Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with mycobacteria. The method comprising the steps of (a) providing a system which comprises at least two different mycolic-acid derived antigens; (b) introducing a sample obtained from the individual into the system and into contact with each of the at least two different mycolic-acid derived antigens; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of the binding of a biomarker in the sample with each antigen in the system. The method may be particularly suitable for determining the presence or absence of a disease antibody indicative of infection with any disease caused by infection with mycobacteria, for example tuberculosis, leprosy, pulmonary disease, burili ulcer, Johne's disease and bovine tuberculosis. A kit and device are also described. The present invention may provide an over the counter device to allow individuals to check on a routine basis that they have normal immune responses.

Abstract: A method for prediction of the susceptibility of an at risk patient to developing or redeveloping an infection with Clostridium difficile, having the determination by immunoassay, in a stool sample from said patient, of the level of antibody IgA anti-toxin B of Clostridium difficile, and comparing this level with a reference value S determined beforehand using two populations of patients exposed to the bacterium, one population not having developed or redeveloped such an infection and the other population having developed or redeveloped such an infection, —a level lower than said reference value S signifying that the patient is a patient with a heightened risk of developing or redeveloping a Clostridium difficile infection, and —a level higher than said reference value S signifying that the patient is not a patient with a heightened risk of developing or redeveloping a Clostridium difficile infection.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a specific antibody applicable to immunochromatographic detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, and a detection reagent using the same, among others. Provided are a Mycoplasma pneumoniae detection reagent and kit that include a specific antibody against the P30 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and an immunochromatographic test device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and methods including their manufacturing technologies for enhanced sensing capability of one or more bioagents covering from HIV, Pathogens, virus, to cells detection. More particularly, this invention is related to HIV and pathogen diagnosis system and methods which may increase its sensitivity and may reduce the diagnosis time. Furthermore, the diagnosis system and method may be applicable to all early stage patients with various age groups, where early and accuracy in diagnosis, are required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated CSN5 polypeptides and their use in a method of screening modulators of CSN5 activity that could be used as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are assays, systems, and kits for the detection and diagnosis of hepatitis virus infections in subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for-determining a treatment course of action. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prediction of a subject's response to cancer therapies and administration of appropriate treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing breast cancer in a patient, as well as methods of monitoring the progression of breast cancer and/or methods of monitoring a treatment protocol of a therapeutic agent or a therapeutic regimen. The invention also relates to assay methods used in connection with the diagnostic methods described herein.

Abstract: A method of screening/prognosis/diagnosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) wherein methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) levels are detected in a non-tumor sample such as peripheral blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or lymphocytes. Based on the MetAP2 levels, the individual may be selected for further testing.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject having a solid tumor who is likely to be responsive to a treatment compound, comprising: administering the treatment compound to a subject having the solid tumor; obtaining a sample from the subject; determining the level of a biomarker in the sample from the subject, and diagnosing the subject as being likely to be responsive to the treatment compound if the level of the biomarker in the sample of the subject changes as compared to a reference level of the biomarker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of MAP3K8 protein to predict clinical outcome of a patient affected with a cancer, in particular ovarian cancer, or to select a patient for a treatment comprising one MEK inhibitor. The invention further relates to a method for monitoring a patient affected with a high-MAP3K8 ovarian cancer (i.e. an ovarian cancer with a high expression and/or activity level of MAP3K8) to a treatment comprising at least one MEK inhibitor. The invention also further relates to a MEK inhibitor for use in the treatment of high-MAP3K8 ovarian cancer and kit that can be used in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for determining if a subject afflicted with cancer is a candidate for Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) targeted immunotherapy, which method comprises (a) providing a liquid biopsy sample obtained from the subject afflicted with cancer; (b) detecting CTCs in the liquid biopsy sample; (c) calculating what proportion of CTCs in the liquid biopsy express PD-L1; and (c) identifying the subject as a candidate for PD-L1 targeted immunotherapy based on an assessment that the proportion of the CTCs in the liquid biopsy that express PD-L1 exceeds a pre-determined threshold level.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to methods and devices for determining a disease state in a patient. In some embodiments, human serum albumin may be analyzed for associated molecules, wherein the associated molecules are related to a disease such as cancer. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to devices and methods for determining a disease state as a function of the three-dimensional structure of a blood protein, human serum albumin (HSA) or its complex with other ligands, e.g., due to binding to disease-specific ligands. HSA interacts with biomolecules associated with a disease presence, and liganded HSA may differentially partition between aqueous phases of a predetermined partitioning system, wherein the partitioning behavior differs between HSA from healthy individuals and HSA from people harboring the predetermined disease, such as breast cancer.

Abstract: Methods, systems and reagents are provided for detecting and quantifying carbonyl containing moieties in a variety of sample types. The amount of time elapsed from capturing of the carbonyl containing moieties from a sample to the detection of the carbonyl containing moieties is less than about 2 hours. Compounds are provided to facilitate labeling and detection of the carbonyl containing moieties.

Abstract: A method of altering intercellular interactions between a combination of microorganisms includes contacting a combination of different species of microorganisms with at least one mucin. Isolated compositions include a combination of microorganisms and at least one mucin. One microorganism of the combination inhibits cell growth or promotes cell death of at least one other microorganism of a different species in the combination. The combination of microorganisms with the mucin results an increase in cell growth or a reduction in cell death, respectively, of the at least one other microorganism.

Abstract: Electrophoretic separation methods and systems for performing the same are provided. The methods and systems find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications, such as sub-cellular Western blotting of single cells.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for assessing the presence or risk of obstetrical complications, particularly those related to an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance. Also provided are methods of treating an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance with water-soluble statins, such as pravastatin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, using combinations of compounds that alter soluble endoglin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, PGI2, TGF-?1, TGF-?3, activin A, BMP2, BMP7, and sFlt-1 expression levels or biological activity. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, that include the measurement of any one or more of the following: soluble endoglin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, PGI2, TGF-?1, TGF-?3, activin A, BMP2, BMP7, and sFlt-1 expression levels or biological activity.

Abstract: A method for determining the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous miscarriage is described, by measuring the levels of markers, especially hCG and CA-125 which have been found to be characteristic of these conditions. Preferably measuring these biomarker levels at earliest possible presentation of patients with general clinical symptoms and applying cut-off values described determines the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous miscarriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying amino acids in peptides. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates labeling the N-terminal amino acid with a first label and labeling an internal amino acid with a second label. In some embodiments, the labels are fluorescent labels. In other embodiments, the internal amino acid is lysine. In other embodiments, amino acids in peptides are identified based on the fluorescent signature for each peptide at the single molecule level.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ninhydrin reagent for use in the analysis of nitrogen-containing compounds is provided, the method comprising irradiating a ninhydrin-containing composition with UV light. An apparatus for preparing a ninhydrin reagent for use in the analysis of nitrogen-containing compounds is also provided, the apparatus comprising a conduit having an inlet for receiving a ninhydrin-containing composition and an outlet for discharging a ninhydrin reagent; and a light source for irradiating the ninhydrin-containing composition within the conduit with UV light. A method for analysing one or more nitrogen-containing compounds comprises irradiating a ninhydrin-containing composition with UV light in an activation zone to produce a ninhydrin reagent; and contacting the ninhydrin reagent with the nitrogen-containing compounds in a reaction zone.

Abstract: A method for detecting an interaction between one or more protein bait and one or more candidate prey in a eukaryotic cell, comprising the steps of: a) providing an eukaryotic cell expressing (i) one or more protein bait, and (ii) one or more candidate prey, wherein said protein bait comprises a bait moiety and a polymerized-tubulin binding moiety. b) determining the occurence of an interaction between said one or more protein bait and said one or more candidate prey in the eukaryotic cell, wherein said protein bait is bound to polymerized tubulin in the eukaryotic cell, thereby localizing said one or more candidate prey along said polymerized tubulin, thereby detecting said interaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of use in investigations of the formation of multiprotein assemblies implicated in disease. Also provided are assays for screening candidate compounds of potential utility in preventing and/or treating such diseases by preventing the assembly of or disrupting the function of multiprotein assemblies.

Abstract: A method for identifying a polypeptide a specimen can include (i) treating a specimen suspected of including an insulin with a base; (ii) extracting a first fraction of the treated specimen by solid phase extraction using a mixed mode or polymeric reversed-phase media and a first solvent including an acid; (iii) separating a component of the first fraction by liquid chromatography using a chromatographic surface including a hydrophobic surface group and one or more ionizable modifiers, and a second solvent including an acid; and (iv) analyzing the component of the first fraction by mass spectroscopy, thereby identifying the polypeptide, if present, using a signal corresponding to a sequence fragment ion from the polypeptide. The signal can correspond to an intact multiply charged precursor fragment selected in a first quadrupole and its corresponding sequence fragment ion selected in a final quadrupole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the prediction of cell culture performance data of sample cells, a process for the isolation of said cells and a device for the prediction of cell culture performance data of sample cells.

Abstract: A method for modification of solid substrates with proteins for efficient surface preconcentration of an analyte from multi-component samples before the detection based on desorption-ionization mass spectrometry and immunochemical assays. The claimed subject is a method of modification of surfaces used as substrates for desorption-ionization mass spectrometry and immuno-chemical assays. The method is based on electronebulization (electrospraying) of protein solution, depending on the intended application either enzymes, lectins, or antibodies. The formed charged electrospray is dried in real time by its passing through an evaporation compartment and the resulting beam of desolvated ions impacts onto the surface and binds to it firmly. Such modified surface can be then used for a selective interaction with an affinity partner of the deposited protein, its preconcentration or enzymatic modification followed by an analysis by means of desorption-ionization mass spectrometry or immunochemical assays.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel methods for the generation, expression and screening of diverse collections of binding proteins such as antibodies or fragments thereof in vertebrate host cells in vitro, for the identification and isolation of ligand- or antigen-specific binding proteins. The methods disclosed herein allow the expression of diverse collections of binding proteins from at least one vector construct, which optionally can give rise to collections of diverse binding proteins upon transfer and expression into vertebrate host cells in situ.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for analysing a sample of immunoglobulins to determine the amount of IgG aggregates present in the sample.

Abstract: Provided are epithelial cell spheroids including spheroids that have apical membranes and cilia that face towards the interior core of the spheroid and spheroids that have apical membranes and cilia that face away from the interior core of the spheroid. Also provided methods of making and using such spheroids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in vitro investigating mitochondrial replication dysfunction in a biological sample removed from a subject susceptible of suffering from physiological ageing or physiopathological conditions related to physiological ageing, or physiopathological ageing or associated symptoms or conditions, in particular premature ageing or accelerated ageing, or of a progeroid syndrome, such as Cockayne syndrome (CS), or neurodegenerative disorders or symptoms thereof, in which the levels of at least one species selected in the group of: POLG1 protein, POLG1 RNA, POLG2 protein, protease(s) which have POLG as a target, in particular serine protease(s) such as HTRA3 protein, HTRA2 protein and, HTRA3 RNA or HTRA2 RNA, or any combination of these species, are investigated.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for the diagnosis, prediction or risk stratification for mortality and/or disease outcome of a subject that has or is suspected to have sepsis, comprising determining the presence and/or level of antitrypsin (ATT) or fragments thereof in a sample taken from said subject and/or determining the presence and/or level of transthyretin (TTR) or fragments thereof, wherein the presence and/or level of ATT and/or TTR or fragments thereof is correlated with an increased risk of mortality and, wherein said increased risk of mortality and/or poor disease outcome is given if the level of ATT is below a certain cut-off value and/or the level of fragments thereof is above a certain cut-off value and/or said increased risk of mortality and/or poor disease outcome is given if the level of TTR is below a certain cut-off value and/or the level of fragments thereof is below a certain cut-off value.

Abstract: Life-threatening traumas such as terrorist attacks, war, disasters, mental or physical assault, severe accidents and violence frequently provoke emotional and behavioral disturbances known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide related thereto. Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for PTSD and suicide remain difficult. The discovery of specific markers creates new opportunities for more accurate clinical assessments identifying groups that may experience better outcomes when exposed to an intervention. The present invention provides a process of detection of P-11, UBE3A, STY1, EMAP-II, SIP1, ORC5L, DCX, SCYE protein in a biological sample of a subject suspected of suffering from PTSD and/or having suicidal tendencies, and provides additional PTSD markers which are specific to gender.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of copeptin as a diagnostic marker for the determination of the release of vasopressin, especially in connection with disorders associated with non-physiological alterations of vasopressin release from the neurohypophysis, especially for detection and early detection, diagnosing and monitoring of the course of cardiovascular diseases, renal and pulmonary diseases as well as shock, including septic shock, sepsis and diseases/disorders of the central nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising at least three peptides derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen Rv2626c, its use in the diagnostic of latently infected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (LTBI) subjects, corresponding methods of use and kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and use of diagnostic markers for ischemic stroke of the lacunar subtype. The invention relates to devices and kits for performing these methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the likelihood that a patient with mild cognitive impairment develops Alzheimer's disease based on the determination of the levels of different metabolites, including amino acids, proteins and lipids. The invention also provides a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment in a subject based on the determination of the above metabolites.

Abstract: Processes and materials are provided for the detection, diagnosis, or determination of the severity of a neurological injury or condition, including traumatic brain injury, multiple-organ injury, stroke, Alzeimer's disease, Parkinson disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The processes and materials include biomarkers detected or measured in a biological sample such as whole blood, serum, plasma, or CSF. Such biomarkers include Tau and GFAP proteins, their proteolytic breakdown products, brain specific or enriched micro-RNA, and brain specific or enriched protein directed autoantibodies. The processes and materials are operable to detect the presence of absence of acute, subacute or chronic brain injuries and predict outcome for the brain injury.

Abstract: The presence of misfolded proteins in the brain is the hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Protein aggregates could have systemic expression and might be found in several tissues including the skin. This demonstrates the presence of phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) in the skin cells of patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Antibodies against p-Tau (PHF, phosphorylated at S296 and AT8, phosphorylated at S202) were assayed in biopsied tissue from the retro-auricular area in 49 subjects: 20 with AD, 12 with nondegenerative dementia and 17 age-matched controls. Light and confocal microscopies were employed to localize Tau protein by immunohistochemistry and their presence in the skin was confirmed through Western blots. The skin biopsy taken from AD patients presented significantly higher levels of p-Tau (AT8: hyperphosphorylated at Ser 202) when compared both to control subjects and patients with non-degenerative dementia (p<0.001).

Abstract: Biomarkers associated with neuroimmunological disease are described. The disclosed biomarkers are secreted proteins identified in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with neurological disease. The disclosed biomarkers identify patients with intrathecal inflammation, distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from patients with other types of inflammatory neurological diseases and from subjects without MS, distinguish progressive MS patients from patients with relapsing-remitting MS, identify subjects with non-MS inflammatory neurological diseases, differentiate healthy subjects from patients with any type of neurological disease, and/or identify subjects with increased disability, CNS tissue damage and/or neurodegeneration. Process-specific biomarkers that can be used in place of a brain biopsy to identify immune cell infiltration and/or activation in the CNS are also described.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of vitamin C in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing vitamin C in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of vitamin C in the sample.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods for detecting substances of abuse or other analytes in liquids. For example, the apparatus and methods described herein can be used for real-time detection of analytes, such as substances of abuse. The methods comprise providing a detection area comprising a chromatographic membrane capable of receiving the liquid and allowing for migration of the liquid, the chromatographic membrane comprising an anti-analyte antibody-particle conjugate, an analyte-conjugate protein at a test line; exposing at least the first location of the apparatus to the liquid; and determining whether an interaction between the analyte-conjugate protein and the liquid occurs to detect the presence of the analyte. The chromatographic membrane may further comprise an anti-species antibody at a control line.

Abstract: A sample measurement apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a processing unit that aspirates a sample inside a sample container and measures the sample; a transfer unit that includes a holder to hold the sample container, and that picks up the sample container from a rack capable of storing the sample containers at storage positions on a row and transfers the sample container to the processing unit; and a detection unit that is attached to the holder and is movable integrally with the holder, and that detects whether or not there is the sample container at each of the storage positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting device (1) for an automatic analysis appliance, wherein the pipetting device (1) comprises a pipetting needle (2) with a longitudinal axis (3), and a device (4) for moving the pipetting needle (2). The pipetting device (1) further comprises a holder (5) for the pipetting needle (2), which holder (5) is mounted on the movable device (4) and to which holder the pipetting needle (2) is releasably connected, and a vibration generator which can set at least the tip of the pipetting needle (2) in vibration, wherein the vibration generator is mounted on the movable device (4).

Abstract: A thermal stabilization system stabilizes inertial measurement unit (IMU) performance by reducing or slowing operating variations over time of the internal temperature. More specifically, a thermoelectric heating/cooling device operates according to the Peltier effect, and uses thermal insulation and a mechanical assembly to thermally and mechanically couple the IMU to the thermoelectric device. The thermal stabilization system may minimize stress on the IMU and use a control system to stabilize internal IMU temperatures by judiciously and bidirectionally powering the thermoelectric heating/cooling device. The thermal stabilization system also may use compensation algorithms to reduce or counter residual IMU output errors from a variety of causes such as thermal gradients and imperfect colocation of the IMU temperature sensor with inertial sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a spacer extending at least partially within the length of a central bore passing from one side to the other of a barrel of a mounting base of an accelerometer sensor, the central bore being designed to receive a fastening element for fixing the mounting base onto a support element, the fastening element being centered by the spacer in the central bore, the mounting base being at least partially surrounded by an encapsulation of overmolded plastic material. When the plastic material is overmolded around the mounting base to form the encapsulation, a part of the plastic material passes through the barrel to form the spacer while fixing it to the encapsulation. Also described is a mounting base with at least one channel for the passage of the plastic material, and to an accelerometer sensor equipped with such a mounting base.

Abstract: A high-precision magnetic suspension accelerometer for measuring the linear acceleration of a spacecraft is provided, comprising a magnetically shielded vacuum chamber system, a magnetic displacement sensing system, a magnetic suspension control system and a small magnetic proof mass. A optical coherence displacement detection technique is utilized for precisely measuring the position and the posture of the small magnetic proof mass in real time, and a magnetic suspension control technique is utilized for precisely controlling the position and the posture of the small magnetic proof mass to be brought back to the origin, so as to keep the small magnetic proof mass in the center of the systemic inner chamber. When the spacecraft is subject to a non-conservative force, the magnitude and direction of the acceleration can be precisely measured via the measurement of currents in the position control coils due to the acceleration of the spacecraft proportional to the currents of the position control coils.

Abstract: The gyroscope-free accelerometer based inertial sensor allows for instantaneous (not time-recursive) measurement of angular velocity, angular acceleration of the rigid body, and linear acceleration of any point on the rigid body. The analytical solution to obtain orientation measurements (angular velocity and angular acceleration) does not require knowledge of body dynamics. Measurement of the rigid body angular acceleration can be used to estimate angular velocity in sensor fusion of various inertial and non-inertial sensor. For a body moving on ground with a point of contact with zero relative acceleration, the sensor can compensate for non-gravitational, dynamic acceleration, thus, is capable of separating gravity from motion. The presented accelerometer-magnetometer based sensor can uniquely measure the orientation between two bodies with a point of contact with zero relative acceleration (e.g. a rotating joint).

Abstract: An improved mode of AFM imaging (Peak Force Tapping (PFT) Mode) uses force as the feedback variable to reduce tip-sample interaction forces while maintaining scan speeds achievable by all existing AFM operating modes. Sample imaging and mechanical property mapping are achieved with improved resolution and high sample throughput, with the mode workable across varying environments, including gaseous, fluidic and vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creating patterns, with features down to the nanometer scale, in phase change materials using a heated probe. The heated probe contacts the phase change material thereby inducing a local phase change, resulting in a dramatic contrast in property—including electrical resistance, optical reflectance, and volume—relative to the uncontacted regions of the phase change material. The phase change material can be converted back to its original phase (i.e. the patterns can be erased) by appropriate thermal cycling.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a battery-powered device is provided. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into a button cell battery slot of the device to provide temporary power for testing the device. The testing apparatus may include a button cell battery, electrical contacts connected to or provided by the button cell battery and configured to engage electrical contacts within the button cell battery slot of the device, and an extension portion shaped to project from the slot when the testing apparatus is inserted into the button battery slot.