Abstract: A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Methods for treating biological samples on microscope slides are set forth. One aspect of the invention is the use of predried reagents in wells on trays onto which the slides are placed, especially the use of predried reagents which dissolve sequentially. Yet another aspect of the invention is the use of external controls placed directly on a microscope slide in conjunction with a biological sample to be assayed. The external controls can be conveniently placed on a membrane which can be affixed to the slide. A further aspect of the invention is a specially designed tray to allow whole chromosome painting of all chromosomes of a cell sample on a single slide. The invention is also drawn to a coverslip with concave wells which act as reaction chambers when placed against a slide and filled with buffer. Preferably a reagent is predried in the well.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Microscope slides which are useful for manually or automatically processing biological samples are described. External controls may be placed directly on the microscope slide in conjunction with a biological sample to be assayed. The external controls can also be conveniently placed on a membrane which can be affixed to the slide.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Methods for treating biological samples on microscope slides are set forth. One aspect of the invention is the use of predried reagents in wells on trays onto which the slides are placed, especially the use of predried reagents which dissolve sequentially. Yet another aspect of the invention is the use of external controls placed directly on a microscope slide in conjunction with a biological sample to be assayed. The external controls can be conveniently placed on a membrane which can be affixed to the slide. A further aspect of the invention is a specially designed tray to allow whole chromosome painting of all chromosomes of a cell sample on a single slide. The invention is also drawn to a coverslip with concave wells which act as reaction chambers when placed against a slide and filled with buffer. Preferably a reagent is predried in the well.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1–50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1–200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Microscope slides which are useful for manually or automatically processing biological samples are described. External controls may be placed directly on the microscope slide in conjunction with a biological sample to be assayed. The external controls can also be conveniently placed on a membrane which can be affixed to the slide.

Abstract: Slideholders which are useful for manually or automatically processing biological samples on microscope slides are described. These slideholders hold multiple slides and are designed in conjunction with specialized trays for rapidly processing the mounted biological samples such as for immunocytochemical staining. The slideholder plus tray assemblies incorporate several useful advantages including a requirement for minimal reaction fluid volumes, ease of handling several slides concurrently, prevention of evaporation of reaction fluids, protection of the biological sample from extraneous environmental contamination, and the ability to perform in situ PCR. Various aspects of the design aid in removing trapped air from the reaction fluids and in adding fluids to the biological sample. One embodiment comprises a coverstip with a soft top which aids in prevention of tissue degradation by preventing pressure buildup during PCR.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Methods of fixing and processing tissue and samples on a membrane by using ultrasound radiation as a part of the method are presented. Ultrasound of a frequency in the range of 0.1-50 MHz is used and the sample or tissue receives 0.1-200 W/cm2 of ultrasound intensity. The use of ultrasound allows much shorter times in the methods. Also presented are apparati comprising transducers of one or of multiple heads for producing the ultrasound radiation and further comprising a central processing unit and optionally comprising one or more sensors. Sensors can include those to measure and monitor ultrasound and temperature. This monitoring system allows one to achieve accurate and optimum tissue fixation and processing without overfixation and tissue damage. The system also allows the performance of antigen-antibody reactions or nucleic acid hybridizations to be completed in a very short time while being highly specific and with a very low or no background.

Abstract: Slideholders which are useful for manually processing tissue samples on microscope slides are described. These slideholders hold multiple slides and are designed in conjunction with specialized trays for rapidly processing the mounted tissue samples such as for immunocytochemical staining. The slideholder plus tray assemblies incorporate several useful advantages including a requirement for minimal reaction fluid volumes, ease of handling several slides concurrently, prevention of evaporation of reaction fluids, protection of the tissue from extraneous environmental contamination, and the ability to perform in situ PCR. Various aspects of the design aid in removing trapped air from the reaction fluids and in adding fluids to the tissue sample. One embodiment comprises a coverslip with a soft top which aids in prevention of tissue degradation by preventing pressure buildup during PCR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mycoplasma isolated from the urine of patients with AIDS. The mycoplasma has unique morphological and pathobiological properties. The invention also relates to the antigens and antibodies of the novel mycoplasma, and methods of detection utilizing these antigens and antibodies. Antigenically and genetically, the mycoplasma is distinct from all other known mycoplasmas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic assay utilizing the lipid associated membrane proteins of mycoplasmas to detect the presence of species-specific mycoplasma antibodies. The sensitive assay is useful for the detection and differentiation of mycoplasma antibodies specific for individual species in biological samples from humans and animals, and exhibits virtually no cross-reactivity between different mycoplasma species.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pathogenic mycoplasma isolated from patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its use in detecting antibodies in sera of AIDS patients, patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) or patients dying of diseases and symptoms resembling AIDS diseases. The invention further relates to specific DNA sequences, antibodies against the pathogenic mycoplasma, and their use in detecting DNA or antigens of the pathogenic mycoplasma or other genetically and serologically closely related mycoplasmas in infected tissue of patients with AIDS or ARC or patients dying of symptoms resembling AIDS diseases. The invention still further relates to a variety of different forms of vaccine against mycoplasma infection in humans and/or animals.