Abstract: The invention relates to seroreactive regions on the E1 and E2 proteins of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16). The invention also relates to a vaccine that contains peptides comprising at least one seroreactive region of the E1 and/or E2 proteins. The invention likewise embraces compositions for diagnostic purposes, which contain peptides with the seroreactive regions. Further, the invention relates to antibodies that bind to seroreactive regions of the E1 and/or E2 proteins of HPV 16, and compositions comprising such antibodies, which can be used for diagnostic purposes.

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: 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: 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 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: A multi-cell rotor for an automatic analyzer for examining biological fluids includes measurement cells of different configurations and also chambers of different geometries, in identical or different configurations, which receive different volumes of fluid, arranged on the rotor and used for preparing for measurements. The chambers can fluidly communicate with one another.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: The invention relates to a method for detecting and determining mediators and/or their derivatives in fluids, the mediator being detected directly or indirectly with the aid of a recombinant, soluble receptor for the mediator to be detected.

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 characteristics 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 present invention relates to methods for immunoassay of analytes employing mutant glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) enzymes as labels. In particular, the invention relates-to the use of conjugates of an analyte or analyte analog and a mutant NAD+ dependent G6PDH differing from any precursor G6PDH by the deletion, substitution, or insertion, or any combination thereof of at least one amino acid per subunit. The invention also involves the construction of several mutations in precursor glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) enzymes. Typically, the mutations involve deletion or substitution of one or more lysine residues, or introduction of one or more cysteine residues by insertion of cysteine to precursor G6PDH or substitution of precursor G6PDH amino acids residues with cysteine.

Abstract: The invention relates to anti-procalcitonin antibodies, their preparation and use, in particular in therapy and diagnostics. The antibodies comprise binding to procalcitonin but not to free calcitonin, free katacalcin and free N-procalcitonin.

Abstract: An exchangeable oscillating pipette needle for an automatic analyzer for examining biological body fluids is provided, in which the analyzer has a holder provided with a tension spring, and with which the oscillating arm, carrying the pipette needle and resting on a knife-edge bearing, is fixed in a stationary position and is releasably connected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the generation of antibodies which preferentially bind to fibrinogen fragments E1, E2 and E3, but exhibit little or no cross-reactivity against fibrin monomer and fibrinogen. Thus, the invention provides synthetic peptides containing defined amino acid sequences corresponding to the carboxy terminal regions of the E fragments which arise as a result of plasmin cleavage of fibrin and fibrinogen. The synthetic peptides may be synthesized chemically, or through genetic manipulations, and may contain additional amino acid sequences which are not contiguous with the defined E fragment sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sterol esters for the long-term stabilization of biological fluids, in particular even those which are obtained by lyophilization and subsequent reconstitution.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. Also disclosed are methods for determining D-arabinitol. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing in combination (1) a medium suspected of containing D-arabinitol and (2) a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme and examining the medium for the product of the oxidation of the D-arabinitol. The enzyme utilized is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol. Kits for conducting the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of toxoplasma gondii antigens and the preparation thereof by genetic engineering. A cDNA expression gene bank of this parasite was prepared. Recombinant clones which are of diagnostic interest were identified using a high-titer rabbit anti-Toxoplasma gondii serum, and isolated.