and X1, X2 and X3 are amino acids, with the proviso that when one of X1, X2 or X3 is W, the remaining two of X1, X2 or X3 cannot be W. Preferred core structures include WVDYW or WQDYW. The present invention relates a composition containing the novel polypeptides (linear or cyclic), and use of same in inhibiting cell functions including production of IL-22 and IL-17F from immune cells as well as in treating IL-23 associated human diseases including, for example, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis and Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The presence of G76C, C213G, or C318A (SNP) in tvntr 4 or the presence of A238T, G427C, or T476C (SNP) in tvntr6 provides a reliable biomarker for the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The present invention further provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs to screen subjects for metronidazole resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Abstract: A naturally-occurring soluble truncated IL-23R? protein (i.e., ?9 IL-23R?) is shown to be present in a biological sample and can serve as a diagnostic tool for autoimmune diseases. There is provided an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and test kit for the serological detection of the soluble truncated form of IL-23R? protein. More particularly, antibody-sandwich ELISA method and kits for ?9 IL-23R? as an antigen were developed to detect ?9 IL-23R? levels in biological samples from a mammal and a human patient and are used as a diagnostic index. The present disclosed ELISA has utility as a diagnostic tool to detect Crohn's disease in patients using EDTA-plasma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of specifically detecting IFN-?2 mRNA or IFN-?3 mRNA. There is provided a qRT-PCR method specifically detecting, discriminating and quantifying IFN-?2 and IFN-?3 mRNA in a biological sample obtained from a human. There is provided qRT-PCR methods and primers and probes that specifically detect IFN-?2 mRNA but not IFN-?3 mRNA and vice versa in humans in order to detect, quantify and discriminate IFN-?2 mRNA and IFN-?3 mRNA.

Abstract: A naturally-occurring soluble truncated IL-23R? protein (i.e., ?9 IL-23R?) is shown to be present in a biological sample and can serve as a diagnostic tool for autoimmune diseases. There is provided an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and test kit for the serological detection of the soluble truncated form of IL-23R? protein. More particularly, antibody-sandwich ELISA method and kits for ?9 IL-23R? as an antigen were developed to detect ?9 IL-23R? levels in biological samples from a mammal and a human patient and are used as a diagnostic index. The present disclosed ELISA has utility as a diagnostic tool to detect Crohn's disease in patients using EDTA-plasma.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of a novel repressor located between ˜1.2 kb to ˜1.6 kb from the translation start site of the IFN-?1 promoter. The present invention provides a method of using siRNAs against ZEB1 (binds to the repressor region) and BLIMP-1 (binds outside the repressor region) and increases the promoter activity of IFN-?1 (i.e., increases the production of IFN-?1 protein). siRNAs against ZEB1 mRNA or BLIMP-1 mRNA increase IFN-?1 gene activity. There is provided a therapeutic application of siRNAs against ZEB1 and BLIMP-1 mRNAs in treating a mammal (including a human) by increasing the production of IFN-?1 protein that promotes an anti-viral response as well as treats asthma diseases and colon diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of specifically detecting IFN-?2 mRNA or IFN-?3 mRNA. There is provided a qRT-PCR method specifically detecting, discriminating and quantifying IFN-?2 and IFN-?3 mRNA in a biological sample obtained from a human. There is provided qRT-PCR methods and primers and probes that specifically detect IFN-?2 mRNA but not IFN-?3 mRNA and vice versa in humans in order to detect, quantify and discriminate IFN-?2 mRNA and IFN-?3 mRNA.