Abstract: The present invention relates to high-throughput methods comprising direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), multistep tandem mass spectrometry (MSn), consecutive reaction monitoring (CRM), ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry (IMS-MS), high-resolution MS, and IMS-MS, for genome-wide (whole cell or tissue) profiling of DNA and RNA nucleotides/nucleosides having a wide variety of variant structural modifications. In particular, these methods are contemplated for providing a specific profile of variant DNA and/or RNA chemically modified nucleic acids (i.e. structures) associated with specific medical conditions. Medical conditions may include, but are not limited to: cancer; including prostate, lung, uterus, larynx, ovary, breast, kidney, and many other types of cancers; specific stages of cancer; bacterial infections; viral infections; genetic and metabolic disorders; and any condition involving changes in DNA and/or RNA structural modifications.

Abstract: A technique relates to a fluidic cell configured to hold a nanofluidic chip. A first plate is configured to hold the nanofluidic chip. A second plate is configured to fit on top of the first plate, such that the nanofluidic chip is held in place. The second plate has at least one first port and at least one second port. The second plate has an entrance hole configured to communicate with an inlet hole of the nanofluidic chip. The second port is angled above the first port, such that the first port and second port intersect to form a junction. The second port is formed to have a line-of-sight to the entrance hole, such that the second port is configured to receive input for extracting air trapped at a vicinity of the entrance hole.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing a biological fluid to determine an expected therapeutic benefit of the fluid include determining amounts of components within the biological fluid. Comparisons of a first component of the biological fluid relative to another component of the biological are made to characterize a therapeutic effect of the biological fluid.

Abstract: Methods are described for determining the amount of metabolites of leflunomide in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying teriflunomide in a sample.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a substrate, first and second source regions, first and second drain regions, first and second channel regions, and first and second gate structures disposed over the first and second channel regions respectively. The source regions and drain regions are at least partially disposed within the substrate. The second gate structure includes first and second gate elements, and a resistance region configured to provide a resistance to a second current flow through the second channel region. In use, the first gate structure may receive a solution, and a change in pH in the solution changes a first current flow through the first channel region. In turn, the second current flow through the second channel region changes to compensate for the change in the first current flow to maintain a constant current flow through the sensor device.

Abstract: Provided is a method for liberating sugar chains from a glycoprotein, including: a step of brining a reaction solution which contains hydroxylamines (a) and a basic reagent (b) into contact with the glycoprotein to obtain a mixed solution of sugar chains liberated from the glycoprotein and the reaction solution.

Abstract: A system may include a first conduit configured to form a first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid separated by spacing liquid disposed between consecutive volumes of aqueous fluid, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid volumes; a second conduit, fluidically coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit configured to statically hold the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid; and a third conduit configured to receive the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid from the second conduit. The third conduit can be configured to transfer the discrete volumes of aqueous fluid of the first batch for downstream processing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus includes a filament having a first end for carrying the materials and a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament. The filament is movable such that the first end protrudes by a pre-determined length from the head portion to allow transfer of the materials to and from the first end.

Abstract: A method for making a microarray block with a recipient block having at least one bore therein. A mold having a cylindrical bore with a cross-sectional shape approximating the cross-sectional shape of the at least one bore of the recipient block can be provided. The first end of the mold can have an opening that communicates with a cylindrical bore of the mold. A biological sample and a liquid carrier medium can be introduced through the opening and solidified in the mold to form a core. The core can be removed from the mold and at least a portion of the core can be inserted into the at least one bore of the recipient block. Related methods and assemblies are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides generally for a fluid-dispensing device. More specifically, the present disclosure provides for a precision fluid-dispensing device that may deliver a predefined volume of fluid quickly and reliably. In some aspects, the precision fluid-dispensing device may be used to deliver a fluid to a receiving container, such as in a manufacturing line, as a non-limiting example. In some embodiments, the precision fluid-dispensing device may dispense very accurate volumes of fluid using the head pressure of the fluid from an elevated reservoir or pressurized fluid supply. In some implementations, the precision fluid-dispensing device may dispense fluid gently and quickly, which may allow for handling of fluids that may be sensitive to agitation or mixing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “?” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for identifying contaminants in a semiconductor cleaning solution, including: contacting a semiconductor cleaning solution with a semiconductor manufacturing component to form an effluent including one or more insoluble analytes-of-interest; contacting the effluent including one or more insoluble analytes-of-interest with an optical apparatus configured to sense fluorescence and, optionally, Raman signals from the one or more insoluble analytes-of-interest, wherein the apparatus includes an electron multiplying charged couple device and a grating spectrometer to spectrally disperse the fluorescence and project the fluorescence on to the electron multiplying charged couple device; and identifying the one or more analytes of interest.

Abstract: A robot accessory and/or device that provides a sample collector device, a sample storage device, and a work surface. Upon activation, the sample collector device performs a full cycle in which an actuator causes the movement (i.e., extension and then retraction) of an actuator arm that simultaneously causes the top link plate, the lance plunger, the plunger guide, and the plunger to likewise move, including the depression and/or compression and release of the pipette. During this full cycle, this single device is able to remotely collect solid, liquid and/or multiphase samples of potentially hazardous materials and reduces human exposure to this hazardous material and dangerous environment.

Abstract: A system for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay that includes a receptacle holder formed from a thermally conductive material and having a receptacle well for receiving a lower portion of a vial; a thermal element for cycling the temperature of the receptacle holder; a signal detection module in optical communication with the receptacle well; and a robotic pipettor. The receptacle holder supports a capped vial having a plastic, opaque cap in a snap-fit with a single plastic vial containing a nucleic acid amplification reagent. An upper portion of the cap includes a probe recess that is configured to be removably engaged by an end of a probe of the robotic pipettor. A lower portion of the vial is contained within the receptacle well, and the cap is situated above a top surface of the receptacle holder.

Abstract: A method of determining the proportion of cyanide in a sample, comprising the following steps: (i) Add the sample to be analysed to a sensor molecule that is selected from cobryrinic acid hepta C1-4 alkyl esters of the Formula I in which X is CN, R3 is H, and R1 and R2 are OCH3; (ii) Subject the sample to UV-vis spectroscopic analysis in the range 450-700 nm; (iii) Determine the free cyanide concentration from the equation (i) C=(A?0.058)/0.104??(i) in which C is the free cyanide concentration and A is A=A581/A527 the ratio of the absorbances at 581 and 527 nm, the equation (i) having been derived from a calibration curve that is a plot of A ratios calculated at 0-1 mg/L CN? with a constant 46 nmol of sensor compound. The method provides a particularly accurate assessment of cyanide concentration in an unknown sample.

Abstract: A storage box for plastic pipette tips that has a frame part with two longitudinal walls and two transverse walls that enclose an interior space laterally. The storage box has a support plate arranged on the upper side of the frame part with a large number of bearing openings that plastic pipette tips can be inserted. The storage box also includes a pipette tip contact piece on the underside of the frame part for contacting a plastic pipette tip inserted into one of the bearing openings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid sealed cartridge in which a liquid injected through an inlet is previously sealed, and the liquid is transferred by a centrifugal force being applied by rotation, and the liquid sealed cartridge includes: a liquid storage portion configured to store the liquid; a bypass flow path having one end and the other end connected to the liquid storage portion, the bypass flow path having the inlet; and a transfer flow path into which the liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion when the centrifugal force is applied.

Abstract: An immunoassay apparatus may include: a sample dispenser part that dispenses a sample into a first reaction container; a reagent dispenser part that dispenses, into the first reaction container: a solid-phase reagent containing a solid-phase carrier; a labeled reagent; and a releasing reagent that releases, from the solid-phase carrier, an immune complex including a target substance and a labeled substance; a measurement part that measures a signal based on the labeled substance in the immune complex in a second reaction container; a container supply part that stores a plurality of reaction containers; a transfer part that transfers the first reaction container so that the sample dispenser part and the reagent dispenser part perform a dispensing operation to the first reaction container, and that transfers the second reaction container so that the immune complex dispended from the first reaction container is dispensed into the second container.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more heavy metals in a sample solution is provided. The disclosure includes adding a dye to the sample solution having the one or more heavy metals to produce a color mixture. Mesoporous TiO2 NPs are added to the color mixture to preconcentrate metal-dye complex onto the surface of the mesoporous TiO2 NPs. Presence of the one or more heavy metals is detected by change in color within about 30 seconds via a naked eye. The disclosure further includes a method of determining concentration of one or more heavy metals in a sample solution by absorbance.