Abstract: A multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus includes a portable housing, a testing unit, and an indication unit. The portable housing includes a hand-held casing and a probe casing extended from a front end of the hand-held casing. The testing unit includes a conductive probe having a testing end portion extended out of a tip end of the probe casing for contacting a testing object to determine a conductivity of the testing object. The indication unit includes a LED light unit received in the hand-held casing for illuminating the testing end portion of the conductive probe during testing, wherein the LED light unit is positioned away from the tip end of the probe casing for preventing heat generated from the LED light unit being transmitted toward the conductive probe to affect an accurate measurement for the conductivity of the testing object.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sample testing system of the present invention generally include two internally threaded caps; an externally threaded outer tube having a tapered internal bore and external circumferential grooves proximate each end thereof; an O-ring seated in each groove; and a plurality of inner tube sections cooperatively arranged to form an externally tapered inner tube structure that is disposed within the outer tube; wherein each cap is sealingly attached to an end of the outer tube via threading engagement therewith. Various embodiments utilize at least one closed-ended cap and/or at least one cap having a port extending through an end thereof, which may also incorporate a piston cavity and a piston having two circumferentially disposed O-rings. Embodiments allow for inner tube structure removal and separation of the inner tube sections for cured sample recovery. Embodiments of a method of using the system to cure a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sample testing system of the present invention generally include two internally threaded caps; an externally threaded outer tube having a tapered internal bore and external circumferential grooves proximate each end thereof; an O-ring seated in each groove; and a plurality of inner tube sections cooperatively arranged to form an externally tapered inner tube structure that is disposed within the outer tube; wherein each cap is sealingly attached to an end of the outer tube via threading engagement therewith. Various embodiments utilize at least one closed-ended cap and/or at least one cap having a port extending through an end thereof, which may also incorporate a piston cavity and a piston having two circumferentially disposed O-rings. Embodiments allow for inner tube structure removal and separation of the inner tube sections for cured sample recovery. Embodiments of a method of using the system to cure a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a base and a testing module. The testing module is received in the base and includes a temperature-controlling bucket, a testing cylinder, and upper and lower pistons. The temperature-controlling bucket extends in a vertical direction and has a bucket wall having a bucket inner surface and a bucket outer surface opposite to the bucket inner surface. The testing cylinder extends in the vertical direction, is received in the temperature-controlling bucket, and has a cylinder wall having a cylinder inner surface and a cylinder outer surface opposite to the cylinder inner surface. The upper and lower pistons plug top and bottom ends of the testing cylinder, respectively. The upper piston has a receiving room located inside the upper piston, and has a piston temperature sensor and a piston heating wire received in the receiving room.

Abstract: Described herein are nanopore devices as well as methods for assembling a nanopore device including one or more nanopores that can be used to detect molecules such as nucleic acids, amino acids (proteins), and the like. Specifically, a nanopore device includes an insulating layer that reduces electrical noise and thereby improves the sensing resolution of the one or more nanopores integrated within the nanopore device.

Abstract: In some aspects the invention is directed to methods of analyzing a polynucleotide which include steps of directing to a nanopore an excitation beam having a predetermined polarization state; translocating a polynucleotide through the nanopore, wherein nucleotides of the polynucleotide are labeled with fluorescent labels having absorption dipoles and wherein the nanopore spatially orients the fluorescent labels so that during translocation the adsorption dipoles are substantially unresponsive to the excitation beam; detecting changes in fluorescent signals generated by the fluorescent labels as nucleotides with fluorescent labels exit the nanopore and absorption dipoles thereof become responsive to excitation by the excitation beam with the predetermined polarization state; and identifying nucleotides exiting the nanopore from the changes in fluorescent signals.

Abstract: An RFID-based anemia detection sensor that integrates a paper-based diagnostic device with a passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID tag. Differences in red blood cell (RBC) count in a patient's blood manifests itself as a controlled time-dependent change in the tag's signal response. In one embodiment, the sensor is capable of reliably differentiating between blood having 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent RBC concentration by volume, which is indicative of anemic vs. healthy blood. In another embodiment, the sensor is read using standard RFID equipment allowing for large-scale automated screening of blood specimens.

Abstract: Provided is a blood analysis device including a capillary tube, a photo sensor disposed on a sidewall of the capillary tube to detect blood flowing in the capillary tube, and an absorption sensor coupled to one end of the capillary tube to absorb the blood in the capillary tube.

Abstract: A thrombelastography device, a heating apparatus, a blood coagulation analysis system, and a rotational angle measurement method are disclosed. The thrombelastography device consists of a plurality of thrombelastography device splits (2) that are horizontally arranged in parallel. The thrombelastography device split (2) comprises a worktable (4), a rack (5), a test bar (6), a tester (8), and a processor (9). The thrombelastography device overcomes the defect in the prior art that the measurement result of a thrombelastography device is inaccurate. The amount of reflected light is used as a reference for thrombelastographic evaluation, and thus the result is more accurate.

Abstract: Provided herein is a portable breath analysis device for analysing breath of a subject to identify levels of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. The device fmds use in, for example, monitoring the health of subjects. Also provided herein are methods of analysing breath of a subject using the device.

Abstract: A system for determining drug effectiveness on a plurality of cells is described. The system includes flowing a ferrofluid mixed with a plurality of biological cells through an inlet portion of a cartridge, the cartridge comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels, the inlet is in communication with a portion of each of the plurality of channels, applying a magnetic field proximate at least one of the inlet portion and the plurality of micro-channels, wherein the magnetic field is configured to apply an indirect force on the mix, separating biologic cells according to at least a first type as the mix flows in a first direction; and directing at least the first type of cells toward a first sensor functionalized with receptors via at least one of the micro-channels, the sensor arranged proximate to a second portion of at least one of the micro-channels downstream from the first inlet portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, are methods of treating a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits a tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) protein, wherein the NET is associated with a Trk protein that has undergone a genetic translocation or is an NTRK gene fusion protein. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in an individual in need thereof, comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of NET genetic material from the individual; (b) determining whether the NET tumor comprises a NTRK translocation or gene fusion; and (c) administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits a tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful for evaluating, selecting, identifying, or making a cell or cell line that has improved production capacity for generating higher yields of products and/or improved capacity to produce higher quality products. Products, as described herein, can include a polypeptide that is endogenously expressed by the cell, a recombinant polypeptide that is not endogenously expressed, or a non-naturally occurring recombinant polypeptide. The methods described herein include modulating, e.g., inhibiting, the protein degradation pathway by using a proteasome inhibitor, an ER-associated degradation (ERAD) inhibitor, or a ubiquitin pathway inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for testing the effects of various morphogens and/or feeder cells on the differentiation of pluripotent cells. The assays described herein can be used for determining the optimum conditions that lead to differentiation of stem cells. Once the optimum conditions for stem cell differentiation are determined, such cells may be used it a variety of therapies.

Abstract: There is provided a method that can recover a cell having specific cell information, of cells having cell information that changes over time, from a cell group. A cell recovery method for recovering a specific cell from a cell group including a plurality of cells having cell information that changes over time includes (a) a step of detecting or measuring a desired indicator in each cell of the cell group along a time axis, and (b) a step of recovering a cell having undergone a predetermined change in the indicator, wherein the cell is recovered at a time point after elapse of a preset time since a time point of occurrence of a predetermined change in the indicator.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for assays of the cellular function of G-protein coupled nicotinic receptors, for example, the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a7nAChR. G-protein coupled functions of this receptor are found in various types of cells including, but not limited to, neural, immune, and cancer cells. The assays disclosed herein find a basis in the specificity of the a7nAChR/G protein signaling and the ability to directly survey this activity using fluorescent probes and genetic molecular tools.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed provide an at-home pregnancy test device comprising a test strip retained within an elongated housing configured in the shape of a human. The elongated housing has an opening at an end configured to receive a removable sample collector adapted to receive a sample from a user. The elongated housing is configured to stand on a flat lower surface as a keepsake.

Abstract: A mixing method for particle agglutination includes the following steps of: dropping testing materials into an accommodating recess at one end of a channel structure; pressing a flexible layer on the other end of the channel structure; and releasing the flexible layer to an initial position after pressing the flexible layer such that a negative pressure is generated by an air chamber that is covered by the flexible layer and draws the testing materials that are in the accommodating recess to move toward the air chamber along a diverging channel of the channel structure. The testing materials are mixed with each other in the diverging channel, in which the depth of the diverging channel is gradually increased from the accommodating recess to the air chamber.

Abstract: This invention concerns Chemically-sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ChemFETs) that are preferably fabricated using semiconductor fabrication methods on a semiconductor wafer, and in preferred embodiments, on top of an integrated circuit structure made using semiconductor fabrication methods. The instant ChemFETs typically comprise a conductive source, a conductive drain, and a channel composed of a one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) transistor nanomaterial, which channel extends from the source to the drain and is fabricated using semiconductor fabrication techniques on top of a wafer. The ChemFET also includes a gate, often the gate voltage is provided through a fluid or solution proximate the ChemFET. Such ChemFETs, preferably configured in independently addressable arrays, may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in chemical and/or biological samples, including nucleic acid hybridization and/or sequencing reactions.

Abstract: The present application discloses a magnetic microchip having a graph code as well as a preparation method and application thereof. The magnetic microchip comprises: a graph code comprising more than one opaque microstructure mainly consisting of colloid aggregates formed by aggregating magnetic solid particles, wherein adjacent magnetic solid particles are isolated at least by an organic molecule and/or an inorganic molecule; and a transparent encapsulating structure at least used for wrapping the opaque microstructure. The magnetic microchip of the present application is prepared by adopting a micromachining process and has high in machining precision and repeatability, the size difference between different batches or between different individuals at the same batch can be ignored, use is convenient, and accuracy of a detection result can be effectively ensured, thereby greatly improving analysis quality.

Abstract: A target analysis tool and a target analysis method that allow easily analysis of a target. The first target analysis tool includes: a first chamber; a second chamber; and a third chamber. The first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber are disposed continuously in this order. The first chamber contains, as a first reagent, an immobilized first binding substance obtained by immobilizing, on a carrier, a first binding substance that binds to a target. The second chamber contains, as a second reagent, a labeled second binding substance obtained by binding a labeling substance to a second binding substance that binds to the first binding substance. The third chamber is a detection section in which the labeled second binding substance is detected.

Abstract: A piezoelectric plate sensor comprising a piezoelectric layer; two electrodes; and an insulation layer. The insulation layer is produced by soaking the piezoelectric layer and two electrodes in a mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane solution with an amount of water from 0.1 v/v. % to about 1 v/v % and at pH from about 8 to about 150 for a period from about 8 to about 15 hours, and the mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane solution has a concentration of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane from about 0.01 v/v % to about 0.5 v/v %. A method of detecting a biomolecule in a sample using the piezoelectric plate sensor in particular, that of detecting a genetic marker with PCR sensitivity and specificity without the need of DNA isolation or amplification is also provided. The piezoelectric plate sensor may be used to diagnose various diseases including breast cancer, myocardial infarction, diarrhea, Clostridium difficile infection, and hepatitis B infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for identifying marker sequences for rheumatoid arthritis, the novel marker sequences discovered with the aid of the method, and the diagnostic use thereof. The invention also relates to diagnostic devices containing such marker sequences for rheumatoid arthritis, in particular a protein biochip or beads (pellets), and use thereof.

Abstract: Contemplated test kits and methods for food sensitivity are based on rational-based selection of food preparations with established discriminatory p-value. Particularly preferred kits include those with a minimum number of food preparations that have an average discriminatory p-value of ?0.07 as determined by their raw p-value or an average discriminatory p-value of ?0.10 as determined by FDR multiplicity adjusted p-value. In further contemplated aspects, compositions and methods for food sensitivity are also stratified by gender to further enhance predictive value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the biofilm-forming capacity of microorganisms. The present invention also relates to a method for classifying microorganisms according to the biofilm-forming capacity thereof. In particular, the present invention is useful in the fields of analysis, biological and enzymological research, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and/or medicine. The present invention is also useful in the clinical, environmental and food-processing fields.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing infections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of each of the polypeptides TRAIL, CRP, IP10 and at least one additional polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-6 and PCT.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for the rapid detection of the Escherichia coli O25b-ST131 clone. The inventors have isolated a podoviridae bacteriophage (LM33_P1) infecting the E. coli strain LM33 isolated from ventilator associated pneumonia and which belongs to clone STI3I-025b. By testing different strains of E coli belonging to 129 others various distinct serotypes (including twelve O25a) the inventors found that bacteriophage LM33_P1 is able to infect exclusively O25b strains (none of non-O25b strains could be infected by LM33_P1). The inventors have determined that the specificity displayed by bacteriophage LM33_P1 to infect only 025b serotype strains is based on a very specific polypeptide (Gp17) used by LM33_P1 to attach the bacterial cell via LPS molecule. In particular, the present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80% of identity with the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: The present application concerns a method for identifying the nature of a bacterial infection from a peritoneal sample, in particular, whether it is a Gram-negative or Gram-positive infection, based upon the determination of one or more cellular and/or humoral markers in a sample.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (10) for full blood count includes a first measurement channel (11) and a second measurement channel (12) separated from the first measurement channel (11). The microfluidic device (10) furthermore includes a first inlet (13) for providing a whole blood sample to the first and second measurement channel (11, 12), a second inlet (14) for providing a lysis agent for white blood cell count in to the first channel (11), a third inlet (15) for providing a quench solution to the first channel (11), and a fourth inlet (16) for providing a lysis agent for hemoglobin measurement to the second channel (12). A method for forming such a microfluidic device (10) and a method for performing a full blood count test using such a microfluidic device (10) are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to stable full-length cDNA clones of a clinical, Asian lineage ZIKV strain. Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to high-throughput assays for ZIKV and dengue virus (DENV) diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention includes, in part, methods and compounds for diagnosing diseases and conditions characterized by altered threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS) activity, which include, but are not limited to diseases and conditions in which angiogenesis is altered. In some embodiments of the invention, a level of a TARS molecule is determined and compared to a control level of TARS to assess onset, progression, and/or regression of a disease or condition associated with altered TARS activity.

Abstract: A Fe(II)- and Ca+2-chelated alginate/gelatin conjugate.

Abstract: This document provides materials and methods for treating cancer metastases. For example, materials and methods for using a CDK 4/6 inhibitor and/or a CDK1 inhibitor to prevent cancer cell metastasis, prevent further cancer cell metastasis, reduce the number of metastatic cancer cells, and/or reduce the risk of cancer cell metastasis within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for sequential multidimensional immunohistochemical analyses of tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of detecting prostate cancer in the body fluids or tissues of patients. Prostate cancer is detected by measuring the level of glypican-1 in a body fluid sample. In one embodiment prostate cancer is detected by contacting a body fluid sample with an anti-glypican-1 antibody, such as MIL-38. The invention includes kits for detection of prostate cancer in a body fluid sample, comprising an anti-glypican-1 antibody and glypican-1 standards.

Abstract: An imaging agent comprises (a) at least one target recognition moiety; (b) at least one observable moiety non-transiently bound to the target recognition moiety, and (c) at least one docking moiety bound to the target recognition moiety, wherein the docking moiety is capable of transiently binding at least one observable moiety. In some embodiments, the at least one target recognition moiety is an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods for labeling transfer RNA comprising replacing the uracil component of a dihydrouridine of said transfer RNA with a fluorophore. The disclosed methods may comprise fluorescent labeling of natural tRNAs (i.e., tRNAs that have been synthesized in a cell, for example, in a bacterium, a yeast cell, or a vertebrate cell) at dihydrouridine (D) positions, or fluorescent labeling of synthetic tRNAs. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for assessing protein synthesis in a translation system comprise providing a tRNA having a fluorophore substitution for the uracil component of a dihydrouridine in a D loop of the tRNA; introducing the labeled tRNA into the translation system; irradiating the translation system with electromagnetic radiation, thereby generating a fluorescence signal from the fluorophore; detecting the fluorescence signal; and, correlating the fluorescence signal to one or more characteristics of the protein synthesis in the translation system.

Abstract: A water-soluble peptide fluorescence material having a structure of formula (I): In formula (I), n is an integer greater than or equal to 1, R1 is independently selected from hydrogen or a nitrogen-containing functional group, R2 is independently selected from hydrogen or alkyl, and A1 is polymerized by at least one amino acid monomer and having a structure of formula (II): In formula (II), m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and R3 in each of the amino acid monomers of A1 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylthioaalkyl, hydroxyaralky, heteroaralkyl, carboxylalkyl, or guanidinylalkyl. A2 is —OR5 or —N(R4)2, and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylthioaalkyl, hydroxyaralky, heteroaralkyl, carboxylalkyl, guanidinylalkyl, monoglycosyl, biglycosyl, or oligosaccharyl, and R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylthioaalkyl, hydroxyaralky, heteroaralkyl, carboxylalkyl, or guanidinylalkyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, among other things, methods and systems for recognizing and characterizing protein aggregation processes at the earliest possible time and use of such new methods and systems for (1) the identification and selection of protein formulations that minimize aggregation and extend long-term stability and (2) the identification of protein variants with the lowest tendency to aggregate.

Abstract: A microorganism identification method includes steps of: obtaining a mass spectrum through mass spectrometry of a sample including microorganisms; reading, from the mass spectrum, a mass-to-charge ratio m/z of a peak associated with a marker protein; and identifying which bacterial species of the genus Campylobacter are included in the microorganisms in the sample based on the mass-to-charge ratio m/z. The microorganism identification method is further characterized in that at least one of the following 18 marker proteins is used as the marker protein, S10, L23, S19, L22, L16, L29, S17, L14, L24, S14, L18, L15, L36, S13, S11 (Me), L32, and L7/L12.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the detection of cardiovascular disease, e.g., acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and/or pulmonary embolism, in high body mass index (BMI) individuals, e.g., with a BMI of 25-29, or 30 or above, and those with impaired renal function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting and measuring the presence of mono-nucleosomes and oligo-nucleosomes and nucleosomes that contain particular histone variants and the use of such measurements for the detection and diagnosis of disease. The invention also relates to a method of identifying histone variant biomarkers for the detection and diagnosis of disease and to biomarkers identified by said method.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing and treating disorders related to TH2 inhibition, including but not limited to asthma, are provided. Also provided are methods of selecting or identifying patients for treatment with certain therapeutic agents that are TH2 pathway inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides various biomarkers of fatty liver disease, including steatosis and steatohepatitis. The present invention also provides various methods of using the biomarkers, including methods for diagnosis of fatty liver disease, methods of determining predisposition to fatty liver disease, methods of monitoring progression/regression of fatty liver disease, methods of assessing efficacy of compositions for treating fatty liver disease, methods of screening compositions for activity in modulating biomarkers of fatty liver disease, methods of treating fatty liver disease, as well as other methods based on biomarkers of fatty liver disease.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to the detection of symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA). More particularly, the disclosure relates to the detection of SDMA using a solid phase. The disclosure provides devices, reagents, kits and methods for detecting symmetrical dimethyl arginine (SDMA) in sample, such as a biological sample from an animal. The method includes detecting the presence or amount of SDMA in the sample by using an immunoassay format, such as a competitive immunoassay. The assay includes the use of antibodies to SDMA that are specific for SDMA and that have less affinity for other arginine derivatives.

Abstract: Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for ranking aliquots from a suspension containing bioparticles. In certain embodiments, the bioparticles may be cells, organelles, proteins, DNAs, debris of biological origin, microbeads coated with biological compounds, or viral particles. As such, the methods and apparatuses provided herein may be used to quantify rare cells such as circulating cancer cells, fetal cells and other rare cells present in bodily fluids for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using a one or more assays configured to detect Chitinase-3-like protein 1 as a predictive biomarker in renal injuries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an aggregate of an aggregate-forming polypeptide of a biosample, comprising (a) a step of spiking a dimer type of the aggregate-forming polypeptide into the biosample to be analyzed; (b) a step of incubating a resultant product of step (a) to further form an aggregate of the aggregate-forming polypeptide; (c) a step of contacting a resultant product of step (b) with a binding agent-tag in which a signal-generating tag is bound to a binding agent that binds to the aggregate of the aggregate-forming polypeptide; and (d) a step of detecting a signal which is generated from the binding agent-tag bound to the aggregate of the aggregate-forming polypeptide

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward methods for detecting brain related maladies in a subject by measuring levels of at least one of the identified biomarkers, as compared to a control. Brain related maladies include physical trauma to the brain, neurodegenerative disorders, and mental illness. The detection of the target biomarkers in ocular fluid provides a simpler and more effective sample matrix as compared to other biological matrices.

Abstract: An ascorbic acid responsive electrode comprising an electrode, and a detection layer comprising a non-catalytic electron acceptor that receives an electron from ascorbic acid, an amino acid, and a saccharide and/or a soluble protein; wherein in the detection layer the electron acceptor is reduced by the ascorbic acid, and the reduced electron acceptor is oxidized at the electrode.