Abstract: A system and method for evaluating blood-neural barrier permeability. Phospholipid liposomes are labeled with a fluorescent phospholipase A2 substrate and exposed to cerebrospinal fluid. The change in fluorescence is monitored to determine PLA2 activity. The PLA2 activity is used to evaluate the permeability and function of the blood-neural barrier.

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: Cell based assays are used to assess the hepatotoxicity of a stimulus. Imaging technologies are used to analyze the effects of a stimulus on hepatocytes. Image analysis may characterize the stimulus on the basis of whether it is hepatotoxic, and if so what type of pathology is exhibited; e.g., apoptosis, necrosis, cholestasis, and/or steatosis.

Abstract: Provided is a method of stabilizing a reagent that allows simultaneous quantification of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol by a single measurement by suppressing spontaneous color development thereof. A method of quantification for cholesterol in low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol in a biological sample by the single measurement comprises a first step of treating lipoproteins other than low density lipoprotein in the biological sample to generate hydrogen peroxide and a second step of converting the hydrogen peroxide obtained in the first step to a quinone dye and treating remaining low density lipoprotein and converting generated hydrogen peroxide to the quinone dye, where the quinone dye is not formed in the first step, and cholesterol in low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol are quantified from the amount of the quinone dye formed in the second step by the single measurement.

Abstract: A plurality of markers determine the diagnosis of a mood disorder based on their expression in a sample such as blood. Subsets of biomarkers predict the diagnosis of high or low mood disorders. The biomarkers are identified using a convergent functional genomics approach based on animal and human data. Methods and compositions for clinical diagnosis of mood disorders are provided.

Abstract: The invention enables efficient, rapid, and sensitive enumeration of living cells by detecting microscopic colonies derived from in situ cell division using large area imaging. Microbial enumeration tests based on the invention address an important problem in clinical and industrial microbiology—the long time needed for detection in traditional tests—while retaining key advantages of the traditional methods based on microbial culture. Embodiments of the invention include non-destructive aseptic methods for detecting cellular microcolonies without labeling reagents. These methods allow for the generation of pure cultures which can be used for microbial identification and determination of antimicrobial resistance.

Abstract: There are provided a method and reagent for measuring cholesterol in remnant-like lipoprotein in a sample with high sensitivity by more simple operation. The method for measuring cholesterol in remnant-like lipoprotein uses a cholesterol esterase, in which the activity ratio of a lipoprotein lipase to a cholesterol esterase (lipoprotein lipase activity/cholesterol esterase activity) is from 12 to 7000 in a method for measuring cholesterol in the lipoprotein by measuring hydrogen peroxide or a reduced coenzyme obtained by allowing the cholesterol esterase and a cholesterol oxidase or a cholesterol dehydrogenase to act on a test sample containing a lipoprotein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medium for detecting, identifying and differentiating a microorganism strain in a liquid medium by contacting said liquid sample with a combination of chromogens substrates of enzymes expressed or not by the strain to be detected, the final coloration of the mixture being detectable in the wavelengths of the visible light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR40-mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR40, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to the present invention, substances involved in insulin secretion can be screened. In addition, according to the present invention, substance useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, diabetic complications and degenerative diseases, hyperglycemia, polyuria, ketonemia, acidosis, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, neurodegenerative diseases, insulinoma, cancers, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglyceridemia, fatty liver, hypoglycemia due to insulin hypersecretion, arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, cerebral stroke, obesity, various diseases induced by diabetes or obesity, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for detecting the presence of or predisposition to autism, an autism spectrum disorder, or an autism-associated disorder in a subject, the method comprising measuring an arylesterase enzymatic activity in a sample from the subject, optionally combined with the determination of alleles of PON1 polymorphisms.

Abstract: Provided are methods for monitoring sirtuin modulation in a subject, for example, during therapeutic treatment with a sirtuin modulating compound. The methods involve determining the expression level of one or more sirtuin biomarkers in a biological sample from the subject. Also provided are methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of a sirtuin protein using one or more sirtuin biomarkers.

Abstract: A method for determining hydrolase activity of carbonic anhydrase I (CAI) in a sample which employs, combination of a substrate and an inhibitor. The substrate is a substrate having higher reactivity with CAI than with CAII selected from 2-hydroxy-5-nitro-?-toluenesulfonic acid sultone, a o-nitrophenyl ester, a p-nitropheylthio ester, and a ?-naphthyl ester or a substrate having reactivity with both CAI and CAII selected from the group consisting of a p-nitrophenyl ester and a ?-naphthyl ester. The substrate having higher reactivity with CAI than with CAII is a substrate that reacts with CAI in an amount, per amount of enzyme protein, twice or more the amount of substrate reacting with CAII, under identical substrate concentrations and reaction times and that specifically binds to CAI and serves as a substrate for hydrolase activity. The inhibitor is an inhibitor inhibiting a hydrolase other than CA, a CA inhibitor inhibiting both CAI and CAII, or a CA inhibitor inhibiting CAI more potently than CAII.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescence methods for measuring enzyme activity, in particular enzyme cleaving and joining activities. The invention also relates to fluorogenic substrates which are useful for measuring enzyme activity and as in vitro and in vivo imaging probes.

Abstract: A novel function phospholipase A2, referred to herein as calcium-independent phospholipase A2? (iPLA2?) having SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, and nucleic acid sequences (SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4) encoding and expressing iPLA2? is disclosed. This novel enzyme has been isolated and characterized and is involved in the catalysis and hydrolysis of lipids cycling in a living cell biosystem. In an embodiment, the iPLA2? polypeptide is encoded and expressed by an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a set of iPLA2? polynucleotides. In one aspect, an isolated and characterized gene comprises a polynucleotide having a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: Methods of assaying enzyme-mediated oxidative demethylation are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes combining, under reaction conditions, an oxidative demethylation enzyme, a substrate for the oxidative demethylation enzyme and a formaldehyde detection reagent. Detection of fluorescence is indicative of formaldehyde generated by oxidative demethylation of the substrate by the enzyme, the fluorescence resulting from reaction of formaldehyde and the formaldehyde detection reagent.

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 present invention relates to methods and systems for adding a reagent to an analyte in a gel. The invention further provides methods and systems for transferring liquid analyte reagent mixtures from a gel to a second vessel, such as a microtitre plate. The invention is useful in the manipulation of biological molecules such as nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins and peptides. In particular, the invention has utility for manipulating proteins and peptides in isoelectric focusing gels.

Abstract: A method of treating a movement abnormality associated with the pathology of a neurological movement disorder, such as Parkinson's disease or Restless Leg(s) Syndrome by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PDE7 inhibitory agent. An aspect of the invention provides for the administration of a PDE& inhibitory agent in conjunction with a dopamine agonist or precursor, such as levodopa. In another aspect of the invention, the PDE7 inhibitory agent may be selective for PDE7 relative to other molecular targets (i) known to be involved with the pathology of Parkinson's disease or (ii) at which other drug(s) that are therapeutically effective to treat Parkinson's disease act.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of diagnosing lupus erythematosus or related autoimmune diseases in a human, said method comprising at least one of detecting a genetic variant, a mutation or polymorphism in the gene encoding for TREX1, detecting a change in the biochemical activity of TREX1, and detecting a change in the expression of the gene encoding for TREX1. The present invention further relates to the use of TREX1 for therapy and as a target for new therapeutic approaches.

Abstract: New enzymes having esterase activity and their use for processes for kinetic resolution of butinolesters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying bacterial induced rhinosinusitis. The method comprises obtaining a nasal or paranasal mucus sample and detecting the presence of neutrophil degranulation in the mucus sample. Degranulation of neutrophils can be determined by morphological analysis of the cells in the mucus or by detection of released (i.e., “free”) granule content markers such as neutrophil elastase or myeloperoxidase. Based on an accurate determination of the cause of sinusitis as described herein, an appropriate treatment can be instituted.

Abstract: A number of soluble engineered forms of MGLL that are suitable for high-throughput screening and protein crystallization, as well as a crystallized forms of monoacylglycerol lipase protein (MGLL) and descriptions of the X-ray diffraction patterns are disclosed. The engineered constructs of MGLL permit the expression and purification of protein suitable for crystallography or high-throughput screening and identification of ligands, which can function as active agents to MGLL. The X-ray diffraction patterns allow the three dimensional structure of MGLL to be determined at atomic resolution so that ligand binding sites on MGLL can be identified and the interactions of ligands with MGLL amino acid residues can be modeled. Models prepared using such maps permit the design of ligands which can function as active agents which include, but are not limited to, those that function as inhibitors of MGLL.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing intermittent detection during analytical reactions are provided. Such methods facilitate collection of reaction data from disparate reaction times. Further, such methods are useful for reducing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction at a given reaction time. In preferred embodiments, the reaction mixture is subjected to at least one illuminated and non-illuminated period and allowed to proceed such that the time in which the reaction mixture is illuminated is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period.

Abstract: A method of measuring a lipid in a specific lipoprotein characterized by using a polycyclic polyoxyalkylene derivative at least in the step of determining the specificity of the measurement of the target lipid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting and/or identifying Escherichia coli (E. coli) in a biological sample, that comprises inoculating the biological sample liable to contain E. coli on a detection medium that comprises tryptophan and a substrate for an enzyme A, expressed by the majority of E. coli, in order to obtain bacterial colonies; detecting the colonies expressing the activity of the enzyme A and identifying them as being E. coli; and detecting the colonies that do not express the activity of the enzyme A, carrying out an indole test, and identifying the colonies having a positive indole test as being E. coli.

Abstract: Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on the three-dimensional structure of Candida anrtarctica lipase B revealed two hitherto unknown lids with a marked mobility, and this discovery was used to design lipolytic enzyme variants with increased lipolytic enzyme activity.

Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing a lipid-related disorder are disclosed. Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating lipid-related disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cross-reactive sensor system utilizing cross-reactive recognition elements. In the inventive system, each of said one or more cross-reactive recognition elements is capable of interacting with more than one species of liquid analyte of interest, whereby each of said one or more cross-reactive recognition elements reacts in a different manner with each of said one or more species of liquid analytes of interest to produce a detectable agent of each analyte of interest, whereby said detectable agent is analyzed and the information is processed for data acquisition and interpretation.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying genetic mutations that are associated with ataxic neurological disease. The methods comprise identifying a difference between a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a mammalian subject exhibiting ataxia and a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a subject which is not exhibiting ataxia, wherein the difference is a genetic mutation associated with ataxic neurological disease. In another aspect, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding protein kinase C gamma missense mutations are provided. In another aspect, a method of screening a subject to determine if the subject has a genetic predisposition to develop an ataxic neurological disease is provided. In another aspect, the invention provides kits for determining susceptibility or presence of ataxic neurological disease in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: The invention is directed to enhanced methods for detecting an analyte of interest in situ, by immunoassay, or by hybridization comprising binding an enzyme-labeled conjugate molecule to an analyte of interest in the presence of a redox-inactive reductive species and a soluble metal ion. The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the inactive reductive species to an active reducing agent, which in turn reduces the metal ion to a metal atom thereby providing an enhanced means of detecting the analyte via metal deposition.

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: A novel mutant endonuclease V not exhibiting a nonspecific nucleic acid cleavage activity but showing a specific activity. The present invention relates to a mutant endonuclease V not exhibiting a nonspecific nucleic acid cleavage activity but having a specific activity, to a gene coding for the endonuclease V, to a recombinant DNA containing the gene, to a transformant or transductant containing the recombinant DNA, and to a method for producing the endonuclease V. The present invention also relates to a method of using the endonuclease V for nucleic acid cleavage, and to a reagent kit for detection or modification of a nucleic acid or gene that contains the endonuclease V.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel compositions of matter and methods of detecting in situ an immunohistochemical epitope or nucleic acid sequence of interest in a biological sample comprising binding an enzyme-labeled conjugate molecule to the epitope or sequence of interest in the presence of a redox-inactive reductive species and a soluble metal ion, thereby facilitating the reduction of the metal ion to a metal atom at or about the point where the enzyme is anchored. Novel phosphate derivatives of reducing agents are described that when exposed to a phosphatase are activated to their reducing form, thereby reducing metal ions to insoluble metal.

Abstract: A method of determining a level of biologically active PON enzyme is provided. The method comprising determining lactonase activity of the PON enzyme, the lactonase activity being indicative of the level of biologically active PON enzyme. Also provided are novel compounds which may be used for measuring a lactonase activity of an enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel GAFA domain-containing polypeptide, to the GAFA domain of a human phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) and to the adenylate cyclase catalytic domain. The use of said polypeptide in a method for identifying PDE-11 modulators is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified receptor belonging to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the receptor. The invention further relates to methods using the receptor polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in receptor-mediated disorders, specifically, cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the receptor polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the receptor polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the receptor polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: A number of soluble engineered forms of MGLL that are suitable for high-throughput screening and protein crystallization, as well as a crystallized form of monoacylglycerol lipase protein (MGLL) and descriptions of the X-ray diffraction patterns are disclosed. The engineered constructs of MGLL permit the expression and purification of protein suitable for crystallography or high-throughput screening and identification of ligands, which can function as active agents to MGLL. The X-ray diffraction patterns allow the three dimensional structure of MGLL to be determined at atomic resolution so that ligand binding sites on MGLL can be identified and the interactions of ligands with MGLL amino acid residues can be modeled. Models prepared using such maps permit the design of ligands which can function as active agents which include, but are not limited to, those that function as inhibitors of MGLL.

Abstract: A rapid and convenient method capable of performing fractional measurement of small, dense LDLs without pretreatment of a specimen, which is adaptable for an autoanalyzer, is provided. A method for quantitatively determining small, dense LDL cholesterol is provided, which comprises adding enzymes for cholesterol measurement to a test sample in the presence of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer or a derivative thereof, causing the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer or the derivative thereof to selectively act on small, dense LDLs among lipoproteins, and then measuring the amount of cholesterol generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides perhydrolase enzyme CD4+ T-cell epitopes, as well as variants that exhibit reduced immunogenic responses, as compared to the parental perhydrolase . The present invention further provides DNA molecules that encode perhydrolase variants, and host cells comprising DNA encoding perhydrolase variants, as well as methods for making perhydrolase enzymes less immunogenic. In addition, the present invention provides various compositions that comprise perhydrolase variants that are less immunogenic than the wild-type perhydrolase. In some specific embodiments, the present invention provides perhydrolase variants with reduced immunogenicity identified and/or characterized using the methods of the present invention. These enzymes find use in cleaning and other applications. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention finds particular use in applications involving cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.

Abstract: A novel gene isolated from Deschampsia antarctica coding for a lipase like protein is disclosed. A system for production of recombinant enzyme is also disclosed as well as uses for the enzyme.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide: a dry analytical element for analyzing pancreatic lipase wherein the triglyceride is not transcribed on the support to contaminate a transportation slip or other analytical elements and wherein an additive solution of the triglyceride neither reaggregates nor precipitate, so that the dry analytical element is stable and is compatible with production. The present invention provides a dry analytical element for measuring pancreatic lipase contained in body fluid, which comprises triglyceride of long chain alkyl fatty acid having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, monoglyceride lipase, and a glycerin measurement reagent, and which comprises a water-impermeable support and at least one spreading or reagent layer, wherein a hydrophilic polymer at a weight ratio of 1.8:1 or greater with respect to the triglyceride is contained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a dry analytical element for measurement of pancreatic lipase contained in a body fluid which contains triglyceride of long chain alkyl fatty acid having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, monoglyceride lipase, and a glycerine measurement reagent, and comprises a water-impermeable support and at least one spreading or reagent layer, said method comprising the step of coating an emulsion/dispersion solution of triglyceride with an average particle size of 1 ?m or less.

Abstract: Polypeptides having 2?,5?-oligoadenylate phosphodiesterase activity, antibodies against the polypeptides, polynucleotides coding for the polypeptides, recombinant plasmid DNAs into which the polynucleotides have been inserted, host cells transformed by the recombinant plasmid DNAs, processes for screening for 2?,5?-oligoadenylate phosphodiesterase activity inhibitor substances, and processes for screening for 2?,5?-oligoadenylate phosphodiesterase expression regulation inhibitor substances. The polypeptides, polynucleotides and host cells are useful for searching for therapeutic agents for viral infections and tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a time temperature indicator for indicating temperature change over time, comprising an immobilized enzyme and a substrate of the enzyme, wherein the reaction of the substrate catalyzed by the enzyme produces a reaction product in a time and temperature dependent manner and wherein the formation of the reaction product can be detected by monitoring a physical characteristic of the substrate and/or the product which is linked to its concentration. The invention further relates to a method of time temperature indication comprising the step of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, a method of printing the enzyme-based time temperature indicator on a packaging material or a label, a printing ink or printing ink concentrate comprising components of the enzyme-based time temperature indicator and a packaging material or a label comprising the enzyme-based time temperature indicator.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for assessing the risk a subject or patient without significant evidence of cardiovascular disease has of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event or requiring revascularization near term. Also provided are methods of determining whether a subject who has experienced a major adverse cardiac event is at risk of experiencing a recurrent major adverse cardiac event near term. The present methods comprise determining the levels of paraoxonase 1 enzymatic activity in the blood, serum, plasma, or any combination of said bodily fluids in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the production of pectin hydrolysis products, the pectin hydrolysis products produced in this manner, as well as their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test piece having a simple structure, by which HDL cholesterol can be measured easily using a small amount of specimen. A reagent layer (2) is formed on a support (1), and an enzyme reagent for measuring cholesterol, a first surfactant that makes a solubility of a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) higher than that of a lipoprotein other than the HDL, and a second surfactant that inhibits the lipoprotein other than the HDL from dissolving are contained in the reagent layer (2).

Abstract: A Canis sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor isoform 2 (cS1P2), the nucleic acid encoding the cS1P2 receptor, and methods for using the S1P2 receptor and the nucleic acid encoding the cS1P2 receptor in assays for identifying analytes that modulate activity of the cS1P2 receptor. The assays can identify analytes that are useful for treating or preventing cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the gastroenterology system, reproduction diseases, disorders of the peripheral and central nervous system, and respiratory diseases.

Abstract: A preparation for the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine function by determining the amount in which a substance administered to a subject or a degradation product or metabolite thereof migrates into the blood and/or is excreted out of the body, wherein the substance is carried by a carrier and released from the carrier when exposed to the action of a pancreatic exocrine function-related factor.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide having a thermostable ribonuclease H activity from Archaeoglobus profundus is highly useful in genetic engineering, as well as a gene encoding this polypeptide and a genetic engineering process for producing the polypeptide.