The present invention describes a test kit for the detection of fat-soluble vitamins in serum using a method based on high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The internal standard (IS) solution included in the kit is based on methanol, acetonitrile and isopropyl alcohol solvents. Ammonium acetate is added to the IS solution to make it more stable and last for longer storage time. The application of this kit can significantly improve the recovery and detection sensitivity of vitamins A, E, K1 and K2 in serum without additional sample enrichment, make sample preparation process simpler and more efficient, keep processed samples stable for longer time, and lower the overall cost for more accurate and repeatable test results.

This invention relates to encapsulated workflow reagents comprising an encapsulating material and a workflow reagent encapsulated within the encapsulating material for sample and workflow preparation prior to chromatographic, spectroscopic or other analytical systems, use thereof, and devices comprising the same.

The present invention provides markers and methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, has or is at risk of developing, a disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) or NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) (e.g., within the ensuing year, two years, and/or three years). The present application also relates to the use of such markers and methods for monitoring the status of such diseases in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with such diseases.

The present invention provides markers and methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, has or is at risk of developing, a disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) or NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) (e.g., within the ensuing year, two years, and/or three years). The present application also relates to the use of such markers and methods for monitoring the status of such diseases in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with such diseases.

The present invention relates to a multi-screening method for the detection of a large number of mycotoxins and metabolites in broiler chickens and pigs, the method comprising collecting the blood of broiler chickens and pigs as a dried blood sample, preparing the dried blood sample for analysis and analyzing the prepared dried blood sample by a two-step liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS process. In a first LS-MS/MS step, for a given mobile phase for the LC process, the mass spectrometer operates in negative electro-spray ionization mode, and for another mobile phase for the LC process, the mass spectrometer operates in positive electro-spray ionization mode. Such method can advantageously be used for screening and assessing the exposure of pigs or broiler chickens to feed contaminated with mycotoxins. Also, such method can be used for assessing the impact of the addition of mycotoxin detoxifying agents to animal feed.

Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a vitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally directed to ionizing a vitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more vitamin D metabolites in a single assay.

A method for diagnosing interstitial cystitis includes measuring at least any one kind of lysophosphatidylcholine. A system and program for diagnosing a possibility of interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome is also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for the detection of mycotoxins and their phase I and phase II metabolites in broiler chickens and pigs, the method comprising: collecting the blood of broiler chickens and pigs as a dried blood sample; preparing the dried blood sample for analysis; analyzing the prepared dried blood sample by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Such method can advantageously be used for the assessment of the exposure of pigs or broiler chickens to feed contaminated with mycotoxins. Also, such method can be used for assessing the impact of the addition of mycotoxin detoxifying agents to animal feed.

Provided is a reagent for measuring hemoglobins capable of satisfactorily causing hemolysis and measuring hemoglobins with high accuracy. The reagent for measuring hemoglobins according to the present invention is a reagent for measuring hemoglobins used for measuring hemoglobins by cation exchange liquid chromatography, including a specific nonionic surfactant or a specific amphoteric surfactant.

A flow path for liquid chromatography, which analyzes hemoglobin within a blood sample, is subjected to a surface treatment with a liquid in which is dissolved a surface treating agent having a molecular weight of 200 or less and having two or more chemical structures in each of which a hydroxy group (—OH) and an oxo group (═O) are respectively bonded directly to one phosphor (P) atom.