Abstract: The invention relates to magnetic particles coated with silica (Si02), whereby the silicate layer is closed and tight and is characterized by having an extremely small thickness on the scale of a few nanometers—hereafter also referred to as a silica nanolayer. This invention also relates to an improved method for producing these silicate-containing magnetic particles that, in comparison to the prior art, lead to a product having a closed silicate layer and thus entail a highly improved purity. In addition, the novel method prevents an uncontrolled formation of aggregates and clusters of silicates on the magnetite surface, thereby having a positive influence on the properties and biological applications cited below. The novel method also enables the depletion of nanoparticulate solid substance particles on the basis of a fractionated centrifugation. The inventive magnetic particles exhibit an optimized magnetization and suspension behavior as well as a very advantageous run-off behavior from plastic surfaces.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining genomic imprinting disorders in a patient based upon methylation specific primer extension in a format amenable to high throughput and multiplex formats. After bisulfite modification of a genomic sample, DNA is amplified and hybridized to discrimination primers specific for a CpG dinucleotide site in the sample. Because no extension products from the discrimination primers are produced from DNA that has a deletion or functional inactivation at the CpG site, the sample may be diagnosed as having a genomic imprinting disorder by way of comparison with a normal sample.

Abstract: The clinical analyzer includes a cuvette carrier that is moved in a manner to provide flexible assay timing and variable incubation periods. Multiple assays having such varied incubation times can be run concurrently in random-access, avoiding timing conflicts. Fluid delivery stations are placed around the cuvette carrier in positions that are independent of assay timing. The cuvettes move in unison, in multiples of incremental steps, along a closed geometrical path. The cuvette carrier is movable variable distances in opposite directions in a single time cycle to position specific cuvettes at specific locations for delivery of sample or reagent. The direction of movement of the cuvette carrier is preferably based on a determination of the shortest distance between the cuvette and respective fluid delivery stations. However, in each time cycle there is a net progressive incremental stepwise movement of the cuvettes in a selected direction.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic methods and kits including oligo and/or polynucleotides or derivatives, including as well antibodies determining whether a human subject is at risk of getting adverse drug reaction after statin therapy. Still further the invention provides polymorphic sequences and other genes. The present invention further relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding a SADR gene polypeptide useful in methods to identify therapeutic agents and useful for preparation of a medicament to treat statin induced adverse drug reactions (SADR), the polynucleotide is selected from the group comprising: SEQ ID 1-35 with allelic variation as indicated in the sequences section contained in a functional surrounding like full length cDNA for SADR gene polypeptide and with or without the SADR gene promoter sequence.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte monolayers and multilayers for coating optical signal transducers are disclosed.

Abstract: A miniature readhead is provided for photometric color detection using ambient light. The readhead is hand-held, including a superposed plate and tray. The tray receives sample media configured to react and to change color according to an amount of analyte in a sample. The plate is optically transmissive, so that ambient light is transmissible therethrough to the sample media indexed within the tray. An array of light detectors is disposed along the plate, including sets of detectors configured to detect light of at least three mutually distinct wavelengths reflected from the test areas. Light shields superposed with each of the light detectors selectively permit ambient light to pass to the tray, while substantially preventing ambient light from reaching the light detectors prior to reflecting from the test areas. The readhead may be incorporated into a photometric diagnostic instrument configured to analyze the reflections and derive a diagnosis value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of prognosis of a proliferative disease in a patient. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for the identification of the likely outcome of breast cancer in a breast cancer patient. The invention also relates to methods for the identification of the likely outcome of breast cancer in a patient on the basis of the ERBB2 status of the patient and expression levels of immune genes in tumour tissue of said patient.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent acridinium compounds are used in homogeneous assays to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample without strong acid or strong base treatment. The chemiluminescent acridinium compounds include acridinium esters with electron donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 position on the acridinium nucleus to inhibit pseudo-base formation, or acridinium sulfonamides with or without electron donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 position on the acridinium nucleus.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent acridinium compounds are used in homogeneous assays to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample without strong acid or strong base treatment. The chemiluminescent acridinium compounds include acridinium esters with electron donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 position on the acridinium nucleus to inhibit pseudo-base formation, or acridinium sulfonamides with or without electron donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 position on the acridinium nucleus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for verifying one or more operational conditions of an optical inspection machine. A row of grooves (1-5) that simulate a reagent pad containing a specific type of analytes at known concentrations can be used for verification of the operation of the machine. Apparatus can include a row of grooves (1-5), each with different geometry, configured on an insertable device (20). The insertable device (20) can be positioned so that the row of grooves (1-5) can be illuminated by the readhead of the machine. If the optical inspection machine provides results corresponding to the known type(s) and concentrations of analyte(s), proper operation of the optical inspection machine is indicated. If the simulated type and concentration of specified reagen is not indicated, improper operation is indicated. Measurement error due to non-machine error is indicated when the known type and concentration of the analyte simulated by the rows (1-5) is indicated.

Abstract: This invention provides a polynucleotide encoding Repro-EN-1.0 and IB1, polypeptides associated with endometriosis. Auto-antibodies against Repro-EN-1.0 and IB1 have been found in subjects diagnosed with endometriosis. This invention also provides methods of using this polynucleotide and polypeptide.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent acridinium compounds are used in homogeneous assays to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample without strong acid or strong base treatment. The chemiluminescent acridinium compounds include acridinium esters with electron donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 position on the acridinium nucleus to inhibit pseudo-base formation, or acridinium sulfonamides with or without electron donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 position on the acridinium nucleus.

Abstract: A self-contained, optical hand-held diagnostic device is provided with a body having a pocket-sized form factor sized and shaped for engagement by a user's hand. The body includes an integral power supply and an integral display. A channel receives reagent sample media in an indexed fit. The sample media has a plurality of spaced test areas which change color according to an amount of a constituent or property in the sample. Imagers are located within the body so that each of the imagers is superposed with one of the test areas when the sample media is indexed within the channel, to capture an image thereof. A processor is coupled with the imagers to analyze the captured images. The processor also derives a diagnosis value from the analysis, and generates an output corresponding thereto. The display is configured to receive and display the output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophilic, high quantum yield acridinium compounds. It has been discovered that the placement of electron-donating groups in the acridinium ring system increases the amount of light that is emitted by the corresponding acridinium compound when its chemiluminescence is triggered by alkaline peroxide. More specifically, it has been found that the placement of one or two hydrophilic, alkoxy groups at the C-2 and/or C-7 position of the acridinium ring system of acridinium compounds increases their quantum yield and enhances the aqueous solubility of these compounds. The present hydrophilic, high quantum yield, acridinium compounds are useful chemiluminescent labels for improving the sensitivity of immunoassays.

Abstract: A device for evaluating at least one analyte in a test sample. The device comprises a cassette having a hollow test chamber, a test strip disposed within the test chamber for receiving the test sample, and a temperature control member. The cassette has at least one aperture extending from an exterior of the cassette to the hollow test chamber. The test strip includes a reagent adapted to react with the at least one analyte to produce a reaction indicative of the presence of the analyte. The temperature control member is adapted to extend through the at least one aperture in the cassette and into the test chamber for controlling the temperature of the test chamber.

Abstract: A readhead for a photometric diagnostic instrument includes a housing adapted for incorporation within the photometric diagnostic instrument, and an elongated sample table operatively engaged with the housing. The sample table is configured to support elongated reagent sample media of the type having a plurality of test areas disposed in spaced relation thereon, each of the test areas being configured to react with a sample and to change color according to an amount of a constituent or property in the sample. A light source is provided to illuminate the sample table. An imager having an elongated field of view is coupled to the housing, the elongated field of view including at least a portion of the sample table. A scanning mechanism is configured to move the field of view relative to the sample table.

Abstract: A wavelength correction function provides corrected reflectance values from actual reflectance values taken in a reflectance-base instrument. The correction is provided as a function of measured reflectance values and a predefined set of high resolution reflectance values established for the reflectance-based instrument implementing the wavelength correction function.

Abstract: A simulated electrophoretic trace is prepared by first obtaining an input file containing an input base sequence comprising a string of letters (A, C, G and/or T) in an order corresponding to the input base sequence, and then modifying the input file using one or more functions to take into account perturbations associated with (1) changes in peak intensity as a function of base number; (2) peak shape as a function of base number; (3) peak skew; (4) spacing between peaks; (5) background; (6) noise; (7) spectral cross-talk; (8) instrumental effects and/or (9) gel electrophoresis effects to produce a modified file representing a simulated electrophoretic trace. The method may be performed using a specially adapted apparatus.

Abstract: A variable rate particle counter for adjusting the volumetric delivery rate of fluid to a flow cell based upon an initial particle count rate in order to effectively “tune” the final dilution of sample sheath flow to the particle concentration of the sample. A sheath fluid syringe pump and a test sample syringe pump are driven by motors which are adjusted by a data analyzer. The data analyzer compares a particle count rate measured by a detection assembly to a predetermined reference value and determines if the count rate is too high or to low. Accordingly, one of several pump profiles is initiated to adjust the flow rate of the sheath fluid or test sample or both. Advantageously, the low cell count precision is improved and the upper limit cell count is expanded.

Abstract: The robot alignment system is used for establishing a predetermined alignment position between a movable robot member and an article that is processed by the robot. The system includes a laser transmitter that emits a focused laser beam and a target against which the focused laser beam is directed. The laser transmitter is preferably supported by the robot and the target is supported by the article that is processed by the robot. A signaling device cooperates with the target to produce a detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received at a predetermined location on the target. The detectable signal signifies establishment of a predetermined alignment position between the robot and the article that is processed by the robot.