Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of a novel variant of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to methods for detecting, in patient samples, nucleic acids, antigens and antibodies directed against the same.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a use of an ex vivo method comprising the determination of PlGF and sFlt-1 in a sample for diagnosis, risk stratification and/or monitoring of a vascular disease with atherosclerotic etiology, in particular a coronary heart disease such a unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, and/or for estimation of the probability of developing such a disease, as well as for identification of a patient supposed to benefit from a therapy by agents reducing the risk for a cardiovascular disease. In the method (i) a ratio of [PlGF=high:sFlt-1=low], and/or (ii) a PlGF concentration in the upper two tertiles of a reference collective, and an sFlt-1 concentration in the lower tertile of the reference collective, and/or (iii) a PlGF result above a PlGF reference value, and an sFlt-1 result below an sFlt-1-reference value indicate an elevated probability for an adverse event. The present invention also refers to the used method.

Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of a novel variant of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to methods for detecting, in patient samples, nucleic acids, antigens and antibodies directed against the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to macromolecular polysaccharide-peptide conjugates which contain a peptide portion which C-terminally contains the amino acid sequence Ala-Gly-Arg, which is cleaved by thrombin.

Abstract: The invention relates to human procalcitonin and the preparation and use thereof. In particular, a process for preparing human procalcitonin is described wherein a gene coding for a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of human procalcitonin is inserted into a vector; a host organism is transformed with this gene-containing vector; and the polypeptide expressed by the host organism is isolated. Furthermore the use of the polypeptides according to the invention, in particular as medicaments and diagnostic agents is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro diagnostic method for patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis wherein by combined testing of patients' samples for D-dimer and CRP both the sensitivity and the negative predictive value of DVT diagnostics can be increased up to 100%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic method for determining the von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving activity of ADAMTS-13 in a test medium during which the test medium is mixed with 0.5 to 5 U/ml of a von Willebrand factor (VWF) that does not contain ADAMTS-13, and after incubation, the ADAMTS-13 activity is determined based on the drop in the VWF-mediated aggregation of thrombocytes.

Abstract: An analyzing method of a blood coagulation reaction by detecting an optical change of a blood sample with an elapse of time, the method includes: setting at least one checkpoint or check region between a starting point of the blood coagulation reaction and the endpoint thereof; and monitoring a reaction state of the blood coagulation reaction at the checkpoint or in the check region to detect an abnormality of the blood coagulation reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies which, in agueous solution, selectively bind to a transferrin-homologous carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) without the latter needing to be bound to a solid phase. CDT is characterized by at least one of the two oligosaccharide chains which are normally bound to Asn 413 and/or Asn 611 of transferrin being entirely or substantially entirely lacking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the detection of an analyte in a competitive immunoassay in the presence of an analyte derivative and first and second receptor molecules, and to a kit for carrying out this detection method.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising (a) a metal chelate wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of europium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium osmium and ruthenium in at least a hexacoordinated state and (b) a compound having a double bond substituted with two aryl groups, an oxygen atom and an atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen wherein one of the aryl groups is electron donating with respect to the other. Such composition is preferably incorporated in a latex particulate material. Methods and kits are also disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. The methods and kits employ as one component a composition as described above.

Abstract: A polysaccharide coated carrier having a coating of at least two successive layers of polysaccharide. The first polysaccharide layer spontaneously associates with a second polysaccharide layer and, optionally, the carrier. Each successive layer of polysaccharide spontaneously associates with a preceding layer. Spontaneous association occurs due to the presence of oppositely charged functional groups on each layer of polysaccharide or due to a spontaneous reaction between the functional groups the layers. The carrier may be any surface such as a tube, microtitration plate, bead, particle or the like and is suitable for use in diagnostic or therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the contamination of reaction containers which are empty or already fitted with analyte-free sampling material or sampling material having a low analyte concentration, inside a configuration of reaction containers which are spatially close to each other, when pipetting samples or reagents using an automatic sample distributor. The invention also relates to hardware-related measures for reducing or avoiding possible contamination.

Abstract: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) inimunoreactive protein VP26 and its diagnostic use are described. The invention relates to immunoreactive peptides which are homologous with the region of amino acid positions 12 to 235 (SEQ ID NO: 7) of the varicella zoster virus protein VP26, to nucleic acids which encode these peptides and to the use of the peptides or nucleic acids for diagnosing an infection with varicella zoster virus.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of one or more analytes in a sample suspected of containing any one of a plurality of the analytes. A combination is provided comprising in a medium (i) the sample, (ii) a binding partner for each of the analytes, (iii) for each of the analytes, a first reagent comprising a member of a signal producing system, a ligand and an analyte analog, and (iv) a second reagent comprising a binding partner for the ligand. The binding of the binding partner for the ligand is affected by the presence of an analyte and alters the amount of signal produced by the member of the signal producing system. The signal thus is modulated if one or more of the analytes are present in the sample. The amount of the signal is determined and is related to the presence of one or more of the analytes in the sample. The method may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of the use of automated measurement systems in analysis and in in-vitro diagnosis. In particular, the apparatus described enables automatic quality control and validation of characteristic process engineering parameters, in particular characteristic optical parameters, during the measurement of scattered light signals.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of one or more analytes in a sample suspected of containing any one of a plurality of the analytes. A combination is provided comprising in a medium (i) the sample, (ii) a binding partner for each of the analytes, (iii) for each of the analytes, a first reagent comprising a member of a signal producing system, a ligand and an analyte analog, and (iv) a second reagent comprising a binding partner for the ligand. The binding of the binding partner for the ligand is affected by the presence of an analyte and alters the amount of signal produced by the member of the signal producing system. The signal thus is modulated if one or more of the analytes are present in the sample. The amount of the signal is determined and is related to the presence of one or more of the analytes in the sample. The method may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Abstract: The invention relates to analytical methods in which the partition of a labeled substance between a liquid and a solid phase is determined. The assays include solid-phase reagents which can be particulate or monolithic such as, for example, a coated tube. Assays of this type are known per se to the person skilled in the art and include immunoassays and immunometric assays.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compositions are light emitting and comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein a photoactive compound. The composition has the characteristic that, after activation of the photoactive compound, the rate of decrease in the intensity of light emission at any time during a 20-fold decrease in the intensity is proportional to the intensity of the light emission. In one embodiment the polymeric matrix is comprised of particles of about 20 nm to about 100 ?m in diameter to which is bound a specific binding pair member. The particles generally comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein about 1 to about 20% by weight of a dopant. The compositions may be used in methods for determining an analyte. A combination is provided comprising (1) a medium suspected of containing the analyte, (2) and the aforementioned composition. The photoactive substance is activated and the effect of the activating on the optical properties of the combination is detected.

Abstract: A novel HIV type O immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-2901/94 and which has been deposited with the European collection of animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 950121601. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from the virus and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the partial DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.