Abstract: An engineered microorganism(s) with novel pathways for the conversion of short-chain hydrocarbons to fuels and chemicals (e.g. carboxylic acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and their alpha-, beta-, and omega-functionalized derivatives) is described. Key to this approach is the use of hydrocarbon activation enzymes able to overcome the high stability and low reactivity of hydrocarbon compounds through the cleavage of an inert C—H bond. Oxygen-dependent or oxygen-independent activation enzymes can be exploited for this purpose, which when combined with appropriate pathways for the conversion of activated hydrocarbons to key metabolic intermediates, enables the generation of product precursors that can subsequently be converted to desired compounds through established pathways. These novel engineered microorganism(s) provide a route for the production of fuels and chemicals from short chain hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, propane, butane, and pentane.

Abstract: The present application concerns a process for quantifying polysorbates in a sample by implementing a LC-MS analysis with an internal standard, and the process for monitoring degradation of polysorbates in such sample.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated polynucleotide encoding modified click beetle luciferase polypeptides that have enhanced luminescence and longer wavelength near-infrared signals. The disclosure also relates to near-infrared bioluminescence systems that include said modified click beetle luciferase polypeptides and novel luciferin derivatives, as well as methods of using said modified click beetle luciferase polypeptides and bioluminescence systems.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions including O,O?-diacetyl leucoindigo. Also described herein are methods of pre-dyeing fibers with O,O?-diacetyl leucoindigo, followed by developing the pre-dyed fibers using hydrolysis or oxidation conditions to form indigo-dyed fibers. Also disclosed are indigo-dyed fibers, textiles, and fabrics made using O,O?-diacetyl leucoindigo, wherein cellulose, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, nylon, wool, and other compositional fiber types are suitably dyed with indigo dye using the described compositions and methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glyco-decoy acceptor compositions that sidetrack or inhibit the activity of biosynthetic enzymes participating in synthesis of ligands binding at selectin, galectin and siglecs receptors; methods of their preparation and uses in drug discovery and in treatments of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutant thioesterase enzymes and naturally-occurring equivalents thereof, compositions made from such enzymes and uses of thioesterase enzymes. In particular, the present invention provides mutant thioesterase enzymes that have altered properties, for example, altered substrate specificity, altered activity, altered selectivity, and/or altered proportional yields in the product mixtures. The present invention also provides polynucleotides encoding such mutant thioesterase enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotides. The invention further provides for novel uses of thioesterases in the production of various fatty acid derivatives, which are useful as, or as components of, industrial chemicals and fuels.

Abstract: The present application is directed to biosensors and methods for detecting a microorganism target in a sample using a mechanically interlocked nucleic acid catanane, wherein an enzyme from the microorganism target or that is activated by a molecule from the microorganism target cleaves a linkage in a first single-stranded nucleic acid ring of the catanane structure, allowing rolling-circle amplification to occur and the presence of rolling-circle amplification products indicates the presence of the microorganism in the sample.

Abstract: An assay kit of reagents including a nucleic acid capable of acting as substrate for polymerase microorganism activity useful in a method of detecting polymerase activity as an indicator of the presence of a micro-organism in a sample are disclosed. 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: Described are pro-coelenterazine analogues, methods for making the analogues, kits comprising the analogues, and methods of using the compounds for the detection of luminescence in luciferase-based assays or fragment complementary luciferase. The disclosed pro-coelenterazine analogues provide increased serum stability for live cell assays, and are capable of tuning the brightness and assay windows as needed for the applications.

Abstract: Unnatural, mutated thioesterases having an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ. ID. NO: 1 and having substitutions at one or more of amino acid positions I107, R108, L109, S122, M141, E142, Y145, and L146, gene constructs encoding and configured to express the mutated thioesterases in a transformed host cell and host cells transformed to contain the gene constructs.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, nucleic acids and kits for detecting, or for detecting and distinguishing between or among liver cell proliferative disorders or for detecting, or for detecting and distinguishing between or among colorectal cell proliferative disorders. The invention discloses genomic sequences the methylation patterns of which have utility for the improved detection of and differentiation between said class of disorders, thereby enabling the improved diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to amino acid sequence variants of a lipase with improved activity for catalyzing synthesis reactions and methods of preparing the variants. The methods include predicting amino acid sites for change based on computational models of the protein structure in non-aqueous conditions, and expressing the protein in a prokaryotic host for subsequent purification and use. The enzyme sequence variants described have a three to nine-fold improvement in synthesis activity over the parent protein sequence.

Abstract: A measurement method for human pancreatic lipase activity in a sample, includes bringing a bile acid that makes a pH for giving a maximum value of human pancreatic lipase activity to be lower than 7.7, a diglyceride and a colipase into contact with the sample at pH 7.4 or lower; and detecting a signal amount varying in accordance with the human pancreatic lipase activity in the sample, and the bile acid is a bile acid containing: one of or two or more of a-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of GDCA, GCDCA, TDCA, TCDCA and salts thereof; and/or a combination of one of or two or more of b-1-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of GCA, GUDCA, TCA, TUDCA and salts thereof, and one of or two or more of b-2-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of DCA, CDCA and salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for assaying redox state of metabolically active cells and methods for assaying enzyme activity and/or metabolite level by coupling to redox defining co-factor NAD(P)/NAD(P)H measurement.

Abstract: Novel phenyl-glyoxal based anti-citrulline probes and methods of synthesis are provided. Methods of use, such as, the development of methods for monitoring substrate citrullination over time; for identifying citrullinated proteins from cells are described.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a colorimetric method for detecting bacterial or fungal pathogens by detecting peptidoglycan or (1-3)-?-D-glucan in a sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for analyzing a protamine sample for the presence or amount of at least one nucleotidic impurity. The invention also provides a method for the quantitation of peptides in a sample of protamine comprising four major peptides and at least one related impurity.

Abstract: A method treating cancer in a subject comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antimetabolite agent that induces formation of AP sites in cancer cells of the subjects and an amount AP endonuclease inhibitor effective to potentiate the cytotoxicity of the antimetabolite agent to the cancer cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for assessing the risk a test subject with heart failure has of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event, requiring revascularization, requiring a heart transplant, requiring unscheduled hospitalization for heart failure, progression of heart failure status, or any combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods for assessing the risk a test subject has of developing heart failure. The present methods comprise determining the levels of paraoxonase 1 activity in the serum, non-chelated plasma, or both in the test subject and comparing the level of PON1 activity in the test subject's sample with a control or baseline value based on levels of PON1 activity in serum, non-chelated plasma, or both samples from a population of control subjects. Also provided herein are kits useful in assessing such risks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a simple and accurate measurement of triglycerides in low-density lipoprotein in a sample comprising performing the following steps sequentially: (i) a step of generating free glycerol by allowing lipoprotein lipase to act on a sample, in an aqueous medium comprising the sample and a specific surfactant such as polyoxyethylene polyoxyalkylene polycyclic phenyl ether; (ii) a step of removing free glycerol present in the reaction solution of the above step (i); (iii) a step of generating free glycerol by allowing lipoprotein lipase to act on the reaction solution from which free glycerol has been removed in step (ii), in the presence of a specific surfactant such as polyoxyethylene polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether; and (iv) a step of measuring free glycerol generated in step (iii), and a kit used for the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture medium comprising a carbapenem, a carbapenemase activator and a M-type penicillin. It also relates to a method for detecting carbapenem-resistant bacteria in a test sample using said culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with oleoresins derived from Capsicum plants producing greater than about 0.4% zeaxanthin, by weight in the dried, ripe fruit pod flesh, wherein zeaxanthin is the dominant carotenoid in the dried ripe fruit pod flesh, when measured in non-esterified forms, which plants have been developed by commercially grown Capsicum cultivars by plant breeding techniques. The oleoresin and zeaxanthin derived from these Capsicum plants can be used in applications that include nutritional supplements, foods, functional foods, cosmetics, animal feeds, aquaculture feeds, and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present application provides a system (1) that comprises a mobile phone (25) to allow testing of samples from a patient at the point of care or environmental/industrial process monitoring tests to be performed in the field. The system (1) may be easily adapted for use with a variety of different mobile phones (25). The mobile phone (25) comprises an integrated camera (15). The system (1) further comprises an optical module (20) for receiving a sample for testing. The mobile phone (25) is configured to extract the intensity and/or color information from the camera (15).

Abstract: Pancreatic cancer can be detected using a monoclonal antibody which binds to pancreatic RNase 1 when a site in pancreatic RNase 1 capable of being modified with an N-glycan chain is not linked to a glycan chain, but which does not bind to pancreatic RNase 1 when an N-glycan chain is linked to the site. Also provided is a monoclonal antibody which can bind to pancreatic RNase 1 simultaneously with the binding of the aforementioned antibody to pancreatic RNase 1, and determining the ratio of A to B using the antibodies, wherein A represents the amount of the site located in the pancreatic RNase 1 capable of being modified with an N-glycan chain, wherein an N-glycan chain is linked or not linked to the site; and B represents the amount of the site located in the pancreatic RNase 1 capable of being modified with an N-glycan chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants with improved activity in an amide-bond reaction. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for inhibiting bacterial DNA repair enzymes, including AddAB and RecBCD helicase-nucleases. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating a subject with an antibacterial agent are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides for novel lipase inhibitors, and compositions and devices comprising the same. The invention further provides for methods for treatment of disorders comprising administration of novel diacylglycerol lipase inhibitors, and compositions and devices comprising said inhibitors. In some embodiments, the disorders are pancreatitis, obesity, shock or pancreatic necrosis. The invention further provides for novel ether lipid reporter compounds and methods of assaying enzymatic activity comprising contacting a compound with a novel ether lipid reporter compound.

Abstract: An analytical device for analysis of chemical or biological samples, a method of using such a device, based on rotation of the device, integrated sample dosing and optical detection, and a system comprising such a device are disclosed. The analytical device comprises a device body having a liquid processing unit. The liquid processing unit comprises a mixing chamber for mixing a sample with a reagent, a sample dosing chamber for delivering a defined volume of the sample to the mixing chamber, and a reagent channel for delivering the reagent to be mixed with the sample, wherein the mixing chamber also serves as a detection chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluorescence polarization (FP)-based assay to identify inhibitors of resolvase's DNA cleavage activity. The invention also provides resolvase inhibitors identified by the assay, as well as derivatives and analogs thereof. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are useful to treat a poxvirus infection in an infected subject.

Abstract: Long shelf-life kits, value-assigned solutions, and methods for standardizing, verifying, calibrating or recalibrating detection of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 having using them are described herein. In particular, described herein are methods of using solutions of rLp-PLA2 that are stable for an extended period of time to standardize, verify, calibrate or recalibrate assays for Lp-PLA2.

Abstract: Value-assigned solutions having predetermined concentrations of recombinant Lp-PLA2 are described herein. In particular, described herein are solutions of rLp-PLA2 that are stable for an extended period of time. Kits and assays include these calibration solutions, as well as methods of making and using them are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for continuous measurement of triglyceride digestibility during a meal. A stable isotope labeled triglyceride and a free fatty acid tracer are added to the meal. The ratio between a ratio of isotope labeled fatty acid produced after digestion to free fatty acid tracer represents the percentage of digestion of triglycerides by lipase from the pancreas.

Abstract: The field of this invention relates to methods for combining genetic elements such that the activity of one of the elements provides a means for identifying, enriching, selecting for, or enhancing the activity of a second element. The invention also includes specific elements and combinations of elements.

Abstract: Providing is a new enzyme assay method for enzymes having a water-insoluble or substantially water-insoluble substrate. In the method for measuring enzymatic activity, a prescribed amount of an enzyme is disposed on a part of the surface of a gel comprising dispersoids, at least some of which are the substrate of the enzyme. Recesses formed in the surface of the gel by the action of the enzyme are measured, and the enzyme activity is calculated on the basis of the measurement results and the amount of the enzyme. The measurement of the recesses formed in the surface of the gel is performed using a method for measuring the shape and the volume of the recesses, a method for measuring changes in the optical transmittance of the gel due to the formation of the recesses, or a method for measuring changes in the optical reflectance of the gel surface due to the formation of the recesses.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the presence or absence, or the level of, sPLA2 activity in a fluid sample. The device includes an absorbent matrix that defines a flow path for a fluid sample, a first region of the absorbent matrix for applying a fluid sample, where one of the components selected from a bioactive sPLA2 substrate and a label is dried onto or within the first region of the absorbent matrix, a second region of the absorbent matrix downstream of, and in fluid communication with, the first region for detecting an aggregated reaction product, where the other component not present in the first region is dried onto or within the second region of the absorbent matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method which enables semiquantitative or quantitative determination of the ratio between cysteine and formylglycine residues in a protein. The method includes (a) a step of labeling the protein (i) with a halogen-substituted carboxylic acid, (ii) with a halogen-substituted carboxylic acid amide, and (iii) with a halogen-substituted carboxylic acid and then with hydrazine, or with a halogen-substituted carboxylic acid and then by oximation, (b) a step of digesting each labeled protein to provide a corresponding mixture of peptide fragments, (c) a step of subjecting each mixture to reverse phase chromatography to separate the peptide fragments from each other to produce a chromatogram, (d) a step of comparing the produced chromatograms with each other to identify the peak corresponding to the peptide fragment that contained a cysteine residue and the peak corresponding to the peptide fragment that contained a formylglycine residue.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining the activity of Lp-PLA2 in at least one sample from an animal. The invention also relates to methods for determining the inhibition of Lp-PLA2 activity in samples from animals that are administered an Lp-PLA2 inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of screening for increased risk of fatal prostate cancer in a subject comprises providing a blood sample collected from the subject, and then detecting the presence or absence of an increased level of serum calcium in the sample. An increased level of serum calcium indicates the subject is at increased risk of fatal prostate cancer.

Abstract: A method for detecting cancer from a biological sample previously withdrawn from the subject, in a subject includes determining in vitro the level of at least one biomarker in the biological sample. The at least one biomarker includes a phospholipid or a free fatty acid. A level of the at least one biomarker that is 2-fold greater than the level of at least one biomarker in a control is indicative of cancer in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are “equipment-free” flow-through assay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. The porous, hydrophilic media are patterned with hydrophobic barriers for performing assays on liquids.

Abstract: A novel type of dye systems comprises a selection of 10H-indolo[1,2-a]indole compounds (henceforth abbreviated as IO compounds) and (5H,7H)-indolo[1,2-a]quinoline compounds (henceforth abbreviated as IQ compounds) showing a solvatochromic effect and exhibiting strong fluorescence in a variety of materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, oils, various solvents, emulsions. Also disclosed are various methods how the IO/IQ compounds can be administered, especially how they can be produced and administered in situ from a precursor, responding to external stimuli such as enzyme activity, temperature and so forth. The response of a precursor to external stimuli can also be used to determine the presence or absence of such stimuli.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for determining the presence or amount of a hydrolytic enzyme in a sample, based on novel substrates for the enzymes, and also provides compositions and methods that provide highly sensitive assay methods for such hydrolytic enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for continuous measurement of protein and/or triglyceride digestibility during a meal. Stable isotope of 15N-spirulina protein and 2H5-phenylalanine was added to the nutritional supplement. Protein digestibility is calculated by measuring the ratio [15N]PHE to [2H5]PHE in plasma and the nutrition. In another embodiment, [1,1,1-13C3]tripalmitin and [2,2-2H2]palmitic acid were added to the meal. The ratio between [1-13C]palmitic acid/[2,2-2H2]palmitic acid will represent the percentage digestion of triglycerides by lipase from the pancreas.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the polypeptide content of animal tissue is described. The method includes the steps of (a) providing an animal tissue specimen; (b) depositing one or more portions of a hydrogel mixture including a protease on spatially discrete portions of the animal tissue specimen; (c) allowing sufficient time to pass for animal tissue under the hydrogel mixture to be form a digested mixture of animal tissue and hydrogel mixture; (d) removing the digested mixture from the animal tissue and extracting the polypeptides from the digested mixture to provide an extract; and (e) analyzing the polypeptide content of the extract by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising a cocaine esterase (CocE) and a compound that thermostabilizes the CocE. Also provided are methods of thermostabilizing a cocaine esterase. Additionally provided are methods of treating a mammal undergoing a cocaine-induced condition. Methods of determining whether a compound is a thermostabilizing agent for a protein are also provided. Uses of the above-described compositions for the treatment of a cocaine-induced condition is additionally provided. Additionally provided is an isolated nucleic acid encoding a CocE polypeptide having the substitutions L169K and G173Q, and the CocE polypeptide encoded by that nucleic acid, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further provided is the use of that composition for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a cocaine-induced condition and for the treatment of a cocaine-induced condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analyzing a medical condition of a user. The apparatus may include a user interface configured to receive user identification information inputted by the user, an analyzer, and a processor all disposed within a common housing. The analyzer is configured to receive a biological specimen from the user and to analyze the biological specimen to generate analysis information. The processor is configured to store and forward the analysis information and to receive prescription information. The apparatus may include a communication unit configured to transmit the user identification information and the analysis information to a doctor at a remote location for review and to receive the prescription information from the doctor. The apparatus then may dispense the prescribed medication or print a medication prescription.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes capable of hydrolysing organophosphate (OP) molecules. In particular, the invention relates to variants of the OpdA enzyme from Agrobacterium that display improved activity when compared to the naturally occurring OpdA. The invention is also towards polypeptides that have organophosphate hydrolysing activity for the organophosphates chlorpyrifos methyl, diazinon and parathion ethyl.

Abstract: A kit and method for evaluating in vitro the effect of a xenobiotic (e.g., a biologic drug) on drug metabolism in hepatocytes. The kit comprises a first culture of hepatocytes, a portion of in vitro xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample, and instructions for incubating the first culture of hepatocytes with the portion of in vitro xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample, and analyzing the activity, expression, or a combination thereof of a biomarker in the hepatocytes to evaluate the effect of the xenobiotic on drug metabolism in the hepatocytes.