Abstract: A urine sample testing apparatus may include a urine qualitative measuring section configured to acquire a measurement result for each of a plurality of urine qualitative measurement items and a urine sediment measuring section configured to acquire a measurement result for each of a plurality of urine sediment measurement items. The apparatus may also include an operation part that can specify a combination of one of the plurality of urine qualitative measurement items and one of the plurality of urine sediment measurement items. An information processing unit may also be included.

Abstract: A microfluidic biochip device includes a housing including at least one microchannel defining at least one cell adhesion region. The at least one cell adhesion region is provided with at least one capturing agent that adheres a cell of interest to a surface of the at least one microchannel when a fluid sample containing cells is passed through the at least one microchannel. An imaging system measures the morphology and/or quantity of cells of interest adhered by the at least one capturing agent to the surface of the at least one microchannel when the fluid sample is passed therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assessing the wound healing potency of a mesenchymal stem cell population. In addition, the present invention concerns a method of selecting a mesenchymal stem cell population for producing a stem cell population under cGMP conditions and a method of selecting a mesenchymal stem cell population for producing a stem cell population for subsequent pharmaceutical administration. Further, the present invention relates to a method of selecting a mesenchymal stem cell population for generating a master cell bank and to a method of identifying a tissue suitable as starting material for producing a mesenchymal stem cell population for pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: It is intended to reveal a polynucleotide serving as a novel causative gene of a cancer and, on the basis of this finding, to provide a method for detecting the polynucleotide or a polypeptide encoded thereby, a kit and a primer set for the detection, a method for screening for a substance that inhibits the polypeptide, and a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a cancer, containing the inhibiting substance. The detection method of the present invention detects a BRAF fusion protein or a fusion gene encoding the fusion protein, or a PXN or GMDS fusion protein or a fusion gene encoding the fusion protein in a digestive organ-derived sample obtained from a subject.

Abstract: Methods of determining whether specific drugs or patients carry an increased risk of causing or developing, respectively, long QT syndrome or Torsades de Pointes and methods of treating such patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for modulating c-Rel-dependent cytokine production without materially altering the level of expression of NF?B and/or the amount of I?B. The present invention is also directed to screening for modulators of c-Rel activity as determined by assaying for altered subcellular localization of c-Rel but where the level of expression of NF?B and/or the amount of I?B is materially unaltered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the gestational diabetic status of a pregnant subject, comprising providing a biological sample obtained from the subject; and determining the presence, and/or level, of syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles, and/or insulin receptor, and/or DPPIV in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a process to prepare a cell culture system that mimics the structure of blood brain barrier (BBB) and are useful to study the functions thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a direct-contact coculture and triculture systems prepared by plating BMECs on a pre-formed lawn of coculture of astrocytes and pericytes on the apical surface of a culture-chamber to achieve a truly direct contact triculture model for BBB. The cell culture systems disclosed herein are also useful for studying the functions of the blood brain barrier and predicting the efficacy and potential toxicity of a drug candidate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for multiplex staining of a biological sample involving the use of a buffer combination of blocking buffer, imaging buffer and elution buffer that allows for multiple staining rounds of biological samples. The blocking buffer comprises a compound that is capable of binding to hydrophobic binding sites non-specifically and a sulfhydryl-reactive compound. The imaging buffer is at neutral pH and comprises a radical scavenger, and the elution buffer is at pH lower than 4 and comprises a buffering component, a reducing agent and at least one compound disrupting hydrogen bonds. The invention further relates to buffers used in the practice of the method of the invention, and to a kit containing these buffers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a condensation product of a Pictet-Spengler reaction between a carbonyl compound, in particular an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde, and an amine in a body fluid removed from a human and/or in cells taken from a human, wherein a chemical, physical, or physico-chemical determination of the condensation product as an analyte is carried out on the body fluid and/or the cells. The invention also relates to novel analytes useful therefor.

Abstract: A chromogenic absorbent material for an animal litter includes an oxidizing agent responsive to peroxidatic/pseudoperoxidatic activity in an animal excretion or a first catalytic compound generating the oxidizing agent in situ. The material also includes a chromogenic indicator being chromogenically responsive to the oxidizing activity of the oxidizing agent, and an absorptive material which is porous, for absorbing the animal excretion. The absorptive material includes a water-absorbing polysaccharide providing absorptive properties to the chromogenic absorbent material; and may also include a second polysaccharide and a superabsorbent polymer. The material may be obtained in the form of particles having a low density and a high porosity, and is usable in conjunction with an animal litter for detecting various diseases in animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods or assays for detecting proteins or molecules of interest in a sample. Aptamers specific to the protein of interest are obtained and are then incubated with the sample. If the protein of interest is present in the sample, protein-aptamer conjugates are formed. The incubated sample is then passed through a sorbent material designed to retain proteins and other cellular material whilst allowing free nucleic acid to flow through substantially unimpeded. If aptamer is detected in the output material at levels equivalent to the aptamer concentrations initially, this is indicative that no protein of interest was present in the sample, whereas if no (or potentially reduced) amounts of aptamer is detected in the flow through this is indicative of protein of interest in the sample as this will have bound to the aptamers and been retained by the sorbent material.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for diagnosing canine pregnancy and a diagnostic reagent therefor. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing canine pregnancy, comprising a step of immunologically measuring a canine acute phase protein in a biological sample using an anti-canine acute phase protein antibody or a fragment thereof, wherein the canine acute phase protein is not a canine C-reactive protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method allowing a particularly efficient ligand exchange of a detergent bilayer on the surface of metal nanoparticles for molecular functionalization and assembly, and corresponding functionalized nanoparticles and nanoparticle assemblies that can be prepared using this method, as illustrated in FIG. 16, as well as their use, e.g., for plasmonic applications such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In particular, the invention provides corresponding methods for preparing a dimeric nanoparticle assembly, a core-satellite nanoparticle assembly, and a functionalized nanoparticle, respectively.

Abstract: A method for making a plasmonic mushroom array includes: forming a plurality of metal nano-islands each having nanometer-range dimensions on a surface of a glass substrate; and subjecting to the glass substrate having the plurality of metal nano-islands formed thereon to reactive ion etching such that the plurality of metal nano-islands are converted to a plurality of mushroom-shaped structures each having a metal cap supported by a pillar made of a material of the glass substrate and each having dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the nano-islands, the plurality of mushroom-shaped structures being arranged in a substantially regular pattern with intervals smaller than average intervals between the nano-islands, thereby forming the plurality of nano-scale mushroom-shaped structures on the glass substrate that can exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the methods, compositions, and systems provided herein relate to enzymatic enhancement of immunoassays using photonic sensor arrays.

Abstract: Electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) biosensing devices are described that provide drift correction and calibration to EAB sensor measurements of biofluid analyte concentrations by disclosing reference sensors that are configured to not interact with a target analyte, but otherwise mirror the performance of active EAB sensors within the expected application parameters of the device. Such reference sensors are configured to allow comparisons with their companion active sensors to track aptamer sensing element dissociation from an electrode surface, temperature-induced effects, redox moiety dissociation, and/or the effects of surface fouling. Some embodiments include separate electrodes for active and reference aptamer sensing elements. Other embodiments include a single electrode for both active and reference aptamer sensing elements. Single electrode embodiments include two or more distinct redox moieties.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention is related to devices and methods of performing biological and chemical assays, such as but not limited to immunoassays and nucleic assay acid, particularly the homogeneous assay that does not use the step of wash and that is fast (e.g. 60 seconds from dropping a sample to displaying results).

Abstract: Brevetoxin (BTX) concentration levels in organisms and other samples are detected using conjugated recombinant monoclonal brevetoxin antibodies (BTX-rAbs) that are cross-reactive with one or more brevetoxin antigens. The analysis may employ a simplified and less pure, but more easily, more safely or more rapidly prepared crude tissue extract. The results may be used to permit or not permit the harvesting, sale, relocation or depuration of such organisms or samples.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing data from a point-of-care test reader, which reduces an error of a measured value of the point-of-care test reader for a diagnostic kit to acquire quantitative data having high reliability, and the method includes correcting location errors of a test signal line and a control signal line on a membrane based on scan line signal data obtained by scanning a specific region of the membrane within a diagnostic kit with a laser beam, setting a region of interest for the test signal line and the control signal line of the scan line signal data, and arranging and analyzing each of the scan line signal data in the region of interest.

Abstract: A test element for an assay includes: a cartridge having a housing which includes a priming pad capable of containing a liquid fluid, a wash port having an opening in the housing, and an opening for directly or indirectly applying a sample; and an assay device positioned within the cartridge in fluid communication with the wash port containing an analytical reagent.

Abstract: A method of screening an individual for an autoimmune disease comprising analyzing a blood sample, containing at least one biomarker, from an individual wherein the blood sample is suspended and preserved by a blood stabilizing solution and wherein the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjogren's syndrome.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising: a) an amount of a chromium-EDTA complex; and b) an amount of riboflavin or an amount of glucose, or a mixture of riboflavin and glucose.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting an antibiotic and a method for determining antibiotic sensitivity using the same is provided. The antibiotic susceptibility inspection time which has conventionally taken longer than 24 hours is shortened to about 2 hours or less, the efficacy of the target substance is monitored in real time, the identification of the microorganism, the kind of the antibiotic capable of treating the microorganism, and the minimum dosage thereof are quickly confirmed. Microbial infections requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment can be effectively treated.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions (e.g., peptide compositions) useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens. The peptide compositions comprise polypeptide sequences comprising variants in the IR6 domain of the Borrelia VlsE protein. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising such peptide compositions and useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens and the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of purification and preparation of cultured corneal endothelial cells, and in particular, to provide cell surface markers for use in corneal endothelial cells not including transformed cells. Provided are cell markers for distinguishing normal cells and transformed cells, in particular normal and transformed corneal endothelium cells. These cell markers relate to specific cell surface markers, for example, to a normal corneal endothelial surface marker such as CD166, and a transformed cell surface marker such as CD73. By using the transformed cell surface marker such as CD73 to remove transformed cells by sorting, it becomes possible to improve purity of a normal cultured corneal endothelium. By using normal corneal endothelial surface marker such as CD166, or by combined use with the transformed cell surface marker, it becomes possible to provide a means for verifying the purity of a prepared corneal endothelium.

Abstract: An immunoassay kit including a monoclonal antibody coupled to a labeling agent (labeled mAb) for detecting tumor pyruvate kinase M2 (tM2-PK) in a biological sample. The monoclonal antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) including heavy chain complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) (SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, and 5) and a light chain variable region (LCVR) including light CDRs (SEQ ID NOs: 7, 8, and 9).

Abstract: Provided herein are biomarkers for the treatment of pathological conditions, such as cancer, and method of using PD-1/PD-L1 pathway antagonists. In particular, provided are biomarkers for patient selection and prognosis in cancer, as well as methods of therapeutic treatment, articles of manufacture and methods for making them, diagnostic kits, methods of detection and methods of advertising related thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for screening test samples or substances that are capable of inducing or reducing nucleolar hypertrophy in cancer cells. The present disclosure further provides methods of contacting isolated cancer cells with a test sample or a substance that can induce nucleolar hypertrophy in a cancer cell. The present disclosure further provides methods for contacting an isolated cancer cell characterized by nucleolar hypertrophy with a test sample or substance that can reduce the nucleolar hypertrophy. One benefit to the method of screening disclosed herein can be the identification of test samples or substances capable of reducing nucleolar hypertrophy. Another benefit to the method of screening disclosed herein can be the identification of those combinations of test samples, substances, or combinations or series thereof, which are suitable or optimal for treating specific cancers in patients.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and compositions for parallel processing of nucleic acid samples. Methods and systems of the present disclosure comprise the use of sample-specific barcode sequences, which facilitate the multiplexing of samples, detection of discrete cell populations within a pooled population, and detection of partitions comprising more than one cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a background blocking concept for use in time-resolved fluorometry binding assays. More particular, the invention relates to a binding assay and a kit involving the use of the same or similar chelating ligand in lanthanide chelate-labelled analyte-specific biomolecules and as or in a background blocking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing whether a pregnant subject is at risk of developing preeclampsia or a preeclampsia-related condition, or not, said method comprising the steps of determining the amount of the biomarker IGFBP-7 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7) in a sample from the subject, and comparing the determined amount of the biomarker to a reference. Further, the present invention relates to the in vitro use of the biomarker IGFBP-7, or of at least one detection agent which specifically binds to IGFBP-7 in a sample of a pregnant subject for assessing whether said subject is at risk of developing preeclampsia or a preeclampsia-related condition, or not. Also encompassed by the present invention is a device adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of TNF signalling. Compounds have been identified which are capable of modulating signalling of TNF trimers through receptors. Methods of identifying such compounds are therefore provided. The compounds themselves have utility in therapy.

Abstract: Provided are: a monoclonal antibody against human IgG4, for which the epitope is present in the CH3 of human IgG4 given by SEQ ID NO: 4; a hybridoma that produces the monoclonal antibody; a method for detecting IgG4 using the monoclonal antibody; and a kit used in this method.

Abstract: Materials and methods for identifying subjects as being likely or not likely to respond to an interleukin-1? receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) therapy for a seizure disorder, as well as materials and methods for treating subjects identified as being likely to respond to an IL-1RA therapy for a seizure disorder, are provided herein.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a potency assay for evaluating the potency of facilitating cells and/or alpha beta TCR+ T cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether a patient will respond to treatment with a myostatin pathway inhibitor, the method comprising: (a) determining a level of myostatin and/or activin type II receptor (ActRII) and/or follistatin in at least one muscle biopsy obtained from a treatment target muscle in a subject having or suspected of having muscle atrophy or a muscle wasting condition; and (b) determining a level of myostatin and/or follistatin in a systemic sample obtained from the patient, wherein if: (i) the level of myostatin in the systemic sample is higher than a threshold and/or if the level of follistatin in the sample is lower than a threshold; and (ii) the level of myostatin and/or ActRII receptor in the at least one biopsy sample is higher than a threshold level and/or if the level of follistatin in the at least one biopsy sample is lower than a threshold level, the patient will respond to treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and kit for determining a likelihood of a human subject with asymptomatic tuberculosis (TB) infection or suspected TB infection progressing to active tuberculosis disease, the method comprising detecting a presence or level of a first and a second pair of protein biomarkers selected from Complement Component 9 (C9) and Complement C1q Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein 3 (C1qTNF3); and C9 and Creatine Kinase M- and B-type (CKMB) in a sample from the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for monitoring the state of health of dairy cows, in particular of entire dairy herds. The method is based on analysing the haptoglobin (HP) biomarker and part of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR), the secretory component (Secretory Component, SC), in a milk sample. In particular, the claimed method and apparatus of the invention make it possible to diagnose mastitis or systemic diseases which occur outside the udder on the basis of the protein biomarker described here. The invention therefore makes it possible to regularly monitor the general state of health of a dairy herd. The present invention relates to non-invasive diagnostic methods and to apparatuses and diagnostic kits for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a periodontal condition using a protein showing a concentration difference between periodontal tissue in a normal condition and an abnormal condition from a subject's saliva is provided. According to this non-invasive method, the patient himself is able to check the presence of periodontal disease and identify the time to receive a treatment at an early stage, which will allow the patient to save time and cost for the treatment of periodontitis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders are based on septapeptides and extended forms thereof (or portions thereof) that exhibit chemokine activity with respect to microglial cell precursors.

Abstract: Blood and bodily fluid reader systems, including circulating biomarkers involving multiple mitochondrial releasates for providing real-time, at-the-scene objective indicia of individuals sustaining mild TBI. As a therapeutic component for related neuroin-flammation of mild TBI and related injuries, medicaments, compounds and methods include chimeric proteins which combine: (i) a first polypeptide sequence derived from the “Box A” domain of the “High-Mobility Group Box 1” Protein ( HMGB1) protein; and, (ii) a second polypeptide sequence derived from the D1 lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin (TM). These chimeric proteins both activate and promote certain repair-type functions within the brain, up to and in some cases including the growth of new neuronal fibers and/or the creation of new synaptic junctions; and, keep those types of inflammation-triggered repair processes within healthy and desirable limits.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of detecting biomarkers and/or candidate biomarkers for brain disorders and uses of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents which are suitable to be used in mass spectrometry as well as methods of mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules using said reagents.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and kits for lysing red blood cells from whole blood.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining the presence of a coagulation inhibitor in a patient. A patient curve associated with the patient sample and having a patient slope (Ps) and a a standard curve associated with a control sample and having a control slope (Cs) are generated, and the Ps and the Cs are compared to obtain a Ps/Cs parallelism ratio. A Ps/Cs parallelism ratio of less than a predetermined ratio is indicative of presence of a coagulation inhibitor in the patient sample.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for performing automated assays, and particularly to performing sequential assays on a sample on an automated instrument.

Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.

Abstract: An air data probe includes a faceplate, a body connected to the faceplate, and a heating system comprising a coil, the coil being connected to the faceplate. The coil generates an electromagnetic field that couples with the body to heat the body.