Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods relating to biomarkers that can be used for detection and treatment assessment of infectious diseases or disorders, such as fungal infection, in a subject. The present invention also provides methods of diagnosing infectious diseases or disorders and distinguishing between different types of infectious diseases or disorders (e.g., fungal infection vs bacterial infection). The present invention additionally provides kits that find use in the practice of the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an apparatus used in ureteroscopy, a widespread method of treating kidney stones by enclosing the stone in a sheath before breaking it into a plurality of fragments with a fragmenting device. The configuration of the disclosed mesh top to a sheath may improve the practice of ureteroscopy by facilitating the removal of kidney stone fragments. The apparatus may comprise a sheath; a mesh top comprising: a first end having an opening into the interior of the mesh top, and a second end being attached to the sheath; and an enclosing means, wherein the mesh top is configured to: receive an object within an interior of the mesh top, enclose, via the enclosing means, the object within the mesh top, receive a fragmenting device through a second end, and retain fragments of the object caused by an operation of the fragmenting device.