Abstract: This invention teaches a process for reducing protein matrix effects in assays for serum fructosamine. Blood or blood derived samples are used, and one adds two reagents, one of which reduces interference caused by non-specific reducing substances, the other of which eliminates turbidity. Incubation follows, and then the pH of the sample is adjusted and color forming reagent is added. In one embodiment, the incubation time is only 1-15 minutes. In another embodiment, the first reagent contains peroxidase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pyruvate oxidase which decarboxylates pyruvate to form inter alia hydrogen peroxide and is active without the addition of FAD, thiamine pyrophosphate and divalent metal ions. The amino acid sequence of the enzyme changes at least one proline in position 178 and alanine in position 458 to a different amino acid. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of this pyruvate oxidase and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: New type II restriction endonuclease MamI has recognition sequence: ##STR1## and a cleavage site indicated by the arrows. It is preferably obtained from microorganisms of the genus Microbacterium.

Abstract: Novel reagent compositions and an assay method for the measurement of total and direct bilirubin are disclosed. The reagent compositions comprise an aqueous solution of at least one betaine selected from the group of alkyl betaine, betaine and betaine hydrate, a sulfanilamide diazonium salt, iodide ions and sulfamic acid. In the measurement of total bilirubin, alkyl betaine serves as an accelerator/solubilizer for the reaction of unconjugated bilirubin, and the alkyl betaine, betaine or betaine hydrate, together with iodide ions, minimizes or substantially eliminates interference from hemoglobin and lipemia.

Abstract: Process for the specific determination of the serum fructosamine content in blood or in samples obtained from blood by reaction with an appropriate color reagent and measurement of the color change thereby brought about, in which before the color reaction sample components with a non-specific reducing action and/or causing turbidity are removed and subsequently the color reagent is added at a pH value of from 10 to 12. The sample components are removed by treatment at approximately neutral pH value with a reagent composition comprising at least one enzymatic oxidation agent, optionally together with peroxidase and/or catalase and/or lipase, as well as with at least one SH group-blocking substance. A kit for the specific determination of the serum fructosamine content in blood or samples obtained from blood, comprises said reagent composition, a rebuffering reagent with a buffer which has an alkaline pH value and a color reagent for the detection of fructosamine.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis is provided including a tibial component having first and second generally concave bearing surfaces and a stabilizing post extending upwardly between the first and second bearing surfaces. The knee prosthesis also includes a femoral component having first and second spaced apart, convexly curved condyle bearing surfaces and a cam surface extending between the first and second bearing surfaces. The femoral component is articulatable with the tibial component between an extended position and a flexed position. The first and second femoral bearing surfaces engage the first and second tibial bearing surfaces, respectively, at first and second contact points. Between the extended position and about a 25.degree. flexion angle, the cam surface is spaced apart from a posterior side wall of the stabilizing post to permit movement of the femoral and tibial component as natural physiology dictates. As the knee prosthesis is flexed at about a 25.degree.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## R.sub.1 is alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkulsulphonyl, alkylamino, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkoxy or optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylsulphinyl, arylsulphonyl or arylamino. R.sub.2 is optionally substituted aryl or, when B is alkylene also a hydrogen atom. A is a straight-chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkylene containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms which is optionally interrupted by a heteratom attached to a saturated carbon and has a chain length of at least 3 atoms. Y is S(O).sub.n group or oxygen, n being 0, 1 or 2. B is a valency bond or a straight-chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkylene containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Physiologically acceptable salts, esters and amides thereof are also included. The compounds are useful in the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Abstract: A test strip evaluating instrument is used for testing of multiple test strips, and has a transport and positioning device which transports the test strips at right angles to their longitudinal direction from a test strip feed area along a transport path to a disposal area. At least one measuring station with an optical measuring unit is arranged on the transport path. Rails, on which the test strips slide, run along the transport path. The test strips are transported in a step-wise manner by at least two rows of cam elements following one another in the transport direction, and these two rows of cam elements move synchronously with one another in a periodically recurring movement path.

Abstract: The present invention provides sulphonamides of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which can be the same or different, are hydrogen or halogen atoms or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, trifluoro-methyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, N-alkylaminocarbonyl or N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl radicals or, when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl radicals ortho to one another, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 -alkylene ring, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical containing up to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl radical, a phenylalkyl or phenylalkenyl radical, the phenyl moiety of which can be substituted by halogen, alkyl or trifluoromethyl, C is a --(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- radical, in which m is 0, 1, 2 or 3, or a branched C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkylene radical, whereby a methylene radical --CH.sub.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting the aggregation of erthyrocytes or thrombocytes which include phenylamides which conform to the formula: ##STR1## with R.sub.1-6, X, A and B being as defined. Processes for the preparation of novel phenylamides coming within the above formula are also discussed.

Abstract: A water-soluble polyurethane-modified enzyme is prepared by reaction of an enzyme in aqueous solution with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polyurethane pre-polymer/bisulfite adduct at a pH greater than 7 to covalently bond the enzyme to the adduct. Preferably, a ratio of enzyme to pre-polymer/bisulfite adduct of from 1:10 to 10:1 is used.

Abstract: Type II restriction endonuclease McrI is disclosed. This endonuclease has recognition sequence: ##STR1## wherein R is G or A and Y is C or T, and the cleavage site indicated by the arrows. The endonuclease is preferably obtained from organism of genus Micrococcus. It can be used to recognize and cleave double stranded DNA sequence:5'-CGRYCG-3'and its complementary sequence.

Abstract: The type II restriction endonuclease RleAI has the following recognition sequence: ##STR1## cleaves DNA at the cleavage site indicated by the arrows, and is preferably obtainable from microorganisms of the genus Rhizobium. It can be used to recognize and cleave the double-stranded DNA sequence CCCACA(N).sub.12/9 and its complementary sequence.

Abstract: The type III restriction endonuclease SgrAI has the following recognition sequence: ##STR1## cleaves DNA at the cleavage site indicated by the arrows, and is preferably obtainable from microorganisms of the genus Streptomyces. It can be used to recognize and cleave the double-stranded DNA sequence ##STR2## and its complementary sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test carrier for the analysis of a sample liquid and especially of a body fluid, having a porous test layer (8, 13) which contains a solid component (9, 17), wherein the solid component (9, 17) is coated with a protein which is insoluble in the sample liquid under the test conditions. A process for the production of this test layer is also disclosed, wherein the protein is dissolved in a solvent under conditions under which the solubility of the protein is sufficiently high in order to dissolve a certain minimum amount of the protein, the solid component of the test layer is contracted with the solution and the solubility is reduced to such an extent that the component is coated by the precipitating protein.

Abstract: Test carrier analysis device for determining the reflectivity of a test field surface (measurement surface). An optical unit (2) of the device contains several light transmitters (6, 7) and a measurement receiver, and the light transmitters are directed obliquely from above onto the measurement surface. Improved accuracy without additional outlay is achieved by the fact that the light transmitters (6, 7) in the optical unit (2) are arranged opposite one another with off-set planes of incidence (28, 29).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of a specifically bindable substance by incubation of a sample solution with at least three receptors R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, of which R.sub.1 is specifically bindable with R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, as well as with the substance to be determined, R.sub.2 brings about the binding to a solid phase and R.sub.3 carries a labelling, separation of bound labelling from unbound labelling and measurement of the labelling in one of the two phases, wherein, as receptor R.sub.1, a receptor is used which has at least two binding positions which bind specifically with an epitope of the substance to be determined, as R.sub.2 a conjugate of a partner P.sub.1 of a specifically binding pair and of a substance S which corresponds to the substance to be determined or is a derivative thereof and has at least one epitope of the substance to be determined, the partner P.sub.1 thereby either being bound to a solid phase or being immobilized, and as R.sub.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for the electrochemical determination of an analyte in the presence of an oxidoreductase and a reducible substance which transfers electrons which arise during the course of the determination reaction from the oxidoreductase onto an electrode and thus leads to a signal which is a measure for the analyte to be determined whereby the reducible substance is enzymatically reduced and oxidized at the electrode, which is characterized in that the substance which forms at the electrode by oxidation is different from the reducible substance used initially, as well as a corresponding sensor electrode system and the use of compounds suitable therefor. Finally new nitrosoaniline derivatives and a process for their production are also subject matter of the invention.

Abstract: A reflection plate for a biochemical measuring instrument which is adapted to evaluate a biochemical value by obtaining a reflective property of a reflection surface of the reference reflection plate, obtaining a reflective property of test paper impregnated with biochemical sample and mounted on a test stick, and comparing the two reflective properties, wherein: the reflection surface of the reference reflection plate is depressed from the periphery thereof. Thereby, even though the test stick is required to be placed adjacent to the reflection surface to achieve a uniformity the optical arrangement in obtaining the two reflective properties, the contamination of the reflection surface from the sample can be prevented. Preferably, the reference reflection plate itself may be provided with a depression to defined the reflection surface at the bottom of this depression.

Abstract: A carrier fleece is prepared for use as reagent carrier from which reagents can be dissolved in as assay such as immunological analysis. The carrier fleece contains from 5 to 60% by weight of cellulose-containing fibers, from 40 to 95% by weight of polyester or polyamide polymer fibers or a combination thereof and from 5 to 30% by weight of the fibers of an organic binding agent which has a hydroxyl or an ester group or a combination thereof. In an immunological analysis, the carrier fleece is impregnated with an immunologically active agent such as a beta-galactosidase conjugate and then introduced into a solution of a sample containing an immunologically active substance to be analyzed. The immunologically active agent is eluted into the sample solution and the presence of the immunologically active substance in the sample is determined.