Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly assessing biocide contamination and biological contamination treatments found in fluids used for subterranean well treatments and related operations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a fluid including an aqueous base fluid and one or more microorganisms; introducing a first sample of the fluid to a first culture device including an indicator reagent, wherein over a period of about 48 hours or less the indicator reagent indicates a first color change in the first sample of the fluid; and determining a first count of the microorganisms in the fluid based, at least in part, on the first color change.

Abstract: Provided is a method for cell isolation and morphological analysis. The method includes: providing a substrate with one or more wells; inserting cell isolation devices, each of which has one side patterned with one or more microwells, into the wells; introducing a liquid medium including cells into the wells; allowing the microwells of the cell isolation devices to come into contact with the inner surfaces of the wells such that some of the cells are isolated and trapped at the level of individual cells in the microwells; and observing the morphological changes of the isolated cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for screening biological functions of microscale biological systems comprises segregating each microscale biological system from a set of microscale biological systems to be screened into individual discrete volumes, the individual discrete volume comprising a first polymer. The first polymer is then forced or allowed to polymerize to form a set of polymerized beads that encapsulate an individual microscale biological system. The polymerized beads are further encapsulated in a second droplet comprising a second polymer and one or more reporter elements. The reporter elements are configured to produce a readout upon detecting the absence or presence of a biological function to be screened. The second polymer is then forced or allowed to polymerize to form an outer capsule around each individual bead thereby forming a set of encapsulated beads. One or more biological functions of the double-encapsulated system are identified by detecting the readout of the reporters.

Abstract: A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing clonal cell populations are described. In some instances the disclosed methods comprise: a) identifying and selecting a cell based on its position on a surface or in a container, where the selection is not based on whether the cell comprises an exogenous label or an expressed reporter; b) photoablating all non-selected cells on the surface or in the container; and c) growing a clonal population of the selected cell.

Abstract: The disclosure describes the effects of transcription mediated from a promoter on the transcription mediated by divergently coupled supercoiling-sensitive promoter. Transcription initiated from a promoter inhibits transcription mediated by a specific supercoiling-sensitive promoter that is divergently coupled to the promoter. A gyrase inhibitor relieves this inhibition and substantially increases the transcription mediated by the specific supercoiling-sensitive promoter that is divergently coupled to another promoter. Accordingly, the invention pertains to a method for identifying a compound as a gyrase inhibitor or not a gyrase inhibitor based on differential expression of genes under the control of divergently coupled promoters in the presence of the compound. Another embodiment of the invention provides an assay for identifying one or more compounds from a library of compounds as a gyrase inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for generating a treatment plan in response to medical test results is provided. The method comprises requesting point-of-care (POC) services from a mobile POC unit, receiving at a server confirmation of delivery of POC services to a patient, receiving at the server one or more test results as a result of operation of a medical testing device used in the POC services, wherein the one or more test results includes a determination of the efficacy and dosage level of a medication, generating at the server an updated digital patient record reflecting the one or more test results, and transmitting by the server to a medical entity a treatment plan based on the efficacy and dosage level determined for the medication, wherein the treatment plan is a dosage regimen for the medication.

Abstract: A method for a microfluidic testing device includes pumping a portion of a biologic sample into each of a first plurality of parallel pathways from the first reservoir using a micro-pump, applying a separate treatment agent of the plurality of treatment agents within each of the first plurality of parallel pathways to the portion of the biologic sample within the parallel pathway, pumping a second portion of the biologic sample into a selected second parallel pathway associated with a determined treatment agent of a second plurality of parallel pathways from the first reservoir using a second micro-pump, applying the determined treatment agent at a plurality of different dosage levels within the selected second parallel pathway to the second portion of the biologic sample within the selected second parallel pathway, and determining a dosage level of the plurality of different dosage levels of the determined treatment agent providing the treatment efficacy.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods, compositions, and kits for the detection of specific beta-lactamases, including class A serine carbapenemases, metallo-beta-lactamases, AmpC beta-lactamases, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The methods presented herein include methods that permit the detection of the presence of specific beta-lactamases in bacterial samples within as few as 2 to 10 minutes.

Abstract: The invention relates to 20-hydroxyecdysone and the derivatives thereof, for use in the treatment of genetic myopathies.

Abstract: Diagnostic assays and methods employ a dual-enzyme cascade system comprised of two enzymatic amplifiers and two molecular probes, by (a) incubating a target enzyme with a target enzyme substrate to liberate a thiol; (b) incubating the thiol with a disulfide inactivated amplification enzyme to activate the amplification enzyme in an interchange reaction of the thiol and the disulfide; and (c) incubating the activated amplification enzyme with an amplification enzyme substrate to generate an amplified signal.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, the invention relates to bacterial strains and methods for making terpene and terpenoid products. The invention provides bacterial strains with improved carbon flux through the MEP pathway, to thereby increase terpene and/or terpenoid product yield by fermentation with carbon sources such as glucose.

Abstract: Single dye fluorescent staining and the combination of differences in both intensity and spectral emission permit determination of the minimum concentration of an antibiotic needed to inactivate bacteria (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)), thereby providing a means for rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST). This allows for a quick and easy means for clinicians to determine a suitable treatment regimen for patients suffering from bacterial infections and those that eventually lead to sepsis.

Abstract: Provided are antisense morpholino oligomers targeted against bacterial virulence factors such as genes that contribute to antibiotic resistance or biofilm formation, or essential genes, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions, for instance, in the treatment of an infected mammalian subject.

Abstract: A method for detecting a presence or an absence of at least one zone of inhibition, the method including a step consisting in depositing a volume of the sample in liquid form along a deposition zone extending along an axis at the surface of the agar culture medium and a step consisting in depositing a determined amount of a chemical agent at the surface of the agar culture medium, the deposit defining a potential zone of inhibition, the axis of the zone of deposition of the sample intersecting the potential zone of inhibition.

Abstract: A method for determining the antimicrobial susceptibility of a microorganism in a clinical sample includes removing a test aliquot from a clinical sample culture before the culture reaches 0.5 McFarland units and isolating the microbial cells. The cells are transferred into a suitable culture medium for microbial growth and an AST assay is performed using the isolated microbes. The concentration of microbial cells in the microbial cells used to set up the AST assay is measured before measuring the degree of microbial growth in different conditions of the AST assay. Devices for determining the anti-microbial susceptibility of a microorganism in a clinical sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide novel multi-targeted microbiological screening and monitoring methods having substantial utility for monitoring and control of microbial growth and contaminants, microbiological processes, predictive microbiology, and for exposure and risk assessment. Microbial markers shared by both target and index microbes are used in novel methods for microbial monitoring, monitoring of microbial performance potential, trend analysis, and statistical process control (SPC) in processes or systems that are receptive to a plurality of genetically distinct microbes.

Abstract: A method and device for standardizing myoblast differentiation into myotubes, including a substrate (1) and at least one cell-adhesive pattern (2) for culturing myoblasts on the substrate. The pattern (2) has an elongated surface. A central region (2C) and two lateral regions (2L) extend from the central region in both directions along a longitudinal axis of the pattern. The ratio between the maximum width (WC) of the central region (2C) and the maximum width (WL) of the lateral regions (2L) is greater than or equal to 2. The ratio between the length (L) and the maximum width (WC) of the pattern (2) is less than or equal to 4. The method includes providing a device as described above, depositing myoblasts on at least one cell-adhesive pattern of the device, culturing the myoblasts in a differentiation medium to promote cell differentiation into myotubes and constrain elongation of the myotubes.

Abstract: Provided are small molecule inhibitors of ubiquitin specific protease 1 (USP1) activity and methods for their use in treating and characterizing cancers. The small molecule USP1 inhibitors of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of cancers that are resistant to DNA cross-linking agents.

Abstract: A container for storing a biological sample for molecular diagnostic testing and/or histological testing is provided. The container includes a first chamber for receiving a sample holder therein, a second chamber, and a closure for enclosing the container. A breakable membrane, such as a piercable foil, extends within the container and separates the two chambers. When the breakable membrane is broken, fluid can pass between the first and second chambers. The membrane may be broken through an activator on the closure, such as a depressible member or a rotatable carrier, causing the sample holder to break through the membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an inhibitor for inhibiting or disrupting biofilm and use thereof. Specifically, the present disclosure an application of a PsIG protein and a coding sequence thereof in inhibiting or disrupting a biofilm of a microorganism. The present disclosure also provides a composition and a preparation containing the PsIG protein to inhibit or disrupt a biofilm of a microorganism. The experiment shows that PsIG can effectively inhibit or disrupt a biofilm of Pseudomonas species, suggesting the great potential of PsIG in clinical and environmental fields.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for detecting in a sample the presence or absence, and/or the amount, of a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) HBII-52, also known as SNORD115. The compositions and methods are useful in diagnosis, prognosis, therapy recommendations, therapy, and monitoring of therapy for individuals who have a disorder that is positively correlated with elevated HBII-52, such as cancer, and particularly for prostate cancer. Kits containing primers for detecting and/or amplifying HBII-52 from a biological sample are provided. The disclosure includes a method for monitoring an individual undergoing therapy for a disorder associated with HBII-52 expression, a method for identifying an individual as a candidate for therapy with an antagonist of 5-HT2cR, and a method for therapy by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of 5-HT2cR.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for microbial testing devices, methods for making microbial testing devices, methods for growing and testing microbial cultures and methods for testing compounds for antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mass spectrometric method for determining microbial resistances to antibiotics. The invention provides specific methods comprising cultivation in synthetic media, in which several amino acids, preferably only a single amino acid, are isotopically labeled by incorporating 13C, 15N, 18O or 34S. If several amino acids are isotopically labeled, they are labeled in such a way that they are each heavier than the corresponding unlabeled amino acids by the same integer mass difference ?m. This ensures that the mass shifts of the peaks always amount to an integer multiple of the mass difference ?m. The total mass difference can be kept relatively small by selecting suitable amino acids. A mass shift of the protein peaks in media with antibiotics indicates that the microbes are resistant. A second embodiment first produces isotopically labeled microbes, which are then tested for their resistance by cultivating them in normal media.

Abstract: Method for making a cavity, comprising steps to: make a hole in a cover covering a sacrificial portion on a substrate; make a first layer on the cover, either in a first configuration covering a first region of the cover around the hole, or in a second configuration surrounding a first region of the cover around the hole; deposit a second layer covering the cover and the first layer and with, in a first configuration a low adhesion force between the first and second layers, or in a second configuration a low adhesion force between the second layer and the first region; etch the second layer, forming a flap of which a first part does not hermetically close or seal the hole, and of which a second end is fixed to a second region of the cover; etch the sacrificial portion; close the cavity.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cell co-culture having at least first and second cell culture chambers which are separated by a porous membrane. The membrane has at least one sealing gasket integrated in the membrane and being integral therewith. The sealing gasket defines a closed perimeter delimiting a first cell culture area.

Abstract: An intermediate composite capable of transferring a biological or chemical material to be patterned on a surface. The intermediate composite includes a hydrogel, and particles suspended in the hydrogel, generating a particle-gel composite (composite), the composite is configured to absorb a biological or chemical material (agent), and further configured to deposit the agent when the composite is positioned proximate to a surface on which the agent is to be deposited.

Abstract: A method of determining the P. aeruginosa or related species infection status of a subject comprising: (i) providing a sample of material obtained from the subject; (ii) determining the level of one or more alkyl quinolones or metabolites thereof produced by P.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for interfering with viability of bacteria and related compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods and compositions for the detection of specific beta-lactamases, including class A serine carbapenemases, metallo-beta-lactamases, AmpC beta-lactamases, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The methods presented herein include methods that permit the detection of the presence of specific beta-lactamases in bacterial samples within as few as 2 to 10 minutes.

Abstract: An intermediate composite capable of transferring a biological or chemical material to be patterned on a surface. The intermediate composite includes a hydrogel, and particles suspended in the hydrogel, generating a particle-gel composite (composite), the composite is configured to absorb a biological or chemical material (agent), and further configured to deposit the agent when the composite is positioned proximate to a surface on which the agent is to be deposited.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and test for the determination of the presence or absence of an antibiotic in a sample such as milk.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems for analyte detection using a microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for measuring a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one class C beta-lactamase, a functional fragment or variant thereof; (b) providing at least one biological sample; (c) contacting said at least one class C beta-lactamase with said at least one biological sample; and (d) determining the concentration of said free beta-lactam antibiotic in said at least one biological sample.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and a device for expediting delivery of an agent to a damaged bacterial cell. In one embodiment, the methods and devices are useful for screening candidate antibiotics. In another embodiment, the methods and devices described herein are used to determine susceptibility of bacteria to an antibiotic. The methods also provide a method for determining an appropriate antibiotic to treat an individual having a bacterial infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and test for the determination of the presence or absence of an antibiotic in a sample such as milk.

Abstract: A small percentage of cells within an established tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. The solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. This discovery is the basis for solid tumor stem cell compositions, methods for distinguishing functionally different populations of tumor cells, methods for using these tumor cell populations for studying the effects of therapeutic agents on tumor growth, and methods for identifying and testing novel anti-cancer therapies directed to solid tumor stem cells.

Abstract: A biological growth inhibition factor assay method includes: a first step of mixing a photosynthetic sample, with an aqueous solution sample to prepare a test measurement solution, letting the test measurement solution stand, and then after illuminating light onto the test measurement solution for a predetermined illumination time, measuring the light amount of the delayed fluorescence that is emitted; a second step of mixing the photosynthetic sample with a standard sample, in which biological growth inhibition factors are not present, to prepare a standard measurement solution, letting the standard measurement solution stand, and then after illuminating light onto the standard measurement solution for a predetermined illumination time, measuring the light amount of the delayed fluorescence that is emitted; and a third step of computing assay values based on the light amounts of delayed fluorescence, respectively measured in the first step and the second step, and determining a comparison value of the assay

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method capable of easily and rapidly inspecting the susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug. The inspection method of the present disclosure is a method for inspecting susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug using a micro-device having flow channels, including: incubating a mixture of the antimicrobial drug and a suspension to be inspected in the flow channels of the micro-device; and detecting bacteria or fungi derived from the suspension to be inspected in an observation area of the flow channels of the micro-device. The detecting step can be performed by detecting an increase or decrease in the number of or a change in shape of bacteria or fungi derived from the suspension to be inspected in the observation area by a microscope or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to human liver pluripotent progenitor cell lines which express hepatic cell markers such as albumin and ?-fetoprotein and do not express some of the markers which are typical of oval stem cells. Also disclosed is a method of isolating the cell lines of the invention, methods for differentiating said cells into a plurality of different cell lineages, methods for conditional immortalization and metabolic selection of said cells, as well as the use of the cell lines of the invention for preparing a medicament with osteogenic differentiation activity or liver injury regeneration activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an antimicrobial susceptibility test made upon pure microbial cultures—a laboratory culture containing a single species of organism—or directly from biological samples uncultured. Some preferred embodiments do not require the use a pure culture obtained from a biological product which would otherwise take at least 24 hours for the microorganisms to grow—so, is performed an antimicrobial susceptibility test directly from uncultured biological samples like urine, blood cultures or water by fluorescence analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits for treating a skin condition caused by a bacterial infection at a skin depth with a topical ointment comprising vancomycin hydrochloride. Also disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits for testing susceptibility of vancomycin for treating a bacterial infection at a skin depth, and of optimizing a topical ointment therapeutic regimen.

Abstract: (Problems) To provide a therapeutic agent for infections comprising granulysin as an active ingredient which has little side effect and no cytotoxicity and to which bacteria can hardly acquire resistance, and a treatment method using the same. (Means for Solving Problems) The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for infections comprising as active ingredient: 15K granulysin, a combination of 15K granulysin and 15K granulysin in vivo expression vector, a combination of 15K granulysin and at least one interleukin selected from IL-6, IL-23 or IL-27, a combination of 15K granulysin in vivo expression vector and at least one interleukin selected from IL-6, IL-23 or IL-27, or a combination of 15K granulysin in vivo expression vector and HSP65DNA and IL-12DNA in vivo expression vector, which enhances killing effects on bacteria and has less side effect, and to which bacteria can hardly acquire resistance, and a treatment method using the same.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method of testing a disinfectant or antibiotic using phenanthridium derivatives with a 2+ charge or higher.

Abstract: A testing method is disclosed. The testing method includes: providing a mixture solution of a gelling agent and a microbe to a gelling device; solidifying the mixture solution to form a solid thin film in which the microbe is immobilized; supplying a bioactive agent to the solid thin film and allowing the bioactive agent to diffuse into the solid thin film; and imaging the individual responses of the single microbial cells to the bioactive agent, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive agent based on the analysis of the images to obtain AST results.

Abstract: Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are identified and characterized on the basis of a mass spectrometric measurement of their protein profiles with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption. In order to measure the microbial resistance to antibiotics, the protein profiles of microorganisms are measured after cultivation for a short time duration in nutrient media containing the antibiotics.

Abstract: Uses of a compound of any of Formulas I-VI as a cytotoxic inhibitor of undifferentiated cells are disclosed herein, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of any of Formulas I-VI, and methods for identifying a lead candidate for inhibiting undifferentiated cells. Further disclosed are uses of an SCD-1 inhibitor as a cytotoxic inhibitor of undifferentiated cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an isolated linear expression cassette. The disclosed cassette comprises a bidirectional promoter; a first gene and a second gene that the genes are respectively and operably linked to one end of the bidirectional promoter; a terminator located immediately next to end of each gene; a 5?-homogolgous region to genomic context of interest and a 3?-homogolgous region to genomic context of interest respectively flanking 5? end and 3? end of the cassette; and a dominant selection marker residing within the construct and being arranged in between the flanking 5?-homogolgous region to genomic context of interest and a 3?-homogolgous region to genomic context of interest. Preferably, the cassette is capable of being integrated into genome of transformed yeasts upon being transported into the transformed cell.

Abstract: A method for investigating one or a plurality of phase objects is described, in which a grid made up of elements is used, which is illuminated with light of a light source, the coherence length of which is larger than the average spacing of adjacent elements of the grid. A diffraction image of the illuminating light scattered on the grid is generated, whereby the one or the plurality of phase objects are placed in the light path between the light source and the grid and/or in the light path of the illuminating light scattered on the grid. At least a part of the diffraction image is detected by an optical sensor directly or after interaction with further optical components and converted into a signal. The signal is analysed further in order to ascertain information relating to the one or plurality of phase objects therefrom. A corresponding device is likewise described.

Abstract: Provided herein are an isolated or enriched population of tumor initiating cells derived from normal cells, cells susceptible to neoplasia, or neoplastic cells. Methods of use of the cells for screening for anti-hyperproliferative agents, and use of the cells for animal models of hyperproliferative disorders including metastatic cancer, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic methods are provided.