Reagents and methods are disclosed for detection of oxidizers and inorganic salts and other analytes of interest. The reagents can interact with their target analytes, especially oxidizer compositions or oxidizer-based explosives, to selectively enhance their ionization yield, interacting by chemical reaction or by forming an associative adduct which facilitates their detection. For example, the reagents can adduct with the counter-ion of the intended analyte for improved direct detection and/or react chemically via acid-base reactions to produce a new product for detection. In another aspect of the invention, reactive reagents and methods are also disclosed that facilitate indirect detection of the analyte at lower temperatures based on reduction-oxidation (redox) chemistry. These reagents are particularly useful in detecting oxidizer analytes.

A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.

Compounds and embodiments of a method for treating and/or preventing autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject having an autoimmune disease, such as an inflammatory bowel disease, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to formula I ##STR00001##
wherein X and Y independently are O or NR.sup.1; each R.sup.1 is independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; ring A is aryl; each R.sup.2 independently is H, alkyl, alkoxy, amide, cyano, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, sulfonyl, sulfonamide, or two R.sup.2 groups, taken together with the atom or atoms to which they are attached, combine to form a 4-10 membered ring system; p is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently are H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; and R.sup.5 is halo, cyano, or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl.

Compounds and embodiments of a method for treating and/or preventing autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject having an autoimmune disease, such as an inflammatory bowel disease, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to formula I

##STR00001##

wherein X and Y independently are O or NR.sup.1; each R.sup.1 is independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; ring A is aryl; each R.sup.2 independently is H, alkyl, alkoxy, amide, cyano, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, sulfonyl, sulfonamide, or two R.sup.2 groups, taken together with the atom or atoms to which they are attached, combine to form a 4-10 membered ring system; p is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently are H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; and R.sup.5 is halo, cyano, or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl.

A detection device for detecting analytes in liquid specimen is provided. The detection device comprises: a specimen chamber for collecting or storing a liquid specimen; a detecting chamber for containing a detecting element; and a through hole for transferring the liquid specimen between the specimen chamber and the detecting chamber. The through hole can be opened or self-sealed. The sealing or opening of the through hole controls whether or not the liquid specimen in the specimen chamber enters the detecting chamber via the through hole. Furthermore, a detection method is provided.

A device for detecting an analyte in a sample is provided, which comprises: a collecting chamber containing an opening for collecting a liquid sample; a detecting element for detecting an analyte in the liquid sample; and a lid for covering the opening of the collecting chamber. The device further comprises an indicating device thereon to indicate whether or not the lid covers at an appointed position. The operation of the device is very simple.

Compounds and embodiments of a method for treating and/or preventing autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject having an autoimmune disease, such as an inflammatory bowel disease, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to formula I

##STR00001##

wherein X and Y independently are O or NR.sup.1; each R.sup.1 is independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; ring A is aryl; each R.sup.2 independently is H, alkyl, alkoxy, amide, cyano, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, sulfonyl, sulfonamide, or two R.sup.2 groups, taken together with the atom or atoms to which they are attached, combine to form a 4-10 membered ring system; p is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently are H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; and R.sup.5 is halo, cyano, or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl.

Compounds and embodiments of a method for treating and/or preventing autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject having an autoimmune disease, such as an inflammatory bowel disease, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to formula I ##STR00001##
wherein X and Y independently are O or NR.sup.1; each R.sup.1 is independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; ring A is aryl; each R.sup.2 independently is H, alkyl, alkoxy, amide, cyano, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, sulfonyl, sulfonamide, or two R.sup.2 groups, taken together with the atom or atoms to which they are attached, combine to form a 4-10 membered ring system; p is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently are H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; and R.sup.5 is halo, cyano, or C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl.

A device for detecting an analyte in a sample is provided, which comprises: a collecting chamber containing an opening for collecting a liquid sample; a detecting element for detecting an analyte in the liquid sample; and a lid for covering the opening of the collecting chamber. The device further comprises an indicating device thereon to indicate whether or not the lid covers at an appointed position. The operation of the device is very simple.

A detection device for detecting analytes in liquid specimen is provided. The detection device comprises: a specimen chamber for collecting or storing a liquid specimen; a detecting chamber for containing a detecting element; and a through hole for transferring the liquid specimen between the specimen chamber and the detecting chamber. The through hole can be opened or self-sealed. The sealing or opening of the through hole controls whether or not the liquid specimen in the specimen chamber enters the detecting chamber via the through hole. Furthermore, a detection method is provided.