Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining histaminase (DAO; EC 1.4.3.6) activity in a sample. Said method comprises the following steps: an aqueous solution is supplied which contains a predefined amount of a diamine; the aqueous solution is mixed and incubated with the sample for a given period of time in conditions in which the diamine can be reacted with a DAO possibly present in the sample; the diamine is derivatized; the amount of derivatized diamine is determined; the predefined amount of diamine is compared to the amount of derivatized diamine; and the activity of histaminase possibly present is determined.

Abstract: A reagent is provided for the detection of an exotoxin protein produced by a beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria suspected of being present in a host biological fluid collected from a subject. An enzyme inhibitor is present to inhibit rogue protein modification of the substrate to prevent a false positive result of the color change. A kit is provided that is readily usable by an untrained user and merely requires that an element of the kit be contacted with a biological sample and thereafter no further actions are required by the user before a discernable color change is observed with visible or UV light and a positive/negative results reference card.

Abstract: Methods of producing lignin peroxidase are provided. Also provided are methods and cosmetic compositions suitable for skin and hair lightening as well as kits and an article-of manufacturing including active ingredients for skin and hair lightening.

Abstract: It has been found that the urine from an IC patient shows a high value in amount and the existence of activity of an azurophilic granular substance, thereby to establish a method for examining IC. The present invention relates to a method for examining interstitial cystitis using the kinetics of an azurophilic granular substance in urine as a marker. Also, the present invention relates to a kit for examining interstitial cystitis for use in the examination method, a use of an azurophilic granular substance as a test marker for examining interstitial cystitis or evaluating pharmacological effects of a drug, and a method for examining therapeutic effects on a patient with interstitial cystitis using an azurophilic granular substance as a marker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting changes in the refractive index at the surface of a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) detection system. The method includes generating an insoluble product from an enzymatic substrate using an immobilized enzyme, wherein the insoluble product accumulates at a LSPR supporting surface. The method also includes detecting changes in the reflected or transmitted light of the surface arising from the presence of the insoluble product using LSPR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of lipid oxidizing abzymes as a key pathogenic factor in atherosclerotic disorders. Methods and means for the reduction of abzyme mediated lipid oxidation in the vascular system are provided as therapeutic approaches for the treatment of atherosclerotic disorders. Methods are provide for determining the efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanostructures for use in luminescent assays as well as methods for the production of nano-sized tube and rods, including arrays of nanotubes and nanorods from a nylon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a ceruloplasmin concentration, and more particularly, to a method for measuring a ceruloplasmin in a blood spot based on a standard concentration curve obtained through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or a dissociation-enhanced time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay using a ceruloplasmin-specific polyclonal antibody or a ceruloplasmin-specific monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The invention describes methods for labeling or detecting of immobilized poly(amino acids), including peptides, polypeptides and proteins, on membranes and other solid supports, using fluorescent dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dyes. Such immobilized poly(amino acids) are labeled or detected on blots or on arrays of poly(amino acids), or are attached to immobilized aptamers.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, systems and methods for reducing and/or preventing photodamage of one or more reactants in illuminated analytical reactions by one or more of incorporating photodamage mitigating agents within the reaction mixture and/or interrogating different observation regions of the reaction mixture for a period that is less than a photodamage threshold period.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing, efficiently and with a high degree of purity N-alkylsulfonates of phenothiazine. The process consists in (a) the preparation of the phenothiazine anion, and (b) the reaction of said anion with cyclic alkyl sulfonates, such as 1,3-propane sultone and 1,4-butane sultone. This process is simpler, more direct, and more efficient than the procedures currently used for the synthesis of N-alkylsulfonates derivatives of phenothiazine. In addition, the products obtained with this process are far more pure than those obtained through current procedures and therefore ideal for bioanalytical applications that require high sensitivity, such as assays based on the measurement of peroxidase activity using chemiluminescence.

Abstract: There exists a need in the art for diagnosing specific disease states through measuring a concentration myeloperoxidase (MPO) isoform and/or proform or a combination thereof in a test sample. The claimed method provides a high specificity assay that has improved diagnostic specificity and improved sensitivity in that it reduces detection of normal MPO present in the sample. Antibodies and kits for performing the described method are further described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for detecting electrochemical oxidoreduction activity mediated by a redox enzyme at a site remote from the enzyme. In one embodiment, the method comprises immobilizing the redox enzyme on a first region of a conductive surface and contacting a substrate capable of producing a detectable signal upon oxidation or reduction with a second region of the conductive surface. The second region is electrically coupled with the first region and the redox enzyme is not present in the second region. The method further comprises exposing the immobilized redox enzyme to conditions that effect oxidation or reduction of the enzyme, and detecting oxidation or reduction of the substrate at the second region. The invention can be adapted for detecting a plurality of analytes.

Abstract: Methods and compound useful for detecting a source of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed wherein a signalling compound of the formula: is reacted with peroxide. Sig is a non-polymeric organic group, B is a boron atom, and each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and aryl groups and can be joined together as a straight or branched alkylene chain forming a ring or as an aromatic ring. A detectable product compound of the formula Sig—OH or Sig—O? is produced and detected by measuring color, absorbance, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or bioluminescence. The signalling compound itself does not possess the detectable property or does so only to a very weak degree. The methods can be used as a detectable signal in assays for peroxide or peroxide-producing enzymes and in assays employing enzyme-labeled specific binding pairs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying candidate therapeutic agents for use in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of hemoglobin in a biological sample, more particularly, the presence of blood in a fecal sample as an indicator of upper or lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

Abstract: A method for measuring an analyte in a sample by using a redox reaction is provided, which gives values with excellent reliability. Prior to the redox reaction, at least one of a sulfonic acid compound and a nitro compound is added to the sample to eliminate the influence of hemoglobin and any hemoglobin degradation products as reducing substances contained in the sample. Subsequently, a reducing or oxidizing substance derived from the analyte is caused to generate, and the amount thereof is measured by the redox reaction. The amount of the analyte is determined from the measurement value. The sulfonic acid compound may be sodium lauryl sulfate, and the nitro compound may be 4-nitrophenol, etc.

Abstract: We disclose methods of sorting or separating mixtures of living cells (e.g., eukaryotic, prokaryotic, mammalian, pathogenic, bacterial, viral, etc.). We perform our methods by activating cell-selective photophoric labels, which photosensitize and chemically reduce a photosensitive metal compound to form metal grains, particles or crystals. The metal adheres to the cells and forms the basis for sorting or separating different cell types. Photophoric labels may include chemiluminescent agents such as peroxidase enzymes activated with peroxidase substrates capable of luminescence. Photosensitive metal compounds may be present in a light-sensitive matrix or emulsion containing photosensitizable metal compounds, which form metal grains, particles or crystals upon exposure to a developer solution. Developer solutions are formulated to substantially allow living cells to remain viable after exposure to the developing solution.

Abstract: An assay for assessing the permeability of mitochondrial membranes is provided. The assay is based on enzymatic reactions that produce a detectable signal in the presence of intra-mitochondrial compounds. In some embodiments, the intra-mitochondrial compounds may be reduced and/or oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides (i.e., NADH and NAD+, respectively). The assay may optionally be provided in the form of a kit, and may further be useful in the discovery and interrogation of compounds that may serve to inhibit pathologic increase in mitochondrial membrane permeability, which is associated with numerous and varied mammalian disease.

Abstract: A method of a pretreatment of a sample for quantitating cholesterol characterized by, before measuring cholesterol contained in specific lipoproteins, treating the sample containing lipoproteins with an enzyme, the substrate of which is free cholesterol, optionally together with a reaction accelerator; a method for quantitating cholesterol in specific lipoproteins by using the above method; and a kit for quantitating cholesterol in specific lipoproteins to be used in the above quantification method. By using this quantification method, cholesterol in a specific fraction can be conveniently, accurately and efficiently quantitated fundamentally without resort to polyanion, etc. Thus, this method is appropriately usable in various automatic analyzers.

Abstract: A?-heme peroxidase activity is selectively measured and inhibited, packaged as a pharmaceutical composition with heme biosynthetic cofactors or as an industrial enzyme, and used to oxidize target substrates.

Abstract: Novel compounds comprising a C—C double bond substituted at one carbon with two sulfur atom-containing groups are disclosed. The compounds are useful in methods and compositions for generating chemiluminescence rapidly by reaction with a peroxidase enzyme and a peroxide. The chemiluminescence thus produced can be used as a detectable signal in assays for peroxidase enzymes or peroxide-producing enzymes and in assays employing enzyme-labeled specific binding pairs.

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 present invention relates to displacement assay type bioassay materials useful for the detection of toxic substances and, more particularly, to packaging materials for food and other products, along with methods for their manufacture and use. The invention provides a unique composite material capable of detecting and identifying multiple biological materials within a single package. The biological material identification system is designed for incorporation into existing types of flexible packaging material such as polyvinylchloride or polyolefin films, and its introduction into the existing packaging infrastructure will require little or no change to present systems or procedures.

Abstract: There is provided a method and kit for measuring the amount of an objective constituent contained in a specific lipoprotein in a biological sample such as serum and plasma, specifically for measuring the amount of cholesterol contained in high density lipoprotein, which can be applicable to clinical tests.

Abstract: Diagnostic tests for characterizing an individual's risk of developing or having a cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment the present diagnostic test comprises determining the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in a bodily sample obtained from the individual or test subject. In another embodiment, the diagnostic test comprises determining the level of MPO mass in a bodily sample obtained from the test subject. In another embodiment, the diagnostic test comprises determining the level of one or more select MPO-generated oxidation products in a bodily sample obtained from the test subject. The select MPO-generated oxidation products are dityrosine, nitrotyrosine, methionine sulphoxide or an MPO-generated lipid peroxidation products.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to ectodermally- and endodermally-derived stem cells and methods for the diagnosis of a neoplasm in a subject by contacting a tissue sample from the subject with the antibodies. Also disclosed are methods for isolating such stem cells from a heterogeneous cell population by contacting the population with antibodies which selectively bind to stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assaying myeloperoxidase activity. In the assay, a sample containing myeloperoxidase or suspected of containing myeloperoxidase is contacted with substrate including serine, hydrogen peroxide, and a halide. If myeloperoxidase is present in the sample, serine is converted into glycolaldehyde, which is further converted into glycolate by a glycoaldehyde converting enzyme. The method then utilizes a cycling reaction system between glycolate and glyoxylate to generate a detectable signal that corresponds to the myeloperoxidase activity. Kits for assaying myeloperoxidases based on the same principle are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing electrochemiluminescence by electrochemically oxidizing an acridan compound at an electrode in the presence of a peroxide. Maintaining a sufficiently positive potential results in continuous oxidation of the acridan compound to an acridinium compound which reacts with peroxide to produce the luminescence. Light emission can be reversibly and repeatedly cycled on and off by sweeping the potential between two values. The acridan compounds can be provided with a labeling group for linking to an analyte or analyte binding partner. The present electrochemiluminescent reaction can find use in assay methods for detecting analytes by immunoassays and nucleic acid assays.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of glycated protein detection. In particular, the invention provides chimeric proteins, nucleic acids encoding the chimeric proteins, methods and kits for assaying for a glycated protein in a sample, using inter alia, an amadoriase.

Abstract: The invention is an assay for detecting inhibitors of the enzyme myeloperoxdase The assay method comprises reacting myeloperoxdase with hydrogen peroxide and a chloride source to generate hypochlorous acid in the presence of a potential inhibitor of said myeloperoxidase; reacting any formed hypochlorous acid with an amine to form the corresponding chloramino; optionally removing any unreacted hydrogen peroxide; reacting any for-med chloramine with a detector compound in the presence of iodide to form oxidized detector compound; determining the amount of formed oxidized detector compound by measuring the absorbents or fluorescence at a suitable wavelength; and identifying as inhibitors of myeloperoxidase those compounds which cause the amount of formed oxidized detector compound to be decreased The assay is useful in diagnostic tests for myeloperoxidase activity.

Abstract: A chemiluminescence method characterized in that when a 1,2-dioxetane derivative of the formula 1: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 which are independent of one another, is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, or each pair of R2 and R3, and R4 and R5, which are independent of each other, may form together a cyclic alkyl group, R6 is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aralkyloxy group, a group represented by —OSi(R8R9R10) (provided that each of R8, R9 and R10 which are independent of one another, is an alkyl group or an aryl group), a phosphate group or a group represented by S(C?O)R11 (provided that R11 is an alkyl group or an aryl group), and R7 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkoxyl group, is let generate chemiluminescence by means of an activator selected from the group consisting of a base, an acid, a salt, a fluorine compound, an enzyme, a catalyst and an amine compound, a cationic surfactant and a fluorescent material are made to coexist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel peroxidase enzyme with high dye degradation activity, the genetic information thereof and a method for degrading and decolorizing dye by using the same. The invention enables the degradation and decolorizing of a wide range of dye types in an efficient manner with no occurrence of any problem, such as secondary pollution due to the generation of hazardous byproducts or the discharge of the greenhouse effect gas due to high-level energy consumption. In accordance with the invention, further, the enzyme can be supplied at a large quantity, on the basis of the genetic information, so the enzyme can be applied to the treatment of wastewater containing dyes and the like, in the fields of staining industry and the like.

Abstract: The present application provides methods of assaying for compounds that inhibit premature translation termination and nonsense mediated RNA decay in cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to assays for measuring ubiquitin ligase activity and for identifying modulators of ubiquitin ligase enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agent and a method for the dry chemical detection of lactoperoxidase in milk or dairy products. The method according to the invention is characterized by rapid execution thereof and said method has a high degree of sensitivity. The high detection sensitivity is achieved by adding iodide ions to the usual reagents.

Abstract: There is provided a method for a selective assay of component, particularly cholesterol, in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) which is one of serum lipoproteins. In the assay, an enzymatic reaction of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) or cholesterol esterase (CE) which well reacts with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and VLDL is carried out at least in the presence of calixarene or a salt thereof. It is also carried out in the presence of one or more substance(s) selected from albumin and basic amino acids in addition to calixarene or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for assaying for ubiquitin agents that are enzymatic components of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and, more particularly, methods and compositions for assaying for agents that modulate the activity of such ubiquitin agents.

Abstract: A method of lipid assay characterized by assaying the lipids contained in a blood component in the presence of an organic silicon compound. The method can cause specific conditions for direct methods while satisfying requirements such as no influence on precision of assay, no burden on assay apparatus, and easy availability.

Abstract: A biphasic process for rapid screening of organic reactions comprising monitoring relative rates of parallel organic reactions. The screening process is suitable to determine the efficacy of different reactants, process conditions, and process enhancers such as catalysts or promoters. The biphasic process also allows multiple samples to be analyzed/monitored simultaneously. In addition because enzymes are used to monitor the reaction product in this invention, when that product is chiral and an enantio-discriminating enzyme is used to monitor the product, in addition to the relative rates, enantioselectivities of a set of parallel organic reactions can also be determined.

Abstract: Compositions, reagent test strips, analyte detection systems and kits of the same, as well as methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a sample, are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having a positively charged porous matrix and a urea derivative dye on at least one surface of the matrix, where in many preferred embodiments the urea derivative dye is a negatively charged urea derivative dye. In many preferred embodiments, the subject compositions further include at least one additional reagent member of a peroxide producing signal producing system, e.g., an analyte oxidase and/or a peroxidase. The subject compositions, test strips, analyte detection systems and kits find use in the detection of a wide variety of analytes in a sample, such as a physiological sample, e.g., blood or a fraction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test piece having a simple structure, by which HDL cholesterol can be measured easily using a small amount of specimen. A reagent layer (2) is formed on a support (1), and an enzyme reagent for measuring cholesterol, a first surfactant that makes a solubility of a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) higher than that of a lipoprotein other than the HDL, and a second surfactant that inhibits the lipoprotein other than the HDL from dissolving are contained in the reagent layer (2).

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for assaying for ubiquitin agents that are enzymatic components of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and, more particularly, methods and compositions for assaying for agents that modulate the activity of such ubiquitin agents.

Abstract: The invention provides chemiluminescent assays that incorporate a film including at least one chemiluminescent precursor immobilized therewith which produces a triggerable chemiluminescent compound, the film being free of compounds which generate singlet oxygen and being adapted for use with a sensitizer-labeled agent or agent probative of the analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosensor for the detection and/or the determination of freshness biomarkers, such as biogenic amines (preferably histamine) in food and beverage, comprising an electrode and a mono-enzyme system, such as an amine oxidase, or a bi-enzyme system of an amine oxidase and a peroxidase. The enzymes are optionally crosslinked into an osmium based redox polymer.

Abstract: Methods of producing fluorescence from fluorogenic substrates reactive with a peroxidase enzyme are disclosed. Use of the methods in assays for peroxidase enzymes, peroxidase-labeled analytes are provided. Fluorogenic compounds, compositions and kits for reaction with peroxidase enzymes are described. Two modes of producing fluorescent compounds are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for quantifying cholesterol in HDL, which does not require complex fragmentation and separation operations, and by which the HDL cholesterol in test samples containing HDL and other lipoproteins such as low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicron (CM) may be quantified selectively, simply and accurately. The method for quantifying cholesterol in high density lipoprotein comprises a first step of erasing cholesterol in lipoproteins other than high density lipoprotein in a test sample, and a second step of adding a surfactant which specifically acts on high density lipoprotein to the product of the first step and enzymatically quantifying cholesterol in high density lipoprotein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to detect male antifertility problems based on the determination of latent phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx).

Abstract: A small diameter flexible electrode designed for subcutaneous in vivo amperometric monitoring of glucose is described. The electrode is designed to allow “one-point” in vivo calibration, i.e., to have zero output current at zero glucose concentration, even in the presence of other electroreactive species of serum or blood. The electrode is preferably three or four-layered, with the layers serially deposited within a recess upon the tip of a polyamide insulated gold wire. A first glucose concentration-to-current transducing layer is overcoated with an electrically insulating and glucose flux limiting layer (second layer) on which, optionally, an immobilized interference-eliminating horseradish peroxidase based film is deposited (third layer). An outer (fourth) layer is biocompatible.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. Repeatability is insured by a normalization technique performed on the light source before each reading, and an alignment method operated on the reagent strip prior to emplacement on the apparatus.