Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating, inhibiting or preventing the developing of a plant pathogenic disease. The compositions comprise volatile organic compounds effective to inhibit the growth of, or kill pathogenic microbes, including Ganoderma boninense. Invention compositions are especially useful in preventing and treating basal stem rot in the oil palm, and can be applied in the vicinity of the plant or used to sterilize the plant growth medium prior to or concurrent with plant growth therein.

Abstract: A method for discovering pharmacologically active substances from natural products at high speed, including: obtaining an activity profile by testing pharmacological activity of a plurality of samples; obtaining mass profiles based on mass spectra resulting from analysis of the samples by mass spectrometry; and determining molecular weight of pharmacologically active substances by comparing and analyzing the activity profile and the mass profile. The method allows fast discovery of pharmacologically active substances by performing high resolution mass spectrometry for numerous components included in an extract sample of natural products and comparing with the activity test data. The information about the intensity of the activity of the pharmacologically active substances of the natural products allows effective utilization of the natural products.

Abstract: A method for producing mature hepatocytes having functional hepatic enzyme activity from human pluripotent cells is disclosed. The method includes the step of transferring an external vector comprising the DNA sequence coding for a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-122, the DNA sequence coding for a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-let-7c, a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-122, a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-let-7c, or a combination thereof into one or more fetal hepatocytes. The resulting cells differentiate into mature hepatocytes that exhibit functional hepatic enzyme activity, and can be used in drug metabolism and toxicity testing, in the study of viruses that target hepatic tissue, and as therapeutics. A related method of maintaining the functional hepatic enzyme activity of primary hepatocytes over time is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the detection of microorganisms in a sample comprising contacting said sample with a biosensor concentration module, allowing microorganisms to grow for a first period of time and detecting growth of discrete microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

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

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to generate new chemical entities (NCEs) that have well-defined activities such as, but not limited to, anti-bacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic effects. The NCEs are generated through adaptive evolution of one microbe (the producer) against another organism or cell type (the target). The producer is made to compete against the target over time by co-culturing the two together and serially passing the producer organism until the producer adaptively evolves by synthesizing an NCE(s) that inhibits growth of or kills the target. The molecular structure of the chemical entity (or entities) is then clucidated using tools from genomics, molecular biology, computational biology, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and related fields.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods useful in evaluation of cell health and metabolism, cell viability, proliferation, and the effects of compounds on these qualities. The assays provided are rapid, robust, nontoxic and suitable for use with high throughput devices.

Abstract: Expression of Forkhead-box protein A1 (FOXA1), a transcription factor important for the normal development of the prostate gland is thought to be controlled by steroid hormones and GATA-3. Expression of FOXA1, GATA-3 and androgen receptor (AR) was retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a series of 80 primary tumors and 28 metastatic prostate cancers including 15 matched paired samples. High nuclear FOXA1 expression was seen in 19% of primary tumors and 89% of metastatic tumors (p<0.0001). FOXA1 expression correlated positively with tumor size, extra-prostatic extension, angiolymphatic invasion, AR and metastasis but did not correlate with age, tumor stage, Gleason score, presence of PIN or multifocality, seminal vesicle or perineural invasion and status of surgical excision margins. Expression of GATA-3 was not seen in either normal epithelium or tumor. High FOXA1 expression is associated with development of metastatic prostate cancer.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for culturing live cells comprising a cell culture vessel (5), a fresh culture medium storage vessel (3), a used culture medium collection vessel (4), a supply conduit (9, 10) adapted to provide fluid communication between the fresh culture medium storage vessel and a first end of the cell culture vessel, an inlet of the supply conduit being located towards a base of the fresh culture medium storage vessel, a drainage conduit (12) adapted to provide fluid communication between a second end of the cell culture vessel and the used culture medium collection vessel, an inlet of the drainage conduit being disposed within the cell culture vessel such that in use it is it located in the culture medium, and a pump (2) adapted to pump fresh culture medium from the fresh culture medium storage vessel (3) to one end of the cell culture vessel (5) and pump used culture medium from the second end of the cell culture vessel to the used culture medium collection vessel (4).

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: The invention relates to methods identifying compounds for the treatment of cell proliferation-related disorders, e.g., proliferative disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: Durable nanoporous nanostructured materials that modify, eliminate and destroy biofilms that may develop due to the presence of bacteria, fungi and other microbes and method for making the same. Such nanoporous nanostructures may be deposited as coatings on a substrate and such coatings may include at least one nanopore and a plurality of nanoparticles which adhere to the substrate and/or other particles. The nanostructure can be produced using a single-sided electrode arrangement which is configured to produce an electrical arc or discharge at one end of an electrode and to emit the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles form a non-porous framework which delineates any nanopores and which can be deposited as one or more layers of nanothickness. Such nano structures may be resistant to removal from the substrate. Also described are testing methods and apparatus for the quick, accurate and simple evaluation of the efficacy of the antibiofilm properties of the nanoporous nano structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing cells having at least one characteristic of human hepatocytes as well as to cells produced by said method and uses of these cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomatrix scaffolds, a tissue extract enriched for extracellular matrix components and bound growth factors, cytokines and hormones, and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that drug resistance in microorganisms can be rapidly and accurately determined using mass spectrometry. A mass spectrum of an intact microorganism or one or more isolated biomarkers from the microorganism grown in drug containing, isotopically-labeled media is compared with a mass spectrum of the intact microorganism or one or more isolated biomarkers from the microorganism grown in non-labeled media without the drug present. Drug resistance is determined by predicting and detecting a characteristic mass shift of one or more biomarkers using algorithms. The characteristic mass shift is indicative that the microorganism is growing in the presence of the drug and incorporating the isotopic label into the one or more biomarkers, resulting in change in mass.

Abstract: A method for determining the combined activity of two or more ingredients by impregnating a carrier with one ingredient and bringing it into contact with target material to create a zone of inhibition, then adding a second ingredient to the target material and bringing the carrier into contact with it to create a second zone of inhibition. The zones are then compared.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is a method and device for the detection of antibiotics in a sample. Embodiments include a microbial culture with growth indicators and sensitivity adjustment reagents. Adjustment reagents include a variety of antibiotic binders that can be added to microbial culture to reduce sensitivity to certain antibiotics. Some embodiments include multiple buffers with a variety of pKa ranges. Some embodiments also include a complete self-contained apparatus for sampling and testing.

Abstract: Devices and methods use an integrated microfluidic system that has the capability of realizing a wide range of accurate dilutions in a logarithmic way through semi-direct dilution of samples inside a chip. The device for dose response analysis is able to contain a first fluid source on a microfluidic chip, wherein the first fluid source comprises a drug, a second fluid source on the microfluidic chip, a mixing area on the microfluidic chip fluidically coupling with the first and the second fluidic source, and a detection area coupling with the mixing area for drug information detection using a detection system.

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 methods, compositions, assays and kits for identifying an antibacterial agent that decreases persister formation or survival, eliminates or reduces bacterial infection or disease and/or increases killing of a bacterial cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining a putative antibacterial, the methods comprising determining whether the putative antibacterial inhibits GlgE or Rv3032. The present invention also provides the antibacterial, the pharmaceutical composition and the method of making the antibacterial as well as a method of treating a subject infected with a bacterial comprising administration of the antibacterial.

Abstract: The invention features a culture system, culture system components and culture methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of differentiated mesodermal cells, including cardiac myocytes, from stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated mesodermal cells, including differentiated cardiac myocytes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the efficacy of antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of building materials after microbial contamination has occurred, for the purpose of killing existing microbial growth and reducing or inhibiting recurrent or subsequent microbial growth. The disclosed methods may be used to determine microbial growth at time points subsequent to antimicrobial treatment of the material surface. The disclosed invention also measures visible microbial growth in a semi-quantitatively analysis. In addition, the Inventors disclosure a method with reduced variability and a more accurate assessment of antimicrobial efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of screening for antifungal agents by identifying agents that bind to or otherwise inhibit indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or that bind to or otherwise inhibit the expression or activity of a protein within the Yap family or a gene encoding a protein within the Yap family.

Abstract: A high-throughput screening method for identifying new anti-fungal compounds, including: growing an adenine-requiring mutant fungus under conditions to induce bioaccumulation of P-ribosylaminoimidazole; treating the mutant fungus with chemical compounds; and determining if the chemical compounds cause white discoloration of the mutant fungus. A method to determine the effective concentration of an anti-fungal. A method to detect chemical disruption of the fungal vacuole of a fungus.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent in reducing or inhibiting microbial growth on a substrate. The disclosed methods may be used to determine microbial growth at time points subsequent to antimicrobial treatment of the material surface and exposure to microorganisms. The disclosed invention also measures visible microbial growth using a semi-quantitatively method that is more accurate and less subjective than estimates of growth used previously. The disclosed method that provides an accurate assessment of antimicrobial efficacy with reduced variability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a antimicrobial peptide or peptide derivative comprising the following sequence: Sub1-X1-D2-K3—P4—P5—Y6-L7-P8—R9—P10X2—P12—P13—R14—X3-T16-P17—N18—N19-X4-Sub2. The invention further relates to multimers comprising said peptides or peptide derivatives. Moreover, the invention provides a peptide or peptide derivative for use in the treatment of a disease. The peptide or peptide derivative may also be used in the screening for novel antimicrobial compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods which utilize the tetracycline scaffold, preferably the scaffold of tetracycline or minocycline, and which significantly lack antibiotic activity. The compounds have neuroprotective attributes without interfering with the drugs capacity to pass through the blood brain barrier. These compounds have neuroprotective activity because of their inhibition of neuronal cell cycle progression. The compounds are characterized in part by a fifth ring joining positions 9 and 10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting aconitase activity of fungal cells in an individual, the method comprising administering an inhibitor of aconitase activity to the fungal cell in an amount effective to inhibit activity of aconitase by said fungal cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of infecting a nail fragment with a fungus, to form an infected nail fragment comprising at least 1×102 fungal colony forming units (cfu) per cm2 of the infected surface(s). There is also provided a method of assessing the efficacy of potential therapeutic compounds in the treatment or prevention of a fungal nail infection. The fungal nail infection may be a dermatophyte, a non-dermatophyte mould or a pathogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are substituted biaryl alkyl amide compounds, methods of synthesizing substituted biaryl alkyl amide compounds and methods of treating diseases and/or conditions with substituted biaryl alkyl amide compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of CXCL5 as a marker for assessing hormone escape in prostate cancer cells. The invention further provides diagnostic methods and kits for assessing hormone escape in prostate cancer cells, and CXCL5 antagonists for use in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer and/or hormone escape in prostate cancer.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an attribute of a biological tissue sample or a drug delivery device. A sample is illuminated with substantially monochromatic light to thereby generate Raman scattered photons. The Raman scattered photons are assessed to thereby generate a spectroscopic data set wherein said spectroscopic data set comprises at least one of: a Raman spectra and a spatially accurate wavelength resolved image. The spectroscopic data set is evaluated to determine at least one of: an attribute of a biological tissue sample and a drug delivery device. In one embodiment, the biological tissue comprises arterial tissue. In another embodiment, the drug delivery device is a drug-eluting stent. In another embodiment, Raman chemical imaging can be used to evaluate a sample and identify at least one of: the tissue, a drug, a drug delivery device, and a matrix associated with a drug delivery device.

Abstract: Methods of screening candidate agents to identify lead compounds for the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease and methods for identifying a mutation in, or changes in expression of, a gene associated with neurodegenerative disease, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of evaluating the ability of an anti-cancer drug candidate to induce apoptosis in a known cancer cell line by placing a single-cell suspension of a known cancer cell line in a well of a plate, adding at least one drug candidate to the well in an amount sufficient to achieve a target drug candidate concentration, measuring the optical density at selected time intervals for a selected duration of time, determining a kinetic units value from the optical density and time measurements, and correlating the kinetic units value with an ability of the anti-cancer drug candidate to induce apoptosis in the cancer cell line if the kinetic units value is positive. A similar method may be used to evaluate the ability of an anti-cancer drug candidate to induce apoptosis in a cancer type.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating a cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist. The DR antagonist may be a phenothiazine derivative, such as thioridazine or chlorpromazine. Optionally, the cancer is acute myeloid leukemia. Also described are methods for identifying subjects with cancer, methods for providing a prognosis for a subjects with cancer and methods for identifying subjects likely to be responsive to therapy with DR receptor antagonists. Methods for identifying cancer stem cells and chemotherapeutic compounds that are DR receptor antagonists as also provided. Also described are methods for the identification and validation of agents that target cancer stem cells.

Abstract: This present invention relates to an automatic toxicological fluid sample preparation module and method for use thereof, for automatically preparing a fluid sample for the detection and measurement of toxics and/or toxicological effects. The invention further relates to an automatic analysis system. The automatic toxicological fluid sample preparation module comprising: an inlet for automatically obtaining a sample directly from a fluid or fluid stream to be analyzed; preparation for preparing the fluid sample from the sample, comprising first coupling means for coupling with the inlet; and—an outlet for discharge of prepared fluid to measurement means, wherein the preparation means comprise indicator micro-organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition which is useful in the treatment of a tumor, a method for making such a composition, and a method for using such a composition. The invention relates also to a method for assaying for inhibitors of the activity of Core 1 protein and/or other proteins of the respiratory complex III of mitochondria.

Abstract: Provided are methods for sampling, testing and validating test lots, comprising: assembling a plurality of product portions from each of a plurality of test lots and combining the portions to provide a corresponding set of test lot samples; enriching the test lot samples; removing portions of each enriched sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and testing of the modular composite sample, and individual testing of the enriched test lot samples, using at least one suitable detection assay for a target microbe or organism, wherein when such testing is negative all test lots are validated, and wherein when such testing is positive with respect to the modular composite sample, or with respect to an individual enriched test lot sample, individual test lots may nonetheless yet be validated by further testing of a portion of respective initially-negative enriched test lot samples and obtaining negative results.

Abstract: Presented herein are 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 kits presented herein include kits that permit the detection of the presence of specific beta-lactamases in bacterial samples within as few as 2 to 10 minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for evaluating the efficiency of an antimicrobial air filter, which allow precise determination of the efficiency of an antimicrobial air filter by dividing microorganisms deposited on the antimicrobial air filter into living microorganisms and dead microorganisms by use of two types of fluorescent dyes, and by analyzing the microorganisms quantitatively.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention provide for a method for detecting metabolic activity in a sample by obtaining a sample, illuminating the sample at a plurality of time points, measuring transmitted light from a marker of metabolic activity in the sample at the plurality of time points, and detecting the presence or absence of metabolic activity from a change in the transmitted light at the plurality of time points. Other aspects of the invention provide for a method for detecting metabolic activity in a sample by providing a sample have a detectable marker therein that is reflective of metabolic activity in the sample, producing an amplified signal from the marker, measuring the amplified signal at a plurality of time points, and detecting metabolic activity from a change in the signal. Additional aspects provide for a system for detecting metabolic activity in a sample.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention provides compositions and methods of use for treating a variety of diseases. In some aspect, the compositions and methods involve combined modulation of transcriptional modulators.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for determining the toxicity of an agent on a population of eukaryotic cells, particularly human cells. The cells may comprise a nucleic acid construct comprising a DNA damage induced response element operably linked to a sequence encoding a reporter gene. The multiplex methods and kits provide means for distinguishing between genotoxic and cytotoxic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides saflufenacil-tolerant plants. The present invention also provides methods for controlling the growth of weeds by applying saflufenacil to which the saflufenacil-tolerant plants of the invention are tolerant. Plants of the invention express a cytochrome P450 polypeptide, the expression of which confers, to the plants, tolerance to the saflufenacil.

Abstract: A method of inducing latency in Mycobacterium permits preparation of an in vitro model system of latent mycobacterial infection. Latency is induced in a pure culture of Mycobacterium by exposing it to multiple stress conditions, including a low nutrient culture medium without glycerol, a low pH, a relatively high level of carbon dioxide and a relatively low gas phase oxygen level. An in vitro model of mycobacterial infection employs macrophages induced from THP1 cells which are then infected with Mycobacterium. The infected macrophages are grown under hypoxic conditions to induce latency in the mycobacteria. The in vitro model of infection is useful in evaluating compounds for activity against latent mycobacteria.

Abstract: The assessment methods disclosed herein involve exposing cells to two stresses. The first stress (analogous to existing direct screening methods) involves exposing metazoan cells to an external stimulus of interest, such as exposing human cells to ionizing radiation, a chemical, or a set of physical conditions. The cells exposed to the first stress are thereafter exposed to a second stress which, importantly, is calibrated such that non-stressed cells of the same type will exhibit a predictable response to the second stress. By comparing the response to the second stress of i) cells that were exposed to the first stress and ii) cells that were not exposed to the first stress, an observer can assess whether exposure to the first stress caused or induced any change to the cells that affected the cells' ability to respond to the second stress.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention are mutant strains of Escherichia coli MG6165 (ATCC nr 47076) lacking all potassium transporters: Kdp, Kup and Trk (?Ktrans), encompassing strains lacking at least one of the genes encoding mechanically gated channels mscS and mscL (?Ktrans ?mscS i/lub ?mscL). In particular, it concerns Escherichia coli MG61655 (ATCC No. 47076) lacking all potassium transporters: Kdp, Kup and Trk (?Ktrans), which additionally are devoid of the mechanically gated channel gene mscS—E. coli (?Ktrans ?mscS), the mechanically gated channel gene mscL—E. coli (?Ktrans ?mscL) and/or both the mechanically gated channel genes mscS and mscL—E. coli (?Ktrans ?mscS ?mscL). The subject of the present invention is also a method of testing chemical compounds for potential antibacterial properties, making use of the abovementioned strains. Another subject of the present invention is a kit for testing chemical compounds as potential antibacterial substances, containing the abovementioned strains.

Abstract: Cellular immunologic methods are disclosed for determining human health effects of exposures to environmental molds and toxins. In one embodiment, a method for assessing a patient's exposure to a mold strain is provided. The method comprises measuring cytokine production in at least the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a mammal suspected of being exposed to mold or other toxin and determining if there is a decreased production of cytokines in the mammal suspected of being exposed to mold or other toxin when compared to the production of cytokines produced in a mammal not suspected of being exposed to mold or other toxin. Other methods, including methods of diagnosing respiratory disorders, including asthma, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are methods for inducing differentiation of a human embryonic stem cell or a population of human embryonic stem cells toward a cell or population of cells characteristic of the definitive endoderm, the method comprising incubating the cell or population of cells with a GSK-3 inhibitor. Also described are methods for inducing differentiation of a cell or population of cells, characteristic of the definitive endoderm, towards a hepatocyte-like cell or a population of hepatocyte-like cells, and methods for inducing differentiation of a human embryonic stem cell or a population of human embryonic stem cells toward a hepatocyte-like cell or a population of hepatocyte-like cells. Further described are cells obtained by the methods and uses thereof in therapy and toxicity screening.