Abstract: This invention relates to a method, device and apparatus for digitizing electromagnetic radiation measurements by control of camera shutter speed. The invention uses an Electromagnetic Radiation Sensitive Device (ERSD), such as for example a camera system containing a CMOS- or a CCD-image chip, to perform precise measurements by high-resolution digital control of the shutter speed. A constant output value is obtained from the ERSD such that any non-linearity and range limitation of the ERSD output is circumvented. The measurement methods and system are applied to chemical tests and analytes, which are used for diagnostic purposes. The method can be used to measure reflectance, transmittance, fluorescence and turbidity.

Abstract: An assay method for detecting potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a vascularized subject by assessing the concentration of holo-transcobalamin II (holo-TCII) in a sample from the subject where abnormally low levels of holo-TCII are indicative of CVD or susceptibility to CVD.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessment of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in a transferrin containing body fluid, said method comprising the steps of:i) obtaining a transferrin containing liquid sample of or derived from a said fluid;ii) contacting said sample with a source of iron ions;iii) subsequently contacting said sample with an anionic ion exchange resin at a pH such as to cause carbohydrate-deficient transferrin to be retained by said resin;iv) subsequently contacting said resin with an eluant serving to release carbohydrate-deficient transferrin into the eluate from said resin;v) collecting a volume of said eluate substantially free from tetra- and penta-sialo transferrin; andvi) assessing the transferrin variant content in said volume of eluate.By including at least a proportion of the trisialotransferrin in the eluate, it is possible to use relatively simple assessment techniques such as turbidimetry in the assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assaying homocysteine in a sample such as blood, plasma or urine, which comprises the steps of contacting the sample with a homocysteine converting enzyme and at least one substrate for the enzyme other than homocysteine, and without chromatographic separation, assessing a non-labelled analyte selected from a homocysteine co-substrate and the homocysteine conversion products of the enzymic conversion of homocysteine by said enzyme.

Abstract: A method for the determination of an individual's alcohol consumption, characterized in comprising the steps: i) determining the level of sialic acid in a body fluid sample from the individual; ii) comparing the level found in step (i) with the level for the normal population, an increased level being an indication of an increased alcohol consumption relative to the consumption (per individual) of the normal population.