Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the detection of infectious proteins or prions in samples, including the diagnosis of prion related diseases. One embodiment is an ultrasensitive method for detecting PrP-res (PrPSc) that allows the use of recombinant PrP-sen (rPrP-sen) as a substrate for seeded polymerization. A sample is mixed with purified rPrP-sen to make a reaction mix which is incubated to permit aggregation of the rPrP-sen with the PrP-res that may be present in the sample. Any aggregates are intermittently disaggregated by agitation and the reaction allowed to proceed to amplify target substrate. Any rPrP-res(Sc) in the reaction mix is detected to indicate the presence of PrP-res in the original sample. In the QUIC method in, the reaction mixture is shaken intermittently. The surprising speed and efficiency of the method permits the rapid identification and diagnosis of prion disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the detection of infectious proteins or prions in samples, including the diagnosis of prion related diseases. One embodiment is an ultrasensitive method for detecting PrP-res (PrPSc) that allows the use of recombinant PrP-sen (rPrP-sen) as a substrate for seeded polymerization. A sample is mixed with purified rPrP-sen to make a reaction mix which is incubated to permit aggregation of the rPrP-sen with the PrP-res that may be present in the sample. Any aggregates are intermittently disaggregated by agitation and the reaction allowed to proceed to amplify target substrate. Any rPrP-res(Sc) in the reaction mix is detected to indicate the presence of PrP-res in the original sample. In the QUIC method in, the reaction mixture is shaken intermittently. The surprising speed and efficiency of the method permits the rapid identification and diagnosis of prion disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the detection of infectious proteins or prions in samples, including the diagnosis of prion related diseases. One embodiment is an ultrasensitive method for detecting PrP-res (PrPSc) that allows the use of recombinant PrP-sen (rPrP-sen) as a substrate for seeded polymerization. A sample is mixed with purified rPrP-sen to make a reaction mix which is incubated to permit aggregation of the rPrP-sen with the PrP-res that may be present in the sample. Any aggregates are intermittently disaggregated by agitation and the reaction allowed to proceed to amplify target substrate. Any rPrP-res(Sc) in the reaction mix is detected to indicate the presence of PrP-res in the original sample. In the QUIC method in, the reaction mixture is shaken intermittently. The surprising speed and efficiency of the method permits the rapid identification and diagnosis of prion disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the detection of infectious proteins or prions in samples, including the diagnosis of prion related diseases. One embodiment is an ultrasensitive method for detecting PrP-res (PrPSc) that allows the use of recombinant PrP-sen (rPrP-sen) as a substrate for seeded polymerization. A sample is mixed with purified rPrP-sen to make a reaction mix which is incubated to permit aggregation of the rPrP-sen with the PrP-res that may be present in the sample. Any aggregates are intermittently disaggregated by agitation (for example by sonication) and the reaction allowed to proceed to amplify target substrate. Any rPrP-res(Sc) in the reaction mix is detected to indicate the presence of PrP-res in the original sample. This assay, which is called rPrP-PMCA, is surprisingly much faster than existing PMCA methods, yet it still retains sufficient sensitivity to detect extremely low levels of PrP-res.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the detection of infectious proteins or prions in samples, including the diagnosis of prion related diseases. One embodiment is an ultrasensitive method for detecting PrP-res (PrPSc) that allows the use of recombinant PrP-sen (rPrP-sen) as a substrate for seeded polymerization. A sample is mixed with purified rPrP-sen to make a reaction mix which is incubated to permit aggregation of the rPrP-sen with the PrP-res that may be present in the sample. Any aggregates are intermittently disaggregated by agitation (for example by sonication) and the reaction allowed to proceed to amplify target substrate. Any rPrP-res(Sc) in the reaction mix is detected to indicate the presence of PrP-res in the original sample. This assay, which is called rPrP-PMCA, is surprisingly much faster than existing PMCA methods, yet it still retains sufficient sensitivity to detect extremely low levels of PrP-res.

Abstract: A monitoring and locating device includes one or more remote child units and a parent unit in communication with each of the child units. The parent unit is adapted to assign and transmit an individual identifier to each child unit. The parent unit is constructed and arranged to continuously monitor each of the child units by transmitting and receiving signals to each of the child units using the individual identifiers assigned thereto. The monitoring and locating device may be used in a method for monitoring and tracking a living entity that includes acquiring the plurality of child units using the parent unit based at least in part on user input. Monitoring each of the plurality of child units individually with the parent unit. Tracking the location of each child unit with the parent unit and locating a selected child unit of the plurality of child units with the parent unit based upon the tracked location thereof.

Abstract: A monitoring and locating device includes one or more remote child units and a parent unit in communication with each of the child units. The parent unit is adapted to assign and transmit an individual identifier to each child unit. The parent unit is constructed and arranged to continuously monitor each of the child units by transmitting and receiving signals to each of the child units using the individual identifiers assigned thereto. The monitoring and locating device may be used in a method for monitoring and tracking a living entity that includes acquiring the plurality of child units using the parent unit based at least in part on user input. Monitoring each of the plurality of child units individually with the parent unit. Tracking the location of each child unit with the parent unit and locating a selected child unit of the plurality of child units with the parent unit based upon the tracked location thereof.

Abstract: An operator interface device is connected to the central control unit of a remotely-monitored security system, which also includes one or more local control units located at monitored sites. A local control unit may initiate a telephone call to the central control unit to alert the operator of an event such as an intrusion at the site. The interface device has a keypad on which the operator can enter commands that are transmitted to the local control unit. A processor in the interface device uses a look-up table, state machine or other predetermined relationship to translate the command entered by the operator into the native or local command recognized by the local control unit.