Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for detecting an insertion/deletion variant, as compared with a reference sequence, in a selected region of a target gene in a sample. The target gene has a template strand and a coding strand complementary to the template strand. The method uses a primer set that includes a blocking primer, and a forward primer. The blocking primer and the forward primer are partially overlapping and have different melting temperatures, and the 3?-end of the blocking primer is modified to prevent the extension of the blocking primer during the PCR. Accordingly, under specific PCR conditions, the presence of the PCR product is indicative of the presence of an insertion/deletion mutation in the selected region, and the absence of the PCR product is indicative of the absence of an insertion/deletion mutation in the selected region.

Abstract: A device for data management, the device is in communication with a memory and includes: a verification module configured to receive a first identity information and a first request and verify the first identity information; a search module configured to search for at least one first data stored in the memory in response to the first request if the first identity information is verified, the at least one first data being assigned a first rating point; and an evaluation module configured to receive a second rating point associated with the first identification information, retrieve the first rating point from the at least one first data and generate a third rating point in accordance with the verified first identity information, the first rating point and the second rating point and store the third rating point in the memory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-competitive primer for preferentially amplifying a sample nucleic acid based on whether a selected region thereof has a nucleotide variation, in comparison with a selected region of a reference nucleic acid. The self-competitive primer includes a 5?-competing domain and a 3?-elongating domain. Sequences of the 5?-competing domain and the 3?-elongating domain are complementary to a first region and a second region of the reference nucleic acid, respectively. The first region includes the selected region and at least one nucleotide residue immediately downstream of the selected region of the reference nucleic acid. The second region is located downstream of the selected region of the reference nucleic acid and does not comprise the selected region of the reference nucleic acid, and the first region and the second region overlap by at least one nucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for controlling the flow of a body fluid from a first tissue/organ to a second tissue/organ of a subject. The flow control device includes a main body, a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a detection member, and a control member. The main body defines a lumen for accommodating the body fluid flowing from the first tissue/organ into the lumen. The first fluid channel is in fluid communication with the lumen and the first tissue/organ; while the second fluid channel is in fluid communication with the lumen and the second tissue/organ. The detection member is in fluid communication with the lumen, and is operable to detect at least one parameter associated with the flow of the body fluid. The control member is operable to control the flow of the body fluid from the first tissue/organ to the second tissue/organ of the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-competitive primer for preferentially amplifying a sample nucleic acid based on whether a selected region thereof has a nucleotide variation, in comparison with a selected region of a reference nucleic acid. The self-competitive primer includes a 5?-competing domain and a 3?-elongating domain. Sequences of the 5?-competing domain and the 3?-elongating domain are complementary to a first region and a second region of the reference nucleic acid, respectively. The first region includes the selected region and at least one nucleotide residue immediately downstream of the selected region of the reference nucleic acid. The second region is located downstream of the selected region of the reference nucleic acid and does not comprise the selected region of the reference nucleic acid, and the first region and the second region overlap by at least one nucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for detecting an insertion/deletion variant, as compared with a reference sequence, in a selected region of a target gene in a sample. The target gene has a template strand and a coding strand complementary to the template strand. The method uses a primer set that includes a blocking primer, and a forward primer. The blocking primer and the forward primer are partially overlapping and have different melting temperatures, and the 3?-end of the blocking primer is modified to prevent the extension of the blocking primer during the PCR. Accordingly, under specific PCR conditions, the presence of the PCR product is indicative of the presence of an insertion/deletion mutation in the selected region, and the absence of the PCR product is indicative of the absence of an insertion/deletion mutation in the selected region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for controlling the flow of a body fluid from a first tissue/organ to a second tissue/organ of a subject. The flow control device includes a main body, a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a detection member, and a control member. The main body defines a lumen for accommodating the body fluid flowing from the first tissue/organ into the lumen. The first fluid channel is in fluid communication with the lumen and the first tissue/organ; while the second fluid channel is in fluid communication with the lumen and the second tissue/organ. The detection member is in fluid communication with the lumen, and is operable to detect at least one parameter associated with the flow of the body fluid. The control member is operable to control the flow of the body fluid from the first tissue/organ to the second tissue/organ of the subject.

Abstract: A device for data management, the device is in communication with a memory and includes: a verification module configured to receive a first identity information and a first request and verify the first identity information; a search module configured to search for at least one first data stored in the memory in response to the first request if the first identity information is verified, the at least one first data being assigned a first rating point; and an evaluation module configured to receive a second rating point associated with the first identification information, retrieve the first rating point from the at least one first data and generate a third rating point in accordance with the verified first identity information, the first rating point and the second rating point and store the third rating point in the memory.

Abstract: The present invention features a human antibody that specifically binds to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), its encoding nucleic acid(s), and use of the antibody/nucleic acid(s) in treating HCMV infection.

Abstract: The present invention features a human antibody that specifically binds to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), its encoding nucleic acid(s), and use of the antibody/nucleic acid(s) in treating HCMV infection.