Abstract: This invention encompasses methods and reagents for inactivation of bacterial growth inhibitors present in blood, serum or plasma. It has been found that salicylates and closely related compounds will neutralize bacterial growth inhibitors present in the blood of many patients. The addition of salicylate to conventional growth medium also provides a reagent for monitoring the antibiotic levels in blood by enabling measurement of the effect of the antibiotic against a standard test organism without interference from the bacterial growth inhibitor present in sera.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and reagents for determining ligands in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, spinal fluid, amnionic fluid and urine. In particular, this disclosure relates to a fluorescent polarization immunoassay procedure and to a novel class of tracer compounds employed as reagents in such procedures. The procedure disclosed combines the specificity of an immunoassay with the speed and convenience of fluorescent polarization techniques to provide a means for determining the amount of a specific ligand present in a sample.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and reagents for determining ligands in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, spinal fluid, amnionic fluid and urine. In particular, this disclosure relates to a fluorescence polarization immunoassay procedure and to a novel class of tracer compounds employed as reagents in such procedures. The procedure disclosed combines the specificity of an immunoassay with the speed and convenience of fluorescence polarization techniques to provide a means for determining the amount of the specific ligand present in a sample.

Abstract: Carbamazepine-thiophosphonate conjugates for use as enzyme inhibitors having the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is a biologically compatible counter ion, n is an integer from 2 to 6 and R and R.sub.1 are each lower alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) segment related to a human plasminogen activator gene. The segment is inserted into a plasmid vector which in turn can be incorporated into a bacterium or other microorganism. The bacterium can then be cultured to produce a plasminogen activator protein having properties of human urokinase.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a class of compounds which are utilized as biological stains in fluorescent microscopy. In particular, the disclosure relates to a method for detecting and identifying various structures in a biological sample which comprises treating said biological sample with a compound of the present disclosure to form a complex which emits fluorescence when irradiated with incident light. This class of compounds has been shown to be useful in detecting a variety of structures such as, for example, viruses, bacteria, yeasts, fungi, reticulocytes and cells in biological samples.

Abstract: Phenobarbital conjugates for use as enzyme inhibitors having the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is a biologically compatible counter ion, n and m is an integer from 2 to 6 and R and R.sub.1 are each lower alkyl.

Abstract: An improved optical system for a fluorescent polarization instrument including a low wattage, low intensity focused light source and a polarizer/liquid crystal combination in the excitation path focusing excitation light of alternate planes of perpendicular polarization onto a fluorescent liquid sample. Emitted light from the fluorescent sample is filtered, polarized and focused onto a photomultiplier for processing. A series of non-reflective baffles are placed around the sample to reduce reflections. Monitoring means monitor the excitation light and maintain a substantially constant intensity level focused on the sample. The low wattage, low intensity light source is provided by a 50 watt tungsten halogen projector lamp.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for determining ligands in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, spinal fluid, amnionic fluid and urine, wherein a novel class of aminomethylfluorescein derivative tracer compounds are employed as reagents in fluorescence polarization immunoassays.

Abstract: Novel stable peroxidase compositions are disclosed which are useful as reagents in enzyme immunoassay procedures. In particular the novel peroxidase compositions contain a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of gentamicin, amikacin and tobramycin.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid phase immunoassay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens in a clinical specimen, wherein the Chlamydia trachomatis antigens to be determined are coated or adsorbed on the solid phase.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid phase immunoassay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens in a clinical specimen, wherein the Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens to be determined are coated or adsorbed on the solid phase.

Abstract: A method is provided to fluorometrically determine a ligand in an assay solution containing the ligand, reagent system and a fluorescer wherein the intensity of the fluorescer emitted by the assay solution is related to the change in the transmittive properties of the assay solution produced by the interaction of the ligand to be determined and a reagent system capable of producing a change in the transmittive properties of the assay solution in the presence of the ligand. In addition, novel reagent compositions are provided which may be utilized to either spectrophotometrically or fluorometrically determine the concentration of a ligand in an assay solution.

Abstract: Improvement in fluorescent polarization immunoassays for substances in blood plasma or serum comprising conducting the assays in dilute anionic surfactant solutions which disrupt the fluorescent bilirubin serum albumin complex without disturbing the antibody reaction in the immunoassay. In this manner, background fluorescence in icteric samples is greatly reduced.

Abstract: An endotoxin binding material affixed to a support is disclosed. One embodiment is a matrix material capable of binding endotoxins and comprising a polar, water-insoluble, high molecular weight polymer support to which is attached groups which adsorb endotoxin molecules. The groups comprise bifunctional aliphatic molecules, one end of which is bound to the support, the other end of which is bound to an aryl molecule. The invention has utility in the removal of endotoxins from biological fluids and other solutions and for concentrating endotoxins so that they may be subsequently detected and quantified.

Abstract: A prenatal mattress enabling a pregnant woman to lie more comfortably and safely upon her abdomen during the pregnancy term is disclosed. The mattress can comprise a lower layer of cloth carrying releasable fasteners, a fluid-fillable abdominal cushion, a fluid-fillable head cushion, an upper layer of cloth, and various combinations thereof. The abdominal and head cushions can be disposed in appropriate locations between the lower and upper cloth layers to support the respective portions of the body of a particular user. The cushions can be filled to an extent desired with a suitable fluid, placed between the layers and attached to the fasteners carried by the lower layer by means of coordinating fasteners carried on lower surfaces of each cushion. In use, a pregnant woman can lie frontally downwardly upon the mattress, her abdomen and head being placed upon their respective cushions.

Abstract: This invention encompasses methods and reagents for inactivation of bacterial growth inhibitors present in blood, serum or plasma. It has been found that salicylates and closely related compounds will neutralize bacterial growth inhibitors present in the blood of many patients. The addition of salicylate to conventional growth medium also provides a reagent for monitoring the antibiotic levels in blood by enabling measurement of the effect of the antibiotic against a standard test organism without interference from the bacterial growth inhibitor present in sera.

Abstract: This invention encompasses a method for measuring unsaturated thyroxine binding protein sites in a sample comprising intermixing with the sample an effective amount of fluorescent labeled tracer having binding affinity for thyroxine binding proteins and then measuring the amount of tracer bound to the thyroxine binding protein using fluorescence polarization techniques.