According to one embodiment, a sensor for detecting a target substance in gas a sample includes a target substance uptake unit that brings an acetylcholine aqueous solution into contact with a gas sample to dissolve a target substance in the gas sample into the acetylcholine aqueous solution, a reaction unit that holds acetylcholinesterase and brings the solution delivered from the target substance uptake unit into contact with the acetylcholinesterase, and a detection unit that measures a change in an amount of acetylcholine decomposition product produced in the solution delivered from the reaction unit.

In one embodiment, an expression vector for expressing P. gingivalis lipid A deacylase a novel screen to identify P. gingivalis deacylase inhibitors. P. gingivalis deacylase inhibitors will be identified by determining the TLR4 activity of B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ836 that expresses the P. gingivalis deacylase gene. This strain demonstrates significantly less potent TLR4 activity when compared to its isogenic strain Bt pSJ46 that does not contain the P. gingivalis deacylase but rather contains the control plasmid vector only. Consequently, the potent TLR4 activity normally found with B. thetaiotaomicron is significantly reduced only when the P. gingivalis deacylase is present. Therefore, compounds that inhibit the P. gingivalis deacylase activity can be identified in B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ836 by an increase in TLR4 activity. Compounds that increase TLR4 activity nonspecifically in B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ836 will be identified by comparing the TLR4 activity to B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ46 that does not contain the P. gingivalis deacylase.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly versatile, simple and safe method for measuring Lp-PLA.sub.2 activity. Another object of the present invention is to provide an accurate and highly sensitive method for measuring Lp-PLA.sub.2 activity. Provided is a method for measuring lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A.sub.2 (Lp-PLA.sub.2) activity in a sample containing Lp-PLA.sub.2, the method comprising the following steps (A) to (C): (A) converting PAFs into lyso-PAFs by reacting the PAFs with the Lp-PLA.sub.2 in the sample; (B) hydrolyzing the lyso-PAFs produced in the step (A) with an enzyme (lyso-PAF-PLD) to obtain hydrolysate; and (C) measuring Lp-PLA.sub.2 activity in the sample by utilizing a quantitative change attributable to the hydrolysate obtained in step (B) as an indicator.

To provide a method for simply and precisely measuring cholesterol (LDL-C) in low-density lipoprotein in a sample without use of any surfactant having an alkylphenol structure, in terms of environmental friendliness. A method for measuring LDL-C in a sample, the method comprising: reacting the sample with (i) a combination of cholesterol ester hydrolase and cholesterol oxidase or (ii) a combination of cholesterol ester hydrolase, an oxidized coenzyme and cholesterol dehydrogenase, in an aqueous solvent which comprises: [a] one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether; and [b] a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene copolymer; and which does not comprise any surfactant having an alkylphenol structure; and measuring a substance formed or consumed in the reaction.

Disclosed herein are methods that aid in the determination of whether to perform imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scan, on a human subject that has sustained or may have sustained an injury to the head using an early biomarker, such as ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), or a combination thereof. These methods involve detecting levels and changes in levels of UCH-L1 in samples taken from a human subject at time points within 24 hours after the subject has sustained or may have sustained an injury to the head.

Provided is a compound having the structure:

(SIG)-(SI-MOD).sub.m

where SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. When MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided are methods of determining whether a sample, such as a cell, comprises an activator, such as a nitroreducase, using the compound. Further provided are methods of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator. A method of detecting a microorganism that comprises a nitroreductase using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator is also provided.

To provide a method for evaluating or selecting an agent for reducing sensory irritation, which reduces sensory irritation caused by parabens, and an agent for reducing sensory irritation, which reduces sensory irritation caused by parabens. A method for evaluating or selecting an agent for reducing sensory irritation caused by parabens, comprising the following steps (1) to (3): (1) a step of contacting cells capable of expressing CES1 with a test substance; (2) a step of measuring expression of CES1 in the cells; (3) a step of evaluating a test substance which promotes expression of CES1 as an agent for reducing sensory irritation caused by parabens based on the results measured in (2).

What is disclosed relates to the detection and identification of bacteria of the genera Salmonella and Shigella. It relates more precisely to the methods of microbiology and the culture media used for the detection, identification, isolation and/or analytical investigation of these bacteria. Relating to a method for enrichment and selective culture of bacteria of the genera Salmonella and/or Shigella contained in a biological sample. In the method, some or all of the sample is seeded in/on a culture medium including a nutrient component that favors the development and growth of the bacteria, and includes L-ornithine as a selective agent. It also covers a culture medium suitable for carrying out this method.

Provided is a compound having the structure:
(SIG)-(SI-MOD).sub.m
where SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. When MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided are methods of determining whether a sample, such as a cell, comprises an activator, such as a nitroreducase, using the compound. Further provided are methods of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator. A method of detecting a microorganism that comprises a nitroreductase using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator is also provided.

Disclosed are methods of attenuating activity of the PME-1 gene. siRNAs or shRNAs are used to target against PME-1, thereby reducing the PME-1 mRNA. It is disclosed that the siRNAs or shRNAs targeted against PME-1 attenuate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, thereby inhibit endometrial cancer development. A kit containing siRNA or shRNA reagents for attenuating the PME-1 gene expression is also disclosed.