Abstract: This disclosure related to a method and reagents for determining tetrahydrocannabinoids (THC) and THC metabolites in a biological fluid such as urine. In particular, this disclosure relates to a fluorescence polarization immunoassay procedure for determining the presence of THC and to a novel class of tracer compounds employed as reagents in such procedures. The procedure described also provides for novel wash reagent for a THC fluorescence polarization assay.

Abstract: An improved armboard includes receptacles for receiving and holding a medical device to be used in conjunction with the treatment of a patient. The patient's forearm is immobilized on the armboard, a sensor associated with the medical device is inserted into the patient, with a side channel of the armboard holding the medical device and a cable extending from the sensor to a fiber optic connector received in a modular unit stored in a suitable cavity and optical cable channels extending from opposite ends thereof are appropriately sized to prevent misinsertion of the modular unit into the armboard. The armboard is formed from polystyrene foam, and thus is lightweight, disposable after a single use, and the cavities provided therein are appropriately sized to receive and retain the components of the medical device associated therewith.

Abstract: A process for producing a 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid by reacting an acctophenone with a dialkoxycarbonate to obtain the corresponding .beta.-ketoester, treating the .beta.-ketoester with a trialkylorthoformate in the presence of an acid anhydride followed by treatment with a substituted or unsubstituted amine to obtain the corresponding enaminoketoester, and then reacting the enaminoketoester with a strong base to obtain the corresponding quinoline-3-carboxylic acid ester. The acid ester may then be hydrolyzed, if desired, to obtain the quinoline-3-carboxylic acid. Also disclosed herein are compounds useful as intermediates useful in the production of quinoline-3-carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A device for storing and delivering a sensor through a catheter. A sensor delivery device (10, 10') includes an elongate tube (20), which is attached to a rigid housing (22, 22'). A sensor (12), stored within a sterile environment comprising an interior of the sensor delivery device, has an attached signal line (16) that extends along the longitudinal axis of the delivery device and through its proximal end. The proximal end is open when the sensor is in its stored position. An eversible sheath (34) extends between the rigid housing and the signal line, sealingly separating the sterile environment (48) in which the sensor is stored from the open end of the rigid housing. To use the sensor, the signal line is moved into the rigid housing, causing the eversible sheath to turn inside out as the sensor is advanced through the catheter into its use position. The protection afforded by the eversible sheath permits the sensor to be withdrawn through the catheter and then reinserted without introducing contamination.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and reagents for determining amphetamine and d-methamphetamine in a biological fluid, such as urine. In particular, this disclosure relates to improvements in a fluorescence polarization immunoassay procedure for determining the presence of amphetamine and d-methamphetamine in a single assay and to a novel class of tracer compounds employed as reagents in such procedures. The procedure described includes pretreatment of the biological sample to eliminate cross reactants such as .beta.-hydroxyphenethylamine by preincubating the sample solely with an aqueous periodate solution having a pH from about 4.0 to about 7.5 without adjustment to an alkaline pH, and contacting the sample with riboflavin binding protein to reduce interference from fluorescent components in the sample. The procedure also maintains the cross reactivity of the immunoassay for tyramine at about 0.4% and for 1-methamphetamine below about 5.

Abstract: A method for compensating the determination of cardiac output for a baseline blood temperature drift, or other long-term noise. The method is applicable to the continuous monitoring of cardiac output, which is carried out by modifying the temperature of blood within a heart (12) using a periodically varying electrical current that is applied to a heater (22) disposed on the outer surface of a catheter (14) inserted within the heart. A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end (18) of the catheter monitors the temperature of blood leaving the heart, producing a blood temperature signal that periodically varies in a manner corresponding to the input signal. Alternatively, the temperature of blood within the heart can be modified by heat exchange with a fluid circulated within a heat exchanger (16) on the catheter, so that heat is transferred between the fluid and blood.

Abstract: The present invention involves an integrated double-ended needle and blood collection device assembly which is convenient to use, safely contained and ready for disposal after use. The device allows the user to expose and resheath potentially infectious needles without bringing the user's fingers or hands into close proximity with sharp or broken needle tips. After removing the needle from the patient, the needle is safely resheathed by retracting the needle into the device, thereby reducing the risks of accidental needle wounds and infection. The device also serves as a holder for blood collection tubes which can be easily inserted and removed for multiple sampling.

Abstract: This invention describes a product obtained from the isolation and concentration of specific immunoglobulins (antibodies) derived from the mammary secretions of cows immunized with Helicobacter pylori. The product is useful in preparing formulations for the treatment and/or prevention of gastric diseases.

Abstract: An automated testing system for the quality testing of production samples of a blood-clot dissolving product having(a) a frame structure having a horizontally disposed support surface;(b) a loading station for the placement of test tubes into a test tube rack;(c) a cooled pipetting station for automated dispensing and mixing of reagents and production samples;(d) a heated bead-drop station for simultaneous addition of a timing bead to each test tube, having a timer for measuring the time to completion of blood-clot dissolution by detecting the movement of each bead to the bottom of each test tube;(e) a robotic apparatus having an arm and pick-up and release device at the end thereof which is movable both vertically and horizontally and is adapted to move said test tube rack and tubes between said stations; anda programmable computer for controlling said dispensing, mixing and moving operations and recording the results of the product being tested.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluorescence polarization assay for opiate alkaloids and their metabolites, 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 making them. The tracers and the immunogens are made from substituted opiate alkaloids. A fluorescein moiety is included in the tracers, while a poly(amino acid) forms a part of the immunogens. The assay is conducted by measuring the degree of polarization retention of the fluorescence resulting when a sample mixed with antiserum and tracer is irradiated with plane-polarized light.

Abstract: An optical distribution system incorporating improved absorbance-based optical fiber sensor incorporating fiber optic couplers, thereby eliminating fiber optic connectors in the system to provide improved efficiency and improved output in the system, the system further incorporating specific thermal stabilizing mechanisms to improve the stability of the system and a specific construction for the photodiode assembly to minimize internal reflection therein.

Abstract: An assembly of containers is provided for efficient and controlled storage of a reagent and subsequent mixing of the reagent with a reagent diluent. The assembly includes a reagent diluent container and a sealed reagent vial. An adapter assembly includes a coupler having one end mountable to the reagent diluent container and having the opposed end defining a hollow plunger. A retainer ring has one end mountable to the coupler and the opposed end mountable to the reagent vial. The reagent vial is engageable with the coupler in a first position and is advanceable into a second position relative to the adapter assembly such that the hollow plunger thereof displaces the seal of the reagent vial permitting the reagent in the reagent vial to flow through the hollow plunger to mix with a buffer or diluent in the reagent diluent container.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of vancomycin.HCl which does not require preparation of a phosphate intermediate. The process consists of loading a vancomycin onto a suitable adsorbent and eluting the vancomycin solution therefrom with an ammonium solvent followed by loading the vancomycin solution onto a suitable adsorbent and eluting the purified, vancomycin solution therefrom with a solvent of alcohol and acid. The purified vancomycin is then crystallized from the solution by combining the solution with a sufficient amount of NH.sub.4 Cl to provide a pH of about 2.0 to about 3.5. The crystals are then dissolved in solution. The dissolved solution is combined with acid and the vancomycin recrystallizes from the solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluorescence polarization assay for opiate alkaloids and their metabolites, 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 making them. The tracers and the immunogens are made from substituted opiate alkaloids. A fluorescein moiety is included in the tracers, while a poly(amino acid) forms a part of the immunogens. The assay is conducted by measuring the degree of polarization retention of the fluorescence resulting when a sample mixed with antiserum and tracer is irradiated with plane-polarized light.

Abstract: A renin inhibiting compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.0 is a mimic of the Phe-His dipeptide sequence of angiotensinogen which preceeds the renin cleavage site;R.sub.4 is loweralkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or arylalkyl;R.sub.5 is hydrogen, loweralkyl, hydroxyalkyl, loweralkenyl or formyl;R.sub.6 is --OH or --NH.sub.2 ; andD is ##STR2## wherein R.sub.7 is hydrogen or loweralkyl and R.sub.8 is hydrogen, loweralkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, loweralkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclic or heterocyclicalkyl; or R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 taken together --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- wherein n is 3-6; and R.sub.9 is loweralkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof.

Abstract: This invention describes a product obtained from the isolation and concentration of specific immunoglobulins (antibodies) derived from the mammary secretions of cows immunized with Helicobacter pylori. The product is useful in preparing formulations for the treatment and/or prevention of gastric diseases.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to HIV-2 gp36 antigen and does not specifically bind to HIV-1 antigens. The monoclonal antibody is useful in immunoassays as a capture reagent, as part of an indicator reagent, and/or as a positive control.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which are retroviral protease inhibitors. Also disclosed are methods of using the compounds and compositions for inhibiting a retroviral protease and for treating an HIV infection.

Abstract: A method for administering pyruvate is disclosed which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pyruvate precursor to a mammal in the form of pyruvamide or a pyruvyl-amino acid. The pyruvyl-amino acid is preferably selected from the group comprising pyruvyl-glycine, pyruvyl-alanine, pyruvyl-leucine, pyruvyl-valine, pyruvyl-isoleucine, pyruvyl-phenylalanine, pyruvyl-proline and pyruvyl-sarcosine, and their amides and esters as well as their salts. Associated with the administration of a pyruvate precursor to a mammal in accordance with this invention are improved insulin resistance, lower fasting insulin levels, and reduced fat gain. Novel methods of synthesizing several pyruvate precursors are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved "sandwich" immunoassays for antibodies in body fluids of the type where antigen specific for the antibody to be detected is disposed on a solid support and binds antibody from the body fluid, from which the antibody bound to the solid support is detected by a labeled antigen to the antibody to be detected. The improvement comprises using antigens from heterologous cell sources.