Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid molecules and vectors comprising variant copper transporting ATPase 2 (ATP7B) nucleic acid sequences. Such sequences have been optimized for expression in mammalian cells, liver cells, and/or from an adeno associated viral vector (AAV), including truncated and/or codon optimized variants. Also provided are viral vectors comprising such ATP7B variant nucleic acid sequences, and methods of use thereof for treating disorders associated with an ATP7B deficiency, such as Wilsons disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for driving high expression of a transgene. Compositions and methods for driving high expression of a transgene comprising one or more human-derived regulatory elements, which, when operably linked to a transgene, can result in high expression of the transgene in one or more cell types or tissues.

Abstract: Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye.

Abstract: Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye.

Abstract: Skin sealants are usually applied over skin preps to seal the skin and hold any remaining bacteria in place prior to surgical incisions. This sealant is generally left on the skin after surgery. A skin coating is provided that has an indicator that gives a visible color change upon contact with microbes or microbial by-products and so provides an early warning of infection. The coating is a curable coating composition that may also be used without skin preps and may be used to protect other disruptions in the skin like wounds, bruises, abrasions, burns, acne, blisters, bites, stings, punctures and cuts. It may also be used to close wounds or provide an additional barrier to other parts of the skin, such as the nails and mucosa.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.

Abstract: Solvatochromic dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of bacteria by incorporating them into various substrates such as films, woven and nonwoven fabrics, paper towels, coform and airlaid materials and bonded carded webs. These dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye. A lateral flow device incorporating solvatochromic dyes and a method of detecting bacteria are also included.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset of ovulation in a female mammal is provided. The method comprises contacting mouth air of the female mammal with an arylmethane test chromogen in an amount effective to undergo a rapid and detectable color change in the presence of one or more volatile sulfur compounds. The color of the test chromogen is compared to a control color that corresponds to a pre-ovulatory sulfur content. The difference in color between the test chromogen and the control color is correlated to the onset of ovulation.

Abstract: A method for rapidly detecting infectious conjunctivitis in a host is provided. The method includes contacting an ocular test sample with a chromogen (e.g., Reichardt's dye) that exhibits a color change in the presence of a microbe. The present inventors have discovered that the extent of the color change may vary depending on whether the microbe is a bacteria or virus. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the chromogen interacts with the peptidoglycan-based cell wall structure of bacteria to induce a color change that is even more apparent at infectious levels. It is believed that this interaction occurs to a much greater extent in bacteria than in viruses. Accordingly, although the chromogen may still undergo a color change in the presence of the viruses, it is typically to a much lesser extent.

Abstract: A technique for incorporating odor control agent particles into an absorbent article is provided. More specifically, the odor control particles are “homogenously” distributed (e.g., in a substantially uniform manner) within an airformed fiber matrix of an absorbent core of an absorbent article. An absorbent core containing such a homogeneously distributed odor control particles may possess a greater surface area for contacting malodorous compounds, thereby increasing the likelihood of odor reduction.

Abstract: A graphic and/or message display system is described. The graphic and/or message display system functions to develop over a period of time a hidden graphic or message on an indicator panel or display area. The hidden graphic or message is revealed when an obscuring graphic reacts with a solvent to change color become at least substantially transparent. The graphic and/or message display system may be used as a stand-alone device or may be incorporated as part of various articles or products, for instance, as a positive reinforcement or a reminder to perform a task. Methods for using the graphic and/or message display system are also described.

Abstract: A tablet that is capable of reducing odor when added to a liquid is provided. The deodorizing tablet may be used in a wide variety of applications in which odor control is desired, such as in toilets, water treatment/sewage systems, well water, bedpans, and so forth. In addition to providing odor control, the tablet is generally soluble in the liquid so that its components are better able to contact malodorous compounds contained within the liquid. In this regard, the present inventors have discovered that certain quinone compounds are both odor inhibiting and also soluble in liquids (e.g., urine), and thus particularly useful in forming the deodorizing tablet of the present invention.

Abstract: A vaginal treatment composition that rapidly forms a gel when placed into contact with monovalent or polyvalent cations, such as sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) cations naturally found in vaginal mucosa, is provided. The gel may form in less than about 1 hour, in some embodiments less than about 1 minute, and in some embodiments, less than about 30 seconds. Among other things, such rapid gelation reduces the likelihood of leakage during use. In addition, because the gel may form intravaginally, it is more likely to retain its structure and shape over an extended period of time. In this manner, the gel may provide the prolonged release of a therapeutic agent that inhibits and/or treats vaginal infection. For instance, the gel may remain within the vagina for about 2 to about 48 hours to provide the desired effect.

Abstract: A method for semi-quantitatively or quantitatively detecting the presence of a microbe in a sample is provided. The method utilizes a test dye that undergoes a detectable color change in the presence of one or more microbes. For example, in one embodiment, the test dye is a solvatochromic dye (e.g., Reichardt's dye) that responds to differences in polarity between microbe components (e.g., cell membrane, cytoplasm, etc.) and the environment outside the cell. Alternatively, other mechanisms may be wholly or partially responsible for the interaction between the dye and the microbe, such as acid-base reactions, redox reactions, and so forth. Regardless, the color of the test dye may be compared to the color of a control dye, wherein the color of the control dye corresponds to a known microbe concentration.

Abstract: An elastomeric article that contains a chromogen that undergoes a detectable change in color in the presence of one or more microbes is provided. For example, in one embodiment, the chromogen is a solvatochromic dye (e.g., Reichardt's dye) that undergoes a color change in the presence of bacteria or other microbes. More specifically, such dyes may respond to differences in polarity between microbe components (e.g., cell membrane, cytoplasm, etc.) and the environment outside the cell. Alternatively, other mechanisms may be wholly or partially responsible for the interaction between the dye and the microbe, such as acid-base reactions, redox reactions, and so forth.

Abstract: A vaginal treatment composition that employs a therapeutic agent to inhibit and/or treat vaginal infection is provided. The therapeutic agent is capable of inhibiting and/or killing Gardnerella (e.g., Gardnerella vaginalis), Candida (e.g., Candida albicans), and/or Trichomonas (e.g., Trichomonas vaginalis) pathogens. Desirably, such antimicrobial efficacy is achieved without substantially inhibiting the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus. For instance, sugars and/or sugar alcohols may be employed in the present invention as a therapeutic agent for inhibiting and/or treating vaginal infection. In one particular embodiment, D-xylitol is used as the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An odor control composition that comprises an odor-reducing quinone compound and optionally high surface area particles is provided. In one embodiment, the odor-reducing quinone compound is an anthraquinone having the following structure: wherein the numbers 1 through 8 refer to optional substitution positions for functional groups. For example, positions 5 through 8 of the anthraquinone may be unsubstituted with functional groups. Examples of such quinone compounds may include those obtained from a dye selected from the group consisting of Acid Blue 25, Acid Green 41, Acid Blue 45, Mordant Violet 5, Acid Blue 129, Acid Green 25, D&C Green No. 5, Acid Green 27, and combinations thereof.