Abstract: A method of inactivating the biological activity of natural or recombinant DNA in a biomass, by adding a percarboxylic acid containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one of its salts, an alkali metal peroxide, or an alkali metal peroxomonosulfate and subsequently heating the mixture to 60.degree. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-step process for the detection of the presence of an allergy and for the specific detection of the allergen responsible for the allergy, in which the leukocytes of a sample to be investigated are incubated with an allergen or with another stimulation factor in an aqueous medium together with a chromogenic protease substrate and calcium ions, the liberated protease is reacted with the chromogen and the resulting chromophor is determined. The protease activity is measured kinetically after an incubation period by the increase of the chromophor concentration. The present invention also provides a reagent and a device for carrying out this process, as well as a process for the determination of antiallergic and anti-inflammatory substances. The device consists of a microtiter plate with a plurality of different reagents arranged in rows.

Abstract: The present invention provides tricyclic benzimidazoles of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 can be the same or different as in claim 1. For A, B, C and D are understood those compounds where one or two of A, B, C or D are nitrogen. These compounds are useful to inhibit the aggregation of thrombocytes and erythrocytes, lower blood pressure and can increase the power of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of fructosamine in body fluids using as a standard, a solution which contains a peptide or protein, the amino acid units of which consist of at least 25% of lysine and/or ornithine and is present in glycosylated form.The present invention also provides a standard solution for the determination of fructosamine containing a peptide or protein, the amino acid unit content of which consists of at least 25% lysine and/or ornithine and is present in glycosylated form, and a method of calibrating such a standard solution.

Abstract: A method for obtaining permanently culturable human and animal cell lines, as well as uses for these cell lines, are disclosed. The method involves fusing cells of a non-immortal cell line with cytoplasts or cytoplasma fractions of "immortal", transformed cells such as immortal myeloma cells, ascites-tumor cells or Epstein Barr Virus infected cells. Once fusion takes place the product is a permanently culturable variant of the previously normal cell line.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus useful in determining a component or components of a test sample, as well as methods using these apparatus. Of particular interest are apparatus and methods which involve formation and determination of quarternary complexes.

Abstract: A test carrier for the analytical determination of a component of a liquid sample, especially for the diagnosis of diseases, by means of a reaction sequence taking place on the test carrier with several test layers, which, in the initial state, are dry and, in the case of using the sample liquid, are wetted, comprising a base layer on which are present next to one another a sample application region and an evaluation region, a liquid transport path which extends from the sample application region into the evaluation region and a color-forming layer in which, on the basis of a color-formation reaction with the help of a color-forming reagent system, at least one color-forming reagent of which is present in the color-forming layer, there takes place an optically detectable change characteristic for the component to be determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic implant assembly comprising a base component secured to a bone and a generally planar surface having a recessed portion formed therein. A spring is situated in the recessed portion of the base component and includes a tab extending away from the spring. A bearing component slidably engages the base component to couple the bearing component to the base component and the bearing is provided with an opening for receiving the tab of the spring means therein to lock the bearing component in a fixed position relative to the base component.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an amino acid residue or a residue of an oligopeptide in which the amino groups are optionally substituted by protective groups, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which are the same or different, are hydrogen atoms, a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, carboxyl or lower alkoxycarbonyl radicals or carboxamido groups optionally substituted by lower alkyl or, if R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are adjacent, can represent a --CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH-- radical, Z is a conjugated-through positively charged, bicyclic heterocyclic system and X is an anion of an organic or inorganic acid. The present invention also provides processes for the preparation of these compounds and diagnostic agents containing them for the determination of peptide bond-cleaving enzymes.

Abstract: .alpha.-Amylase is determined by the enzymatic splitting of an .alpha.-amylase substrate and measurement of a fission product, wherein there is used as a substrate a maltoheptaose compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a glucoside, phenylglucoside, mononitrophenylglucoside, dinitrophenylglucoside, sorbitol or gluconic acid group. Reagents comprising such a substrate and a system for the determination of a fission product formed from the amylase substrate by .alpha.-amylase, are also provided. A process for the preparation of a maltoheptaose will Bacillus macerans amylase, free of p-nitrophenyl-alpha-glucoside splitting activity is disclosed.

Abstract: The ionic strength or the specific gravity of an aqueous liquid is determined by mixing the liquid with a reagent composition which contains at least one pH buffer substance but no polyelectrolyte polymer, or at least one pH buffer substance and/or at least one complex former, determining the pH of the mixture, and evaluating the determined value.

Abstract: On a carrier layer there are arranged several test layers which are at least partly in fluid contact with one another, enabling liquid exchange. On the carrier layer are arranged an application zone, a detection zone for the production of a detectable signal characteristic of the analytical determination, which contains at least one said test layer which is a reaction layer, and an absorption zone with a test layer which is an absorptive layer of an absorbent material, wherein the reaction layer and absorption zone are positioned next to each other. Between the application and the absorption zone is a capillary-active transport path on the carrier layer which connects the application zone and the absorption zone. The reaction layer is arranged parallel to the transport path between the application zone and the absorption zone in such a manner that it is in liquid contact with a liquid transported in the transport path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heterogeneous immunoassay which is carried out using a multizoned test device. In particular, the invention involves the use of an inhibitor of a label which is used in the assay. The label which may be an enzyme, is attached to a receptor such as an antibody. The inhibitor is not acted upon by the label, but must be removed in order for a signal to be produced. Also described are test strips which can be used for the assay.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, that can be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl groups or, if taken together, cycloalkyl groups;A is a carbon atom, a residue of 2,3-dioxybutandioic-2,4-dioxyphtalic acid or disubstituted malonic acid derivatives;n.sub.1 and n.sub.2 are selected in such a manner that the result of their addition is from 2 to 40;T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 that can be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, benzyl, phenyl, acyl or cycloalkyl or a residue of formulae ##STR2## Compounds I are useful as anti-tumor agents in human therapy.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring test strips (T), which have detectably different sides and ends, to an examining apparatus, having a collecting chamber for receiving a loose bundle of test strips (T) in which identical ends point in the same direction, having a separator which feeds the test strips (T) individually to a slide member which is movable back and forth between a receiving station and a delivery station, and having a turner controlled by a detector, the turner ensuring that all the test strips (T) in the delivery station are arranged on the slide member with identical sides facing upwards, characterized in that the separator has a chute terminating over the receiving station, from which the test strips (T) are individually fed, with a longitudinal edge pointing downwards, to a deflector controlled by the detector, the deflector sending the test strips (T) away with identical sides facing upwards.

Abstract: A bone screw is disclosed for joining bone fragments or for mounting a prosthetic component onto an underlying bone. The bone screw includes a head and an elongated cylindrical shank which is integral with and extends from the head. The shank includes a threaded member and a shoulder member connecting the threaded member and the head, the shoulder member having an outer surface with a porous medium thereon for encouraging bone ingrowth fixation. The outer diameter of the shoulder member is greater than the diameter of a bore of the bone into which the screw is to be threadedly engaged. The head of the screw is provided with a coupling member engageable by a tool for selectively rotating the shank to advance the screw into the bone. As the bone screw is advanced toward a fully seated position, the shoulder member with the porous medium thereon engages the bone in a fitting manner which may be described as a "scratch fit".

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: At least two layers are fixed together at a distance so that a gap is present between them, wherein the layers are connected with one another by a plurality of discrete melt adhesive regions, intermediate spaces being present between the melt adhesive regions so that a liquid transport in the gap between the layers is assured through the intermediate spaces. To produce this test carrier, the melt adhesive in the form of discrete regions, between which intermediate spaces are present, is applied to a first layer material in a thickness which is greater than the desired gap and a second layer material is pressed against the melt adhesive regions while the melt adhesive is still sufficiently hot in order to be bindable in such a manner that it binds with the melt adhesive but a gap remains between the layer materials.

Abstract: A process for quantification of cell populations or subpopulations, by incubating a sample with labelled antibodies directed against characteristic surface antigens of the cell population to be quantified to form labelled antibody/antigen complexes. Standards with known, differing particle concentration and having comparable sedimentation behaviour to the cells to be determined and further, carrying molecules which are directed against the labelled antibody or a part hereof are also incubated with the labelled antibodies. The cells of the sample solution, as well as the particles of the standard solution, are separated off from the excess labelled antibodies and the amount of the labelling is measured not only on the cells but also on the particles. By comparison of the measurement value from the sample with the measurement values from the standard solutions, there is ascertained the number of cells to be determined in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the improved colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide as formed by a hydrogen peroxide-producing oxidase, by addition of a chromogenic system and measurement of the colored material formed, wherein superoxide dismutase (E.C. 1.15.1.1) is added to the reagent solution.The present invention also provides a reagent for the improved colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide, comprising a hydrogen peroxide-producing oxidase, a chromogenic system, a buffer and optionally adjuvant enzymes, wherein it also contains superoxide dismutase.