Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for automated slide assessments made in conjunction with digital image-based microscopy. Automated methods of acquiring patient information and specimen information from prepared slides, and digitally linking such information into patient-tagged specimen data, are provided. Also provided are methods that include automatically identifying an optimal area for morphological assessment of a blood smear on a hematological slide, including methods for triggering the analysis of such an area, e.g., using an automated digital image-based hematology system. The present disclosure also provides devices, systems and computer readable media for use in performing processes of the herein described methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides detection methods employing HCV core lipid binding domain and DNA binding domain monoclonal antibodies. In certain embodiments, the lipid binding domain monoclonal antibody recognizes an epitope in amino acids 141 to 161 of HCV core protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are infant formulas and corresponding methods of using them to promote retinal health and vision development in infants. The formulas, which are free of egg phospholipids and comprise fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, including docosahexaenoic acid and, on a ready-to-feed basis, at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein, wherein the weight ratio of lutein (mcg) to docosahexaenoic acid (mg) is from about 1:2 to about 10:1. The formulas are also believed to be especially useful in reducing the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.

Abstract: Methods for detecting target analytes utilizing an array of wells are advantageous for detection of low concentrations of target analytes. Use of an array of wells requires sealing of the wells. The methods provided herein utilize digital microfluidics to seal wells of an array with a fluid that is immiscible with the aqueous liquid present in the wells to prevent evaporation and contamination of the aqueous fluid during analysis of signals from the wells. The disclosed method include generating a biphasic droplet composed of the immiscible fluid and an aqueous fluid. The immiscible fluid present in the biphasic droplet is moved over the array of wells to seal the wells by electrically actuating the aqueous fluid present in the biphasic droplet which in turn pulls the immiscible fluid.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatuses and methods for using a medical instrument including a sizing and positioning adapter. The apparatus comprises an adapter for a medical instrument, the adapt having a body having a shim portion and an instrument holding portion adjacent the shim portion, wherein the shim portion provides an enlarged peripheral surface adjacent the medical instrument such that when the medical instrument is held in the instrument holding portion and the medical instrument and body are inserted through an opening in a patient tissue, at least a portion of the enlarged peripheral surface is in contact with at least a portion of the periphery of the opening in the patient tissue.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving CNS maturation in an infant by administering a mixture of natural tocopherols, wherein the composition contains an optimum tocopherol profile similar to that found in human breast milk, and can encompass a tocopherol profile from early stage to transitional to mature human breast milk. For ease of administration and maximized efficacy, the optimized mixture of natural tocopherols are typically delivered in an oral dosage form with a limited level of non-RRR alpha-tocopherols to maximize efficacy of the RRR alpha-tocopherol on stimulating post-natal CNS development.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample. The methods include contacting said sample, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a sequence conversion oligonucleotide. Also disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample in which said sample is contacted, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a sequence conversion oligonucleotide and a signal amplifier oligonucleotide. The disclosure also provides compositions and kits comprising such sequence conversion and signal amplifier oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibodies and methods of using said antibodies to detect Golgi protein 73 (GP73) and fucosylated GP73 in a sample.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a rotating device, a first optical reader, and a second optical reader. The rotating device includes a first darkened compartment, a second darkened compartment, and an optical path along which the first darkened compartment and the second darkened compartment travel. The first optical reader is operable to read the first darkened compartment and the second optical reader is operable to read the second darkened compartment.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides spectrophotometric methods for assessing histological stains used in a histology analyzer. The methods find use in various assessments including determinations of the identity of a histological stain, determinations of the quality of a histological stain, etc. Also included are devices and systems for practicing the described methods. The instant disclosure also provides computer readable media containing libraries of reference spectrophotometric characteristics of histological stains useful in assessing a histological stain used in a histology analyzer. Also provided is computer readable media containing instructions that cause a computing device to perform steps for making an assessment of a histological stain.

Abstract: In some aspects, a keyed cap for a container is provided. Furthermore, in some aspects, a keyed container device including a container and the keyed cap for the container is also provided. Still further, in some aspects, a keyed containing system including a container, keyed cap for the container, and an electronic device having a keying element that is adapted to mate or otherwise fit with a specific keying element on the keyed cap. If a keyed cap has a keying element that does not correctly correspond to a specific keying element on an electronic device, then the keyed cap will not properly mate with the keying element on the electronic device. For example, the two keying elements that do not match may not fit sufficiently far enough within each other to permit the piercing member on the electronic device to reach a septum on the cap.

Abstract: In some aspects, a flow cytometer system is provided that includes beam shaping optics positioned to manipulate a light beam and produce a resulting light beam that irradiates the core stream at the interrogation zone of the flow cell. The beam shaping optics include an acylindrical lens positioned to receive and focus light in a direction of a first axis orthogonal to a direction of light travel, and a cylindrical lens positioned to receive the light output from the acylindrical lens and to focus the light output from the acylindrical lens in a direction of a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and to the direction of light travel. The resulting light beam output has a flat-top shaped intensity profile along the first axis, and a Gaussian-shaped intensity profile along the second axis. Related methods of shaping a light beam at an interrogation zone of a flow cell are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for carrying out Romanowsky-type stains, specifically Wright-Giemsa and May-Grünwald stains, quickly and efficiently. The methods greatly reduce the overall amount of time required to complete a Wright-Giemsa stain or a May-Grünwald stain of sufficient quality on a biological sample. The subject methods can be applied to both manual and automated staining procedures.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods related to automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an analyzer to perform a diagnostic test, the analyzer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The example apparatus includes a loading bay disposed on the first side of the analyzer to receive a first carrier and a pipetting mechanism coupled to the analyzer adjacent the second side. The example apparatus also includes a first carrier shuttle to transport the first carrier from a first location adjacent the loading bay to a second location adjacent the pipetting mechanism and a track disposed adjacent the second side of the analyzer to transfer a second carrier to a third location adjacent the pipetting mechanism.