A method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting a stool sample with the analyte and transferring a defined amount of stool sample into a prepared vessel having a sieve filter and a predetermined amount of extraction solution; (b) suspending and extracting the stool sample in the extraction solution so that the analyte goes into solution; (c) filtering the extraction solution through the sieve filter and transferring a defined amount of extraction solution to a cellulosic fibrous web having predetermined absorbency; (d) rapid drying of the extraction solution on the cellulose fibrous web at ambient temperature by the capillary action of the fibrous web, wherein the fibrous web with the sample extraction solution represents a storage and transport form stable over days and weeks, on which analyte and digestive enzymes are physically separated from each other; (e) collecting and extracting the analyte from the fibrous web in a predetermined amount of assay buffer; (f) separating the fibrous web from the assay buffer with the analyte; and (g) quantitatively or qualitatively determining the analyte in the assay buffer.

This invention provides an amadoriase that can react with a wide variety of glycated peptides generated upon hydrolysis of the chain of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to generate hydrogen peroxide, a method for measurement of HbA1c using such amadoriase, and a reagent kit for measurement of HbA1c using such amadoriase. Provided is an amadoriase obtained by substitution of one or more amino acids at positions corresponding to amino acids selected from the group consisting of amino acids 62, 63, 102, 106, 110, 113, and 355 in the amino acid sequence of the amadoriase derived from the genus Coniochaeta or the like which amadoriase is capable of oxidizing a wide variety of glycated peptides to generate hydrogen peroxide. Further provided is a method for measurement of HbA1c comprising using such amadoriase as well as a reagent kit for measurement of HbA1c comprising such amadoriase. This invention can provide a method for measurement of HbA1c that enables quantification of HbA1c to be performed rapidly, simply, and accurately with the use of a small amount of a protease and a kit used for such measurement. This invention can also provide a method for measurement of HbA1c that enables quantification of HbA1c to be performed rapidly, simply, and accurately, with high sensitivity with the use of a small amount of a protease and a kit used for such measurement.

A method is provided for measuring glycated hemoglobin in a hemoglobin-containing sample which comprises: adding an enzyme that catalyzes a reaction of oxidizing glycated amino acid or glycated peptide to generate hydrogen peroxide without oxidizing the glycated hemoglobin, to the hemoglobin-containing sample to generate hydrogen peroxide; eliminating the generated hydrogen peroxide; adding an enzyme that catalyzes a reaction of oxidizing glycated hemoglobin to generate hydrogen peroxide thereto to generate hydrogen peroxide; and measuring the generated hydrogen peroxide.

A system for measuring the blood loss comprises a measuring device that determines the hemoglobin concentration of fluid within a container utilizing a light source and a light detector. The container receives blood and other fluids from a patient during a medical procedure. Light from the light source is passed through the blood and other fluids in the container and is detected by the light detector. Based upon a magnitude of light detected, the hemoglobin concentration of the fluid in the container can be determined. A volume-measuring device determines the volume of blood and fluid in the container. Knowing the hemoglobin concentration and volume of fluid in the container, the volume of patient blood loss in the container can be determined. The blood loss measuring device in combination with infusion systems maintains a real-blood volume status so that proper infusion of blood, crystalloid and/or colloid solutions occurs.

The present description relates to a method for identifying a patient who is eligible for an intensification of heart failure therapy. Furthermore, the description relates to a method for optimizing B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. The methods are based on the measurement of the level of at least one marker in a sample from a patient who has heart failure and who receives B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. Further described are kits and devices adapted to carry out the described method.

A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a test strip detection conductor. The test strip includes a first flow path, the first flow path including a heating area, the test strip detection conductor in the heating area, the test strip detection conductor configured to be activated to heat a sample in the heating area.

A system for determining a concentration of hemoglobin A1C includes a first lateral flow test strip, the first lateral flow test strip providing for a percent of HbA1C concentration; a second lateral flow test strip, the second lateral flow test strip providing for the total amount of hemoglobin; an antibody-microparticle stripe on each of the first and second lateral flow test strips; a conjugate stripe on each of the first and second lateral flow test strips; and a sample treatment buffer. The sample treatment buffer is strongly denaturing, and antibodies in the antibody-microparticle strip are covalently bound to microparticles.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing the presence of gingivitis in a human subject. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a saliva sample of the subject the concentrations are measured of the proteins Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1), and at least one of C reactive protein (CRP) and Haemoglobin. Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with the absence of gingivitis or periodontitis. The comparison allows to assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of gingivitis in said subject. Thereby, typically, a testing value reflecting a joint concentration above the joint concentration reflected by the threshold, is indicative of the presence of gingivitis.

Provided is a composition by which glycated hemoglobin can be measured even in the presence of a stronger surfactant than a conventional case. Also provided is a buffer and/or stabilizer which maintains the residual activity of an amadoriase or lowers a reduction of residual activity. The present invention provides a composition for use in measuring glycated hemoglobin containing an amadoriase having substitution of one or more amino acid residues at a position(s) corresponding to an amino acid(s) selected from the group consisting of position 262, position 257, position 249, position 253, position 337, position 340, position 232, position 129, position 132, position 133, position 44, position 256, position 231 and position 81 of an amadoriase derived from the genus Coniochaeta and represented by SEQ ID No: 1 or 3, and having residual activity even in the presence of a surfactant. The present invention also provides a composition and kit for use in measuring glycated hemoglobin, comprising a specific stabilizer and/or a buffer. The present invention can provide an enzyme and a composition for use in measuring glycated hemoglobin, excellent in storage stability even if they are exposed to a surfactant.

Provided is a method for identifying and treating a pregnancy devoid of uterine fetal or embryonic tissue in a subject by determining a concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a specimen evacuated from the uterus of the subject; comparing the concentration of AFP to a reference value; wherein when the AFP concentration in the specimen evacuated from the uterus is below that of a reference value, absence of uterine fetal or embryonic tissue is indicated. Also provided is a method for identifying and treating a presence of fetal or embryonic tissue in a location of a subject other than the uterus by determining a concentration of AFP in a non-uterine specimen obtained from the subject; comparing the concentration of AFP in the specimen to a reference value; wherein when the AFP concentration in the specimen is above that of a reference value, presence of fetal or embryonic tissue is indicated.