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

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: Monoclonal antibodies with specificity for membrane-associated antigens and methods of using them in detection of tumor-associated antigens arc described.

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 provides methods and apparatus for mixing two or more liquids and detecting light emitted by the mixture. The method comprises forming a liquid droplet containing two or more liquids on a substantially planar surface in containerless containment on the surface and causing the droplet to deform in an essentially zero air flow environment thereby mixing the liquids and surrounding the planar surface with a reflective housing and photodetector. An apparatus of the invention comprises (a) a substantially planar support, (b) means for dispensing liquids onto the support to form a droplet, and (c) non-evaporative means for causing the droplet to deform without deforming the support thereby mixing the liquids and a two part reflective housing and photodetector which is moveable. The drop can be deformed by, for example, application of acoustic energy or a variable electrostatic field. The methods and apparatus have particular application to the determination of an analyte.

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: 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 92 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immuno-deficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: Recombinant yeast expression vectors with the features indicated in the patent claims are described. These recombinant yeast expression vectors can be used for the preparation of HBeAg in yeast host organisms. Appropriate expression systems, transformed host organisms, diagnostic aids and medicinal agents are additionally described.

Abstract: A description is given of a cap for a reagent container having a sealable lid, where the lid can be pivoted laterally upward from the cap sealing position, with the container being opened, by means of an inclined bistable hinge, bears one or more catches which can come into contact with an apparatus for opening or closing the lid, and the cap has one or more centering elements by means of which the reagent-container setting position in the analyzer is fixed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing functional recombinant tissue factor in a prokaryotic host organism.

Abstract: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) immunoreactive 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 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: The present invention relates to a method of carrying out an immunoassay in a multiphase system. A sample containing an analyte is brought into contact with a receptor A and a tracer. The analyte can either form a complex with the tracer, or counteract the formation of a complex of receptor A and tracer by competing with the tracer for binding to receptor A, or counteract the formation of a complex of receptor A and tracer by competing with receptor A. Receptor B is added and the signal is determined. In this method, receptor A and receptor B are suitably immobilized, ensuring that the tracer either cannot enter into any binding involving the simultaneous participation of receptors A and B or can enter into such a binding to only such a slight extent that it is nevertheless possible to detect and differentiate differing analyte concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ready-to-use ristocetin cofactor test reagent possessing long-term stability for use in coagulation tests.

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: Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises treating a medium suspected of containing an analyte under conditions such that the analyte, if present, causes a photosensitizer and a chemiluminescent compound to come into close proximity. The photosensitizer generates singlet oxygen and activates the chemiluminescent compound when it is in close proximity. The activated chemiluminescent compound subsequently produces light. The amount of light produced is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. Preferably, at least one of the photosensitizer and chemiluminescent compound is associated with a surface which is usually a suspendible particle, and a specific binding pair member is bound thereto. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Accurate evaluation of reaction kinetics is evaluated using the threshold-value method. Amenable curve profiles for this method occur whenever, under controlled ambient conditions, the transition of a reaction-dependent variable from an initial state to a final state is observed over time.

Abstract: The use of calcium salts, magnesium salts or combination thereof in immunochemical methods for the determination of an analyte in a sample. These salts increase the specificity of such determinations, in particular, the background signal being reduced by addition of these salts in solid phase immunochemical methods.

Abstract: A reagent for immunologically detecting rheumatism containing as an antigen at least one mammalian protein selected from among ezrin, radixin and moesin and/or a peptide composed of at least nine consecutive amino acid residues found in the amino acid sequences of ezrin, radixin and moesin; and a method of detecting autoantibodies present in the serum of a rheumatic. An immunological reaction using this reagent enables precritical or early diagnosis of rheumatism. An immunological detection using the above autoantigenic proteins is convenient and reliable as an early serodiagnostic method based on rheumatism-specific antigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies useful in assays for mycophenolic acid (MPA). These antibodies bind MPA and are able to distinguish MPA from its esters, such as morpholinoethyl E-6-(1,3-dihydro-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-methyl-3-oxo-5-isobenzofuranyl)-4-methyl-4-hexenoate, and/or its metabolites, such as mycophenolic acid glucuronide. The present invention also provides conjugates of labels and MPA or MPA analogs. The antibodies of the invention are capable of binding these conjugates and are also capable of inhibiting the activity of the label when bound to the conjugates. The present invention also provides methods for the determination of MPA in a sample suspected of containing MPA that use the antibodies and/or conjugates of the invention. The present invention also provides assay reagents as well as packaged kits useful for performing the methods of the invention.

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.