Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for dewaxing wax-embedded biological specimens prior to histochemical analysis. The compositions and methods provided can effectively remove wax or improved wax-based embedding materials, particularly paraffin-based, from specimens during preparation for histochemical or other diagnostic analyses, while minimizing danger to users, achieving compatibility with automated use, and maintaining compatibility with downstream histochemical analyses, particularly immunostaining. Compositions of the invention comprise a paraffin-solubilizing organic solvent, a polar organic solvent, and a surfactant. Compositions can further comprise water. The method involves contacting a wax-embedded specimen with the dewaxing composition to solubilize the wax impregnating the specimen prior to histochemical analysis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for dewaxing wax-embedded biological specimens prior to histochemical analysis. The compositions and methods provided can effectively remove wax or improved wax-based embedding materials, particularly paraffin-based, from specimens during preparation for histochemical or other diagnostic analyses, while minimizing danger to users, achieving compatibility with automated use, and maintaining compatibility with downstream histochemical analyses, particularly immunostaining. Compositions of the invention comprise a paraffin-solubilizing organic solvent, a polar organic solvent, and a surfactant. Compositions can further comprise water. The method involves contacting a wax-embedded specimen with the dewaxing composition to solubilize the wax impregnating the specimen prior to histochemical analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus including an arm (30) moveable in three dimensions, and a hollow tip head (70) located on the arm including integral reagent tip head (40), wash tip (41) and blow tip (42) for selectively dispensing gas and liquid onto microscope slides. Also disclosed are various sub-components of the apparatus that are specifically adapted to the processing of specimens on slides.

Abstract: Releasing the embedding medium from an embedded histochemically reactive tissue specimen is provided by contacting the embedded tissue specimen with a releasing composition under conditions sufficient to release a sufficient portion of the embedding medium associated with the histochemically reactive tissue specimen to permit analysis without substantial adverse effect on the histochemical reactivity of the specimen.

Abstract: Non-nucleotide reagents capable of forming oligomers with nucleotide units are disclosed, together with intermediates for synthesizing such non-nucleotide reagents, oligomers incorporating such reagents, kits containing such reagents and methods for their use in forming oligomers with nucleotide units.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus including an arm moveable in three dimensions, and a hollow tip head located on the arm including integral reagent tip head, wash tip and blow tip for selectively dispensing gas and liquid onto microscope slides. Also disclosed are various sub-components of the apparatus that are specifically adapted to the processing of specimens on slides.

Abstract: Reagents capable of forming branched oligomers with monomeric units are disclosed, together with oligomers incorporating such reagents, kits containing such reagents and methods for use of such reagents in forming oligomers with monomeric units. The present reagents can advantageously be used to introduce multiple labels or reporter molecules onto oligomers such as oligonucleotides and oligopeptides. In particular, non-nucleosidic phosphoramidites based on 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)cyanuric acid are disclosed. Multiply-labeled, branched DNA oligomer probes constructed using these phosphoramidite reagents showed increased signal intensity relative to singly-labeled oligomer probes.

Abstract: A method for restoring immunoreactivity of a tissue, particularly decalcified tissue, fixed width an aldehyde fixative agent and embedded in an embedding medium, usually comprising celloidin, the method comprising the steps of contacting the tissue with an aldehyde releasing reagent solution comprising a solvent and an aldehyde releasing reagent and removing aldehyde released by the aldehyde releasing reagent from contact with the tissue by reacting the aldehyde in a substantially irreversible manner to form a non-aldehyde derivative, and removing excess base from the tissue. A preferred solution for celloidin-embedded decalcified tissue comprises methanolic sodium hydroxide at about one-third saturation.

Abstract: Aqueous polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) compositions and processes employing aqueous PVP, for use in mounting hematological, cytological and histological specimens on microscope slides.

Abstract: An automated microscope-slide-staining apparatus, having a supporting framework; an arm moveable in three dimensions attached to the framework; apparatus for moving the arm; a hollow tip head located on the arm; apparatus for alternatively supplying positive or negative gas pressure to the hollow tip head; a removable wash/blow tip having an exit slit, the wash/blow tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a wash/blow tip holder at a first fixed location on the framework; a reagent application tip holder at a second fixed location on the framework for holding a reagent application tip, the reagent application tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a reagent container holder at a third fixed location on the framework; a microscope slide holder at a fourth fixed location on the framework, the microscope slide holder being adapted to removably contain the microscope slide; and control a

Abstract: A method of immunologically staining a formalin-fixed tissue preparation, which comprises (a) subjecting a formalin-fixed tissue preparation to microwave energy while the tissue preparation is submersed in water for a time sufficient to increase immunostaining efficiency; (b) removing the tissue preparation from the water and cooling; and (c) contacting the tissue preparation with an immunological staining reagent.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in an immunoassay for the detection of a target analyte in a liquid sample, comprising a porous reactive filter, having an upper surface and a lower surface, to which is bound an antibody specific for the target antigen; a holder affixed to the porous filter, wherein the upper surface and lower surface of the reactive filter are accessible for passage of liquids through the reactive filter; an absorbent container capable of being detachably attached to the holder; and an absorbent material contained within the container so as to contact the lower surface of the porous filter when the absorbent container is attached to the holder. A prefilter assembly can optionally be attached to the holder so that the prefilter contacts the upper surface of the reactive filter.

Abstract: A stabilized phosphatase substrate composition is provided comprising an indoxl phosphate, a tetrazolium salt, and a water-soluble ferricyanide/ferrocyanide salt. When present as a solution, the composition also contains a buffer that produces a pH in a range of from about 8 to about 11.