The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing hematological cancers. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a hematological cancer in a patient comprising i) detecting the presence of CD45RARO NK cells in a sample obtained from the patient and ii) and concluding that the patient suffers from a hematological cancer when the presence of CD45RARO NK cells is detected in the sample and the presence of at least one phenotypic marker indicates the nature of the haematological cancer.

Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting tissue conditions. In some aspects, levels of one or more markers of a disease or condition and one or more tissue-specific cell-free polynucleotides are quantified, levels are compared to a reference, and it is determined whether the tissue has been damaged by the disease or condition based on the comparing. Systems for performing the methods described herein are also provided.

The present description relates to methods for clinically assessing Parkinson's disease in a subject using erythrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EEV) as a biomarker.

The present invention provides a reagent composition for detection of a non-hematopoietic tumor and use thereof. Said reagent composition includes three sets of antibodies, with the first set of antibodies including an anti-CD9 antibody, an anti-GD2 antibody, an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD4 antibody, an anti-CD56 antibody, an anti-CD36 antibody, an anti-CD81, and an anti-CD45 antibody; the second set of antibodies including an anti-HLA-ABC antibody, an anti-CD38 antibody, an anti-CD19 antibody, an anti-CD56 antibody, an anti-CD36 antibody, an anti-CD7 antibody, and an anti-CD45 antibody; the third set of antibodies including anti-cytoplasmic cytokeratin antibodies; wherein the first set of antibodies and the second set of antibodies are respectively used for samples in separate tubes, and the third set of antibodies is used for the sample in the same tube as the second set of antibodies. The reagent composition of the present invention can be applied for flow cytometry screening, diagnosis and/or follow-up detection of a non-hematopoietic tumor.

Methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood) include introducing a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability, surface characteristics (e.g., cell surface receptors or antigens and membrane permeability), or intracellular properties (e.g., expression of a particular enzyme).

A method for identifying and enumerating candidate target cells within a biological fluid specimen is described. The method includes obtaining a biological fluid specimen, preparing the biological fluid specimen by staining cell features in the biological fluid specimen, capturing a digital image having a plurality of color channels of the biological fluid specimen, and applying image analysis to the digital image. A computer program product for identifying candidate target cells within a biological fluid specimen is also described. The computer program comprises instructions to cause a processor to carry out the image analysis.

Devices and methods for labeling and mounting suspended cells in a controllable area are disclosed. The devices and methods utilize polycarbonate filters. The filters are employed both to capture the cells and as a substrate for labeling. This disclosure provides a device for cell capture and staining. This device utilizes a stack comprising a filter sandwiched between two o-rings (an OFO stack) in which the o-rings both seat the device and, based on their outer diameter and cross-section, determine the cell capture area. In one embodiment, an alignment plate is affixed to an output head of the device, the alignment plate having one or more through holes, a diameter of the one or more through holes matching an outer diameter of the OFO stack.

There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF- without secreting IFN-; or (b) secrete IFN- without secreting TNF-; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Methods and kits for evaluating a clinical outcome of an autoimmune disease, specifically disease flare e.g. if the subject stops taking the biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), by comparing biomarkers of CD45RA, TNF-alpha and/or CXCR5 from CD3.sup.+CD4.sup.+ T cell population are disclosed. In a specific embodiment, the ratio of first subset of CD3.sup.+CD4.sup.+CD45RATNFA.sup.+ (memory) T cells to a second subset comprising CD3.sup.+CD4.sup.+CD45RA.sup.+TNFA.sup.+ (nave) T cell is determined, wherein an increase in the ratio indicates a disease flare state of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In another embodiment, enrichment of CD45RACR5.sup.+ subset among the T cell population indicates likelihood of flare state in JIA via memory persistence enhancement through B cell interaction. In other embodiments, additional markers including IL-6, CCR6, CD152 and PD1 are also determined, and the enrichment of CD45RA-TNFA.sup.+IL-6.sup.+ subset among the T cell population indicates a likelihood of amplification of the autoimmune disease.

There is provided herein a device for the analysis of breastmilk, comprising: at least one camera to photograph a sampling element, wherein said sampling element comprises one or more arrays of reagents reacting with one or more target molecules present in a sample of said breastmilk and presenting one or more arrays with a plurality of spots comprising one or more intensity levels, and wherein said camera is adapted to photograph said plurality of spots; at least one computer adapted to analyze said one or more intensity levels of said spots; and at least one output component for presenting results of said analysis and for providing a recommendation relating to nutritional or immunological needs of an infant fed by said breastmilk.