Abstract: A microscale method for the characterization of one or more reaction variables that influence the formation or dissociation of an affinity complex comprising a ligand and a binder, which have mutual affinity for each other.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, generally relates to methods and devices for determining the health status of a subject, e.g., whether the subject has a disease or other condition. In some embodiments, a plurality or mixture of species may be differentially solubilized in a single two-phase aqueous system, or other multi-phase aqueous system. The nature or degree of the solubilization of the species may be used to determine the health status of a subject. For example, some embodiments are directed to devices and methods for determining a disease or other condition as a function of the changes to the structure of two or more species. The species may be selected based on their differential solubility behavior in a two-phase or other multi-phase aqueous system.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a tissue staining method that makes it possible to observe both information on the morphology of a tissue and information on a biological substance such as an antigen molecule to be detected on a single section and in a single view field. The present invention provides a tissue staining method, including carrying out (A) a HE (hematoxylin-eosin) staining, and (B) a histochemical staining, serially on a single tissue section, wherein the histochemical staining is defined as a histochemical technique for detecting a biological substance to be detected in a tissue in a visible manner by use of a binding reaction between the biological substance to be detected and a probe biological substance capable of binding specifically to the biological substance to be detected.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosis and/or prognosis of lung cancer, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining the level of a C4 activation fragment in a test sample, and (b) comparing the level of the test sample with the level of a C4 activation fragment detected in a control sample, wherein if the level of C4 activation fragment is higher than the level in a reference control, it is indicative that the subject suffers lung cancer or has a bad prognosis. The present invention further provides methods for determining the risk of suffering from lung cancer as well as for deciding whether to initiate a medical regimen and to determine the efficacy of said medical regimen, based on the determination of a C4 activation fragment. C4 activation fragment, used as marker, confers high sensitivity and specificity to the methods object of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are a PIVKA-II measurement method that achieves better serum-plasma correlation than conventional methods, and a reagent and a kit therefor. The PIVKA-II measurement method according to the present invention comprises measuring PIVKA-II in a sample by an immunoassay using a mixture of an anti-F1 antibody that specifically binds to prothrombin fragment F1 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof and an anti-F2 antibody that specifically binds to prothrombin fragment F2 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof; and an anti-PIVKA-II antibody that specifically binds to PIVKA-II or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.

Abstract: A method for determining agglutination of a biological liquid by measuring a change in hydrodynamic resistance of the biological liquid flowing through a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device, comprising the steps of: a) calibrating the microfluidic device; b) filling the microfluidic reaction channel with a hydrophobic continuous liquid phase, c) introducing a first reference droplet; d) causing the first reference droplet to flow; e) measuring the time of flow of the first reference droplet; f) introducing a second reference droplet followed by a sequence of test droplet(s); g) causing the second reference droplet and the sequence of test droplet(s) to flow; h) measuring the time of flow; i) calculating the hydrodynamic resistance of the sequence of the test droplet(s); and j) determining agglutination of the biological liquid by comparing the hydrodynamic resistance with the calibrated values.

Abstract: A device consisting activated microfibers, such as glass and cellulose, comprising the 3D network, packed in small volumes, traps and concentrates the bacteria from trace contaminated liquids rapidly. It functions for concentrating and rapid detection of microbes in <20 min. The device enables the easy recovery of concentrated bacteria, which involves the mixing and agitation of the contaminated sample, followed by the suction. The chemistry of the system involves coupling aminosilane groups such as 3-aminopropyl methyldiethoxysilane (APMDES) or carboxylated groups in 3-triethoxysilyl propylsuccinicanhydride (TESPSA) to the —OH bearing moieties on the surfaces of glass and/or cellulose microfibers, attained by solution or vapor phase techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibody or a binding fragment thereof that binds to risperidone, which can be used to detect risperidone in a sample such as in a competitive immunoassay method. The antibody or fragment thereof can be used in a lateral flow assay device for point-of-care detection of risperidone, including multiplex detection of aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, and risperidone in a single lateral flow assay device.

Abstract: This invention provides reagents and methods for diagnosing renal disease. Differential levels of inosine metabolite, and proteins: apolipoprotein C-I, apolipoprotein C-II, fibrinogen alpha chain, or fibrinogen A-alpha chain, kininogen, Inter-Alpha Inhibitor H4 (ITIH4), keratin Type I cytoskeletol 10 cystatin A, cystatin B and other polypeptides and fragments thereof provide biomarkers of renal disease and are described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies that bind specifically to human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), and methods of using the same. The antibodies are capable of binding to a sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and specifically bind to human IDO1 in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues. The antibodies are useful in a number of different analytical techniques, including immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit and a probe for detecting porous dental hydroxyapatite that includes a protein capable of binding porous dental hydroxyapatite or a detector thereof. The invention also relates to a method for detecting a condition involving porous dental hydroxyapatite that includes detecting in or on a tooth or a sample of the tooth of a subject a protein bound to porous dental hydroxyapatite. The invention also relates to methods for detecting a hypomineralization developmental dental defect or detecting intact and/or broken MIH enamel, and to a kit and method for removing a protein bound to porous dental hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus is generally disclosed for sequentially analyzing a single sample or multiple samples having one or more analytes in high or low concentrations. The apparatus comprises a relatively large-bore transport capillary which intersects with a plurality of small-bore separation capillaries and includes a valve system. Analyte concentrators, having antibody-specific (or related affinity) chemistries, are stationed at the respective intersections of the transport capillary and separation capillaries to bind one or more analytes of interest. The apparatus allows the performance of two or more dimensions for the optimal separation of analytes. The apparatus may also include a plurality of valves surrounding each of the analyte concentrators to localize each of the concentrators to improve the binding of one or more analytes of interest.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an analyte-measuring sensor using a thermoresponsive polymer, which is a novel analyte-measuring sensor capable of quantitatively measuring a target analyte with higher sensitivity. The analyte-measuring sensor of the present invention comprises a labeled particle capable of specifically reacting with a measurement target analyte, a thermoresponsive polymer, a charged substance exhibiting a positive or negative zeta potential in a solution, and a metal particle, and said metal particle is coated with a copolymer of said labeled particle, said charged substance and said thermoresponsive polymer.

Abstract: A method for extracting protein from a fat sample is described comprising the steps of separating solidified fat and solid residues from a centrifuged mixture of protein, fat, other solid materials and aqueous solution of phosphate buffered saline to form an aqueous phase containing the protein. The aqueous phase is then filtered through a filter to separate a clear protein extract from the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for calibrating a multiplex assay, comprising: adding a calibration reagent to a solid phase on which a plurality of capturing agents are immobilized, adding a detection molecule which has a capacity to bind to the calibration reagent, detecting bound detection molecule, thereby creating a calibration curve, wherein the calibration reagent comprises at least two different binding molecules, wherein each binding molecule has a capacity to bind specifically to a capturing agent immobilized on the solid phase and a capacity to bind to a detection molecule. Further provided is a multiplex assay system comprising such a calibration reagent.

Abstract: The invention discloses a cellulose or glass fiber paper for preservation of biological samples, which comprises 4-30 wt % of a hydrophilic branched carbohydrate polymer. It also discloses a method for preservation of biological samples by applying and drying them on the paper.

Abstract: A method of recovering a target from a sample is provided. The method comprises the adding a substrate coupled binding element to the sample comprising the target to form a substrate coupled binding element-target complex; precipitating the complex by changing one or more environmental conditions of the substrate and recovering the target and the substrate coupled binding-element under mild conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibody which binds to olanzapine, which can be used to detect olanzapine in a sample such as in a competitive immunoassay method. The antibody can be used in a lateral flow assay device for point-of-care detection of olanzapine, including multiplex detection of aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone in a single lateral flow assay device.

Abstract: A method for assessment of a number or density of immune cells in tumoral tissues comprising the steps consisting in: a. providing one or more immunostained slices of tissue section obtained by an automated slide-staining system by using antibodies binding specifically to antigens (markers) expressed by immune cells. b. proceeding to digitalization of the slides of step a. by high resolution scan capture, whereby a high definition (4.6 ?m/pixel or better) digital picture of the slide to be analyzed is obtained, c. detecting the slice of tissue section on the digital picture d. analyzing the slice of tissue section for defining (i) the tumor (CT) and (ii) the invasive margin of the tumor (IM), e. providing a size reference grid with uniformly distributed units having a same surface, said grid being adapted to the size of the tumor to be analyzed, e1. checking the quality of immunostaining, f.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods and tools relating to diagnosing whether a pregnant subject is at risk for developing preeclampsia and/or early-onset preeclampsia within a short period of time. The methods include determining the amounts of the biomarkers sFlt-1 or Endoglin and PIGF in a first and a second sample of said subject, said first sample being obtained prior to said second sample; calculating a first ratio from the amounts of sFlt-1 or Endoglin and PIGF determined in the first sample, and a second ratio from the amounts of sFlt-1 or Endoglin and PIGF determined in the second sample; and comparing the value of the first and the second ratio, whereby a subject being at risk for developing preeclampsia within a short period of time is diagnosed if the value of the second ratio is increased compared to the value of the first ratio by a factor of at least about 3.