Abstract: Described are methods of treating and preventing conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers. Also provided herein are methods of screening for agents useful in treating such conditions, and animal models of conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating and preventing conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers. Also provided herein are methods of screening for agents useful in treating such conditions, and animal models of conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers.

Abstract: This invention has as its object a method for detecting catalytic activity of a sample, characterized in that it comprises: the incubation of a substrate (S) with the sample that may have the catalytic activity that it is desired to detect, the addition of a reagent (X) that can react either with a chemical group of unconsumed substrate (S) or with a chemical group of product (P) that is formed after an incubation period with the sample, the addition of a developer (R) that can react with reagent (X), and the detection of the transformation of developer (R).

Abstract: The invention relates to the sulfonyl esters of the general formula R1—COO—SO2—Z—R2, wherein Z, R1 and R2 are defined as in claim 1. The invention further relates to the use of one of the inventive compounds for modifying the kinetics of the enzymatic effect of catalase. A method for measuring a concentration in living and/or active microorganisms in a liquid sample (3) by means of the development of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide is also based on the above-mentioned modification. An inventive compound is admixed in a container (1) to the sample, said compound inactivates the enzymatic effect of endogenous catalase without substanially inactivating the enzymatic effect of the intracellular catalase of microorganisms. Hydrogen peroxide is added and immediately afterwards the pressure present in the sample container is briefly equalized with the atmosphere, the container is closed in a gas-tight manner (2) during a predetermined reaction time and the pressure in the container is measured (9, 10, 11).

Abstract: A catalase-dependent enzymatic oxidation process wherein a substrate to be oxidized is contacted with catalase in the absence of hydrogen peroxide is provided. Also provided are methods for using this process in a variety of biomedical, clinical and diagnostic applications as well as industrial processes. A method for stimulating the enzymatic oxidation process by treatment with ultraviolet light and uses for this method are also provided.

Abstract: Hydrogels containing catalase co-immobilized with an analyte-sensitive enzyme such as glucose oxidase are disclosed. The hydrogels may be pH-sensitive, and preferably are thin and lightly crosslinked. The catalase is present in concentrations ranging generally from 100 units/ml to about 1000 units/ml. These hydrogels have much faster swelling response times as compared to hydrogels without catalase, and are useful in biosensors and analyte-responsive drug delivery devices. The hydrogels also have an increased useful life, due to protection of the immobilize analyte-sensitive enzyme from degradation by hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic method by which Helicobacter pylori infection can be diagnosed at low cost without causing pain on subjects and without requiring particular equipment and which is free of cross reactivity and excellent in specificity without variation among lots as a result of the use of a single antibody facilitating the quality control and which shows good sensitivity even when a single monoclonal antibody is used. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which recognizes Helicobacter pylori catalase as an antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in the analysis for an analyte in a urine test sample in which the urine is contacted with a labeled antibody specific to the analyte and the concentration of the analyte is determined by measuring the response from the label. The improvement involves maintaining the concentration of urea in the test sample above the threshold value which value is the concentration of urea at which increases in the urea concentration do not affect the accuracy of the assay such as by interfering with the binding between the analyte and the labeled antibody.

Abstract: The concentration or amount of living micro-organisms in a liquid sample can be determined in a reliable manner by determining the concentration of a substance, secreted by the micro-organisms, in the sample, which sample then is subjected to a treatment killing the micro-organisms; whereupon the concentration of the substance is measured anew. The relation between the first and second concentration is used as a measure of the concentration of micro-organisms in the sample.

Abstract: The invention features methods of detecting enzymatic activity (e.g., in a magnetic resonance image). In general, the methods include: (1) providing a monomeric substrate (e.g., a substrate that is polymerizable in the presence of an enzyme or as a result of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction), having the generic structure X-Y-Z, where X includes a chelator moiety having a chelated paramagnetic or superparamagnetic metal atom or ion, Y includes a linker moiety (e.g., to provide a covalent or non-covalent chemical bond or bonds between X and Z), and Z includes a polymerizing moiety; (2) contacting the substrate with a target tissue, wherein the substrate undergoes polymerization to form a paramagnetic or superparamagnetic polymer, the polymerization being catalyzed by an enzyme in an extracellular matrix or bound to the surfaces of cells of the target tissue; and (3) detecting an increase in relaxivity for the polymer relative to an equivalent amount of unpolymerized substrate.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the minimisation of calibration problems of glucose sensors. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of improving the performance of a ROS producing glucose sensor, said method comprising providing the glucose sensor with a ROS removing compartment capable of reducing the diffusion of ROS out of the glucose sensor to a level at which biointerference is abolished or substantially reduced. The invention further relates to use of a ROS removing compartment in a ROS producing glucose, a ROS producing glucose sensor comprising a ROS removing compartment, and to the use of such a sensor in a human.

Abstract: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells which have been isolated from an animal that is infected with a microbial pathogen produce nitric oxide in response to stimulation with antigens from that pathogen. Determination of nitric oxide production in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with a pathogen's antigens may thus provide an indication of infection of the animal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the hydrogen peroxide content of a fluid. The method includes: (a) contacting the fluid with a catalyst so as to permit decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide present in the fluid to oxygen and water; permitting the oxygen liberated to pass to gas meter; and (c) measuring the volume of oxygen liberated utilizing the gas meter, wherein the volume of oxygen liberated provides a measure of the hydrogen peroxide content of the fluid.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel.

Abstract: A method for determining exposure of a test sample to hydrogen peroxide in an atmosphere includes placing a substrate into the atmosphere, contacting the substrate with the hydrogen peroxide, reacting the hydrogen peroxide with a dye intermediate to produce a chromophore indicative of the integrated exposure of hydrogen peroxide in the atmosphere; and correlating the chromophore to the integrated exposure of hydrogen peroxide in the atmosphere. The dye intermediate may be a dye-couple of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) and 3-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DMAB). The intensity of the chromophore is indicative of an integrated hydrogen peroxide exposure.

Abstract: Provided is a method of screening gene libraries derived from a mixed population of organisms for a bioactivity or biomolecule of interest. The mixed population of organisms can be a cultured population or an uncultured population from, for example, the environment. Also provided are methods of screening isolates or enriched populations of organisms, which isolates include a population that is spatially, temporally, or hierarchical, for example, of a particular species, genus, family, or class of organisms. Identified clones containing a biomolecule or bioactivity of interest can be further variegated or the DNA contained in the clone can be variegated to create novel biomolecules or bioactivities of interest.

Abstract: An electrochemical affinity assay system for detection of ligand—ligand receptor binding.

Abstract: A method for determining exposure of a test sample to hydrogen peroxide in an atmosphere includes placing a substrate into the atmosphere, contacting the substrate with the hydrogen peroxide, reacting the hydrogen peroxide with a dye intermediate to produce a chromophore indicative of the integrated exposure of hydrogen peroxide in the atmosphere; and correlating the chromophore to the integrated exposure of hydrogen peroxide in the atmosphere. The dye intermediate may be a dye-couple of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) and 3-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DMAB). The intensity of the chromophore is indicative of an integrated hydrogen peroxide exposure.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent detection of molecules of synthetic or natural origin such as proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), as well as other biologic molecules, is increasingly replacing radioactive detection as the method of choice where sensitivity is critical. In such assays, luminescence is customarily achieved by the oxidation of a luminol or isoluminol substrate in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide source, such as perborate, and a peroxidase catalyst such as horseradish peroxidase. To obtain useful levels of luminescence (e.g., detectable levels) by customary techniques, a luminescent enhancer is also present during oxidation. It has been found in the practice of the present invention that azine enhancers have contained an impurity which reduces the properties of the chemiluminescent assay working solutions.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved procedure for the precise quantitation of organic oxidants in a solution with hydrogen peroxide in which the peroxide is removed by the addition of catalase to scavenge the same. Surprisingly, the catalase does not affect the organic oxidant, and the procedure can accurately quantitate even minute amounts of the organic oxidant. The inventive method is especially effective in quantitating peracid generated enzymatically, although it can be used for chemically generated organic oxidants.

Abstract: A Method for regulating the disinfection of a liquid includes a number of stages. At one stage of the said disinfection (stage 2), the activity of at least one enzyme is measured by bringing the microorganisms which may be present in the liquid into contact with a substrate capable of revealing the activity of the enzyme, this enzymatic activity being referred to as specific activity. At another stage (stage 1), prior to stage 2, there occurs measuring the activity of the same enzymes. This activity being referred to as initial activity. The next stage involves translating, for each enzyme, the specific activity and initial activity, into levels of microorganisms surviving in the liquid at stage 2 of the disinfection by means of a reference system pre-established with the aid of a sample of the liquid collected at stage 1 and then exposed to increasing doses of disinfectant.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the content of chemicals used in connection with bleaching of preferably cellulose fibers in a pulp, suspension for the purpose of providing a better and more uniform product quality and preventing overdosage of the bleaching chemical used. According to the invention a measurement sample is derived from a predetermined volume of the pulp suspension after or during the bleaching. Further, a catalyst in the shape of the enzyme catalase is added to the sample, which is agitated so that the bleaching chemical is decomposed and oxygen gas is generated, which oxygen gas pushes out a certain sample volume for the measurement sample, which sample volume is directly or indirectly converted, e.g. via a simple algorithm, to a value representing the content of the bleaching chemical used.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the concentration of an oxidative gas or vapor includes a chemical substance which reacts with the oxidative gas or vapor to produce a heat change. A temperature probe is coupled to the chemical substance and adapted to respond to the heat change. The temperature probe can be coupled to the chemical substance by a carrier, and can include a reference temperature probe. Additionally, a method of using the apparatus is described, as well as a sterilization system which utilizes the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrochemical affinity assay system for detection of ligand—ligand receptor binding.

Abstract: A polysaccharide conjugate comprises a polysaccharide with an attached entity having a molecular weight of at least 5000, the polysaccharide conjugate being capable of binding to cellulose. Preferred polysaccharides include tamarind seed xyloglucan, locust bean gum and enzyme modified guar. The attached entity is suitably a protein such as an enzyme, antibody or antibody fragment, or a particle possibly having a benefit agent such as a fragrance associated therewith. Because the polysaccharide conjugate binds to cellulose, which is present in cotton and other fabrics, paper, etc., binding of the conjugate to cellulose brings the attached entity into close proximity to a surface of or containing cellulose. The invention thus enables targeting of attached entities to such surfaces. The invention also provides a product incorporating the polysaccharide conjugate of the invention. The product is conveniently a laundry product such as a fabric washing product, e.g.

Abstract: A method for quantifying LDL cholesterol, by which LDL cholesterol is separately quantified simply without requiring complicated centrifuge operation is disclosed. The method for quantifying cholesterol in low density lipoprotein according to the present invention comprises a first step of erasing cholesterol in high density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and chylomicron in a test sample, and a second step of quantifying cholesterol remaining in the test sample.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a method for producing an L-allysine acetal which involves a fewer steps and is efficient. This invention relates to method for producing an L-allysine acetal which comprises; converting a D,L-allysine acetal of the following general formula (1) (wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, and each of them represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or they combinedly form a ring and represent an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms) to a mixture of a 2-oxo-6,6-dialkoxyhexanoic acid of the following general formula (2) (wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above) and an L-allysine acetal of the following general formula (3) (wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above) by reacting in the presence of an enzyme capable of stereoselective oxidative deamination of D-amino acids and; isolating said L-allysine acetal after said converting.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing analyses with antibodies and antibody fragments comprises dissolving the analyte in a liquid to form a solution, adding analyte-specific antibodies, fragments of such antibodies, or both to the solution, heating the solution, and then cooling and filtering the solution. The filtered solution may be diluted in a suitable matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring the amount/activity of the enzyme catalase before or in connection with bleaching of cellulose fibers preferably in a pulp suspension for the purpose of providing a better and more uniform product quality and a correct dosing of the actual bleaching substance during the bleaching. According to the invention a measurement sample is derived from a predetermined volume of the pulp suspension after or during the bleaching. Further, a determined amount of bleaching substance is added to the sample, which is agitated so that the bleaching substance is decomposed and oxygen gas is generated, which oxygen gas pushes out a certain sample volume from the measurement sample, which sample volume is measured after a determined time and is directly or indirectly converted, e.g. via a simple algorithm, to a value representing the actual amount of catalase.

Abstract: A novel endo-fucoidan-lyase and a novel microorganism useful in the production of sugar compounds. Sugar compounds represented by the following general formula (1), wherein at least one of alcoholic hydroxyl group has been sulfated, or salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein Y represents hydrogen or a group represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: Avirulent immunogenic Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi and methods therefor are disclosed. The Salmonella have an RpoS.sup.+ phenotype, an inactivating mutation in one or more genes which renders the microbe avirulent, and a recombinant gene capable of expressing a desired protein. The Salmonella are avirulent and have high immunogenicity so that they can be used in vaccines and as delivery vehicles for the desired antigen. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the Salmonella and vaccine delivery vehicles therefor.

Abstract: Process for the oxidation of the oxidizable galactose type of alcohol in oxidizable galactose type of alcohol configuration containing polymer, such as guar, with galactose oxidase in the presence of oxidation promoting chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assays which can be used to identify inducers of plant resistance to pathogens. The assays use catalase and/or ascorbate peroxidase.

Abstract: The organic content of a fluid is determined by: (a) reacting a sample of a fluid containing organic matter (such as viable biomass or soluble or insoluble organic compounds) with excess oxidizing agent; (b) permitting an enzyme catalyzed release of oxygen from any unreacted oxidizing agent; and (c) measuring the volume of oxygen liberated from the sample; wherein the volume of oxygen liberated provides a measure of the organic content of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for measuring endogenous cytokines in blood. The method accurately measures the cytokines in the blood in the presence of substances that bind the cytokines thereby causing the measurement of the cytokines by conventional methods to give inaccurate results. The present invention also includes the non-invasive measurement of cytokines in biological fluids such as saliva and nasal secretions. Finally, the present invention allows one to monitor the level of cytokines in the blood during treatment of a human or animal with cytokines.

Abstract: Method of quantitative analysis of an enzyme linked immuno assay comprising the steps of forming an antigen--antibody complex between an antigen present in a sample to be tested and an enzyme labelled antibody and thereafter adding a substrate composition which can be converted into a differently colored product composition by the catalytic action of the enzyme. Quantification is achieved by measuring the time elapsed from addition of the substrate composition until a sudden color change discernible to the eye occurs. The measured time is then compared against a predetermined standard to determine the amount of antigen present in the sample.

Abstract: An enzymatic process for the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid, uses concentrated glucose solutions. The process employs a combination of glucose oxidase and catalase enzymes which may be obtained from an Aspergilltus niger strain and has a high ratio of catalase;glucose oxidase activity. The enzymatic process requires less time than conventional fermentation processes, the yield of the conversion is close to 100% and the obtained gluconic acid/gluconate solutions do not contain impurities.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to inhibit the influence of the reducing substances on the oxidative coloring reaction in biological components.A constitution of the present invention is that a compound having the free radical of the general formula (1) ##STR1## is previously added to the biological sample and then an incubation is carried out.An effect of the present invention is that the influence of the reducing substances on the oxidation reaction can be inhibited and, even when no reducing substance is present, there is no effect on the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: In accordance with a novel process, (R)-amines of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and n have the meanings given in the description, can be prepared by reacting reating N-acyl-amines of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and n have the meanings given in the description,with lipases which are suitable for cleaving the (R)-enantiomers of N-acyl-amines of the formula (II), in the presence of water and optionally in the presence of an organic diluent, at a pH of between 3.0 and 10.0 and at temperatures of between 0.degree. C. and 80.degree. C.

Abstract: The organic content of a fluid is determined by: (a) reacting a sample of a fluid containing organic matter (such as viable biomass or soluble or insoluble organic compounds) with excess oxidizing agent; (b) permitting an enzyme catalyzed release of oxygen from any unreacted oxidizing agent; and (c) measuring the volume of oxygen liberated from the sample; wherein the volume of oxygen liberated provides a measure of the organic content of the fluid.

Abstract: A device for performing an enzyme-labelled binding assay comprises an absorbent material and a developing solution containing a substrate for said enzyme, wherein the absorbent material is provided with a plurality of reagent zones including an indicator reagent zone and is capable of transporting the developing solution by capillary action sequentially through the reagent zones, and wherein the indicator reagent zone includes a reagent capable, directly or indirectly, of immobilizing an enzyme-labelled reagent in an amount dependent on the assay result, characterized in that the absorbent material includes a reagent that prevents a signal formation except where enzyme-labelled reagent is immobilized at the indicator reagent zone. The absorbent material is suitably in the form of an elongate strip provided with transverse reagent zones. The device is useful for performing immunoassays, including immunometric assays and dual analyte assays.

Abstract: To permit detection of trace unstable reaction products to clarify the reaction process of oxygenation, this invenion provides a method of introducing positron nuclide .sup.15 O as an oxygen additive into the reaction system.

Abstract: A method, medical device (10) and test kit for capacitation of sperm for fertilizing eggs in vitro or in vivo, is described. The sperm is particularly from lower mammals, such as domestic animals and wild animals to be bred in captivity. The capacitated sperm is also useful in research relating to the nature of capacitation of sperm following modification of the head of the sperm upon capacitation.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses membranous baculovirus-derived vesicle compositions having exposed on their external surfaces a ligator capable of selectively binding a ligand to be detected. The compositions also have exposed on their outer surfaces a signal reagent capable of reacting with another signal reagent to generate a signal capable of being detected. The present invention also encompasses assay methods for determining the presence and amount of a ligand in a sample using the membranous vesicle compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for stably storing a liquid diagnostic reagent, comprising air-hermetically keeping the liquid diagnostic reagent in a closed container in the presence of a disoxidant therein. Preferably, at least one of the liquid diagnostic reagent and the disoxidant is covered with a separating container made of a material pervious to oxygen but not to solutions. The liquid diagnostic reagent may comprise an enzyme or an indicator.

Abstract: A system for electrochemical measurement of glucose concentration in an undiluted test sample, e.g. blood is provided containing a sensor including a three-layered contiguous membrane. The membrane has a thickness of 50 to 130 microns, and is composed of a 1 to 10 micron thick first layer, a 10 to 30 micron thick second layer having an average pore diameter of 15 nanometers and a 40 to 80 micron thick third layer containing glucose oxidase. The third layer is less dense than the first and second layers and the first layer is more dense than the second layer. The layers of the membrane are fused together such that no clear distinction can be made between the layers at the boundary. The sensor is calibrated in a standard glucose solution which includes catalase as a hydrogen peroxide scavenger, and the sensor has a response that is linear throughout the concentration range of glucose in an undiluted sample.

Abstract: An excitation beam generated from a light source is separated into a measuring beam and a reference beam by an optical path adjusting optical system including a beam splitter, so that the measuring beam is applied to a sample in a cell. Raman scattering light which is generated from the sample is detected by a spectral detector including a spectroscope through a scattering light path adjusting optical system and a wavelength selector. In a spectrum obtained by the spectral detector, a peak of Raman scattering in which wavenumber shift from the wavelength of the excitation beam is present at 800 to 920 cm.sup.-1 is employed to make quantitative measurement of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide contained in an aqueous solution can be simply quantitatively analyzed through optical analysis means.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that serum ferritin concentrations are elevated in patients at risk for the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and who subsequently develop ARDS, as compared to at-risk patients who do not subsequently develop ARDS. Thus, the invention includes a method for determining ARDS development potential in an at-risk patient comprising the steps of determining the patient's serum concentration of ferritin and determining ARDS development potential from said serum concentration of ferritin.

Abstract: Enzyme activity is measured promptly with a high accuracy by introducing an enzyme, the activity of which is to be measured, into a column comprising a hollow tube packed with a filler comprising a support and a substrate that can be recognized by the enzyme, which is immobilized on the support, and measuring the amount of the obtained decomposition product of the substrate.

Abstract: A device for performing an enzyme-labelled binding assay comprises an absorbent material and a developing solution containing a substrate for said enzyme, wherein the absorbent material is provided with a plurality of reagent zones including an indicator reagent zone and is capable of transporting the developing solution by capillary action sequentially through the reagent zones, and wherein the indicator reagent zone includes a reagent capable, directly or indirectly, of immobilising an enzyme-labelled reagent in an amount dependent on the assay result, characterized in that the absorbent material includes a reagent that prevents a signal formation except where enzyme-labelled reagent is immobilised at the indicator reagent zone. The absorbent material is suitably in the form of an elongate strip provided with transverse reagent zones. The device is useful for performing immunoassays, including immunometric assays and dual analyte assays.