Abstract: Immunologically active peptides which are derived from a novel immunodeficiency virus which has the designation MVP5180/91 are described. A diagnostic composition containing such a peptide and methods of detecting an antibody against a retrovirus that causes immune deficiency using such diagnostic composition are also described. A kit containing the immunologically active peptides is also described. An immunogen and method of immunizing a mammal against HIV infection using the immunologically active peptides is described. DNA encoding the peptides and methods of detecting nucleic acids encoding HIV viruses are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoreactive peptides that are homologous with the region encompassing amino acid positions 450 to 655 of glycoprotein II of varicella zoster virus. In this context, preference is given to those peptides corresponding to segments of amino acids 505 to 647, 517 to 597, 535 to 584 or 545 to 582. The immunoreactive peptides are useful for methods of diagnosing varicella zoster virus infection.

Abstract: Compounds that are modified polysaccharides having pendant aldehyde functionalities are disclosed. Each of the aldehyde functionalities is attached through a linker to a position corresponding to a hydrogen atom of a different hydroxyl group of unmodified polysaccharide. Also disclosed is a method for introducing an amine-reactive functionality into a dextran. The method comprises (a) reacting the dextran with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with an hydroxyl group of the dextran thereby forming an alkylated dextran wherein the alkylating agent has an olefin group and (b) treating the alkylated dextran to convert the olefin group to an amine-reactive functionality. A polysaccharide can be conjugated to a biomolecule by carrying out the above method and reacting the amine-reactive functionality with an amine functionality on the biomolecule to produce polysaccharide conjugated to the biomolecule.

Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) peptides and the use thereof for preparing epitope-specific anti-EPO antibodies are described. Also described are corresponding anti-EPO antibodies which take the form of polyclonal antibodies (antisera) or of monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are suitable for purifying EPO, EPO derivatives or EPO peptides. The epitope-specific anti-EPO antibodies according to the invention can also be used for the detection of EPO and, in particular, for the epitope-specific detection of EPO. Additionally described are anti-idiotype antibodies which imitate a receptor region of EPO. Finally, pharmaceuticals which contain the EPO peptides, anti-EPO antibodies or anti-idiotype antibodies, and diagnostic aids for the detection of EPO or of anti-EPO antibodies, are described.

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: 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 a method for releasing a ligand from a complex of the ligand with an endogenous protein using a releasing agent.

Abstract: Immunologically active peptides which are derived from a novel immunodeficiency virus which has the designation MVP5180/91 are described. A diagnostic containing such a peptide and methods of detecting an antibody against a retrovirus that causes immune deficiency using such diagnostic composition are also described. A kit containing the immunologically active peptides is also described. An immunogen and method of immunizing a mammal against HIV infection using the immunologically active peptides is described. DNA encoding the peptides and methods of detecting nucleic acids encoding HIV viruses are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an appliance for opening and closing a reagent-container stopper in a partially or fully automatic analysis apparatus, and to the method, which is applied by means of this appliance, for opening and closing a reagent-container stopper in a partially or fully automatic analysis appliance.

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: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric and/or nephelometric analyses. The apparatus can be used in in-vitro diagnosis.

Abstract: Alpha-haloketones are useful alkylating agents for coupling to sulfhydryl-containing biomolecules. However, they react spontaneously with water, alkali and organic bases and therefore cannot be stored for extended periods of time in aqueous solutions, particularly in the presence of proteins at physiological pH. The present invention provides novel solutions to these problems, however, as novel compounds and compositions comprising protected haloketones are disclosed herein. Methods of preparing and using protected haloketones which are useful in a variety of applications—e.g., in assays and conjugation reactions—are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the aggregation or agglutination of platelets, where a reaction mixture is mixed in a first reaction phase, and is mixed less vigorously or not at all in a second reaction phase following the first, and the measurement is preferably carried out in the second reaction phase.

Abstract: A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-5180/91 and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 920 52 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to seroreactive regions on proteins E1 and E2 of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a diagnostic agent for detecting hemostasis disturbances, wherein, as a consequence of blood platelet aggregation, clot formation and/or clot dissolution, substances are brought to a distance from each other which permits or prevents an interaction, in particular an energy transfer, between the substances, and the extent of the interaction is measured.

Abstract: Structural phosphoprotein (pp28) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the preparation and use thereof Expression of an SmaI fragment, which is about 1.0 kb in size, on the left-hand end of the HindIII R fragment makes it possible to synthesize, by genetic manipulation, a structural phosphoprotein of HCMV. This phosphoprotein, or immunogenic parts thereof, can be used as diagnostic aid or vaccine.

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: The invention relates to seroreactive regions on proteins E1 and E2 of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16. The application also relates to a vaccine which contains such peptides which contain the seroreactive regions. The invention likewise embraces compositions for diagnostic purposes which contain peptides with the seroreactive regions.

Abstract: A solid diagnostic device for the quantitative determination of substances of biological affinity in biological fluids is described. A process is also described in which the biological fluid is brought into contact with a specific functional sector of the device, the fluid migrates through several functional sectors situated beside one another and containing suitable reagent components, and one or more substances of biological affinity are detected in such functional sectors which contain, for each substance to be detected, at least one combination partner of biological affinity, attached to a solid phase.