Abstract: The invention relates to a method for real-time detection of viable microorganisms comprising: a. addition of a cell-permeable, phototautomeric compound to a micro-organism or other living cell; and b. measuring the fluorescent emission of said phototautomeric compound. Preferably the phototautomeric compound is salicylic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-naphtoic acid or 1-hydroxy-2-naphtoic acid. Further, the assay can he used to assess the antibiotic effect of a test compound. This test can be used as a high—throughput screening for compounds with antibiotic activity. Also part of the invention is the use of a cell permeable phototautomeric compound in a method for determining the viability of micro-organisms and for assessing the antibiotic effect of a test compound.

Abstract: A three dimensional cell culture and bioreactor system is provided. The system comprises one or more cell culture chamber. Each cell culture chamber comprises an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the cell culture chamber. The cell culture chambers may be segregated or in fluid communication with one another. The systems may be used to conduct drug efficacy test, isolate certain cell types from a complex tissue sample of multiple cell types, allow for the ex vivo culturing of patient tissue samples to help guide the course of treatment, and conduct co-culture experiments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a cell population containing cancer stem cells, which comprises culturing iPS cells in the presence of culture supernatant of cancer cells.

Abstract: Annexin A3 (ANAX3) is utilized as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the utilization of a monoclonal antibody against ANXA3 or antisense polynucleotide against ANXA3 mRNA for the suppression or treatment of HCC, alone or in combination with other HCC treatment. Monoclonal antibody against ANXA3 can be administered for the suppression of tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance.

Abstract: System and Method for measuring the growth of a bacterial culture and its response to one or more antimicrobials using measurement of mass of individual microbes. Methods include periodic sampling, determining change in mass and concentration, and comparing growth rates of cultures in nutrient broth vs. mixtures containing various antibiotic mixtures. A number of antimicrobials can be compared in one measurement by multiplexing or using multiple sensors to measure in parallel. Growth and antibiotic efficacy can be assessed at low concentrations at the onset of growth, typically within 1 to 2 hours.

Abstract: Despite efforts of eradication and sanitation, Phytophthora ramorum persists in the United States and has been a problem in commercial nurseries since 2001. Detection in a nursery immediately causes the nursery to be under quarantine until the P. ramorum can be proven to be eradicated. Treatment with the biological control agent Trichoderma asperellum showed promise in laboratory results to remediate P. ramorum-infested potting soil. Sixteen T. asperellum isolates were screened, found to have variable mycoparasitic activities, and further tested in natural field settings. Field plots having P. ramorum-infested soil were treated with T. asperellum, a chemical and two different commercial biological control products and compared to non-treated infested soil. After 8 weeks, P. ramorum populations were not detected in the soil treated with T. asperellum isolate 04-22 showing that T. asperellum isolate 04-22 could remediate soils infested with P. ramorum under natural field conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining biocide efficacy using flow cytometry. The methods can be used to determine the synergy between at least two biocides.

Abstract: A system, a composition, a method and a kit for identifying anti-bacterial agents are provided. The invention described herein is useful in identifying inhibitors of any bacterial stress response. Moreover, the invention can be applied to any sRNA and its target, any transcription factor and its target, and any transcription factor/sRNA pair (i.e., a transcription factor that regulates a sRNA). In particular, the present invention provides a system, a composition, a method and a kit for the identification of cyclic peptides that block the ?E pathway in Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods to generate and screen peptides that exhibit drug like stabilities in vitro and in vivo. By selecting for enzyme resistance, Applicants are able to derive peptides that are not only stable to a broad spectrum of proteases, but also stable to other drug processing enzymes such as cytochrome P450s. This approach provides a general method to the rapid development of highly stable peptides for therapeutic development and diagnosis. The peptides are further modified for oral bioavailability.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal metaplasias that develop to esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The stem cells and differentiated cells of these intestinal metaplasias show high expression of CDH17 as well as other proteins. The invention also includes a clonal population of Barrett's esophagus stem cells as well as the stem cells of the surrounding normal epithelia and methods of using them for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of Barrett's esophagus.

Abstract: Methods and kits are disclosed for detecting microorganisms that produce glucose oxidase. The method includes providing a culture medium and a hydrogen peroxide indicating reagent comprising a chromogenic substrate that can provide a detectable chromogenic reaction indicating the presence of a microorganism that produces glucose oxidase, and additional methods are disclosed for differentiating microorganisms by the detection of an additional chromogenic reaction.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining the bio-safety of an agent is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the modulation of hepatocyte growth factor activity to regulate lymphatic vessel development and function. Methods and composition for the monitoring and treatment of skin disorders, lymphedema, and metastatic cancers are disclosed. Also described are methods of identifying inhibitors of hepatocyte growth factor dependent lymphangiogenesis.

Abstract: A novel composition for a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light is described. In the current disclosure method of making a specific size of the nano photocatalyst is described. Characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described to show that this photocatalyst is unique. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds, compositions, and methods relating to fluoride aptamers, fluoride-responsive riboswitches, fluoride-regulated expression constructs, fluoride transporters, nucleic acids encoding fluoride transporters, expression constructs encoding fluoride transporters, and cells containing or including any combination of these.

Abstract: Provided herein is a three-dimensional scaffold composition comprising randomly oriented fibers, wherein the fibers comprise a polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid block copolymer (PEG-PLA) and a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Also provided are methods for using the three-dimensional scaffolds described herein.

Abstract: A method of storing mammalian cells or tissue (e.g., liver cells or hepatocytes) for subsequent use comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the cells or tissue in vitro to a choleretic agent in an effective amount; (b) combining said cells or tissue with a cryopreservative; (c) freezing said cells or tissue, and then (d) storing said frozen cells or tissue in frozen form for subsequent use.

Abstract: Campylobacter are the commonest reported bacterial causes of gastroenteritis in the UK and industrialized worlds. This invention relates to a method of preventing or reducing the colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal with Campylobacter. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for disinfection of an animal comprising administering to said animal at least one compound that binds to MOMP or FlaA of Campylobacter in an effective amount to reduce the number of Campylobacter present in the gastrointestinal tract of said animal. The present invention also provides a method of preventing or reducing transmission of Campylobacter from one animal to another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple culture device that is designed for manufacture and use in areas of limited resources. The device is useful for cell culture in such environments with limited resources because cells grow in paper just as they do in a culture dish. Also provided is a binding assay that employs an activatable dormant bacteriophage carrying a reporter gene to qualitatively or quantitatively detect the presence of a substance of interest in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a sample receiving appliance, a receiving appliance for test organisms, preferably for a suspension comprising test organisms, in particular for a bacterial suspension, and a jet pump appliance, wherein the jet pump appliance is, or can be brought, into active connection with the receiving appliance, and wherein the jet pump appliance is designed and installed in order, by means of a propellant medium having a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure at the location of installation of the device to spray test organisms in the form of an aerosol in the direction of the sample receiving installation, wherein the device has an installation for controlling a reproducible pressure of the propellant medium during the spraying of the test organisms and also the use of a device according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one compounds and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections, in particular Tuberculosis.

Abstract: A method of rapidly evaluating the susceptibility of a strain of bacteria to a cell wall synthesis inhibiting antibiotic based on an assessment of cell enlargement in response to doses of the cell wall synthesis inhibiting antibiotic which are correlated to breakpoints of bacterial susceptibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for culturing spirochetes, in particular Borrelia burgdorferi. The present invention also provides methods of identifying spirochetes present in a biological sample. The present invention further provides methods of diagnosing diseases cause by a spirochete infection, such as Lyme disease, syphilis, and multiple sclerosis. The present invention further provides methods for identifying spirochete susceptibilities to antimicrobials and antimicrobial compositions and cocktails. The present invention also provides methods for treating subjects suspected of having a spirochete infection.

Abstract: An ex vivo malignant tumor tissue sample is cleaned, comminuted, suspended in culture medium, subjected to a treatment with collagenase and the collagenase decomposition product is centrifuged. The pellet obtained is re-suspended in culture medium by an absorption instrument, is absorbed and returned several times and transferred to a culture vessel. The re-suspension thus obtained is analyzed under a microscope with phase optics for cell aggregates, which, due to the phenotypic appearance thereof, are identifiable as an aggregate of malignant cells or as an aggregate of endothelial cells or as an aggregate of fibroblasts, and the identified cell aggregates are separated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the development of methods for making hematopoietic stem cells from differentiated cells by introducing and expressing transcription factors. More particularly, the disclosure provides methods for redirecting differentiated cells to a hematopoietic stem cell state or to a hemogenic endothelial cell state by direct programming with specific combinations of transcription factors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to treat and reduce therapeutic resistance in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Also disclosed herein are methods to generate leukemia stem cell like cells (iLSCs) generated from CML patient-derived iPSCs, and methods for utilizing iLSCs in screens to identify modulators of CML drug resistance and gene targets that underlie CML drug resistance.

Abstract: Stable, constitutively expressed, chromosomal fluorescent transcriptional fusions in bacterial pathogens and methods of using the same to screen candidate compounds for anti-bacterial efficacy.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering an agent to a solid tissue in vivo for assessment of efficacy are described. One method involves withdrawing of a needle from and injecting of the agent into the solid tissue; another method involves delivering the agent using a plurality of microdialysis probes to a solid tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a method for identifying an agent that selectively decreases the number of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This method includes (a) contacting a CSC from a population of cells with a candidate agent; and (b) determining whether the candidate agent reduces the survival or growth of the CSC or increases differentiation of the CSC relative to a CSC that has not been contacted with the candidate agent. The method may be used as a high throughput screen.

Abstract: Nanocells allow the sequential delivery of two different therapeutic agents with different modes of action or different pharmacokinetics. A nanocell is formed by encapsulating a nanocore with a first agent inside a lipid vesicle containing a second agent. The agent in the outer lipid compartment is released first and may exert its effect before the agent in the nanocore is released. The nanocell delivery system may be formulated in pharmaceutical composition for delivery to patients suffering from diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases such as asthma, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, infectious diseases, and neurological diseases such as epilepsy. In treating cancer, a traditional antineoplastic agent is contained in the outer lipid vesicle of the nanocell, and an antiangiogenic agent is loaded into the nanocore. This arrangement allows the antineoplastic agent to be released first and delivered to the tumor before the tumor's blood supply is cut off by the antianiogenic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying candidate compounds for treating, reducing, or preventing a pathogenic infection, the methods including: (a) contacting a pathogenic cell with a candidate compound; and (b) measuring the production of a molecule selected from the group consisting of an 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinoline (HAQ) molecule, 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ) molecule, or a derivative or precursor thereof in the cell, a candidate compound that reduces the production relative to production of the molecule by a cell not contacted with the candidate compound, identifying a candidate compound useful for treating, reducing, or preventing a pathogenic infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening and discovering bioactive materials using specifically selected protein domains interacting with specific intracellular proteins, and more particularly, to (1) a screening method including confirmation of changes in biological activities by introducing a specific protein domain into microorganisms or animal and plant cells and (2) a screening method including confirmation of changes in biological activities after introducing the specific protein domains into a number of microorganisms or animal and plant cells. Via this method, according to the present invention, it is possible that the selected protein domains can be used to develop novel antibiotic agents with antimicrobial activity effective on bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics while requiring less genetic information compared with a conventional drug which targets specific genes.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for controlling undesired vegetation at a plant cultivation site, the method comprising the steps of providing, at said site, a plant that comprises at least one nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a wild-type hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase or a mutated hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (mut-HPPD) which is resistant or tolerant to a coumarone-derivative herbicide and/or a nucleotide sequence encoding a wild-type homogentisate solanesyl transferase or a mutated homogentisate solanesyl transferase (mut-HST) which is resistant or tolerant to a coumarone-derivative herbicide, and applying to said site an effective amount of said herbicide. The invention further refers to plants comprising mut-HPPD, and methods of obtaining such plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method capable of easily and rapidly inspecting the susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug and an inspection system for use in the method. The inspection method of the present invention is a method for inspecting susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug using a micro-device having a flow channel, including: an incubating step of incubating a mixture of the antimicrobial drug and a bacterial suspension to be inspected in the flow channel of the micro-device; and a detecting step of detecting bacteria or fungi derived from the bacterial suspension to be inspected in an observation area of the flow channel 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 bacterial suspension to be inspected in the observation area by a microscope or the like.

Abstract: In some aspects, compositions and methods useful for classifying tumor cells, tumor cell lines, or tumors according to predicted sensitivity to glucose restriction are provided. In some aspects, compositions and methods useful for classifying tumor cells, tumor cell lines, or tumors according to predicted sensitivity to OXPHOS inhibitors are provided. In some aspects, compositions and methods useful for classifying tumor cells, tumor cell lines, or tumors according to predicted sensitivity to biguanides are provided. In some aspects, methods of identifying subjects with cancer who are candidates for treatment with an OXPHOS inhibitor are provided. In some aspects, methods of identifying subjects with cancer who are candidates for treatment with a biguanide are provided. In some aspects, methods of treating subjects with cancers that are sensitive to glucose restriction are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying ribosomal antimicrobial substances being selective for microbial but not for mitochondrial and/or cytosolic ribosomes. Specifically, said method is directed to an assay that compares the interaction of a candidate ribosomal antimicrobial substance (i) in a bacterial strain with microbial ribosomes, and (ii) in a bacterial strain with chimeric mitochondrial bacterial ribosomes, and/or (iii) in a bacterial strain with chimeric cytosolic bacterial ribosomes. In a further aspect the present invention also relates to the use of bacterial strains with microbial ribosomes, and bacterial strains with chimeric mitochondrial bacterial ribosomes, and/or bacterial strains with chimeric cytosolic bacterial ribosomes for identifying ribosomal antimicrobial substance being selective for microbial but not for mitochondrial and/or cytosolic ribosomes.

Abstract: This invention provides a family of compounds that inhibit Class II fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), which is implicated in the pathogenic activity of a broad range of bacterial and parasitic agents. The compounds were identified by empirical testing, and provide a basis for further derivatization and optimization of 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid and related compounds. Crystal structure shows that the compounds don't bind directly to the catalytic site of the enzyme, and so are not defined simply as substrate analogs. Instead, they create a pocket by induced fit, resulting a powerful and specific inhibitory effect on FBA activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to moving microorganisms to a surface, where they are grown in the presence and absence of antimicrobials, and by monitoring the growth of the microorganisms over time in the two conditions, their susceptibility to the antimicrobials can be determined. The microorganisms can be moved to the surface through electrophoresis, centrifugation or filtration. When the movement involves electrophoresis, the presence of oxidizing and reducing reagents lowers the voltage at which electrophoretic force can be generated and allows a broader range of means by which the target can be detected. Monitoring can comprise optical detection, and most conveniently includes the detection of individual microorganisms. The microorganisms can be stained in order to give information about their response to antimicrobials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disease diagnosis method, a marker screening method, and a marker using a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), and more particularly, to a large intestine cancer diagnosis method, a large intestine cancer marker screening method, and a large intestine cancer marker using a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Specifically, the present invention provides a method diagnosing a disease using a pattern of secondary ion mass (m/z) peaks of biological samples measured using a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) as a marker, a marker screening method being a reference judging an existence or non-existence of a disease, and a marker configured of specific secondary ion mass peaks.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions for the production of heterogeneous tissue from human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells.

Abstract: A perifusion device includes at least one sample container for cells, the sample container having an inlet and an outlet. The container receives test liquid through the inlet and discharges the liquid through the outlet. A manifold having a plurality of liquid inlets, control valves, and liquid outlets can be provided. A receptacle housing has a plurality of receptacles. A drive is connected to the receptacle housing for moving the receptacle housing. A programmable controller can be provided to control movement of the receptacle housing. The test liquid includes at least one stimuli for the cells. The liquid collected in the receptacles is analyzed to determine the response of the cells to the stimuli.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system may include a container that houses a medical fluid, a fluid pressurizing unit, and a fluid transfer set that transfers the medical fluid from the container to the fluid pressurizing unit. To validate the integrity and sterility of the fluid delivery system, the system may undergo testing protocols to evaluate the susceptibility of the system to pathogenic ingress, chemical degradation, and/or fluid cross-contamination between patient fluid delivery procedures. The testing protocols may help ensure that delivery system components used during multiple different fluid delivery procedures perform as well as if the components were replaced after each fluid delivery procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to testicular germline markers and their use for predicting the presence or not of reproductive cells in testis of an infertile or hypo fertile male subject.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system may include a container that houses a medical fluid, a fluid pressurizing unit, and a fluid transfer set that transfers the medical fluid from the container to the fluid pressurizing unit. To validate the integrity and sterility of the fluid delivery system, the system may undergo testing protocols to evaluate the susceptibility of the system to pathogenic ingress, chemical degradation, and/or fluid cross-contamination between patient fluid delivery procedures. The testing protocols may help ensure that delivery system components used during multiple different fluid delivery procedures perform as well as if the components were replaced after each fluid delivery procedure.

Abstract: Some embodiments include compositions and methods of using or identifying compounds that modulate the activity of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (GCFR). Some embodiments include use of compounds to treat certain disorders, such as hematopoietic or neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the gene cluster and genes comprised by the gene cluster which are involved in the biosynthesis of griselimycin and methylgriselimycin and to the use of the gene cluster, genes comprised thereby and proteins encoded thereby for the production of antibiotic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying compounds and compositions that target cancer stem cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to treatment methods that use compounds and compositions that specifically target cancer stem cells for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof. Other aspects of the invention relate to the use of cancer stem cell biomarkers in the selection of a treatment for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and methods for detecting cancer cell metastasis, the apparatus comprising: a multi-well plate for growing cells in tissue culture; one or more shafts, cones, or fins that fit within one or more of the wells of the multi-well plate and that can be positioned in close proximity to the bottom of the one or more wells; a rotational motor connected to drive the one or more shafts, cones, or fins to rotate, such that rotation of the shafts, cones, or fins creates fluid flow within the one or more wells; and a detector capable of measuring cells within the wells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selecting (a) cell(s), (a) tissue(s) or (a) cell culture(s) with susceptibility to a selective CDK9 inhibitor. Also a method for determining the responsiveness of a mammalian tumor cell or cancer cell to treatment with a selective CDK9 inhibitor is described herein. In particular, the present invention provides for an in vitro method for the identification of a responder for or a patient sensitive to a selective CDK9 inhibitor, whereby the patient is suspected to suffer from NUT midline carcinoma (NMC). The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring or predicting the efficacy of a treatment of NUT midline carcinoma (NMC), wherein treatment with a selective CDK9 inhibitor is in particular envisaged. Also the use of a (transgenic) non-human animal or a (transgenic) cell having at least one rearrangement in the NUT gene for screening and/or validation of a medicament for the treatment NUT midline carcinoma (NMC) is described.

Abstract: Motion detector comprising a flexible support (1,5) adapted to hold at least one object (6-9), a sensor (4) for measuring the displacement of said support (1) and processing means for differentiating the fluctuations of said support (1) from those induced by said object (6-9).