Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: A system for generating data relating to a tissue core comprises a core needle biopsy module configured to obtain a tissue core from a locus within the body, and a tissue disintegration module operably connected to the core needle biopsy module and configured to receive a tissue core from the core needle biopsy module and convert at least a portion of the tissue core into gaseous tissue molecules. The system also comprises first vacuum pump means configured to convey a tissue core from the needle biopsy module to the tissue disintegration module, and second vacuum pump means configured to convey gaseous tissue molecules from the tissue disintegration module to an analyser module.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining, predicting, or diagnosing pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and for determining the efficacy of PAH therapy using biomarkers are provided.

Abstract: An analyzing device having a microchannel structure includes a sample inlet and a guide section extending from the sample inlet toward an axial center. The analyzing device further includes a first cavity connected to the guide section and configured to measure a certain amount of a sample liquid, and a receiving cavity located adjacent to the first cavity and receiving the sample liquid. The analyzing device further includes a liquid reservoir formed between the sample inlet and the guide section and temporarily holds the sample liquid before being suctioned into the guide section. The sample liquid temporarily held in the liquid reservoir is transferred from the liquid reservoir to the guide section and the first cavity by a capillary force and transferred to the receiving cavity by a centrifugal force caused by rotating the analyzing device about the axial center.

Abstract: A biological sample collection device can include a sample collection vessel having a sample collection chamber with an opening configured to receive a biological sample into the sample collection chamber. The sample collection chamber can also include elongate ridges disposed along and projecting inwardly from an interior portion thereof. The sample collection vessel can also include a connection member disposed on an exterior portion and a fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir can include a reagent chamber having an open end and a closed end with an elongate member disposed at the closed end that is sized and shaped to engage the elongate ridges of the sample collection vessel when arranged within the fluid reservoir. The sample collection vessel can also include a sealing cap having internal threads for engaging external threads of the fluid reservoir and a complementary connection member to couple the sample collection vessel and the sealing cap.

Abstract: In the thermochemical water splitting process by the Cu—Cl cycle, oxygen gas is produced by a thermolysis process in a three-phase reactor. A precise knowledge of the hydrodynamic and heat transfer analyses is required for the scale-up of the thermolysis reactor. However, in the experimental studies of the scale up analysis, there are some challenges in using the actual materials of the thermolysis reactor products (i.e. molten salt CuCl and oxygen gas). In accordance with the teachings herein, alternative materials are defined, by using dimensional analyses, to simulate the hydrodynamic and heat transfer behaviors of the actual materials. It has been found that these alternative materials are liquid water at 22±2° C. and helium gas at 90±2° C. The alternative materials provide safe environment for the experimental runs as well as lower operating temperature. Furthermore, these alternative materials are more readily available and are low cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: A test apparatus is provided for rapidly detecting abnormal loading of a microfluidic device, and unloading the abnormally-loaded microfluidic device, thereby preventing contamination of the test apparatus by a sample and degradation in reliability of test results. A test system including the test apparatus and a control method for the test apparatus are also provided. The test apparatus includes an optical sensor to photograph an image at a position corresponding to the microfluidic device, and a controller to detect a pattern formed on a surface of the microfluidic device based on the photographed image to determine whether characteristics of the detected pattern are identical to characteristics of a pre-stored pattern, and to determine whether the microfluidic device has not been normally loaded, when the characteristics of the detected pattern are different from the characteristics of the pre-stored pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method of suppressing non-specific protein adsorption. The above-mentioned object can be achieved by treating a solid phase with a solid phase-treating liquid containing a phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer as a main component, and treating a specimen with a specimen-treating liquid containing, as a main component, a polymer having a phosphorylcholine group, a hydroxy group, and a hydrophobic group, followed by addition of the treated specimen to the treated solid phase.

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: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods for detecting the presence and/or concentration of anions in a solution, systems for detecting the presence and/or concentration of anions in a solution, anion sensor systems, and the like.

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: 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: 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: 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.