The present invention relates generally to the identification and isolation of human otic progenitor cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of using cell markers to identify and isolate human otic progenitor cells from a mixed population of cells, methods of enrichment and production of human otic progenitor cells, and associated kits for use in identification and/or isolation of human otic progenitor cells, wherein the cell markers are selected from SSEA1 (CD15), disialoganglioside GD3, TRA-2-49 (liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase), SSEA4, ganglioside GD2 and CD141.

The present invention relates to an antibody specifically binding the carboxymethylated catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac). Also provided are diagnostic uses of said antibody and screening methods employing the inventive antibody.

A method of monitoring acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease in shrimp is disclosed. More specifically, detection of the presence of alkaline phosphatase Phox enzyme, or, of the PiRA.sup.VP and/or the PirB.sup.VP toxins of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus correlates with non-virulence or virulence, respectively, of the bacterium is disclosed. Hence, an assay capable of detecting the Phox enzyme and/or the toxins could be very useful to monitor the disease in shrimp.

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating Alzheimer’s disease, comprising a phospholipase C (PLC) activator as an active ingredient. A composition comprising the PLC activator of the present invention as an active ingredient restores the S-eCB mobilization suppressed by AβO, recovers the synaptic plasticity impaired by AβO, and not only recovers PLCβ1 protein levels to normal levels in AβO-treated mouse hippocampal slices and 5XFAD mouse hippocampal slices in the chronic stage of AD, but also recovers contextual fear memory impairment in AD mice, and thus is expected to be usefully used for preventing or treating Alzheimer’s disease.

The present invention relates to a amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnostic composition using acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and a method for detecting diagnostic markers and, more specifically, to a method and a composition for detecting markers for ALS, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample of a subject; (b) measuring the ASM expression level or the enzyme activation level in the sample; (c) determining that a subject, of which the ASM expression level or the enzyme activation level is increased compared to that of a normal person, has ALS. According to the investigation of the present inventors, the activity of ASM, among lipids and enzymes related to the sphingolipid metabolism, is specifically increased in a sample of an ALS patient compared to that of a normal person. ASM can be used as a marker for diagnosing ALS, thereby enabling the development of a novel and effective diagnostic reagent.

The present disclosure provides biomarkers and methods of use thereof for diagnosing and prognosing pancreatic cancer and other cancers in a subject. The biomarkers comprise protein kinase C (PKC), PH domain and leucine rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1), and the ratio of PKC/PHLPP1 and can be detected using anti-PKC and/or anti-PHLPP1 antibodies and quantified using immunochemistry techniques. Methods of treating pancreatic cancer with PHLPP1 inhibitors are also provided.

Reagents, methods, and kits for assaying enzymes associated with lysosomal storage diseases MPS-I, MPS-II, MPS-IIIA, MPS-IIIB, MPS-IVA, MPS-VI, and MPS VII.

A medium for Bacillus cereus group detection, which is favorable in growth of Bacillus cereus regardless of the temperature condition, and further is excellent in selectivity; and a method for detecting a Bacillus cereus group using the medium. The medium for Bacillus cereus group detection includes a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C substrate having a detectable chromogenic or fluorescent free radical; and trimethoprim. The medium further includes a β-lactam antibiotic. The medium further includes an antifungal agent. The method for detecting further includes inoculating a sample into the medium to culture the sample; and determining a detectable colony on the medium.

Biomarkers for diagnosing the disease activity, disease severity or disease type of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) such as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis are provided. Also provided is a method of testing SCARs, comprising measuring the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of stratifin, TNF receptor superfamily member 8 (CD30/TNFRSF8), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and TNF receptor superfamily member 6B (DcR3/TNFRSF6B) in a sample derived from a subject.

Reagents, methods, and kits for assaying enzymes associated with lysosomal storage diseases MPS-I, MPS-II, MPS-IIIA, MPS-IIIB, MPS-IVA, MPS-VI, and MPS VII.