Abstract: The present invention provides a blood biomarker and genetic markers on human chromosome 1 that are associated with a beneficial response to CRTH2 receptor antagonists. These combination of the blood biomarker and genetic markers are useful, inter alia, to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with CRTH2 receptor antagonist compositions and drug products, in methods of treating patients having a disease susceptible to treatment with a CRTH2 receptor antagonist, e.g., asthma, and in methods for selecting the most appropriate therapy for such patients.

Abstract: Provided are SNP markers of drug reduced susceptibility related evolutionary branches of Clostridium difficile, a method for identifying the category of a Clostridium difficile strain, and use thereof. The SNP markers are specific markers of three categories of the Clostridium difficile clade2 (mainly hypervirulent ribotype 027), allowing for rapid and accurate identification of the evolutionary branches of Clostridium difficile strains that are resistant to a variety of therapeutic drugs and related drugs. Accurate categorization of the drug reduced susceptibility related evolutionary branches not only provides evidence for the evolutionary traceability of drug-resistant pathogens, but also offers effective and actionable guidance on clinical drug usage.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetic markers on human chromosome 6 that are associated with a beneficial response to a treatment that targets Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin B (TcdB), e.g. a TcdB antibody. These TcdB treatment response markers are useful, inter alia, to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with a treatment that 5 targets TcdB in methods of treating patients having a disease susceptible to treatment with a TcdB antibody, and in methods for selecting the most appropriate therapy for such patients. The invention also provides antibodies, drug products, and kits useful with the TcdB Treatment response markers of the invention.

Abstract: A process used to identify activity of conjugative enzymes involved in xenobiotic transformations, such as glucuronosyltransferases.

Abstract: A storable biotransformation mixture that can oxidize a drug, comprising a cytochrome P450 enzyme, an electron donor; and, a buffer solution. In a preferred embodiment the mixture also contains liposomes, cytochrome b.sub.5 and NADPH-P450 reductase as the electron donor. The mixture is storable at a temperature less than 8.degree. C. to for at least two weeks and is able to oxidize a drug after storage.

Abstract: A pouch comprises two opposed webs having respective side and bottom portions sealed together thereby leaving an unsealed end whereat one of the opposed webs extends beyond the free edge of the other of the opposed webs to form a flap. The flap is foldable onto over an edge portion of the other web. An area of pressure sensitive adhesive, which is disposed on the flap, extends through a position for normal folding of the flap, so that the flap is foldable within the area covered by the adhesive to bring that latter into direct sealing contact at the flap fold.The flap is foldable along a rupturable portion which extends across the width of the flap. The relatively readily rupturable portion, which defines a fold line, comprises a perforated line of weakness or a scored line of weakness.

Abstract: In a method of making packaging, especially for steam-sterilizable medical or pharmaceutical products, a tinted plastics sheet is formed as a laminate (34) comprising two substantially transparent sheets (10, 30) bonded together by a tinted adhesive (15). The sheet is then heat-sealed in selected areas (50, 52, 54) to a second sheet (40) to form a pouch (56) or tube to receive the product.The arrangement ensures that one of the films will be between the adhesive and the product so that colorant cannot migrate and contaminate the product when subjected to high temperatures and vacuum during steam-sterilization.The outer film may be polyester, the inner film a heat-sealable material such as cast polypropylene, and the second sheet may be paper.