Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has impaired glucose tolerance, and more specifically pre-diabetes or diabetes, are provided.

Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has impaired glucose tolerance, and more specifically pre-diabetes or diabetes, are provided.

Embodiments of a compact portable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) device are described which generally include a housing that provides a magnetic shield; an axisymmetric permanent magnet assembly in the housing and having a bore, a plurality of magnetic elements that together provide a well confined axisymmetric magnetization for generating a near-homogenous magnetic dipole field B.sub.0 directed along a longitudinal axis and providing a sample cavity for receiving a sample, and high magnetic permeability soft steel poles to improve field uniformity: a shimming assembly with coils disposed at the longitudinal axis for spatially correcting the near homogenous magnetic field B.sub.0; and a spectrometer having a control unit for measuring a metabolite in the sample by applying magnetic stimulus pulses to the sample, measuring free induction delay signals generated by an ensemble of hydrogen protons within the sample; and suppressing a water signal by using a dephasing gradient with frequency selective suppression.

An arrangement for operating a biosensor emitting radiation includes an excitation light source, which generates at least one excitation radiation for the biosensor; a coupling fiber, at the entry surface of which the excitation radiation is coupled in; an optical Y-coupler, including an excitation arm, which is connected to the exit surface of the coupling fiber, a detector arm, which is connected to an optical detector, and a sensor foot, which can be connected to the biosensor. The excitation arm has a conical shape. The radiation axis of the excitation arm includes an angle in the range of 5° to 70° with the main radiation axis of the detector arm. The diameter of the excitation arm at the connecting point to the detector arm is less than two thirds the diameter of the detector arm. An arrangement for determining the glucose content blood is also provided.

A glucose monitoring method and a glucose sensor, both of which use glucose dehydrogenase having a Michaelis constant (Km) for xylose of 600 mM or more and 3000 mM or less, and a Km for glucose of 0.1 mM or more and 100 mM or less, which provide for evaluating FADGDH in an aqueous system while reducing the practical influence of FADGDH on D-xylose.

A glucose measuring system includes a glucose meter that incorporates wireless communication capabilities. The meter can advantageously be a low cost meter by eliminating expensive components, such as the display. The user nevertheless is able to retrieve and view his or her glucose values by referring to displays within the glucose measuring local area network. Feedback via these displays can advantageously be used by the diabetic to create a higher level of confidence and safety.

The invention provides the art with a powerful diagnostic method of distinguishing relapse-remitting MS subjects from progressive MS subjects, based on the measurement of serum concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc,), for the first time enabling rapid diagnosis of the progressive form of MS. GlcNAc serum concentration can also be used to assess neurodegenerative status and MS progression in subjects suffering from MS or other neurological conditions. The methods of the invention also allow for the identification of new therapeutics for MS and other neurological conditions and also enables the personalized efficacy assessment of a potential therapy for an MS subject.

The invention provides the art with a powerful diagnostic method of distinguishing relapse-remitting MS subjects from progressive MS subjects, based on the measurement of serum concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc,), for the first time enabling rapid diagnosis of the progressive form of MS. GlcNAc serum concentration can also be used to assess neurodegenerative status and MS progression in subjects suffering from MS or other neurological conditions. The methods of the invention also allow for the identification of new therapeutics for MS and other neurological conditions and also enables the personalized efficacy assessment of a potential therapy for an MS subject.

Provided is a diagnostic drug for evaluating permeability of intestinal mucosa, including chitin and/or chitosan as a main component. The chitin and/or chitosan to be used preferably has a weight average molecular weight prepared to a range of from 1,000 to 11,600.

A method for evaluating the progression of hepatic fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, said method comprising measuring the amount of a sugar chain having a structure represented by formula (I) and/or a precursor sugar chain of the biosynthesis of a sugar chain having a structure represented by formula (I) in a sample.