A device configured to collect a blood sample comprising a capillary means, wherein the capillary means is configured to collect and dry the blood sample and comprises an effective amount of a distributed inhibitor of phospholipase D. The device may be configured to receive, transport and collect a blood sample comprising a compartment in fluid connection with the capillary means, wherein the capillary means is configured to collect and dry the blood sample and comprises an effective amount of a distributed PLD inhibitor. The device may be a microfluidic device comprising an inlet portion, an outlet portion comprising a capillary means configured to collect and dry the blood sample, and optionally a metering function, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an effective amount of a distributed PLD inhibitor. The PLD inhibitor is distributed in a water soluble film, preferably a PVA film, or in an absorbent paper or polymer or in the capillary means. The PLD inhibitor may be selected from a salt of a transition metal belonging to column 5 or 6 of the periodic table, a salt of vanadium and a salt of tungsten, a salt comprising a vanadium oxyanion and a salt comprising a tungsten oxyanion, and/or at least one of NaVO3 (sodium metavanadate) and Na2WO4 (sodium tungstate). A method of preparing a sample for analysis of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) comprises providing a blood sample with a volume of less than 10 ml to the device; contacting the blood sample with at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D selected from at least one of a salt of vanadium and a salt of tungsten; and admitting inhibition of phospholipase D so formation of PEth is blocked.

Devices, assemblies, and kits are disclosed for separating and/or metering a plasma sample from a patient's liquid test sample. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using same.

Devices, assemblies, and kits are disclosed for separating and/or metering a plasma sample from a patient's liquid test sample. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using same.

An embodiment provides a method for deriving an amount of PFAS substances from a total organic fluoride measurement in a sample, including: removing inorganic fluoride from the sample using one or more of an ion exchange cartridge and an exclusion apparatus; preconcentrating, using a solid phase extraction, at least one PFAS substance in the sample; digesting, using a working electrode and a counter electrode, the at least one PFAS substance to an amount of total organic fluoride; and determining, using an analyzer, the amount of total organic fluoride in the sample. Other aspects are described and claimed.

An embodiment provides a method for deriving an amount of PFAS substances from a total organic fluoride measurement in a sample, including: removing inorganic fluoride from the sample using one or more of an ion exchange cartridge and an exclusion apparatus; preconcentrating, using a solid phase extraction, at least one PFAS substance in the sample; digesting, using a working electrode and a counter electrode, the at least one PFAS substance to an amount of total organic fluoride; and determining, using an analyzer, the amount of total organic fluoride in the sample. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A gas-detecting apparatus includes a pump module connected to a first input and a second input to intake air, a sensor module including at least one unit sensor configured to output a sensing signal in response to gas present in the air, and a control module configured to detect the gas using the sensing signal. The control module controls the pump module to intake second air by opening the second input when gas is detected in first air introduced through the first input, and determines that gas is detected when a concentration of gas detected in the second air is lower than a concentration of gas detected in the first air.

A gas-detecting apparatus includes a pump module connected to a first input and a second input to intake air, a sensor module including at least one unit sensor configured to output a sensing signal in response to gas present in the air, and a control module configured to detect the gas using the sensing signal. The control module controls the pump module to intake second air by opening the second input when gas is detected in first air introduced through the first input, and determines that gas is detected when a concentration of gas detected in the second air is lower than a concentration of gas detected in the first air.

A tissue processing device includes a cassette for carrying tissue; a cassette container in which the cassette is received; a working stage, the cassette container being movably disposed on an upper side of the working stage; and an elastic vessel disposed on a lower side of the working stage, wherein the working stage defines a through hole, the cassette container communicates with the elastic vessel by means of the through hole, and each elastic vessel is configured to squeeze a reagent contained therein into the cassette container when the elastic vessel is deformed and to suck the reagent from the cassette container into the elastic vessel when the elastic vessel is restored. When the elastic vessel is deformed, the reagent therein is squeezed into the cassette container so that the tissue is immersed by the reagent, and when the elastic vessel is restored, the reagent contained in the cassette container is sucked into the elastic vessel to release the tissue from the reagent, so as to process the single tissue by means of a unique solution to prevent cross-contamination.

A tissue processing device includes a cassette for carrying tissue; a cassette container in which the cassette is received; a working stage, the cassette container being movably disposed on an upper side of the working stage; and an elastic vessel disposed on a lower side of the working stage, wherein the working stage defines a through hole, the cassette container communicates with the elastic vessel by means of the through hole, and each elastic vessel is configured to squeeze a reagent contained therein into the cassette container when the elastic vessel is deformed and to suck the reagent from the cassette container into the elastic vessel when the elastic vessel is restored. When the elastic vessel is deformed, the reagent therein is squeezed into the cassette container so that the tissue is immersed by the reagent, and when the elastic vessel is restored, the reagent contained in the cassette container is sucked into the elastic vessel to release the tissue from the reagent, so as to process the single tissue by means of a unique solution to prevent cross-contamination.

The present disclosure provides methods to quantify tau phosphorylation at specific amino acid residues, using blood samples, to predict time to onset of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, stage Alzheimer's disease, guide treatment decisions, select subjects for clinical trials, and evaluate the clinical efficacy of certain therapeutic interventions.