Abstract: Methods for identifying or screening or characterizing or assaying or isolating known or candidate agonists and antagonists of amylin, comprising binding assays utilizing preparations containing specific receptors for amylin. Membranes from the brain that contain high density receptors for amylin are particularly useful for the methods of this invention, and as a source of amylin receptors.

Abstract: Novel recombinant HTLV-III fusion proteins denoted R10, RB1, 590 and the HIV portion of each of these proteins are useful in the diagnosis, prophylaxis or therapy of AIDS. Protein R10 is a 95 kD fusion protein; protein PB1 is a 26 kD fusion protein and protein 590 is an 86 kD fusion protein.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the concentration of free actin in the plasma of an animal is described which comprises the administration of native and modified actin-binding proteins, and especially the administration of native and modified actin-binding regions of gelsolin. Diagnostic methods for identifying animals in need of such treatment are also described.

Abstract: Analytes, having a characteristic determinant that selectively interacts with a specific binding substance, are determined by coupling a reporter substance to the analyte, or to the specific binding substance, causing complex formation between the analyte and the specific binding substance in a test medium, separating the complexes thus formed from the test medium, and determining the presence or quantity of the analyte of interest by detecting the occurrence of the reporter substance in the complexes or the separated test medium. The determination is preferably performed on biomembrane-containing entities, such as cell subpopulations and/or subsets thereof, the reporter substance being stably associated with the lipid component of the biomembrane. Reagents and test kits are disclosed for performing the analyte determination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to labelled resiniferatoxin and congeners thereof. Preferably, the labelled compounds of the invention are radio or fluorescently labelled. The invention is further directed to compositions comprising these labelled compounds, as well as to methods of using these compounds.

Abstract: There is provided a simple method to identify cation channels expressed in cultured cells and to screen chemical agents for their use as agonists or antagonists to such channels. In addition, the invention assay method also provides rapid means to identify cultured cell lines which express functional ion channels. The invention assay method can readily be adapted for the low cost, automated screening of potential drug materials.

Abstract: A biochemical system in the determination of pesticides which is able to detect and measure the presence of parts per billion levels of different pesticides particularly in foodstuffs. The method employs insect tissues that contain specific binders or enzymes sensitive to various groups of pesticides. The sample or sample extract containing pesticides, radiolabeled pesticides and/or radiolabeled pesticide analogs and/or radiolabeled substrates is exposed to insect tissues containing receptors or enzymes. The pesticide competes with the radioactive tracers for the binders or the enzymes in the insect tissues. Residual enzyme activity or bound pesticides are measured. The extent of binding or enzyme activity may be inversely proportional, under standardized conditions, to the amount of pesticide in the sample.

Abstract: A method and kit are provided for determining levels in a biological sample of free IGF-I, IGF-II, or GH ligand that is normally associated in the sample with a binding protein. This method involves contacting the body fluid with an immobilized unlabeled capture reagent and incubating at 4.degree.-10.degree. C. for no greater than about 4 hours to bind the free ligand contained in the body fluid; separating the fluid from the immobilized capture reagent; and measuring the level of free ligand now bound to the capture reagent. This method is particularly useful to determine levels of free IGF-I in serum or plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for an early stage detection of three specific pregnancy-related disorders: preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery. According to the method, an antigen consisting of a specific human-derived placental soluble protein, known as PP-13, is determined by radioimmunoassay or ELISA. In the radioimmunoassay method, the PP-13 is labelled by a radioactive iodine and the bounded iodine is counted and correlated with standard curves. The best results are obtained when the protein to be labelled by radioactive iodine is present at a concentration of above 0.71 mg/ml. In case of the ELISA method, the quantitative determination of PP-13 is carried out with an alkaline phosphatase substrate and measured at an optical density of 405 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to substantially pure interleukin 9 receptor molecules and the use thereof. The uses include use as an interleukin-9 inhibitor, as a diagnostic agent for determining interleukin-9, and as a screening agent for pharmaceuticals. The interleukin-9 receptor is characterized as a glycoprotein of about 64 kilodaltons which, upon digestion with N-glycosidase F, yields a peptide of about 54 kilodaltons.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selectively blocking or inactivating glucocorticoid receptors by administering a glucocorticoid receptor blocking effective amount of arsenite or methyl methanethiolsulfonate (MMTS) in a sample. Thus, arsenite and MMTS constitute new, simple, reversible, and inexpensive reagents for assaying glucocorticoid receptors in the presence of other receptors and for eliminating the complications of assaying other receptors in the presence of glucocorticoid receptors.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of verocytotoxin receptors of the formula:X--O--Y(R) (I)wherein Y is sphingosine, hydroxylated sphinogosine or saturated sphingosine,wherein X is selected from said group and optionally a polysaccharide linking X to the --O--Y(R) group, andwherein R is H, or a fatty acid and R is linked to the amine moiety of the sphingosine,in combination with an assay component and their use in novel receptor-binding assays for the detection and quantitation of verocytotoxins.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of detecting sensitivity to alpha-interferon therapy which comprises contacting a sample with a monoclonal antibody under conditions so as to form an antibody-antigen complex, detecting the complex so formed, and thereby detecting sensitivity to alpha-interferon.

Abstract: A screening assay for recognizing the presence of dioxins (and other related toxins) in a sample is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, Ah receptor from mice and a radioactively labelled halogenated dioxin are used in a competitive binding assay to test for the presence of toxins. The label is .sup.125 I substituted directly on the main dioxin structure. The relative binding of the toxin in the samples (in competition with labelled dioxin) for Ah receptor can be compared against standard curves. A kit is provided for running such an assay and a preferred .sup.125 I ligand is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to assays of a monokine in a biological fluid, in particular in a blood sample, in particular of TNF or of IL-1. According to the present invention, the monokine in the serum or plasma obtained from whole blood stimulated with a mitogenic agent is assayed prior to any separation between the plasma (or serum) and the blood cells. According to another subject of the invention, the monokine is assayed in the case of an immunometric assay employing an oligoclonal system, consisting of several different monoclonal antibodies adsorbed on a solid phase and a non-adsorbed labeled antibody.The invention also relates to immunoassay kits.

Abstract: New and useful chromophores have been isolated from the reaction mixture of proteins exposed to reducing sugars in the presence of sulfite over time. The chromophores are believed to be intermediates in nonenzymatic polypeptide glycosylation. The measurement of this chromophore makes possible both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the presence of nonenzymatic browning. Diagnostic and test kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of a specifically bindable substance by incubation of a sample solution with at least three receptors R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, of which R.sub.1 is specifically bindable with R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, as well as with the substance to be determined, R.sub.2 brings about the binding to a solid phase and R.sub.3 carries a labelling, separation of bound labelling from unbound labelling and measurement of the labelling in one of the two phases, wherein, as receptor R.sub.1, a receptor is used which has at least two binding positions which bind specifically with an epitope of the substance to be determined, as R.sub.2 a conjugate of a partner P.sub.1 of a specifically binding pair and of a substance S which corresponds to the substance to be determined or is a derivative thereof and has at least one epitope of the substance to be determined, the partner P.sub.1 thereby either being bound to a solid phase or being immobilized, and as R.sub.

Abstract: A novel 1.alpha. (or 24R), 25-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 amino acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is OH or --O--CO--A--NH.sub.2, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, OH and --O--CO--A--NH.sub.2 ; wherein one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is OH, and one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is --O--CO--A--NH.sub.2 ; and wherein A is C.sub.1-10 alkylene, is produced by removing a protective group for the amino group, e.g. 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl, in the presence of a base in an inert solvent. A radioisotope iodine-labeled residue is then attached to the amino group to produce a derivative useful in the assay of 1.alpha. (or 24R), 25-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 in a specimen.

Abstract: The invention describes a kit and a method useful for analyzing the plasma concentration of an active neuroleptic drug known to have D-1 receptor antagonist properties utilizing labeled [-]trans 6,7,7a,8,9,13b-hexahydro-3-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-methyl-5H-benzo[d]naphtho-[2 ,1-b]-azepine.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection of the synthesis of growth factor receptors or cell surface antigens by tumor cells, and for the isolation thereof.

Abstract: Compound useful particularly for the treatment by targetted radiotherapy or imaging of cancer, characterized in that the compound is comprised of a molecule susceptible of fixing itself or passing close to the DNA of the target cells, said molecule being radiolabelled with iodine 123. The invention also relates to new ligands specific of steroid hormone receivers useful for the targetted therapy or imaging particularly of cancer and presenting a structural base skeleton having the formula (I). According to the invention these ligands comprise particularly a) a hydroxyl or ketone function in position C.sub.3 ; b) a .beta. chloromethyl function on position C.sub.11 ; c) an .alpha. methyl or vinyl function on position C.sub.17 and d) a substituted radioactive iodine on an alkyl or alkenyl group attached to the skeleton, particularly methyl or vinyl.

Abstract: A DNA probe has been isolated which is capable of hybridizing to an oligonucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide from a major 64 Kilodalton protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMVgp64). The probe has a sequence of at least seventeen (17) to as many as seven hundred twenty-one 721) nucleotides. The probe may be labelled as by radioactivity. The probe has been used to screen DNA fragments constituting a subgenomic library of human cytomegalovirus DNA to obtain DNA fragments coding for the major late protein of human cytomegalovirus. The DNA fragments coding for the major late protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMVgp64) may be hybridized to DNA fragments of HCMV DNA from an individual having human cytomegalovirus infection. The viral DNA can be used as whole HCMV DNA or as fragments formed by digesting the human cytomegalovirus DNA with a restriction endonuclease such as one of the restriction endonucleases EcoRI, BamHI, XbaI, HindIII and PrtI.

Abstract: Human DNA encoding enzymes having (2'-5') oligo A synthetase has been sequenced. The amino acid sequences of the enzymes have been deduced. Antigenic peptides have been prepared and have been used to raise antibodies which recognize and immunoprecipitate the 40 kd, 46 kd, 67 kd and 100 kd forms of (2'-5') oligo A synthetase. Methods of monitoring interferon activity in a subject are presented.

Abstract: A sensitive and general method of post-separation detection and quantification of chemical compounds is described. The method involves separation of unlabeled compounds by chromatography, electrophoresis or other means and selective binding of the separated compounds to ligands containing highly neutron-activatable elements, followed by neutron irradiation. The neutron-activatable elements are converted to their radiation-emitting isotopes by neutron absorption, and detection is done by autoradiography, fluorography or other means of radiation detection. The theoretical sensitivity of the method is in the attomole (10.sup.-18 mole) range.

Abstract: The present invention provides bifunctional chelating agents comprising a unique substrate reactive moiety incorporated into a carboxymethyl arm of a polyaminopolycarboxylate chelating framework capable of forming stable complexes with metal ions.

Abstract: A DNA probe has been isolated which is capable of hybridizing to an oligonucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide from a major 64 Kilodalton protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMVgp64). The probe has a sequence of at least seventeen (17) to as many as seven hundred twenty-one (721) nucleotides. The probe may be labelled as by radioactivity. The probe has been used to screen DNA fragments constituting a subgenomic library of human cytomegalovirus DNA to obtain DNA fragments coding for the major late protein of human cytomegalovirus. The DNA fragments coding for the major late protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMVgp64) may be hybridized to DNA fragments of HCMV DNA from an individual having human cytomegalovirus infection. The viral DNA can be used as whole HCMV DNA or as fragments formed by digesting the human cytomegalovirus DNA with a restriction endonuclease such as one of the restriction endonucleases EcoRI, BamHI, XbaI, HindIII and PrtI.

Abstract: Improved asssays are provided for anti-acetylcholine receptor protein autoantibodies in the sera of patients with myasthenia gravis. The basis for the improved assays is the discovery that large quantities of acetylcholine receptor protein, that, for practical purposes in immunoassays, is immunologically indistinguishable from human muscle acetylcholine receptor protein, can be isolated from cells of the human medullablastoma-derived cell line TE671.

Abstract: A method and a test kit for rapidly determining the presence of functional cellular steroid receptors by assaying a tissue sample for nuclear steroid or antisteroid binding is disclosed which comprises treating the tissue with collagenase, incubating the isolated cells with a labelled steroid or a labelled antisteroid capable of complexing said receptors and measuring the bound nuclear radioactivity and the DNA of the isolated cellular nuclei.

Abstract: Novel isomers or mixtures of isomers of radioactive pyrethrinoids marked with iodine of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen and --CF.sub.3, X.sub.2 is a halogen, R is the residue of an amino acid of the formula R--NH.sub.2 or a derivative thereof containing an iodine acceptor group and marked with iodine.sup.125 or iodine.sup.131, process for their preparation and intermediates and their use in radioimmunological determination.

Abstract: New and useful chromophores have been isolated from the reaction mixture of proteins exposed to reducing sugars in the presence of sulfite over time. The chromophores are believed to be intermediates in nonenzymatic polypeptide glycosylation. The measurement of this chromophore makes possible both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the presence of nonenzymatic browning. Diagnostic and test kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved autoradiography enhancer composition and method of use. The enhancer composition uses an acid anhydride as a dehydration agent.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for determining the BZ-1 receptor activity of a test sample or a potential anxiolytic drug.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated DNA sequence and the amino acid sequence for human factor IX. The isolated DNA sequence and its flanking sequences are useful for determining mutations, deletions or other modifications in genetic sequences expressing normal factor IX or modifications thereof.

Abstract: A substantially pure antigen found on normal and benign breast epithelial cell membranes and in breast cancer cells, fused cell hybrids which produce antibodies specific for such antigen, the monoclonal antibodies produced by such fused cell hybrids, a method for detecting the presence of breast cancer in a patient which is based on measuring the concentrations of one or more determinants of such antigen in a patient sample, and a method for either identifying those breast cancer patients whose tumors would respond to estrogen manipulation or determining prognosis based on the degree of differentiation, which method is based on measuring the concentration of an estrogen-modulated determinant of such antigen.

Abstract: A labeled nucleic acid probe comprising (a) a nucleic acid component, (b) a nucleic acid-binding ligand photochemically linked to the nucleic acid component, and (c) a label chemically linked to the nucleic acid-binding ligand. The label can be a specifically bindable ligand such as a hapten or biotin, an enzyme such as a .beta.-galactosidase or horse radish peroxidase, a fluorescent radical, a phycobiliprotein, a luminescent radical, or a radioisotope. The probe can be used in assays of nucleic acids, taking advantage of the ability of the nucleic acid component to hydridize.

Abstract: A method for detecting and localizing single base substitutions in RNA or DNA that involves RNAase A cleavage of single base mismatches in RNA:RNA or RNA:DNA heteroduplexes. A RNA probe complementary to wild type DNA is annealed to the test DNA containing a single base substitution. Many of the possible single base mismatches can be cleaved by RNAase A. The location of the single base substitution can be determined by analyzing the sizes of the RNA cleavage products.

Abstract: Estrane and androstane derivatives of formula I ##STR1## wherein X is bromine, iodine, triphenyltin or trialkyltin of 1 to 6 carbon atoms per alkyl radical,Y represents two hydrogen atoms or methylene,Z represents two hydrogen atoms, oxo or alkylenedioxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms andV is ethylene, vinylene, 1,3-propylene or cyclopropylene,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical of up to 8 hydrocarbon atoms, optionally interrupted by an oxa group or substituted by an oxo group,R.sub.2 is methyl or ethyl,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent a carbon-carbon bond or R.sub.3 is hydrogen and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl,.DELTA.symbolizes a 4(5)-double bond if Z signifies two hydrogen atoms or an oxo group; or a 5(6)-double bond or, for the estrane derivatives of formula I, also a 5(10)-double bond, if Z is alkylenedioxy,are pharmacologically effective substances or intermediates for preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of an antibody by incubation with three different reagents R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, of which R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are present in liquid phase and are bindable with the antibody, R.sub.2 is present bound to a solid phase and is bindable with R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 carries a label, separation of the solid phase from the liquid phase and measurement of the label in the solid phase, wherein as R.sub.1 there is used a conjugate of a substance specifically recognized by the antibody to be determined and a reaction component of a specific binding system, as R.sub.3 there is used a conjugate of a substance specifically recognized by the antibody to be determined and a label and as R.sub.2 there is used the other binding component of the specific binding system.The present invention also provides a composition for the determination of an antibody, wherein it contains two different soluble reagents R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A new reporter mechanism for biospecific reactions is disclosed. This mechanism involves interligand metal ion transfer in which a metal ion is directly transferred from one chelate complex to another following the occurance of the biospecific reaction. The second chelate complex is separate from and detectably different than the first chelate complex. This invention can take the form of methods of chemical analysis and kits for conducting such methods. In preferred embodiments of this invention the detectable difference is a difference in fluorescence, such as an increase or decrease which occurs as a result of the formation of the second chelate. In further preferred embodiments the difference in fluorescence is detected using fluorescent background rejection methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved method based on hormone-receptor binding for the determination of follicle stimulating hormone and to improved reagents useful for the determination of follicle stimulating hormone in a hormone-receptor binding assay.

Abstract: A method of controlling weight in a mammal and diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders associated with delta-type opioid receptors comprising administering to the mammal a receptor probe or a weight control agent for inhibiting weight gain. The receptor probe or weight control agent may comprise certain azine, thiosemicarbazone, or N,N'-disubstituted thiourea derivatives of nonpeptide opioid antagonists.

Abstract: Improved methodologies for in-situ hybridization and detection of hybridized nucleic acid sequences in cell cultures and tissue sections are provided which offer an increase of speed, sensitivity, and simplicity unavailable in previously known techniques. The invention detects specific nucleic acids of interest, particularly RNA sequences, within cells and tissues utilizing DNA of a particular size as a probe to find those sequences which are held substantially in common between the cell or tissue and the probe. The cells are fixed preferably in paraformaldehyde and then hybridized using a hybridization fluid for not less than 10 minutes but not substantially more than 24 hours. A variety of identifying labels are attached to the probe which permit quick and rapid detection via measurement of radioactive isotope decay or by colorimetric detection of enzymatic reaction products.

Abstract: Hybridomally produced monoclonal IgM antibodies having high affinity are useful for the immunoassay and purification of viral antigens.

Abstract: A substantially pure rheumatoid arthritis specific protein (RASP) and an antibody against the rheumatoid arthritis specific protein (anti-RASP antibody) are disclosed. The RASP is found specifically in the serum or plasma of a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and may be detected using an anti-RASP antibody easily and effectively. Therefore, the anti-RASP antibody of the present invention is useful for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by the criterion of the presence of RASP.

Abstract: The diagnostic value of monitoring serum-CEA-levels in a patient undergoing therapy for a cancerous tumor is determined by obtaining cytosole from the tumor and quantitatively determining its CEA content. Preferably, the cytosole used is obtained from a portion of the tumor used for hormone receptor analysis.

Abstract: An in vitro diagnostic method for determining the presence of nerve growth factor receptor bearing tumors is disclosed which comprises determining the presence of an elevated level of a truncated nerve growth factor receptor in a sample of a body fluid from a patient afflicted with such tumor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting and determining the amount in a sample of an antigenic determinant from an antigen receptor derived and released from a T cell or NK cell. Methods are also provided for detecting and determining the amount in a sample of an antigenic determinant from a complex of at least a portion of an antigen receptor derived from and released from a T cell or NK cell and a protein complex. These methods form the bases for methods of diagnosing and monitoring in a subject a disease characterized by the presence or an amount different from a normal subject of one of these antigenic determinants in a body fluid. A soluble antigen receptor or complex thereof derived from a T cell or a NK cell but free of such T cell or NK cell is also provided.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and compositions are disclosed for the detection of analytes in fluid samples. The disclosure provides conjugates of analytes or reactants with polymerizable organic monomers. Specific binding reactions between reactants are detected by means of resporter/reactant conjugates. Free and specifically-bound reporter/reactant conjugates are separated by a polymerization reaction which renders the polymerized monomers insolule.

Abstract: A biological sample containing an analyte, partly free and partly bound to natural binders, is incubated with a labelled specific binder for the analyte and a derivative of the analyte which does not react with the natural binders. Part of the labelled specific binder binds to the analyte derivative, the proportion depending on the free analyte concentration in the sample. The proportion is measured and used to determine the free analyte concentration. For example, the analyte may be thyroxine or cortisol, the labelled specific binder may be an antibody thereto, and the analyte derivative may be in the form of a solid matrix. The labelled specific binder should have an affinity for the analyte, expressed as a dissociation constant of the complex of the two, approximately equal to the concentration of free analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of an antibody by incubation with three different reagents R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, of which R.sub. and R.sub.3 are present in liquid phase and are bindable with the antibody, R.sub.2 is present bound to a solid phase and is bindable with R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 carries a label, separation of the solid phase from the liquid phase and measurement of the label in the solid phase, wherein as R.sub.1 there is used a conjugate of a substance specifically recognized by the antibody to be determined and a reaction component of a specific binding system, as R.sub.3 there is used a conjugate of a substance specifically recognized by the antibody to be determined and a label and as R.sub.2 there used the other binding component of the specific binding system. The present invention also provides a composition for the determination of an antibody, wherein it contains two different soluble reagents R.sub.1 and R.sub.