Abstract: A nicking endonuclease is described which has an amino acid sequence with at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:6 and comprising a mutation at least one of an arginine or glutamic acid corresponding to position 507 and position 546 respectively in SEQ ID NO:6.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for detecting cancer metastasis.

Abstract: We describe a plant lipase polypeptide and nucleic acids that encode said polypeptide which has homology to a patatin and which has phospholipase and/or triacylglycerol lipase activity.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the risk a subject will develop an autoimmune and/or alloimmune disease following tissue transplant includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject, wherein the subject has received the tissue transplant determining in the biological sample a level of at least one protein selected from Tables 1-4, comparing the measured level of the at least one protein to a control value, and characterizing a subject as at greater risk of developing an autoimmune disease and/or alloimmune disease if the level of at least one protein determined is increased or decreased compared to the control value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes and processes. In particular, there is described an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence corresponding to Citrobacter freundii phytase or a homologue, a modified form, a functional equivalent or an effective fragment thereof. There is also described a host cell transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid encoding a bacterial phytase enzyme or a modified form as well as the use of such a phytase or modified form in food or animal feed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to inhibition of PDE1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a reagent and a kit for simple and sensitive determination of cholesterol in remnant-like particles without separation of components of a sample. A method for quantitatively determining remnant-like particle cholesterol in a sample, which comprises: in an aqueous medium containing the sample and in the presence of a combination of specific surfactants and a phospholipid-hydrolyzing enzyme, allowing remnant-like particle cholesterol in the sample to react with cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase or cholesterol dehydrogenase (in the presence of oxidized coenzyme); and determining the formed hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a kit for the detection of Trichomonas infection by detecting N-acetyl-?-D-hexosaminidase activity. The invention also relates to a method and a kit for selective detection of presence of Trichomonas or Candida infection.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of extracting infectious pathogens from a volume of blood including the steps of creating a fibrin aggregate confining the pathogens and introducing a fibrin lysis reagent to expose the pathogens for analysis. The fibrin lysis reagent is preferably composed of plasminogen and streptokinase frozen in coincident relation until the fibrin lysis reagent is needed whereby streptokinase enzymatically reacts with plasminogen to form plasmin upon thawing. The plasminogen is suspended in an aqueous salt solution prior to freezing including NaCl and Na3PO4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a swatch comprising a pH-indicator substance and a substrate for an enzyme for testing the washing performance of the enzyme, e.g. an enzyme for use in detergent compositions.

Abstract: Use of an inhibitor or activator of the triglyceride hydrolyse activity of a protein comprising a polypeptide strand encoded by the DNA sequence according to SEQ No. 1 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of medical disorders where it is desirable to modulate the activity of a protein encoded by the DNA sequence according to SEQ No. 1.

Abstract: Provided are methods of determining whether a cell in a tissue site is viable or nonviable. Also provided are methods of debriding tissue from a tissue site. Further provided are kits comprising a compound that distinguishes between viable and nonviable cells and instructions for using the compound on a tissue site. Additionally, the use of a compound that distinguishes between viable and nonviable cells is provided, where the use is to determine whether a cell in a tissue site is viable or nonviable. Also provided is a use of a compound that distinguishes between viable and nonviable cells, where the use is for the manufacture of the above-described kit.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast ectopically expressing abnormally processed proteins and methods of screening to identify compounds that modulate the function of such abnormally processed proteins in yeast. Compounds identified by such screens can be used to treat or prevent diseases associated with abnormally processed proteins or protein misfolding. Such diseases include Parkinson's Disease, Parkinson's Disease with accompanying dementia, Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer's disease with Parkinsonism, and multiple system atrophy.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the rapid and specific detection of target microorganisms, cells, and the like. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a target microorganism (e.g., in a sample) with a permeabilization reagent that selectively permeabilizes or lyses the microorganism; contacting the selectively permeabilized microorganism with a detection reagent that is taken into the selectively permeabilized organism or that contacts metabolites or enzymes released by the selectively permeabilized microorganism, where the detection reagent produces a signal in the presence of said metabolites or enzymes; and detecting a signal produced by the detection reagent in the presence of the metabolites or enzymes wherein the strength of the signal indicates the presence and/or amount of the target microorganism in the sample.

Abstract: A method for producing a plant with increased yield as compared to a corresponding wild type plant whereby the method comprises at least the following step: increasing or generating in a plant or a part thereof one or more activities selected from the group consisting of 17.6 kDa class I heat shock protein, 26.

Abstract: This invention is related to preparation of photosensitive ruthenium based aminoacid monomers and oligomers, aminoacid monomer-protein cross-linking using photo sensitat ion and conjugation on micro and nano-structures by ruthenium-chelate based monomers. Its vast range biotechnolgy applications of multifunctional, biocompatible, stabilE and specific micro and nanobio-conjugates, which will stand-alone or simultaneously enable (i) both purification and determination, (ii) both targeting and imaging and theranostics and (iii) catalysis and determination. The construction and method of preparation is applicable to silica materials, superparamagnetic particles, QDs, CNTs, Ag/Au nanoparticles and Au surfaces and polymeric materials. The photosensitive aminoacid monomer linkers can react via chemically and biocompatible to a lot of different micro and nano-surface and then to the protein when they act as a single-step cross-linking reaction using irradiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method for measuring phospholipase A1 or A2 activity in a sample, using a solid phase coated with a fluorochrome-labelled phospholipase A1 or A2 substrate, wherein the molecular coverage is in the range from 8 to 30 fluorochrome-labelled phospholipase A1 or A2 substrate molecules/nm2, and kit for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to Citrobacter phytases derived from Citrobacter amalonaticus, Citrobacter gillenii, and related phytases. The phytases belong to the acid histidine phosphatase family, are acid-stable, and expectedly of a high specific activity. The invention also relates to the corresponding DNA, the recombinant and wild-type production of the phytases, as well as the use thereof, in particular in animal feed.

Abstract: Methods for preferentially hydrolyzing one stereoisomer of an isoxazoline diester over another, as well as an enzyme for facilitating the preferential hydrolysis are provided. Also provided are methods for providing mixtures of (RR) and (RS) monatin as well as (SS) and (SR) monatin, which methods can include the step of stereoselectively hydrolyzing an isoxazoline diester.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, systems, and methods for simultaneously detecting the presence and quantity of one or more different compounds in a sample using aptamer beacons. Aptamer beacons are oligonucleotides that have a binding region that can bind to a non-nucleotide target molecule, such as a protein, a steroid, or an inorganic molecule. New aptamer beacons having binding regions configured to bind to different target molecules can be used in solution-based and solid, array-based systems. The aptamer beacons can be attached to solid supports, e.g., at different predetermined points in two-dimensional arrays. The invention includes devices, methods, and computer software for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a eukaryotic organism, for example selected from plants, animals and fungi, showing constitutive, inducible and/or organ specific expression of a specifically modified TPS gene, which comprises the steps of providing a TPS gene; designing a suitable modification to the TPS gene by aligning the gene with the corresponding gene of yeast and establishing which part of the gene extends beyond the 5? terminus of the yeast gene; deleting or inactivating a part of the N-terminal region of the TPS gene extending beyond the 5? terminus of the yeast gene, in order to achieve an increased trehalose-6-phosphate synthase activity; cloning the thus modified gene into an expression vector under the control of a constitutive, inducible and/or organ-specific promoter; transforming a plant cell or tissue with the thus obtained expression vector; and regenerating a complete plant from the transformed plant cell or tissue.

Abstract: Methods and kits for (i) determining a risk of a subject to develop cancer; (ii) evaluating an effectiveness and dosage of cancer therapy administered to a cancer patient; and (iii) determining a presence of correlation or non-correlation between an activity of at least one DNA repair enzyme and at least one cancer, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new ?-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum. The ?-galactosidase is capable of converting mellibiose to ?-galactobiose disaccharides which may be incorporated into numerous food products or animal feeds for improving gut health by promoting the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut, and repressing the growth of the pathogenic microflora.

Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.

Abstract: Methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment; in particular, methods for diagnosis and treatment of triple negative breast cancer by measuring the activity of PMPMEase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. More specifically, the specification describes methods using a lysosomal phospholipase A2 in methods for the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bedside or point of care assay for properly positioning a feeding tube in the stomach of a patient based on detecting the presence of a hydrolytic enzyme found in the stomach by an ester substrate which can be impregnated on a pH strip. The application of this test reduces the risk of tube misplacement and the resulting harm to the patient that occurs in the event of tube misplacement.

Abstract: Methods of activating an apo-peroxidase are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a solution comprising an apo-peroxidase and a heme choline ester, hydrolyzing the heme choline ester with a choline esterase, and converting the apo-peroxidase to active peroxidase. The methods disclosed herein also provide for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample. The methods include providing a binder capable of specifically binding the analyte wherein the binder is attached to a solid surface, applying the sample to the solid surface under conditions that permit binder-analyte binding, adding a choline esterase-conjugated binder that binds to the analyte, adding an apo-peroxidase, a heme choline ester, a peroxide, and a peroxide-activated signal generator, and detecting the signal produced by the peroxide-activated signal generator. An associated kit and components are also provided.

Abstract: An in vitro or in vivo method for screening for candidate compounds for the preventive or curative treatment of acne, of seborrhoeic dermatitis or of skin disorders associated with hyperseborrhoea, includes determining the ability of a compound to modulate the expression or the activity of monoglyceride lipase (MGLL), and also utilizes modulators of the expression or of the activity of this enzyme, for the treatment of acne, of seborrhoeic dermatitis or of skin disorders associated with hyperseborrhoea; methods for the in vitro diagnosis of or in vitro prognosis for these pathologies are also featured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing ingredients, in particular lipids and/or vitamins and biological materials with a concentration of the biological material ingredients, to uses of relevant organic solvents or organic solvent mixtures, and to a spectrophotometer for measuring biological material ingredients. It is proposed to treat the biological materials with at least one organic solvent which extracts the ingredients, to convert the biological materials to a solidified form during the extraction, with the result that a solidified sediment and a liquid organic phase as the supernatant are formed, and to examine the extracted ingredients in the supernatant.

Abstract: The cloning and heterologous expression of human T2 RNase6PL are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods for preventing, inhibiting and/or reversing cell motility, actin filament assembly or disassembly, proliferation, colonization, differentiation, accumulation and/or development of abnormal cells in a subject is disclosed. The methods are effected by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a RNase6PL ribonuclease or close homologues thereof.

Abstract: The application discloses new biomarkers for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and particularly preeclampsia; methods for the diagnosis, prediction, prognosis and/or monitoring said disorders based on measuring said biomarkers; and kits and devices for measuring said biomarker and/or performing said methods.

Abstract: Methods of treating disorders such as neurofibromatosis-1 are provided, including methods in which catalytic antioxidants such as metalloporphyrins are administered. Methods of regulating longevity, and methods and systems for screening for modulators of aging or longevity, are also provided. In addition, related transgenic animals are described.

Abstract: A reagent for fractional measurement of small, dense LDLs without pretreatment of a specimen, which is adaptable to a rapid and convenient autoanalyzer, is provided. A method for quantitatively determining cholesterol in small, dense LDLs in a sample is further provided. The method includes first step of eliminating lipoproteins other than small, dense LDLs in a sample in the presence of cholesterol esterase and 0.05 g/L to 1.0 g/L of a surfactant that acts on the lipoproteins other than small, dense LDLs, and a second step of quantitatively determining cholesterol in small dense LDLs that remain after the first step.

Abstract: Disclosed is the development of a protein used as a biomarker for diagnosing IgA nephropathy and TGBM (thin-glomerular-basement-membrane) using urine through a target proteomics method. The disclosed development relates to a diagnosis biomarker protein and a kit for diagnosing IgA nephropathy and TGBM and predicting progress of the nephropathy in advance using the protein. The protein level is increased or decreased in urine from a patient with IgA nephropathy or TGBM nephropathy compared to urine from a normal patient. According to the disclosed development, the degree of the disease can be grasped by detecting IgA nephropathy and TGBM, enabling early diagnosis and confirming progress from the patient's urine. In addition, a monoclonal antibody produced based on the diagnosis biomarker protein can be used for an immunoassay kit (ELISA, antibody coated tube test, lateral-flow test, potable biosensor).

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. Enzymes, including 5? nucleases and 3? exonucleases, are used to detect and identify nucleic acids derived from microorganisms. Methods are provided which allow for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral pathogens in a sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for multiplex analysis of biological samples of formalin-fixed tissue samples. The invention provides for a method to achieve a multiplexed, multi-staged plurality of Liquid Tissue preparations simultaneously from a single histopathologically processed biological sample, where the protocol for each Liquid Tissue preparation imparts a distinctive set of biochemical effects on biomolecules procured from histopathologically processed biological samples and which when each of the preparations is analyzed can render additive and complementary data about the same histopathologically processed biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of genetic markers patients with leukemia, especially including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at high risk for relapse, especially high risk B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and associated methods and their relationship to therapeutic outcome. The present invention also relates to diagnostic, prognostic and related methods using these genetic markers, as well as kits which provide microchips and/or immunoreagents for performing analysis on leukemia patients.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject having or at risk of having or developing a cardiovascular disease and/or a cardiovascular event, includes: measuring, in a sample obtained from the subject, at least two cardiovascular risk factors: a) sPLA2 activity and b) oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein B-100 particles (OxPL/apoB), combining the measurements, the combined value of sPLA2 activity and OxPL/apoB being indicative of having or a risk of having or developing a cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification of a chemical compound which modulates the activity of mammalian GPI-PLC wherein a] a mammalian cell is incubated with glimepiride; b] hcDIGs of the cells of a] are prepared; c] the hcDIGs from b] are incubated with a chemical compound; d] the activity of the GPI-PLC from the hcDIGs of c] is determined.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening a mammalian subject to determine if the subject is at risk to develop, or is suffering from, cardiovascular disease. The methods comprise detecting an amount of at least one biomarker in a biological sample, or HDL subfraction thereof, from the subject, and comparing the detected amount of the biomarker to a predetermined value, where a difference between the detected amount and the predetermined value is indicative of the presence or risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject. In some embodiments, the biomarker comprises at least one of ApoC-IV, Paraoxonase 1, C3, C4, ApoA-IV, ApoE, ApoL1, C4B1, Histone H2A, ApoC-II, ApoM, Vitronectin, Haptoglobin-related protein, and Clusterin, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating a clinical condition associated with lipoprotein lipase activity in the brain of a subject.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of chronic microvascular diseases characterized by inflammation, such as age-related macular degeneration, by administering a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymer. Although a single dose can be effective, multiple treatments can be administered to achieve an optimal and sustained effect. Preferably, a single administration followed by repeated weekly administration of the pharmaceutical composition, but not continuous infusion, achieves a desired effect. Methods of diagnosis and characterization of chronic microvascular diseases using the copolymer are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a contamination with a microorganism in a closed container, in which an extracellular enzyme of the microorganism is detected. The method can very suitably be carried out by providing a substrate for this enzyme to the contents of the container and detecting the conversion of this substrate by this enzyme. An embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention is shown in, which shows a container (1) for, for instance, sterile tissue culture of plants (2). The container is provided with a growth medium (3) which comprises a substrate for a microbial extracellular enzyme and with optical sensors (4) which can be read by means of an optical measuring device (5). An alternative embodiment is shown which shows a sterile package for, for instance, medical aids (2). The package forms a closed container (1) whose wall is provided with an indicator (3) which can be visually read.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of measuring low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in a body fluid with high selectivity. The present invention provides a method for measuring low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a body fluid, which comprises treating the body fluid with a polymer compound having an allylamine or diallylamine unit, and measuring the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) using (a) cholesterol esterase and (b) cholesterol oxidase or cholesterol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: A screening method for efficiently obtaining useful microbial strains from a sample comprises a first step of inoculating a culture medium with the sample potentially containing multiple microbial cells to culture the sample in the presence of a cell enlarger; a second step of introducing an esterase substrate fluorescent stain into the culture medium; a third step of isolating enlarged microbial cells stained in the second step according to a micromanipulation method to produce multiple culture media for establishment each inoculated with a single microbial cell; a fourth step of culturing the microbial cell in each of the culture media for establishment; and a fifth step of selecting culture media for establishment, in which cell proliferation has been confirmed, among the multiple culture media for establishment cultured in the fourth step.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and markers for characterizing a subject's, particularly a human subject risk of having cardiovascular disease. The present invention also provides methods of characterizing a subject's risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for characterizing a subject's risk of experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease or major adverse cardiac event within 1, 3, or 10 years. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for determining whether a subject presenting with chest pain is at risk near term of experiencing a heart attack or other major adverse cardiac event. The present methods are especially useful for identifying those subjects who are in need of highly aggressive CVD therapies as well as those subjects who require no therapies targeted at inhibiting or preventing CVD or complications of CVD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying allergies. In at least one embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a stabilizing agent useful to completely or substantially prevent degradation or inactivation of a diagnostic marker for a non-food allergy in a body fluid comprising the diagnostic marker and a detection agent capable of detecting the diagnostic marker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pregnancy. In at least one embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a stabilizing agent useful to completely or substantially prevent degradation or inactivation of a diagnostic marker for pregnancy in a body fluid comprising the diagnostic marker, and a detection agent capable of detecting the diagnostic agent.