Abstract: A process for carrying out an allergy test is based on a blood sample being taken. The blood sample is contacted in vitro with at least one allergen. At least one allergic reaction or the absence of the at least one allergic reaction is observed via a microscope (11) directly and/or optically. To make it possible to carry out an allergy test with a higher validity and/or better accuracy, a position of granules is observed via the microscope (11). The granules are observed in different planes or horizontal planes.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to the use of one or more biomarkers to monitor the conditional state of an organ or tissue, including transplanted tissue, or disease state, including diabetes, in a biological sample of a subject. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for: methods and kits for determining the presence of one or more biomarkers for organ or tissue rejection/injury or diabetes in a biological sample of a subject; methods for using the presence of such biomarkers to predict or diagnose organ or tissue rejection/injury or diabetes in a subject; and methods to select or modify a therapeutic regimen for a subject based on the use of such biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an odorant receptor based odorant sensor system and related methods. In particular, systems and methods are provided permitting detection and discrimination of an odorant molecule in a vapor/gaseous phase using a panel of odorant receptors expressed in heterologous cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for capturing specific cells (e.g. many types of cancer cells, including cancer cells not expressing EpCAM) and a method for analysis of specific cells involving the method. Included is a method for capturing specific cells present in blood or biological fluid, the method including: centrifuging sampled blood or biological fluid at a centrifugal force of 1000 to 3000 G; and capturing specific cells therefrom onto a hydrophilic polymer layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for capturing specific cells (e.g. many types of cancer cells, including cancer cells not expressing EpCAM), and a method for analysis of specific cells involving the method. Included is a method for capturing specific cells present in blood or biological fluid, the method including: agglutinating blood cells in sampled blood or biological fluid; centrifuging the resulting blood or biological fluid; and then capturing specific cells therefrom onto a hydrophilic polymer layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for capturing specific cells (e.g. many types of cancer cells, including cancer cells not expressing EpCAM) and a method for analysis of specific cells involving the method. Included is a method for capturing specific cells present in blood or biological fluid, the method including: subjecting sampled blood or biological fluid to enrichment; and capturing specific cells therefrom onto a hydrophilic polymer layer in a flow field.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatus, systems, methods and kits for performing immunoassay tests on a sample. The A sensing apparatus is provided for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in a sample. The apparatus may comprise an array of sensing devices provided on a substrate, each sensing device in the array comprising a working electrode having (1) semiconducting nanostructures disposed thereon and (2) a capture reagent coupled to the semiconducting nanostructures that selectively binds to a different target analyte in the sample. The apparatus may also comprise sensing circuitry that (1) simultaneously detects changes to electron and ion mobility and charge accumulation in the array of sensing devices when the capture reagents in the array of sensing devices selectively bind to the plurality of different target analytes, and (2) determines the presence and concentrations of the plurality of different target analytes in the sample based on the detected changes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an immunoassay method using an interference detection system. The assay re-uses an antibody-immobilized test probe and reagents for quantitating an analyte in different samples, from about 3 to 20 times, while maintaining acceptable clinical assay performance. The method regenerates the test probe with an acidic solution after completion of each cycle of reactions. The present invention is also directed to a unitized cartridge (a strip) for an immunoassay test. Each unitized cartridge contains all necessary reagents and can be used for 3-20 cycles to measure 3-20 different samples.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of detecting components in a microfluidic sample. The sample and a plurality of microbeads are mixed within the microfluidic device. Each of the microbeads comprises a plurality of bioactive proteins bound thereon. A fluorescent signal is generated from a reaction of the microbeads and the microfluidic sample. The generated fluorescent signal is then able to be detected, wherein an intensity of fluorescence is directly proportional to a concentration of the peroxide generated.

Abstract: In various embodiments methods and devices are provided for the detection and/or quantification of an analyte. In certain embodiments a device is provided comprising an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) comprising a mixed phase solution that separates into a first phase solution and a second phase where, in use, said first phase solution becomes a leading phase and said second phase solution becomes a lagging phase; a lateral-flow assay (LFA); and a probe and/or a development reagent, where in use, said probe associates with said first phase solution in said leading phase of said ATPS and/or said development reagent associates with said second phase solution in said lagging phase of said ATPS. In certain embodiments a “one-pot” system of purifying and amplifying a nucleic acid is provided utilizing, e.g., an ATPS and isothermal amplification reagents.

Abstract: A method of quantitating free (unbound) human C5 complement protein (C5) from a sample comprising: binding biotinylated anti-C5 capture antibody to strepavidin-coated particles; capturing the free (unbound) C5 in the sample; detecting the captured free C5; and quantitating the captured free C5 using laser-induced fluorescence detection; wherein the method is performed in a Gyros Bioaffy 200 CD in a Gyrolab xPlore or a Gyrolab XP instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting an analyte involving a) contacting the analyte, a capture agent and a solid surface to form a capture complex attached to a solid surface, b) cleaving at least one covalent bond within the analyte and/or within said capture agent in the capture complex and, thereby, releasing the analyte or a fragment thereof from the capture complex, and c) detecting at least one fragment of the analyte and, thereby, detecting the analyte. The present disclosure further relates to a kit having i) a capture agent binding to an analyte; and ii) an agent cleaving at least one covalent bond within the analyte and/or within the capture agent; and to the use of a protease for releasing fragments of an analyte for detecting the analyte, wherein the analyte is bound to a solid surface via a capture agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments of a transformative sensor apparatus that is capable of detecting and quantifying the presence of a substance of interest such as a specified bacteria within a sample via changes in impedance exhibited by a detection electrode array. In an example embodiment, sensitivity is improved by including a focusing electrode array in a rampdown channel to focus a concentration of the substance of interest into a detection region. The focusing electrodes include an opposing pair of electrodes in a rampdown orientation. The focusing electrode may also include tilted thin film finger electrodes extending from the rampdown electrodes. In another example embodiment, trapping electrodes are positioned to trap a concentration of the substance of interest onto the detection electrode array.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant baculoviruses suitable for detecting the presence of arthropod-borne viruses in a biological sample of a test subject. The information derived from the detection may also be used to render a diagnosis on whether the test subject is infected with the arthropod-borne viruses or not, so that proper course of treatment may be assigned to the subject.

Abstract: In an analysis method of the present invention, a compound represented by the following formula (I) as a matrix is mixed into an analysis target sample and the mixture is subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. In the formula (I), R is an alkyl group having 3-11 carbon atoms. The analysis target sample is a substance for which whether or not ?-lactamase is contained is to be determined. Analysis targets include, for example, bacteria and an, extract from bacteria.

Abstract: A method for collecting information about the health status of a subject is proposed involving the quantitative detection, in serum, plasma or blood of the subject, of the concentration of THBS1, the proportion of free PSA (% fPSA), preferably including the concentration of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of CTSD, OLFM4, ICAM1.

Abstract: Salivary biomarker characterized as low-molecular-weight compounds named metabolites or combinations of these biomarkers are used for detecting cancers. The salivary biomarker for cancer can be, for example, a combination of creatinine, N1-acetylspermidine, ?-aminoadipic acid, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and 1,3-diaminopropane. Due to this configuration, the early detection of pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, oral cancer, and the like is possible in a healthy subject even with saliva having large concentration fluctuations.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): as described herein and methods and uses thereof as for mass tagging a biosensor or biologically active material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for predicting T cell epitopes useful for vaccination. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for predicting whether modifications in peptides or polypeptides such as tumor-associated neoantigens are immunogenic and, in particular, useful for vaccination, or for predicting which of such modifications are most immunogenic and, in particular, most useful for vaccination. The methods of the invention may be used, in particular, for the provision of vaccines which are specific for a patient's tumor and thus, in the context of personalized cancer vaccines.

Abstract: The invention pertains to materials and methods for identifying and/or isolating isomers, particularly, of biomolecules, such as polypeptides and proteins. The methods of identifying and/or isolating isomers of a molecule according to the invention comprise subjecting a sample to ionization prior to IMS followed by MS. In some embodiments, the sample is subjected to metallization during the ionization step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the determination of the monoisotopic mass of a macromolecule from a mass Mmonospectrometry spectrum of said macromolecule based on the experimentally determined most abundant mass, with accuracy in the low parts-per-million (ppm) range. The method uses a simple, double-linear model for predicting the monoisotopic mass based on the experimentally determined most abundant mass, comprising the steps of (a) deriving the most abundant mass MMostAb from the spectrum; and (b) calculating the monoisotopic mass MMono from the most abundant mass MMostAb, using MMono=a+?MMOSTAB+?; wherein ? is a scalar slope obtainable by fitting the slope of monoisotopic mass versus most abundant mass for a plurality of macromolecules from a macromolecule database; and ? is a scalar residue of the form ?=?int+sfrac, ?int being an integer, and ?frac being a sawtooth function of MMostAb.

Abstract: In a method for analyzing a microorganism using a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometer, a matrix-and-additive mixture solution prepared by mixing one or both of an alkylphosphonic acid and a surfactant with a matrix substance is used for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization. Either an alkylphosphonic acid or a surfactant, or both of them are used as matrix additives and are mixed with the matrix substance beforehand to prepare a matrix-and-additive mixture solution. After a solution which contains a microorganism to be analyzed has been dropped onto a sample plate, the matrix-and-additive mixture solution is dropped onto that solution and dried to form a mixed crystal which contains both the constituents of the microorganism and the matrix substance. This crystal is used as a sample for MALDI-MS analysis. The sensitivity of analysis is thereby improved, without increasing the amount of time and labor required for sample preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using assays that detect one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of Immumoglobulin A, Metalloproteinase inhibitor 4, and Thrombomodulin as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker assays in renal injuries.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies, antibody fragments and binding agents that specifically recognize TDP-43 associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but not TDP-43 associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or TDP-43 associated with healthy human brain tissue, and antibodies, antibody fragments and binding agents that specifically recognize TDP-43 associated with ALS, but not TDP-43 associated FTD or TDP-43 associated with healthy human brain tissue.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for the prognosis of adverse outcomes in a subject comprising the following steps: (i) determining the midkine level in a sample of said subject; and (ii) comparing the determined midkine level to a control midkine level; wherein said sample is taken after the subject has been subjected to cardiovascular stress; wherein said control midkine level is derived from control sample(s) from one or more subjects not showing adverse outcomes, wherein the control sample(s) have been taken after said one or more subjects not showing adverse outcomes have been subjected to cardiovascular stress; and wherein a decreased determine midkine level as compared to the control midkine level is indicative of an adverse outcome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining whether a patient is likely to benefit from treatment with a therapeutic formulation, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining the concentration of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in a sample from a patient prior to administration of the therapeutic formulation; (b) determining the concentration of CRH in a sample from a patient subsequent to administration of the therapeutic formulation; and (c) comparing the concentration of CRH pre-administration with the concentration of CRH subsequent to administration; wherein an increase in patient CRH concentration subsequent to administration indicates that the patient is likely to benefit from treatment with the therapeutic formulation and wherein no increase or a decrease in patient CRH concentration subsequent to administration indicates that the patient is unlikely to benefit from treatment with the therapeutic formulation. The patient may have multiple sclerosis or systemic sclerosis.

Abstract: A blood testing apparatus includes an analyzer configured to analyze blood components of an animal that are included in a test medium; an output device configured to display analysis results of the blood components; and a controller configured to determine a species of the animal based on at least one from among types of the blood components and the analysis results of the blood components and control the output device to display the determined species of the animal.

Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a vitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally directed to ionizing a vitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more vitamin D metabolites in a single assay.

Abstract: Sensors employing bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators are used to assay characteristics of blood. The BAW sensors may be used to sense viscosity of a sample comprising blood to determine coagulation properties of the blood. The viscosity of the blood may be evaluated in the presence of agents that inhibit coagulation or that promote coagulation. The change in viscosity of the sample in the presence of such agents may provide information regarding whether the blood suffers from a coagulation disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for purifying HDL molecules from a sample (e.g., blood sample) using HDL tagging molecules comprising an HDL lipophilic core binding peptide (e.g., portion of ApoA1) and an affinity tag. The present invention also provides methods, kits, and compositions for detecting non-fragmented ApoA1 with mass spectrometry. The present invention further provides methods, kits, and compositions for tagging HDL molecules in a sample with detectably labeled ApoA1 molecules such that the ratio of detectably labeled ApoA1 molecules to native ApoA1 proteins may be determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid, sensitive method for forensic drug testing in a post-mortem subject or a live or a post-mortem animal using oral fluid collected from the post-mortem subject or live or post-mortem animal. The method comprises collecting a sample of oral fluid from a post-mortem subject or a live or a post-mortem animal, analyzing the oral fluid sample qualitatively to detect the presence of one or more non-naturally occurring drugs, analyzing the oral fluid sample quantitatively to determine concentration of the one or more non-naturally occurring drugs in the post-mortem subject or in the live or the post-mortem animal, and identifying the one or more non-naturally occurring drugs in the post-mortem subject or in the live or the post-mortem animal. The detection and quantification in oral fluid is more sensitive and faster than detection and quantification of the non-naturally occurring drugs in blood, urine, bile, and liver tissue collected from the same post-mortem subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods, facilities and systems for parallel processing of biological cellular samples in an efficient and scalable manner. The invention enables parallel processing of biological cellular samples, such as patient samples, in a space and time efficient fashion. The methods, facilities and systems of the invention find particular utility in processing patient samples for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: Methods of operating a gripper are provided. The methods include providing a robot including the gripper, the gripper moveable by the robot and including gripper fingers, providing a sample rack including receptacles accessible by the gripper, at least some of the receptacles adapted to contain specimen containers, providing data, obtained by imaging, regarding the sample rack and the specimen containers therein, and determining, based on the data, an accessible target receptacle for one of a pick operation or a place operation. Apparatus and systems configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A sample vessel is picked up from a sample carrier with a gripping device including first and second gripping sections. The first and second gripping sections grip the sample vessel from first and second sides. First and second holders for the sample vessel are provided, as is a first tool for moving the sample vessel along a stroke movement path. In the method, the first and second gripping sections are positioned on first and second sides of the sample vessel and the first tool engages with the sample vessel; the sample vessel is moved along the stroke movement path; the sample vessel is picked up in the second holder; the first and second gripping sections are repositioned in a lateral direction orthogonal to the stroke movement path such that the sample vessel is arranged in a free area not occupied by the sample carrier.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a rotating device, a first optical reader, and a second optical reader. The rotating device includes a first darkened compartment, a second darkened compartment, and an optical path along which the first darkened compartment and the second darkened compartment travel. The first optical reader is operable to read the first darkened compartment and the second optical reader is operable to read the second darkened compartment.

Abstract: Provided is fluid control equipment for bio-reaction, including a pipette configured to transport a reaction solution, and a liquid pump configured to adjust the internal pressure of the pipette.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for generating trace vapors are provided. The apparatus includes a controller and an oven. The controller includes: a processor, a memory storing at least one control program, a clean solution supply port constructed to output a clean solution, an analyte solution supply port constructed to output an analyte solution, a carrier gas inlet port constructed to receive a carrier gas, and a plurality of carrier gas supply controllers constructed to output the carrier gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning probe microscope having: (a) a scan unit embodied to scan a measuring probe over a sample surface in a step-in scan mode; and (b) a self-oscillation circuit arrangement configured to excite the measuring probe to a natural oscillation during the step-in scan mode.

Abstract: Device and system for characterizing samples using multiple integrated tips scanning probe microscopy. Multiple Integrated Tips (MiT) probes are comprised of two or more monolithically integrated and movable AFM tips positioned to within nanometer of each other, enabling unprecedented micro to nanoscale probing functionality in vacuum or ambient conditions. The tip structure is combined with capacitive comb structures offering laserless high-resolution electric-in electric-out actuation and sensing capability. This “platform-on-a-chip” approach is a paradigm shift relative to current technology based on single tips functionalized using stacks of supporting gear: lasers, nano-positioners and electronics.

Abstract: Build sequences for fabricating an atomically-precise product can be determined using computational chemistry algorithms to simulate mechanosynthetic reactions, and which may use the mechanosynthesis process conditions or equipment limitations in these simulations, to determine a set of mechanosynthetic reactions that will build an atomically-precise workpiece with a desired degree of reliability. Methods for error correction of pathological reactions or avoidance of pathological reactions are disclosed. Libraries of reactions may be used to reduce simulation requirements.

Abstract: A test system for testing semiconductor chips including a docking plate, a test card, chip sockets, a stiffener, and test electronics. Each test card has a uniform card configuration that may be used with any of several different handlers. Each test card includes conductive pads electrically coupled to and longitudinally offset from a socket interface along a length of the test card. The stiffener includes a test interface including conductive pins for electrically interfacing the conductive pads of the test card. The test card is supported by the stiffener so that it remains undeformed as each chip is plunged into a test socket. The test interface includes a basin that is covered by the test card to form a thermal isolation cavity for thermal separation from the test electronics. A uniform radio frequency interface is provided between each test card and a corresponding test interface.

Abstract: A probe for inspecting characteristics of a terminal of a multipolar connector includes a flange having a through hole and serving to mount the probe to a facility; and a coaxial cable inserted through the through hole of the flange, extending in an axial direction, and having an end portion at which a probe pin is mounted. The probe also includes a plunger containing the probe pin and having a recess for fitting the multipolar connector, with the probe pin being exposed in the recess. The probe further includes a spring containing the coaxial cable between the flange and the plunger and having an end portion fixed to the flange and another end portion fixed to the plunger.

Abstract: Provided is a vertical probe card, the vertical probe card includes: a printed circuit board (PCB) including a bottom hole and a PCB pad surrounding the bottom hole; a cover plate disposed on the PCB and including a cover hole, where the cover hole and the bottom hole are disposed coaxial with each other and form a receiving space; and a probe received in the receiving space. The probe includes a probe head passing through the cover hole to extend out of the cover plate and to contact with a chip, where an end, which is provided with the probe head, of the probe is a first end; and a protruding portion disposed in the mid-portion of the probe and in contact with the PCB pad, where a part between the probe head and the protruding portion of the probe and the protruding portion are conductors.

Abstract: Measurement apparatuses and methods are described. A measurement input is coupled with a first terminal of a capacitance via a first switch, and a reference voltage is coupled with the first terminal of the capacitance via a second switch. A measurement circuit is coupled to a second terminal of said capacitance.

Abstract: A transducer for high-voltage measuring technology, including a housing having a parallelepipedal basic contour, input connections arranged on the housing and carrying input measurement signals in the high-voltage range, output connections arranged on the housing and carrying output signals in the low-voltage range, a transducer circuit arranged in the housing and implemented on a printed circuit board and being contact-connected to the input and output connections. The parallelepipedal basic contour of the housing is designed as an upright construction. The printed circuit board is arranged upright between opposite side walls of a dome formed in the housing. The input connections are arranged facing away from one another on the outer sides of the side walls within the basic contour of the housing, and in a manner engaging through the respective side wall of the dome are in contact with contact elements of the transducer circuit on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A current sensor includes plural bus bars which are each formed rectangular in a cross section, a pair of shield plates that include a magnetic material and are arranged so as to collectively sandwich the plural bus bars therebetween, and plural magnetic detection elements that are each arranged between the bus bars and one of the shield plates. A distance d between a detection position of a magnetic field intensity at an arbitrary one of the magnetic detection elements and a center position in the width direction between one of the bus bars corresponding to the arbitrary magnetic detection element and an other of the bus bars adjacent thereto in the width direction satisfies the following expression: d/w+0.023(w/h)?0.36 where a width of the shield plates is w and an interval along a height direction of the shield plates is h.

Abstract: A voltage detecting circuit includes a rectifying circuit, a voltage dividing circuit, and a comparing circuit. The rectifying circuit is configured to rectify a plurality of AC phase voltages to output a plurality of rectified voltages respectively. The voltage dividing circuit is configured to divide the plurality of rectified voltages respectively to output a plurality of sampling voltages. The comparing circuit is configured to compare the plurality of sampling voltages with a reference voltage respectively to provide a plurality of corresponding phase failure detecting voltages. On the condition that the AC phase voltages are unbalanced, the phase failure detecting voltage switches between a high level and a low level.

Abstract: A method for recording power consumption data of a residential unit, the residential unit having a distributor (4) with at least one load circuit (7), wherein at least one load (9) is arranged in each load circuit (7), at least one load (9) can be individually actuated and at least one load circuit (7) has mechanism (6) for measuring the power consumed in the load circuit (7). The residential unit has a control unit (10), which actuates the load or loads (9) on the basis of predetermined or predeterminable scenes. The power consumption of the load circuits (7) is measured individually and recorded by the control unit (10) and the control unit (10) assigns the power consumption to the set scenes.