Abstract: Described is a process for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reason based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method is involving a first separation in a first gel strip on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second gel on the basis of molecular size. When starting the separation in the second dimension the buffer solution for transferring the compounds separated in the first dimension into the second dimension gel is containing sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and by applying an electric field the SDS migrates electrokinetically into the first gel strip, and the compounds are being complexed simultaneously with SDS.

Abstract: A carry case is provided for a portable analyte measuring device, the carry case having opposing sides delimiting an interior space that is closed at one end and provided with an opening at the other end. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the carry case is provided with an interior flap that is fastened at a distance from the closed end at one of the opposing sides and that can be swung from a first position in which a first side of the flap faces one of the opposing sides to a second position, in which the flap divides the interior space of the carry case and faces with the first flap side the closed end of the interior space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling tube for collecting and processing a whole blood sample. The sampling tube contains a reagent for differential hemolysis of whole blood, wherein said reagent for differential hemolysis comprises a chemical for differential hemolysis and an anti-coagulant, and wherein said sampling tube is a ready-to-use and single-use sampling tube. It also relates to the use of said sampling tube in the processing of a whole blood sample for liquid chromatography and also to the use of a blood sample processed in such sampling tube in a liquid chromatography-based analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring substance concentrations is provided. The system has a test strip container for receiving a test strip(s). The container has a sealing device, a counter device that counts a number of opening processes of the sealing device, a data carrier that stores batch-specific data of the test strip(s), a data transmission device for wireless transmission of the data and of the number. An analysis module has a device for measuring substance concentrations by the test strip(s), and a data-receiving device for wireless reception of the data from the data transmission device and of the number. The method records the number and stores the number on the data carrier; sends data and the number by wireless transmission to the analysis module, and determines a substance concentration by the test strip(s). Also or instead, the counter device counts a time duration of the opening processes.

Abstract: A tape unit is provided comprising a flexible tape, a spool for unwinding unused tape and a spool for winding on used tape, wherein an intermediate section of tape which is located between the spools can be used by a user. The tape unit generally achieves a compact design by providing one of the spools in a receiving area defined within the other spool, and a deflection guide for guiding the tape from one spool to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a risk whether an individual will suffer from a cardiovascular adverse event as a consequence of cardiac stress testing, comprising the steps of (a) measuring, preferably in vitro, the level of placenta growth factor, wherein (b) if the level of the placenta growth factor is at least increased, then the individual is at least at risk of suffering from an adverse event as a consequence of cardiac stress testing. In a further embodiment, additionally another marker is measured, particularly a natriuretic peptide, most particularly NT-proBNP. The present invention allows to stratify patients according to the environment and conditions under which cardiac stress testing should be carried out.

Abstract: A method for producing solid proteinase K which is insoluble in water and has high purity, the method comprising the steps of adding to an aqueous solution of proteinase K ammonium sulfate in an amount of 0.1 to 0.2 M per 5 minutes up to a final amount of 1.5 to 2 M after 1 hour, thereby precipitating the proteinase K as a solid, and isolating the solid proteinase K.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel procedure of preparing samples for analysis by way of mass spectrometry, preferably LC-MS/MS. Accordingly, functionalized magnetic particles with a hydrophobic surface were used for extracting low molecular weight compounds from complex liquid biological samples such as plasma, serum, whole blood or hemolyzed blood. The method of the invention includes (a) contacting the sample with an amount of functionalized magnetic particles with a hydrophobic surface, (b) incubating the sample and the particles, thereby adsorbing the compound to the hydrophobic surface, (c) separating the particles by applying a magnetic field and removing the liquid, (d) optionally washing the particles, (e) eluting the compound from the particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding to native proBNP, a method for specific detection of native proBNP, a method of correlating the level of native proBNP to the diagnosis of heart failure, a kit for detection of native proBNP and to a hybridoma cell line producing an antibody to native proBNP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding to native proBNP, a method for specific detection of native proBNP, a method of correlating the level of native proBNP to the diagnosis of heart failure, a kit for detection of native proBNP and to a hybridoma cell line producing an antibody to native proBNP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent for digestion of hemoglobin comprising a buffer, pepsin and a 1,3-dialkyl-imidazolium salt. It also discloses to the use of this reagent in a method for digesting hemoglobin, in a method for detecting HbA1c, and to a sampling tube for collection of a whole blood sample comprising said reagent for digesting hemoglobin.

Abstract: Biscationic organic compounds are disclosed which promote adsorption of nucleic acids from an aqueous solution to a solid phase such as silica. Adsorption takes place under low salt conditions. Further disclosed are methods and kits suitable for nucleic acid isolation from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a benzimidazolium compound comprising a side chain at at least one of its N-residues, said chain being either a Cn-alkyl or a substituted Cn-alkyl, characterized in that preferably n is ?3, as an additive for a nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a communication adapter for use with an ambulant medical device. The device carries out a data transmission to the communication adapter that carries out a data transmission to a computer by means of a data connection. The communication adapter processes the data to be read-out from the devices in such a fashion that it can be displayed on a computer without the use of specific software.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical system and a method for determining an analyte which ensures an exact determination by correcting the measured values based on sample- and analyte-independent light intensity changes. The invention takes into account light intensity changes which are based on changes of measurement conditions in the apparatus. The invention is particularly suitable for use in analytical systems for glucose determination in which light-conducting test elements are used.

Abstract: The current invention restates substituted indole nucleosides as both terminal as well as internal building blocks of labeled oligonucleotide probes for the detection, analysis and quantitation of nucleic acids. The substituent comprises a linker and a detectable group or a linker and a reactive group for post synthesis coupling. These modified nucleosides grant access to a wide application area. These new substituted indole nucleosides can be used as labeling reagents for the facile preparation of e.g. optimized hybridization probes, Taqman-probes, or molecular beacon probes.

Abstract: The current invention restates substituted nitroindole nucleosides as both terminal as well as internal building blocks of labeled oligonucleotide probes for the detection, analysis and quantitation of nucleic acids. The substituent comprises a linker and a detectable group or a linker and a reactive group for post synthesis coupling. These modified nucleosides grant access to a wide application area. These new substituted nitroindole nucleosides can be used as labeling reagents for the facile preparation of, e.g., optimized hybridization probes, simple probes, TAQMAN-probes or molecular beacon probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for differentiating in a subject suffering from chronic shortness of breath (dyspnea) between (i) a pulmonary disease, (ii) a cardiovascular complication, (iii) a cardiovascular complication accompanied by a pulmonary disease and (iv) dyspnea without cardiovascular or pulmonary causes. The method comprises the steps of determining an amount of a pulmonary surfactant protein in a sample of a subject, determining an amount of a natriuretic peptide in a sample of said subject, and differentiating between (i) a pulmonary disease, (ii) a cardiovascular complication, (iii) a cardiovascular complication accompanied by a pulmonary disease and (iv) chronic dyspnea without cardiovascular or pulmonary causes by comparing the amount determined in a) and the amount determined in b) with a reference amount for each. The present invention further provides a device and a kit for carrying out the inventive methods.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for performing a high throughput test to determine the presence of PrPsc in a tissue sample taken post mortem from brain, the test comprising the workflow of (A) sample preparation, (B) sample treatment, (C) sample analysis, (D) controls, and (E) classifying the results of the analysis as positive or negative. The invention is further directed to preparing a treated biological sample suspected of containing PrPsc such that it is suitable for specific detection of PrPsc, if present, the method comprising the steps of (a) homogenizing the sample; followed by (b) digesting the sample proteolytically by adding to the homogenate Proteinase K and incubating the sample; followed by (c) adding a peptidic protease inhibitor to the incubated mixture of step (b), thereby obtaining a treated biological sample suitable for specific detection of PrPsc, if present. The invention further provides a conditioned microwell plate.

Abstract: Compounds of methamphetamine derivatives having a meta-substituted alkyl linker on the benzene ring and a protective group on the nitrogen of the methamphetamine hapten. Such compounds have the structure. wherein R1 is an alkyl linker comprising 2-15 carbon atoms and 0-6 heteroatoms, R2 is a leaving group, and R3 is a protecting group.