Abstract: A method for determining increased risk of labor and fetal membrane rupture after week 20 of pregnancy comprises obtaining a secretion sample from the vaginal cavity; and determining the presence of a fetal restricted antigen in the sample. The sample can be removed from anywhere in the vaginal cavity, but is preferably removed from the posterior fornix or and/or cervical os. One fetal restricted antigen is fetal fibronectin. In one embodiment of this invention, the sample is contacted with an insoluble support to which anti-(fetal restricted antigen) antibody is adhered, and the fetal restricted antigen binding to the support is determined. Alternatively, the class of substances of which the fetal restricted antigen is a member is captured with a general binding antibody (such as anti-human fibronectin antibody), anti-(fetal restricted antigen) antibody (such as anti-fetal fibronectin antibody) is conjugated with the support, and binding with fetal restricted antigen is determined.

Abstract: Preeclampisa, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and eclampsia are determined by identifying the presence of an endothelial cell marker in a sample of blood, plasma or serum of a pregnant woman using a sandwich or competition immunoassay. Cellular fibronectin marker in a sample is determined by binding with an anti-(cellular fibronectin) antibody. Reagents for these methods are also an aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for incorporating water-soluble therapeutic agents in albumin microspheres. This method is particularly advantageous where the therapeutic agent is heat-sensitive. All steps of the method can be carried out at relatively low temperatures, such as ambient room temperature. The method may be applied to the preparation of intravascularly-administrable, magnetically-responsive microspheres.

Abstract: Intravascularly-administrable, magnetically-localizable biodegradable microspheres containing a therapeutic agent, such as an oncolytic agent, are prepared and administered so that they can be permanently localized in a target capillary bed for release of the therapeutic agent therein. The effects of the therapeutic agent can thereby be relatively confined to the area of the capillary bed. Of particular importance is the administration of oncolytic agents by the method, since this permits the undesirable side effects of the oncolytic agents to be substantially reduced, while at the same time increasing the anti-cancer effectiveness of the drug.

Abstract: The intravascularly-administrable, magnetically localizable biodegradable carrier comprises microspheres formed from an amino acid polymer matrix with magnetic particles embedded therein. The microspheres can be used for intraarterial administration and capillary level localization and/or release of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, thereby obtaining much more precise targeting of the agents than has heretofore been possible.

Abstract: Magneticaly-responsive microspheres having Protein A associated with the outer surfaces thereof are reacted with antibodies selective to the cells, bacteria, or viruses to be separated from a mixed population to attach the antibodies in oriented relation with their Fab arms extending outwardly, and the microspheres are then used in a magnetic separation procedure. The preferred microspheres are prepared from a mixture of albumin, Protein A, and magnetic particles, the microspheres being prepared so that the Protein A is present in the exterior surfaces for antibody binding.