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: The invention provides a single colorimetric reagent for the measurement of oxidising agents such as free chlorine in a liquid sample which contains a food dye, whereby the oxidising agent undergoes a reaction with said food dye. A preferred food dye is Brilliant Blue FCF. There is also provided a control system for regulating the volume of reagent added to a fixed volume of sample according to a control algorithm to give a chosen excess of a reagent compound beyond that required to stoichiometrically react with the target analyte in the sample. Also disclosed are single reagents for colorimetric determination of total alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Abstract: Various agents for improving adhesion of cold end coatings on glass surfaces are described Also described are agents for improving bonding between cold end coatings and organic inks. And, methods and related detection solutions for detecting the presence of cold end coatings on a substrate such as a glass bottle are disclosed. Additionally, particular additives and primers are described that can be applied onto cold end coatings for improving adhesion thereto.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for determination of calcium within a sample. Specific embodiments include a reagent for determination of calcium comprising a mono-nitro substituted BAPTA-type chelator (BAPTA=1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N?,N?-tetraacetic acid). Methods for accurate determination of calcium in a sample, such as a blood, whole blood, plasma or serum or any other aqueous liquid sample including cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, salivary juice or urine. Embodiments are also useful for clinical diagnoses.

Abstract: An activated partial thromboplastin time measuring reagent, including a first reagent containing a phospholipid and an activator and a second reagent containing a herparin neutralizer and a calcium salt is disclosed. An activated partial thromboplastin time measuring method, and a determination method for determining a presence or absence of a blood coagulation inhibitor are also disclosed.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a method for the validation of a non-particulate adsorbent by secondary reaction and a kit for the validation of a non-particulate adsorbent by secondary reaction.

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 present invention discloses a method for determination of magnesium content in aluminum alloy, including: dissolving an aluminum alloy sample, using one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of mercapto-containing compound, acetone cyanohydrin, ?-aminoethyl mercaptan, triethanolamine, tetraethylenepentamine, ethylene diamine and oxydol as masking agent, using eriochrome black T or methyl thymol blue as indicator, and using EDTA or CDTA to titrate the sample.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improving the stability and shelf life of film sensors. The film sensors include a combination of polymeric matrix film material, analyte indicator, and solvent which has been heated in a first heat treatment application to volatilize most of the solvent and to solidify the analyte indicator to form the film sensor. The improvement comprises subjecting the film sensor to a second heat treatment to set the film and improve stability and shelf life.

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: 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: Methods of assaying for disease-associated crystal species in biological samples are described. Such methods involve contacting a patient sample with an excess of a detectable crystal-tagging compound reactive with a plurality of crystal species under conditions that allow the detectable crystal-tagging compound to react with a plurality of crystal species, if present, to form tagged crystal species complexes. Substantially all unreacted tagging compound is then removed. If desired, chemical, enzymatic, or physical treatment can be used to selectively degrade some, but not, of the tagged crystal species. Assessment of soluble versus crystal-associated label is then performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical sensor having a solid electrically conductive substrate and a compound immobilized thereon which has binding affinity for an analyte species to be detected and also displays electrochemical behaviour which is modified upon binding of that analyte species, so that binding of an analyte species can be detected by measuring electrochemical properties, such as by voltammetry. Desirably the immobilised compound contains both a first moiety with binding affinity for the analyte and a separate second moiety which is a redox system whose electrochemical oxidation/reduction properties become modified when the first moiety binds the analyte. The analyte binding moiety may be a diol or polyol and preferably is a sugar. The electrochemical sensor finds use in methods of analysing reservoir and process fluids, particularly at a subterranean location. The electrochemical sensor may be a component of a downhole tool, adapted for deployment downhole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing minerals from a cellulosic biomass. For example, the biomass may be prewashed with an acid solution and rinsed with water to remove minerals prior to acid saccharification. The removal of minerals may reduce overall acid requirements, and decrease pretreatment costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluorogenic compounds for the detection of target metal ions wherein the compounds exhibit a Stokes shift greater than 50 nm and the detectable signal is modulated by photoinduced electron transfer (PET). The present compounds consist of three functional elements, the ion sensing moiety (chelating moiety), the reporter moiety (fluorophore or fluorescent protein) and spacer or linker between the sensing and reporter moieties of the present compound that allows for PET upon binding of a metal ion and excitation by an appropriate wavelength.

Abstract: Chalcogenide compounds with cation exchange capability and methods of using the compounds are described. Compounds of the general formula A2xMxSn3-xS6 are described wherein x is 0.1-0.95, A is Li+, Na+, K+ or Rb+ and M is Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ or Ni2+. Compounds of the general formula H2xMxSn3-xS6 are also described wherein x is 0.1-0.95 and M=Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ or Ni2+. The compounds can be layered compounds. The compounds are capable of intercalation of Cs+, Sr2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and/or Ag+ ions. A process involving contacting the compounds with a solution comprising one or more ions including Cs+, Sr2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and/or Ag+ is also provided. The one or more ions can be removed from the solution by the compounds. A process comprising contacting compounds of the general formula A2xMxSn3-xS6 with a solution containing UO22+, Th4+ or Pu4+ ions is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic nanosensors or transducers that permit measurement of a physical parameter in an analyte via magnetic reasonance measurements, in particular of non-agglomerative assays. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to designs of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles. Additionally provided are methods of use of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of a stimulus or an analyte with NMR detectors.

Abstract: Coelenterazine analogues with different luminescence properties from conventional ones and coelenteramide analogues with different fluorescence properties from conventional ones have been desired. The invention provides coelenterazine analogues modified at the 8-position of coelenterazine and coelenteramide analogues modified at the 2- or 3-position of coelenteramide.

Abstract: An improved optical method for determining metal or a metal compound thereof in a sample with organic impurities. The optical method comprises of solvating the metal in a liquid medium and then mixing this liquid medium with an optical indicator and then measuring the presence of the metal. The improvement lies in removing any organic impurities by the addition of an additive, where the said additive is removed before the optical indicator is added.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining calcium levels. In at least one embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a stabilizing agent useful to completely or substantially prevent degradation or inactivation of a diagnostic marker for circulating calcium in a body fluid comprising the diagnostic marker, and a detection agent capable of detecting the diagnostic agent.

Abstract: Prior to adding detergent or chelant, the conductivity of water in a washing chamber is measured. The maximum concentration of hard water ions that could correspond to the measured conductivity is determined, i.e., it is assumed that all of the conductivity is from calcium and/or magnesium ions in the water even though other ions may in fact be contributing to the measured conductivity. Enough chelating agent is added to the chamber to sequester this maximum concentration of hard water ions and the conductivity is measured again. Using the two conductivity measurements, the actual concentration of hard water ions is determined. A chelant factor based on the actual concentration of hard water ions is then used to determine the amount of chelant to be added for subsequent wash cycles to sequester all of the hard water 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: Molecular bioprofiles comprising biologically correlated and relevant analytes that impact the biological state of a human health condition compared to a control population are provided. These molecular bioprofiles are useful in several ways including but not limited to, monitoring a disease or condition's progression, evaluating the impact of an agent or compound on a disease or condition, evaluating the impact of a lifestyle change on a disease or condition and assessing the risk of the disease or condition to a subject. Type II diabetes molecular bioprofiles are of particular interest.

Abstract: Proposed is a zirconium crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, wherein the purity of the zirconium crucible is 99.99 wt % or higher. In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, the present invention provides a zirconium crucible for melting an analytical sample, a method of preparing such analytical sample, and a method of analysis that enables the analysis of high purity materials by inhibiting the inclusion of impurities from the crucible regardless of difference in the analysts and their skill.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the concentration of a catalytic clement in a fuel cell powder. The method includes depositing on a porous substrate at least one layer of a powder mixture comprising the fuel cell powder and an internal standard material, ablating a sample of the powder mixture using a laser, and vaporizing the sample using an inductively coupled plasma. A normalized concentration of catalytic element in the sample is determined by quantifying the intensity of a first signal correlated to the amount of catalytic element in the sample, quantifying the intensity of a second signal correlated to the amount of internal standard material in the sample, and using a ratio of the first signal intensity to the second signal intensity to cancel out the effects of sample size.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting prostate cancer employing biomarkers, including hZIP1, zinc and citrate. Also provided are antibodies to detect hZIP1 protein or peptides and an expression vector comprising a genetic sequence effective to increase uptake of zinc into a prostate cell upon expression thereof. Furthermore, methods of treating prostate cancer and of increasing uptake of zinc into a prostate cell are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for determination of magnesium content in aluminum alloy, including: dissolving an aluminum alloy sample, using one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of mercapto-containing compound, acetone cyanohydrin, ?-aminoethyl mercaptan, triethanolamine, tetraethylenepentamine, ethylene diamine and oxydol as masking agent, using eriochrome black T or methyl thymol blue as indicator, and using EDTA or CDTA to titrate the sample.

Abstract: The composition of flue gas generated in a thermal process, especially in the combustion of bio fuel or refuse-derived fuel, is monitored by measuring the quantity of particles belonging to certain size categories in at least one point along the flow path of the flue gas. Such particle size categories are chosen as objects of the measurement, in which the particles are known to consist mainly of alkali chlorides.

Abstract: The invention provides calcium-binding photoproteins which can detect light emission with a higher sensitivity. The proteins of the invention comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 can be used for the detection and measurement of calcium ions. The proteins of the invention are useful as reporter proteins, luminescent markers, etc. The polynucleotides of the invention are useful as reporter genes, etc.

Abstract: A stabilised thylakoid membrane formulation comprising thylakoid membranes in a buffered solution and liposomes, wherein the formulation has a ratio of chlorophyll/liposomes of at least about 10:1. The invention further comprises a method for detecting or quantifying the presence of toxic molecules in a fluid sample, comprising obtaining a stabilised thylakoids membranes formulation; and assessing the photosynthetic efficiency of the thylakoid membranes formulation in the presence of said sample, whereby the molecules are detected when the photosynthetic efficiency is measurably different in the presence versus in the absence of the sample. The present invention also comprises kits using the stabilised thylakoid membranes formulation for detecting and/or quantifying the toxic molecule in a fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fast and simple method for fractional measurement of small particle low density lipoprotein (LDL). The method for quantifying small particle LDL in a test sample entails a first step of separating the small particle LDL from other low density lipoproteins, and a second step of measuring cholesterol, triglycerides or proteins in the separated small particle LDL.

Abstract: Methods of preparing compositions for preferential distribution of active agents to injury sites are provided. The compositions may comprise a polymer with hydrophilic properties and one or more active agents, such as compounds comprising hydrophilic metal ions. Because the delivery ligand and the active agent are specifically selected so the interactions between them are mainly of an ionic nature. Methods of identifying suitable components for such compositions are also disclosed.

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: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for determination of ion concentrations, particularly in downhole water from hydrocarbon wells, aquifers etc. It is useful in a wide range of applications, including predicting the formation of scale and fingerprinting waters from different sources. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of ligands whose electronic configuration is altered by the binding of the scaling ions within a water sample. These alterations are detected, for example by electrochemical means, and are indicative of the concentration of scaling ions in the sample.

Abstract: A method for selectively orienting molecules on a surface of a solid support. The method includes the steps of: (a) attaching a linker molecule to the surface of the solid support, the linker molecule including a head group that is capable of binding to the solid support, and a tail group that is capable of chelating to a metal ion; (b) subsequently treating the solid support with a solution containing the metal ion; (c) attaching a metal ion chelating tag to the molecules to form tagged molecules; and (d) capturing the tagged molecules on the solid support by contacting it with the tagged molecules to form a monolayer of molecules on the surface of the solid support in which a majority of the molecules are held in the same orientation with respect to the surface. The invention also provides a sensor chip formed using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to determine the Mg2+ and/or Ca2+ levels in a cerebrospinal fluid obtained from a mammal, wherein Mg2+ and/or Ca2+ levels are connected to an ?-synucleinopathy associated disease or disorder as well as a kit to be used in said method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the TBN of a used lubricating oil by measuring with a single device at least one element, such as sulfur, and correlating the measured amount to the oil's TBN. Preferably, a spectroscopic device is used to make the measurement.

Abstract: Prior to adding detergent or chelant, the conductivity of water in a washing chamber is measured. The maximum concentration of hard water ions that could correspond to the measured conductivity is determined, i.e., it is assumed that all of the conductivity is from calcium and/or magnesium ions in the water even though other ions may in fact be contributing to the measured conductivity. Enough chelating agent is added to the chamber to sequester this maximum concentration of hard water ions and the conductivity is measured again. Using the two conductivity measurements, the actual concentration of hard water ions is determined. A chelant factor based on the actual concentration of hard water ions is then used to determine the amount of chelant to be added for subsequent wash cycles to sequester all of the hard water ions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the content of metallic elements in Fischer-Tropsch waxes by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), wherein digestion of one or more samples of the waxes is carried out in an open vessel microwave digestion system. The invention further provides a sampling protocol for use with the method.

Abstract: An improved optical method for determining metal or a metal compound thereof in a sample with organic impurities. The optical method comprises of solvating the metal in a liquid medium and then mixing this liquid medium with an optical indicator and then measuring the presence of the metal. The improvement lies in removing any organic impurities by the addition of an additive, where the said additive is removed before the optical indicator is added.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of using ion-detecting microspheres containing an ionphore and a chromoionphore in clinical laboratory instrumentation such as flow cytometry for sample analysis. In one embodiment, the microspheres are contacted with a flowing stream of a sample under conditions that allow the ion-selective ionophores to complex with the ions in the sample, and to cause deprotonation of the chromoionophore. The complexes are then exposed to an excitation wavelength light source suitable for exciting the deprotonated chromoionophore to emit a fluorescence signal pattern. Detection of the fluorescence signal pattern emitted by the deprotonated chromoionophore in microspheres containing the complexes allows for determination of the presence of the target ions in the sample. In one embodiment, lead ion-detecting microspheres are provided that can detect nanomolar levels of lead ions with response times on the order of minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent for determining the absolute configuration of a chiral compound containing as an active ingredient a metalloporphyrin dimer, wherein the metalloporphyrin dimer has an alkaline-earth metal ion as a central metal and has a carbon chain-crosslinked structure in which at least one of the two porphyrin rings has a substituent bulkier than methyl at least one of the second carbon atoms from a carbon atom bonded to the crosslinking carbon chain along the outer periphery of the porphyrin ring and a method for determining the absolute configuration of an asymmetric carbon atom of the chiral compound using the reagent.

Abstract: An improved low-cost practical method of determining beryllium or a beryllium compound thereof in a sample is disclosed by measuring fluorescence. This method discloses methods to lower the back ground fluorescence. Further, the method is extended to improved analysis of beryllium in soils by including a heating step.

Abstract: A method of eliminating the reactivity of lipoarabinomannan contained in a sample to a Limulus reagent including at least the step of allowing the sample containing lipoarabinomannan to coexist together with a metal salt or a buffer; and a method of assaying an endotoxin and a method of detecting an endotoxin-associated disease by using the above-described method.

Abstract: A non-reactive monomer mixture has a monomer component dispersed in a melted diaryl carbonate. The monomer component has one or more monomer compounds having a melting point below the melting point of the diaryl carbonate. Furthermore, the monomer component has less than 600 ppb alkali metal, an acid stabilizer, or both less than 600 ppb alkali metal and an acid stabilizer. The monomer compounds of the monomer component and the diaryl carbonate are present in a mole ratio of from 0.9 to 1.1. The monomer mixture is at a temperature between the melting temperature of the lowest melting monomer compound and the melting temperature of the diaryl carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to fluorescein-based ligands for detection of metal ions, and methods of making and using the same.