Abstract: A method for coating the surface of a substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophobic vinyl polymer. The method includes preparing a solution of the hydrophobic vinyl polymer in a polar nonaqueous solvent, such as 1-methyl-1-pyrrolidinone, in which the hydrophobic vinyl polymer is surface-active. The substrate then is treated with the solution under conditions sufficient to deposit the hydrophobic vinyl polymer on the substrate. The hydrophobic vinyl polymer may have readily hydrolyzable pendant groups which, upon hydrolysis thereof in an aqueous medium, will result in the formation of a hydrophilic vinyl polymer coating on the substrate. For example, the hydrophobic vinyl polymer may be poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate). Also provided are coated substrates, in which the substrate is a shaped article composed of a hydrophobic polymer. The shaped article may be, for example, a film, fiber, or nonwoven web.

Abstract: A novel immobilized cell composite used in a novel apparatus/method for cell culture. The composite comprises:(a) a high surface area monolithic support having a multiplicity of mutually parallel channels passing therethrough, the channels having walls formed of a medium-insoluble, non-toxic, composition and the support having at least about 20 channels per square inch of cross-sectional area; and(b) a population of plant or animal tissue cells anchored to the porous channel walls.

Abstract: A reference electrode comprising an enclosure containing a half-cell electrode, a half-cell electrolyte, and a reference junction positioned in an outlet for the electrolyte, the half-cell electrode being connectable to an external measuring means, in which said reference junction comprises a removable and replaceable reference junction fixedly inserted through said outlet.

Abstract: In a reference electrode comprising an enclosure containing a half-cell electrode, a half-cell electrolyte, and a reference junction positioned in an outlet for the electrolyte, the half-cell electrode being connectable to an external measuring means, the improvement which comprises a removable and replaceable reference junction comprising a removable encasing body encasing a porous member, said porous member being in length only up to about one half the length of the encasing body, fixedly inserted through said outlet.

Abstract: Lactose-hydrolyzed whey or whey fractions are used in chewing gum to replace all or a part of the soluble sweetner, emulsifier and plasticizer components of conventional chewing gum formulations. The use of these materials allows the production of softer chewing gums which are not sticky and of athletic chewing gums which promote salivation. The use of the disclosed whey-based materials results in lower costs for chewing gum products, as well as providing a means to utilize the abundant food value of whey.

Abstract: A process for reducing the color of a wine byimmobilizing gelatin to form an insoluble composite andcontacting a fluid selected from wine, grape juice, and grape must with the immobilized gelatin composite; andseparating the fluid from the insoluble composite.

Abstract: A radioassay procedure and reagent kit therefor for detecting auto blocking antibody, such as auto blocking antibody which interferes with the complexation of intrinsic factor with vitamin B.sub.12. A receptor, i.e., intrinsic factor, is immobilized on a support and the amount of ligand, i.e., vitamin B.sub.12, capable of binding therewith in the presence of a biological fluid sample is determined.

Abstract: A method of measuring the degree of partitioning of a labeled species between free and bound states which involves the use of an insoluble porous monolith having a means for binding a portion of the labeled species within the pores thereof, which monolith is capable of substantially attenuating the signal emitted by labeled species subsequently bound within the pores thereof.

Abstract: An immunoassay for the measurement of free thyroid hormone, i.e., thyroxine or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, in a liquid sample in which the thyroid hormone is present in both free and combined states, which immunoassay comprises the steps of:A. combining the sample with a labeled thyroid hormone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate which does not significantly interact with the thyroxine-binding globulin and thyroxine-binding prealbumin originally present in the sample and immobilized antibody which is specific for the thyroid hormone;B. incubating the resulting mixture;C. separating a solid phase from the liquid phase; andD. measuring the amount of labeled thyroid hormone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate present in either phase by means of the activity of the label.

Abstract: Lactose in whey is hydrolyzed with an immobilized lactase by a process which involves heating the whey to a temperature of from about 45.degree. to about 90.degree. C. for at least about 15 seconds, centrifuging the heated whey while it is still warm, contacting the centrifuged whey with an immobilized lactase, cleaning the immobilized lactase, and disinfecting the immobilized lactase. Preferably, lactase is immobilized on an inorganic support, and cleaning and disinfecting are carried out respectively by contacting the immobilized lactase with a solution of protease and with a solution of substituted diethylenetriamine.

Abstract: Improved reference electrode of the double junction type wherein the half-cell junction is characterized in that the mathematical quotient of its liquid flow rate divided by its ionic electrical conductance under defined test conditions is less than about 0.12 ml.multidot.hr.sup.-1 .multidot.mho.sup.-1.

Abstract: Improvement in a competitive protein binding assay for N-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid wherein any folate standard used is N-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid complexed with folate binder protein. The protein of the complex is destroyed prior to the addition of immobilized folate binder protein. The immobilized folate binder protein participates in competitive binding with unknown folate and labeled folate reagents.

Abstract: Disinfecting of immobilized enzymes is carried out by contacting the immobilized enzymes with a dilute aqueous solution of at least one substituted diethylenetriamine at a concentration and for a period of time which is sufficient to substantially kill the contaminating microorganisms without significant deleterious effects on the immobilized enzymes. The substituted diethylenetriamine is preferably dioctyldiethylenetriamine or a mixture of dioctyldiethylenetriamine and trioctyldiethylenetriamine.