Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for analysing carbohydrates. The invention is in particular useful in detecting a terminal monosaccharide which may be released from a glycosylated substrate for example using an exoglucosidase. After relase from the glycosylated substrate the terminal monosaccharide may be captured on a solid support, incubated with a boronate detection agent and detected by aid of the boronate detection agent. The methods of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes including sequencing of carbohydrates, wherein exoglycosidases with predetermined specificity are employed for the release.

Abstract: A liquid for ejection includes a bio-specimen, and at least one kind of first compounds expressed by Formula (1), wherein, in Formula (1), m?8, and 8?n?18.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for predicting the risk of developing renal failure or mortality for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus. More specifically, a method is disclosed for predicting the risk of developing renal failure for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus, the method including the steps of determining the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 in a sample of a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus and comparing the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 determined with reference amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1, whereby the risk of developing renal failure is predicted. Also disclosed are diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: A system and a method for the automated pipetting of fluids are disclosed as well as a method for calibrating the system. A channel pump having at least one tip-sided port connected to a pipetting tip by a tip-sided pump conduit for generating a positive or negative pressure in the pipetting tip, and at least one reservoir-sided port connected to a system fluid reservoir by a reservoir-sided pump conduit is provided. The channel pump when operated at a nominal flow rate exhibits a fluid backflow caused by a pressure difference in the tip- and reservoir-sided pump conduits which results in an effective flow rate compared to the nominal flow rate. Such a pressure difference can be used to determine an extended pipetting period which extends a pipetting period of the channel pump operating at the nominal flow rate, and to calibrate the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for determination of ionizing radiation. In some embodiments, the devices comprise nanocomposite materials containing nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes) dispersed in radiation sensitive polymers. In some cases, the device may include a conductive pathway that may be affected upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive, large area, low power, and highly sensitive radiation detection materials/devices.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided for collecting samples in a fluid environment, the assembly utilizing a laminar convective flow to cause the flow of a preservative/fixative and a filtrate through a filter. A substantially concave dead space around the filter is flushed free of the preservative and the differential in density of the preservative and filtrate causes the more dense fluid to collect in the reservoir and preserve the collected specimen.

Abstract: A well plate (1) for holding samples of a bodily fluid during analysis thereof, typically in an analytical apparatus, comprises a plate (2) having a plurality of first wells (3) extending downwardly therefrom for holding a sample during optical analysis of the sample, and a plurality of second wells (4) for holding samples during mechanical analysis of the samples. A plurality of holding wells (8) are provided for initially receiving and holding samples of the bodily fluid to be analysed so that samples of relatively accurate size can be pipetted from the holding wells (8) to the first and second wells (3,4).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of diagnosing renal dysfunction in a cat by removing cauxin from cat urine and detecting a protein in the cat urine sample from which cauxin has been removed. Cauxin is removed from cat urine by bringing the cat urine into contact with a lectin or with an anti-cauxin antibody that specifically binds to cauxin. Cauxin may be removed using a column filled with a carrier that is bound to the lectin or to the anti-cauxin antibody. The lectin may be Lens culinaris lectin. Detection of the cat urinary protein from which cauxin has been removed is performed with a urine test strip.

Abstract: An analysis device having at least one sample addition zone, at least one sink, and at least one flow path connecting the at least one sample addition zone and the at least one sink. The at least one flow path includes projections substantially vertical to the surface of the substrate and having a height (H), diameter (D) and reciprocal spacing (t1, t2) such that lateral capillary flow of a liquid sample is achieved. The device includes at least two reaction zones in series, wherein each reaction zone is adapted to facilitating measurement of a response originating from one and the same analyte, and wherein the reaction zones are positioned to allow calculation of the concentration of at least one analyte. Advantages include that a more accurate value can be calculated, variations are reduced, and an estimation of the uncertainty of the response can be calculated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a matrix material for MALDI mass spectrometry, to a matrix composition for MALDI mass spectrometry, in particular for aerosol MALDI mass spectrometry, to a MALDI mass spectrometry method, in particular an aerosol MALDI mass spectrometry method, to the use of a specific compound as a MALDI matrix material, and to the use of a MALDI matrix composition in a gas phase coating method. The matrix material of the invention comprises a 2-mercapto-4,5-dialkylthiazole according to formula (I), wherein X is chosen from S, O or N, and wherein R1 and R2 are independently chosen from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, and propoxy, or wherein R1 and R2 are taken together to form an optionally substituted aromatic ring structure, optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms, or a tautomeric form thereof. A matrix composition preferably includes the matrix material and an alcohol. The alcohol can be halogenated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code. The memory and computer program code can be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to illuminate one or more sensor elements with electromagnetic radiation emitted from corresponding regions of an electronic display. The one or more sensor elements can be configured to exhibit a specific electrical response to the illumination when a specific set of analytes are bound to the one or more sensor elements, determine the electrical response of the one or more sensor elements, and compare the determined electrical response with one or more predetermined electrical responses to determine a match. Each predetermined electrical response can be associated with the binding of a different set of analytes, wherein determination of a match allows the specific set of analytes bound to the one or more sensor elements to be identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tissue processing, particularly, to the treatment of fluids used in tissue processing. In one embodiment the present invention provides for treating a tissue processing fluid comprising first processing fluid comprising a first processing fluid and a second contaminating fluid, by: gradually varying the pressure of the fluid from an initial pressure level to a first pressure level such that the fluid remains below a vaporizing point of the second contaminating fluid and, heating the fluid to at least a vaporizing temperature of the second contaminating fluid. In another embodiment, the present invention removes the second contaminating fluid from the fluid by varying at least one of the pressure and temperature of the fluid so as to allow the second contaminating fluid to vaporize. Alternatively, an embodiment of the present invention interleaves the step of removing with one or more tissue processing protocol steps.

Abstract: A method for extracting low-molecular-weight proteins/peptides contained in a body fluid sample, particularly, in serum or plasma. The method includes the steps of (a) to (e): (a) adding reagent 1 containing urea and thiourea and reagent 2 containing a reducing agent to the body fluid sample, mixing them, subsequently dropping the mixture into reagent 3 containing 90% or more of an organic solvent, and mixing them; (b) stirring at a low temperature the mixed solution obtained in step (a); (c) centrifuging at a low temperature the stirred solution obtained in step (b) and removing the supernatant; (d) adding reagent 4 containing an organic solvent and an acid to the precipitate obtained in step (c) and mixing them; (e) stirring at a low temperature the mixed solution obtained in step (d); and (f) centrifuging at a low temperature the stirred solution obtained in step (e) and recovering the supernatant.

Abstract: A filtration container (1) includes a container body (2) including a porous filter (4) exhibiting both hydrophilic and oleophobic properties. The container also has a lid (3) which provides a secondary filter for the container (1). The filter is slidable within the container body and is rotatable into a vertical position. The filtration container may be used for testing a fat content of an item placed within the container. A method for testing the fat content of an item is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to harvesting a target material from a suspension using a tube and float system. A suspension suspected of containing a target material is combined with a solution having one or more labels that distinguish the target material from other materials in the suspension. The tube, float, and suspension are centrifuged to separate various materials in the suspension according to associated specific gravities. The float expands the axial length of the target material layer and displaces the target material to a narrow space between the float and the inner wall of the tube. The space is illuminated with light that causes the labels to emit light identifying the location of the target material within the tube. One or more openings can then be formed in the tube at or near the point where the target material is located and the target material harvested.

Abstract: A method for operating a tissue processor is described. During the operation of a tissue processor a reagent is fed from a container into a retort of the tissue processor, which retort does not contain any tissue samples. Thereafter, the reagent is returned into the container. During feeding, returning and/or in between feeding and returning a measured value is detected by a sensor of the tissue processor. This value is representative of a concentration of the reagent. During this feeding, this returning and/or in between no tissue sample is placed in the retort.

Abstract: Methods are described for monitoring the amounts of PTH variants in a biological sample by digesting the sample to produce surrogate peptides specific to the targeted PTH variants, and detecting and quantifying the surrogate peptides by selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, using a set of precursor-to-product ion transitions optimized for sensitivity and selectivity. The PTH variants, or a portion thereof, may be concentrated in the sample by means of immunoaffinity capture or other suitable technique. The mass spectrometric method described herein enables the concurrent measurement of peptides representative of a plurality of targeted PTH variants in a single assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low bed-volume spin column system and methods of use. The system includes various combinations of spin columns with packed beds, a rack for holding the spin columns, a receiver plate that attaches to the rack and that has wells in registration with the spin columns held in the rack, a lid that attaches to the receiver plate and seals the spin columns, and an incubator block configured for accepting the wells of the receiver plate and for incubating the packed bed. The lid, spin columns, rack, receiver plate, and incubator block are preferably capable of being assembled in a nested configuration. In preferred versions of the invention, the rack is compatible with and attachable to conventional 96-well microplates. Further provided are methods of using the spin column system that include quantitatively purifying and analyzing an analyte, removing and preventing air entrainment within the packed bed, and incubating the packed bed while preventing drying thereof.

Abstract: The discovery that alterations in methylation, which can cause one or more genes on the single X chromosome in males to be partially silenced or overexpressed, constitute a predisposition to autism spectrum disorders is generally disclosed herein. These alterations provide the rationale and basis for methods to diagnose autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing silicon germanium alloy nanocrystals by the simultaneous thermal disproportionation of a siliceous material and GeX2 in a conventional tube furnace. Also included is a method of preparing free standing silicon germanium nanocrystals by the acid etching product of the product of the thermal disproportionation of a siliceous material and GeX2.