Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoscale antenna including a nucleic acid scaffold having a structure selected from the group consisting of a Holliday junction, a star, and a dendrimer; and a plurality of fluorophores attached to the scaffold and configured as a FRET cascade comprising at least three different types of fluorophores including at least one quantum dot, arranged with (a) a plurality of initial donor fluorophores fixed in exterior positions on the structure, (b) a terminal acceptor fluorophore fixed in a central position on the structure, and (c) a plurality of intermediate fluorophores fixed in positions on the scaffold between the initial acceptor fluorophores and the terminal acceptor fluorophores.

Abstract: Gold nanorattle probes are provided that are highly tunable, physiologically stable, and ultra-bright Raman probes for in vitro and in vivo surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. The nanorattles contain an essentially uniform gap between core and shell that is tunable and can range from 2nm to 10nm in width. This provides numerous advantages including allowing for increased loading with a variety of dye molecules that exhibit SERS in various spectral regions, including the “tissue optical window” for in vivo studies. In addition, the nanorattle probes provide an internal label when used in diagnostic methods to detect nucleic acids, proteins and other biotargets. The nanorattles have an essentially spherical gold metal nanoparticle core, a porous material of silver metal of an essentially uniform width surrounding the nanoparticle core that is loaded with one or more SERS reporter molecules, and an outer gold metal shell encapsulating the porous material.

Abstract: A sensor incorporates one or more working electrodes, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. The sensor is inserted in a needle and connected to control electronics to detect the concentration of target molecules. The electrodes are arrays of nanostructures increasing the detection surface area. The nanostructures are functionalized with nucleic acids which bind to select target molecules.

Abstract: A process of quantifying the extent of degradation present in a human DNA sample is described. The process makes use of a real time PCR system to separately quantitate within a sample a first retrotransposon interspersed element and a relatively longer second retrotransposon interspersed element, where the longer element is expected to be disrupted at a faster pace than is the shorter element as the sample degrades. In one embodiment, the process makes use of the appearance of the relatively young (on an evolutionary scale) Alu Yb-lineage subfamily sequences appearing in every human genome and their virtual absence in non-human samples. In a preferred embodiment, the process quantifies longer 290 bp sequences of “SVA” elements and shorter 80 bp sequences of Alu Yb8-lineage. Newly designed primers and TaqMan probes that are useful in the process are presented. A related process additionally quantifies male specific human DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods using constructs comprising a helicase and an additional polynucleotide binding moiety. The helicase is attached to the polynucleotide binding moiety and the construct has the ability to control the movement of a polynucleotide. The constructs can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention refers to a novel method of preparing strand-specific RNA-sequencing libraries that can be used to identify DNA coding and non-coding strands that are transcribed mRNA Strand to RNA. Such strand-specific RNA-sequencing libraries are especially useful in discovering anti-sense RNA and non-coding RNA. Random primer oligonucleotides, covalently coupled to a moiety, which blocks ligation, are used for RT reaction or the subsequent generation of the second DNA strand so that only one strand of the generated double-stranded DNA is ligated to sequencing adapters at the 5? nucleotide and sequenced by paired-end sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a degenerate primer for analysis of a massive amount of metagenomic information and a method and a kit for analyzing metagenomic information using the same. The method for the metagenomic information analysis and the primer set used for the method according to the present invention can be applied for quickly determining the utility value of a massive amount of metagenome samples. In particular, the superfamily-specific degenerate primer of the present invention is used to quickly detect the presence or absence of the genetic information of the target peptides in the metagenome by a simple method, thereby collecting a large amount of useful peptide resource information from various metagenome samples at high speed. Further, the present invention may be used for screening new peptide genes by designing and producing superfamily-specific degenerate primers of new target peptides based on the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein in are methods and systems for determining genetic variants (e.g., copy number variation) in a polynucleotide sample. A method for determining copy number variations includes tagging double-stranded polynucleotides with duplex tags, sequencing polynucleotides from the sample and estimating total number of polynucleotides mapping to selected genetic loci. The estimate of total number of polynucleotides can involve estimating the number of double-stranded polynucleotides in the original sample for which no sequence reads are generated. This number can be generated using the number of polynucleotides for which reads for both complementary strands are detected and reads for which only one of the two complementary strands is detected.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus and methods for sequencing macromolecules are disclosed. The devices and apparatus include independently controllable fluid channels bi-directionally coupled to a measurement module.

Abstract: Technology provided herein relates in part to methods, processes, compositions and apparatuses for analyzing nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method of sequencing nucleic acids is provided using DNA origami as a barcode for a nucleic acid probe.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods, devices and kits for screening a plurality of single secreting cells for functional activity of the secreted molecules by measuring the amount of reporter gene mRNA produced in one or more reporter cells in response to the secreted molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of cell biology and laboratory diagnostics, and particularly to general compositions and of uniquely tagged particles linked to moieties of known properties and methods of making tagged, functionalized particles. Additionally, the invention relates to methods of screening a collection of tagged functionalized particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing depression (even at an early stage that may precede clinical symptoms), for determining the pharmacoresponse to antidepressants, for managing treatment of psychiatric disorders, including depression, and for treatment of depression in patients. Further provided is a method for screening antidepressants.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for predicting risk of cervical shortening, methods for predicting risk of preterm labour (PTL), and methods for characterising a pregnant subject having a history of previous PTL, mid-trimester loss or cervical cone biopsy as being in need of surveillance and/or intervention to prevent preterm labour, comprising determining the expression level of one or more of the miRNA molecules identified in Table 1 or Table 2 extracted from a biological sample obtained from said subject and comparing to a control value. Biochips and kits for use in carrying out the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for differentiating and diagnosing ischemic stroke and subgroups thereof (e.g., cardioembolic stroke, large vessel stroke, atherothrombotic stroke, lacunar stroke) from intracerebral hemorrhage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for determining new-onset type 1 diabetes, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays for determining new-onset type 1 diabetes, methods for distinguishing between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, methods for dysglycemia in obese adolescent subjects including obese adolescent subjects having type 2 diabetes and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays for determining dysglycemia in obese adolescent subjects including obese adolescent subjects having type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention features methods of identifying patients as being likely to respond to anti-VEGF therapy. Furthermore, in those patients identified as failing to include one or more of the above ophthalmic response markers, the invention features treatment with an EPO antagonist (e.g., alone, or in combination with a VEGF antagonist).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for predicting the onset of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) induced by an antipsychotic-based treatment as well as methods for providing personalized medicine to patients based on the sequence of several SNPs associated with the onset of EPS. The invention relates as well to kits for carrying out the diagnostic and predictive medicine methods.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for generating and isolating an informative content repository of respiratory related biomarkers to accurately determine whether an individual has normal or abnormal pulmonary function. Specifically, methods are directed to determination of whether individuals have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and if so, whether the affected individuals experience rapid long decline or slow lung decline as a result of COPD. Also disclosed is an informative content repository of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease biomarkers, which when linked with other informative content provides a powerful tool for diagnosis, study, therapeutic discovery and development, condition management, health maintenance, and linking chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through pattern of life style, environmental exposure, and genetic susceptibility and inheritance.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to the discovery of associations in TNFSF15 15 and DcR3 genetic loci across in Caucasian, Puerto Rican, and Korean Crohn's Disease, as demonstrated via trans-ethnic fine mapping. The present invention provides methods of quantifying risk and diagnosing susceptibility to Crohn's disease in a subject by determining the presence of one or more risk variants are at the TNFSF15 (or TL1A) and/or DcR3 genetic loci.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of determining the risk of developing breast cancer in a subject or determining whether a subject suffers from breast cancer. The methods can comprise detecting the expression level of microRNAs (miRNAs) hsa-miR-186-5p (SEQ ID NO: 77) and/or hsa-miR-409-3p (SEQ ID NO: 178) in a bodily fluid sample obtained from the subject and determining whether it is upregulated or downregulated as compared to a control, wherein the upregulation of hsa-miR-186-5p (SEQ ID NO: 77) and/or downregulation of hsa-miR-409-3p (SEQ ID NO: 178) indicates that the subject has breast cancer or is at risk of developing breast cancers. Also encompassed are methods of prognosis or diagnosis of breast cancer by detecting expression levels of combinations of miRNAs and using a score based on a panel of miRNA markers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medicine, specifically the field of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for amplifying, detecting, measuring, and identifying miRNAs from biological samples, particularly limited amounts of a biological sample. miRNAs that are differentially expressed in tumor samples and normal tissues are useful as cancer biomarkers for cancer diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining whether a subject having prostate cancer is at an increased risk for relapse or rapid relapse. It is based, at least in part, on the results of a comprehensive genome analysis of 273 prostate cancer samples, which indicate that the percentage of large size CNVs predicts prostate cancer relapse. In certain embodiments, a method for determining whether a prostate cancer patient has an increased risk of suffering a relapse or a rapid relapse comprises determining the number and size of CNVs in a sample and determining a large size ratio, where if the large size ratio exceeds a particular threshold, the patient is deemed to be at an increased risk for relapse or rapid relapse.

Abstract: The present invention provides gene sets the expression of which is important in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for predicting, diagnosing and monitoring cancer. The methods comprise obtaining biological samples, extracting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the samples, quantifying mitochondrial DNA mutation in the sample and comparing the level of mtDNA mutation with a reference value. The methods of the invention may also be effective in screening for new therapeutic agents and treatment regimes, and may also be useful for monitoring the response of a subject to a preventative or therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: Clinical management of human cancer is dependent on the accurate monitoring of residual and recurrent tumors. We have developed a method, called personalized analysis of rearranged ends (PARE), which can identify translocations in solid tumors. Analysis of four colorectal and two breast cancers revealed an average of nine rearranged sequences (range 4 to 15) per tumor. Polymerase chain reaction with primers spanning the breakpoints were able to detect mutant DNA molecules present at levels lower than 0.001% and readily identified mutated circulating DNA in patient plasma samples. This approach provides an exquisitely sensitive and broadly applicable approach for the development of personalized biomarkers to enhance the clinical management of cancer patients.

Abstract: Methods for detecting microorganisms, in particular detection of bacteria and methods for measuring enzyme activity, such as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase activity are disclosed. The aforesaid methods include, but are not limited to such methods performed on microbial crude lysates, useful for determining microbial enzyme activities, which can be linked to amplification signal generators such as real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques, thereby enabling determination of microbial pathogens in samples such as unpurified blood and other body fluids. Moreover, the disclosed embodiments also relate to reagents for use in such methods, and to test kits comprising such reagents for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detection method for nucleic acids in samples that contain biological material, as well as to a kit having components with which the detection method can be carried out. In samples that contain biotechnologically produced biological material, for example, the detection method is suitable for detecting nucleic acids of host cells that were used for the production of the material.

Abstract: Methods for predicting palm oil yield of a test oil palm plant are disclosed. The methods comprise determining, from a sample of a test oil palm plant of a population, at least a first SNP genotype, corresponding to a first SNP marker, located in a first candidate gene region for a high-oil-production trait and associated, after stratification and kinship correction, with the high-oil-production trait with a p-value <0.001 in the population or having a linkage disequilibrium r2 value of at least 0.2 with respect to a first other SNP marker that is linked thereto and associated, after stratification and kinship correction, with the high-oil-production trait a p-value <0.001 in the population. The methods also comprise comparing the first SNP genotype to a corresponding first reference SNP genotype and predicting palm oil yield of the test plant based on extent of matching of the SNP genotypes.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for managing watermilfoil populations in bodies of water such as lakes. In certain forms, the methods and systems involve the use of genetic analysis to determine whether a watermilfoil population targeted for herbicidal control has a genetic relationship with hybrid (e.g. Northern×Eurasian) watermilfoil plants known to exhibit herbicidal tolerance. In one aspect, it has for the first time been discovered that such hybrid watermilfoil plants include significant clustering groups that exhibit herbicide tolerance. This can be used in the design and implementation of herbicidal treatment regimens against a new target watermilfoil population.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, methods, and kits for detecting human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2). In certain embodiments, provided herein are HPgV-2 specific nucleic acid probes and primers, and methods for detecting HPgV-2 nucleic acid. In other embodiments, provided herein are HPgV-2 immunogenic composition compositions, methods of treating a subject with immunogenic HPgV-2 peptides, and methods of detecting HPgV-2 subject antibodies in a sample.

Abstract: Provided is an HPV E6, E7 mRNA assay, referenced herein as the “In Cell HPV Assay,” that is capable of sensitive and specific detection of normal cervical cells undergoing malignant transformation as well as abnormal cervical cells with pre-malignant or malignant lesions. The In Cell HPV Assay identifies HPV E6, E7 mRNA via in situ hybridization with oligonucleotides specific for HPV E6, E7 mRNA and quantitates the HPV E6, E7 mRNA via flow cytometry. The In Cell HPV Assay can be carried out in less than three hours directly from liquid-based cervical (“LBC”) cytology specimens. The In Cell HPV Assay provides an efficient and highly sensitive alternative to the Pap smear for determining abnormal cervical cytology.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing, quantifying, treating, monitoring or evaluating a condition in a subject is provided. The method comprises obtaining a sample from the subject, detecting and determining the presence or quantity of one or more than one human papilloma virus (HPV) in the sample, wherein the presence or quantity of the one or more than one HPV is indicative of the presence of the condition in the subject or an increased likelihood of the subject for developing the condition when compared to a control. The condition may comprise autoimmune disorders, chronic neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorder, neoplasm, blood cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for epimerization of a non-phosphorylated hexose, comprising sugar epimerases derived from thermophiles, and a method for preparing a non-phosphorylated hexose epimer using the composition. The sugar epimerases derived from thermophiles according to the present invention can effectively catalyze an epimerization reaction of a non-phosphorylated hexose and can easily produce an epimer form of the non-phosphorylated hexose, in particular a rare sugar hexose, and thus can be usefully utilized in the pharmaceutical and food industry.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: A pump valve vacuum degassing device including a receiving funnel, a loading member, a vacuum processing chamber, and a discharging member sequentially connected in a sealed manner and having internal cavities in mutual communication. The receiving funnel can achieve complete and thorough slag avoidance, and does not require any manual control operation. The vacuum processing chamber is provided with a barrier member configured to increase a falling time duration of liquid steel and sufficiently spread the liquid steel, so as to create a more ideal and sufficient condition for removal of harmful gases. The U-shaped structure of the loading member and discharging member ensures maintenance of a vacuum environment during off-time of the device and retaining of airtightness, such that air ingress diminishing a vacuum condition no longer occurs. The device can realize continuous manufacturing in a vacuum.

Abstract: Components and methods for forming components utilizing ultra-high strength steel are provided. A first method includes the steps of providing a blank of ultra-high strength steel, cold forming the blank into an unfinished component, and applying a coating to the outer surface of the unfinished component that is adapted to inhibit the formation of a ferrite soft layer on the component during heating thereof. A second method includes the steps of providing a blank of heavy gauge thickness ultra-high strength steel, cold forming the blank into a finished component, heating the finished component and quenching the component without the use of tooling.

Abstract: Methods for producing non-oriented electrical steel sheets comprising steps including hot rolling a slab having a chemical composition comprising C: not more than 0.01 mass %, Si: not more than 6 mass %, Mn: 0.05-3 mass %, P: not more than 0.2 mass %, Al: not more than 2 mass %, N: not more than 0.005 mass %, S: not more than 0.01 mass %, Ga: not more than 0.0005 mass %, and the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, pickling without conducting hot band annealing or after conducting hot band annealing or self-annealing, subjecting to one or more cold rollings including an intermediate annealing therebetween and a finish annealing, and forming an insulation coating, an average heating rate from 500 to 800° C. in the heating process of the finish annealing is not less than 50° C./s, whereby a non-oriented electrical steel sheet having excellent magnetic properties is obtained even if hot band annealing is omitted.

Abstract: A grain-oriented electrical steel sheet has a coating on a surface thereof. The coating has a composite elastic modulus of 60 GPa to 95 GPa and a film thickness of 1.0 ?m or more, and a tension applied to the grain-oriented electrical steel sheet by the coating is 6.0 MPa or more, and an amount of iron loss degradation between before and after roll reduction when the grain-oriented electrical steel sheet is roll-reduced at a linear pressure of 68.6 N/cm is 0.010 W/kg or less in W17/50.

Abstract: Provided is spring steel for suspension suppressing or not requiring addition of expensive alloy elements, having a large tensile strength, and excellent in cold formability and delay fracture resistance, wherein at a cross-section parallel to a rolling direction, 90% or more of the metal microstructures by area fraction is tempered martensite, and at a cross-section parallel to the rolling direction, in a range of 10% of diameter or thickness from the surface, a ratio of a length in a long axis direction of prior austenite grains and a length in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the prior austenite grains is 1.5 or more and a ratio of <011> fraction/<111> fraction of martensite texture as seen from the rolling direction is 3.0 or more.

Abstract: Steel material for composite pressure vessel liners that, when used as raw material for manufacturing a composite pressure vessel liner, yields a liner having sufficient strength and a high fatigue limit and enables the manufacture of an inexpensive composite pressure vessel is provided. Steel material for composite pressure vessel liners comprises: a chemical composition containing, in mass %, C: 0.10% to 0.60%, Si: 0.01% to 2.0%, Mn: 0.1% to 5.0%, P: 0.0005% to 0.060%, S: 0.0001% to 0.010%, N: 0.0001% to 0.010%, and Al: 0.01% to 0.06%, with a balance being Fe and incidental impurities; and a metallic microstructure in which a mean grain size of prior austenite grains is 20 ?m or less, and a total area ratio of martensite and lower bainite is 90% or more.

Abstract: A method for producing a hardened sheet steel, in particular a sheet steel that is coated with a metallic anti-corrosion layer; the sheet steel is first heated to an austenitization temperature and the austenite transformation is completed and then the sheet steel is pre-cooled to a temperature that lies above the transformation temperature of the austenite to other phases and is then transferred to a press-hardening die and in the press-hardening die, is shaped and, for hardening purposes, is quenched; for pre-cooling purposes, the blank is blasted in at least some areas or zones with dry ice, dry snow, or a gas flow containing dry ice particles.

Abstract: Provided are a cold-rolled steel sheet which can preferably be used for manufacturing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet and methods for manufacturing the steel sheets. The cold-rolled steel sheet has a specified chemical composition, in which the Mn concentration in a surface layer of the steel sheet satisfies relational expression (1) and relational expression (2) below. 8?(Cp/Cc)×Mn??(1) (Cmin/Cc)×Mn?2.5??(2) where Cp: maximum Mn concentration in a region within 0.5 ?m of the surface of a steel sheet in the thickness direction; Cc: average Mn concentration in a region from a position located 5 ?m from a surface of a steel sheet in the thickness direction to a position located 5 ?m from an opposite surface in the thickness direction; Cmin: minimum Mn concentration in a region from 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high strength hot dip galvanised steel strip consisting, in mass percent, of the following elements: 0.10-0.21% C 1.75-2.50% Mn 0.04-0.60% Si 0.20-1.40% Al 0.001-0.025% P 0.0005-0.0050% B max 0.50% Cr max 0.20% Ti max 0.004% Ca max 0.015% N the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for extracting a desired metal contained in electronic waste having a substrate and desired metal integrally formed with copper, the method includes (a) contacting the electronic waste with a cupric amine solution to separate the desired metal integrally formed with copper from the substrate and the copper, and (b) optionally providing ultrasound energy at a frequency ranging from 15 to 45 KHz and at a temperature ranging from 45° C. to 60° C. thereby limiting metallic oxide(s) formation at a surface of a workface; and (c) etching the copper with the cupric amine solution at a temperature ranging from 45° C. to 60° C. for between 40 to 70 hours thereby releasing the desired metal from the substrate and the copper; (d) collecting the released desired metal of step (c).