Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining the overall survival of maintenance hemodialysis patients. The methods include measuring low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and subfraction concentrations as prognostic tools for early mortality risk detection. For example, the presence of increased very small LDL concentration or decreased LDL particle size in blood-serum serves as a useful means for prognostic risk assessment and monitoring.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for hybridizing at least one molecule to a target. The invention may, for example, eliminate the use of or reduce the dependence on formamide in hybridization. Compositions for use in the invention include an aqueous composition comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence and at least one polar aprotic solvent in an amount effective to denature double-stranded nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition that synergistically prevents proteolysis or modification of peptides in sampled biological fluids using sulfonyl fluoride family protease inhibitors at high concentrations combined with at least one additional protease inhibitor of a different type, preferably a broad spectrum protease inhibitor, and a chelator. A preferred embodiment uses AEBSF at 10 mM, Benzamidine at 20 mM and EDTA as the chelator. The disclosed composition may be combined with other protease inhibitors to further modulate its specificity, for instance to additionally target acidic proteases. Additional protease inhibitors, reducing agents, stabilizers and buffering agents may be combined with the disclosed compositions in devices for sampling or testing biological fluids for levels of peptides of interest, or methods therefore. The disclosed devices, compositions and methods are of particular use in sampling and testing for the level of natriuretic peptides.

Abstract: A biosensor system determines an analyte concentration of a biological sample using an electrochemical process without Cottrell decay. The biosensor system generates an output signal having a transient decay, where the output signal is not inversely proportional to the square root of the time. The transient decay is greater or less than the ?0.5 decay constant of a Cottrell decay. The transient decay may result from a relatively short incubation period, relatively small sample reservoir volumes, relatively small distances between electrode surfaces and the lid of the sensor strip, and/or relatively short excitations in relation to the average initial thickness of the reagent layer. The biosensor system determines the analyte concentration from the output signal having a transient decay.

Abstract: Methods are provided for deriving/determining an analyte concentration that include recording measurement values during a time development indicating a progress of a detection reaction of at least one test substance and a body fluid sample and providing at least one measurement curve F(t) containing the measurement values, where the detection reaction is known to be influenced by the analyte concentration and at least one disturbance variable Y. The methods also include deriving an end value of the measurement curve to form a first variable x1, and deriving at least one fit parameter by taking into account an exponential characteristic of the measurement curve, and where the fit parameter forms at least one second variable x2. The methods further include deriving/determining the analyte concentration by using at least one multivariate evaluation algorithm adapted to combine x1 and x2. Also provided are computer programs and devices that incorporate the same.

Abstract: Devices, such as chips for DNA analysis, have at least one fluid transport nanochannel with at least one intersecting (e.g., transverse) sensing nanochannel that can be monitored for change in ionic current to determine characteristics or parameters of interest, e.g., molecular identification, length determination, localized (probe) mapping and the like.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an imager of a reagent analyzer, comprises positioning a dry reagent pad at a first read position in a field of view of the imager, the first read position illuminated by an illumination source with a first intensity, detecting a reference optical signal by the imager, indicative of a first reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the first read position, positioning the dry reagent pad at a second read position, the second read position illuminated with a second intensity different from the first intensity, detecting a first optical signal by the imager, indicative of a second reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the second read position, and calculating, by a processor, a calibration factor for the dry reagent pad at the second read position based on a difference between the reference optical signal and the first optical signal.

Abstract: A diabetes management system includes a handheld medical device, a mobile computing device, and a diabetes management application. The handheld medical device is configured to determine, in response to a port receiving a test strip, whether an auto-send feature is enabled on the handheld medical device, determine whether the handheld medical device is paired with a mobile computing device, and selectively instruct a wireless transceiver to establish a wireless connection and communicate a glucose measurement and identifying information to the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is configured to execute the diabetes management application. The diabetes management application is configured to process a plurality of glucose measurements and identifying information associated with each of a plurality of glucose measurements.

Abstract: Devices that include a substrate; a source region and a drain region formed within the substrate and having a channel region provided therebetween; a first insulating layer formed over the channel region; a first floating gate formed over the first insulating layer, the first floating gate configured to respond to an analyte in a target material; and a second gate formed over the first floating gate, the second gate capacatively coupled but not electrically connected to the first floating gate.

Abstract: Methods for identification and quantification of bile acids are disclosed. Bile acids in plasma, serum and/or blood such as a dried blood spot are used to identify subjects with a Niemann-Pick disease. The methods include measuring levels of a bile acid, such as 3?,5?,6?-trihydroxycholanic acid, N-(3?,5?,6?-trihydroxy-cholan-24-oyl)glycine, N-(3?,5?,6?-trihydroxy-cholan-24-oyl)taurine, or a combination thereof. Detection of bile acids involve mass spectroscopy and/or a combination of mass spectroscopy and liquid chromatography such as a LC-MS/MS assay. The methods can be used with sphingomyelinase assays to detect, diagnose and differentiate between Niemann-Pick A/B and Niemann-Pick C (NPC) disease.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of providing a hydrophobic coating on a microfluidic chip that promotes the discrete flow of at least one liquid. It includes applying the hydrophobic coating onto an area of the microfluidic chip. The disclosure further includes a microfluidic chip that provides discrete flow of at least one liquid.

Abstract: A home medical device system includes a home therapy machine for performing a home therapy on a patient; a user interface operably connected to the home therapy machine, the user interface receiving operator inputs; a water treatment device in fluid communication with the home therapy machine; and a data connection between the home therapy machine and the water treatment device, wherein the home therapy machine transmits data via the connection to the water treatment device for control of the water treatment device, the data provided based on at least one of the operator inputs received via the user interface.

Abstract: Method and systems for of evaluating a mechanical property of a material by applying force to the material sufficient to physically displace a portion of the material, measuring displacement of the material, adaptively adjusting the force when the displacement measured is not within a predetermined range of displacement values, wherein the force is increased or decreased depending upon whether the measured displacement is below or above the predetermined range, respectively, and computing a mechanical property value resultant from the displacement of the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to the quantitative measurement of steroidal compounds by mass spectrometry. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for quantitative measurement of steroidal compounds from multiple samples by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A composition, method and device for the preparation of biological samples for subsequent LC-MS analysis using a combined and concurrent protein precipitation and solid phase extraction (SPE) process is described. Through an integrated combination of protein precipitation, filtration, and SPE using a novel zirconia-coated chromatographic media, interfering compounds, such as proteins and phosphate-containing compounds, are eliminated from the biological samples, affording a higher degree of analyte response during LC-MS analysis.

Abstract: A significantly improved version of the ASTM D942 Test Method, with apparatus employable to effect the same, is provided. This is useful in measurement of grease oxidation.

Abstract: A linearity standard includes a plurality of calibration solutions, each calibration solution having a different level of a reactant having a known response in a test strip and meter combination, and an electronic storage medium for storing calibration instructions and known responses for each solution of the plurality of calibration solutions.

Abstract: A portable microfluidic system capable of rapid diagnosis is described, which is able to analyze genetic, protein and cell composition of a sample in parallel for specific diseases from a relatively small sample. The method uses a single microfluidic chip integrated into a unique portable microfluidic platform and provides improved diagnostic accuracy, allows for frequent monitoring and is suitable for easy use in clinical settings.

Abstract: Biosensor systems including a measurement device and test sensors including at least three independently addressable electrodes, with at least two of the electrodes being substantially chemically isolated are disclosed. One or more working electrodes may be combined with two or more counter electrodes. The two or more counter electrodes may operate at different potentials to provide for multi-analyte electrochemical analysis. Analysis methods are provided to perform multi-analyte electrochemical analysis and test sensors are provided having resistance to chemical mixing between secondary analysis regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, media, and methods for applying machine learning to determine the biological age of a sample. A method of using a biological age predictor may comprise: (a) providing data of a sample to the biological age predictor; (b) treating the sample with a substance, thereby generating a treated sample; and (c) providing data of the treated sample to the biological age predictor. The biological age predictor may generate the first biological age and/or the second biological age.