Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting Neisseria bacteria by means of a radioimmunoassay for a bacterial protein. More specifically, this invention employs the method of radioimmunoassay in which a purified enzyme or enzyme related protein from Neisseria cells is labelled and is mixed with the unknown sample which represents a bacterial lysate. A known amount of antibody specific for the enzyme is added to the mixture and forms complexes with the labelled and unlabelled enzyme present. After a suitable reaction period, the labelled enzyme-antibody complex is separated from the mixture, and its radioactivity is determined. The presence and amount of enzyme in the unknown sample is calculated by relating the radioactivity count to a standard curve prepared with known quantities of unlabelled enzyme.

Abstract: Bacteria immobilized by adsorption on an inorganic carrier are stabilized by carrying out the adsorption procedure in the presence of from about 1 to about 20% weight per volume of sucrose of nonfat dry milk solids and lyophilizing the adsorbed bacteria.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with means for determining the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample, the method contemplating the release of an enzyme from the bacteria upon lysis which can be detected via the use of antibodies specific to the enzyme. Thus, inhibition of enzyme activity resulting from the presence of antibodies specific to the enzyme can be readily monitored. The enzyme released from the bacteria upon lysis is capable of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). The full structure of the enzyme is not understood but, because of those two substantive characteristics, the enzyme has been denominated 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase. In sum, the instant invention combines the sensitivity of an enzymatic reaction with the specificity of an immunoassay.

Abstract: Glycosylated hemoglobins are separated from other hemoglobin variants by electrochromatography on an agar gel at an acidic pH which utilizes:A. an agar gel having a wet thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm.,B. a citrate gel buffer having a citrate concentration of from about 0.02 to about 0.05 M and a pH of from about 5.8 to about 6.8,C. a citrate well buffer having a citrate concentration of from about 0.05 to about 0.1 M and a pH from about 6.0 to about 6.5, andD. a potential of from about 25 to about 100 volts.

Abstract: The common hemoglobin variants A, A.sub.2, F, S, and C are discretely separated by electrochromatography under acidic conditions on an agar gel which utilizes an agar gel having a wet thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm. and a potential of from about 60 to about 110 volts. The gel buffer is a citrate buffer having a citrate concentration of from about 0.04 to about 0.065 M and a pH of from about 6.0 to about 6.5. The well buffer is a citrate buffer having a citrate concentration of from about 0.055 to about 0.065 M and a pH of from about 6.0 to about 6.5.

Abstract: The common hemoglobin variants A, A.sub.2, F, S, and C are discretely separated by alkaline agarose gel electrophoresis employing (1) an agarose gel having a wet thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm., (2) a gel buffer comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and boric acid, and having an ionic strength of from about 0.065 to about 0.1 and a pH of from about 8.7 to about 9.1, (3) a well buffer comprising diethylbarbiturate and ethylenediaminetetraacetate and having an ionic strength of from about 0.01 to about 0.11 and a pH of from about 8.0 to about 9.5, and (4) a potential of from about 150 to about 300 volts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for isolating platelets, lymphocytes, and monocytes from anticoagulated blood. The method involves centrifuging at high force a sample of uncoagulated blood with a water-insoluble thixotropic gel-like material having a specific gravity between 1.065-1.077 g/cc for a length of time sufficient to cause the gel-like material to form a barrier between the platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma fraction of the blood and the heavier blood cells. Thereafter, the plasma is withdrawn and the platelets, lymphocytes, and monocytes removed from above the barrier in a buffer solution. Where desired, the platelets can be separated from the lymphocytes and monocytes utilizing a similar process but wherein the water-insoluble thixotropic gel-like material has a specific gravity of less than about 1.055 g/cc.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with two closely related assay methods for detecting the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample. Both of the methods utilize radiolabelled antibodies specific to the enzyme released upon lysis of the bacteria. In the first method, denominated immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), the enzyme is reacted with soluble purified radioactive antibodies. In the second method, known variously as "two-site IRMA", "junction test", or "sandwich technique", contemplates initial insolubilization of the enzyme and thereafter the reaction with soluble purified radioactive antibodies.The structure and composition of the enzyme released upon lysis of Neisseria bacteria are not fully comprehended but it has the capability of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). This has led to the name 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase being proposed for the enzyme.

Abstract: Bacteria of the genus Neisseria can be detected in a sample by testing for the presence of an enzyme capable of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing NAD (nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide). The complete structure of the enzyme is not known but, because of those two characterizing properties, the nomenclature 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor is proposed herein.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the use of fluorocarbon and silicone oil greases or gels to stimulate the growth of various microorganisms. More particularly, the instant invention contemplates the addition of a peroxide compound, preferably hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2), to fluorocarbon and silicone oil greases or gels to further stimulate the growth of anaerobes and facultative anaerobes in liquid or solid nutrient media.

Abstract: Immobilized microbe composite comprising a porous, high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of microbes bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores, the support being water insoluble, non-toxic to the microbes, and having a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter at least as large as the smallest major dimension of the microbes but less than about five times the largest major dimension of the microbes. The composites are especially useful in situations requiring a high biomass surface within a relatively small volume.

Abstract: This invention relates to means for transporting clinical specimens wherein the activity thereof can be retained for relatively long periods of time. The crux of the invention resides in a liquid reagent capable of preserving or stabilizing the activity of a particular specimen. Where the clinical specimen is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the preferred liquid reagent consists of an aqueous mixture of cysteine and TRIS (Trihydroxymethylaminomethane) buffer. A convenient type of specimen collector comprises a swab. Again, where the clinical specimen is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the preferred swab consists of calcium alginate. An apparatus particularly useful for transporting specimens comprises a screw-capped container having a liquid reagent sealed into the bottom portion thereof capable of preserving the activity of a particular specimen, and a specimen collector attachable to the inside of said screw cap through a longitudinal element of sufficient length to immerse said collector into said liquid.

Abstract: Immobilized microbe composite comprising a porous, high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of fungus-like microbes bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores, the support being water insoluble, non-toxic to the microbes, and having a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter at least as large as the smallest diameter of the fungal spore but less than about sixteen times the largest spore diameter. The composites are especially useful in situations requiring a high biomass surface within a relatively small volume.

Abstract: Immobilized microbe composite comprising a porous, high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of yeast cells bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores, the support being water insoluble, non-toxic to the cells, and having a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter at least as large as the smallest dimension of the cells but less than about four times the largest dimension of the cells. The composites are especially useful in situations requiring a high biomass surface within a relatively small volume.

Abstract: Method for continuous production of H.sub.2 via the biophotolysis of water in a two step process using a reversibly reduceable cofactor and synergistic photometabolically active microorganisms. The rate of H.sub.2 production can be increased utilizing transition metal ions as catalysts.

Abstract: This invention relates to means for determining the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample, the method generally comprising reacting antibodies with an enzyme released during lysis of the fluid sample, and then testing for inhibition of activity of the enzyme. Inhibition of enzyme activity caused through the contact of antibodies specific to the enzyme can be readily detected. The enzyme released from Neisseria bacteria upon lysis possesses the faculty of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). Although the structure and behavior of the enzyme are not comprehended entirely, the above-mentioned faculty of the material has suggested the term 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor.The specific inventive feature of the instant method is the use of (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 to precipitate the antigen-antibody complex which thereby concentrates the enzymes and can remove possibly interfering materials.

Abstract: Device for simultaneous recognition of group D streptococci and the differentiation of members of that group into enterococci and nonenterococci bacteria. Device comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical transparent tube having upper and lower chambers joined by a conduit having a smallest diameter smaller than either chamber. The upper chamber contains a semi-solid bile-esculin medium capable of indicating the presence of group D streptococci. The lower chamber contains a semi-solid enterococci distinguishing medium having a NaCl content of at least about 6.5%. Media in the two chambers are separated by a gas (e.g., air) within the conduit.

Abstract: Immobilization of active anti-cortisol antibodies onto negatively charged solid phase surfaces results in a shift of the antibody pH optimum to an acidic range thereby permitting effective yet minimal use of deblocking agents and an extraction-free immunoassay for cortisol.

Abstract: Microbial culture device containing a growth medium having incorporated therein a lipophilic fluorescent material and means associated therewith for localizing and identifying the growth of colonies of an unknown microbe, and a known gram positive microbe, and/or a known gram negative microbe. The device can be used to determine whether an unknown microbe sample is gram positive or gram negative by culturing the unknown on the medium and then comparing the fluorescence of the unknown microbes with fluorescence of similarly cultured gram positive and/or gram negative microbes.

Abstract: A class of isoxazoles having a phenyl or substituted-phenyl group at the 3-position and a substituted-methyl group at the 5-position are useful for the control of fungal foliar phytopathogens.