Abstract: Method of detecting chronic exposure of an organism to a stressor, and for evaluating biological damage due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of stressors and kits for carrying out the method are disclosed. The methods comprise: (a) sampling at least one organism in order to determine whether it has been chronically exposed to a sublethal concentration of one or more stressors in its environment, under sampling conditions that do not induce any additional heat shock protein (hsp) response in the organism; (b) obtaining a sample of cells or secretions of said organism, suspected of having elevated levels of heat shock proteins and solubilizing the heat shock proteins in the sample; and (c) measuring the concentration of a heat shock protein in said sample.

Abstract: HB15-related lymphocyte activation antigens, and nucleic acid sequences encoding HB15-related antigens are disclosed. Also disclosed are antibodies reactive with HB15.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing combinatorial position-addressable libraries of different-sequence oligomers or different-substituent small molecule compounds are disclosed. The method employs massive parallel synthesis by stepwise subunit addition or substituent addition in a dense capillary-tube array. The libraries allow high throughput screening of library compounds in either solid phase or solution phase, and position-related identification of active library compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleic acid sequences that are functionally associated with autoimmune diseases, such as, for example, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Significantly, quantities of transcriptional and translational product encoded by the invention polynucleic acid sequences are elevated in mammals having a predisposition to autoimmune disease, as compared to their quantities in normal mammals. In accordance with the present invention, there also are provided polypeptides encoded by the invention polynucleic acid sequences, antibodies that are capable of binding to the invention polypeptides, as well as methods and kits for screening for autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides two monoclonal antibodies capable of binding to taxol and taxol-like substances which are produced by hybridomas designated 69E4A8E, having ATCC Accession No. HB11281 and 29B7B3C, having ATCC Accession No. HB11280. The present invention also provides a method for detecting the presence of taxol or a taxol-like substance in a sample, a method for screening for a ligand in a subject which is not being treated with taxol, an endogenous taxol-like substance in human serum detected by this screening method, a method of quantitatively determining the amount of taxol or taxol-like substance in a biological fluid sample and a kit for assaying for taxol or a taxol-like substance in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and method for preparing a plasma enriched sample for use in an immunoassay strip. All parts that contact blood or a blood fraction remain in a container and prevent contamination from used blood. In one embodiment a sampling device collects blood and enters the container. A plasma enriched sample fills a plasma receptor which in turn is transferred to an immunoassay strip. Plasma is washed out of the strip by an aqueous solution. In another embodiment the sampling device doubles as a plasma separator. The invention allows sensitive and safe immunoassays to be performed on whole blood samples outside of the normal clinical laboratory setting.

Abstract: Compositions for identifying lead compounds for pharmacological agents useful in the diagnosis or treatment of neurological disease or injury include mixtures comprising an isolated netrin and an isolated natural netrin receptor such as "Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma" (DCC) and neogenin. The general methods involve incubating a mixture of an isolated mammalian netrin, an isolated natural mammalian netrin receptor, and a candidate pharmacological agent, and determining if the presence of the agent modulates the binding of the netrin to the receptor.

Abstract: A method for one-step immunoassay of human type IV collagen, which uses a carrier immobilizing monoclonal antibody against human type IV collagen and a labelled polyclonal antibody against human type IV collagen, as well as a kit therefor and monoclonal antibodies which are particularly suited therefor.It is possible to accurately and quickly measure human type IV collagen in blood serum, for example, and obtain measurement results which accurately reflect pathological conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding novel neurotrophic factors, designated NNT-1. Also disclosed are amino acid sequences for NNT-1 polypeptides, methods for preparing NNT-1 polypeptides, and other related aspects.

Abstract: A medicinal substance for increasing fertility in mammalian males and for use as an anti-microbial or anti-inflammatory agent by mammals produced by boiling radish leaves, radish stems or portions thereof in water for a period of time sufficient to produce a tea containing an extract from the radish leaves and stems or portions thereof. Alternatively, the radish leaves and stems may be placed in hot water for a period of time sufficient to produce a tea containing the extract. The resulting tea can be drunk hot or cold and may be stored in a refrigerator for extended periods of time for later use. Patients taking a daily dosage of this tea have shown greatly improved sperm density and improved motility and morphology after use for several weeks. Dosages of this tea are also effective in treating prostatitis. The preferred radish plant is the spring radish of the species Raphanus sativus. The leaves of other radish plants including wild and winter or oriental radishes may also be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method involves introducing a protuberance at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding cavity in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that the protuberance can be positioned in the cavity so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation. "Protuberances" are constructed by replacing small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first polypeptide with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory "cavities" of identical or similar size to the protuberances are created in the interface of the second polypeptide by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine).

Abstract: Potent and specific immunotoxins are prepared by conjugation of moieties binding to receptors on the surface of tumor cells to a mutant diphtheria toxin having A-chain translocation activity, but lacking membrane-binding activity. The immunotoxins are used to treat primary tumors of neurologic origin, metastatic tumors of small cell lung carcinoma or breast carcinoma origin, leptomeningeal leukemia and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The preferred route of administration of the immunotoxin is to a compartment of the body containing cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: A luminometer is described comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a means for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a means for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for use of modified or intact phycobilisomes as extremely potent labels in sensitive monitoring kits (e.g., for blood contamination), specific binding assays (e.g., visual, photometric and fluorometric immunoassays) and optoelectronic devices (e.g., biosensors, photoelectric transducers).

Abstract: In order to prevent a catalyst for an internal combustion engine from experiencing decreased efficiency by deterioration after long time use of the catalyst, the decreased efficiency of the catalyst is determined, and the internal engine is controlled based on results of the determination so as to maintain high efficiency of the catalyst. The catalyst is installed in an exhaust pipe of the engine. Sensors for detecting conditions of exhaust gas both at a upstream side and a downstream side of the catalyst are provided, respectively. As for the sensor, for example, an oxygen sensor whose output varies stepwise at .lambda.=1, or a sensor whose output varies in proportion to air-fuel ratio can be used. Detected values of the sensors are taken into a control unit, catalyst efficiency and deteriorating degree of the catalyst are estimated by comparison of the detected values, and the engine is controlled so that the catalyst efficiency is maximized.

Abstract: An immunochemical method is provided for the detection and determination of an analyte. The zeta potential of a latex-particle loaded with an immunologically active substance is measured before and after bringing the loaded latex-particle into contact with an analyte. The difference in zeta potential is correlated with changes of zeta potential for known concentrations of the analyte in order to determine the presence and amount of the analyte.

Abstract: An anticoagulant solution of sodium citrate for use in blood chemistry-related techniques and apparatus is disclosed. The anticoagulant solution should include an effective concentration of sodium citrate sufficient for preventing the coagulation of a sample of blood employed in the technique or added to the apparatus. The sodium citrate-based anticoagulant solution should have a pH ranging from above 6.0 to about 8.5 and a sodium citrate concentration preferably ranging from about 0.05M to about 0.2M.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and isolating acrosome-reacted sperm and complement receptor-bearing oocytes using the complement component C3, fragments, or variants thereof, antibodies to a complement receptor, or antibodies to C3, are disclosed. These methods have application in the assessment of fertility, in the preparation of sperm or oocytes for in vitro fertilization or for gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, in promoting or inhibiting fertilization in vitro and in vivo, and in diagnosing and treating infertility.

Abstract: Novel assays for identifying agents which alter the effect of erythropoietin on proliferation of erythroid cells and agents identified thereby. Novel peptide comprising the erythropoietin receptor binding site for SH-PTP1.