Abstract: Provided herein are methods for predicting or determining whether a subject with coronary artery disease is likely to experience or develop a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) based on determining cardiac troponin (cTnI) levels in a human at rest and during or after exercise.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for transporting biological samples, including a transport medium configured to protect bacterial viability and optimize sample quality, for enhanced diagnostic accuracy. The disclosed systems and methods can include a transport media, a collection tube including a screen and sampling brush, and a transport case. The disclosed systems and methods allow samples to be frozen and thawed while preserving cellular wall integrity during transport or storage, and furthermore can preserve the survival of the bacterial sample, enabling more accurate detection of an infectious agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining various properties of cells are provided herein. In one aspect, the method includes measuring one or more variables based on physical and/or chemical characteristics of a cell or its environment. The method further includes calculating one or more quantifiable metrics based on a mathematical expression including one or more of the variables, where those metrics correlate with at least one of the growth characteristics of the cell, the motility characteristics of the cell, the oncogenic potential of the cell, or the metastatic potential of the cell. Various aspects of systems and devices for determining various properties of cells are also provided herein.

Abstract: A microorganism detection medium, said detection being based on showing the presence of a microbial enzyme activity chosen from esterase and/or osidase and/or peptidase and/or sulfatase and/or phosphatase activities of microorganisms, preferably said microbial enzyme activity being an esterase activity, said medium comprising: at least one chromogenic and/or fluorogenic substrate specific to the enzyme activity sought, preferably specific to an esterase activity, at least one alkyl(thio)glycoside, at least one solvent (S).

Abstract: An electricity measuring type surface plasmon resonance sensor including: a plasmon polariton intensifying sensor chip in which a prism and a sensor chip including a transparent electrode, an n-type transparent semiconductor film, and a plasmon resonance film electrode arranged in this order are arranged in an order of the prism, the transparent electrode, the n-type transparent semiconductor film, and the plasmon resonance film electrode; and an electric measuring apparatus which directly measures a current or voltage from the transparent electrode and the plasmon resonance film electrode.

Abstract: A cell analyzer and a sorting method for the cell analyzer are disclosed. Multiple optical signals generated by each of particles irradiated with light in a blood sample in a detection region are collected. The particles includes a first category of particles and a second category of particles. For each of the particles, Intensities of a first group of optical signals, which includes at least two optical signals selected from the multiple optical signals, and a pulse width of a second group of optical signals, which includes at least one optical signal selected from the multiple optical signals are acquired. For each of the particles, one or more reinforcement signals related to the particle are calculated based on an intensity of a first optical signal selected from the first group of optical signals and a pulse width of a second optical signal selected from the second group of optical signals, where the first optical signal is as same as or different from the second optical signal.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining the presence of at least one determined microorganism in a Petri dish comprising one or more colonies of microorganisms and a culture medium, and a computer program product which, when executed, allows the method of the invention to be performed.

Abstract: Exemplary methods can be provided for the determination of a microbial pathogen. In addition, exemplary methods can be provided for the determination of a microbial pathogen and its anti-infective resistance. Further, an exemplary method can be provided for determining a bacterium and its antibiotic resistance. Systems and computer-accessible media can be provided for the determination of a microbial pathogen and its anti-infective resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for reprogramming minimal volumes of mononuclear cells. In particular aspects, the invention provides methods and compositions for reprogramming minimal volumes of umbilical cord blood obtained from cord blood segments from cryopreserved cord blood segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of controlling harmful organisms in the cultivation of cultivated plants. The present invention relates to a method for controlling harmful organisms, to a system for controlling harmful organisms and to the use of a digital application map for the application of one or more control agents against harmful organisms.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to receive at least one output of a gas chromatograph (GC), compare the at least one output to at least one template, and determine whether to authenticate a user responsive to the comparison. The GC output also may be used to generate at least one advertisement targeted to the user, and may further be used to output at least one indication of at least one therapy for the user.

Abstract: Processes are provided for enhancing the productivity of fermenters during the metabolic conversion of methane-containing gases to products containing polyhydroxyalkanoate, which products can be used to make, for instance, animal feed or biodegradable, polymeric articles. The processes involve one or both of attenuating the heat generated to grow a population of microorganisms and removal of heat during the fermentation by removal of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A sensor device for quantifying luminescent targets comprises a light source, a detector, a modulator, and a processor. The light source is adapted for exciting the luminescent target. The detector is adapted for detecting the luminescence of the luminescent target resulting in a measured signal which comprises a desired signal originating from the luminescent target and a background signal. The modulator is adapted for modulating a physical parameter resulting in a modulation of the desired signal which is different from the modulation of the background signal. The processor is configured to correlate the modulation of the physical parameter with the modulation of the desired signal and/or the modulation of the background signal.

Abstract: Naphthalene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds VOCs have been identified as serious health hazards. Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for near-real-time in-situ detection and accumulated dose measurement of exposure to naphthalene vapor and other hazardous gaseous VOCs. The methods and apparatus employ excitation of fluorophors native or endogenous to compounds of interest using light sources emitting in the ultraviolet below 300 nm and measurement of native fluorescence emissions in distinct wavebands above the excitation wavelength. The apparatus of some embodiments are cell-phone-sized sensor/dosimeter “badges” to be worn by personnel potentially exposed to hazardous VOCs. The badge sensor of some embodiments provides both real time detection and data logging of exposure to naphthalene or other VOCs of interest from which both instantaneous and accumulated dose can be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method and system for determining quality of semen sample. Trajectories of objects, identified in each of plurality of image frames of semen sample, are generated by tracking movement of the objects across image frames, and compensating a drift velocity of the semen sample. Further, generated trajectories are classified into sperm and non-sperm trajectories. Finally, total concentration estimate and total motility estimate of the semen sample are computed to generate a semen quality index, which indicates quality of the semen sample. In an embodiment, the method of present disclosure uses a multi-level Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) analysis technique for effectively classifying the object trajectories into sperm and non-sperm objects. Also, since the present method includes estimating and compensating drift velocity in the semen sample, it enhances overall accuracy of motility estimation and semen quality analysis.

Abstract: A cell analyzer and a sorting method for the cell analyzer are disclosed. Multiple optical signals generated by each of particles irradiated with light in a blood sample in a detection region are collected. The particles includes a first category of particles and a second category of particles. For each of the particles, Intensities of a first group of optical signals, which includes at least two optical signals selected from the multiple optical signals, and a pulse width of a second group of optical signals, which includes at least one optical signal selected from the multiple optical signals are acquired. For each of the particles, one or more reinforcement signals related to the particle are calculated based on an intensity of a first optical signal selected from the first group of optical signals and a pulse width of a second optical signal selected from the second group of optical signals, where the first optical signal is as same as or different from the second optical signal.

Abstract: A method of processing optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, comprising: receiving OCT data comprising an OCT signal indicative of the level of scattering in a sample, the OCT data including the OCT signal for at least one scan through the sample, with the OCT signal having been measured at varying depth and position through the sample in each scan; processing the OCT data for each scan with depth to produce a indicative depth scan representative of the OCT signal at each depth through all of the scans; fitting a curve to the indicative depth scan, the curve comprising a first term which exponentially decays with respect to the depth and a second term which depends on the noise in the OCT signal; and calculating a compensated intensity for the OCT signal at each point through each scan, the compensated intensity comprising a ratio of a term comprising a logarithm of the OCT signal to a term comprising the logarithm of the fitted curve.

Abstract: Sample-collecting devices, articles and methods of use are disclosed. Premoistened sample-collecting devices comprise 1,2-propanediol as a humectant, which promotes the retention of a liquid solution on the sample-collecting device during storage. 1,2-propanediol as humectant can be compatible with proteins and other reagents used to detect an analyte.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a digital camera that is configured to acquire images of a bodily sample. Two or more stains are configured to stain the bodily sample. A computer processor drives the digital camera to acquire, for each of a plurality of imaging fields of the bodily sample, two or more digital images, at least one of the images being acquired under brightfield lighting conditions, and at least one of the images being acquired under fluorescent lighting conditions. The computer processor performs image processing on the digital images, by extracting visual classification features from the digital images and analyzing the extracted visual classification features. The computer processor outputs a result of the image processing that includes an indication of one or more entities that are contained within the sample. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A sensor device for quantifying luminescent targets configured in an at least one dimensional pattern. The sensor device comprises a detector for obtaining an at least one dimensional pattern of measured signals, wherein the detector is adapted for detecting the luminescence of the luminescent targets, resulting in a measured pattern. The sensor device moreover comprises a processor configured to correlate the measured pattern with at least one reference pattern, so as to generate a measurement signal representative for the quantification of luminescent targets. The at least one reference pattern is a recorded pattern or an expected pattern. A recorded pattern is a pattern which is obtained by the detector before the measured pattern is obtained.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus comprises a soldering mechanism and a management unit. The management unit converts operation history of the soldering mechanism into a numerical value, compares the numerical value to a predetermined threshold value, and generates a notifying signal if the numerical value exceeds the predetermined threshold value. The notifying signal may result in cessation of operation of the soldering mechanism. The notifying signal may result in a visual and/or audio reminder to the operator to inspect or replace a part of the soldering mechanism. With the management unit, the operator need not guess or rely on personal experience to determine when to perform an inspection or replacement. Reliance on personal experience can be error prone and lead to inefficiency. The management unit may reduce the possibility of soldering with a degraded soldering tip or other part, which may have an adverse effect on soldering quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for bacteria identification and anti-microbial susceptibility testing for the treatment of, for example, acute and chronic infections including infectious disease. The present invention is particularly useful in the identification of bacteria causing mastitis, and to antibiotic susceptibility testing to facilitate in the identification of an appropriate treatment for mastitis.

Abstract: A method for filtering a gas includes delivering a gas into a compartment of a gas filter assembly; applying a partial vacuum to the gas filter assembly so that the partial vacuum assists in drawing the gas through a porous filter body of the gas filter assembly that is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the gas filter assembly; and regulating the application of the partial vacuum based on a pressure reading of the gas upstream of the gas filter assembly.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided that monitors at least one of an input and output stream for at least one of a presence of a material of interest and a concentration of the material of interest; when the material of interest is present and/or has at least a threshold concentration, directs the at least one of an input and output stream to a waste location or path to discard the material of interest; and when the material of interest is either not present or does not have at least a threshold concentration, directs the at least one of an input and output stream to a byproduct location or path to recover the material of interest.

Abstract: A sensor (100) for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed. The sensor (100) comprises at least a first planar electrode (102) and a second planar electrode (104) arranged parallel to one another so as to form an electric capacitor (106). The first planar electrode (102) and the second planar electrode (104) are configured to generate an electric field (114) within the fluid, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to detect the state of the fluid by means of a capacitance of the electric capacitor (106). Further, a system (116) for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid is disclosed. Furthermore, a method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed.

Abstract: Use of at least one chromogenic and/or fluorogenic phosphatase substrate for the detection and/or enumeration of enterobacteria in a sample likely to contain them, such as a food sample.

Abstract: Sample preparation unit, preferably for sterility testing: a housing body including at least two ports adapted to serve as fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet, a membrane support, and a lid part such that a membrane chamber is defined adjacent said membrane support. One of at least two ports is arranged so as to allow a fluid transfer to/from a first volume of the membrane chamber at a position upstream of a membrane to be placed on the membrane support, and the other ports arranged to allow fluid transfer to/from a second volume of said membrane chamber at a position downstream of a membrane to be placed on said membrane support. A movable part is provided on housing body such that the movable part and housing body are movable relative to each other, selectively interrupting/establishing fluid transfer between at least one of two ports and the membrane chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid having a cyclopropene group wherein said cyclopropene group is joined to the amino acid via a carbamate group. Suitably the cyclopropene group is a 1,3-disubstituted cyclopropene such as a 1,3-dimethylcyclopropene. Suitably the cyclopropene group is present as a residue of a lysine amino acid. The invention also relates to methods of making the polypeptides. The invention also relates to an amino acid comprising cyclopropene wherein said cyclopropene group is joined to the amino acid moiety via a carbamate group.

Abstract: Embodiments include a computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for supplementing sub-optimal environmental conditions for plant growth, the embodiments include receiving plant data for a plant, and extracting optimal growth condition data from a database based at least in part on the plant. Embodiments also include obtaining sensor data from sensors monitoring current growth conditions of the plant and comparing the current growth conditions of the plant to the optimal growth condition data from the database to estimate a current cytoplasmic streaming rate. Embodiments include responsive to the comparison, calculating, by the calculation engine, a sound wave frequency to stimulate cytoplasmic streaming in the plant, transmitting the sound wave frequency to a speaker, and providing the sound wave frequency to the plant.

Abstract: The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for virtually staining biological tissue for enhanced visualization without use of an actual dye or tag by detecting how each pixel of an unstained tissue image changes in waveform after staining with a certain dye(s) and/or tag(s) or other transformation under a certain electromagnetic radiation source, developing a virtual staining transform based on such detection, and applying such virtual staining transform to an unstained biological tissue to virtually stain the tissue.

Abstract: The invention involves assays, diagnostics, kits, and assay components for determining levels of glycated CD59 in the assessment of gestational diabetes mellitus and/or related disorders and/or conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic markers of immunosenescence and methods of identifying individuals with impaired immune function based on the expression level of a combination of such markers in a biological sample obtained from said individual. Such combination of markers is useful for determining the susceptibility to nosocomial infections of an individual. Such combination of markers is also useful for predicting whether an individual will respond to active vaccination and become protected against recurring diseases.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods 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 present invention encompasses a micro-fluidic system having a closed-loop configuration in which inertial micro-fluidic separation of particles and/or cells is continuously repeated by feeding part of the output back to the input so that the purity and/or concentration of the particles and/or cell is maximized. The invention also includes methods of using the micro-fluidic system.

Abstract: A method of training a learning machine to detect spills of hydrocarbon liquids from pipelines. A neural network is trained by collecting samples of a number of different ground materials as well as a number of liquid hydrocarbons. For each hydrocarbon, a spill is simulated on each ground material. For each of these spills, a thermal camera and a visible light camera are used to capture images. The images from the two cameras are fused, and input to the neural network for classification training. Once the neural network is trained, a system having the two cameras and the neural network can be used to detect actual hydrocarbon spills.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of medical technology, which provides methods and apparatuses for identifying red blood cells infected by plasmodium. The methods may include: obtaining a forward-scattered light signal, a side-scattered light signal and an optional fluorescence signal from cells in a blood sample; obtaining a first two-dimensional scattergram according to the forward-scattered light signal and the side-scattered light signal, or obtaining a three-dimensional scattergram according to the forward-scattered light signal, the side-scattered light signal and the fluorescence signal; and identifying cells located in a predetermined area of the first two-dimensional scattergram or the three-dimensional scattergram as the red blood cells infected by plasmodium. The apparatuses perform the methods. The methods and apparatuses can have better identification accuracy.

Abstract: Methods of detecting biologicals in samples is provided herein. The detection is based on the formation of aggregates. The disclosed compositions include labeling particles and/or aggregating particles. The labeling particles and the aggregating particles may each include a receptor bound to the particle. The receptor can be either directly attached to the particle or indirectly attached to the particle through a linker. One method of detection may be visual and another may include advanced quantification of the formed aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample processing apparatus comprising a holder for a microtiter plate comprising a plurality of microwells, optical measurement unit for measuring optical responses of samples dosed to the microwells, and a computing unit configured to analyze the optical responses in order to detect dosing failures in said plurality of microwells, and if a dosing failure has been detected in one or more of the microwells, to communicate the existence of the dosing failure to a user of the apparatus through signaling means or to store data indicative of the dosing failure to data storage means for further use. In particular, the invention relates to detecting dosing failures in before, during and after a PCR process.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for collection and of a biologic sample. The method comprises collecting by a user of a testing device a biologic sample for use with the testing device, assigning correlative values as test results, and receiving the test results at a server disposed on a network. Some aspects also include presenting audiovisual messages to the user while the user is waiting for test results to be completed. These audiovisual messages are presented to the user by a mobile application. The audiovisual messages may take several forms, including advertisements and television channels.

Abstract: A cell analyzer and a sorting method for the cell analyzer are disclosed. Multiple optical signals generated by each of particles irradiated with light in a blood sample in a detection region are collected. The particles includes a first category of particles and a second category of particles. For each of the particles, Intensities of a first group of optical signals, which includes at least two optical signals selected from the multiple optical signals, and a pulse width of a second group of optical signals, which includes at least one optical signal selected from the multiple optical signals are acquired. For each of the particles, one or more reinforcement signals related to the particle are calculated based on an intensity of a first optical signal selected from the first group of optical signals and a pulse width of a second optical signal selected from the second group of optical signals, where the first optical signal is as same as or different from the second optical signal.

Abstract: A cell visualization system includes a digital holographic microscopy (DHM) device, a training device, and a virtual staining device. The DHM device produces DHM images of cells and the virtual staining device colorizes the DHM images based on an algorithm generated by the training device using generative adversarial networks and unpaired training data. A computer-implemented method for producing a virtually stained DHM image includes acquiring an image conversion algorithm which was trained using the generative adversarial networks, receiving a DHM image with depictions of one or more cells and virtually staining the DHM image by processing the DHM image using the image conversion algorithm. The virtually stained DHM image includes digital colorization of the one or more cells to imitate the appearance of a corresponding actually stained cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and instruments for the rapid detection and rapid mass spectrometric identification of microbial infective agents in blood or other body fluids. The invention recognizes that blood is not a good environment for the cultivation of microbes and provides a method which (a) largely destroys or dissolves the human particles in body fluids, such as erythrocytes and leukocytes in blood, without impairing the ability of the microbes to reproduce, (b) separates the microbial pathogens from the fluid, (c) cultivates them in a nutrient broth which contains none of the antimicrobial components of the body fluids, (d) separates them from the nutrient broth, and (e) identifies the microbes by a mass spectrum of the microbial proteins. The dissolution of the human particles also releases the microbes nesting in macrophages.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are described for preparing new, colloidally stable, coated nanomagnetic particles useful for both in-vitro and in-vivo biomedical applications, including cell targeting and capturing cells, microorganisms, and cellular organelles or entities such as exosomes. These nanomagnetic particles can also be used as imaging contrast agents due to their small size and high magnetic moment. The nanomagnetic particles include a series of sequentially added, stabilizing surface coatings rendered onto nano-sized magnetic crystal clusters (e.g., magnetite particles) to impart colloidal stability in complex biological samples with minimal leaching of the coating materials, high binding capacity, and low non-specific binding. Another benefit of this invention is the ability to utilize both external and internal magnetic field-generating separation devices to effect separation of the magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are described for preparing new, colloidally stable, coated nanomagnetic particles useful for both in-vitro and in-vivo biomedical applications, including cell targeting and capturing cells, microorganisms, and cellular organelles or entities such as exosomes. These nanomagnetic particles can also be used as imaging contrast agents due to their small size and high magnetic moment. The nanomagnetic particles include a series of sequentially added, stabilizing surface coatings rendered onto nano-sized magnetic crystal clusters (e.g., magnetite particles) to impart colloidal stability in complex biological samples with minimal leaching of the coating materials, high binding capacity, and low non-specific binding. Another benefit of this invention is the ability to utilize both external and internal magnetic field-generating separation devices to effect separation of the magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) data is disclosed. The apparatus may determine at least one candidate microorganism group based on a first molecular weight range in TOF MS data of a sample, determine a second molecular weight range based on a characteristic of the candidate microorganism group in response to a plurality of candidate microorganisms being included in the candidate microorganism group, and identify a microorganism included in the sample from among the candidate microorganisms based on the second molecular weight range in the TOF MS data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioactive agent capable of increasing the intracellular concentration and/or activity of Hsp70 for use in the treatment of a lysosomal storage disease which arise from a defect in an enzyme whose activity is not directly associated with the presence of lysosomal BMP as a co-factor; such as glycogen storage diseases, gangliosidoses, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, cerebrotendinous cholesterosis, Wolman's disease, cholesteryl ester storage disease, disorders of glycosaminoglycan metabolism, mucopolysaccharidoses, disorders of glycoprotein metabolism, mucolipidoses, aspartylglucosaminuria, fucosidosis, mannosidoses, and sialidosis type II.

Abstract: Microcavity arrays and methods for quantitative biochemical and biophysical analysis of populations of biological variants. Examples include high-throughput analysis of cells and protein products use a range of fluorescent assays, including binding-affinity measurement and time-resolved enzyme assays. Laser-based extraction of microcavity contents.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for selecting/identifying and/or isolating cancer stem cells from a biological sample or a cell culture sample using a fluorescent glucose analog. Also provided herein are methods for selecting/identifying and/or isolating leukemia stem cells and subpopulations thereof. The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that cancer stem cells can be selected/identified based upon a lower level of fluorescence of the fluorescent glucose analog compared to non-cancer stem cells and that specific genes are differentially expressed in leukemia stem cells compared to non-leukemia stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing urine sample, a reagent for analysis of urine sample and a reagent kit for analysis of urine sample, which are for detecting at least casts and erythrocytes as urinary particles.