Abstract: A novel amylase inhibitor, obtained from hard wheat and durum wheat by using dye ligand affinity chromatography having an inhibitory activity on human salivary amylase of less than 0.1 of the inhibitory activity on human pancreatic amylase is disclosed which is useful for measuring isoenzymes of amylase in the field of clinical tests.

Abstract: A reagent and merchandizing kit for use in the diagnosis of syphilis by hemagglutination of an anitgen obtained from a culture of pathogenic Treponema pallidum Nichols and which is sensitized on carrier particles in the presence of antibody wherein said antigen is substantially devoid of proteinic fractions of said culture having a specific gravity of less than 1.01, and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: An antibody is obtained by using as an antigen a complex of an antigen and the F(ab').sub.2 fragment of the human antibody of this antigen or an aggregate of the F(ab').sub.2 fragment of human immunoglobulin. This antibody reacts with an immune complex in a blood serum of a patient of systemic lupus erythematosus and with an immune complex in a blood serum of a patient of rheumatoid arthritis, and it does not react with an aggregated IgG. The amount of immune complex in a blood serum is easily and exactly determined by using this antibody.

Abstract: A novel enzyme inhibitor of angiotensin I-converting enzyme was produced from an actinomycetes belonging to genus Streptomyces. This enzyme inhibitor is a peptide, and specifically inhibits the angiotensin I-converting enzyme, but does not inhibit thermolycin, pepsin and .alpha.-chymotrypsin.

Abstract: A method for determining the activity of cholinesterase comprising the steps of:mixing a solution containing p-methoxybenzoate demethylmonooxygenase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADH) and p-methoxybenzoyl choline cation having the following formula: ##STR1## with a liquid containing cholinesterase, measuring the decrease in absorbance of light by NADH, which is based on a consumption of NADH, and calculating the activity of cholinesterase therefrom.

Abstract: A novel artificial carrier is disclosed which is prepared from gelatin, a water-soluble polysaccharide, a sodium metaphosphate and an aldehyde. The carrier can be used to immobilize antibodies, antigens or enzymes. Immobilized antigens and antibodies can be used as a diagnostic reagent in assays involving antigen-antibody reactions.

Abstract: A method for determining the activity of an angiotensin-converting enzyme is disclosed comprising the steps of mixing a liquid containing (i) a synthetic substrate X-hippuryl-L-dipeptide having the formula ##STR1## wherein X represents OH, NH.sub.2 or N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, and when R.sub.1 is H, R.sub.2 is H, and when R.sub.1 is ##STR2## R.sub.2 is CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, (ii) hippuricase and (iii) 4-aminoantipyrine, with a liquid containing an angiotensin-converting enzyme; measuring colorimetrically the concentration of the quinonimine dye which is formed by adding an oxiding agent to the above mixture; and calculating the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme from the concentration of the quinonimine dye.

Abstract: A standard blood filter paper for use in diagnosis of histidinemia, comprising a piece of filter paper, and a blood material infiltrated in the above filter paper containing a known concentration of histidine and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of a dithionite, a disulfite and a bisulfite. The standard blood filter paper can be preserved for a long term at -20.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically performing a sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay. The apparatus includes a rack for holding test tubes. In the test tubes are beads which provide surfaces for the immuochemical reactions. The rack can be moved in lengthwise and transverse directions. Nozzles for supplying and withdrawing liquids from the test tubes are included. The bead in one tube can be transferred to a second tube. The absorbance of a final liquid is measured spectrophotometrically, and the results are recorded by a printer.

Abstract: The method of preparing immunoglobulin (IgG) suitable for intravenous administration comprising the fractionation of Cohn Plasma Fraction II with polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4000 at predetermined concentrations and under selected pH conditions.

Abstract: A reference blood filter paper for measuring the concentration of methionine in the blood, comprising a piece of blood filter paper, a blood material infiltered in the blood filter paper containing a known concentration of methionine and at least one water-soluble, sulfur-containing antioxidant represented by general formula: ##STR1## where n=1 or 2.

Abstract: A process for isolating superoxide dismutase from red blood cells comprising the steps of heating hemolyzed red blood cells in the presence of at least one monovalent inorganic neutral salt and at least one transition metal salt; eliminating precipitate from the hemolyzed red blood cells by filtration or centrifugation to obtain a solution; adding further at least one transition metal salt at least once to the solution under application of heat thereto; and eliminating precipitate from the solution.

Abstract: Absorbent for use in passive agglutination test which is aldehyde fixed animal erythrocytes or microorganism cells mixed with aluminum hydroxide and calcium phosphate.

Abstract: Method for determining the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme comprising the steps of:(1) mixing a liquid containing the angiotensin-converting enzyme with a reagent consisting essentially of X-hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine, hippuricase, peroxidase, 4-aminoantipyrine and H.sub.2 O.sub.2, and(2) colorimetrically measuring the concentration of quinonimine dye produced in step (1).

Abstract: A liquid contained in a hole formed in a tray is agitated by horizontally vibrating the tray, said tray being connected to a vibration plate and the vibration plate being caused to vibrate by means of an electromagnet or an eccentric wheel.