A medical, dental, or veterinary device with a use indicator includes a proximal end and a distal end configured to interact with a human or animal subject, the distal end including a use indication portion, wherein the use indication portion includes a reactive agent to react with a foreign substance to exhibit a visible change in appearance of the reactive agent to indicate to a veterinary, dental, or medical professional that the device had been previously used and must be sterilized or disposed.

A system and method for electrical label-free detection of single protein molecules via a nanoscale electrode based on detecting the transient potential change of the floating nanoelectrode, which works for both large and small molecules. The system can also be applied to study the interactions of molecules with molecular receptors on the surface of the nanoscale electrode. The motion and dynamics of the protein near the nanoscale electrode can be detected with high precision in real time based on their intrinsic charges by the potentiometric method using a differential amplifier. The nanoelectrode can be integrated into a microfluidic device for biosensing applications.

The present disclosure relates to a Mitochondria-Associated endoplasmic reticulum Membrane (MAM)-specific fluorescence calcium sensor and the use thereof. The present disclosure can surmount the limitations of a conventional technique in that verification of calcium migration through MAM requires separate measurements of calcium ion concentrations within ER and mitochondria and situational explanations of the phenomena, and can directly measure concentrations in the paths through which calcium ions move to exclude influences on calcium ion changes through numerous different calcium ion channels existing in mitochondria, thereby providing a convenient and accurate MAM-specific calcium ion sensor.

The present disclosure relates to a Mitochondria-Associated endoplasmic reticulum Membrane (MAM)-specific fluorescence calcium sensor and the use thereof. The present disclosure can surmount the limitations of a conventional technique in that verification of calcium migration through MAM requires separate measurements of calcium ion concentrations within ER and mitochondria and situational explanations of the phenomena, and can directly measure concentrations in the paths through which calcium ions move to exclude influences on calcium ion changes through numerous different calcium ion channels existing in mitochondria, thereby providing a convenient and accurate MAM-specific calcium ion sensor.

An apparatus for label-free analysis of molecules, including interactions and reactions of the molecules, is disclosed. The apparatus is based on detecting molecule movement under the influence of an external electric field. The apparatus is able to achieve sensitive detection of molecular binding to proteins or other molecules, and conformational changes of proteins or other molecules and biochemical reactions of the proteins or other molecules. Applications of the apparatus include screening of drug molecules, kinetic analysis of posttranslational modification of proteins, and small molecule-protein interactions.

An apparatus for label-free analysis of molecules, including interactions and reactions of the molecules, is disclosed. The apparatus is based on detecting molecule movement under the influence of an external electric field. The apparatus is able to achieve sensitive detection of molecular binding to proteins or other molecules, and conformational changes of proteins or other molecules and biochemical reactions of the proteins or other molecules. Applications of the apparatus include screening of drug molecules, kinetic analysis of posttranslational modification of proteins, and small molecule-protein interactions.

A blood pH measurement device comprises a tube through which blood or other ion-containing fluid flows, at least one dry reference electrode, a proton diffusion differentiator, an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor, and a pH meter. The tube can comprise an annular wall with an entry, an exit, and a sensor floor. The dry reference electrode is preferably located within the tube between the entry and the exit and opposite the sensor floor. It is also contemplated that the dry reference electrode is surrounded by a membrane and is, at least partially, associated with the interior surface of the annular wall. The contemplated invention can also include a proton diffusion differentiator, such as an electrolyte separation layer, connecting the external surface of the sensor floor to an ion-selective field effect transistor (ISFET), wherein the ISFET measures the ion concentration of the blood.

A blood pH measurement device comprises a tube through which blood or other ion-containing fluid flows, at least one dry reference electrode, a proton diffusion differentiator, an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor, and a pH meter. The tube can comprise an annular wall with an entry, an exit, and a sensor floor. The dry reference electrode is preferably located within the tube between the entry and the exit and opposite the sensor floor. It is also contemplated that the dry reference electrode is surrounded by a membrane and is, at least partially, associated with the interior surface of the annular wall. The contemplated invention can also include a proton diffusion differentiator, such as an electrolyte separation layer, connecting the external surface of the sensor floor to an ion-selective field effect transistor (ISFET), wherein the ISFET measures the ion concentration of the blood.

The present invention relates to methods for detecting the activity of an ion channel in a cell. The methods comprise providing a loading buffer solution to a cell that has an ion channel. The loading buffer comprises at least one thallium indicator (e.g., an environmentally sensitive, luminescent dye) and a physiological concentration of chloride ions. The methods further comprise providing a stimulus buffer to the cell, wherein the stimulus buffer comprises thallium (e.g., thallium ions). Providing the stimulus buffer causes thallium influx into the cell through the ion channel. After providing the stimulus buffer, the luminescence (e.g., fluorescence) of the dye in the cell is detected. The luminescence of the dye can change in the presence or absence of thallium. The methods may be used to measure influx or efflux of thallium through an ion channel.

Disclosed herein are compounds that can be used to selectively detect nitric oxide in samples. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising the compounds and methods of detecting nitric oxide using the compounds.