Abstract: Isolated HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides obtained from the HIV-1 isolate HAM112 are claimed, as well as (a) antigen constructs comprising fusions of one or more of each of HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides and HIV-1 Group M env polypeptide and (b) further antigen constructs containing additional Group O sequences and especially the gp41 IDR of isolate HAM112. Also claimed are polynucleotide sequences encoding the above, expression vectors comprising the same, host cells transformed thereby, and immunoassay methods and kits utilizing the antigen constructs of the invention.

Abstract: Immunoassay reagents, methods and test kits for the specific quantification of vancomycin in a test sample are disclosed. The reagent comprises antibodies prepared with immunogens of FIG. 6 wherein P is an immunogenic carrier material and X is a linking moiety. Also described is the synthesis of labeled reagents of FIG. 8 wherein Q is a detectable moiety, preferably fluorescein or a fluorescein derivative, and X is a linking moiety.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of steroid compounds which have biological activity and have a tendency to oxidative degradation at temperatures between 2 and 8° C. on storage in excess of several months are stabilized by the addition of chelators. Aqueous solutions of particular interest are protein containing solutions which mimic the behavior of human bodily fluids such as serum and are therefore suitable as standards for immunoassays for steroids in such bodily fluids. Chelators of particular interest are transition metal chelators especially those which efficiently sequester iron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved immunoassay device for confirming the validity of a test result showing either the presence or absence of an analyte in a patient sample. In the improved device, control reagents are provided in the device which directly mimic the reaction of the sample analyte with the test reagents of the device. The device thus allows the user to verify the efficacy of the test reagents at all stages of interaction with the sample analyte.

Abstract: A chromatography assay device and method for use with whole blood samples utilizing a red blood cell separating agent to aggregate red blood cells and permit plasma or serum to flow by capillary action and a neutralizing agent to neutralize any effects the red blood cell separating agent may have on the device and method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the volume, hemoglobin concentration, maturity and cell shape of mammalian red blood cells in a whole blood sample and simultaneously monitoring system standardization. Methods for distinguishing red blood cells from other cellular particles, prior to the red blood cell analysis are also disclosed. Red blood cells are passed through a beam of light in single file at a selected wavelength, obtaining an initial cytogram by means of the resultant magnitude of one light loss signal and one forward angle light scatter signal at a selected angular interval and a third side angle light scatter or two forward angle light scatter signals at a selected angular intervals and a third side-angle light scatter signal, projecting the cytogram, point by point, onto a pre-calibrated 3-dimensional surface containing grid lines of volume and hemoglobin concentration and determining accurate values of cell volume and hemoglobin concentration.

Abstract: A chromatography immunoassay device is described which can be used more easily, is protected from moisture and/or oxygen more effectively and can be produced at a lower cost than known chromatography immunoassay devices. The chromatography immunoassay device of the present invention is one in which one or more chromatography strips are stuck on a substrate made of a plate, each of the chromatography strips is sealed by closely adhering a substrate portion surrounding each chromatography strip to a seal film located on the chromatography strip, and the seal film and/or substrate possesses a film containing a dehumidifying agent and/or a film containing an oxygen absorbing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved specific binding assay methods, kits and devices utilizing chromatographically mobile specific binding reagents labelled with colloidal particles. Specific binding reagents labelled with colloidal particles such as gold and selenium may be subjected to rapid chromatographic solvent transport on chromatographic media by means of selected solvents and chromatographic transport facilitating agents. Further, impregnation of solid substrate materials with labile protein materials including colloidal particle and enzyme labelled reagents in the presence of meta-soluble proteins provides for the rapid resolubilization of such materials which have been dried onto such substrate materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluorescence polarization immunoassay for barbiturates, to the various components needed for preparing and carrying out such an assay, and to methods of making these components. Specifically, tracers, immunogens and antibodies are disclosed, as well as methods for preparing them and a reagent kit containing them. The tracers and the immunogens are made from substituted barbiturate compounds. A fluorescein moiety is included in the tracer, while a poly(amino acid) forms a part of the immunogen. The assay is conducted by measuring the degree of polarization retention of plane—polarized light that has been passed through a sample containing antiserum and tracer.

Abstract: A glycated hemoglobin assay utilizes a simple procedure for the determination of standardized %GHb in whole blood samples correlated to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). First, a lysed whole blood sample is incubated with a solid phase that is coupled with boronic acid or similar boronate compound through covalent linkage chemistries known in the art. Next, a labeled antibody to human hemoglobin is added and the resulting signal is directly proportional to the %GHb in the sample. The advantages of measuring %GHb using a single determination include high precision and, since the assay is easily automatable, high throughput. With automation, this assay can also be consolidated with other testing on one analyzer. The method according to the various embodiments of the invention thus eliminates the need for two measurements: one for GHb and another for total hemoglobin (THb).

Abstract: Unit-of-use reagent compositions and methods for preparing such reagent compositions are disclosed. The reagent composition comprises one or more reagents which are necessary for a specific binding assay and which are incorporated in a porous material which is encapsulated in a carrier matrix. The unit-of-use reagent composition can be lyophilized to avoid the need for cold storage of the reagent composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing a chiral compound of the formula: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl, and R2 and R2′ are the same, and R2 and R2′ are selected from a group consisting of hydrogen and primary alkyl, or R2 and R2′ taken together form a C3 to C6 cycloalkyl, comprising the steps of chirally reducing a &bgr;-keto ester to afford a &bgr;-hydroxy ester, activating the &bgr;-hydroxy ester by treatment with a sulfonic acid or a derivative thereof to provide an activated compound having sulfonate leaving group, displacing the sulfonate leaving group with an azido moiety, or treating the activated compound with an alkylamine, deprotecting and cyclizing to afford a pyrrolidinone, and reducing the pyrrolidinone to afford a stereoisomerically preferred 3-aminopyrrolidine derivative.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing a chiral compound of the formula: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl, and R2 and R2′ are the same, and R2 and R2′ are selected from a group consisting of hydrogen and primary alkyl, or R2 and R2′ taken together form a C3 to C6 cycloalkyl, comprising the steps of chirally reducing a &bgr;-keto ester to afford a &bgr;-hydroxy ester, activating the &bgr;-hydroxy ester by treatment with a sulfonic acid or a derivative thereof to provide an activated compound having sulfonate leaving group, displacing the sulfonate leaving group with an azido moiety, or treating the activated compound with an alkylamine, deprotecting and cyclizing to afford a pyrrolidinone, and reducing the pyrrolidinone to afford a stereoisomerically preferred 3-aminopyrrolidine derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and formulations for administering a dopamine agonist to the airways of a patient. The preferred dopamine agonist is selected from (5aR-trans)-4,5,6,7,11b-hexahydro-2-propylbenzo[f]thieno[2,3-c]quinoline- 9,10) -diol, diacetate (ester) hydrochloride. The delivery method relates to certain aerosol formulations and liquid formulations which are administered into the airways to provide effective delivery of the dopamine agonists to the receptor.

Abstract: A glycated hemoglobin assay utilizes a simple procedure for the determination of standardized %GHb in whole blood samples correlated to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). First, a lysed whole blood sample is incubated with a solid phase that is coupled with boronic acid or similar boronate compound through covalent linkage chemistries known in the art. Next, a labeled antibody to human hemoglobin is added and the resulting signal is directly proportional to the %GHb in the sample. The advantages of measuring %GHb using a single determination include high precision and, since the assay is easily automatable, high throughput. With automation, this assay can also be consolidated with other testing on one analyzer. The method according to the various embodiments of the invention thus eliminates the need for two measurements: one for GHb and another for total hemoglobin (THb).

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinking, conjugating and reducing agents which are functional with at least one phosphorothioate monoester group (--SPO.sub.3.sup.--2). Crosslinking and conjugation methods as well as solid phase reagents and conjugates which are useful in immunoassays are also provided.Crosslinking and conjugating agents of the invention generally comprise a compound corresponding to the formula (I), shown below, wherein n at least 1 and Q is a straight or branched monomer, polymer or oligomer having an average molecular weight between about 200 and about 1,000,000. Additionally, when n is 1, Q comprises at least 1 additional reactive functionality.Q--(S--PO.sub.3.sup.-2).sub.n (I)The reducing agents that are provided conform to a compound of the formula (Y), shown below, wherein (A) and (Z) can be independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl and CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.p wherein p is an integer between 1 and 5.

Abstract: A method for fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) involves adding to a fluid container one or more reagents and a sample whose analyte is to be detected and measured, and then taking a first polarization measurement of the sample. More reagent is then added to the sample in the container, with no further sample addition to the container. A second or final polarization measurement of the sample is then taken, and the concentration of the analyte in the sample is then calculated based on the value of the two polarization measurements.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent electron-rich aryl-substituted 1,2-dioxetane compounds are disclosed in which the aryl group is poly-substituted with suitable electron-donating groups such that the light-emitting pattern of the molecule results in a very high luminescent count, thus providing for a sensitive and precise assay for haptens, analytes, polynucleotides and the like. These substituted aryl-containing 1,2-dioxetane compounds can be used as direct labels in an immunoassay or when derivatized with an appropriate leaving group, can be used as a substrate for a enzyme immunoassay. The unusual chemiluminescence of the compounds allows the timing of the luminescent reaction to be exactly controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinking, conjugating and reducing agents which are functional with at least one phosphorothioate monoester group (--SPO.sub.3.sup.-2). Crosslinking and conjugation methods as well as solid phase reagents and conjugates which are useful in immunoassays are also provided.Crosslinking and conjugating agents of the invention generally comprise a compound corresponding to the formula (I), shown below, wherein n at least 1 and Q is a straight or branched monomer, polymer or oligomer having an average molecular weight between about 200 and about 1,000,000. Additionally, when n is 1, Q comprises at least 1 additional reactive functionality.Q--(S--PO.sub.3.sup.-2).sub.n (I)The reducing agents that are provided conform to a compound of the formula (Y), shown below, wherein (A) and (Z) can be independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl and CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.p wherein p is an integer between 1 and 5.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent electron-rich aryl-substituted 1,2-dioxetane compounds are disclosed in which the aryl group is poly-substituted with suitable electron-donating groups such that the light-emitting pattern of the molecule results in a very high luminescent count, thus providing for a sensitive and precise assay for haptens, analytes, polynucleotides and the like. These substituted aryl-containing 1,2-dioxetane compounds can be used as direct labels in an immunoassay or when derivatized with an appropriate leaving group, can be used as a substrate for a enzyme immunoassay. The unusual chemiluminescence of the compounds allows the timing of the luminescent reaction to be exactly controlled.