Abstract: The invention provides a primer set for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis containing (a) a first primer pair composed of a forward primer consisting of a base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5 and (b) a reverse primer consisting of a base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 6, as well as a method for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis using the primer set, and a reagent kit therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium based on a non-pathogenic bacterium that has a modified genome containing a nucleic acid of interest from a pathogen that is detected by a molecular diagnostic assay and that mimics the diagnostic profile of the pathogen. The invention further relates to a diagnostic control composition comprising the recombinant bacterium and to methods for producing the recombinant bacterium. The recombinant bacterium is a safe, reliable quality control for the detection of pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. The invention also relates to a kit comprising either the recombinant bacterium, compositions containing the recombinant bacterium or bacteria produced according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A molecular-combing, Genetic-Morse Code based method enabling the detection and high-resolution characterization of complex regions of genomic DNA, such as the SMA locus, with molecular combing. A method for the identification of biomarkers associated to the cis-duplication of SMN1 gene or segments of other complex parts of the genome. Biomarkers identified by this method which are composed of a sets of different colored probes, such as those disclosed for the SMA region.

Abstract: The present application relates to detection units and methods for detecting one or more target analytes in a sample using a complex formed by a target and first and second probes, wherein the complex comprises an elongated region, a particle that is coupled to the first probe, and a solid support that is coupled to the second probe. Specific binding of a target analyte can be distinguished from non-specific binding of the particle by measuring the displacement of the particle.

Abstract: A measuring method for amplicon length is provided. A qPCR master mix, a forward primer, a reverse primer, a hybridization probe, a double-stranded DNA binding dye, and nucleic acid samples are added into reaction wells for qPCR reaction, and the fluorescence intensity of each of a hybridization probe and a double-stranded DNA binding dye varying with cycle number is respectively measured. Afterwards, amplicon length is obtained by applying a calculating method.

Abstract: A digital biosensor for assaying a target nucleic acid and methods of using the biosensor for digitally detecting the target nucleic acid are disclosed wherein the biosensor includes a substrate having a substrate surface and at least two electrodes, a linker molecule having a first moiety conjugated to the substrate surface, a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) conjugated to a second moiety of the linker molecule, and a guide ribonucleic acid (gRNA) having a first sequence capable of binding to the inactive RNP and a second sequence capable of binding to the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Methods and kits for assessing severity index for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and other reward deficiency syndromes. It has been discovered that a multifaceted non-specific RDS behaviors should be considered as the true “reward” phenotype (endophenotype) instead of a single subset RDS behavior such as alcoholism. In an embodiment of the present invention, it has been discovered that there are at least eleven risk alleles associated with ten candidate genes. The methods and kits of the present invention satisfy the need to classify patients at genetic risk for drug/alcohol seeking behavior prior to or upon entry to residential and or non-residential chemical dependency and pain programs.

Abstract: Provided herein is method for, among other things, estimating the number of sequence variations in a sample of DNA. In some embodiments, the method can be used to estimate the mutational load of a sample. In some embodiments, the method makes use of a set of primers that have 3? ends that specifically hybridizes to a sequence that is repeated multiple times in the genome. Thermocycling a reaction mix containing the primers may produce a reaction product comprising at least 50 amplicons having a total length of at least 100 kb. This product can be sequenced to provide an estimate of the number of sequence variations in the sample, and thus the mutational load of the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a method utilizing an enzyme to proceed isothermal nucleic acid hybridization. The invention uses the biological property of enzyme to replace the conventional heating process for denature or separating double-stranded nucleic acid. By practicing this invention, can a to-be-analyzed double-stranded nucleic acid, a correspondent specific nucleic acid probe and the enzyme be mixed together, and the nucleic acid hybridization can be achieved under constant temperature condition without multiple steps; furthermore, multiple targets hybridization reaction can be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides primers, primer sets, kits and methods for multiple displacement amplification, especially in combination with nucleic acid sequencing. The primers comprise self-complementary sequences at their 5? termini and random or semi-random sequences at their 3? termini. Use of such primers facilitates handling of multiple samples, increases sequence coverage uniformity, and improves sequencing error corrections.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and systems employing blocked primers. Aspects of the disclosure include providing a blocked primer reaction mixture that includes a blocked primer and a template nucleic acid component from a single cell; unblocking the blocked primer to produce an active primer reaction mixture and subjecting the activated primer reaction mixture to primer extension conditions, such as nucleic acid amplification conditions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for analyzing polymers comprising linear chains of at least two types of monomers, such as polynucleotides, including DNA, RNA, and the like, using nanopores and optical detection. In some embodiments, as few as two different kinds of nucleotide are labeled with different optical labels that generate distinguishable optical signals for the selected kinds of nucleotide in both sense strands and antisense strands of target polynucleotides. Labeled strands are translocated through nanopores where nucleotides of the strands are constrained to pass sequentially through an optical detection region where their labels generate a sequence of optical signals making up an optical signature. In some embodiments, information from optical signatures from both sense and antisense strands are combined to determine complete nucleotide sequences of target polynucleotides.

Abstract: This invention provides nucleoside polyphosphate analogues each of which comprises a tag comprising a plurality of Raman-scattering moieties; compounds comprising said nucleoside polyphosphate analogs. This invention also provides nucleotide polymerases with one or more attached and/or conjugated noble metal nanoparticles, wherein the noble metal nanoparticles are surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates thereby creating a region of enhanced sensitivity for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) within or adjacent to the polymerase. This invention also provides a surface with regions of enhanced sensitivity for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy comprising interspersed rough or nanostructured noble metal surface. This invention also provides methods for determining the sequence of a single stranded DNA or RNA polynucleotide using one or more of nucleoside polyphosphate analogues, polymerase with noble metal nanoparticles, and surface with noble metal.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to depositing and/or placing a macromolecule at a desired site for an assay and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and systems for placing or guiding a macromolecule such as a protein, a nucleic acid, or a protein:nucleic acid complex to an assay site, such as near a nanopore, a nanowell, or a zero mode waveguide.

Abstract: Embodiments may include a method of analyzing a nucleic acid molecule. The method may include attaching the nucleic acid molecule to a protein. The protein may be attached to a particle with a first diameter. The method may also include applying an electric field to move a first portion of the nucleic acid molecule into an aperture. The aperture may be defined by a first electrode, an insulator, and a second electrode. The aperture may have a second diameter less than the first diameter. The method may further include contacting the first portion of the nucleic acid molecule to both the first electrode and the second electrode. The method may include applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode. The current through the electrodes and the portion of the nucleic acid molecule may be measured, and a nucleotide of the nucleic acid molecule may be identified.

Abstract: The present technology relates to methods for determining whether a patient having thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology will benefit from diagnostic surgery, e.g., lobectomy. These methods are based on screening a patient's thyroid nodules and detecting alterations in target nucleic acid sequences corresponding to a specific set of thyroid cancer-related genes. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to sequencing library preparation methods. In certain embodiments, two or more template nucleic acids are joined together by a linking molecule, such as a PEG derivative. Identical copies of a nucleic acid fragment or both strands of a duplex fragment may be linked together. The linked nucleic acids are amplified, creating linked amplicons. Emulsion PCR with linked primers creates linked template nucleic acids for seeding sequencing clusters and errors can be readily identified by their presence on only one of the linked fragments.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to method, apparatus and system for high throughput single-cell DNA sequencing with droplet microfluidic. In an exemplary embodiment, a microfluidic apparatus is used to provide a rapid and cost-effective targeted genomic sequencing of thousands of cells in parallel. The targeted sequencing can be directed for residual disease detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring senescence of a test subject, including a step of measuring a level of taurine modification of mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) in a biological sample isolated from a test subject, by a reverse transcription reaction from a primer with the tRNALeu(UUR) as a template. In addition, the present invention also provides a senescence determining drug containing a primer containing a base sequence consisting of 10-25 bases and complementary to the mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR). Furthermore, the present invention also provides a senescence determining kit containing a primer containing a base sequence consisting of 10-25 bases and complementary to the mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) and a reverse transcriptase. Moreover, the present invention also provides an agent for improving a taurine modification rate of mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR), containing taurine as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to amplification of nucleic acids suitable for both next generation sequencing (NGS) and a second round of sequencing as validation, such as Sanger sequencing.

Abstract: The invention provides components and methods for polymerase chain reaction assays. The assays minimize both handling of material and time spent running samples. For example, a single internal positive control (IPC) polynucleotide pair can provide a means to ensure proper nucleic acid purification for both RNA and DNA test targets. Additionally, standard cycling conditions for all diagnostic tests allow the user to run both RNA and DNA targets side-by-side.

Abstract: Methods are provided of identifying a male fertility condition in a subject. Methods of performing a fertility treatment and an in vitro fertilization procedure are also provided. The methods may comprise determining the DNA methylation pattern of DNA extracted from a semen sample of a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying autism and autism spectrum disorders in humans. The invention also includes compositions and methods for identifying unique blood-based gene expression profiles in children with regressive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ileocolitis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for isolating and amplifying a subject's mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA). The method comprises the steps of: isolating cell free deoxyribonucleic acid (cf-DNA) from a plasma sample obtained from the subject; and amplifying the mtDNA within the isolated cfDNA using a polymerase chain reaction with a first primer pair and a second primer pair. The first primer is selected from SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 and the second primer pair is selected from SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: Truncation variants of BCR-ABL mRNA that produces BCR-ABL proteins with a truncated C-terminus and its role in resistance to treatment with kinase inhibitors is described. Vectors for expressing the truncated gene products are described as well as recombinant cells that express the truncated gene products from cDNA constructs. Also provided are methods compositions and kits for detecting the BCR-ABL truncation variants. Also provided are methods for determining the prognosis of a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease, and methods for predicting the likelihood for resistance to a treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease. Additionally, methods for screening BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase domain inhibitors which rely on the recombinant cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides nucleic acid molecules, including cDNA, comprising an alteration that encodes a loss-of-function cornulin (CRNN) protein. The disclosure also provides isolated and recombinant human loss-of-function cornulin protein variants that comprise a truncation at a position corresponding to position 79. The truncation, and the nucleic acid molecules encoding this change, associate with skin disorders such as, for example, psoriasis, eczema, or atopic dermatitis. The disclosure also provides methods for determining whether a subject has or has a risk of developing a skin disorder, based on the identification of such alterations in the nucleic acid molecules encoding CRNN. Subjects at risk for or who have a skin disorder may be treated with an agent effective to treat the skin disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of analysing a blood sample of a subject carrying a foetus for the presence of a foetal disease or condition marker, said method comprising the steps of a) extracting nucleic acid from anucleated blood cells, preferably thrombocytes, in said blood sample to provide an anucleated blood cell-extracted nucleic acid fraction, and b) analysing said anucleated blood cell-extracted nucleic acid fraction for the presence of a foetal disease or condition marker, wherein said foetal disease or condition marker is a nucleic acid of a foetus, or wherein said foetal disease or condition marker is a foetal disease or condition-specific expression profile of genes of a cell of said foetus.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the prediction of the prognosis of ovarian cancer subjects. The present invention further provides methods for distinguishing between histological subtypes of ovarian cancer tumors, and also methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of ovarian cancer. Specifically the invention relates to microRNA molecules associated with said methods and compositions, as well as various nucleic acid molecules relating thereto or derived therefrom.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for evaluating tumor cell spheroids in a three-dimensional microfluidic device by determining changes in the relative levels of live cells and dead cells in aliquots cultured under different conditions. Methods described herein allow ex vivo recapitulation of the tumor microenvironment such that the in vivo effectiveness of a test compound in treating tumor tissue may be predicted.

Abstract: Methods are described for the efficient and accurate detection of bladder cancer. In particular, the method utilizes microsatellite analysis of bladder cancer markers to determine the presence of loss of heterozygosity or microsatellite instability using matched buccal swab and urine samples from a patient. In some cancer marker panels, detected loss of heterozygosity or microsatellite instability in two markers can be indicative of bladder cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit or device for the detection of malignant brain tumor, and a method for detecting malignant brain tumor. The present invention relates to a kit or device for the detection of malignant brain tumor, comprising nucleic acid(s) capable of specifically binding to predetermined miRNA(s) in a sample of a subject, and a method for detecting malignant brain tumor, comprising measuring the miRNA(s) in vitro.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating an individual at risk for a negative outcome associated with a treatment for a disease, in particular a proliferative disorder such as cancer. The method may include the steps of creating a predictive assay that includes both a biomarker and a genetic mutation. The predictive assay indicates the likelihood of a negative outcome associated with a particular treatment in a particular individual, such that an individual may be administered a treatment less likely to be associated with a negative outcome.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of hematological diseases of carcinogenic origin. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) as a biological marker of the progression of a hematological disease, in particular leukemias, and to an in vitro method for monitoring the progression of a hematological disease, such as leukemia.

Abstract: Methods of treating a patient, such as a patient with breast cancer, and methods of selecting a therapy for a patient. The methods of treating a patient may include determining one or more expression levels for a set of biomarkers from a biological sample of the patient. The biological sample may include breast cancer tissue.

Abstract: There is described herein a method of prognosing and/or predicting disease progression and/or in subject with prostate cancer, the method comprising: a) providing a sample containing mitochondrial genetic material from prostate cancer cells; b) sequencing the mitochondrial genetic material with respect to at least 1 patient biomarker selected from CSB1, OHR, ATP8 and HV1 (hypervariable region 1); c) comparing the sequence of said patient biomarkers to control or reference biomarkers to determine mitochondrial single nucleotide variations (mtSNVs); and d) determining the a prostate cancer prognosis; wherein a relatively worse outcome is associated with the presence of mtSNVs in CSB1, OHR, ATP8 and a relatively better outcome is associated with the presence of mtSNVs in HV1.

Abstract: The invention involves methods for identification of biomarkers of the severity of an HPV infection.

Abstract: Provided is a strain CCFM8630 of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and use thereof. The strain CCFM8630 of Bifidobacterium adolescentis can significantly increase neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine level in peripheral blood of rat, recover the hormone levels, for example testosterone and so on in peripheral blood of rat, normalize abnormal abundances of Bifidobacterium genus, Blautia genus and Turicibacter genus in intestinal flora of rat affected by high-fat high-starch diet, show pretty good tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal fluid and quickly colonize in intestinal, significantly improve pathological damages of tissues such as liver, duodenum and so on, and increase triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in serum and oral glucose tolerance of rat with metabolic syndrome caused by high-fat high-starch diet.

Abstract: Provided is a strain CCFM8631 of Lactobacillus reuteri and use thereof. The strain CCFM8631 of Lactobacillus reuteri can significantly increase neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine level in peripheral blood, recover the hormone levels, for example testosterone and so on in peripheral blood of rat, normalize abnormal abundances of Blautia genus and Turicibacter genus, Oscillospira genus and Bifidobacterium genus in intestinal flora of rat affected by high-fat high-starch diet, show good tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal fluid and quickly colonize in intestinal, significantly improve pathological damages of tissues such as liver, duodenum and so on, and increase triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in serum and oral glucose tolerance of rat with metabolic syndrome caused by high-fat high-starch diet.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating agents for the treatment of different intestinal motility disorders, using distinct methodological parts related to musculature and nerves of the GI tract which communicate with the brain. In particular, the present invention provides a method for the selection of an agent effective for the treatment of an intestinal motility disorder, wherein said method comprises: a) a step of spatiotemporal (ST) mapping carried out on a gastrointestinal segment to analyse the effect of said agent on gastrointestinal motility; and b) a step of ex vivo nerve bundle recording carried out on a gastrointestinal segment to analyse the effect of said agent on mesenteric afferent nerve firing. Bacterial strains selected by the methods of the invention and the use of said bacterial strains in the treatment of intestinal motility disorders are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a low urea-producing and flavor-producing Wickerhamomyces anomalus strain and a use thereof in food production, falling within the fields of wine brewing and food safety. The Wickerhamomyces anomalus of the present invention is obtained by isolating from a liquor fermentation environment (Daqu), is named Wickerhamomyces anomalus CGMCC NO. 12416, and was deposited at China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center on May 6, 2016, with a deposit number of CGMCC NO. 12416. The strain of the present invention has the characteristics of low urea production, flavor production, and tolerance to ethanol and acids, is an excellent strain having a fermentation function, and can be used in brewed wine, distilled liquor and other food fields to ensure food safety.

Abstract: A composition and process for improving the growth-promoting effectiveness of chitin-based fertilizers involves contacting the chitin-based material with a bacteria that secretes chitinase.

Abstract: A cemented carbide body includes WC in a metallic binder phase. The cemented carbide body has a bulk portion and a surface portion. The grain size of the WC in the surface portion is smaller than the grain size in the bulk portion of the body and this gives an increased surface hardness and an increased wear resistance. The median grain thickness, tg, of WC in the surface portion is 20-300 nm and the average grain size in the bulk portion is 0.5-8 ?m. A method of surface hardening a cemented carbide body is also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating a steel including, in percentages by weight: 0.2% to 0.33% carbon, 4% to 8% cobalt, 7% to 11% nickel, 0.8% to 3% chromium, 0.5% to 2.5% molybdenum, 0.5% to 5.9% tungsten, 0.05% to 0.2% vanadium, and not more than 0.02% titanium, the balance being constituted by iron and inevitable impurities, the method including subjecting the steel to solutionizing heat treatment at a temperature from 950° C. to 1100° C.; then subjecting the steel to quenching treatment; then placing the steel in a cryogenic enclosure; cooling the inside of the cryogenic chamber in which the steel is present to a treatment temperature less than or equal to ?73° C.; and subjecting the steel to cryogenic treatment while the treatment temperature is maintained inside the enclosure, the time duration between the end of the quenching treatment and the beginning of the cryogenic treatment being less than or equal to 4 hours.

Abstract: A steel sheet having excellent fatigue resistance as a material for automobile parts and a TS of 590 MPa or more, and a method for producing the same. The steel sheet has a composition comprising, by mass %, C: 0.04% or more and 0.15% or less, Si: 0.3% or less, Mn: 1.0% or more and 2.6% or less, P: 0.1% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Al: 0.01% or more and 0.1% or less, N: 0.015% or less, one or two of Ti and Nb: 0.01% or more and 0.2% or less in a total, and the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel sheet has 50% or more of ferrite and 10% or more and 50% or less of martensite in terms of an area ratio, and a microstructure in which a standard deviation of nano-hardness is 1.50 GPa or less and tensile strength of 590 MPa or more.

Abstract: A steel sheet having low yield ratio, tensile strength of 780 MPa or more, and good bending fatigue properties. The steel sheet includes a specific chemical composition and a steel microstructure having an area percentage of a ferrite phase of 20% or more and 80% or less and an area percentage of a martensite phase of 20% or more and 80% or less, the area percentage being determined by microstructure observation, in which a surface layer portion of the steel sheet has an average ferrite grain size of 5.0 ?m or less and an inclusion density of 200 particles/mm?2 or less, and in which the steel sheet has a surface hardness of 95% or more when the steel sheet has a hardness of 100% at a position ½t, where t represents the thickness of the steel sheet, away from a surface of the steel sheet in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A rolled steel sheet suitable for enamelling, having a carbon profile, defined by a gradient in the C-level from a level Csurface at at least one surface of the sheet, to a level Cbulk in the bulk of the sheet, Cbulk being higher than Csurface, and with Cbulk higher than 0 and lower than 0.08 wt %, Csurface between 0 and 0.015 wt %, Al between 0.012 wt % and 0.07 wt %, Mn between 0.12 wt % and 0.45 wt % and O lower than 0.01 wt % and wherein the depth where the C-level reaches (Cbulk+Csurface)/2, is higher than 75 ?m.

Abstract: A rolled steel sheet suitable for enameling, having a carbon profile, defined by a gradient in the C-level from a level Csurface at at least one surface of the sheet, to a level Cbulk in the bulk of the sheet, Cbulk being higher than Csurface, and with Cbulk higher than 0 and lower than 0.08 wt %, Csurface between 0 and 0.015 wt %, Al between 0.012 wt % and 0.07 wt %, Mn between 0.12 wt % and 0.45 wt % and O lower than 0.01 wt % and wherein the depth where the C-level reaches (Cbulk+Csurface)/2, is higher than 75 ?m.

Abstract: A grain-oriented electrical steel sheet has magnetic properties improved over conventional grain-oriented electrical steel sheets. A method of producing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet comprises: heating a steel slab at 1300° C. or less, the steel slab having a chemical composition containing C, Si, Mn, acid-soluble Al, S and/or Se, Sn and/or Sb, N, and a balance being Fe and inevitable impurities; subjecting the steel slab to hot rolling to obtain a hot rolled steel sheet; subjecting the hot rolled steel sheet to cold rolling once, or twice or more with intermediate annealing performed therebetween, to obtain a cold rolled steel sheet with a final sheet thickness; subjecting the cold rolled steel sheet to primary recrystallization annealing; applying an annealing separator to a surface of the cold rolled steel sheet after the primary recrystallization annealing; and then subjecting the cold rolled steel sheet to secondary recrystallization annealing.

Abstract: A martensitic stainless steel containing, by mass %, C: 0.20% to 0.40%, N: 0.1% or less, Mo: 3% or less, and Cr: 12.0% to 16.0%, such that 0.3%?C+N?0.4% and a PI value (=Cr+3.3 Mo+16 N) is 18 or more, with the remainder being substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities is quenched from a temperature of 1,030° C. to 1,140° C. and subjected to a subzero treatment and tempering so as to obtain a prior austenite crystal grain size of a surface layer of 30 ?m to 100 ?m and a surface hardness of 58 HRc to 62 HRc.

Abstract: Oxygen is injected into the windbox of a fluidized bed ore roaster to form a fluidizing and oxidizing gas stream of elevated oxygen content which is fed into only the feed zone into which the ore to be fluidized is fed.