Abstract: The present invention relates to liposomes useful for diagnosis and/or therapy of a target site, such as cancerous tissue. The compositions and methods disclosed herein find particular use in diagnosing and imaging cancerous tissue. The present invention provides a new diagnostic tool for the utilization of positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography imaging technique.

Abstract: A three-wheeled tilting vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can include an electronic control system that controls the tilting of the vehicle in higher speed turns for increased stability. The vehicle may also include a traction control system to provide additional stability during higher speed turns.

Abstract: Improved dipstick assays for testing for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution are described. A dipstick is provided which comprises a contact end for contacting the sample solution and a capture zone remote from the contact end for capturing target nucleic acid. Sample solution is contacted with the contact end to cause sample solution to move by capillary action to the capture zone. Target nucleic acid in the sample solution is captured at the capture zone and is detected by a plurality of different labelled detection probes each capable of hybridizing to a different region of the target nucleic acid. The detection signal is thereby enhanced. In other methods a plurality of different capture probes are added to the sample solution which can then be bound by a capture moiety at the capture zone to indirectly capture target nucleic acid. Capture of target nucleic acid is thereby improved. Kits and dipsticks for carrying out such methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition useful in targeted diagnostic and/or therapy of a target site, such as cancerous tissue. The composition and methods disclosed herein find particular use in diagnosing and imaging cancerous tissue. The present invention provides a new diagnostic tool for the utilization of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technique.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer-implemented interactive lifestyle reinforcement game that includes steps of: displaying a first visual area and a second visual area of the game; where the first visual area includes X panes with descriptions of routines and activities; where the second visual area includes Y subareas, and where a number of Y subareas is less than a number of X panes; moving each X pane selected by a player into one of the Y subareas of the second visual area until all Y subareas are filled; displaying indication that identifies player's progress in performing selected routine and/or activity; automatically removing a completed routine or a completed activity from an associated Y subarea; allowing the player to select a new routine, a new activity, or both; and repeating steps based on the player's desire or until there are no more available X panes.

Abstract: Use of dipsticks to test for the presence of target nucleic acid in a sample solution is described. The dipsticks comprise a contact end for contacting the sample solution and a capture zone, remote from the contact end, to which a capture probe is immobilized. The capture probe is capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. The sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick and travels by capillary action to the capture zone. If target nucleic acid is present in the sample solution it is captured and can be detected at the capture zone. The capture probe is immobilized to the capture zone by a spacer. Use of the spacer increases the stability of the interaction between the capture probe and the target nucleic acid and thus improves the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Detection probes with spacers are also described.

Abstract: Dipstick tests for detecting analyte are described. In a preferred embodiment, a multiple biotinylated antibody capable of binding analyte is bound to an anti-biotin antibody labelled with colloidal gold and wicked up the dipstick with test solution thought to contain analyte. Complex formed between analyte, biotinylated anti-analyte antibody, and colloidal gold labelled anti-biotin antibody is captured at a capture zone of the dipstick. Presence of colloidal gold label at the capture zone indicates the presence of analyte in the test solution. The sensitivity of analyte detection using such methods is an order of magnitude higher than for comparable methods in which biotinylated anti-analyte antibody bound to analyte is wicked up the dipstick in a first step, and a colloidal gold labelled anti-biotin antibody is wicked up the dipstick in a separate step. Kits for performing the tests of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method and program prevents a user from bypassing a limit placed on a specified operating life of a sensor by disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. The present invention checks a characteristic of the sensor to see if the sensor is used prior to the connection of the sensor, and rejects the sensor if the sensor is determined to have been used before. The process of checking the characteristic of the sensor involves performing an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure and calculating an impedance value. The impedance value can be compared to various threshold values for a variety of purposes including the determination of age, condition, hydration, and stabilization of the sensor.

Abstract: Dipstick tests for detecting analyte are described. In a preferred embodiment, a multiple biotinylated antibody capable of binding analyte is bound to an anti-biotin antibody labeled with colloidal gold and wicked up the dipstick with test solution thought to contain analyte. Complex formed between analyte, biotinylated anti-analyte antibody, and colloidal gold labeled anti-biotin antibody is captured at a capture zone of the dipstick. Presence of colloidal gold label at the capture zone indicates the presence of analyte in the test solution. The sensitivity of analyte detection using such methods is an order of magnitude higher than for comparable methods in which biotinylated anti-analyte antibody bound to analyte is wicked up the dipstick in a first step, and a colloidal gold labeled anti-biotin antibody is wicked up the dipstick in a separate step. Kits for performing the tests of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Use of helper probes in dipstick assays is described. In a dipstick assay to test for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, the sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick at which target nucleic acid is captured. The target nucleic acid may be captured at the capture zone by a capture probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. A labelled detection probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid may be used to detect the target nucleic acid at the capture zone. A helper probe may be used to enhance the binding of the capture and/or detection probe to the target nucleic acid, thereby improving the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Dipsticks and kits are also described.

Abstract: Dipstick tests for detecting analyte are described. In a preferred embodiment, a multiple biotinylated antibody capable of binding analyte is bound to an anti-biotin antibody labelled with colloidal gold and wicked up the dipstick with test solution thought to contain analyte. Complex formed between analyte, biotinylated anti-analyte antibody, and colloidal gold labelled anti-biotin antibody is captured at a capture zone of the dipstick. Presence of colloidal gold label at the capture zone indicates the presence of analyte in the test solution. The sensitivity of analyte detection using such methods is an order of magnitude higher than for comparable methods in which biotinylated anti-analyte antibody bound to analyte is wicked up the dipstick in a first step, and a colloidal gold labelled anti-biotin antibody is wicked up the dipstick in a separate step. Kits for performing the tests of the invention are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a dipstick and a kit comprising the dipstick, for testing for the presence of a plurality of different targets in a sample solution which comprises: a dipstick having a plurality of different capture zones and, immobilised to each capture zone, a different capture moiety, each capture moiety capable of capturing a different target; and, separately, a plurality of different detection probes, each detection probe capable of binding to a different target and each detection probe being labelled with or enabling the formation of a detection signal so that the presence of each target is indicated by the formation of a signal at the capture zone for that target; wherein the target for at least two of the capture moieties is a disease causing micro-organism or a marker indicating the existence of a disease, disorder, or condition of the host from which the sample solution was derived, and wherein at least two of the capture moieties are capable of binding to different components or markers of t

Abstract: Dipstick tests for detecting analyte are described. In a preferred embodiment, a multiple biotinylated antibody capable of binding analyte is bound to an anti-biotin antibody labeled with colloidal gold and wicked up the dipstick with test solution thought to contain analyte. Complex formed between analyte, biotinylated anti-analyte antibody, and colloidal gold labeled anti-biotin antibody is captured at a capture zone of the dipstick. Presence of colloidal gold label at the capture zone indicates the presence of analyte in the test solution. The sensitivity of analyte detection using such methods is an order of magnitude higher than for comparable methods in which biotinylated anti-analyte antibody bound to analyte is wicked up the dipstick in a first step, and a colloidal gold labeled anti-biotin antibody is wicked up the dipstick in a separate step. Kits for performing the tests of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Dipsticks for testing for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution are described the dipsticks comprise a universal capture probe immobilised at a capture zone of the dipstick. The universal capture probe is capable of hybridising to a hook capture probe which is hybridised to the target nucleic acid in the sample solution. A contact end of the dipstick is contacted with the sample solution to cause hook capture probe hybridised to the target nucleic acid to move by capillary action to the capture zone where the target nucleic acid can be detected. Use of the universal and hook capture probes allows dipsticks to be prepared which can be used to capture any target nucleic acid, thereby simplifying preparation of the dipsticks. Specificity of target nucleic acid capture is then achieved by use of an appropriate hook capture probe. Methods and kits are also described.

Abstract: Use of helper probes in dipstick assays is described. In a dipstick assay to test for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, the sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick at which target nucleic acid is captured. The target nucleic acid may be captured at the capture zone by a capture probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. A labelled detection probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid may be used to detect the target nucleic acid at the capture zone. A helper probe may be used to enhance the binding of the capture and/or detection probe to the target nucleic acid, thereby improving the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Dipsticks and kits are also described.

Abstract: A method and program prevents a user from bypassing a limit placed on a specified operating life of a sensor by disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. The present invention checks a characteristic of the sensor to see if the sensor is used prior to the connection of the sensor, and rejects the sensor if the sensor is determined to have been used before. The process of checking the characteristic of the sensor involves performing an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure and calculating an impedance value. The impedance value can be compared to various threshold values for a variety of purposes including the determination of age, condition, hydration, and stabilization of the sensor.

Abstract: Dipsticks for testing for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution are described the dipsticks comprise a universal capture probe immobilised at a capture zone of the dipstick. The universal capture probe is capable of hybridising to a hook capture probe which is hybridised to the target nucleic acid in the sample solution. A contact end of the dipstick is contacted with the sample solution to cause hook capture probe hybridised to the target nucleic acid to move by capillary action to the capture zone where the target nucleic acid can be detected. Use of the universal and hook capture probes allows dipsticks to be prepared which can be used to capture any target nucleic acid, thereby simplifying preparation of the dipsticks. Specificity of target nucleic acid capture is then achieved by use of an appropriate hook capture probe. Methods and kits are also described.

Abstract: Use of helper probes in dipstick assays is described. In a dipstick assay to test for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, the sample solution is connected with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick at which target nucleic acid is captured. The target nucleic acid may be captured at the capture zone by a capture probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. A labelled detection probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid may be used to detect the target nucleic acid at the capture zone. A helper probe may be used to enhance the binding of the capture and/or detection probe to the target nucleic acid, thereby improving the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Dipsticks and kits are also described.

Abstract: In a sampler for sampling a first portion of a liquid flow, the liquid flow enters at a sampler inlet (12). The sample passes through a valve (30) into a sample chamber (8) and then the valve closes, diverting the remainder of the liquid flow to a sampler overflow (6). The valve comprises a valve inlet (24) coupled to the sampler inlet, a valve outlet (38, 36) opening into the sample chamber and positioned, in use, substantially below the valve inlet, a shut-off chamber (32) separating the valve outlet from the valve inlet, and a valve overflow (34) leading from the shut-off chamber to the sampler overflow (6). When the liquid level in the sample chamber rises to a predetermined level it disrupts the flow of liquid through the valve outlet and diverts later flow through the valve inlet into the shut-off chamber and through the valve overflow.

Abstract: Use of helper probes in dipstick assays is described. In a dipstick assay to test for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, the sample solution is connected with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick at which target nucleic acid is captured. The target nucleic acid may be captured at the capture zone by a capture probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. A labelled detection probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid may be used to detect the target nucleic acid at the capture zone. A helper probe may be used to enhance the binding of the capture and/or detection probe to the target nucleic acid, thereby improving the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Dipsticks and kits are also described.