Provided herein are methods of using 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) in predicting the clinical sensitivity to treatment of bile acid-related and associated disorders with treatment peptides, such as variants of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics) and fusions of FGF19 and/or fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics), and variants of fusions of FGF19 and/or FGF21 proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics).

A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.

Provided herein are methods of using 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) in predicting the clinical sensitivity to treatment of bile acid-related and associated disorders with treatment peptides, such as variants of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics) and fusions of FGF19 and/or fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics), and variants of fusions of FGF19 and/or FGF21 proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics).

An apparatus is disclosed including a tool comprising a first device for generating aerosol from a target, the first device being deployed through an opening in a tubing of the tool, wherein the tubing is provided with aspiration ports or fenestrations such that the generated aerosol is aspirated into the tubing via the aspiration ports or fenestrations. The aspirated aerosol is then transferred to a mass spectrometer for subsequent mass analysis.

The present disclosure is generally directed to methods and systems for the rapid detection of mycobacteria in samples using lectin-conjugated silica coated magnetic nanoparticles (SMNPs). In this work, carbohydrates on the cell wall of the mycobacteria serve as binding sites for lectins conjugated on the surface of lectin-conjugated SMNPs. As the target species of mycobacteria bind to lectin-conjugated SMNPs, a precipitate forms, which can be magnetically separated from the bulk test solution to visually indicate the presence of the target species of mycobacteria. The present disclosure is utilized as an inexpensive and rapid point of care system in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the methods and systems are integrated into a lateral flow assay for rapid detection of the target species of mycobacteria. In yet another embodiment, the methods and systems are utilized to create a microfluidic detection device with increased sensitivity to mycobacteria in a sample.

Disclosed are a method and a reagent for quantifying HDL3 in a test sample without requiring laborious operations. The method for quantifying cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein 3 comprises reacting a test sample with one or more surfactants which react specifically with high-density lipoprotein 3, and quantifying cholesterol. When one surfactant is used, the surfactant is one selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl ethers having an HLB of 12.5 to 15. When two or more surfactants are used, at least one of the surfactants is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl ethers, and the two or more surfactants are combined so as to provide the total HLB of 12.5 to 15 of the combined surfactants.

The disclosure provides methods for differentiating between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The method includes measuring eicosanoids and fatty acid levels in a biological sample.

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining or acquiring chemical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target (2) using a chemical sensor (20). The chemical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target (2). An ambient ionisation ion source 1 may then be used to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour (5) from one or more regions of the target (2).

The disclosure provides a lipid nanodisc including a lipid bilayer having two opposing hydrophilic faces and a hydrophobic edge between the hydrophilic faces, and a copolymer encircling the hydrophobic edge of the lipid bilayer, the copolymer including a first monomeric unit including a pendant aromatic group, and a second monomeric unit including a pendant hydrophilic group, wherein the first monomeric unit and the second monomeric unit are present in the copolymer is a molar ratio ranging from 1:1 to 3:1 for the first monomeric unit:the second monomeric unit. The disclosure further provides a method of making the polymer-based lipid nanodiscs of the disclosure and methods of characterizing membrane proteins using the polymer-based lipid nanodiscs of the disclosure.

An apparatus for performing ambient ionisation mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical, tubular, rod-shaped, coil-shaped, helical or spiral-shaped collision assembly; and a first device arranged and adapted to direct analyte, smoke, fumes, liquid, gas, surgical smoke, aerosol or vapour onto said collision assembly.