Abstract: An apparatus and process for transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. A lateral chromatographic strip is placed within a cavity defined in a housing. The lateral chromatography strip extends within the cavity and is disposed along the housing to an inspection site. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. This porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption.

Abstract: A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids.

Abstract: A method of assaying a preselected volume of sample on an chromatographic strip includes providing a sample receiving reservoir. This reservoir can receive a preselected volume of sample or a preselected volume of sample and reagent. The sample receiving reservoir has an overflow outlet. A moat is communicated to the overflow outlet of the sample receiving reservoir for receiving the sample or sample and reagent when the sample receiving reservoir is full. The mixed sample or sample and reagent fill the sample receiving reservoir, and discharge the excess sample through the overflow outlet to the moat. The sample receiving reservoir having the preselected volume of sample or sample and reagent is discharged on the chromatographic strip for assay. Provision is made for adding a density adding solute which is neutral to the chromatographic strip, the density adding solute occupying the sample receiving reservoir.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use and composition of materials which, when added to oral fluid samples, make such samples suitable for use with microparticle-based immunoassays. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of reducing false positives in assays for the detection of an analyte in an oral fluid sample. The method involves providing an oral fluid sample combined with a bile acid or salt where the bile acid or salt is present in a concentration sufficient to reduce the rate of occurrence of false positives in said oral fluid based immunoassays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric genes having (i) a DNA sequence encoding a product that is effective to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in fruit from the plant, and (ii) a promoter whose expression is induced during fruit ripening or by ethylene synthesis by the fruit, where the DNA sequence is heterologous to the promoter and the DNA sequence is operably linked to the promoter to enable expression of the product. The invention describes vectors and transgenic plants, vegetables, flowers and fruits carrying the chimeric gene, as well as methods related thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for transporting and discharging biohazardous materials is disclosed. A vial is provided having an interior for receiving biohazardous contents. The vial is sealed at one end by a frangible tip for forming an opening in the vial upon breaking of the frangible tip. The vial includes a cap at the opposite end of the vial for sealing the vial when a biohazardous sample contained in a porous absorbent member is placed interior of the vial. A centrifuge tube is provided with an upper opening having a dimension to be plugged when the vial is placed into the centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube has flexible sidewalls to permit digital manipulation of the frangible tip of the vial by the sidewalls of the centrifuge tube. The vial is placed within the centrifuge tube to plug the tube.

Abstract: A device for collecting substances for testing comprises a vial having a first, generally open end, engageable by a removable closure member, and a second, generally closed end. A removable closure member is provided having first and second ends. The first and second ends of the closure member are engageable with the first end of the vial. An absorbent member is preferably attached to the removable closure member and is receivable in the vial whereby the absorbent member is located outside of the vial prior to use, with the first end of the vial being secured to the second end of the closure member to provide a handle, and after use, the second end of the closure member is removed from the first end of the vial, the closure member is inverted, the absorbent member is inserted into the vial and the first end of the closure member is removably engaged to the first end of the vial.

Abstract: A device for obtaining oral fluid containing substances for testing. In one embodiment, the device includes a syringe having a plunger at the end of which an absorbent pad is attached. A test assembly containing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of AdoMetase to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in plants is facilitated by the exploitation of the tissue and stage specific properties of the E4 promoter from tomato.The E4 promoter, isolated from tomato or other plants by methods described herein, provides a useful regulatable promoter for the expression of a variety of heterologous genes, including the AdoMetase gene.

Abstract: A substitute oral fluid standard for testing, calibration, and standardization of devices and methods for collection, storage, and analysis of oral fluids. The oral fluid standard comprises a mucin and a protease inhibitor.

Abstract: The use of AdoMetase to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in plants is facilitated by the exploitation of the tissue and stage specific properties of the E8 promoter from tomato. Expression of AdoMetase is shown to be limited to the ripening tomato fruit. The functional properties of several regions of the E8 promoter are also described. The E8 promoter, and variants described herein, provides a useful regulatable promoter for the expression of other genes as well as the AdoMetase gene.

Abstract: An improved method for determining the presence of an analyte in an oral fluid sample. A portion of the sample is mixed or contacted with a chromogenic substrate effective to produce a colored product upon reaction with .alpha.-amylase present in the sample. After a selected reaction time, the reaction mixture is inspected to determine the level of such colored product produced. Production of a level of colored product above a selected threshold within the reaction time indicates that an effective volume of undiluted oral fluid sample has been collected which is sufficient to allow detection of the analyte. A device for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for obtaining oral fluid containing substances for testing. In one embodiment, the device includes a syringe having a plunger at the end of which an absorbent pad is attached. A test assembly containing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for obtaining oral fluid containing substances for testing. In one embodiment, the device includes a syringe having a plunger at the end of which an absorbent pad is attached. A test assembly containing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for extending bloom life of a cut flower by bathing the flower in a solution which contains isoniazid. Also disclosed are compositions for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of extending bloom life of a cut flower. In the method, a storage solution containing 5-deoxy-5-ethylthio-D-ribose (ETR) is provided, and the stem of the cut flower is bathed in the solution. ETR is safe for human use, and is effective at relatively low concentrations. A method for synthesizing 5-deoxy-5-alkylthioribose compounds is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for obtaining oral fluid containing substances for testing. In one embodiment, the device includes a syringe having a plunger at the end of which an absorbent pad is attached. A test assembly containing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting immunoglobulins and other analytes from the oral cavity for immunological and other testing. The device is a treated absorbent pad used to collect a specimen having a high concentration of immunoglobulins or other analytes. The specimen can be subjected to a basic immunological testing technique which can be used as a tool for screening a patient for diseases. A test kit is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric article comprising the cross-linked, polymerized product of (i) a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula N.sup.+ R.sub.4 X.sup.- wherein at least one of the R groups is unsaturated alkyl and the remaining R groups alkyl or aryl and X is halogen or a small anion with (ii) a free-radical co-polymerizable compound.

Abstract: A container for storing collected substances for subsequent testing having an open upper end adapted to be sealed with a removable stopper and a lower end having an opening communicating the interior of the container with the outside. The opening is selectively sealed by a frangible nipple during storage of the substances and unsealed for removal of the collected substances for subsequent testing. The distal end of the frangible nipple is enlarged, preferably in the form of a ball.