Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining the level of thiol and disulfide containing molecules in a sample are provided. The compositions and methods can be used to determine the level of oxidative stress in a subject with or without antioxidant treatment. Also provided are biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Abstract: A fluidic testing platform and methods of its operation are described. The fluidic cartridge includes a first fluidic channel and a wheel assembly coupled to the first fluidic channel. The wheel assembly includes a center portion coupled to the first fluidic channel and designed to deliver fluid through one or more second fluidic channels that radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly also includes a third fluidic channel arranged in a closed loop and one or more capillaries coupled to an outer surface of the third fluidic channel and arranged to radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly is designed to rotate such that fluid is forced outward from the center portion through the one or more capillaries.

Abstract: Materials, components, and methods consistent with the present invention are directed to the fabrication and use of micro-scale channels with a fluid, where the temperature and flow of the fluid is controlled through the geometry of the micro-scale channel and the configuration of at least a portion of the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles that make up the fluid. Moreover, the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles are configured such that collisions between the constituent particles and the wall are substantially specular.

Abstract: Provided is a specimen dispensing mechanism that includes a specimen nozzle dispensing a specimen to be analyzed in a specimen chamber to a reaction chamber by suctioning and ejecting the specimen, and the specimen dispensing mechanism is controlled so as to perform a specimen suctioning process of inserting the specimen nozzle into the specimen chamber and suctioning the specimen in the specimen chamber, a liquid suctioning process of suctioning a liquid by the specimen nozzle after the specimen suctioning process, and an ejection process of ejecting the liquid and a portion of the specimen to the empty reaction chamber from the specimen nozzle in this order. Thereby, it is possible to provide an automatic analyser and a method which are capable of dispensing a small amount of specimen with a high level of accuracy, without depending on the outer shape of a specimen nozzle or the viscosity of the specimen.

Abstract: Materials, components, and methods consistent with the disclosure are directed to the fabrication and use of micro scale channels with a gas, where the micro channel can include a base (110) and a side (120), where the base and the side can be configured to form at least a portion of an inflow opening, and an outflow opening. The micro channel can be configured to accommodate a flow of the gas from the inflow opening to the outflow opening in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a cross section of the micro channel. The side can have a thickness in a range 0.5 ?m and 500 ?m, where the micro channel with a thickness in a range 0.5 ?m and 500 ?m is formed, in part, by providing the side on the base.

Abstract: A colorimetric analyzer includes a reaction chamber configured to receive a sample and at least one reagent. A measurement cell is operably coupled to the reaction chamber. The measurement cell has an illumination source and an illumination detector spaced from the illumination source such that illumination from the illumination source passes through the measurement cell to the illumination detector. A controller is coupled to the illumination source and the illumination detector. The controller is configured to determine an absorbance of a reducing reagent and store the determined reagent absorbance in the analyzer. The controller is configured to use the determined reagent absorbance to compensate at least one subsequent colorimetric sample measurement.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a platform for liquid droplet generation and isolation for biochemical sensing and testing. An embodiment includes generator, fluid-exchange, and manipulator structures that are vertically aligned on a substrate to form a collection chamber. The generator structure is configured to form liquid droplets from a stream of liquid using gas. The fluid-exchange structure is connected to the generator structure to receive the liquid droplets in a carrier liquid held in the collection chamber. The manipulator structure is connected to receive the liquid droplets in the carrier liquid via an inlet. The manipulator structure defines a manipulator chamber connected to the inlet and has a first outlet and a second outlet and a filter capable of filtering the liquid droplets from the carrier liquid. The first outlet enables removal of the liquid droplets filtered and the second outlet enables removal of the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Fluid containment pressure vessel that eliminates the outer support housing present in certain conventional vessels, and provides an improved cap-to-body interface. In certain embodiments, the cap is threaded and configured to threadingly engage with the body of the pressure vessel, and has sufficient structural integrity to withstand the pressures in the device without the need for a support housing. In certain embodiments, an interlock mechanism is provided that prevents the cap from being opened (e.g., removed from the body) while the device is under pressure. In certain embodiments, a pressure relief valve is provided with a pre-loaded biasing mechanism to achieve the required pressure release rate. The vessel can be used for sample preparation, including purification or concentration of samples, particularly protein samples.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the amount of an IGF-I and/or IGF-II protein in a sample using high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise enriching an IGF-I and/or IGF-II protein in a sample, ionizing an IGF-I and/or IGF-II protein from the sample to generate IGF-I and/or IGF-II protein ions, and determining the amount of IGF-I and/or IGF-II protein ions with high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the alkalinity of an analyte solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized titrant.

Abstract: A coupler for indicating the presence of a substance in blood is disclosed. The coupler includes a housing and a test strip. The housing has a proximal end and a distal end, and defines a hollow interior for receiving withdrawn blood. The test strip is held within the hollow interior of the housing. The housing removably couples with a medical instrument and a needle. The test strip produces a visible signal that indicates the presence or absence of the substance in the withdrawn blood. A kit including a syringe, a needle and the coupler is also disclosed.

Abstract: This determination method comprises the steps consisting of providing a reaction vessel (2) containing a blood sample (33) and a ferromagnetic ball (11) placed on a raceway (9) provided in the bottom of the reaction vessel (2), subjecting the ball (11) to a magnetic field so as to move the ball along the raceway (9) in an oscillatory motion, exposing the blood sample to an incident light beam (36), detecting a light beam (38) transmitted through the reaction vessel (2) and coming from the incident light beam (36) in such a way as to provide a measurement signal, carrying out a first processing of the measurement signal in such a way as to provide a first signal representative of the variation of at least one physical quantity representative of the movement of the ball (11), carrying out a second processing of the measurement signal in such a way as to provide a second signal representative of the variation of at least one optical property of the blood sample, determining a first value of the coagulation time

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container comprising haemoglobin fractions, wherein said container comprising at least two compartments, wherein a first compartment comprises O2Hb (oxyhaemoglobin) and a second compartment comprises MetHb (methaemoglobin), optionally wherein O2Hb is stabilized. The invention also relates to a kit for determining the reliability of a CO-oximetry device, wherein said kit comprises said container and to a method for determining the reliability of a CO-oximetry device using said container.

Abstract: A device for performing lateral capillary flow may comprise a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said housing comprising an interior defined between a lower base portion and an upper portion coupled to the lower base portion, wherein the interior includes a region sized and shaped to receive a capillary flow matrix. A reservoir may be located in the upper portion of the housing proximate the proximal end of the housing, the reservoir having an inlet accessible from an exterior of the housing and an outlet in flow communication with an interior of the housing at a location above the region. The device may further comprise a support system disposed in the interior of the housing, the support system comprising a surface positioned in the region sized and shaped to receive a capillary flow matrix and in alignment with the outlet of the reservoir, the surface being configured to receive and support a capillary flow matrix received in the region.

Abstract: A device (10), for receiving fluid, having a block (12) which comprises: a chamber (14) comprising a top and a bottom; and a chamber outlet (20) at the bottom of the chamber (14). The block (12) further comprises a magnetic stirrer (30) suspended in the chamber (14), wherein the magnetic stirrer (30) terminates above the bottom of the chamber (14), and is rotatably supported inside the chamber (14). The block (12) further comprises a microchannel (26) fluidly connected to the chamber (14) via the chamber outlet (20). The microchannel (26) may be fluidly connected to a downstream reservoir (24), and an upstream reservoir (22). The device (10) is suited for mixing a bead/cell suspension and an oil-based fluid in the microchannel (26) such that they form an emulsion which comprises a plurality of droplets, wherein at least one of the droplets encapsulates a bead/cell.

Abstract: A method and kit for detecting the presence of lead in a solid sample is disclosed. The solid sample is brought into contact with a nonaqueous solution of a dithiocarbamate capable of forming a gel upon contact with lead, with the formation of a gel showing that lead is present in the solid sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved diagnostic test strip system comprising one or more of the following safety features: (a) a test strip housing having a sample port of sufficient size to allow placement of a patient's finger or thumb therein, (b) a cover for the test strip housing, and (c) a lock to lock the test strip housing to the cover.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aqueous sealing fluid for sealing a stained biological specimen present on a microscope slide for microscopic analysis. The sealing fluid protects the biological specimen from drying artifacts, protects stains performed on biological specimen from fading, and protects stains performed on biological specimens from being dissolved by organic mounting media. Methods of using the aqueous sealing fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device 10 is provided that includes a porous substrate 12 and a plurality of reaction channels 14 disposed on a first side 36 of the porous substrate 12. The reaction channels 14 are defined by a barrier material 16 disposed on the substrate 12 in a user-defined pattern 13. At least one reagent 18 is disposed within each reaction channel 14 in an amount effective to test for the presence of at least one analyte or property in a sample introduced to the device 10.

Abstract: A particle filtering device which shortens the separation time of particles and increases the separation efficiency are provided. The particle filtering device comprises: a filtration membrane which separates a particle by filtering a sample; a first body connected to an inlet side of the filtration membrane, which supplies the sample to the inlet side of the filtration membrane; and a second body connected to an outlet side of the filtration membrane, which accommodates a permeate whose particle is separated through the filtration membrane, wherein the particle filtering device has a structure in which the permeate is accommodated in advance between the second body and the outlet side of the filtration membrane.