Abstract: A specimen collection kit includes a specimen transport medium tube, a transport medium and a swab for collecting a sample. The transport medium compartment of the specimen transport medium tube has a reduced inner diameter and contains a reduced volume of the transport medium compared to conventional transport medium tubes. The tip of a swab containing a collected sample which is stored in the specimen transport medium tube can remain immersed in the transport medium during transport to a testing facility, preventing drying of the swab tip and degradation of the sample. In addition, the relatively small volume of transport medium in the tube reduces the dilution of analytes from the sample in the a transport medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for amplifying target nucleic acids by means of a polymerase with strand displacement activity, using two or more stem loop primers, each with a 3?-end portion comprising sequence complementary to a target homology site of a target nucleic acid and 5?-end portion with a sequence comprising a stem sequence, a loop sequence and a sequence which is reverse complementary to the stem sequence, the said 5?-end portion being capable of forming a stem loop. Such methods and systems can be used to amplify target nucleic acids isothermally by means of a polymerase with strand displacement activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for amplifying target nucleic acids by means of a polymerase with strand displacement activity, using two or more stem loop primers, each with a 3?-end portion comprising sequence complementary to a target homology site of a target nucleic acid and 5?-end portion with a sequence comprising a stem sequence, a loop sequence and a sequence which is reverse complementary to the stem sequence, the said 5?-end portion being capable of forming a stem loop. Such methods and systems can be used to amplify target nucleic acids isothermally by means of a polymerase with strand displacement activities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a three dimensional matrix of selected, synthetic peptide mimic sequences that are preferentially recognized by auto-antibodies, specifically by autoimmune antibodies, to be detected in patients afflicted with rheumatic arthritis, enabling enhanced sensitivity and specificity in detection of these antibodies in pre-symptomatic patients, in patients showing symptoms as well as patients confirmed positive for rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a substrate coated support for use in micro-array devices. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of applying a first coat of substrate to a support, making the substrate coating ramp by subjecting the coated support to centripetal forces, adding a second coat of substrate to the resulting support having a ramping planar coat and subjecting the coated support to centripetal forces for a second time to produce a substrate coated membrane in which the thickness of the substrate layer is uniform across the entire coated surface.

Abstract: Described is a method for preparing a substrate-coated support for use in micro-array devices. The method comprises the steps of applying a first coat of substrate to a support, making the substrate coating ramp by subjecting the coated support to centripetal forces, adding a second coat of substrate to the resulting support having a ramping planar coat, and subjecting the coated support to centripetal forces for a second time to produce a substrate-coated membrane in which the thickness of the substrate layer is uniform across the entire coated surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a three dimensional matrix of selected, synthetic peptide mimic sequences that are preferentially recognized by auto-antibodies, specifically by autoimmune antibodies, to be detected in patients afflicted with rheumatic arthritis, enabling enhanced sensitivity and specificity in detection of these antibodies in pre-symptomatic patients, in patients showing symptoms as well as patients confirmed positive for rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Polypeptides corresponding to stable, circulating degradation products of troponin I (TnI) are described. The fragments comprise a sequence of the N-terminus of native cardiac TnI with 95-115 amino acid and additionally include fragments lacking about the 20-30 N-terminal amino acids. Utilities of these fragments and antibodies thereto include sensitive detection of myocardial infarction and purification of antibodies sensitive to the detection of troponin I degradation products.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a substrate coated support for use in micro-array devices. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of applying a first coat of substrate to a support, making the substrate coating ramp by subjecting the coated support to centripetal forces, adding a second coat of substrate to the resulting support having a ramping planar coat and subjecting the coated support to centripetal forces for a second time to produce a substrate coated membrane in which the thickness of the substrate layer is uniform across the entire coated surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to single-chain polypeptides and their genetic sequences comprising a human cardiac troponin I N-terminal fragment and troponin C. The N-terminal fragment may or may not have the intact N-terminus. The single-chain polypeptide may be expressed recombinantly, and a linker or spacer polypeptide or peptide may be interposed between the troponin sequences. The single-chain polypeptides have utility as controls or calibrators for troponin assays, for the purification of troponin subunits and as an antigen for the preparation of antibodies.

Abstract: Polypeptides corresponding to stable, circulating degradation products of troponin I (TnI) are described. The fragments comprise a sequence of the N-terminus of native cardiac TnI with 95-115 amino acid and additionally include fragments lacking about the 20-30 N-terminal amino acids. Utilities of these fragments and antibodies thereto include sensitive detection of myocardial infarction and purification of antibodies sensitive to the detection of troponin I degradation products.