Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting Mycoplasma exposure in a subject.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting Mycoplasma exposure in a subject.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).

Abstract: A sample cartridge (40) for microscopic imaging of a biological sample comprises a body having an end portion (43) and a pair of generally parallel opposing side edge portions (44), a locking edge portion (45) formed on the body; a carrier removably connected to or permanently connected to the body; and at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier or to the chamber (41) side wall portion (e.g., at the surface to be imaged, or supporting the sample to be imaged). An XYZ stage (101) for receiving such a cartridge (40) is also described.

Abstract: A method of automatically focusing a microscope on a specimen is carried out by capturing an image from each of a plurality of focal planes in or on said specimen, calculating a focus score for each of said images, selecting the focal plane corresponding to the image having the best focus score, and then repositioning said specimen relative to said microscope so that said microscope is focused on said selected focal plane, the method includes a plurality of exogenous targets in or on said specimen, which aids in focusing in the event particular objects of interest, such as cells/pathogens that may or may not be in the sample, are not present, or are present in low numbers. Automated microscopes and microscope cartridges useful in such methods are also described, along with methods of detecting pathogens in biological samples.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed monoclonal glycodelin antibody and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of glycodelin antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed monoclonal glycodelin antibody and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of glycodelin antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to HE4. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of an HE4 antibody of the invention are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce an HE4 monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed HE4 monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for an HE4 epitope and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to HE4. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of an HE4 antibody of the invention are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce an HE4 monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed HE4 monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for an HE4 epitope and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to MMP-7. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of an MMP-7 antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to an MMP-7 epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce an MMP-7 monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed MMP-7 monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The screening methods involve the detection of expression of a plurality of biomarkers in a body sample, wherein overexpression of the biomarkers is indicative of an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. The screening methods may further comprise a two-step analysis. Biomarkers of interest include genes and proteins that are, for example, involved in defects in DNA replication/cell cycle control, cell growth and proliferation, escape from apoptosis, angiogenesis or lymphogenesis, or the mechanisms of cancer cell motility and invasion. In some aspects of the invention, expression of a biomarker is detected at the protein level using a biomarker-specific antibody or at the nucleic acid level using nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Methods for detecting ovarian cancer in patients are further disclosed herein. Kits for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The screening methods involve the detection of expression of a plurality of biomarkers in a body sample, wherein overexpression of the biomarkers is indicative of an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. The screening methods may further comprise a two-step analysis. Biomarkers of interest include genes and proteins that are, for example, involved in defects in DNA replication/cell cycle control, cell growth and proliferation, escape from apoptosis, angiogenesis or lymphogenesis, or the mechanisms of cancer cell motility and invasion. In some aspects of the invention, expression of a biomarker is detected at the protein level using a biomarker-specific antibody or at the nucleic acid level using nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Methods for detecting ovarian cancer in patients are further disclosed herein. Kits for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to HE4. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of an HE4 antibody of the invention are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce an HE4 monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed HE4 monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for an HE4 epitope and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: A drop check valve for choke and kill manifolds which has easily replaceable components therein. The valve apparatus includes a bonnet which houses a replaceable seat member within which a dart is reciprocatingly received. The dart has a seat engaging surface formed thereon which is a frustum of a cone and moves lengthwise of its axis when closing against a conical seat of the removable seat assembly, so that the dart engages the seat to prevent bidirectional fluid flow therethrough.A replaceable seal circumferentially extends about the cone of the dart to improve the sealing action between the dart and its seat. The seat assembly is provided with radially spaced-apart ports connected to an outlet passageway and fluid flow can only occur through an inlet passageway, up through the seat, into the seat assembly, through the radial ports, and out through the outlet passageway.

Abstract: Improvements in the concentration of solutions in processes involving heating the solution to be concentrated; processes of solution concentrating where the solution to be concentrated is heated prior to concentration by either direct or indirect heat exchange, including particular concentrating processes where the heating means and media include: (1) high pressure steam; (2) low-pressure steam and (3) submerged combustion; Improved methods of vapor-liquid phase separation in solution concentrating processes with the vapor phase utilized as supplemental heating medium to the solution to be concentrated; incorporation of a counterflow gas-liquid contact stage (cooling tower) as one phase in processes of concentrating heated solutions.

Abstract: Improvements in the concentration of solutions in processes involving heating the solution to be concentrated; Processes of solution concentrating where the solution to be concentrated is heated prior to concentration by either direct or indirect heat exchange, including particular concentrating processes where the heating means and media include: (1) high pressure steam; (2) low-pressure steam and (3) submerged combustion; Improved methods of vapor-liquid phase separation in solution concentrating processes with the vapor phase utilized as supplemental heating medium to the solution to be concentrated; Incorporation of a counterflow gas-liquid contact stage (cooling tower) as one phase in processes of concentrating heated solutions.