A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The method includes directing RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland, selectively targeting an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction, and expressing the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland. An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one RF electrode configured to direct RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland located in an eyelid of an eye, the at least one RF electrode further configured to selectively target an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction. The apparatus also comprises at least one expressor configured to express the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland.

An automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method of detecting and quanta N-nitrosamines in an aqueous sample. The method includes (a) extracting an aqueous solution containing the N-nitrosamines by mixing an extraction solvent and a dispersive solvent with the aqueous solution, such that the N-nitrosamines, or a portion thereof, re-distribute from the aqueous solution to the extraction solvent, (b) permitting the resulting mixture in (a) to form a two-phase mixture containing an aqueous phase comprising containing the aqueous solution with reduced amounts of the N-nitrosamines and an organic phase containing the extraction solvent with the N-nitrosamines extracted from the aqueous solution, (c) injecting the organic phase, or a portion thereof, into an injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with at least one mass spectrometer, and (d) analyzing the N-nitrosamines by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to detect and quantify the concentration of the N-nitrosamines in the aqueous solution.

The objects of embodiments in the present disclosure are to provide a method capable of recovering two or more amine compounds at the same time from a gas or solution, and also to provide a method capable of analyzing the recovered amines. The amine-recovering method comprises the steps (A) and (B). In the step (A), the gas or solution is brought into contact with a solid adsorbent so that the adsorbent may retain the amines. In the step (B), the amines retained by the adsorbent in the step (A) are eluted out by use of a basic compound-containing organic solvent. The solid adsorbent has a substituent group represented by SO.sub.3M (M is H or an alkali metal).

A personal-sized, portable explosive detection field test kit (ETK) and related methods of use. Embodiments of the disclosed ETK include a case having a closing system featuring three levels of closure which retain the case cover securely in a closed position until ready for use, while being easily opened when necessary. The ETK instructions are permanently attached to the case to prevent loss. The case includes retention features which retain the kit components until needed and protects them against loss or damage. The ETK includes one or more test tubes that are color coded and include abbreviated instructions.

An automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method of detecting and quantifying N-nitrosamines in an aqueous sample. The method includes (a) extracting an aqueous solution including the N-nitrosamines by mixing an extraction solvent and a dispersive solvent with the aqueous solution, such that the N-nitrosamines, or a portion thereof, re-distribute from the aqueous solution to the extraction solvent, (b) permitting the resulting mixture in (a) to form a two-phase mixture containing an aqueous phase containing the aqueous solution with reduced amounts of the N-nitrosamines and an organic phase including the extraction solvent with the N-nitrosamines extracted from the aqueous solution, (c) injecting the organic phase, or a portion thereof, into an injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with at least one mass spectrometer, and (d) analyzing the N-nitrosamines by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to detect and quantify the concentration of the N-nitrosamines in the aqueous solution.

A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The method includes directing RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland, selectively targeting an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction, and expressing the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland. An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one RF electrode configured to direct RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland located in an eyelid of an eye, the at least one RF electrode further configured to selectively target an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction. The apparatus also comprises at least one expressor configured to express the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland.

An automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method of detecting and quantifying N-nitrosamines in an aqueous sample. The method includes (a) extracting an aqueous solution comprising the N-nitrosamines by mixing an extraction solvent and a dispersive solvent with the aqueous solution, such that the N-nitrosamines, or a portion thereof, re-distribute from the aqueous solution to the extraction solvent, (b) permitting the resulting mixture in (a) to form a two-phase mixture comprising an aqueous phase comprising the aqueous solution with reduced amounts of the N-nitrosamines and an organic phase comprising the extraction solvent with the N-nitrosamines extracted from the aqueous solution, (c) injecting the organic phase, or a portion thereof, into an injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with at least one mass spectrometer, and (d) analyzing the N-nitrosamines by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to detect and quantify the concentration of the N-nitrosamines in the aqueous solution.

An automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method of detecting and quanta N-nitrosamines in an aqueous sample. The method includes (a) extracting an aqueous solution containing the N-nitrosamines by mixing an extraction solvent and a dispersive solvent with the aqueous solution, such that the N-nitrosamines, or a portion thereof, re-distribute from the aqueous solution to the extraction solvent, (b) permitting the resulting mixture in (a) to form a two-phase mixture containing an aqueous phase containing the aqueous solution with reduced amounts of the N-nitrosamines and an organic phase containing the extraction solvent with the N-nitrosamines extracted from the aqueous solution, (c) injecting the organic phase, or a portion thereof, into an injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with at least one mass spectrometer, and (d) analyzing the N-nitrosamines by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to detect and quantify the concentration of the N-nitrosamines in the aqueous solution.

Provided herein are improved fluorogenic compounds and probes that can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening peroxynitrite. The fluorogenic compounds of the invention can produce fluorescence colors, such as green, yellow, red, or far-red. Also provided herein are fluorogenic compounds for selectively staining peroxynitrite in the mitochondria of living cells. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the presence and/or amount of peroxynitrite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Also provided are high-throughput screening methods for detecting or screening peroxynitrite or compounds that can increase or decrease the level of peroxynitrite in chemical and biological samples.

A personal-sized, portable explosive detection field test kit (ETK) and related methods of use. Embodiments of the disclosed ETK include a case having a closing system featuring three levels of closure which retain the case cover securely in a closed position until ready for use, while being easily opened when necessary. The ETK instructions are permanently attached to the case to prevent loss. The case includes retention features which retain the kit components until needed and protects them against loss or damage. The ETK includes one or more test tubes that are color coded and include abbreviated instructions.