Abstract: This invention describes a one-step technique for the simultaneous label-free detection and concentration of blast cells from a blood sample. Enrichment of blast cells is achieved using a closed loop microfluidics system, allowing continuous removal of waste and non-target cells to generate concentrated samples of high purity without the need for specific targeting of proteins by antibodies. The technique is highly effective for samples which cannot be purified in a single run. The application of detecting rare blast cells for monitoring minimal residual disease in leukemia patients is demonstrated. The sensitivity of the invention promotes the detection of blast cells in blood samples of early-stage patients.

Abstract: To provide to a reagent composition used in quantitative measurement of lithium in aqueous solutions such as biological specimens and environmental liquid samples by a simple colorimeter or ultraviolet-visible light spectrophotometer immediately, a reagent composition which permits to measure a concentration of lithium by visual observation, and a method and apparatus for measuring lithium ion by using the reagent. A reagent composition for measuring lithium comprising F28 tetraphenylporphyrin compound as chelating agent, including further a water-soluble organic solvent, a pH modifier and a stabilizer, and a method and apparatus for measuring lithium ion by using the reagent.

Abstract: An extraction method for preparing samples for analytical analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a sample matrix containing one or more analytes in a heat conductive sample cup, positioning the heat conductive sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber, dispensing solvent into the heat conductive sample cup, dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber, heating the sample matrix and the extraction solvent in the heat conductive sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature at which the dispensed solvent generates an above-atmospheric pressure, and releasing the extraction solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for predicting the level of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in a subject comprising: (a) determining a level of one or more lipid biomarkers in a sample from the subject, wherein the biomarkers are selected from the following: (i) phosphatidylcholine (PC) [16:1/16:1] (ii) diacylglycerol (DAG) [42:8] (iii) phosphatidylethanolamine-ether (PE-O) [32:5] (iv) phosphatidylcholine (PC) [18:0/22:5] (v) phosphatidylinositol (PI) [18:0/16:1] (vi) phosphatidylglycerol (PG) [20:3/20:3] (vii) phosphatidylglycerol (PG) [22:5/18:1] (b) comparing the levels of the biomarkers in the sample to reference values; wherein the levels of the biomarkers in the sample compared to the reference values are indicative of levels of EAT fat in the subject.

Abstract: A support for conserving samples of biological material comprising at least: a first portion of an absorbent material aimed at and destined to conserve a sample of biological material and a second portion, distinct from the first portion and aimed at, predisposed and destined to constitute a cleaning zone for a head of a device, in particular a punch, aimed at collecting a sample of biological material from the first portion. The support can further comprise a third portion of connection interposed between the first portion and the second portion; the third portion can exhibit one or more cuts or one or more openings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for analyzing heavy metal removal efficiency using phase difference analysis and an apparatus using the method. The method for analyzing heavy metal removal efficiency using phase difference analysis includes applying a magnetic field to a magnetite onto which a heavy metal is adsorbed, based on a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil that have an identical winding direction, applying a high-frequency signal to the magnetite, based on a third solenoid coil having a winding direction that differs from that of the first solenoid coil and the second solenoid coil, detecting a high-frequency signal transformed by the magnetite, and calculating a phase difference between a previously detected default high-frequency signal and the transformed high-frequency signal, and analyzing an efficiency of heavy metal removal by the magnetite by measuring a concentration of the heavy metal based on the phase difference.

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: An object of the present technology is to provide a chlorine-concentration-measuring composition that can reduce staining by reagents, a measurement method using the chlorine-concentration-measuring composition and a method for reducing staining by chlorine-concentration-measuring composition using an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof. Provided are a chlorine-concentration-measuring composition comprising an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof; a chlorine-concentration-measuring composition comprising component (a) a color reagent for detection of residual chlorine and component (b) an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof; a chlorine-concentration-measuring method comprising using the composition; and a method for reducing or preventing staining by using the chlorine-concentration-measuring composition comprising an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof.

Abstract: A device comprising a support part is disclosed. The support part is configured to receive a tip holder, a liquid waste container and a multiwell plate. The multiwell plate comprises at least one row of vessels which comprise a closed bottom and an open top. A method of removing liquid waste during magnetic separation using such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring a vitamin D. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of measuring a vitamin D, comprising: (1) treating a sample with a surfactant having a steroid skeleton; and (2) detecting the vitamin D in the treated sample. The present invention also provides a kit for measuring a vitamin D, comprising: (1) a surfactant having a steroid skeleton; and (2) an affinity substance for a vitamin D and/or a vitamin D standard. Examples of the surfactant having the steroid skeleton may include a bile acid or a derivative thereof or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A device, especially a microfluidic device for performance of an immunoassay, has a first, a second and a third fluidically connected chamber and a membrane. In the event of a given deflection of the membrane into the first chamber, a first fluid is passed at least partly out of the first chamber into the second chamber in such a way that a second fluid is at least partly displaced from the second chamber into the third chamber in such a way that the third chamber is entirely filled with the second fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic devices as well as methods of using these devices for detecting proteins of interest associated with diseases or disorders in mammals. In particular, the proteins of interest may be misfolded proteins associated with certain misfolded-protein disorders in mammals including those mammals suspected of or at risk of having such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for blood haemoglobin measurement without carboxyhaemoglobin interference. In the present device and method, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin are converted into a methemoglobin derivative, i.e. Imidazole-methemoglobin. Imidazole-methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin in the matrix are collectively quantified by the reflectance spectroscopy of the matrix at 525 nm, the isobestic point between Imidazole-methemoglobin complex and carboxyhemoglobin molecule.

Abstract: A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.

Abstract: A microfluidic, chip-based assay device has been developed for measuring physical properties of an analyte (particularly, whole blood or whole blood derivatives). The technologies can be applied to measure clotting times of whole blood or blood derivatives, determine the effects of anticoagulant drugs on the kinetics of clotting/coagulation, as well as evaluate the effect of anticoagulant reversal agents. These technologies can additionally be used to optimize the dosage of anticoagulation drugs and/or their reversal agents. The assay is independent of the presence of anticoagulant; clotting is activated by exposure of the blood sample in the device to a glass (or other negatively charged material such as oxidized silicon) surface, which activates the intrinsic pathway and can be further hastened by the application of shear flow across the activating materials surface.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide gas detector is provided. The detector includes a metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas sensor having an electrical characteristic that varies with hydrogen sulfide gas concentration. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas detector to measure the electrical characteristic. A controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to receive an indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor as well as an indication of ambient humidity. The controller is configured to provide a compensated hydrogen sulfide gas concentration output based on the indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor, an indication of ambient temperature, and the indication of ambient humidity.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a substrate solution for measuring lipase activity including, as a substrate for measuring lipase activity, 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid (6?-methylresorufin) ester, wherein the production process does not necessitate cumbersome or special processing such that skill is required, or does not necessitate a special apparatus, instruments, or other items. This production process is a process for producing a substrate solution for measuring lipase activity, and is characterized by including the steps of (1) mixing the substrate for measuring lipase activity and a side-chain-type nonreactive polyether-modified-type modified silicone oil or a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene condensate to prepare a mixture, and (2) mixing all or a portion of the mixture of step (1) with water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of analyzing crude oil that may include the step of contacting the crude oil with an ionic liquid to form a treated sample. The method may further include determining presence of NAD in the treated sample.

Abstract: A device for detecting an airborne contaminant includes (a) a reactive polymer film having affinity for binding with the airborne contaminant, (b) an electrically conductive polymer film in contact with the reactive polymer film and having electrical property sensitive to binding of the airborne contaminant to the reactive polymer film, and (c) two electrodes in electrical contact with the electrically conductive polymer film for measuring the electrical property to detect the binding of the airborne contaminant to the reactive polymer film. Another device for detecting an airborne contaminant includes (a) a polymer film molecularly imprinted with the airborne contaminant, and (b) color reporting molecules having color sensitive to binding of the airborne contaminant to the polymer film. A method for manufacturing a device for detecting an airborne contaminant includes depositing, using one or more inkjet print heads, a polymer film and at least two electrodes onto a substrate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software that measure a plurality of error values each related to a different condition of an aquatic environment monitoring system including a degradation in a chemical indicator due to photo-aging, a degradation in a chemical indicator due to water-aging, a physical contamination of a chemical indicator, an illumination imbalance related to an optical reader, a degradation of a light source of an optical reader, a contamination in water between an optical reader and a chemical indicator, a displacement due to friction between a chemical indicator apparatus and a monitoring unit, an error intrinsic in a chemical indicator, and an error in distance between a chemical indicator and an optical reader. The plurality of error values are used to determine a confidence level that is compared to a threshold value associated with the monitoring system. A correction instruction is generated for correcting one or more of the conditions.