Apparatus and methods for measuring a concentration of a target molecule from a biological sample are disclosed. In one example, the apparatus includes a porous pad, which is impregnated with a solution containing at least one agent and which contains an unfilled capillary matrix, a housing for the porous pad, and a membrane that covers the porous pad.

Apparatus and methods for measuring a concentration of a target molecule from a biological sample are disclosed. For example, the apparatus comprises a porous pad, which is impregnated with a solution containing at least one agent and contains an unfilled capillary matrix, a housing for the porous pad, and a membrane that covers the porous pad.

The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject and a method for monitoring progression or regression of heart failure in a subject. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

Disclosed are magnetic nanosensors or transducers that permit measurement of a physical parameter in an analyte via magnetic reasonance measurements, in particular of non-agglomerative assays. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to designs of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles. Additionally provided are methods of use of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of a stimulus or an analyte with NMR detectors.

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.

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.

In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining an amount of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in dialysate flowing through a dialysis system using a CO.sub.2 sensor associated with the dialysis system, determining, using a pH sensor associated with the dialysis system, a pH level of the dialysate, and calculating a level of bicarbonate in the dialysate based at least in part on the determined amount of CO.sub.2 measured in the gas and the determined pH level of the dialysate.

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.

Various methods for determining whether a subject has alcoholic hepatitis are described. In one aspect, a method for determining whether a subject has alcoholic hepatitis is described. The method includes determining the levels of a trimethylamine in a biological sample obtained from the subject. The level of trimethylamine in the biological sample is compared to the control value, and the subject whose level of trimethylamine exceeds the control value is diagnosed as having alcoholic hepatitis. In another aspect of the present invention a method for assessing a subject as having alcoholic hepatitis (AH) includes determining the level of trimethylamine and the level of pentane in a biological sample obtained from the subject. A TAP score is determined based on the concentration of trimethylamine and the concentration of pentane. The subject is diagnosed as having alcoholic hepatitis if the TAP score exceeds a control value.