Abstract: A fungal enzyme preparation has specific bilirubin degrading activity and, in a preferred embodiment, generates hydrogen peroxide. Extraction methods for the enzyme preparation are disclosed. Assay compositions, elements and methods using the aforementioned enzyme preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluorimetric analysis of bilirubin contained in an aqueous liquid is carried out by the method comprising:(a) contacting together the aqueous liquid and an interactive, polymeric mordant composition for bilirubin to mordant bilirubin;(b) thereafter, or during step (a), subjecting the mordanted bilirubin to activating radiation effective to excite the mordanted bilirubin and produce detectable fluorescence; and(c) detecting this fluorescence to obtain a determination relating to the presence and/or concentration of bilirubin in the test sample.

Abstract: Novel elements for the analysis of aqueous liquids which may contain gentisic acid as an interferent are described. Interference of gentisic acid with the analytical test reactions is reduced by using an organic solvent that dissolves the indicator composition but does not preferentially partition gentisic acid into itself from aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A novel process is described for hydrolyzing protein-bound triglycerides such as blood serum triglycerides comprising contacting sample containing protein-bound triglycerides with a compatible mixture of an enzyme preparation which demonstrates triglyceride hydrolase activity and, as an effector, a surfactant.Hydrolysis compositions comprising compatible mixtures of an enzyme preparation which demonstrates triglyceride hydrolase activity and an effector which is a surfactant are also described, as are analytical elements comprising at least one layer which includes a hydrolysis composition which comprises such a compatible mixture of an enzyme preparation which demonstrates triglyceride hydrolase activity and a surfactant.

Abstract: A multi-active photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer and an organic photoconductor-containing charge-transport layer is disclosed. The charge-generation layer contains a continuous polymeric phase having dispersed therein a co-crystalline complex composed of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt.

Abstract: Pyrylium, thiapyrylium and selenapyrylium salts and derivatives thereof having a trimethine linkage containing an aryl substituent attached to at least one carbon atom of the trimethine linkage are disclosed. Radiation sensitive compositions, e.g., photoconductive compositions, containing such materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilayer photoconductive element containing a photoconductive insulating composition and a conducting layer, such element having in association with the photoconductive composition an amorphous, water-insoluble polyester selected from the group consisting of(a) polyesters prepared from units derived from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid component and at least one diol component, at least one of said acid or diol components being a non-linear monomer selected from the group consisting of an isophthalic acid component or a branched-chain alkylene diol having the formulaHO--CH.sub.2 --R.sup.1 --CH.sub.2 --OHwherein R.sup.

Abstract: Compositons and multilayer analytical elements comprising lactate oxidase which is substantially free of catalase and preferably produced by Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 12755 are provided for the quantitative analysis of lactic acid or lactate, especially in serum. The lactate oxidase catalyzes the reduction of lactic acid or lactate to pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide and the quantity of lactic acid or lactate is determined by detecting the amount of hydrogen peroxide produced. Preferably, the hydrogen peroxide is detected colorimetrically using a peroxidase-catalyzed detection system.

Abstract: An improved process for producing .alpha.-glycerophosphate oxidase provides yields of more than 1500 U per liter. The enzyme is produced by growing a member of the family Lactobacillaceae in a medium comprising pyruvate and an inducer for .alpha.-glycerophosphate oxidase. In the preferred embodiment, a medium comprising a mixture of glucose and pyruvate as carbon sources provides a synergistic effect on the production of .alpha.-glycerophosphate oxidase.

Abstract: An element for the analysis of liquids contains a radiation-transmissive, detectable species migration-inhibiting layer interposed between a porous radiation-blocking layer and a radiation-transmissive reagent layer. All three layers are permeable to a predetermined analyte. The reagent layer contains a composition that provides a detectable species such as a dye in proportion to the concentration of the analyte that diffuses into the reagent layer from the overlying porous radiation-blocking layer. The detectable species migration-inhibiting layer acts to reduce the migration of, for example, dye from the reagent layer into the porous radiation-blocking layer, where the optical density of the dye cannot easily be measured. Optionally, the above-described three layers can be carried on a radiation-transmissive support, and other layers such as spreading layers, registration layers, and subbing layers can also be present in the element.

Abstract: A multi-zone analytical element for the analysis of a proteinaceous or protein-bound substance contained in an aqueous liquid and a method of using the same are disclosed. The multi-zone element contains a spreading zone and a reagent zone in fluid contact. The reagent zone of the element contains an interactive composition. Incorporated in the spreading zone of the element is an immobilized polymeric material containing charge-bearing functional groups that, under conditions of use of the element, exhibit an electric charge opposite to that of said proteinaceous substance or the protein portion of said protein-bound substance.

Abstract: Electrostatic contrast control in p-type electrophotographic elements is achieved by incorporating into the photoconductive layer a hole trapping agent such as a tetraphenylboron anion, bromide ion, iodide ion, oxidizable dye such as a carbocyanine and dicarbocyanine, merocarbocyanine and merodicarbocyanine, styryl, oxonol, hemioxonol, or hemicyanine. Usable hole trapping agents have an oxidation potential in a neutral solution of at least 0.1 volts less than that of the photoconductor in the photoconductive layer.

Abstract: A multilayer analytical element for the analysis of liquids, particularly small samples of biological liquids, having at least two layers including a reagent layer and a registration layer. The reagent layer contains an interactive composition including a nondiffusible material having a preformed detectable moiety, such composition being interactive in the presence of liquid containing an analyte of choice to provide a diffusible product comprising the preformed detectable moiety. The registration layer receives the diffusible product released from the reagent layer. The layers present in the analytical element are composed such that the detectable moiety released from the reagent layer or that remaining unreleased in the reagent layer can be selectively detected in the element.In one embodiment, there is disclosed an integral element which can include a support, preferably radiation-transmissive, on which a registration layer and a reagent layer are carried.

Abstract: An improved analytical element for the detection of a predetermined analyte in an aqueous liquid under highly alkaline conditions is disclosed. The element features a stable, alkaline-providing composition.Preferably, the analytical element is a multi-zone element. The element is particularly useful in total protein analysis and, when so used, an improved biuret reagent composition for use therein is also provided. Methods of using the aforementioned analytical and biuret reagent composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical element for use in the clinical assay of an analyte contained in a biological liquid sample which is applied from an external source to a substantially planar sample receiving suface of the element. The analytical element comprises a porous layer bearing the aforementioned sample receiving surface; at least one dry reagent material for use in the assay; and one or more associated rupturable pod-like member(s) containing a liquid reagent for the assay, such liquid reagent, upon rupture of the pod-like member(s), being released into the element.

Abstract: A multi-active photoconductive insulating element is disclosed having at least two layers comprising an inorganic photoconductor-containing layer and an aggregate photoconductive layer. The aggregate photoconductive layer contains a continuous polymeric phase having dispersed therein a co-crystalline complex composed of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt.

Abstract: A photoconductive insulating composition containing (a) one or more p-type organic photoconductor components and (b) a charge transfer complex of one or more electron acceptor components and one or more electron donor components, the electron donor components being selected from materials having one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein N REPRESENTS 0, 1 OR 2; X represents oxygen, sulfur, selenium or the groups >CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 or >C.dbd.CR.sup.5 R.sup.6 ; Y represents a single covalent chemical bond or the necessary carbon and hydrogen atoms to complete a 6 to 9 member saturated or unsaturated ring; and each of R.sup.1 through R.sup.8 represents a substituent group such that the resultant material forms a charge-transfer complex with 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone.

Abstract: Polyaryl hydrocarbon photoconductors having the formula ##STR1## wherein: N IS AN INTEGER HAVING A VALUE OF 0 OR 1;Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 each represents an aryl group including substituted aryl such as an aryl group that is fused to other aromatic or nonaromatic ring systems; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group including substituted aryl and, when n is 1 and R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each aryl; are combined with a sensitizer for the photoconductor and an electrically insulating binder to produce photoconductive compositions. Useful electrophotographic elements include a support having thereon such photoconductive insulating compositions.

Abstract: Stable nitroxyl radicals are useful as oxidants in photographic elements or film units.

Abstract: A hot-pressed beta-alumina composition is provided which consists essentially of M.sub.2 O.nAl.sub.2 O.sub.3, wherein n is a positive integer between about 3 and about 12 and M is selected from Na and K. The new beta-alumina composition features a flexural strength of at least about 45,000 psi as measured by ACMA Test No. 2, and high transmissability to light. Methods for preparing the above-described beta-alumina composition are also provided.