Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preparing a protein sample for proteomic analysis. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises (a) contacting a blood sample comprising proteins with a protective agent comprising an anticoagulant (AC) and an aldehyde releaser (AR), to obtain a mixture, optionally, wherein the blood sample is added to a blood collection tube (BCT) comprising the protective agent, and (b) isolating a fraction comprising proteins or a source of proteins from the mixture to yield a protein sample or a source of a protein sample, wherein steps of the method are carried out in the absence of exogenous proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, wherein the protein sample is suitable for proteomic and peptidomic analysis.

Abstract: A screening method for the identification of a characteristic of a target nucleic acid in a whole blood sample, including positioning a composition comprising whole blood and at least one preservative agent within a centrifuge, centrifugating the composition to isolate a plasma that includes at least one target nucleic acid for further analysis and analyzing the at least one target nucleic acid to identify a characteristic about the at least one target nucleic acid, and a composition including the plasma, the preservative agent, and any other ingredient, which is produced by the method.

Abstract: A composition and method for preserving a urine sample and a preservative delivery vessel are disclosed wherein treatment of the urine sample aids in preserving circulating cell-free nucleic acids in urine over a wide range of dilution ratios within temperature fluctuations that can occur during urine sample handling, storage and transportation. The urine sample preservation composition and method and preservative delivery vessel provide a method for obtaining high quality stabilized urinary cell-free nucleic acids for clinical diagnostics development and application.

Abstract: A composition and method of use thereof wherein the composition comprises one or more components capable of releasing an aldehyde, one or more anticoagulants or chelating agents, and one or more polysaccharides. The composition has a pH of from about 4 to about 6.

Abstract: A composition and method for preserving a urine sample and a preservative delivery vessel are disclosed wherein treatment of the urine sample aids in preserving circulating cell-free nucleic acids in urine over a wide range of dilution ratios within temperature fluctuations that can occur during urine sample handling, storage and transportation. The urine sample preservation composition and method and preservative delivery vessel provide a method for obtaining high quality stabilized urinary cell-free nucleic acids for clinical diagnostics development and application.

Abstract: A screening method for the identification of a characteristic of a target nucleic acid in a whole blood sample, including positioning a composition comprising whole blood and at least one preservative agent within a centrifuge, centrifugating the composition to isolate a plasma that includes at least one target nucleic acid for further analysis and analyzing the at least one target nucleic acid to identify a characteristic about the at least one target nucleic acid, and a composition including the plasma, the preservative agent, and any other ingredient, which is produced by the method.

Abstract: A screening method for the identification of a characteristic of a target nucleic acid in a whole blood sample, including positioning a composition comprising whole blood and at least one preservative agent within a centrifuge, centrifugating the composition to isolate a plasma that includes at least one target nucleic acid for further analysis and analyzing the at least one target nucleic acid to identify a characteristic about the at least one target nucleic acid, and a composition including the plasma, the preservative agent, and any other ingredient, which is produced by the method.

Abstract: A composition and method for preserving a urine sample and a preservative delivery vessel are disclosed wherein treatment of the urine sample aids in preserving circulating cell-free nucleic acids in urine over a wide range of dilution ratios within temperature fluctuations that can occur during urine sample handling, storage and transportation. The urine sample preservation composition and method and preservative delivery vessel provide a method for obtaining high quality stabilized urinary cell-free nucleic acids for clinical diagnostics development and application.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier. The improvements also pertain to resulting blood collection tubes, additives for blood collection tubes that permit reliable sedimentation test data after 8 hours from the blood draw, and methods of administering health care using the aforenoted tubes, additives or both.

Abstract: An integrated hematology control and methods for making the same, including a first cellular component derived from a plurality of processed animal red blood cells other than human blood cells and a second cellular component derived from a plurality of processed animal red blood cells other than human blood cells and a plurality of human blood cells, wherein the control simulates erythroblasts and white blood cells of a human blood sample on an automated blood analyzer.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier. The improvements also pertain to resulting blood collection tubes, additives for blood collection tubes that permit reliable sedimentation test data after 8 hours from the blood draw, and methods of administering health care using the aforenoted tubes, additives or both.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier. The improvements also pertain to resulting blood collection tubes, additives for blood collection tubes that permit reliable sedimentation test data after 8 hours from the blood draw, and methods of administering health care using the aforenoted tubes, additives or both.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a stable calibrator and/or control, kit and process for using in a glucose monitoring instrumentation. Principally, the instant invention teaches a glycolyzed red blood cell component which has been treated with a glycolysis stabilizing effective amount of at least one non-crosslinking aldehyde compound which may be added to fresh plasma along with an amount of glucose to form a simulated whole blood glucose control product, effective for maintaining a particular and essentially stable glucose concentration over a period of time sufficient for accurate measurement and calibration of a glucose measuring instrument.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier. The improvements also pertain to resulting blood collection tubes, additives for blood collection tubes that permit reliable sedimentation test data after 8 hours from the blood draw, and methods of administering health care using the aforenoted tubes, additives or both.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a stable calibrator and/or control, kit and process for using in a glucose monitoring instrumentation. Principally, the instant invention teaches a glycolyzed red blood cell component which has been treated with a glycolysis stabilizing effective amount of at least one non-crosslinking aldehyde compound which may be added to fresh plasma along with an amount of glucose to form a simulated whole blood glucose control product, effective for maintaining a particular and essentially stable glucose concentration over a period of time sufficient for accurate measurement and calibration of a glucose measuring instrument.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a stable calibrator and/or control, kit and process for using in a glucose monitoring instrumentation. Principally, the instant invention teaches a glycolyzed red blood cell component, which has been treated with a glycolysis stabilizing effective amount of at least one non-crosslinking aldehyde compound. The glycolyzed red blood cell component may be added to fresh plasma along with an amount of glucose to form a simulated whole blood glucose control product, effective for maintaining a particular and essentially stable glucose concentration over a period of time sufficient for accurate measurement and calibration of a glucose measuring instrument.

Abstract: A control and system for blood testing, including a control having stabilized blood cells that have been introduced into a suspension including an aggregating agent and preferably a surfactant. The control and system is used advantageously for indirect acute protein plasma measurement, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate testing.

Abstract: An accurate, stable, liquid lipoprotein control composition is provided. The control composition of the present invention preferably contains lipoprotein, surfactant and a divalent cation. The control may further contain an anti-oxidant agent and a chelating agent. The control composition of the present invention is stable for up to about 12 months at room temperature and up to about 24 months when refrigerated. Methods of making and using the control composition are also provided.