A diagnostic device 10 for screening for a target analyte in a sample is provided. The diagnostic device 10 comprises a substrate 12 and a hydrophobic material 20 disposed on the substrate. The hydrophobic material 20 is selected to be converted from the hydrophobic material 20 to a hydrophilic material 22 upon contact with a conversion component within or derived from a sample introduced to the device 10.

The invention provides methods for identifying biomarkers in a patient's microbiota to predict a patient's response to a predetermined diet to promote weight loss and methods of promoting weight loss or treating obesity in the patient by optimizing the patient's diet in accordance with the biomarkers identified in the patient's gut microbiota. The methods of the invention can also be used to manage or maintain weight, i.e., prevent or inhibit weight gain, in a patient who is of normal weight or is overweight or obese.

The invention provides methods for identifying biomarkers in a patient's microbiota to predict a patient's response to a predetermined diet to promote weight loss and methods of promoting weight loss or treating obesity in the patient by optimizing the patient's diet in accordance with the biomarkers identified in the patient's gut microbiota. The methods of the invention can also be used to manage or maintain weight, i.e., prevent or inhibit weight gain, in a patient who is of normal weight or is overweight or obese.

A method of indicating the presence of a bacterial infection in a biological sample is provided. The method detects a marker for infection by providing a device, the device including a biosensor, an interaction arising between the biosensor and the marker when the marker is present in the biological sample. Contacting at least a part of the biological sample with the biosensor of the device, therefore, provides analysis of the biological sample with respect to the marker by detecting for the interaction between the biosensor and the marker. A preferred marker is the enzyme amylase.

A method of indicating the presence of a bacterial infection in a biological sample is provided. The method detects a marker for infection by providing a device, the device including a biosensor, an interaction arising between the biosensor and the marker when the marker is present in the biological sample. Contacting at least a part of the biological sample with the biosensor of the device, therefore, provides analysis of the biological sample with respect to the marker by detecting for the interaction between the biosensor and the marker. A preferred marker is the enzyme amylase.

Mutated Lactobacillus brevis strain 269Y β-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced enzymatic activity at low pH (e.g., below pH 6.8), as well as enhanced thermostability as compared to wild type enzyme are provided. The enzymes of the invention advantageously allow for accurate analysis of bodily samples for the presence of drugs at low pH and in 30 minutes or less, as compared to the several hours needed using prior enzyme preparations. Methods of using the mutated enzymes for hydrolysis of glucuronide substrates, including opiates and benzodiazepines, are also provided.

The invention consists of a method for determining Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) and its sub-fractions, Insoluble Dietary Fiber (IDF) and Soluble Dietary Fiber (SDF) in food and feed samples which utilizes flexible reaction/filtration containers that can be divided into one or more sections for capturing the IDF and SDF fractions separately or for capturing TDF in its entirety. Each container is fashioned as a bag that can be temporarily sealed in multiple locations to create multiple sections and is made of non-porous and porous material. Use of these containers eliminates the need for problematic transfers of mixtures from beaker to filter, and vastly improves the filtration process.

The invention consists of a method for determining Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) and its sub-fractions, Insoluble Dietary Fiber (IDF) and Soluble Dietary Fiber (SDF) in food and feed samples which utilizes flexible reaction/filtration containers that can be divided into one or more sections for capturing the IDF and SDF fractions separately or for capturing TDF in its entirety. Each container is fashioned as a bag that can be temporarily sealed in multiple locations to create multiple sections and is made of non-porous and porous material. Use of these containers eliminates the need for problematic transfers of mixtures from beaker to filter, and vastly improves the filtration process.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a pepsin resistant alpha amylase enzyme for use in a feed supplement comprising: i) providing an alpha amylase enzyme; ii) admixing said alpha amylase with corn based feed and buffer o solution comprising a pepsin concentration of 9000 U/ml at pH 3, 40° C., 500 rpm for at least 120 minutes and analysing alpha amylase activity on said alpha amylase compared to a control sample; wherein said control sample differs in that no pepsin is o present during incubation; and iii) selecting an alpha amylase enzyme which substantially maintains alpha amylase activity under the assay conditions; feed supplements and feedstuffs comprising a pepsin resistant alpha amylase and the use of pepsin resistant alpha amylases in feed.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a pepsin resistant alpha amylase enzyme for use in a feed supplement comprising: i) providing an alpha amylase enzyme; ii) admixing said alpha amylase with corn based feed and buffer o solution comprising a pepsin concentration of 9000 U/ml at pH 3, 40° C., 500 rpm for at least 120 minutes and analysing alpha amylase activity on said alpha amylase compared to a control sample; wherein said control sample differs in that no pepsin is o present during incubation; and iii) selecting an alpha amylase enzyme which substantially maintains alpha amylase activity under the assay conditions; feed supplements and feedstuffs comprising a pepsin resistant alpha amylase and the use of pepsin resistant alpha amylases in feed.