Abstract: Provided are methods and materials for assaying known and candidate therapeutics for inotropic cardiac effects in one or more in vitro assay formats comprising preloaded cardiac tissues and/or organoids.

Abstract: In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to modify surfaces of apparatuses, devices, and materials that contact biomaterials such as biomolecules and biological micro-objects. Described herein are surface modifying and surface functionalizing reagents, preparation thereof, and methods for modifying surfaces to provide improved or altered performance with biomaterials.

Abstract: A sterilization packaging includes an interior space for receiving medical packaged goods and a sensor unit adapted to measure a first parameter in the interior space. The packaging has a data transmission unit for receiving and transmitting parameter values measured by the sensor unit. The packaging and data transmission unit are matched to one another to allow transmission of parameter values received by the data transmission unit into an outer space around the packaging. A sterilization method includes: introducing packaged goods into packaging and closing the packaging; introducing the closed packaging into a receiving chamber of a sterilizer; starting a sterilization process flow in the sterilizer; detecting parameter values in the packaging and transmitting the parameter values to a control unit of the sterilizer; and controlling the sterilization process flow as a function of the parameter values.

Abstract: An electronic-sensing & magnetic-modulation (ESMM) biosensor device and methods of using the same, where the device incorporates electrical, microfluidic, and magnetic subsystems. The device and methods of using such a device can be applied to high throughput point-of-care screening for the quantification and evaluation of a subject's immune response to pathogenic infections, which can be useful for: early diagnosis, stratifying high-risk subjects infected with a pathogen; and determining the status or effectiveness of a therapeutic response.

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: Various devices, systems and methods for detecting infectious agents or determining a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. One example method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a surface; exposing the surface to a solution; sampling the solution after exposing the solution to the surface; and detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of a sensing device exposed to the solution sampled corresponding to a presence of the infectious agent in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A membrane structure body having a matrix structure and a biomolecule filter using the same are disclosed. The membrane structure body having a matrix structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises: a filtering part which includes a window region in which a plurality of window cells are formed in a matrix shape and a blocking region in which the window cells are not formed, and which filters biomolecules from a sample moving along the window region; and a support part extending from the filtering part so as to support the filtering part, wherein each of the window cells formed in the window region of the filtering part has have micro-holes allowing the biomolecules having a predetermined size or less to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (8) for cleaning and/or disinfecting a hollow tube (4), comprising: —The hollow tube (4), —a ring (18) mounted so as to slide over the hollow tube (4), the ring (18) enclosing an absorbent pad impregnated with a disinfecting and/or degreasing liquid, and arranged around the hollow tube (4). The system (8) further comprises an electromechanical actuation device (20) for actuating the ring arranged inside the hollow tube, the device being a motorised linear potentiometer and comprising a longitudinal translational drive element (26). Moreover, a longitudinal slot (11) is provided in the hollow tube (4), the element (26) protruding through the longitudinal slot (11) and being mechanically connected to the ring (18), in order to move the ring (18) in longitudinal translation along the hollow tube (4). The hollow tube (4) can be a lever for operating a door handle (2), or indeed a tube of a bar equipping a transport means, a T-bar door pull handle or a ramp.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating and collecting droplets are provided. The device includes a collection region comprising a side wall canted at an angle. The invention further provides multiplex devices that increase droplet formation.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a vial, a carrier of microorganisms disposed in the vial, and a fluid management system having an output connectable to the vial for delivering a liquid chemical sterilant and a neutralizer thereto. Additionally, a growth medium may be delivered to the vial such that the vial and growth medium may assessed for a change to a visual characteristic indicative of sterilization inefficacy.

Abstract: A system for decontamination of patient care equipment and a system for decontamination of an interior space. In some embodiments, a decontaminant distributor is provided in an enclosure and coupled to a decontaminant generator system. The decontaminant generator system may include a decontaminant generator removably coupled to the decontaminant distributor at an exterior of the enclosure for allowing the decontaminant generator to be removed and connected to another decontaminant distributor associated with another system for decontamination of patient care equipment. An air agitation system may be provided in the enclosure for agitating air and decontaminant in the enclosure. In some embodiments, a portable system may be transported to an interior space for decontaminating the items in the space using hot-air decontamination.

Abstract: Disclosed are a detection chip and a modification method therefor. A surface activation treatment is performed on a hydrophilic layer of the detection chip, such that a hydroxy-containing modification group is formed on a surface of the hydrophilic layer; and a solution containing an oxy compound is then used to perform a surface epoxidation treatment on the hydrophilic layer in order to form an epoxy-containing modification group on the surface of the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: There is provided an automated analysis device capable of transferring instruments to be used for an analysis process to a predetermined processing position efficiently and rapidly. In an automated analysis device of the invention, a transfer unit forming a transfer mechanism to transfer instruments to be used for analyte processing into an analyte processing space includes a holding portion to hold the instruments. The holding portion includes a first fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a first instrument in a fitted state, and a second fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a second instrument in a fitted state.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices using reduction of pressure for removing ethanol from filters in a fluidic or microfluidic system in point of care devices involve filters that are solid state extraction filters used to capture and/or concentrate nucleic acids prior to further downstream processing such as amplification by polymerase chain reaction. The method uses the induction of negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure to improve the efficiency of the ethanol removal process.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes first and second substrate structures. The first substrate structure has a first substrate surface configured to receive one or more droplets. A plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to the droplets. The second substrate structure has a second substrate surface facing the first substrate surface and spaced apart from the first substrate surface to form a fluid channel. The microfluidic device has a first heating element adjacent to the first substrate structure and disposed on an opposite side of the first substrate surface, and a second heating element adjacent to the second substrate structure and disposed on an opposite side of the second substrate surface. The microfluidic device further includes one or more temperature sensors disposed adjacent to the fluid channel between the first substrate structure and the second substrate structure.

Abstract: Droplet interfaces are formed between droplets in an electro-wetting device comprising an array of actuation electrodes. Actuation signals are applied to selected actuation electrodes to place the droplets into an energised state in which the shape of the droplets is modified compared to a shape of the droplets in a lower energy state and to bring the two droplets into proximity. The actuation signals are then changed to lower the energy of the droplets into the lower energy state so that the droplets relax into the gap and the two droplets contact each other thereby forming a droplet interface. The use of sensing electrodes in the device permit electrical current measurements across the droplet interface. The sensing electrodes can be used for either (i) applying a reference signal during droplet actuation or (ii) recording electrical current measurements. Two or more electrodes are configurable to lyse cells within a droplet positioned over said electrodes.

Abstract: The present application relates to a biochemical reaction test tube and a use method thereof, and a gene amplification kit. The biochemical reaction test tube includes a tube portion and a cover portion. The tube portion includes: a tube body including a first chamber and a second chamber, where a bottom of the second chamber is spaced apart from a bottom of the first chamber; and a limit unit provided at an outer side of the tube body. The first chamber and the second chamber are provided at different heights and used to hold different reaction components and solutions. Only one of the first chamber and the second chamber is heated to complete a biochemical reaction. When the test tube is vertically flipped at 180° and shaken, the solutions in the first chamber and the second chamber are mixed to further achieve a reaction, which eliminates harmful results.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stand-alone molecular diagnostic test device includes a detection circuit that includes a light emitting device and a light receiving device (e.g., a photodiode) that are arranged to produce an electronic signal associated with a colorimetric output produced by the stand-alone molecular diagnostic test.

Abstract: A method of identifying microorganisms in a sample by evaluating the vibrational profile.

Abstract: An eDNA sample collection device having a rigid housing with openings to allow contact between the interior of the housing and the external environment. The housing includes membrane retaining portions for holding flexible membranes in the housing of the device, and membrane holders are used to secure membranes within the housing.