Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides materials, compositions, methods, and kits for deterring or repelling animals from eating plant materials. The invention relates to the use of particulate matter to deter animals from eating plant materials that are susceptible to grazing by animals. In exemplary embodiments, an adhesive is applied to target plant material and the particulate matter is then applied prior to curing or drying of the adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides for immunogenic compositions and their methods of use as vaccines and their method of preparation. These immunogenic compositions comprise a recombinant protein of toxin A or toxin B of Clostridium difficile conjugated to a polysaccharide of a microbial pathogen. The immunogenic compositions may include only a truncated portion of toxin A or toxin B, particularly the repeating units (rARU or rBRU), that is associated with a microbial pathogen polysaccharide. Such compositions are effective in eliciting T-cell dependent and antibody responses. These compositions are therefore effective as vaccines for humans, particularly children, and animals in affording protection against one or more microbial pathogens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the differentiation of Crohn's disease from other gastrointestinal illnesses, such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, using the presence of fecal anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) as a marker for Crohn's disease are provided. The apparatus includes an enzyme-linked immunoassay or other immunoassay that utilizes antibodies specific to human immunoglobins for the measurement of total endogenous ASCA in a human fecal sample. The method and apparatus may be used by healthcare providers to distinguish Crohn's disease from other gastrointestinal illnesses, such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring Fc?RII/CD23 IgE receptor in human feces or other biological specimens as an indicator of a TH2 immune response indicative of gastrointestinal illnesses such as ulcerative colitis and food allergy is described. The apparatus consists of either a qualitative or quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay or other immunoassay that utilizes antibodies specific to human Fc?RII/CD23 IgE receptor for the measurement of endogenous Fc?RII/CD23 IgE receptor in human feces. The method and apparatus can be used by healthcare providers as an aid for determining gastrointestinal illnesses that are predominantly a TH2 predominant immune response such as ulcerative colitis, large bowel Crohn's disease (IC-like Crohn's disease), allergic colitis (food allergy) and parasitic infections.