Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of identifying compounds useful in modifying the activity of Aldolase.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying substances that provide therapeutic value for various diseases associated with protein misfolding are provided. Genetic and chemical screening methods are provided using a yeast system. The methods of the invention provide a rapid and cost-effective method to screen for compounds that prevent protein misfolding and/or protein fibril formation and/or protein aggregation which includes numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease as well as non-neuronal diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

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

Abstract: In response to the need for highly-sensitive antibiotic susceptibility assays and identification assays that do not require extensive incubation times, the present invention provides automated assay methods and systems that permit the determination of antibiotic susceptibilities and/or microorganism identification in a timeframe that is substantially shorter than has previously been attainable using a hybrid system that combines turbimetric and fluorescence determinations using a single, clear-plastic assay platform. Related devices, kits, and components thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to develop a method for producing a large amount of an insoluble aggregate that is equivalent to an insoluble aggregate formed in the brain of a patient. A method of producing an insoluble aggregate of a neurodegenerative-disease-related protein according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (1) introducing an insoluble fraction originated from the brain of a neurodegenerative disease patient into a cultured cell in which the neurodegenerative-disease-related protein can be expressed in a constitutive manner; (2) culturing the cultured cell into which the insoluble fraction has been introduced; and (3) extracting separating an insoluble fraction from the cultured cell. Optionally, the method may additionally comprise a step of amplifying the insoluble aggregate of the neurodegenerative-disease-related protein in the cultured cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that modulate protein translocation in mitochondria, compositions thereof, and methods of identifying, making and using these.

Abstract: Culture media and methods for expanding and differentiating populations of stem cells and for obtaining organoids. Expanded cell populations and organoids obtainable by methods of the invention and their use in drug screening, toxicity assays and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of screening to find compounds that are cytotoxic to tumor cells and methods of treating tumor cells using these compounds. In particular, the invention relates to methods of screening for compounds that inhibit mammalian mitochondrial fatty acid synthase (mmFAS) and methods of treating tumor cells using mmFAS inhibitors. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting or preventing cancer cell survival by the administration of mitochondrial fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitors. Specifically, this invention describes a method for prohibiting or delaying the development of cancer, the growth of cancer or invasion of cancer from pre-malignant (noninvasive) lesions, or metastasis of cancer based upon the findings that this method compromises energy balance in cancer cells, in turn compromising their basic functions and causing their cell death.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disk diffusion assay for determining susceptibility of bacteria to a glycopeptide antibiotic. The assay includes improvements over conventional assays due to the inclusion of polysorbate 80 and Span 80 in the antibacterial solution used to impregnate paper disks used in the assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to global transcription machinery engineering to produce altered cells having improved phenotypes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a novel highly discriminating antibiotic, plantazolicin, a plantazolicin-like compound and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. Also provided are methods for producing and using plantazolicin. Due to its bactericidal activity against Bacillus anthracis, plantazolicin and plantazolicin-like compounds can be used in methods for treating and/or preventing anthrax infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for detecting whether a subject has an infection. These methods include (a) incubating a test sample from a subject suspected of having an infection with a labeled molecule, such as a labeled nucleoside analog, that is preferentially incorporated into a pathogenic microorganism for a period of time sufficient for the pathogenic microorganism to incorporate the labeled molecule; (b) removing any unincorporated labeled molecule from the test sample; and (c) detecting the labeled molecule within the pathogenic microorganism, if any, in the test sample, wherein the presence of labeled molecule within the pathogenic microorganism indicates that the subject has an infection.

Abstract: A method of design and synthesis of a new drug. This invention may be used in human and veterinary medicine for the design of new drugs that are effective in the treatment of oncological and viral human and animal illnesses and for the design of new medicines. In the method a biopolymer target for the drug action is selected; then the quantity of nitrogen-containing positively charged groups available for modification is calculated. Biopolymer target may be cut into oligomer fragments. Some of calculated nitrogen-containing positively charged groups are substituted with negatively charged groups by combinatorial modification. The obtained supramolecular assemblies are used as drug for the biopolymer target.

Abstract: A method for preparing neoplastically transformed cells from human-derived cells, including the step of introducing human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene, SV40 small T antigen (SV40ST) gene, and an antisense oligonucleotide derived from human 28S rRNA into the human-derived cells. The method for preparing neoplastically transformed cells from human-derived cells can be utilized when a variety of human normal cells are induced to be neoplastically transformed in order to elucidate cancer onset mechanisms, so that the method can be effectively utilized in search of target molecules for a new medicament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the integrity of the cell wall of the bacteria present in a culture in the presence of an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall which, from a practical point of view, allows quickly determining if a bacterium is sensitive or resistant to an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall. Likewise, the present invention also relates to a lysis solution applicable in the preceding method, specifically affecting bacteria having the cell wall damaged by the action of an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall, which allows distinguishing bacteria sensitive to said antibiotic from those resistant to said antibiotic.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing an adsorbent for bacterial toxins, a method for removal of such toxins by adsorption, and an adsorber packed with said adsorbent. Provided are an adsorbent for bacterial toxins, which comprises a water-insoluble porous material having a mode of pore radius of 20 angstroms to 1,000 angstroms, a method for removal of bacterial toxins using said adsorbent, and an adsorber packed with said adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention provides neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity screening methods employing primary cultured neurons from Drosophila.

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 disclosure provides methods for selecting a treatment composition, or therapy, for the treatment of a cancer, such as prostate or breast cancer, in a patient wherein the treatment composition includes administering a combination of at least two components selected from two different classes of compounds. Methods for treating a patient using the selected treatment composition are also provided, together with methods for monitoring the efficacy of the treatment composition during a treatment period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting resistant microorganisms to a therapeutic agent in a biological sample, comprising the following steps: a. inoculate the said sample, uncultured, on a first tube with, and on a second tube without, at least one therapeutic agent; preferentially further including at least one lysing agent and/or a buffer, and/or a suitable culture medium, or put the sample on a separation serum tube; and incubated it; b. add to both tubes a fluorescent marker; c. perform a fluorescence analysis for obtaining one or more fluorescence or growth parameters for each of the two tubes; wherein the microorganisms resistant phenotype of the biological sample to said therapeutic agent is obtained by comparing the one or more fluorescence parameters between the two tubes.

Abstract: Natural and synthetic compounds of Formulae Ia-Ie having a lactone structure, in particular Securolide, have been determined to be effective anti-tumor compounds which target the hrad9 gene and/or protein encoded thereby or complex containing the protein and/or the p53 gene and/or protein. Securolide is cytoselective for mutants of hRad9 based on studies conducted in Rad9 mutant yeast strains. Securolide appears to interact with mutant hRad9 in cancer cells to produce DNA lesions which result in apoptosis. Studies have demonstrated that Securolide is useful for treating proliferation disorders such as melanoma, leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, esophagus cancer, liver cancer, and lymphatic cancer, and to alleviate pain associated with the cancer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery that an amplification of the CYP24 gene or an increase in CYP24 activity is a marker for the presence of, progression of, or predisposition to, a cancer (e.g., breast cancer). Using this information, this invention provides methods of detecting a predisposition to cancer in an animal. The methods involve (i) providing a biological sample from an animal (e.g. a human patient); (ii) detecting the level of CYP24 within the biological sample; and (iii) comparing the level of CYP24 with a level of CYP24 in a control sample taken from a normal, cancer-free tissue where an increased level of CYP24 in the biological sample compared to the level of CYP24 in the control sample indicates the presence of said cancer in said animal.

Abstract: The methods described herein enable the evaluation of compounds on subjects to assess their therapeutic efficacy or toxic effects. The target of analysis is the underlying biochemical process or processes (i.e., metabolic process) thought to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Molecular flux rates within the one or more biochemical processes serve as biomarkers and are quantitated and compared with the molecular flux rates (i.e., biomarker) from control subjects (i.e., subjects not exposed to the compounds). Any change in the biomarker in the subject relative to the biomarker in the control subject provides the necessary information to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of an administered drug or a toxic effect and to develop the compound further if desired. In one aspect of the invention, stable isotope-labeled substrate molecules are administered to a subject and the label is incorporated into targeted molecules in a manner that reveals molecular flux rates through one or more metabolic pathways of interest.

Abstract: An affinity ligand-matrix conjugate of the structure Z-Spacer-[NX-A]m-NY-A-NK2 is useful for the isolation, separation, purification, characterization, identification or quantification of endotoxins in an aqueous system, wherein m is an integer of at least one; each A independently represents an optionally substituted linear, branched or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms; each X independently represents hydrogen or alkyl; Y is X or A-NX2; and Z is a support matrix attached to the ligand through an optional spacer arm (Spacer).

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

Abstract: A sensor for detecting an electric field fluctuation associated with the permeabilization of a bacterial cell wall comprises a substrate, at least two electrodes integrated on the substrate, an amplifier integrated on the substrate, and a processor electrically connected to the amplifier to analyze the amplified signal. The substrate and the at least two electrodes define a well between the at least two electrodes, and the at least two electrodes being configured to generate a signal in response to an electric field fluctuation in close proximity to the well or the electrodes triggered when at least one antibacterial agent associated with the well contacts a cognate target. The amplifier is configured to generate an amplified signal in response to the signal. In addition, the processor is electrically connected to the amplifier to analyze the amplified signal.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): and salts thereof, wherein X and Y have any of the values defined herein. The compounds inhibit bacterial RNA polymerase, inhibit bacterial growth, and have applications in, analysis of RNA polymerase structure and function, control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, antibacterial therapy, and drug discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the presence or absence of a microorganism, said method including the steps of: 1) providing an enclosure containing a liquid or semi-solid phase consisting of a biological medium capable of containing a living form of said microorganism, nutritional elements, and an enzymatic substrate which is specific to said microorganism and which can be metabolised into at least one VOC metabolite, and a gaseous phase adjacent to said liquid or semi-solid phase; 2) exposing at least said liquid or semi-solid phase to conditions that are propitious for said microorganism to metabolise said enzymatic substrate into a molecule of said VOC metabolite; and 3) determining, by optical transduction, the presence or absence of said VOC metabolite, characterised in that the latter interacts with a nanoporous matrix, said matrix being implemented in a form that is separate from said enzymatic substrate, and in that the detection, by optical transduction, of a change in the

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide acid comprising a polynucleotide sequence having a substantial amount of sequence identity to the entire length of the polynucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or its complementary strand (SEQ ID NO: 2), the sequence is derived from RT domain of HBV polymerase gene. The present invention also provides a polypeptide and related compositions, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: The present invention features isolated polypeptides that have bactericidal and angiogenic activities. The invention features isolated polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences of RNase A ribonucleases, fragments and variants thereof, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for treatment of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro three-dimensional organotypic cell co-culture. Cultures of the invention comprise tumour cells three-dimensionally disposed within a matrix of matrix cells which are distinct from the tumour cells, wherein the co-culture does not comprise a basement membrane. The cultures are useful for the study of cancers, for testing anti-tumour agent efficacy, and for high-throughput screening of candidate drugs.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a Lactobacillus bacterium, or one, or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria. An alternative composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus bacterium in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium. One example of the Lactobacillus bacterium is Lactobacillus acidophilus, and one example of the Propionibacterium is Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: Combinations of the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab-MCC-DM1 and chemotherapeutic agents, including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting tumor cell growth, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by HER2 and KDR (VEGFR receptor 1). Methods of using such combinations for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cord colitis syndrome pathogen as well as a method for the discovery of novel viral, prokaryotic or eukaryotic genomes or genomic fragments using a sequencing-based methodology.

Abstract: In some aspects, compositions and methods useful for classifying tumor cells, tumor cell lines, or tumors according to predicted sensitivity to 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) are provided. In some aspects, methods of identifying subjects with cancer who are candidates for treatment with 3-BrPA are provided. In some aspects, compositions useful for subjects with cancers that express increased levels of MCT1 are provided. In some aspects, methods of treating subjects with cancers that express increased levels of MCT1 are provided. In some aspects, methods of identifying anti-tumor agents the efficacy of which is at least in part dependent on transporter-mediated uptake are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymyxin derivative wherein the derivative has a total of three positive charges at physiological pH and wherein the terminal moiety (D) of the derivative comprises a total of 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The invention also relates to a method of treating a subject for a gram-negative bacterial infection by administering a polymyxin derivative of the invention in combination with a second antibacterial agent. Finally, the invention relates to a process for preparing such polymyxin derivatives.

Abstract: The invention concerns micro-organism strains, in particular of lactic acid bacteria, having a glycosylation modulating effect of intestinal cell surface. The invention also concerns a method for selecting micro-organism strains, in particular of lactic acid bacteria, which consists in measuring the average fluorescence intensity variation of HT29-MTX cells incubated in the presence of a lectin coupled with a fluorochrome after being in contact with the supernatant of the strain concerned. Said lactic acid bacteria strains can be used, optionally in the form of their active fraction, for preparing food compositions or medicines or food supplements, modulating glycosylation of glycoproteins of intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract: The invention uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for screening anti-neoplastic agents by examining the capability of a single agent, compound or drug, or a combination of multiple agents, compounds or drugs, for inhibiting or suppressing one or more neoplastic activities or processes, including aerobic glycolysis and neoplastic anabolism and, thus, inhibiting rapid growth and excessive reproduction of neoplastic cells. Agents, compounds or drugs may also be screened for their potential in inhibiting an invasion and/or migration of neoplastic cells into healthy or normal tissues and/or cells and a metastasis of neoplastic cells into other sites of the body. Anti-neoplastic agents, compounds and/or drugs found through these methods may represent broad-spectrum anti-neoplastic agents, compounds and/or drugs that preferentially target and damage neoplastic tumor or cancer cells but exert limited or minimal harm to normal or healthy cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymyxin derivative wherein R1, R2 and R3 are optional and R1, R2, R3, R5, R8 and R9 are cationic or neutral amino acid residues selected so that the total number of positive charges at physiological pH is at least two but no more than three; and to a combination product comprising at least two such derivatives.

Abstract: Switchgrass is an increasingly important biofuel crop, but knowledge of switchgrass fungal pathogens is not extensive. The purpose of this research was to identify the fungal pathogens that decrease crop yield of switchgrass grown in Tennessee and to investigate a potential sustainable disease management strategy from a value-added by-product of the switchgrass biofuel conversion process. The specific objectives were 1) to identify and characterize prevalent fungal pathogens of switchgrass in Tennessee, 2) assess switchgrass seed produced in the United States for seedborne fungal pathogens, and 3) evaluate switchgrass extractives for antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens.

Abstract: A method of conducting in vitro toxicity testing is disclosed which includes the steps of exposing to a test agent a population of human liver progenitor or stem cells originated from human adult liver. The cells have the characteristics that the isolated human progenitor or stem cells express at least the mesenchymal markers vimentin and ?-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), the hepatocyte marker albumin (ALB), are negative for cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), and have mesenchymal-like morphology. One or more effects, if any, of the test agent on the population of human liver progenitor or stem cells are observed. Also disclosed are methods of conducting in vitro drug metabolism studies by exposing to a test agent a population of the human liver progenitor or stem cells and methods of testing infected human liver progenitor or stem cells for effects of a test agent.

Abstract: Chemical stain compounds containing a fluorophore and a reducible quenching unit are disclosed. The reducible quenching unit quenches the fluorophore while in its oxidized state. Upon reduction, the quenching properties of the quenching unit are diminished or eliminated. The chemical compounds can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of bacterial cells, monitoring the electron transport chain function of bacterial cells, monitoring the oxidation state of non-biological systems, and assaying the effectiveness of antibacterial or antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of combating leishmaniases. Said invention results from the isolation, from wild isolates of Leishmania major, of a protein-coding gene known as LmPDI which has two regions that are identical to the sequence (Cys-Gly-His-Cys) of the potential active site of the protein disulphide isomerase (PDI). The LmPDI protein is predominantly expressed in the most virulent isolates of the parasite. Said protein forms a novel therapeutic target for developing anti-leishmaniasis medicaments and a novel element that can be used in the composition of immunogenic, and possibly vaccinating, preparations which are intended to protect a human or animal host against Leishmania.

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 or a mutated protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) which is resistant or tolerant to a benzoxazinone-derivative herbicide by applying to said site an effective amount of said herbicide. The invention further refers to plants comprising wild-type or mutated PPO enzymes, and methods of obtaining such plants.

Abstract: Provided is multi-phase systems that may be used to prepare a three-dimension aggregate of cells referred to as a cellular spheroid. The multi-phase system includes a droplet of an aqueous polymer phase within an immersion aqueous polymer phase. The droplet of the droplet aqueous polymer phase contains a three-dimensional aggregate of cells (cellular spheroid). Types of cells that may be used in the multi-phases system include stem cells and cancer cells. The cellular spheroids with the multi-phase system may be used to monitor cell growth in three-dimensional systems, or screen drugs in a three-dimension aggregate of cells.

Abstract: Toxic organic materials contaminate water resources and one need to find an easy and energy efficient way to decontaminate water resources. The current invention discloses 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. In the current disclosure many examples of characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described. 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: Insulin gene therapy is one of many envisioned alternative treatments of diabetes. Diabetes gene therapy would be possible if insulin could be produced in a regulated and specifically in a sensitive manner dependent on the blood glucose level. Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for the isolation of GLP-1 expressing cells, to nucleic acids sequence construction or vectors useful for isolating GLP-1 expressing cell and to the GLP-1 expressing cells isolated therewith. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of nucleic acids sequence construction or vectors under the control of the GLP-1 promoter expressing insulin in a recombinant GLP-1 expressing cell line. The cells of the present invention are particular useful for the treatment of diabetes and may be used in a gene therapy approach to treat diabetes and other disorders related to the nutrient metabolism.

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.