Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Provided herein is an antibody as well as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to the Aspergillus antigen p60-binding domain. Further provided herein are immune cells expressing the CARs as well as methods of their use in the treatment of fungal infections and cancer.

A single unit, handheld field portable apparatus and method for analyzing Ochratoxin A (OTA) in rice quality monitoring, based on fluorescence signal output. Aliquots may be analyzed by adding at least one or more reagents to the sample aliquot that reacts selectively with an analyte contained therein. The reaction product, which is selective for the analyte of interest and proportional to its concentration, is measured with an appropriate detector. This enables simple and accurate testing of samples using time honored wet-chemical analysis method in microliter volume regimes while producing remarkably small volumes of waste. The device includes a multipurpose controller board for processing and analysis purpose, a camera which is integrated with the controller, a resistive touch liquid crystal display to view the results, a light emitting diode to emit the UV light, and a power bank. The device may operate using a touch display.

It is provided novel anti-galactofuranose antibodies and their use for diagnosis of and/or treating aspergillosis, and for the design of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, wherein single chain variable fragment of the antibodies, such as a heavy chain variable region or a light chain variable region, is fused via a spacer and a transmembrane domain to a signaling endodomain to generate an expression cassette that will be integrated into a T cell.

The invention is directed to methods for identifying targets for antimicrobial and antiproliferative compounds as well as methods for identifying novel compounds for treating cancer and microbial infections.

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of biosensors and particularly provides a construction method for a photocathode indirect competition sensor and an evaluation method. The construction method includes: using Z-type Bi.sub.2O.sub.3/CuBi.sub.2O.sub.4 as a sensing platform; calculating a photoinduced electron Z-type transfer path and an energy band structure of Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 and CuBi.sub.2O.sub.4 using a density functional theory (DFT); and constructing a Bi.sub.2O.sub.3/CuBi.sub.2O.sub.4-based biosensor. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) photocathode biosensor based on a Bi.sub.2O.sub.3/CuBi.sub.2O.sub.4 heterojunction prepared through the solution has good repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and specificity for detecting a target. The PEC biosensor constructed in the solution of the present disclosure has a broad application prospect in the fields of healthcare, environment, and food.

Disclosed is a method for detecting aflatoxin B1 based on fluorescent copper nanoparticles, belonging to the technical fields of analytical chemistry, materials science and nano biosensing. In the disclosure, β-CD@DNA-Cu NMs are prepared by using Y-shaped DNA as a template, ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and β-CD as a fluorescence stabilizing and enhancing agent. Then, a ratiometric fluorescent probe is constructed based on the β-CD@DNA-Cu NMs. Finally, the detection of AFB1 with high sensitivity, high selectivity and high accuracy is achieved by using the fluorescent probe. According to the method of the disclosure, in linear ranges of 0.03-10 ppb and 10-18 ppb, a ratio value of I.sub.433 nm/I.sub.650 nm and a concentration of AFB1 exhibit a good linear relationship respectively, and a limit of detection is 0.012 ppb (S/N=3). Metal ions Ca.sup.2+ may be replaced with Yb.sup.3+, Y.sup.3+, Er.sup.3+ and Pt.sup.2+, which are also suitable for increasing sensitivity of AFB1 in rice.

In some embodiments, a method for aiding prediction of the likelihood of progression from Barrett's esophagus to high grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma in a subject, is disclosed. The method can include (a) providing an oesophagal sample from said subject (b) determining if said sample stains abnormally with Aspergillus oryzae lectin; (c) determining if there is a DNA content abnormality in said sample; and (d) determining if there is low grade dysplasia in said sample; wherein if (b) is abnormal and (c) is abnormal and low grade dysplasia is present, then an increased likelihood of progression is determined. The disclosed subject matter also relates to an apparatus, and to different uses of certain materials.

The present disclosure provides methods and kits for detecting an analyte within a sample by using lateral flow testing. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to use of an analyte specific calibration curve for determining quantity of an analyte within a complex sample, wherein the sample is purified/enriched by using a sample preparation method including an affinity resin. The present disclosure further relates to kits including an optional affinity resin, a lateral flow test, and an algorithm corresponding to the analyte specific calibration curve.

Disclosed is a method for detecting aflatoxin B1 based on fluorescent copper nanoparticles, belonging to the technical fields of analytical chemistry, materials science and nano biosensing. In the disclosure, β-CD@DNA-Cu NMs are prepared by using Y-shaped DNA as a template, ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and β-CD as a fluorescence stabilizing and enhancing agent. Then, a ratiometric fluorescent probe is constructed based on the β-CD@DNA-Cu NMs. Finally, the detection of AFB1 with high sensitivity, high selectivity and high accuracy is achieved by using the fluorescent probe. According to the method of the disclosure, in linear ranges of 0.03-10 ppb and 10-18 ppb, a ratio value of I.sub.433 nm/I.sub.650 nm and a concentration of AFB1 exhibit a good linear relationship respectively, and a limit of detection is 0.012 ppb (S/N=3). Metal ions Ca.sup.2+ may be replaced with Yb.sup.3+, Y.sup.3+, Er.sup.3+ and Pt.sup.2+, which are also suitable for increasing sensitivity of AFB1 in rice.