Abstract: Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers demonstrating sufficient accuracy and specificity for identifying kidney injuries. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of continuous monitoring for kidney injury.

Abstract: Described is a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate using an oil-free immiscible phase driven by manual or electronic pipettors. The well-plate includes a plurality of fluidic traps, a plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and a plurality of bypass channels. Each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, each of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and each of the plurality of fluidic traps is associated with one of the plurality of bypass channels and one of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels. The well-plate further includes an inlet, an outlet, and a main channel with a plurality of portions that connects the inlet to the plurality of fluidic traps, associated hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and associated bypass channels, and the outlet.

Abstract: A method of generating an inclusion list for targeted mass spectrometric analysis is disclosed. Experimentally-acquired data for a plurality of isobarically-labeled peptides derived by proteolytic digestion of a corresponding protein. The data includes, for each of the isobarically-labeled peptides, a mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio, a charge state, and a chromatographic retention time (RT). The method includes determining a hydrophobicity index (HI) of an unlabeled peptide corresponding to the isobarically-labeled peptide. If the determined HI is less than a threshold value, a substitute unlabeled peptide is selected in accordance with predetermined criteria and predicted properties for the substitute peptide are determined and stored on an inclusion list. If the determined HI for the unlabeled peptide is at least as great as the threshold value, predicted properties for the unlabeled peptide are determined and stored on an inclusion list.

Abstract: A device is described that overlays a first fluid, such as blood or a cellular suspension onto a base material, such as a density gradient. In some embodiments, the fluid layering device includes a cylindrical reservoir, a fluid barrier, a coupling extension, a plunger, and an exhaust vent. The fluid layering device can be coupled through its coupling extension to an open end of a container, such as a conical centrifuge tube, including the density gradient. Once attached, the plunger may be lowered to a position above the surface of the density gradient. A first fluid may flow from the reservoir into the conical tube across the plunger, so that a suitable overlay is formed without substantially disturbing a surface of the density gradient.

Abstract: A method for identifying a reagent during a process in an analysis system is disclosed. The analysis system comprises a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. The method comprises providing a reagent, adding at least one chemical substance to the reagent with a concentration being below a detection level of the mass spectrometer, enriching the chemical substance within the liquid chromatograph to a concentration above the detection level of the mass spectrometer, processing the reagent together with the enriched chemical substance by means of the analysis system, and identifying the reagent based on a detection of a substance detection signal of the mass spectrometer representing the chemical substance.

Abstract: Provided herein is a single-walled pipette tip rack comprising buttresses for use in automated systems, in some embodiments. Also provided herein is a partial single-walled pipette tip rack comprising posts.

Abstract: There is provided a master for micro flow path creation, a transfer copy, and a method for producing a master for micro flow path creation by which transfer copies having an area with high hydrophilicity can be easily mass-produced, the master for micro flow path creation including: a base material; a main concave-convex portion provided on a surface of the base material and extending in a planar direction of the base material; and a fine concave-convex portion provided on a surface of the main concave-convex portion and having a narrower pitch than the main concave-convex portion. The fine concave-convex portion has an arithmetic average roughness of 10 nm to 150 nm and has a specific surface area ratio of 1.1 to 3.0.

Abstract: A method for amplifying nucleic acids by a polymerase chain reaction in a reaction volume heated using electrical energy. In at least one of the passages of the amplification cycle of the polymerase chain reaction, the ratio of the electrical energy used in the denaturation step to heat the reaction volume to the size of the reaction volume is less than 20 Joule per milliliter. Further shown is a method of amplifying nucleic acids in a reaction volume by using a device that includes a reaction vessel and a heating means with at least one heating element in contact with the reaction volume where at least one heating element is conjugated to oligonucleotides. Also shown is a device for the amplification of nucleic acids in a reaction volume including a reaction vessel for receiving the reaction volume and a heating means consisting of at least one heating element contacting the reaction volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic chip and valve, production process and uses thereof according to the independent claims.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single-use test cartridges, cell analyzer apparatus, and methods for automatically performing microscopic cell analysis tasks, such as counting and analyzing blood cells in biological samples. A small measured quantity of a biological sample, such as whole blood, is placed in a mixing bowl on the disposable test cartridge after being inserted into the cell analyzer. The analyzer also deposits a known amount of diluent/stain in the mixing bowl and mixes it with the blood. The analyzer takes a measured amount of the mixture and dispenses in a sample cup on the cartridge in fluid communication with an imaging chamber. The geometry of the imaging chamber is chosen to maintain the uniformity of the mixture, and to prevent cells from crowding or clumping as it is transferred into the imaging chamber by the analyzer. Images of all of the cellular components within the imaging chamber are counted and analyzed to obtain a complete blood count.

Abstract: Methods and devices for concentrating target cells using dielectrophoresis (DEP) are disclosed. The method allows relatively high throughput of sample through a microfluidic device in order to allow rapid capture of target cells even when they are present in low concentrations within the sample. The method utilizes multiple chambers through which samples will flow, the chambers arranged such that the first capture area has a larger area and faster flow rate than a second chamber, the second chamber being positioned downstream of the first capture area and being smaller with a slower flow rate to further concentrate the material captured in the first capture area.

Abstract: A magnetic separation filter has an unsupported magnetically soft material layer having a plurality of pores, and, optionally, a passivation layer disposed on the magnetically soft material layer. The magnetic separation filter may be part of a microfluidic device having a lateral flow channel and a vertical flow magnetic separation filter. The magnetic separation device may be used to separate magnetically tagged particles, such as cells.

Abstract: The solar-powered oxygen production system for hospitals is useful for producing oxygen in hospital settings without the need for an external power source. The system includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) solar panels mounted on the roof of a hospital and an oxygen production system housed within the equipment room of the hospital. The solar panels provide the electrical power needed for the oxygen production system. The solar panels are mounted on the roof using solar panel supports. The number of panels and the power output of each panel can be selected depending on the electrical power requirements of the oxygen production system. The oxygen production system includes an LED for activating a black phosphorous catalyst in the atmospheric air to convert water vapor in the air into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate having an electromagnetic wave transmission property, a lid member facing the substrate and being separated from the substrate such that a flow channel is formed between the substrate and the lid member, a light absorption layer which is placed in the flow channel and absorbs an electromagnetic wave, and a microwell array formed on the substrate and having plural microwells that are open to the flow channel to receive a target of analysis.

Abstract: A closure and a container assembly are disclosed. The closure includes a first visual identifier and a second visual identifier, wherein the second visual identifier is different from the first visual identifier. The first visual identifier may be a first color, and the second visual identifier may be a second color. At least one of the first and/or second visual identifier may include a fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra. The first visual identifier and the second visual identifier may be provided on the annular skirt of the closure. The fluorescent compound may be provided on at least one of the closure and the container assembly and can be used to facilitate automated visualization of the fluorescent compound under fluorescence excitation light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for verifying the primary structure of a protein through comparative analyses between ion clusters observed in mass spectra and a series of simulated ion clusters deduced from its putative chemical formula. The method comprises the steps of: preparing a protein sample for mass spectrometric analyses; collecting mass spectra of the protein sample; obtaining master ion cluster from a plurality of ion clusters in the mass spectra; producing a series of simulated ion clusters according to the chemical formula of the protein; finding the best fit for the master ion cluster among the series of simulated ion clusters; and verifying if said best-fit simulated ion cluster corresponds to the chemical formula of the protein.

Abstract: An ion source and ion recycle module includes an electrolyte reservoir, an eluent recovery chamber, and an ion exchange connector. The electrolyte reservoir includes a chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution including an electrolyte having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, and a first electrode. The chamber inlet is fluidically connected to a source chamber of an electrolytic eluent generator and configured to receive depleted electrolyte solution from the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator. The chamber outlet is fluidically connected to the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator and configured to provide recycled electrolyte solution to the electrolytic eluent generator source chamber. The eluent recovery chamber including a second electrode and configured to receive an eluent solution including eluent counter ions from the eluent generator; and the ion exchange connector including an ion exchange membrane stack.

Abstract: A container assembly for use with a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument is disclosed, in which the container assembly, when coupled to a source of pressurized gas, provides fluid medium to the HPLC instrument at positive pressure. The container assembly has an external exterior container shell, an internal fluid container for holding fluid medium, an interstitial volume between the external exterior container shell and the internal fluid container, a port for fluidly connecting the volume to a pressurized gas source, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal fluid container to the HPLC instrument. As a pressurized gas in the interstitial volume increases, fluid medium flows out of the port connected to the internal fluid bag and container assembly at a positive pressure. A system incorporating the container assembly, and method of use of the same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The application relates to a sample holder (110) and a system (100). The application also relates to a method for processing a biological sample (S) and use of the sample holder or of the system in an analytical method or a diagnostic method. The sample holder (110) comprises a tubular member (111) with a wall that is at least locally transparent and at least locally permeable for reagents, wherein the tubular member consists at least partially of a transparent material.

Abstract: Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.