Abstract: A membrane for use in the determination of calcium ion concentration in an aqueous solution, the membrane being of the type comprising a calcium ion selective component and a carrier material.

Abstract: A creatine kinase reagent of the type comprising a buffer, creatine phosphate, adenosine diphosphate, D-glucose, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a thiol compound, magnesium ion, adenosine monophosphate, and a coenzyme selected from a group consisting of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and mixtures thereof. The reagent is characterized in that it further comprises an effective amount of an enzyme selected from a group consisting of phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating).An electrophoretic technique for assaying the relative distribution of creatine kinase characterized in that the above reagent is employed therein.

Abstract: A T.sub.3 uptake polarization fluoroimmunoassay where a sample is assayed by contacting a serum sample with T.sub.3 to form a solution, contacting the solution with a separating agent and incubating the same, separating T.sub.3 bound to the separating agent from the serum sample, contacting the T.sub.3 bound to the separating agent with an antibody against T.sub.3, incubating and separating the agent-anti-body combination, separating free anti-body and contacting the free antibody with fluorescent labeled T.sub.3 and fluorometrically measuring the fluorescence polarization.

Abstract: A polarization fluoroimmunoassay for T.sub.3 or T.sub.4 thyroid hormones where a serum sample is assayed by contacting the sample with a base to denature the thyroxine binding globulins and thereby form a solution, incubating the solution, contacting the solution with a separating agent and separating bound thyroid hormone from the serum, contacting the separating agent with bound thyroid hormone with an antibody against the thyroid hormone, incubating the separating agent-antibody combination, separating free antibody and thyroid hormone bound antibody from the separating agent, contacting the free antibody with fluorescent labelled thyroid hormone and measuring the fluorescence polarization as an indication of the thyroid hormone in the sample.

Abstract: A stable blood serum conjugated bilirubin reference composition characterized in that the composition possess a pH of from about 8.2 to bout 9.2 and comprises (a) a sulfhydryl compound in an amount sufficient to enhance the stability of the conjugated bilirubin and (b) a chelating agent in an amount sufficient to bind all the metals present in the blood serum moiety of the composition. This blood serum conjugated bilirubin composition when stored in a gas impervious vial under an inert atmosphere has an excellent shelf life.

Abstract: A membrane for use in the determination of calcium ion concentration in an aqueous solution, the membrane being of the type comprising a calcium ion selective component and a carrier material.

Abstract: An albumin reagent of the type comprising bromcresol green, a buffering agent having a buffering capacity in the pH range of about 4 to about 4.2, and polyoxyethylene(23) lauryl ether. The albumin reagent is characterized in that it contains from about 0.18 to about 0.22 gm/l bromcresol green and has a polyoxyethylene(23) lauryl ether:bromcresol green weight ratio of from about 10:1 to about 12:1.

Abstract: A stable enzyme reference composition having an excellent shelf-life. The composition comprises at least one enzyme of known value; about 20 to about 40 weight percent of at least one alkylene polyol having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms; about 3 to about 8 grams (gm) per deciliter (dl) total protein present in a human serum albumin matrix; and about 60 to about 80 weight percent water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying liquids to and from a reaction cell in an automated sample handling apparatus. The conveyance apparatus includes a track and car system. A method and apparatus is disclosed which precisely positions the cars on the track. This positioning method and apparatus includes a plurality of apertures and spaces on the track of a size and spacing to allow the cars to accurately position themselves.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel of the type comprising a polysaccharide. The electrophoretic gel is characterized in that it further comprises either an acid polysaccharide and salts thereof, wherein the acid moiety of the acid polysaccharide comprises at least one carboxyl group and/or a galatomannan polysaccharide.An improved electrophoretic technique for assaying the relative distribution of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes of the type wherein a sample to be assayed is applied to an electrophoretic gel and the electrophoretic gel is electrophoresed. The electrophoretic technique is characterized in that the above described electrophoretic gel is employed therein.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel of the type comprising a polysaccharide. The electrophoretic gel is characterized in that it further comprises an acid polysaccharide and salts thereof, wherein the acid moiety of the acid polysaccharide comprises at least one carboxyl group.An improved electrophoretic technique for assaying the relative distribution of proteins of the type wherein a sample to be assayed is applied to an electrophoretic gel and the electrophoretic gel is electrophoresed. The electrophoretic technique is characterized in that the above described electrophoretic gel is employed therein.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel container. The device includes a base and a cover. The gel is adherently bound to a backing sheet. The cover is positioned to clamp the backing sheet between it and the base. The cover is spaced from the gel.

Abstract: An assay which is capable of determining the endogenous glycerol and endogenous triglycerides content of a sample without the necessity of performing a separate glycerol assay. The assay of the instant invention can be performed in a single cuvette and is made possible by the use of a novel reagent kit.The reagent kit is of the type comprising lipase; glycerol kinase; adenosine triphosphate; and at least one reagent capable of being used to assay glycerol-1-phosphate or adenosine diphosphate. This reagent kit is characterized in that the lipase employed therein is from Staphylococcus epidermidis NRRL B-12072. In the absence of an auxiliary agent, this lipase does not cleave triglycerides to glycerol. Accordingly, the reagent kit further comprises, as the auxiliary agent, a surfactant which is capable of activating the lipase. Because these surfactants do not absorb at either 340 or 520 nm, one can determine a sample's endogenous glycerol content and endogenous triglycerides content in a single cuvette.

Abstract: A liquid transfer valve including movable valve portions. A second valve portion is movable with respect to a first valve portion to allow a probe to extend therethrough to pick up a sample liquid. Upon probe retraction, the second valve portion is movable to a position which allows the sample liquid to be injected into the valve where it is diluted and carried to a remote detector or delivery point.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for liquids. The device may be used with nephelometric instruments to contain sample liquids for serial dilution. The containment apparatus includes a tray section having a plurality of wells formed as an integral part of the tray section. The wells include well portions extending from the tray section such that the well portions are insertible into holes in the turntable rim to secure the tray section to the rim.

Abstract: A stable blood serum bilirubin reference composition characterized in that the composition possess a pH of from about 8.2 to about 9.2 and comprises (a) a sulfhydryl compound in an amount sufficient to enhance the stability of the bilirubin and (b) a chelating agent in an amount sufficient to bind all the metals present in the blood serum moiety of the composition. This blood serum bilirubin composition when stored in a gas impervious vial under an inert atmosphere has an excellent shelf life.

Abstract: An improved T.sub.3 uptake test procedure characterized in that the separating agent employed therein comprises precipitated nylon 6, precipitated nylon 66, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Novel pentapeptides having the following amino acid sequenceX--Y--Z--E--G--J--Lwherein X is selected from a group consisting of --NH.sub.2, --NHCH.sub.3, and --N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ; Y and G are independently selected from a group consisting of tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine, Z and E are independently selected from a group consisting of D-tyrosine, D-tryptophan, and D-phenylalanine; J is selected from a group consisting of natural amino acids and the D-configuration thereof; and L is a C-terminal functional group selected from a group consisting of amide, amide lower alkyl, amide di(lower alkyl), lower alkoxy, hydroxy, and carboxy and the lower ester derivatives thereof; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These peptides act directly on the pituitary to release growth hormone therefrom.

Abstract: Novel pentapeptides having the following amino acid sequenceX-Y-Z-E-G-J-Lwherein X is selected from a group consisting of --NH.sub.2, --NHCH.sub.3, and --N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ; Y is selected from a group consisting of tyrosine, D-tyrosine, tryptophan, D-tryptophan, phenylalanine, and D-phenylalanine; Z and E are independently selected from a group consisting of D-tyrosine, D-tryptophan, and D-phenylalanine; G is selected from a group consisting of lysine and arginine; J is selected from a group consisting of glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, hydroxyproline, serine, threonine, cysteine, and methionine; and L is a C-terminal functional group selected from a group consisting of amide, amide lower alkyl, amide di(lower alkyl), lower alkoxy, hydroxy, and carboxy and the lower ester derivatives thereof; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These peptides act directly on the pituitary to release growth hormone therefrom.

Abstract: Novel tripeptides having the following amino acid sequenceX-Y-Z-E-Gwherein X is selected from a group consisting of --NH.sub.2, --NHCH.sub.3, and --N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ; Y and Z are independently selected from a group consisting of D-tyrosine, D-tryptophan, and D-phenylalanine; E is selected from a group consisting of tyrosine, tryptohan, and phenylalanine; and G is a C-terminal functional group selected froma group consisting of amide, amide lower alkyl, amide di(lower alkyl), lower alkoxy, hydroxy, and carboxy and the lower ester derivatives thereof; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These peptides act directly on the pituitary to release growth hormone therefrom.