Abstract: A perspiration sensing system includes a sensor patch and a smart device. The sensor patch includes one or more perspiration sensing portions. The one or more perspiration sensing portions include an inlet having a predefined size to receive perspiration from a predefined number of sweat glands and an outlet for reducing back pressure. At least one perspiration sensing portion includes a channel having a colorimetric sensing material that changes color when exposed to perspiration. At least one perspiration sensing portion includes a colorimetric assay in a substrate that changes color when exposed to biochemical components of perspiration. The system further includes a smart device having a camera that can take a picture of the sensor patch and determine the volume, rate of perspiration, and/or biochemical components of the perspiration from the one or more perspiration sensing portions.

Abstract: A method of selective detection of a concentration of a metal ion species in a subject is provided in which a biofluid sample is obtained from the subject. The biofluid sample is exposed to a functionalized porous aromatic polymer. The polymer selectively captures and concentrates the metal ion species from the biofluid. Subsequently, the biofluid is washed from the polymer. The polymer is then exposed to a solution comprising a colorimetric indicator that extracts the metal ion species from the washed polymer thereby changing a color of the solution as a function of an amount of the metal ion species in the polymer. The concentration of the metal ion species in the subject is then spectroscopically determined from the color of the solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a logic gate, comprising a metamaterial surface enhanced Raman scattering (MetaSERS) sensor, comprising (a) alphabetical metamaterials in the form of split ring resonators operating in the wavelength range of from 560 to 2200 nm; and (b) a guanine (G) and thymine (T)-rich oligonucleotide that can, upon presence of potassium cations (K+), fold into a G-quadruplex structure, and in presence of Hg2+, form a T-Hg2+-T hairpin complex that inhibits or disrupts the G-quadruplex structure formed in presence of K+, as well as methods of operating and using such a logic gate.

Abstract: A prescribed diagnostic blood test panel is directed to countering autistic and mentally affected births and assessing the continued healthy mental state of the elderly. Six neurotoxins in the blood are analyzed, five of which can produce damage to the brain, namely aluminum, arsenic, lead, mercury and manganese. The sixth, selenium, although a toxin at high levels is in fact a protective element for the brain within a certain concentration range providing important cleansing mechanisms for the alien neurotoxins. This test establishes a baseline set of values for these six neurotoxins and provides guidance for preventive measures to minimize potential risk of neurological consequences. This reduces the risk of autism in new births and is especially valuable to the general public in providing a tool to possibly avoid the consequences of diseases in old age such as dementia, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices comprising a sensor layer capable of binding magnesium ions and a scavenging layer that preferentially binds to calcium ions in the presence of both magnesium ions and calcium ions. The sensor layers can comprise known or novel luminionophores. The invention further relates to methods of selectively detecting magnesium ion concentration in the presence of calcium ions.

Abstract: A method of detecting stannous ions that includes providing a zincon-containing indicator having a color, contacting the indicator with a sample, and detecting any resulting change in the color of the indicator, wherein a change in the color of the indicator from the color to colorless indicates that stannous ions are present in the sample. The method is useful for the analysis of oral care compositions. Also provided is the use of zinc on as an indicator for detecting stannous ions.

Abstract: An analytical device for analysis of chemical or biological samples, a method of using such a device, based on rotation of the device, integrated sample dosing and optical detection, and a system comprising such a device are disclosed. The analytical device comprises a device body having a liquid processing unit. The liquid processing unit comprises a mixing chamber for mixing a sample with a reagent, a sample dosing chamber for delivering a defined volume of the sample to the mixing chamber, and a reagent channel for delivering the reagent to be mixed with the sample, wherein the mixing chamber also serves as a detection chamber.

Abstract: An analytical test cartridge is provided. The analytical test cartridge can be used for medical analyses of liquid samples removed from a patient, for example blood. The analytical test cartridge is configured to provide for titration experiments. An example of a titration experiment that can be performed with the arrangement, is titration of heparin with protamine. Methods of assembly and use are provided.

Abstract: A chemical sensor comprising: a hydrogel layer, comprising one or more molecular recognition agents and a 2DPC self-assembling array; and a mirror layer. A method for analyzing a sample or bodily fluid, comprising: obtaining a sample or bodily fluid; placing an amount of the sample or bodily fluid onto a chemical sensor, comprising: a hydrogel layer, comprising a molecular recognition agent and a 2DPC self-assembling array; a tethering hydrogel layer; a mirror layer; and a membrane filter layer, allowing the bodily fluid to interact with the hydrogel layer; and allowing ambient or artificial light to pass through the hydrogel layer onto the mirror layer and observing a change in diffraction versus a control.

Abstract: A method for recovering a metal, capable of recovering a metal easily without requiring the use of an organic medium, is provided. A first complex between a first chelating agent and a metal present in a sample is formed in a first mixture prepared by mixing the first chelating agent and the sample. Then, the first complex is recovered from the first mixture, and a second complex between the metal derived from the first complex and a second chelating agent is formed in a second mixture prepared by mixing the first complex and an aqueous solution of the second chelating agent. The aqueous solution is under the pH conditions where the first chelating agent can be insoluble in the aqueous solution. Then, a liquid fraction containing the second complex is recovered from the second mixture. Thus, the metal can be recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices comprising a sensor layer capable of binding magnesium ions and a scavenging layer that preferentially binds to calcium ions in the presence of both magnesium ions and calcium ions. The sensor layers can comprise known or novel luminionophores. The invention further relates to methods of selectively detecting magnesium ion concentration in the presence of calcium ions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite material that comprises a support member that has a plurality of pores extending through the support member and, located in the pores of the support member, and filling the pores of the support member, a macroporous cross-linked gel. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the composite material described above, and to its use. The composite material is suitable, for example, for separation of substances, for example by filtration or adsorption, including chromatography, for use as a support in synthesis or for use as a support for cell growth.

Abstract: A comprehensive approach for interpretation of the multiple spiking isotope dilution results is described herein. It has now been found that a method of multiple spiking isotope dilution analysis for mass spectrometry is possible using an approach that permits precise and simultaneous characterization of m substances from a sample even if species inter-conversion (degradation and formation) has occurred prior to separation. Advantageously, initial and final amounts of involved analytes, conversion extent, conversion degree and rate constants from the results of a single quantitation experiment may be obtained with the present method. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, uncertainty in the characterization of the substances may be estimated more accurately by also estimating increase in the uncertainty due to inter-conversion of the analytes.

Abstract: A method for transporting in a microfluidic conduit an aliquot of a liquid, possibly containing a substance I, which is dissolved in the liquid and typically exhibits charged groups and/or hydrophobic groups. The method is characterized in that the liquid contains an amphiphilic macromolecular substance.

Abstract: A method of segmenting biological cells in a picture so that the biological cells represent a foreground of the picture includes a step of applying a first fast marching algorithm to the picture or to a pre-processed version of same in order to obtain a first fast marching image. In addition, the method includes a step of segmenting the first fast marching image or a further-processed version of same into a plurality of homogeneous regions. Furthermore, the method includes a step of mapping each of the homogeneous regions to one node of a graph, respectively. In addition, the method includes a step of classifying each homogeneous region either as background or foreground on the basis of the graph. Moreover, the method includes a step of applying a second fast marching algorithm within the homogeneous regions classified as foreground so as to segment the foreground into individual biological cells.

Abstract: Provided is an optical sensing membrane, including a mixture of two or more fluorescent dyes for detection of dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and temperature, immobilized on a support, a detection device including the optical sensing membrane and a detection method using the detection device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent kit for detecting lupus anticoagulant which includes a first clotting time-measuring reagent containing manganese salt and a second clotting time-measuring reagent which contains manganese salt at a concentration lower than that of the first clotting time-measuring reagent or does not contain manganese salt and a method of determining the presence or absence of lupus anticoagulant using the kit.

Abstract: An automatic method for identifying biological samples that are collected using the wrong blood preservative for subsequent analytical testing. The method also provides for identification and/or suppression of certain analytical test results that are substantially or partly adversely affected. The invention is particularly suited for use in point-of-care medical diagnostic testing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatments at increased risk for death that includes determining at least one of the patient's clinical or biochemical parameters, consisting of serum bicarbonate concentration level, serum potassium concentration level, serum calcium concentration level, hemoglobin concentration level, serum phosphorus concentration level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, equilibrated normalized protein catabolic rate (enPCR), equilibrated fractional clearance of total body water by dialysis and residual kidney function (eKdrt/V), EPO resistance index, transferrin saturation index, serum ferritin concentration level, serum creatinine concentration level, platelet count, Aspartat-Aminotransferase level, and Alanin-Aminotransferase level at periodic hemodialysis treatments, and identifying a patient as having an increased risk for death if the patient has a significant change in the rate of change of at least one of the patient's cli

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and rapid methods for extracting strontium ions from urine to provide a concentrated and purified strontium-90 extract suitable for scintillation measurements. The methods remove organic compounds, pigments, and alkali metal ions that can interfere with quantitative determination of strontium-90 in urine.

Abstract: A method of quantifying non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) in a biological fluid is provided, the method comprising: (a) contacting a sample of the biological fluid with a reducing agent to obtain redox-active iron; (b) contacting the sample of the biological fluid with a nitrilotriacetate (NTA) at a concentration of 0.4-2 mM to mobilize non-transferrin bound iron including redox inactive and the redox active iron in the sample; (c) contacting the sample of the biological fluid of step (b) with an indicator including an iron binding moiety and fluorophore; and (d) detecting and quantifying a fluorescent signal of the fluorophore thereby quantifying the NTBI in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of natural isotopes 44Ca/42Ca87Sr/86Sr as biomarkers to measure changes in bone mineral balance and loss.

Abstract: Terpyridine-substituted compounds, compositions and/or related methods, as can be used to selectively detect a wide range of analytes.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems effective to evaluate a physical or chemical property of an ion exchange resin-treated biological fluid sample are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering a heavy metal by which the variation in heavy metal recovery rate among samples can be suppressed. A mixture of a sample and a chelating agent capable of chelating with a heavy metal is prepared. A complex between a heavy metal being in the sample and the chelating agent is formed in the presence of a masking agent for a thiol group in the mixture. The heavy metal in the sample is recovered by recovering the complex. By this method, a heavy metal can be recovered with suppressing the variation in the recovery rate among samples. The chelating agent preferably is 1,5-diphenyl-3-thiocarbazone (dithizone). As the masking agent, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide, iodoacetic acid, or the like can be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a testing system for assessing hypoxia induced cellular damage in a mammal including human, comprising a disposable device having a sample inlet and a collection chamber separated by a separation device wherein the collection chamber is connected to at least two, a first and a second, visible detection compartments, whereof at least one is arranged with chemical means for direct visual detection, said first detection compartment being arranged to determine whether level of hemoglobin (Hb) in a sample of body fluid taken from said mammal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and said second detection compartment being arranged to evaluate level of total amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in said sample.

Abstract: An assay for identifying an individual having or at risk of developing vascular calcification, said assay comprising obtaining a blood sample from an individual and measuring the level of a vesicular compound in a matrix vesicle present in the blood sample from said individual; wherein an increased level of said compound indicates an individual at risk of developing vascular calcification.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems effective to evaluate a physical or chemical property of a surfactant-treated biological fluid sample are provided.

Abstract: Cell permeable metal ion indicator compounds and methods of their use and synthesis are described. The compound comprises a metal chelating moiety (Mc), a reporter molecule and two or more lipophilic groups (GL) covalently bonded through a linker to the reporter molecule, wherein the lipophilic groups, when present in a live cell, are cleaved resulting in two or more negatively charged groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for using a zinc sensor compound to detect a disease associated with the disruption of zinc homeostasis, such as prostate cancer. The zinc sensor compound comprises an optical reporter having two or more recognition units where each of the recognition units is capable of associating with at least one zinc ion.

Abstract: To provide a method configured to effectively control in a simplifier manner any adverse influences from perspiration excreted from a skin currently measured when a biogenic substance from tissue fluid extracted through fine pores is measured, the method includes steps of: forming a film having a water impermeability on the test subject's skin; forming fine pores in the skin coated with the film so as to penetrate through the film; extracting the tissue fluid from the test subject through the skin where the fine pores are formed; storing the constituent to be measured and inorganic ions of the extracted tissue fluid; obtaining an ion information relating to a quantity of the stored inorganic ions and a constituent information relating to a quantity of the stored constituent; and obtaining an analysis value relating to the quantity of the constituent based on the ion information and the constituent information.

Abstract: Disclosed is an innovative method for detecting metal ions based on selective plasmonic resonance energy transfer between metal-ligand complexes and a single nanoplasmonic particle as a probe. The selective plasmonic resonance energy transfer occurs if a resonance frequency matching condition between the single nanoplasmonic particle and the metal-ligand complexes is satisfied.

Abstract: An automatic method for identifying biological samples that are collected using the wrong blood preservative for subsequent analytical testing. The method also provides for identification and/or suppression of certain analytical test results that are substantially or partly adversely affected. The invention is particularly suited for use in point-of-care medical diagnostic testing.

Abstract: A method of determining calcium metabolism in a patient comprises the steps of administering radioactive calcium isotope 41Ca to the patient, allowing a period of time to elapse sufficient for dissemination and reaction of the radioactive calcium isotope 41Ca by the patient, obtaining a sample of the radioactive calcium isotope 41Ca from the patient, isolating the calcium content of the sample in a form suitable for precise measurement of isotopic calcium concentrations, and measuring the calcium content to determine parameters of calcium metabolism in the patient.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to a reagent that includes an effective amount of an adsorber to remove interfering species present during heavy metal level measurement in a fluid sample. In some examples, the reagent can include an effective amount of an adsorber to remove a suitable amount of glutathione from the fluid sample such that the glutathione does not interfere with measurements of lead levels in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A method for establishing a treatment for promoting the formation of Vitamins in an individual. The measured or assessed level of substances in the body are compared in order to determine the treatment to provide to an individual.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of sodium and lithium ion detection. In particular, the invention provides chimeric proteins, nucleic acids encoding chimeric proteins, methods and kits for assaying for sodium ions and for lithium ions in a sample, using inter alia, a 3?(2?),5?-bisphosphate nucleotidase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the determination of the concentration of a non-volatile analyte in an aqueous sample medium, with the use of an optical sensor which contains a luminescent dye and is calibrated at the user site by means of a single-point-calibration. To enable the user to completely dispense with all calibration media a luminescence measurement value is obtained at the user site with the sensor in contact with the aqueous or bloodlike sample medium, which value is referenced to the relative characteristic obtained at the factory site and to a measured dry calibration value obtained at the user site, the concentration of the non-volatile analyte being deduced from these data.

Abstract: Calix[4]arenes of Formula I are useful for selectively detecting Zn2+ ion.

Abstract: A test kit and a biomedical process is provided to estimate metals particularly non-transferrin bound iron levels (NTBI) in circulating body fluids particularly, serum. NTBI appears in serum when there is excess iron in the body. The method comprises of employing a signal generating moiety capable of complexing with iron that is a peptide like molecule having an iron binding site and also an optical signal generating functional group. The molecule is of microbial origin. The measurement is based on the alteration of optical characteristics of the probe molecule upon attachment of iron to its binding site on the molecule. Hence it generates a signal proportionate to the amount of iron available for binding and provides a direct estimate of free or unbound iron in the sample. According to this instant invention a rapid estimation method of NTBI in body fluids can be undertaken in an inexpensive way without the need of specialized expertise.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a tripeptide having the sequence XC1C2; wherein X is any amino acid such that XC1C2 is capable of binding a metal in a square planar orientation or square pyramidal orientation or both; and wherein C1 and C2 are the same or different; and wherein C1 and C2 individually are chosen from a cysteine and a cysteine-like nonnatural amino acid, as well as metal-XC1C2 complexes and methods for forming such complexes.

Abstract: Disclosed are benzoxazole-based compounds, kits, and methods of producing and using the described compounds in fluorescence-based detection of analytes (e.g., metal ions). Also disclosed are uses of benzoxazole-based compounds as ratiometric metal ion indicators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor for detecting mercury, comprising: a first polynucleotide, comprising a first region, and a second region, a second polynucleotide, a third polynucleotide, a fluorophore, and a quencher, wherein the third polynucleotide is optionally linked to the second region; the fluorophore is linked to the first polynucleotide and the quencher is linked to the second polynucleotide, or the fluorophore is linked to the second polynucleotide and the quencher is linked to the first polynucleotide; the first region and the second region hybridize to the second polynucleotide; and the second region binds to the third polynucleotide in the presence of Hg2+ ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal chelator and methods that facilitate binding, detecting, monitoring and quantitating of zinc ions in a sample. The metal chelating moiety of the zinc-binding compound is an analog of the well-known calcium chelator, BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N?,N?-tetraacetic acid), wherein the chelating moiety has been modified from a tetraacetic acid moiety to a tri- di- or monoacetic moiety. This change in acetic acid groups on the metal chelating moiety results in the selective bindings of zinc ions in the presence of calcium ions, both of which are present in biological fluids and intracellular cytosolic fluid and organelles.

Abstract: The invention is collecting nose sweat and testing the nose sweat for levels of calcium. Testing may be done using standard laboratory procedures for calcium detection, or may be done cow-side using a suitable test for calcium levels, such as a water hardness test kit or a suitable test strip.

Abstract: A method for measuring a concentration of creatinine includes the steps of: (A) mixing a sample containing creatinine with a creatinine quantitative reagent containing a metal complex of at least one of hexacyanoferrate and hexacyanoruthenate in the absence of picric acid and any enzyme responsive to creatinine, to cause the creatinine to reduce the metal complex; (B) electrochemically or optically measuring the amount of the metal complex reduced in the step (A); and (C) determining the concentration of the creatinine contained in the sample from the amount of the reduced metal complex measured in the step (B).

Abstract: Methods for measuring the concentration of heavy metals such as lead in oral fluid are provided. The concentration of lead in oral fluid can be accurately correlated with the concentration of lead in the blood serum. The methods are useful for, among other things, diagnosis and monitoring of heavy metal exposure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of a biosensor to determine potassium in human blood serum using dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) as ionophore. Human blood serum contains potassium in ppm levels i.e 137 to 200 mg/litre and sodium co exists with a 30 times higher concentration. Such a high concentration tends to interfere the selectivity towards potassium, but DB18C6 proves to have an excellent selectivity towards potassium and is highly sensitive to the lowest concentration of potassium levels present in the human blood serum. So the present invention reports the fabrication and characterization of ISFET (Ion Selective Field Effect transistor) coated with a monolayer of crown ether, dissolved in chloroform, on the gate of electrode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of measuring iron concentration in a sample. The method includes bringing iron contained in the sample into contact with a metallochromic indicator for iron in the presence of lithium ion and determining the iron concentration based on the degree of resultant coloring. The present disclosure further includes a reagent and a kit using therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor for detecting mercury, comprising: a first polynucleotide, comprising a first region, and a second region, a second polynucleotide, a third polynucleotide, a fluorophore, and a quencher, wherein the third polynucleotide is optionally linked to the second region; the fluorophore is linked to the first polynucleotide and the quencher is linked to the second polynucleotide, or the fluorophore is linked to the second polynucleotide and the quencher is linked to the first polynucleotide; the first region and the second region hybridize to the second polynucleotide; and the second region binds to the third polynucleotide in the presence of Hg2+ ions.