Disclosed herein are methods of detecting ascorbic acid in a urine sample from a subject, including contacting at least a portion of the urine sample with a test strip including a reagent pad and detecting whether ascorbic acid is present in the urine sample by measuring an intensity of color on the reagent pad, wherein a reduction in the intensity of color on the reagent pad indicates the presence of ascorbic acid.

A device and method for headspace sampling is disclosed herein. The headspace sampling device comprises a sample holding device configured to be sealed in a vial. The sample holding device has a pair of electrodes gap spaced from one another and a basket extending between the electrodes configured to hold a sample. The basket is configured to heat a sample held therewith and volatize at least a portion of the sample upon an electrical current being passed through the electrodes and the basket.

Provided are methods for identifying or monitoring a subject having, or at risk of developing, impaired glucose homeostasis. Carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid (CMPF) is shown to be a biomarker for impaired glucose homeostasis and/or conditions characterized by β-cell dysfunction. Comparing a test level of CMPF in a subject to a control level identifies subjects having, or at risk of developing, impaired glucose homeostasis. Also provided are methods of causing impaired glucose homeostasis or β-cell dysfunction and methods of screening for compounds that affect the activity of β-cells. Also provided are methods for the treatment of β-cell dysfunction by reducing the physiological levels of CMPF in a subject as well as the use of a OAT modulator for the treatment of β-cell dysfunction.

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.

An improved analytical method for analysis of dianhydrogalactitol preparations provides a method for determining the purity of dianhydrogalactitol and detecting impurities in preparations of dianhydrogalactitol, as well as identifying any such impurities. The method employs high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), in particular, HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD); the HPLC can be followed by tandem mass spectroscopy. The method can further comprise the step of performing preparative HPLC collection of at least one specific substance peak present in a preparation of dianhydrogalactitol.

A method for sequencing a nucleic acid template includes forming a nanowire assembly including a semiconductor nanowire and a probe covalently bound to the semiconductor nanowire; contacting the nanowire assembly with a template nucleic acid; contacting the nucleic acid duplexes with an extension nucleic acid, the extension nucleic acid joined to the probe; disrupting the nucleic acid duplexes; and measuring an electrical characteristic of a nanowire assembly of the set of nanowire assemblies.

Disclosed herein are methods of detecting ascorbic acid in a urine sample from a subject. The methods comprise contacting at least a portion of the urine sample with a test strip comprising a reagent pad and detecting whether ascorbic acid is present in the urine sample. The detecting comprises measuring an intensity of color on the reagent pad, wherein a reduction in the intensity of color on the reagent pad indicates the presence of ascorbic acid.

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.

Methods and kits for diagnosis and staging of shock, and especially non-septic shock are presented in which protease activities and/or volatile compounds are measured from a biological sample to so identify and/or stage shock.

A method for sequencing a nucleic acid template includes forming a nanowire assembly including a semiconductor nanowire and a probe covalently bound to the semiconductor nanowire; contacting the nanowire assembly with a template nucleic acid; contacting the nucleic acid duplexes with an extension nucleic acid, the extension nucleic acid joined to the probe; disrupting the nucleic acid duplexes; and measuring an electrical characteristic of a nanowire assembly of the set of nanowire assemblies.