Abstract: Provided herein are sensitive lateral flow devices (LFDs) configured for use in an assay to measure the levels of a cardiometabolic disease risk biomarker in a sample from a subject, such as a saliva sample. Also provided herein are methods of using the LFDs disclosed herein in assays for measuring the level of a cardiometabolic disease risk biomarker in a sample from a subject, such as a saliva sample. Further provided herein are methods of manufacturing the LFDs disclosed herein.

Abstract: A kit for detecting an inflammation level of an oral cavity based on a biomarker indicative of inflammation, the kit comprising at least one rinsing substance; a cup sized to contain a predetermined amount of at least one rinsing substance; a colourimetric reference corresponding to a predetermined inflammation level, and a colourimetric indicator reactive to the biomarker in the at least one rinsing substance consistently with the colourimetric reference.

Abstract: A kit for detecting an inflammation level of an oral cavity based on a biomarker indicative of inflammation, the kit comprising at least one rinsing substance; a cup sized to contain a predetermined amount of at least one rinsing substance; a colourimetric reference corresponding to a predetermined inflammation level, and a colourimetric indicator reactive to the biomarker in the at least one rinsing substance consistently with the colourimetric reference.

Abstract: A method of separating neutrophils from a heterogeneous cell suspension comprising the steps of: receiving salivary samples; treating a surface of a receptacle treated with oxygen plasma to increase the hydrophilic properties of the surface that subsequently increase cell-surface adhesion; transferring the salivary samples to the receptacle; adding phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to levitate epithelial cells and separate them from oral Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (oPMNs) in saliva; removing the levitated epithelial cells after a delay time (ot), whereby the oPMNs are attached to the surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a pre-SrnA1 peptide, an SrnA1 peptide, a pre-SrnA2 peptide, an SrnA2 peptide, a pre-SrnA4 peptide, a SrnA4, and other peptides and post-translationally modified versions thereof are taught. Also taught are methods of treating bacterial infections comprising administering a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of the composition to the patient with a bacterial infection caused by a pathogen from, for example, multi-drug resistant (MDR) Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus dysagalactiae, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and MDR Enterococcus faecalis.

Abstract: A kit for detecting an inflammation level of an oral cavity based on a biomarker indicative of inflammation, the kit comprising at least one rinsing substance; a cup sized to contain a predetermined amount of at least one rinsing substance; a colourimetric reference corresponding to a predetermined inflammation level, and a colourimetric indicator reactive to the biomarker in the at least one rinsing substance consistently with the colourimetric reference.

Abstract: An assay test kit is used in a mouth rinse sample collection procedure involving collecting a mouth rinse sample from a patient. A neutrophil reactant diagnostic reagent is delivered to the rinse sample immediately after collection. Diagnostic reagents containing diammonium salts that are reactive with neutrophil enzymes are added to the sample to produce visually discernable color change in the solution after a selected period of time. Most preferably, the reagents are selected to produce a color change after a period of time. The reaction is then measured by comparing the resulting sample color change by eye or mechanically to a standardized color chart/swatch that correlates with predetermined neutrophil concentrations and/or periodontal disease levels.

Abstract: An assay test kit is used in a mouth rinse sample collection procedure involving collecting a mouth rinse sample from a patient. A neutrophil reactant diagnostic reagent is delivered to the rinse sample immediately after collection. Diagnostic reagents containing diammonium salts that are reactive with neutrophil enzymes are added to the sample to produce visually discernable colour change in the solution after a selected period of time. Most preferably, the reagents are selected to produce a colour change after a period of time. The reaction is then measured by comparing the resulting sample colour change by eye or mechanically to a standardized colour chart/swatch that correlates with predetermined neutrophil concentrations and/or periodontal disease levels.