Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing a sample using at least one detector are disclosed.

Abstract: Oral fluid for drug testing has several advantages over other specimens: (1) It may be collected noninvasively and under direct supervision; (2) its drug concentration reflects blood-drug concentrations; and (3) it can be processed by conventional drug screening and confirmation methods. This technology provides a system that measures the quantity of a drug (without needing a priori knowledge of the drug) in an oral fluid specimen and translates this level to a blood plasma drug concentration. The method first measures the concentration of a drug in an oral fluid sample. Next, a processor calculates the blood plasma concentration from the measured oral fluid drug concentration. Finally, this blood plasma drug level is utilized to calculate a total body drug concentration.

Abstract: In a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC/MS) for performing mass spectrometry of fractionated samples prepared with a multi-dimensional LC or similar LC with high separatory capability, fractionated sample useful information which shows the degree of usefulness of various substances with respect to retention time is prepared from prior information which includes, for example, elution characteristics in the LC depending on the kind of column or other factors or the degree of ease of ionization in the MS. During a measurement, the preparative separation of an eluate and the preparation of fractionated samples are not performed within a period of time which has been judged to be useless based on the fractionated sample useful information. By selecting fractionated samples at each dimension of the multi-dimensional LC, the number of fractionated samples to be eventually subjected to mass spectrometry can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: To determine the concentration of an oxoanion in an aqueous solution, an aluminum reagent is added to the aqueous solution to form an optical analysis solution. Addition of the aluminum reagent may or may not form an alumino-oxoanion hydroxide hydrate precipitate. Light is directed into the optical analysis solution to determine an optical response of the optical analysis solution. Thereafter, the concentration of the oxoanion in the aqueous solution is determined based on the optical response of the optical analysis solution. For example, the concentration of the oxoanion may be calculated using a molar ratio relating oxoanion concentration to aluminum reagent concentration, when the aluminum reagent concentration corresponds to an inflection point of the optical response of the optical analysis solution.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a device to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, including a first oscillator group comprising a first sensor to measure air pressure, where the first sensor comprises a first sealed membrane, and where the first sealed membrane overlays a sealed first cavity; a second oscillator group including a second sensor to measure the resonance frequency of a second unsealed oscillating membrane, and where the second unsealed membrane overlays a second cavity in contact with the air outside of the second sensor; and a mixer accepting as input a first frequency measurement output from the first oscillator group and a second frequency measurement output from the second oscillator group, outputting the difference of the first frequency measurement and the second frequency measurement, and computing a carbon dioxide measurement based on the difference.

Abstract: An apparatus including a wireless transceiver of the gas monitoring processor that receives gas readings and a plurality of gas detectors at different locations within the predetermined geographical area that each periodically measure a current gas level at a respective location of the gas detector wherein for each gas reading of the gas detector, a processor of the gas detector compares the current gas level with a previously measured gas level, if the current gas level is different than the previous gas level, then the gas detector wirelessly transmits a message including the current gas level to the wireless transceiver of the gas monitoring processor and if the current gas level is unchanged from the previous gas level, then the gas detector transmits a beacon message to the wireless transceiver of the gas monitoring processor as an indication that the current gas level is unchanged from the previous gas level.

Abstract: A system and a process for detecting oil quality includes a light source configured to generate light within an oil container and a sensor configured to detect light from the light source after it has traversed through the oil in the oil container and generate an output signal. The system and process further includes a monitor configured to receive the output signal from the sensor and determine an oil quality of an oil in the oil container.

Abstract: A device, system and method for remotely determining the temperature and orientation of at least one medium is provided. The device may form a body adapted to penetrate a medium, wherein the body houses a thermal sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, each electronically connected to a wireless transmitter extending from the body. The plurality of sensors may be adapted to determine the continuous temperature, relative position and orientation of the penetrated medium, all relative to time, while the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit the plurality such determinations to at least one remote device. The resulting system enables a user to remotely monitoring a level of doneness for a plurality of media in terms of their respective temperatures, orientations, and positioning relative to the time spent on or in at least one heating element.

Abstract: A method for recovering a metal, capable of recovering a metal easily without requiring the use of an organic medium, is provided. A first complex between a first chelating agent and a metal present in a sample is formed in a first mixture prepared by mixing the first chelating agent and the sample. Then, the first complex is recovered from the first mixture, and a second complex between the metal derived from the first complex and a second chelating agent is formed in a second mixture prepared by mixing the first complex and an aqueous solution of the second chelating agent. The aqueous solution is under the pH conditions where the first chelating agent can be insoluble in the aqueous solution. Then, a liquid fraction containing the second complex is recovered from the second mixture. Thus, the metal can be recovered.

Abstract: A method and a system for detecting a fuel quality in a vehicle including a first determination unit to determine a correction factor kkW for fuel as a quotient between an output fokW required to propel a vehicle and a reference output engkW which an engine in the vehicle is estimated to yield; k k ? ? W = fo k ? ? W eng k ? ? W ; a secona aetermination unit to determine a correction factor kNOx for exhaust gas emissions as a quotient between a value measured in the vehicle for nitrogen oxides engNOx, and a reference value for nitrogen oxides ECUNOx; k NOx = eng NOx ECU NOx ; and a detection unit to detect the fuel quality based on a relation between the correction factor kkW for fuel and the correction factor kNOx for exhaust gas emissions.

Abstract: System (18, 28) for inspecting oil, which comprises a cell (280) through which oil (281) flows through a pipe.

Abstract: Example methods and systems are described for evaluating an effectiveness of ceramic particles to recover heavy oil from a subterranean region. In some aspects, a heavy oil recovery evaluation system includes a vessel containing a mixture of heavy oil and sand, the vessel including a chamber to receive a plurality of ceramic particles and water, a probe connected to the vessel to transfer energy from an energy source for energizing the plurality of ceramic particles, wherein the energized ceramic particles convert the water into steam to recover the heavy oil from the mixture, and a computer system connected to the vessel to evaluate an effectiveness of the plurality of ceramic particles to recover heavy oil from the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing an allergy capable of rapidly and highly accurately testing an allergic reaction. The method can determine whether or not a patient has an allergy or whether or not an agent that may be allergenic to a patient has an allergenicity (an allergic reactivity) in the patient. The method may comprise the steps of causing migration of leukocytes separated from a healthy human or cells of an established cell line with a chemotactic factor contained in a sample such as body fluid or blood of the patient to be tested or a sample stimulated with the agent that may be allergenic to the patient and analyzing the cell kinetics such as migration velocity, migration distance, and migration direction.

Abstract: A test meter for analyzing a body fluid sample applied to a test strip includes an outer housing having an opening, an actuator, and a cartridge positioned adjacent the outer housing. The cartridge further includes a dispensing member connected to the actuator, a plurality of stacked test strips biased toward the dispensing member, and a cartridge outer housing that is adjacent at least a portion of the dispensing member. Each time the actuator is actuated, the dispensing member is rotated to cause movement of one test strip from the plurality of stacked test strips through the opening, and another test strip is biased toward the dispensing member.

Abstract: The present invention is based on applicants' discovery, disclosed herein, of agonists for the TAS2R receptors TAS2R1, TAS2R4, TAS2R9, TAS2R13, TAS2R14, TAS2R16, TAS2R38, TAS2R39, TAS2R44, TAS2R46, and TAS2R60. The assignment of agonists to these receptors makes assays for identifying compounds that modulate bitter taste possible. For example, the present invention provides methods of identifying compounds that inhibit the bitter taste due to these agonists. The present invention also provides methods of identifying compounds that selectively inhibit the bitter taste due to these agonists. The present invention further provides methods of identifying compounds that mimic the bitter taste due these agonists. The present invention also provides methods of identifying compounds that enhance the bitter taste due to these agonists.

Abstract: A sensor for selectively capturing a targeted cell type in a fluid includes an engineered surface. The engineered surface includes a substrate, a non-adhesive element disposed on at least a portion of a substrate, and an adhesive element disposed on the substrate. The sensor also includes a flow channel in operative contact with the engineered surface; and a detector configured to detect the targeted cell type captured on the engineered surface. Also described is a method for selectively capturing target cell types using the engineered surface.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for analyzing intracellular BoNT protease activity, and especially BoNT/B, BoNT/G, BoNT/D, and/or BoNT/F protease activity are provided. Cells express at least two recombinant hybrid proteins each of which includes a fluorophore and a membrane anchoring peptide, and at least one of which includes a BoNT protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage. Analysis is performed by monitoring fluorescence following exposure to a BoNT.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for the simultaneous determination of a single cell's response to a stimuli and characterization of its cell response. The present disclosure further provides methods for detection of disease state, clinical management of a subject suffering from a disease, drug screening, prediction of drug response, and stands to help direct drug and diagnostic development for the treatment of disease.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, and, more specifically, to the treatment of tumors, including solid tumors and their metastases, without radiation or standard chemotherapeutic agents. In one embodiment, the invention involves a method comprising: a) providing a subject with tumor cells, b) removing at least a portion of said tumor cells from said subject to create removed cells, c) treating at least a portion of said removed cells ex vivo, using stimulating agents, including thapsigargin and/or thapsigargin-related compounds, so as to create treated tumor cells; and d) introducing said treated tumor cells (or fragments thereof) in vivo into the same subject to generate anticancer therapeutic effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a GM1 gangliosidosis human cell model based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSCs originated neural progenitor cells, and a use of the GM1 model above for the development of a GM1 gangliosidosis treating agent. The iPSCs originated from GM1 patient fibroblasts can be differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurosphere cells that can emulate the characteristics shown in GM1 patient, so that the said cells can be efficiently used for the investigation of intracellular GM1 symptoms such as the GM1 gangliosidosis and lysosome accumulation and the gene expression pattern change. So, the GM1 cell model of the present invention can be efficiently used for the study of GM1 development mechanism and the study for the development of a therapeutic agent for the disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for identifying inhibitors of the L-type Ca2+ channel ?3 protein, which has been demonstrated to be involved in calcium signaling, insulin secretion, and glucose homeostasis. The invention also provides therapeutics and methods for treating a subject with one or more of diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and impaired glucose homeostasis, involving the use of inhibitors of an L-type Ca2+ channel ?3 subunit to provide a benefit to the subject.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to develop a screening method for drugs having effects of increasing skin barrier function in in vitro experimentation, and to evaluate skin barrier function for skin. Serine racemase activity and/or expression level are used as an indicator to allow screening of candidate drugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic diseases, in particular diseases related to fibroblast migration and differentiation. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic disease. The invention further provides in vitro methods for inhibition of fibroblast migration and differentiation.

Abstract: Ectoparasite infestation of a substrate like bedding is detected by contacting a sample from the substrate with a polyclonal ectoparasite antibody generated from a whole ectoparasite immunogen, under conditions wherein the antibody specifically binds ectoparasite antigen in the sample.

Abstract: A solid-phase support, formed by binding a chain polymer at least to the surface, wherein the chain polymer is a block polymer comprising a first block constituted from repetitions of a hydrophilic structural unit and a second block constituted from repetitions of a structural unit having a reactive functional group, a content ratio of the number of moles “a” of the reactive functional group contained in the chain polymer and the number of moles “b” of the whole structural unit contained in the chain polymer, (a/b), is from 0.03 to 0.25, and a density of the chain polymer occupying the surface of the solid-phase support is 0.1 polymers/nm2 or more.

Abstract: A magnetic bead, formed by binding a chain polymer at least to the surface, in which the chain polymer is a chain polymer which has a hydrophilic repeating unit, and has a group comprising a reactive functional group at the end of the side, to which the magnetic bead does not bind, through an imino group or an N-substituted imino group, and a density of the chain polymer occupying the surface of the magnetic bead is 0.1 polymers/nm2 or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for conducting solid-phase binding assays. One example is an assay method having improved analyte specificity where specificity is limited by the presence of non-specific binding interactions.

Abstract: A flow channel device includes a flow channel section and an introduction channel section. The flow channel section includes a flow channel in which a detection object flows and a wall surface surrounding the flow channel. The introduction channel section includes an introduction channel having a first end connected to the flow channel and a second end connected to an introduction port, and a wall surface surrounding the introduction channel. At least a part of the wall surface surrounding the introduction channel is a curved surface protruding toward the introduction channel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and device for detecting and quantifying biological molecules such as cell surface or intracellular ligands/receptors in a dynamic system with high sensitivity and specificity; the method of using such platform optionally in combination with an optical detection system and kits comprising the optical platform.

Abstract: Labelled silica nanoparticles for immunochromatographic reagent, comprising silica nanoparticles containing a labelled substance.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for characterizing cellular physiology by incorporating into an electrically excitable cell an optical reporter of, and an optical actuator of, electrical activity. A signal is obtained from the optical reporter in response to a stimulation of the cell. Either or both of the optical reporter and actuator may be based on genetically-encoded rhodopsins incorporated into the cell. The invention provides all optical methods that may be used instead of, or as a complement to, traditional patch clamp technologies and that can provide rapid, accurate, and flexible assays of cellular physiology.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence or absence of, and for quantifying, one set of cells in a mixed cell population of at least two sets of cells especially Rh positive cells in a mixed population with Rh negative cells, as is found in a fetal maternal hemorrhage (FMH). The magnetic particles coated with anti-D antibodies are reacted with the Rh positive fetal cells in Rh negative maternal blood followed by a specific separation and quantifying technique. Gravitational forces or magnetic forces are used to move reacted magnetic particles to isolate, distinguish and quantify cells differentiated by antigenic composition. Rh positive cell volume is correlated to the volume of the original blood sample as an indication of the number of doses of RhIG needed to be administered to the mother to prevent subsequent Rh immunization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid, semi-automated whole blood assay to quantify the potency of cultured stem cells and biologicals in inhibiting monocyte and inducing T cell activation. Such an assay allows the quantification of the anti-inflammatory potency of therapeutic stem cell products for individual patients.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide novel methods of measuring concentrations of ?-galactosidase in blood, serum, plasma, cells, or tissues. For solution of this purpose, concentrations of ?-galactosidase are measured using a MUSTag method in the blood, serum, plasma, cells, or tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of membrane proteins associated with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, lymphoid leukaemia (particularly acute T-cell leukaemia and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia), melanoma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell cancer and retinoblastoma which have utility as markers and for treatment of said cancers and which also form biological targets against which antibodies such as therapeutic antibodies (or other affinity reagents) or other pharmaceutical agents can be made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying inhibitors of breast cancer metastasis based on a screening with proteins that are specific for the secretome of a chondrocyte, preferably cytokines and/or chemokines. The ligands as identified lead to a decrease of the migration and/or a re-differentiation of a breast cancer cell and/or a reduction of the number and/or size of breast cancer metastases. The present invention further relates to a method for detecting breast cancer metastasis, comprising the step of detecting at least one protein that is specific for the secretome of a chondrocyte, and for methods for treating and/or preventing breast cancer metastasis in a patient in need thereof, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of at least one ligand for one protein that is specific for the secretome of a chondrocyte to said patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting and diagnosing the presence of breast cancer, as well as for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of a cancer treatment and determining whether a subject potentially is developing cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to biomarkers useful in diagnosing aggressive prostate cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies or fragments thereof, such as murine, chimeric, humanized or human PAM4 antibodies. The subject antibodies show a number of novel and useful diagnostic characteristics, such as binding with high specificity to pancreatic and other cancers, but not to normal pancreatic tissues and binding to a high percentage of early stage pancreatic cancers. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies bind to pancreatic cancer mucins. The antibodies and fragments are of use for the detection and diagnosis of early stage pancreatic cancer. In preferred embodiments, the anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies can be used for immunoassay of serum samples, wherein the immunoassay can detect a marker for early stage pancreatic cancer in serum. More preferably, the serum is extracted with an organic phase, such as butanol, before immunoassay.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomarkers for determining the prognosis of cancer patients. By determining the level of the biomarker HR23B in the cell or patient, and optionally determining the levels of one or more of the biomarkers HDAC6, LC3 and HSP90, the invention provides a method for determining the susceptibility of a cell or a patient of interest to entering an autophagocytic state upon treatment with a drug. The invention also provides a method of determining susceptibility of a cell or patient to treatment with a drug. Entering an autophagocytic state is thought to be a tumour cell survival mechanism, whereby the tumour cell avoids apoptosis. The methods of the invention may therefore be helpful for determining whether a patient should be treated and for determining the prognosis upon drug treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medical diagnostics, immunology and oncology, in particular to the new tumor markers, useful in the early diagnosis of cancer and methods for cancer diagnostics. A new antigen for ELISA to detect antibodies associated with malignancies, namely, mature human plasminogen or human plasminogen fragments containing kringles. We propose a method of diagnosing cancer at an early stage by detecting autoantibodies of type IgA, IgG, IgM to human plasminogen or its fragments in a samples of human blood plasma or sera.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selecting aptamers that are specific to a target of interest from amongst a library of potential aptamer sequences. Aptamers disclosed can be used to detect and/or characterize biological entities of interest, e.g. microvesicles and/or surface antigens. Further disclosed are biomarkers that can be used for diagnosing different disorders including different types of cancer.

Abstract: The disclosed methods involve deglycosylating a target molecule to remove target carbohydrates to create vacant glycosylation acceptor sites and then using glycosyltransferases to incorporate replacement carbohydrates into those sites. The methods also involve using glycosytransferases to incorporate new carbohydrates into vacant glycosylation acceptor sites without having to perform in vitro deglycosylation. The replacement or new carbohydrates include a click chemistry moiety that reacts to a click chemistry moiety on a label.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomarkers associated with preterm delivery. More specifically, the invention provides methods of measuring biomarkers found in women that are at risk for preterm delivery.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing, selecting, characterizing or classifying compositions of a co-polymer, e.g., glatiramer acetate are described. The methods entail analysis of pyro-glutamate in the composition, and, in some methods, comparing the amount of pyro-glutamate present in a composition to a reference standard.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed for determining one or more target polypeptides in a sample where the target polypeptides have undergone a post-translational modification. A mixture comprising the sample and a first reagent comprising a cleavage-inducing moiety and a first binding agent for a binding site on a target polypeptide is subjected to conditions under which binding of respective binding moieties occurs. The binding site is the result of post-translational modification activity involving the target polypeptide. The method may be employed to determine the target polypeptide itself. In another embodiment the presence and/or amount of the target polypeptide is related to the presence and/or amount and/or activity of an agent such as an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of the target polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein is a rational method of affinity maturation to evolve the activity of an antibody or portion thereof based on the structure/affinity or activity relationship of an antibody. The resulting affinity matured antibodies exhibit improved or optimized binding affinity for a target antigen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of identifying a disease-specific immunogenic peptide through a series of selection steps. Immunogenic epitopes identified by methods of the present disclosure are applicable for use in peptide-based immunotherapy, preferably cancer therapy. Furthermore, the methods of the present disclosure may be performed in a high-throughput manner and serve as a means of personalized vaccine development and therapy. Also provided are compositions of immunogenic peptides as well as methods of treatment comprising said compositions.