Abstract: The device (100) for protecting a document (125) comprises: —a means (120) for inputting a digital file representing an image of at least a part of the document, —a means (135) of extracting characteristic elements of the image and of positions of said characteristic elements on the document, —a means (140) of encoding characteristic elements of the image and data representative of position of said characteristic elements on the document, and to a matrix code and—a means (155) of printing the matrix code on or in said document. In embodiments, the device comprises: —a means (165) of determining a location of the document not bearing any information, and/or—a means (165) of determining the shape of the matrix code corresponding to the location of the document not bearing information, the printing means printing the matrix code at the determined location and according to the determined shape.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the methylation status of the promoter region of the TWIST1 gene in genomic DNA from bladder cells, including bladder cells present in a urine sample. Also disclosed are kits for performing the disclosed methods, such as kits for determining the methylation status of the promoter region of the TWIST1 gene comprising at least one primer pair for determining the methylation status of TWIST1. The kits may contain means for processing a urine sample.

Abstract: The device (100) for protecting a document (125) comprises:—a means (120) for inputting a digital file representing an image of at least a part of the document,—a means (135) of extracting characteristic elements of the image and of positions of said characteristic elements on the document,—a means (140) of encoding characteristic elements of the image and data representative of position of said characteristic elements on the document, and to a matrix code and—a means (155) of printing the matrix code on or in said document. In embodiments, the device comprises:—a means (165) of determining a location of the document not bearing any information, and/or—a means (165) of determining the shape of the matrix code corresponding to the location of the document not bearing information, the printing means printing the matrix code at the determined location and according to the determined shape.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the methylation status of the promoter region of the TWIST1 gene in genomic DNA from bladder cells, including bladder cells present in a urine sample. Also disclosed are kits for performing the disclosed methods, such as kits for determining the methylation status of the promoter region of the TWIST1 gene comprising at least one primer pair for determining the methylation status of TWIST1. The kits may contain means for processing a urine sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer in a sample comprising detecting an epigenetic change, such as methylation, in at least one gene selected from TWIST1, NID2, RUNX3, BMP7, CCNA1, PDLIM4, TNFRSF25, APC, RASSF1A, LOXL1, TUBB4, NTRK2, ARFGAP3, OSMR and TJP2, or a panel thereof. Also disclosed are kits for performing the disclosed methods, such as kits for detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer in a sample comprising at least one primer pair for determining the methylation status of each of NID2, TWIST1 and RUNX3. The kits may contain means for processing a urine sample.

Abstract: A method of detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer in a sample comprises detecting an epigenetic change in at least one gene selected from TWIST1, NID2, RUNX3, BMP7, CCNA1, PDLIM4, TNFRSF25, APC, RASSF1A, LOXL1, TUBB4, NTRK2, ARFGAP3, OSMR and TJP2. Detection of the epigenetic change is indicative of a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer. The gene may be TWIST1 or a panel of genes such as TWIST1, NID2 and RUNX3 may be screened. The epigenetic change may be methylation. A kit for detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer in a sample comprises at least one primer pair for determining the methylation status of each of NID2, TWIST1 and RUNX3. A kit for detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer in a sample comprises means for detecting an epigenetic change in at least one gene selected from TWIST1, NID2, RUNX3, BMP7, CCNA1, PDLIM4, TNFRSF25, APC, RASSF1A, LOXL1, TUBB4, NTRK2, ARFGAP3, OSMR and TJP2.