The present invention relates to a measurement method for complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, and provides a measurement method capable of measuring complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae of any capsular serotype. Complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae is measured using capsule-deficient Streptococcus pneumoniae, that is, non-encapsulated or substantially non-encapsulated, or transparent Streptococcus pneumoniae. The measurement of the complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae of any capsular serotype is enabled.

Apparatuses for sampling mucous from within a sinus to determine if a single sample includes one or more bacterial types indicating bacterial sinusitis comprising an indicator to guide the angle at which a user inserts the apparatus relative to the patient.

The present invention provides a recombinant protein capable of binding to complement factor H (CFH), and thereby inducing increased binding of C3d and C3b by bound CFH compared to unbound CFH. Methods and medical devices for using utilizing the same are also described.

Methods and kits for sampling mucous from within a sinus to determine if a single sample includes one or more bacterial types indicating bacterial sinusitis.

A biological sensing device and a method for separating a biomolecule are provided. The biological sensing device includes an amino acid sequence and a signal-generating unit. The amino acid sequence includes SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, and is for binding with UlaG protein labeled on a biomolecule. The signal-generating unit connects to the amino acid sequence.

The invention described herein relates to a high-throughput and multiplex Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotype (ST)-specific polymerase chain reaction-pneumococcal antigen detection (PCR-PAD) assay useful to support epidemiology studies, clinical trials and clinical therapy. The invention further provides kits for detecting the presence or absence of S. pneumoniae and the presence or absence of particular S. pneumoniae strains in a patient sample.

Disclosed is a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein, and preferably less which has been purified with 0.1N Na OH prior to deproteinizing. Also disclosed are polyvalent antibodies raised against Streptococcus pneumoniae which have been affinity purified by passing them over a chromatographic affinity matrix to which is coupled the purified and at least partially deproteinized antigen to render them antigen-specific.

Disclosed is a method for measuring cholesterol by using a cholesterol dependent cytolysin (CDC), which is a cholesterol binding protein, and an antibody specifically recognizing HDL-C or LDL-C. The method according to the present application is capable of rapidly measuring low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins at low cost, and thus can be effectively applied in various fields requiring the measurement of low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins.

Methods and kits for sampling mucous from within a sinus to determine if a single sample includes one or more bacterial types indicating bacterial sinusitis.

Non-naturally occurring peptides are provided that act as a Src SH2 domain antagonist of cardiotonic steroids. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides are also provided along with vectors encoding the peptides. Methods of treating a Src-associated disease and reducing Src activity in a cell are further provided and include administering or contacting a cell with an effective amount of the peptide.