In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of sensing comprises disposing a fluorophore in a biological environment, wherein the fluorophore comprises a dioxo-pyridine ring (DPR) or a thiazolopyridine acid (TPA). The method further comprises exposing the biological environment to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the fluorophore, detecting light emitted by the fluorophore, and correlating the light emitted by the fluorophore to a presence or absence of an analyte within the biological environment in an amount above a minimum detection threshold. The presence of the analyte can increase or decrease the amount of light emitted by the fluorophore. The presence of the analyte may also shift the peak emission wavelength or alter the fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophore. The analyte, in some embodiments, comprises hydrogen ions, halide ions, and/or halogens.

Methods are disclosed for treating and preventing gut barrier dysfunction or an illness associated with gut barrier dysfunction in a subject comprising administering to the subject bacterium that produce an indole or an indole metabolite and for identifying compounds and bacteria for use in treatment and prevention of gut barrier dysfunction or an illness associated with gut barrier dysfunction.

The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating elastin fiber injuries. In additional preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of validating candidate compounds for use in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory asthma, and other related diseases. Examples of such methods include determining if the candidate compound decreases the degradation of elastic fiber in a patient administered the candidate compound by measuring, using mass spectrometry employing an internal standard, a marker of elastic fiber degradation in a sample of a body fluid or a tissue of the patient. The invention provides that a decrease in the presence of the marker compared to a control validates that the candidate compound is effective to treat, prevent, or ameliorate the disease.

A characteristic difference between first and second liquids is measured using a surface having a monolayer of a voltage sensitive chromophore that is covalently bound to the surface. The first liquid is brought into contact with the surface and it is irradiated with actinic radiation to measure a first fluorescence emission spectrum. The second liquid is also brought into contact with the surface and it is irradiated with actinic radiation to measure a second fluorescence emission spectrum. The first and second fluorescence emission spectra are compared to characterize a difference between the first and second fluids.

An interfacial electric field intensity of a surface is measured by covalently binding a monolayer of a voltage sensitive chromophore to the surface and irradiating it with actinic radiation while it is in contact with a liquid and measuring a first fluorescence emission spectrum. A solution of the voltage sensitive chromophore dissolved in a sample of the liquid is also irradiated with actinic radiation and a second fluorescence emission spectrum is measured. The first and second fluorescence emission spectra are compared to determine the interfacial electric field intensity.

A characteristic of a liquid is measured by providing a surface having a monolayer of a voltage sensitive chromophore that is covalently bound to the surface. The liquid is brought into contact with the surface and it is irradiated with actinic radiation to measure a first fluorescence emission spectrum. A solution of the voltage sensitive chromophore dissolved in a sample of the liquid is also irradiated with actinic radiation and a second fluorescence emission spectrum is measured. The first and second fluorescence emission spectra are compared to determine the characteristic of the liquid.

The present invention relates to the NIPA-1 proteins and nucleic acids encoding the NIPA-1 proteins. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of NIPA-1 polymorphisms and mutations associated with disease states, as well as methods of screening for ligands and modulators of NIPA-1 proteins.

Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of the active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, in a body fluid sample using tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography.

A device for detecting an analyte in a sample is provided, which comprises: a collecting chamber containing an opening for collecting a liquid sample; a detecting element for detecting an analyte in the liquid sample; and a lid for covering the opening of the collecting chamber. The device further comprises an indicating device thereon to indicate whether or not the lid covers at an appointed position. The operation of the device is very simple.

The present disclosure relates to tolperisone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, with 10 ppm 2-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-propenone (4-MMPPO) or less, methods of producing the same, as well as compositions related thereto. The disclosure further relates to methods of treating a subject with tolperisone under conditions that limit exposure of the subject to tolerable levels of 4-MMPPO.