Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining progression of a condition, onset of a condition, or efficacy of treatment of a condition characterized by an adipocyte imbalance in a patient. In addition, methods are disclosed of treating diabetes, abnormal adipocyte activity, and insulin resistance using monomeric, homodimeric, and heterodimeric forms of certain C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor. In addition, methods of treating abnormal adipocyte activity, treating metabolic syndrome, causing insulin secretion, increasing insulin levels, inhibiting insulin degradation enzyme, treating Alzheimer's disease, treating cardiovascular disease associated with adiponectin levels, inhibiting ADAM-17 enzyme, inhibiting a protease, treating a condition associated with TNF-alpha, and treating a condition associated with HER2-neu are disclosed. Compositions, dosage forms, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating formula and method for surface coating non-porous surfaces. Microfluidic devices including said coating achieve desired properties including increased hydrophilicity, improved adhesion, stability and optical clarity.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: Visual analysis of urine samples is carried out with the use of a slide consisting of three layers containing an enclosed viewing chamber which receives a urine sample deposited by pipette into an opening on the outer layer of the slide. From the inlet opening the sample enters an inlet chamber in the middle layer and passes through a capillary passageway into the viewing chamber where it is inspected for particles and sediments.

Abstract: A sample collection device having a sample container and microfluidic device having one or more microfluidic circuits, the system for analyzing biological samples. The microfluidic device has a sample inlet port, a microconduit in communication with the inlet port and with reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is connected to an air vent via another microconduit. Air may be vented from the microfluidic circuit via the air vent of the microfluidic circuit via an air vent in the sample container.

Abstract: Assays in which samples of biological fluids are dispensed into the inlet port of a microfluidic device are improved in the accuracy and repeatability by dispensing the biological sample and/or associated liquids in small droplets and at timed intervals to control the operation of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Abstract: Assays in which samples of biological fluids are dispensed onto reagent-containing porous substrates are improved in the accuracy and repeatability by dispensing the biological fluids in two or more fractions thereof, separated by intervals in which the biological fluid is not dispensed. Reagents and other fluids may be dispensed during the intervals when the biological fluid is not dispensed. Alternatively, reagents and other fluids may be dispensed in a similar manner onto substrates already containing biological fluids.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining progression of a condition, onset of a condition, or efficacy of treatment of a condition characterized by an adipocyte imbalance in a patient. In addition, methods are disclosed of treating diabetes, abnormal adipocyte activity, and insulin resistance using monomeric, homodimeric, and heterodimeric forms of certain C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor. In addition, methods of treating abnormal adipocyte activity, treating metabolic syndrome, causing insulin secretion, increasing insulin levels, inhibiting insulin degradation enzyme, treating Alzheimer's disease, treating cardiovascular disease associated with adiponectin levels, inhibiting ADAM-17 enzyme, inhibiting a protease, treating a condition associated with TNF-alpha, and treating a condition associated with HER2-neu are disclosed. Compositions, dosage forms, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method aiding the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis involving the combination of an infection marker and an inflammation marker. More specifically, the method includes correlating the presence of urinary trypsin inhibitors in urine with the absence of traditional infection markers in urine to aid in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. The method provides for a differential diagnosis between kidney disease, infection and chronic inflammation with a noninvasive urine test. Assay devices and kits, as well as analyzers and systems are also described that utilize the methodology.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of treating diabetes, abnormal adipocyte activity, and insulin resistance using C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor R1. Methods of causing the secretion of insulin in healthy and diabetic patients using C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor R1 are also disclosed. In addition, methods are disclosed of increasing the insulin levels in healthy patients using C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor R1. In addition, methods of treating abnormal adipocyte activity, treating metabolic syndrome, causing insulin secretion, increasing insulin levels, inhibiting insulin degradation enzyme, treating Alzheimer's disease, treating cardiovascular disease associated with adiponectin levels, inhibiting ADAM-17 enzyme, treating a condition associated with TNF-alpha, and treating a condition associated with HER2-neu are disclosed. Compositions, dosage forms, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of treating diabetes, abnormal adipocyte activity, and insulin resistance using C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor R1. Methods of causing the secretion of insulin in healthy and diabetic patients using C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor R1 are also disclosed. In addition, methods are disclosed of increasing the insulin levels in healthy patients using C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor R1. In addition, methods of treating abnormal adipocyte activity, treating metabolic syndrome, causing insulin secretion, increasing insulin levels, inhibiting insulin degradation enzyme, treating Alzheimer's disease, treating cardiovascular disease associated with adiponectin levels, inhibiting ADAM-17 enzyme, treating a condition associated with TNF-alpha, and treating a condition associated with HER2-neu are disclosed. Compositions, dosage forms, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Visual analysis of urine samples is carried out with the use of a slide consisting of three layers containing an enclosed viewing chamber which receives a urine sample deposited by pipette into an opening on the outer layer of the slide. From the inlet opening the sample enters an inlet chamber in the middle layer and passes through a capillary passageway into the viewing chamber where it is inspected for particles and sediments.

Abstract: A disease specific panel having at least one primary test for different analytes that are relevant for either early detection of a primary disease or management of patients already diagnosed with said primary disease. The panel also includes at least one secondary test which is relevant for detection of a co-morbid condition or complications of the primary disease. Generally, the primary and secondary tests are disposed on a support surface. The disease specific panel is different from the prior art creening tests in that there are no tests included in the panel whose results are not relevant or do not relate to either primary disease or a co-morbid condition or complications of the primary disease. The disease specific panel may also include systems and methods utilizing algorithms for creating and outputting diagnostic aids, as well as warnings about the presence of possible sample interferants, especially those commonly associated with the subject disease of the panel.

Abstract: Sample media for the analysis of analytes in a fluid test sample includes a carrier, at least one test field on the surface of the carrier including at least one reagent reactive with the analytes and capable of providing a detectable response. A non-visible bar code formed by at least two distinct non-visible marker fields is located on the carrier. The marker fields are configured to reflect electro-magnetic (EM) radiation within one or more ranges of non-visible wavelengths to form a coded sequence of reflectances correlated to identification of the sample media.

Abstract: Certain monoclonal antibodies are able to detect urinary trypsin inhibitors (UTIs) that are characteristic of disease in humans. In particular, the UTIs include AMBK, Bikunin, Uristatin, Uristatin-1, Uristatin-2, as defined herein, also including the fragments and aggregates thereof.

Abstract: Assays in which samples of biological fluids are dispensed onto reagent-containing porous substrates are improved in the accuracy and repeatability by dispensing the biological fluids in two or more fractions thereof, separated by intervals in which the biological fluid is not dispensed. Reagents and other fluids may be dispensed during the intervals when the biological fluid is not dispensed. Alternatively, reagents and other fluids may be dispensed in a similar manner onto substrates already containing biological fluids.