Abstract: The invention teaches a method and kit for purifying nucleic acid, such as DNA, from a sample, such as lysed cell or tissue sample. A sample is applied to an anionic exchange matrix column uniformly distributing the sample therein. The column bed is then washed with a weak ionic salt solution which is then removed. The anionic exchange material is optionally primed with an amount strong ionic salt solution which is insufficient to elute the nucleic acid from the column. The priming solution is then removed. An elution buffer is added either directly after the washing step or after the priming step. This is also a strong ionic salt solution of an ionic salt. The elution buffer removes the purified nucleic acid from the material. The method permits purification of nucleic acids without using organic solvents, and, if the priming step is used, in more concentrated form. Uniform distribution of the sample via disturbance of the matrix or column facilitates the purification.

Abstract: A substantially purified human chorionic gonadotropin releasing factor (hCG-RF) which is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight between about 50,000 and about 70,000. This hCG-RF is capable of stimulating release of human chorionic gonadotropin as well as prostaglandins, particularly from human term placental cultures. This hCG-RF is capable of degrading GnRH and is isolatable from human placenta, preferably term placenta. Such hCG-RF may be used to affect a state of pregnancy, particularly mammalian pregnancy. This effect upon pregnancy may comprise the induction of a normal labor.

Abstract: A method for detection of occult blood in a fecal sample which comprises acting a glycosidase type bacteriolytic enzyme on the fecal sample and subjecting the resulting fecal sample to simultaneous detection of hemoglobin, preferably in combination with transferrin, by an immunological measurement procedure.

Abstract: A method of extracting nucleic acids from a crude buffy coat fraction in an aqueous medium includes the steps of treating the buffy coat fraction to break open the white blood cells to release the proteins and the nucleic acids in the cells into the aqueous medium; solubilizing the proteins and the nucleic acids in the aqueous medium; and precipitating the nucleic acids under conditions under which the proteins remain in solution.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of determining the presence of incompatibility-reaction-causing substances in blood products. There is also disclosed a method of inactivating incompatibility-reaction-causing substances in blood products to be applied therapeutically and prophylactically. For this purpose, a fraction obtained from human or animal blood is treated with pancreas enzymes bound to water insoluble carrier material and, optionally, the fraction is subjected to further fractionation and concentration.

Abstract: A biochemical procedure for identification and characterization of cells in a biopsy or sample of a body fluid. The method can be used to determine cell type, i.e. epidermal, neuronal; tissue of origin, i.e. breast tissue, liver tissue; and degree of abnormality. The procedure can also be used to make antibodies and hybridization probes to detect cell or tissue specific antigens and nuclear matrix associated nucleic acids in cellular material and body fluids.The procedure is based on the isolation and analysis of the components of a specific subcellular protein fraction referred to here as the "nuclear matrix". The nuclear matrix includes proteins and nuclear matrix associated DNA specific to different cell types. These proteins and nucleic acids are altered or new ones expressed as a result of viral infection, genetic defects or malignancy.

Abstract: A biochemical procedure for diagnosis of three important properties of cells in a biopsy or blood sample: tumor type i.e., the tissue type that has become neoplastic; tissue of origin if the tumor has arisen from a metastasis; and degree of malignancy. The procedure can also be used to obtain antibodies which can be used to determine tissue of origin by immunostaining and to detect tumor antigens appearing in blood by radioimmunoassay.The procedure consists of isolating and analyzing components of a specific subcellular fraction referred to here as the "nuclear matrix". The nuclear matrix consists of proteins specific to different cell types and nuclear matrix associated DNA. The electrophoretic pattern of the proteins and restriction endonuclease digested DNA is unique and reproducible within a particular cell type and is therefore useful in diagnosing cell type. Changes in these patterns following transformation to a malignant phenotype provide additional diagnostic information.

Abstract: Oligopeptide mixtures from deproteinized bovine blood dialyzate which are characterized by their RF values in thin-layer chromatography, as well as a method for their preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oxidizing bilirubin which comprises reacting a solution containing bilirubin with hemoglobin, either in free or immobilized form, in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. This process if useful in reducing bilirubin levels in the blood of severely jaundiced patients. It also provides a basis for determining bilirubin levels in a fluid.

Abstract: A method of inactivating reproductive filterable pathogens in immunoglobulin-G-containing blood fractions to be applied therapeutically or prophylactically. In order to preserve full activity of the blood products and to completely inactivate pathogenic viruses, an aqueous solution of an immunoglobulin-G-containing fraction obtained from human blood is treated with neutral hydrolases at a temperature of 4.degree. to 50.degree. C. and at a pH of 5.5 to 9.5.

Abstract: A method for rapid detection of microorganisms in a body fluid sample includes detecting the microorganisms after treatment of the sample with a lysing agent in order to dissolve sample components other than microorganisms, and staining with a fluorescent dye. The lysing agent may be part of a composition which includes a culture medium thereby providing simultaneous lysis and growth before staining. Detection is preferably accomplished by reliance on the fluorescence emitted by the dye having been properly excited by light energy.A composition suitable for use in the above-described method includes a growth medium and a lysing agent.

Abstract: Aqueous guar gum compositions having a very low content of insolubles, the compositions being formed by impregnating free-flowing solid, particulate guar gum with one or more hydrolytic enzymes and thereafter dissolving the particles of guar gum in water.

Abstract: Type O erythrocytes are produced from certain subtypes of A erythrocytes or type AB erythrocytes by contacting the same following equilibration of a pH of 5.6-5.8 with an .alpha.-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, preferably obtained from an avian liver, for periods sufficient to convert the A antigen in the erythrocyte to the H antigen. Following removal of the enzyme, the erythrocyte is re-equilibrated to a pH of 7.2-7.4. As a result, there is obtained O type erythrocytes characterized by a 60 to 90 percent ATP level based on the level of ATP in naturally occurring O or AB erythrocytes. Beginning with certain A cells one obtains synthetic O erythrocytes characterized by a terminal .alpha.-fucose moiety, O antigenicity, and the absence of A antigenicity. Beginning with A.sub.2 B erythrocytes, one obtains B erythrocytes by the same process characterized by the absence of A antigenicity, greater H antigenicity than naturally occurring A.sub.2 B cells, the presence of B antigenicity and the aforedescribed ATP levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immobilized pepsin for use in removing immune complex which comprises pepsin fixed on a suitable carrier, and to a process for removing immune complex which comprises bringing blood or plasma from a patient suffering from an immune complex disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic erythematosus, into contact with the immobilized pepsin.

Abstract: A novel enzyme of bilirubin oxidase produced by a genus Myrothecium or genus Coprinus origin microorganism and a conventional enzyme of laccase are found, in the presence of a specific additive compound, e.g. a surface active agent, aromatic carboxylic acid, sulfa drug or protease, to oxidize both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in biological fluid to biliverdin without formation of hydrogen peroxide, such that in the case of conventional enzymatic methods of the quantitative determination of glucose, cholesterol, neutral fats, free fatty acids, phospholipids or uric acid all existing together with bilirubin in biological fluid, the usual interference with such determination, as otherwise caused by bilirubin coexisting in such fluid, can be prevented by adding such a bilirubin oxidase or laccase together with such a specific additive compound to the determinative reaction system.

Abstract: There is disclosed heme-iron-enriched amino acid preparation consisting of aggregates of heme-protein fragments with heme bonded to histidine groups present in the fragment and a method for preparing this amino acid preparation from heme-proteins, especially hemoglobin. The heme-protein in a manner known per se at first is hemolyzed and denaturated and subsequently split with the aid of proteolytic enzymes to the formation of one heme-iron-enriched and one fraction which does not contain heme-iron and separation of these fractions from each other. The amino acid preparation is suitable for iron enrichment of for instance foodstuffs and for use in pharmaceutical iron preparations.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heparin product obtained by degradation of heparin with heparinase from Flavobacterium heparinum (ATCC 13125) or mutants thereof having activity to reduce the coagulation activity of factor X while not effecting the coagulation activity of thrombin.

Abstract: Proteolytic enzymes, particularly papain, are used for rendering whole blood incoagulable. The treatment is preferably carried out at a pH of 7.2 with a ratio between enzyme and substrate, for instance, 1:200, and a volume ratio of 1:10. In the case of papain, a 1.6% solution is advantageously used. The incoagulable blood may be used to prepare a protein concentrate by precipitating the proteins with an agent, for instance, acetone or ethanol, preferably at 0.degree. C. in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A process for the treating of and/or removal of substances from a liquid, especially whole blood, via a semipermeable microporous membrane (13, 14, 15) through adsorption and/or biological reaction by means of a biologically active material. Said whole blood is exposed to pressure variations at the membrane surface in a way such that a penetrating fraction of said whole blood is flowing in an alternating flow path through the membrane walls for contacting said biologically active material.Said biologically active material is asymmetrically immobilized in and on the surface of the side of said membrane that faces away from said whole blood. Alternatively, said biologically active material may be bound to an unsoluble matrix behind said membrane.Said membrane is for example provided within a casing (7, 8, 9) comprising inlet (10) and outlet (11) for said whole blood.

Abstract: Enzymes are immobilized in a bundle of cellulosic hollow fibres for use as a fibre-bundle dialyzer for purifying blood. Immobilization is carried out by circulating through the lumen of the fibres to activate the fibres an aqueous solution of sodium periodate at a concentration of 0.7-21 mg/ml, a circulation rate of 300-500 mm.sup.3 /minute/mm.sup.2, a temperature of 15.degree.-30.degree. C. and for a period not exceeding 70 minutes, removing excess sodium periodate by washing the fibres, and directly or indirectly anchoring an enzyme to the activated fibres. Washing is preferably carried out by circulating through the lumen of the fibres dionized water followed by a dilute aqueous solution of glycerol. The fibres containing an immobilized enzyme may be sterilized with a sterilizing agent.

Abstract: A gamma globulin solution suitable for intravenous use is prepared by treating the gamma globulin fraction of plasma or serum obtained in known manner with a peptic enzyme at a pH value of about 4. The treatment is carried out with at most 20,000 A.E./100 g. protein at a temperature of about from 37.degree.-40.degree. C.

Abstract: Phenylalanine level in blood or another medium is considerably reduced and can even be annulled by causing blood or the other medium to flow through a mass of porous fibers in which the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase has been occluded: the fibers have been previously made biocompatible, if necessary.

Abstract: A novel methylguanidine-decomposing enzyme can be obtained by cultivating in a medium a bacterium belonging to Genus Alcaligenes and having an ability to produce a methylguanidine-decomposing enzyme. This methylguanidine-decomposing enzyme has an ability to decompose methylguanidine into methylamine and urea. Its optimum pH range is 10.9-12.3 and its stable pH range is 5.0-10.6.

Abstract: A method for the quantitative determination of renin activity in blood utilizing the measurement of Angiotensin I by treating the blood with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the plasma with phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF) at a preferred pH to ascertain the full range of concentration where PMSF is effective for accurate and quick determination.Also, a method for the quantitative determination of renin activity in blood utilizing the measurement of Angiotensin I by incubating the samples after antibody addition at room temperature (23.degree. to 30.degree. C.) for 1 to 2 hours and separating the free from the antibody bound species with polyethylene glycol after having treated the blood with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the plasma with phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF) at a preferred pH.