Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent for analysis of immature leukocytes comprising: a surfactant which can damage cell membranes of erythrocytes and mature leukocytes, a solubilizing agent which can shrink the damaged blood cells and at least one dye for staining nucleic acid selected from the dyes of the formulae (I) and (II), wherein X? is an anion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optically measuring ion concentrations in biological samples. The systems and methods employ polymer-based optical ion sensors that include ion-selective ionophores and a pH sensitive chromionophore. Electrodes are providing for electrically stimulating the biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention includes compounds that are useful in perturbing or disrupting the function of a transmembrane or intracellular protein, whereby binding of a compound to the transmembrane or intracellular protein induces proteasomal degradation of the transmembrane or intracellular protein. The present invention further includes a method of inducing proteasomal degradation of a transmembrane or intracellular protein. The present invention further includes a method of identifying or validating a protein of interest as a therapeutic target for treatment of a disease state or condition.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to the field of screening tools for fetal/maternal wellness, and, more specifically, to biomarkers for gestational diabetes. In various embodiments, the methods may provide non-invasive and minimally-invasive screening tools for gestational diabetes that involve detection of changes in a proteomic profile of a test sample relative to a reference sample. In particular embodiments, the method may include determining whether a proteomic profile of a test sample from the subject includes at least one expression signature characteristic of gestational diabetes, wherein the proteomic profile comprises information on the expression of glycosylated fibronectin and glycosylated PSG, for example information on levels of fibronectin-SNA or a fibronectin-antibody complex, and PSG-AAL or a PSG-antibody complex.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions, methods of making and using such compositions that comprise modular functional groups that can be configured to provide desired functionality to different nucleotide types, through a swappable and preferably non-covalent linkage component. Such compositions are useful in a variety of applications including nucleic acid analyses.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis and/or prediction of hypertension and/or cardiovascular end-organ damage is disclosed. The method disclosed comprises the determination of the presence of soluble pro-renin receptor in samples derived from a subject. Furthermore, the use of anti-sPRR antibodies in diagnosis and/or prediction of cardiovascular end-organ damage is encompassed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for enzyme sensors, protease sensors, methods for producing and using the enzyme and protease sensors, methods of detecting and/or measuring protease activity, methods for characterizing protease cellular activity, fusion proteins, polynucleotides, and vectors corresponding to the enzyme and protease sensors, kits, and the like.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods of diagnosing, assessing, and treating an individual at increased risk if developing coronary heart disease or cardiovascular event, based on the individual's level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol apoCIII (HDL-C apoCIII).

Abstract: A device for volumetric metering a liquid biologic sample is provided. The device includes an initial chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first valve, a second valve and a third valve. The chambers are each configured so that liquid sample disposed in the respective chamber is subject to capillary forces. Each chamber has a volume, and the volume of the initial chamber is greater than the volume of either the second or the third chambers. The valves each have a burst pressure. The burst pressure of the first valve is greater than the third burst pressure. The first valve is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The second valve is disposed between, and is in fluid communication with, the initial chamber and the third chamber. The third valve is in fluid communication with the third chamber.

Abstract: The chain of events that explains calcitonin receptor (CTR)-stimulated invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer cells was identified. The CTR-stimulated events depend on the interaction of CTR with the PDZ3 domain of ZO-1. Small peptides and small molecules were identified that inhibit this interaction. The small inhibitory peptides were synthesized and can be used to attenuate or inhibit metastasis in solid cancer tumors.

Abstract: The present invention pertains inter alia to a method for analysing a sample comprising biomolecules, which comprises the following steps: A a) lysing the sample to provide a lysed sample and optionally clearing the lysed sample; b) contacting at least a portion of the lysed sample with a dry composition comprising reagents for performing the analytical method, thereby providing a reconstituted composition; c) performing an analytical method using the reconstituted composition; or B a) contacting the sample with a lysis solution thereby providing a lysis mixture; b) using the lysis mixture to reconstitute a dry composition comprising reagents for performing the analytical method, thereby providing a reconstituted composition; c) performing an analytical method using the reconstituted composition, wherein the reconstituted composition is optionally cleared and wherein subsequent to step b) at least one step is performed which supports the lysis of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with tools for the quality control and safety during manufacture of neurotoxins. In particular, it relates to a method for the determination of the amount of partially processed and/or unprocessed Botulinum neurotoxin A polypeptide (BoNT/A) in a solution comprising processed and partially processed and/or unprocessed BoNT/A comprising the steps of contacting a sample of the solution with a capture antibody which specifically binds to the partially processed and unprocessed BoNT/A under conditions which allow for binding of the antibody to the partially processed and unprocessed BoNT/A, whereby a complex is formed, and determining the amount of the formed complex, whereby the amount of the complex is indicative for the amount of the partially processed and/or unprocessed BoNT/A in the solution. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a device and a kit for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual activity domain of JAK proteins, namely JH2. It is provided that the JH2 domain is a true and important target for drug development, especially for diseases caused by aberrant JAK signalling, such as myeloproliferative disorders and leukemias.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibodies and methods of using said antibodies to detect Golgi protein 73 (GP73) and fucosylated GP73 in a sample.

Abstract: Fluidic devices and methods associated with mixing of fluids in fluidic devices are provided. In some embodiments, a method may involve the mixing of two or more fluids in a channel segment of a fluidic device. The fluids may be in the form of, for example, at least first, second and third fluid plugs, composed of first, second, and third fluids, respectively. The second fluid may be immiscible with the first and third fluids. In certain embodiments, the fluid plugs may be flowed in series in the channel segment, e.g., in linear order, causing the first and third fluids to mix without the use of active to components such as mixers. The mixing of fluids in a channel segment as described herein may allow for improved performance and simplification in the design and operations of fluidic devices that rely on mixing of fluids.

Abstract: Porphyrin-modified antimicrobial peptides as described here may be used as indicators of the presence of microbial targets. Their application may be as (for example) (1) fluorescent indicators in a microarray format, (2) fluorescence or absorbance based indicators in traditional solution based applications, or (3) reflectance based indicators for use in reagent-less detection platforms.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes immunoassays for detecting cardiac troponin-T (cTnT) in a test sample, and in particular immunoassays and kits for detecting cTnT in a test sample suspected of containing substances that may interfere with the determination of cTnT, such as heterophilic endogenous antibodies and autoantibodies to cTnT. The methods use more than one capture phase antibody and more than one detection antibody to improve specificity, and provide for the use of humanized immunoreagents to overcome heterophilic antibody interferences.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly; to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disulphide bond stabilized recombinant MHC class II molecules. In particular, the present invention provides a recombinant MHC class II molecule, which comprises: (i) all or part of the extracellular portion of an MHC class II ? chain; (ii) all or part of the extracellular portion of an MHC class II ? chain; wherein (i) and (ii) provide a functional peptide binding domain and wherein (i) and (ii) are linked by a disulphide bond between cysteine residues located in the ?2 domain of said ? chain and the ?2 domain of said ? chain, wherein said cysteine residues are not present in native MHC class II ?2 and ?2 domains. Methods of producing these molecules in prokaryotic systems and various uses of these molecules form further aspects.

Abstract: PARylated proteins are enriched by treating cell lysates comprising PARylated proteins and DNA/RNA with an endonuclease that cleaves the DNA/RNA but not the PAR; and separating the PARylated proteins from the cleaved DNA/RNA. PARylation sites are labeled by eluting PARylated proteins from a PAR-affinity substrate with a nucleophilic amine exchange reactant, wherein the reactant labels PARylation sites of the proteins. Specific binding agents are identified by screening compounds for specific binding to a PARylated protein disclosed herein; and identifying one of the compounds as a specific binder of the protein. Antibodies which specifically bind PARylation sites are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to cell-based methods for diversifying, expressing and selecting binding molecules, e.g., antibodies, and target molecules to which they bind, all of which are expressed in the same cell. The target molecule can be a member of a ligand binding pair comprising a cell-surface expressed ligand binding receptor molecule and its cognate ligand, which interact within the cell. The methods provide retaining either the antibody or its target in a cell organelle as the site of binding and interaction. By performance of the methods, the binding or non-binding of the antibody to its target molecule within the cell produces a cell phenotype that is detectable at the cell surface via high throughput assays, e.g., flow cytometry. The methods are particularly useful for generating, recovering and providing antibodies that have optimal target molecule binding properties or activities for potential therapeutic use. Methods for generating diversity in such antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of identifying geological materials of interest comprising (i) providing a nanoprobe composition comprising one or more nanoprobes; wherein the nanoprobe includes (a) at least one tag; and (b) at least one signal generator; (ii) introducing the nanoprobes to a geological material; and (iii) detecting the presence of a signal generated by the signal generator on association of the tag with a target. Nanoprobe compositions identify geological materials, systems include such nanoprobe compositions, and methods use such nanoprobe compositions for the evaluation of geological materials.

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, methods and solutions for perfusing an organ ex vivo.

Abstract: A method for producing cAMP using a chimeric olfactory receptor. The method includes a step of preparing a reaction system comprising a first layer, a lipid bilayer membrane, and a second layer, and a step of supplying a chemical substance which stimulates the chimeric olfactory receptor to the first layer so as to produce the cAMP from ATP. The lipid bilayer membrane includes the chimeric olfactory receptor and adenylate cyclase. The chimeric olfactory receptor penetrates the lipid bilayer membrane. The second layer contains ATP and a G protein. The G protein is placed in the vicinity of one end of the chimeric olfactory receptor. The chimeric olfactory receptor is derived from a mouse olfactory receptor and the N-terminal of the chimeric olfactory receptor is modified with an amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Provided are technologies capable of direct measurement of activity of a bioactive substance in cell using nanowires, more particularly, a method for measuring intracellular activity of a bioactive substance using a nanowire support to which cells are immobilized and a nanowire support to which target substances for the subject bioactive substance are immobilized, and a chip for measuring intracellular activity of a bioactive substance including nanowires to which cells are immobilized and nanowires to which a target substance for the subject bioactive substance is immobilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides umbrella-topology glycan decoys. The present invention provides systems and methods treating influenza infection utilizing inventive umbrella-topology glycan decoys. The present invention provides methods for identifying novel umbrella-topology glycan decoys.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular extracellular sensors, nucleic acids encoding such sensors, and cells expressing such sensors, and methods of employing such sensors and cells for detecting extracellular ligands. In certain embodiments, the extracellular sensors comprise a ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a protease domain, a protease cleavage site, and a transcription factor. In other embodiments, a pair of extracellular receptors is provided where both receptors contain a ligand binding domain and transmembrane domain, and one receptor contains a protease cleavage site and a transcription factor and the other receptor contains a protease domain.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying IGF-IR modulators and hybrid-R modulators comprising contacting IGF-IR with a humanized anti-IGF-IR antibody and contacting hybrid-R with a humanized anti-hybrid-R antibody, respectively.

Abstract: The subject invention relates in part to the surprising and unexpected discovery that insects that are resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins have measurably altered alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as compared to insects that are susceptible to Cry toxins. This and other surprising discoveries reported herein have broad implications in areas such as managing and monitoring the development of insect resistance to B.t. toxins. For example, the subject invention provides a simple and fast assay (enzymatic or otherwise) for detecting ALP activity levels and thereby monitoring the development of resistance by insects to crystal protein insect toxins. There was no prior motivation or suggestion to go about resistance monitoring using this simple and easy approach.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain methods for the determination of an antigen content of a first antigen in a mixture comprising two or more antigens. The invention also relates to a potency test for an antigen in a combination vaccine. The method allows the determination of the antigen content in a mixture additionally comprising antibodies that are capable of binding with the antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent kit for analyzing a sample comprising a first reagent containing a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and an aromatic carboxylic acid and a second reagent containing a fluorescent dye capable of staining nucleic acid, and a method for analyzing a sample using the kit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomarkers to monitor the activity of the compound 3-Z-[1-(4-(N-((4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methylcarbonyl)-N-methyl-amino)-anilino)-1-phenyl-methylene]-6-methoxycarbonyl-2-indolinone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and especially its monoethanesulphonate salt form, when used alone or optionally in combination with further pharmaceutically active ingredients and/or further treatments, such as for example radiotherapy.

Abstract: It is possible to determine the presence of bacteria in a sample solution in a shorter period of time without changing a conventional incubating method. Bacteria in a sample solution are incubated in, for example, a sterilized agar medium 10 having a layer thickness of 0.1 ?m to 1 ?m formed on an electrode of a crystal resonator 2, and an oscillation frequency is measured. When the bacteria proliferate, the mass of the entire crystal resonator 2 increases, and the oscillation frequency decreases. Therefore, by monitoring presence of such a change over time, presence of bacteria in the sample solution can be determined quickly.

Abstract: The following processes are performed to improve the accuracy of the process of estimating the volume of a cell clump from an image including the cell clump. First, the image including the cell clump is acquired, and the optical density of the cell clump in the image is measured. Cross-section information about the cell clump is acquired by observation using a confocal microscope or by physical cutting. Based on the cross-section information, the vertical height of the cell clump is determined. Thereafter, data representing a relationship between the aforementioned optical density and the height is acquired. This improves the accuracy of the process of converting the optical density into the height to thereby achieve the accurate estimation of the volume of the cell clump.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the use of nanoparticles, which may be referred to herein as mass dots, as mass tags for probes such as antibodies, aptamers, nucleic acids, etc. in multiplexed bioassays with ICP-MS detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing glomerulonephritis (GN) in a patient, as well as methods of monitoring the progression of GN and/or methods of monitoring a treatment protocol of a therapeutic agent or a therapeutic regimen. The invention also relates to assay methods used in connection with the diagnostic methods described herein.

Abstract: The instant invention provides soluble fusion protein complexes and IL-15 variants that have therapeutic and diagnostic use, and methods for making thesuch proteins. The instant invention additionally provides methods of stimulating or suppressing immune responses in a mammal using the fusion protein complexes and IL-15 variants of the invention.

Abstract: A method for the prediction of the risk and/or the diagnosis of vascular damage such as acute vascular rejection in a subject, based on the determination of anti-LG3 antibodies levels in a sample from the subject, is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to adsorbents and methods for highly selective removal of anti-von Willebrand Factor-cleaving protease antibodies (“anti-vWF-cp-abs”) from human plasma using human von Willebrand Factor-cleaving protease (“hvWF-cp”) or fragments thereof as affinity ligands. The adsorbents can be used for treating disorders associated with the occurrence of anti-vWF-cp-abs in patients, such as thromboembolic diseases.

Abstract: Accurate and fast detection of the presence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) disease is crucial for the proper treatment of patients with C. difficile infection. Present tests detecting the presence of C. difficile disease are fast and cost effective, but are not very sensitive. Using an ELISA including Cell Wall Protein 84 (Cwp84) increases the sensitivity of the ELISA. Cwp84 may be used alone or in combination with other markers to support a diagnosis of C. difficile-associated disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for obtaining a coagulogen raw material which can irreversibly inactivate the activity of a coagulase while retaining the function of coagulogen in an LAL reagent, a LAL reagent contaminated by an organism-derived biologically active substance or the like, and which can be used in a reagent. An LAL reagent is heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to deactivate only the activity of an enzyme contained in the LAL reagent irreversibly, wherein such an activity inherent in coagulogen that coagulogen can be hydrolyzed with the activated coagulase and converted to coagulin to induce gelatinization or an agglutination reaction is retained.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving neutral conjugated polymers including methods for synthesis of neutral conjugated water-soluble polymers with linkers along the polymer main chain structure and terminal end capping units. Such polymers may serve in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices and in the development of highly efficient biosensors. The invention further relates to the application of these polymers in assay methods.

Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.