The invention relates to a method for identification and discrimination of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in a biological fluid. The method includes illuminating the biological fluid with a beam of light; obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated biological fluid; and finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains from the obtained Raman data, so as to identify and discriminate each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in the biological fluid from the Raman signatures.

The present invention discloses a novel recombinant protein antigen and a vaccine composition using the same, in which the novel recombinant protein antigen is derived from the conserved sequence of a TSA56 antigen and can be useful in the diagnosis of infection with tsutsugamushi and as a vaccine for tsutsugamushi.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor that alters its photoluminescent properties upon a binding event between a food-borne analyte and an analyte-specific aptamer (ASA). The ASA may recognize and bind the food-borne analyte, which is referred to herein as the binding event. In some embodiments of the present disclosure the ASA is a strand of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Some embodiments of the present disclosure the ASA may be conjugated with a chemically modified photoluminescent matrix material. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the food-borne analyte may be conjugated with a quencher that may be incorporated into the system for reducing false signals.

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 non-cryopreservation method that enables inexpensive and stable storage of feces. More specifically, the present invention provides: (A) a storage method of feces, the storage method including drying the feces in the presence of a solid desiccant; (B) a hermetic container including: (a) a solid desiccant; and (b) feces under the non-contact state with the solid desiccant; and (C) a feces fixing article including: (a) one or more members containing or fixing a solid desiccant; and (b) feces under the contact state with the solid desiccant. As the solid desiccant, a water absorbing solid desiccant such as silica Gel is preferred.

A system is described herein that can be used to perform magneto-optical detection of a disease component in a test sample using magnetic nanoparticles. A concentration of magnetic nanoparticles and a concentration of bindable agents can be administered to the test sample. The magnetic nanoparticles can be configured to attach to the bindable agents. A light beam can be transmitted through the test sample to a light detector. A magnetic field gradient can be established through the test sample. If the transmitted light beam under the magnetic field gradient exhibits a variable intensity change during a time period, the disease component can be determined to exist in the test sample.

The invention provides a compound of formula I:

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or a salt thereof, wherein Y, Z, L, and W have any of the values described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula I or a salt thereof. The compounds are useful as tools for visualizing FtsZ and monitoring cell division in a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens of acute clinical importance and for identifying new FtsZ inhibitors.

The subject matter disclosed herein provides a method and a device for detection of one or more bacteria in a sample.

Embodiments described herein may be useful in the detection of analytes. The systems and methods may allow for a relatively simple and rapid way for detecting analytes such as chemical and/or biological analytes and may be useful in numerous applications including sensing, food manufacturing, medical diagnostics, performance materials, dynamic lenses, water monitoring, environmental monitoring, detection of proteins, detection of DNA, among other applications. For example, the systems and methods described herein may be used for determining the presence of a contaminant such as bacteria (e.g., detecting pathogenic bacteria in food and water samples which helps to prevent widespread infection, illness, and even death). Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may not have the drawbacks in current detection technologies including, for example, relatively high costs, long enrichment steps and analysis times, and/or the need for extensive user training. Another advantageous feature provided by the systems and methods described herein includes fabrication in a relatively large scale. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may be used in conjunction with a detector including handheld detectors incorporated with, for example, smartphones (e.g., for the on-site detection of analytes such as pathogenic bacteria).

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.