Abstract: Plasma samples of ovarian and breast cancer patients were used to search for markers of cancer, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. Truncated forms of cytosolic serine hydroxymethyl transferase (cSHMT), T-box transcription factor 3 (Tbx3) and utrophin were aberrantly expressed in samples from cancer patients, as compared to samples from noncancer cases. Aberrant expression of proteins was validated by immunoblotting of plasma samples with specific antibodies to cSHMT, Tbx3 and utrophin. A cohort of 79 breast and 39 ovarian cancer patients, and 31 individuals who were either healthy or had noncancerous conditions was studied. We observed increased expression of truncated cSHMT, Tbx3 and utrophin in plasma samples obtained from patients at early stages of disease. The results indicate that cSHMT, Tbx3, utrophin and truncated forms thereof can be used as components of multiparameter monitoring of ovarian and breast cancer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a composition that includes selecting a pH of the composition; selecting a first buffer with a negative temperature coefficient; selecting a second buffer with a positive temperature coefficient; and forming the composition comprising the first buffer and the second buffer. The composition has an average temperature coefficient, ?pH/?T(Ta,Tb)?1×10?3 pH-unit/K and a ?pH(Ta,Tb)?0.31 pH-unit for Ta=4 K and Tb=313 K.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the diagnosis or prognosis of a systemic inflammatory condition such as sepsis.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for determining the concentration of anionic polymers or oligomers in industrial water comprising combining a buffer solution and a cationic dye solution, measuring absorbance of the buffer-dye admixture at selected wavelength(s) and determining the polymer or oligomer concentration from the previously determined absorbance values. In alternate embodiments of the invention, the buffer solution may be a multifunctional buffer solution and may be comprised of multiple buffers, masking agents. and/or stabilizing agents and combinations thereof. Other embodiments provide that multiple dyes may be employed.

Abstract: An automated micro-well plate handling device for removing a micro-well plate from within a vertically stacked plurality of micro-well plates and transferring the removable micro-well plate to a receiving area. A vertical storage device for storing the vertically stacked plurality of micro-well plates creates a vertical clearance space between the vertically stacked micro-well plates. A shovel slides into the vertical clearance space underneath the micro-well plate that is being removed. The shovel then removes the micro-well plate from the vertical storage device and places the micro-well plate at a transfer station. A gripper then grabs the micro-well plate from the transfer station and transfers the micro-well plate to a receiving area. In a preferred embodiment, the automated micro-well plate handling device is controlled via a computer network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for achieving uniform stretching of polynucleotides in hybrid electrophoretic-gel, micro-constricting microfluidic channels. Polynucleotides in normally relaxed configurations are driven by an electric field along a microfluidic channel. The polynucleotides thread through a porous gel barrier formed in the channel and extend into a constriction where an electric field gradient exists. The combined action of the gel and field gradient acts to extend the polynucleotide configuration fully for direct linear analysis of the molecule.

Abstract: A method is herein presented for analyzing nucleobases on a single molecular basis (a single molecule detection), which comprises scanning a molecular tip chemically modified with the complementary nucleobase on the nucleobases, and measuring the tunneling currents between the scanned nucleobases and the molecular tips with scanning tunneling microscopy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphate in a sample simply and rapidly with high sensitivity. Specifically disclosed is a method for electrochemically measuring a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphate ester, which is characterized by measuring PO43? produced through a chemical reaction of a phosphate, more specifically by measuring the redox response current between PO43? and HPO42?.

Abstract: This invention relates to an irreversible indicator for detecting oxidizing agents, or in particular an oxygen indicator, comprising at least one redox-sensitive dyestuff, at least one semiconductor material and at least one electron donor. This indicator is activated by exposure to light of about 200-400 nm. The invention also relates to UV light detector.

Abstract: An ion chromatography apparatus comprising: (a) a first chromatography column, (b) a second chromatography column, the volume of the second column being no greater than 0.9 times the volume of the first; and (c) valving disposed between said first and second columns permitting selective transfer of separated ionic species from first chamber to second chamber for further analysis.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a final signal value measured on a lateral flow assay test strip, by: identifying a pre-determined calibration method for the test strip, wherein the pre-determined calibration method corresponds to the manufacturing lot from which the test strip has been made; measuring signal values while performing a lateral flow assay reaction on a test strip; determining a final signal value; and adjusting the final signal value based upon the identified pre-selected calibration method for the test strip.

Abstract: Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes attaching a hydrophilic dye to chemical groups to form a bubble. The bubble includes the chemical groups surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The method also includes disposing the bubble and a microsphere to be dyed in a solvent such that the bubble is incorporated into the microsphere thereby dyeing the microsphere. Another method includes adsorbing a hydrophilic dye on a surface of a hydrophobic polymer core of a microsphere to be dyed thereby dyeing the microsphere. The method also includes attaching chemical groups to the hydrophilic dye. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The chemical groups attached to the hydrophilic dye form an enclosure surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A changeable pipette tip includes a first end having a fluid opening and a second end having a pipe elastic in the radial direction having an orifice. The orifice and the fluid opening are in fluid connection. The first end is designed to be coupled to a matching coupling unit of a pipetting unit such that liquid may be sucked into the fluid area through the orifice by an actuating unit in the pipetting unit. In order to eject liquid as free-flying droplets or as a jet from the orifice of the pipe elastic in the radial direction, a volume change of a portion of the pipe elastic in the radial direction is effected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing method for long-term stabilization of biological red blood cell volume. The red blood cells can be further used in reference materials and calibrators of a hematology analyzer. The method of the present invention comprises contacting the sample with a solution comprising a membrane-fixation reagent and an aldehyde for a processing period to terminate or slow down the red blood cell metabolism. It is provided by experiments that such process enables the volume of the red blood cells to be stable in a period over 120 days.