Abstract: The present invention provides methods for accurately classifying whether a sample from an individual is associated with an intestinal disorder. In particular, the present invention is useful for associating a sample from an individual as an IBS sample or as a non-IBS sample. The present invention is also useful for ruling out one or more diseases or disorders that present with IBS-like symptoms and ruling in IBS using statistical algorithms and/or empirical data. Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of an intestinal disorder and prognostic information useful for guiding treatment decisions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for labeling biological molecules of interest contained in a biological sample, consisting in: a) providing a reaction vessel, b) immobilizing capture molecules, which are capable of binding a label of the biological molecules of interest, on a solid support of the vessel, c) introducing the biological sample but also at least one label of the biological molecules of interest into said vessel and optionally any ingredient required for labeling or prelabeling the molecules of interest, d) incubating the vessel content and immobilizing the label which is not reacted with the molecules of interest by binding to the capture molecules, and e) using the labeled molecules of interest for subsequent steps. A method for treating a biological sample is also disclosed. Said invention is preferably used in a manual or automated method for purifying nucleic acids.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate a device for measuring the water activity of foods and method for obtaining a water activity measurement. The device includes a container housing the food sample, a disc of permeable material to support a reactive substance which in turn is used to record the water activity level of the food sample (23) being studied. The substance is positioned in the center of the disc. A threaded cover is disposed at a free end of the container. When insulation is provided between the interior and exterior of the container, any water contained in the food sample evaporates and as it passes through the disc. As the water comes into contact with the reactive substance, a color scale records the water activity of the study sample.

Abstract: A fast and sensitive method and device for protein sequencing are disclosed. The method uses a combination of Edman degradation chemistry and mass spectrometry to sequence proteins and polypeptides. A peptide degradation reaction is performed on a polypeptide or protein ion reactant in the gas phase. The reaction yields a first ion product corresponding to a first amino acid residue of the polypeptide or protein reactant and a polypeptide or protein fragment ion. The mass-to-charge ratio for the first ion product, or the polypeptide or protein fragment ion, or both, is then determined. The first amino acid residue of the polypeptide or protein reactant is then identified from the mass-to-charge ratio so determined.

Abstract: Provided is a method for quantitative analysis of carotenoids such as ?-cryptoxanthin contained in a sample such as citrus fruit or the like which enables simple and accurate quantitative analysis. An internal standard such as lycopene or retinal is used, whereby work is facilitated and an error of a measured value is reduced. Further, a dehydrating agent is added during saponification reaction in the preparation of a sample for analysis, whereby a deviation of a measured value can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for labeling, separating and analyzing proteins, particularly a specific protein of interest within a cell lysate or in a mixture of proteins. The proteins are labeled with an amine reactive or thiol reactive fluorescent dye, or an amine reactive fluorogenic reagent that becomes fluorescent upon reacting to amine groups located on the protein. Following the labeling step, the proteins within the mixture can be separated and analyzed. In a further embodiment, a tag binding fluorogenic reagent that can bind to a tag on a tagged protein is added to specifically label the protein of interest.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring gas permeability of a test material, comprising: an electrically conductive sensing element that comprises a water and/or oxygen sensitive material, wherein the reaction of said material with water or oxygen when the sensing element is contacted with water and/or oxygen results in a change in the electrical conductivity of the sensing element, and two electrodes electrically connected to the sensing element.

Abstract: A method is provided that can form a clear textural structure image of a processed food or a raw material for the processed. Also, said method can form an image clear enough to clearly discern even an intertwined structure of starches, proteins and lipids of a processed food or a raw material for the processed food. The method includes light-exciting the processed food or the raw material for the processed food which is stained with a fluorescent dye having triphenylmethane skeleton; collecting data about the light-excited processed food or the light-excited raw material using at least three kinds of monitoring lights, that is, a monitoring light A having a fluorescence wavelength of 380 nm or longer and shorter than 450 nm, a monitoring light B having a fluorescence wavelength of 450 nm or longer and shorter than 560 nm, and a monitoring light C having a fluorescence wavelength of 560 nm to 700 nm; and forming an image on the basis of the collected data.

Abstract: The invention provides molecule-responsive gel particles which change in size in response to specific molecules and a method of production of the same. A polymer gel particle with a crosslinked structure has fixed thereto a plurality of clathrate compound-forming host molecules. Two or more of the plurality of host molecules clathrate different atomic groups in a target molecule so that the two or more host molecules and the target molecule can form a crosslink in the molecule-responsive gel particle.

Abstract: Thus, the present invention provides a method for producing a biosensor comprising a substrate coated with a hydrophilic polymer, which comprises allowing a compound generating a reactive group as a result of external stimulus to bind to the surface of a substrate, and then giving external stimulus in a state where a hydrophilic polymer capable of forming a covalent bond with said reactive group is allowed to come into contact with the substrate, so that said hydrophilic polymer is allowed to bind to the substrate surface via a covalent bond with said reactive group.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of thyroglobulin in a sample using various purification steps followed by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve purifying thyroglobulin in a test sample, digesting thyroglobulin to form peptide T129, purifying peptide T129, ionizing peptide T129, detecting the amount of peptide T129 ion generated, and relating the amount of peptide T129 ion to the amount of thyroglobulin originally present in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of foreign substances in a beverage. The apparatus for detecting the presence of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate or other drugs in a beverage comprises apparatus wherein cobalt nitrate, oxammonium chloride/ferric chloride, oxammonium sulphate/ferric chloride, 5% ferric chloride, saturated potassium dichromate, toluene/cobalt thiocyanate, chromium (IV) oxide/sulphuric acid carbodiimide salts in combination with oxammonium salts and ferric chloride, or lacmoid is supported on a substrate. The apparatus for detecting the presence of ketamines or other drugs in a beverage comprises apparatus wherein modified-Dragendorff Reagent is supported on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a blood sample comprising the steps of: communicating the inside of a sealed container with atmosphere by piercing a cap for sealing the sealed container; supplying a diluted solution from the base end side of the aspiration pipe to fill the aspiration pipe with the diluted solution; aspirating the blood sample in the sealed container; discharging the aspirated blood sample into a measurement sample preparing container; and measuring a measurement sample prepared in the measurement sample preparing container.

Abstract: Process for evaluating a plurality of refinery feedstocks, by providing an array of refinery feedstocks, the array having at least a plurality of different refinery feedstocks, and fractionating each of the refinery feedstocks in the array, either in parallel or in a rapid serial fashion, to produce a further array having a plurality of fractions with different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery. Each of the plurality of fractions is analyzed to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, the analyzes being performed at least partially in parallel.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical detection system for detecting at least one target chemical species, including a self-sensed cantilevered probe array having a plurality of self-sensed cantilevered probes, at least one chemical-sensitive coating material applied to at least one cantilevered probe in the cantilevered probe array, and an interface circuit that is coupled to the cantilevered probe array. At least one cantilevered probe in the cantilevered probe array exhibits a shifted cantilevered probe response when the cantilevered probe array is exposed to the target chemical species and the interface circuit actuates the cantilevered probe. A handheld chemical detection system and a method of operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for chromogen separation-based image analysis are provided, with such methods being directed to quantitative video-microscopy techniques in cellular biology and pathology applications.

Abstract: Methods for chromogen separation-based image analysis are provided, with such methods being directed to quantitative video-microscopy techniques in cellular biology and pathology applications.

Abstract: A magnetic system for biosensors is switchable between attraction force and repulsion force near the sensor surface. The magnetic system includes a magnetic source and a sensor. The sensor corresponds with the magnetic field in a way that the magnetic source creates inhomogeneous magnetic field lines that results in a magnetic force towards the magnetic system and which subsequently or adjacently exerts a magnetic force directed away from the magnetic system with all magnetic forces generated at the same magnetic source.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of measuring glycated hemoglobin, which can comprise steps of establishing multiple age-specific groups of red blood cells, and measuring HbA1c levels of at least one of said groups. In another embodiment, a system for measuring glycated hemoglobin can comprise a separating device configured to separate red blood cells into multiple age-specific groups, and a measuring device configured to measure HbA1c levels of at least one of said groups.

Abstract: An oxidative dye indicator composition comprising an indicator dye that has been pre-reacted with a reducing agent prior to use in an oxidizing or disinfectant sterilizing system. The pre-reacted dye, when subjected to an oxidizing disinfection or sterilization agent, such as peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide, under goes a visible color change and thus can serve as a chemical, process, or chemical integrator, indicator. The dyes include various azines, thiazines, and oxazines compounds and the reducing agents include alkali metal alkoxides and alkaline earth metal alkoxide compounds.