Abstract: An analyzer for measuring a sample includes a display, measurement hardware configured to perform a quality control measurement on a vial containing a quality control (QC) sample, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display and the measurement hardware and is configured to communicate, via the display, instructions to implement a QC measurement on a first vial containing a first QC sample. If a result of the QC measurement is within a pre-determined range the first vial passes the QC measurement. If the result of the QC measurement is not within the pre-determined range the first vial fails the QC measurement. If the first vial fails the QC measurement and if a number of times the first vial fails the QC measurement is less than a predetermined number, the controller is configured to communicate, via the display, instructions to repeat the QC measurement on the first vial.

Abstract: A test strip analyser is provided. The test strip analyser includes a frame, a test control module and an optical system. The test control module is disposed in the frame and includes a test strip carrier of a plurality of test strip carriers and a sample container of a plurality of sample containers. The test strip carrier is disposed on the frame and adapted to hold a test strip. The sample container is adapted to contain a sample. The optical system is disposed above the frame and the test control module and includes a light sensor and controller. The light sensor is configured to capture an image of the test strip. The controller is connected to the light sensor to control the light sensor, and the light sensor feedbacks the image to the controller. In addition, an analysing method using the same is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a block having at least one reservoir, a base layer attached to the bottom of the block and a microfluidic channel formed in the base layer or at the interface between the block and base layer. The microfluidic channel is in fluid communication with the at least one reservoir. A static pressure source is operatively coupleable to the reservoir. A flow path extends from the reservoir to the microfluidic channel. The flow path has a first portion which extends upwardly away from the base layer over a barrier and into a second portion which extends downwardly towards the base layer and leads to the microfluidic channel. The flow path is configured such that it prevents flow from the reservoir to the microfluidic channel under the influence of gravity alone when the reservoir is filled to a level below the level of the top of the barrier.

Abstract: The glycemic index is determined based on the results of blood glucose concentration measurements by evaluating time ?t from the beginning of food-related increase of blood glucose concentration until the peak of glucose concentration is reached, after which maximum increase ?Gmax of said glucose concentration is determined over the given period of time. Thereat, the glycemic index of food is defined as a ratio of maximum increase of blood glucose concentration ?Gmax versus maximum increase of said glucose concentration in case of pure glucose intake in the amount equal to carbohydrate content of the consumed food, which is proportional to the product of ?Gmax by ?t. The invention substantially simplifies the procedure for measuring the glycemic index of real food and facilitates the development of simple personal devices for monitoring carbohydrate metabolism.

Abstract: This application discloses a method of differentiating stable angina pectoris from acute coronary syndrome, including: obtaining a blood plasma sample from a patient; measuring a relative concentration of at least one metabolic biomarker in the blood plasma sample, wherein the at least one metabolic biomarker is selected from the group consisting of malic acid, taurine, arachidonic acid, citramalic acid, methionine, and pentadecanoic acid; calculating a value according to the relative concentration of at least one metabolic biomarker; comparing the value with a predefined critical value, if the value is more than the predefined critical value, the patient has the acute coronary syndrome, otherwise, the patient has the stable angina pectoris. The method and a diagnostic kit thereof is capable of differential diagnosis of SA and ACS and it can improve the diagnostic convenience and promote the diagnostic standardization.

Abstract: The invention provides the art with a powerful diagnostic method of distinguishing relapse-remitting MS subjects from progressive MS subjects, based on the measurement of serum concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc,), for the first time enabling rapid diagnosis of the progressive form of MS. GlcNAc serum concentration can also be used to assess neurodegenerative status and MS progression in subjects suffering from MS or other neurological conditions. The methods of the invention also allow for the identification of new therapeutics for MS and other neurological conditions and also enables the personalized efficacy assessment of a potential therapy for an MS subject.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a loading tool for a multi-well chromatography filter plate is disclosed. The loading tool may include a top plate and a bottom plate slidably coupled to the top plate. The top plate may include a plurality of wells for holding a material, a rail located along a side of the top plate, and a notch formed in the rail. The bottom plate may include a plurality of funnels extending from the bottom plate, each of the plurality of funnels corresponding to one of the plurality of wells, a track located along a side of the bottom plate to receive the rail located on the top plate, and a pathway formed in the track to receive the notch such that the notch and the pathway limit movement of the top plate relative to the bottom plate.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume is described. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for analyzing blood coagulation in a blood sample. The device (10) includes a housing (12) having an analytical membrane (14) partially enclosed in a housing. The analytical membrane (14) includes a porous hydrophilic sample portion (34), a porous hydrophilic analytical portion (36), and a porous hydrophilic wicking portion (38). The porosity of the analytical portion (36) differs from the porosity of the sample portion (34). The method utilizes the device to analyze blood coagulation in a whole blood sample from the distance travelled by the red blood cell leading edge (50) in a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The invention pertains to diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer (OC), cervical cancer (CC), or colorectal cancer (CRC). One embodiment of the invention provides a method of identifying OC, CC, or CRC based on the level of RHAMM in the urine of a subject. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of identifying OC based on the level of RHAMM in the urine and CA125 in the blood of a subject. The invention also pertains to monitoring the efficacy of a treatment of OC, CC, or CRC based on the level of RHAMM protein in the urine and/or the level of CA125 in the blood. Another embodiment of the invention provides devices and reagents to assay RHAMM in a urine sample and optionally, assay CA125 in a blood sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using assays that detect Chitinase-3-like protein 1 as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker assays in renal injuries.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for predicting the solubility of at least one species at a specified pH value in an aqueous buffer comprising at least one weak acid species and/or at least one weak base species.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying haloether contamination in aqueous samples. A flow state is artificially induced upon an aqueous sample and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, upon which an electric potential is applied, is exposed to the flowing aqueous sample in direct immersion mode. Halide ions liberated from electrophoretically dehalogenated haloether compounds contained in the aqueous sample are absorbed upon the SPME fiber, then later desorbed at a gas chromatograph, separated into individual halide ions and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Effects of various parameters such as absorption time, sample pH, salt content, applied voltage, SPME fiber type, flow rate and background matrix are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.

Abstract: A pipette tip includes a main body section; and a straight pipe section disposed at the leading end of the main body section, in which the inner diameter of the straight pipe section is 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm inclusive, and the length of the straight pipe section is 5 mm to 15 mm inclusive.

Abstract: An Fe(II) ion detection agent, and related method, capable of fluorescently detecting Fe(II) ions quickly with high sensitivity is disclosed. The Fe(II) ion detection agent can be a compound represented by formula (I) (fluorescence probe): wherein R1 and R2 represent lower alkyl; R3 and R4 represent hydrogen; R5 represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, or a group represented by formula (A): —NR51R52 wherein R51 and R52 represent lower alkyl; R6 and R7 represent hydrogen; ring A represents an aromatic ring; V represents O or SiR10R11 wherein R10 and R11 are the same or different and represent, hydrogen or lower alkyl; W represents CH2, CO; Z represents O; m and n are the same or different and represent 0 or 1. The agent can be combined with a compound having at least three coordinating positions.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for reagent cards having a leading end, a trailing end and a length between the leading end and the trailing end comprises a travel surface assembly having a card travel surface and an edge. A test analyzing mechanism is adjacent to the travel surface, and a waste receptacle is adjacent to the edge below the travel surface. The waste receptacle has a side and a waste cavity. A ramp member positioned below the travel surface has an end and a sloped surface, and is movable between an extended position where the sloped surface extends into the waste cavity, and a retracted position where the end is spaced from the side a distance greater than the length of the reagent card. A moving mechanism operably coupled with the ramp member is configured to move the ramp member between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluorescent compound represented by the following general formula and having fluorescence characteristics that vary in the presence of a subject substance, wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a carboxyl group, or a substituent containing a carboxyl group, and R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a substituent containing a carboxyl group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted therapy based on single-cell stimulus perturbation response. In one embodiment, a method for optimizing stimulus combinations for therapy includes receiving a cell sample, treating the cell sample with a plurality of stimuli by treating a different portion of the cell sample with one of the plurality of stimuli for each of the plurality of stimuli, labeling the cell sample with a plurality of metal-conjugated probes, analyzing the cell sample using a mass spectrometer, obtaining mass spectrometry data from the mass spectrometer, identifying subpopulations within the cell sample using the mass spectrometry data, computing stimulus effects, generating a nested-effects model using the mass spectrometry data, and scoring stimuli combinations using the computing device, wherein the stimulus combinations are combinations made from the plurality of stimuli.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying haloether contamination in aqueous samples. A flow state is artificially induced upon an aqueous sample and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, upon which an electric potential is applied, is exposed to the flowing aqueous sample in direct immersion mode. Halide ions liberated from electrophoretically dehalogenated haloether compounds contained in the aqueous sample are absorbed upon the SPME fiber, then later desorbed at a gas chromatograph, separated into individual halide ions and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Effects of various parameters such as absorption time, sample pH, salt content, applied voltage, SPME fiber type, flow rate and background matrix are also described.