Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method for separating and recovering proteins, particularly therapeutically active proteins, from an aqueous system also containing a component having the ability to create two liquid phases by use of salt partitioning technology. By the addition of water soluble inorganic salts to an aqueous system containing one or more therapeutically active proteins or nucleic acids, especially an aqueous system obtained from fractionation of a blood plasma fraction or from a tissue culture fluid resulting from a biotechnology production operation such as recombinant DNA and monoclonal antibody technologies, the aqueous system may be separated into two or more liquid phases. Such separated phases may be selectively enriched in components of the original aqueous system having differing solubility in the so-separated liquid phases.

Abstract: A viability test device wherein the viability of a test composition for the determination of an analyte of interest can be determined by simply wetting the device with ordinary water. The viability device can be prepared in three formats: a control or calibrator device, an internal control device and a self indicating device. Unreacted analyte, or an analog thereof, can be incorporated in a limited defined portion of a dried carrier matrix incorporated with a test composition to provide an internal control test device. When wetted with water, a positive optical response, usually color, indicates the test composition can provide a viable test for the analyte. The internal control test device is particularly advantageously used by diabetics in their own homes where a negative test response could be due to the desired control of the user's condition or due to deterioration of a test composition because of unfavorable storage conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a microorganism which produces a desired substance. The method involves overlaying a membrane on an agar surface in a predetermined orientation. Microorganisms are grown on the membrane and the substance allowed to pass into the agar. The membrane is removed and a detectable reaction between the substance and one or more reagents is observed. The location of the microorganism to be detected can be determined by the predetermined orientation, and the microorganism can be isolated by removing it from the membrane. When the substance is not secreted by the microorganism, the microorganisms are lysed releasing the substance for passage into the agar. The microorganisms producing the substance can be located on replicate plates and isolated.

Abstract: A disposable vacuum assisted filter funnel for filtering fluids into bottles. The bottle top filter forms a vacuum dependent seal with the mouth of the bottle. When fluid is introduced into the bottle top filter, the evacuated bottle draws the fluid through the filter into the bottle. The bottle top filter lacks a vacuum plenum between the vacuum source and the bottle. The bottle top filter may be manufactured from one molded piece.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process for the recovery of enzymes obtained from enzyme-producing microorganisms, and to the liquid enzyme product recovered by this process. Typically, the enzyme-containing filtrate from a fermentation of an enzyme-secreting microorganism is concentrated and a precipitation agent such as a salt or an organic solvent is added to the concentrate, thereby forming a cake. Then, a polyol solvent is circulated through the cake to solubilize the enzyme or enzyme complex from the cake and provide a liquid enzyme product. Particularly effective is propylene glycol as the polyol solvent. The liquid enzyme product may be shipped as is or subjected to further treatment to remove the solvent and create an essentially solvent-free enzyme product. The process is especially effective for the recovery of alkaline protease or alpa amylase.

Abstract: Procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) immunogens, antibodies prepared therefrom, labeled conjugates, synthetic intermediates, and the use of such antibodies and labeled conjugates in immunoassays for determining the respective drugs. The immunogens comprise the drugs coupled at the .alpha.-position of the amide side chain to an immunogenic carrier material. The labeled conjugates and synthetic intermediates similarly are .alpha.-position derivatives of the drugs or precursors thereof. The antibodies and labeled conjugates are particularly useful in homogeneous nonradioisotopic immunoassays for measuring the respective drugs in biological fluids such as serum.

Abstract: A test means for determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample is disclosed, as well as a test device incorporating the test means, a method for preparing it and a method for using it. The test means is composed of a porous carrier matrix incorporated, substantially uniformly, with a homogeneous hydrophobic composition and with a buffering substance capable of providing a pH in the range of from about 5 to 10. The homogeneous hydrophobic composition contains an ionophore capable of forming a complex with the ion, a hydrophobic substance and a reporter substance capable of interacting with the complex of ionophore and ion to produce a detectable response. In a preferred embodiment, this invention provides a colorimetric test capable of measuring serum potassium.

Abstract: A blood container for storage of blood and blood components is disclosed. The invention comprises a blood container and a multiple blood bag system which includes a donor bag and one or more satellite bags connected by flexible tubing. The blood bag is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticized with a blend of plasticizers comprising a plasticizer resistant to blood extraction such as a triester of trimellitic acid and a 7-10 carbon alcohol and a blood extractable plasticizer such as a dioctyl phthalate or dioctyl adipate and is suitable for long term storage of whole blood, red cells and platelets. The blood container is made of a thin material which contains a plasticizer composition extractable at much lower levels by blood or plasma than conventional phalate plasticized PVC. Blood and blood components processed or stored in the blood bags will exhibit relatively low levels of contamination by plasticizer.

Abstract: A method for preparing an important stereo-specific intermediate in the synthesis of prostaglandin analogs is disclosed. Said intermediate is (+)S-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-hexanoic acid and is prepared via an asymmetric halolactonization reaction utilizing L-proline as the chiral agent.

Abstract: A homogeneous specific binding assay device, a method for its preparation, and a method for its use in determining a ligand, such as antigen, hapten, or antibody, in, or the ligand binding capacity of, a liquid sample. The test device comprises a solid carrier member, such as a fibrous web matrix, e.g., paper, or a polymeric film or gel, incorporated with reagents for a homogeneous specific binding assay system which produces a detectable response, usually an electromagnetic radiation signal, that is a function of the presence or amount of the ligand in or the ligand binding capacity of the sample. Useful homogeneous specific binding assay systems include those involving enzyme substrate labels, enzyme prosthetic group labels, and enzyme labels. The detectable response preferably is a luminescent, fluorescent, spectrophotometric, or colorimetric response, which is measurable by visual observation or instrument means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the purification of calf rennet which involves contacting the rennet with an affinity ligand, e.g. Cibacron Blue, to cause separation of the chymosin and pepsin contained in the rennet.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a varicella-zoster vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to varicella-zoster virus. Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with varicella-zoster infection or at risk to such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum titers of varicella-zoster antibody.

Abstract: An immunizing composition is disclosed and comprises a detoxified polysaccharide from a gram-negative bacterium covalently coupled to a detoxified protein from said gram-negative bacterium by means of a 4-12 carbon moiety. To prepare the above immunizing agent, the lipid A portion of lipopolysaccharide from a gram-negative bacterium is separated to give a detoxified polysaccharide. Reactive aldehyde groups are generated on the detoxified polysaccharide by selective oxidation. The detoxified polysaccharide is then covalently coupled to a detoxified protein from said gram-negative bacterium by means of a 4-12 carbon moiety having functionalities reactive to the aldehyde groups on the detoxified polysaccharide and to the carboxylic groups on the detoxified protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process for the recovery of enzyme crystals. The enzymes may be obtained from any enzyme-producing microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. The invention contemplates supersaturation and/or crystallization to obtain enzymes in the crystalline form, and is particularly effective for the recovery of heat stable alpha-amylase in a crystal form.

Abstract: A readhead with reduced height sensitivity for use in a reflectance photometer that measures reflectance of diffuse light from a sample disposed outside the readhead includes a housing with an upper spherical portion and a lower conical portion. The inner peripheral surface of the upper portion is hemispherically configured and the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion is conically configured to permit illumination of a sample disposed outside the readhead. The angle of the cone defined in the conical portion of the housing is in the range of 45.degree.-60.degree.. The inner peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower portions are coated with a highly reflective material, such as barium sulfate. The apex of the conically configured housing portion is truncated to provide a light transmitting aperture for sample illumination. A sample is positioned adjacent the light-transmitting aperture below and outside the conically shaped readhead housing portion.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not necessarily been vaccinated with a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to respiratory syncytial virus (e.g. minimum ELISA titer of at least 1:110,000). Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection or at risk of such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum antibody titers to respiratory syncytial virus. Resultant product has an ELISA anti-RSV titer of at least about 1:250,000.

Abstract: A composition for determining the presence of leukocytes, esterase or protease in a test sample. The composition comprises an ester having the structure ##STR1## in which: A is an N-blocked-amino acid residue or an N-blocked-peptide residue, X is O, S or NR', R is aryl, or lower alkyl, R* is H, or lower alkyl, and R' is H, lower alkyl or aryl; and a suitable buffer substance.

Abstract: Simultaneous multiple photometer measurements are made by simultaneously passing light to be measured through multiple light paths to different locations of a circularly variable filter; passing the light through the circularly variable filter at said locations; collecting the light passed through the circularly variable filter at each location; transmitting the light passed through the circularly variable filter to separate detectors; and measuring the light transmitted along each light path by said detectors.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method for separating one of alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (also known as alpha-1 antitrypsin) and antithrombin-III from an aqueous solution of plasma proteins containing the same, such as from Cohn Fraction IV-1, Cohn Fraction IV, reworks of Cohn Fraction IV and IV-1, Cohn Effluent II & III and Cohn Effluent I. The method includes the steps of first holding an aqueous solution of plasma proteins containing one of alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor and antithrombin-III in a relatively large volume of buffer solution as solvent and at a pH adjusted to be relatively basic when compared to conditions heretofore known, and at a temperature in the range of from 2.degree.-50.degree. C. for a period of about 0.2-24 hours. Following the above treatment, alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor and antithrombin-III are obtained by applying conventional techniques to the resulting solution. Accordingly, the solution is then mixed with a polyalkylene glycol, e.g.

Abstract: Described is a directly compressible formulation comprising calcium carbonate, citric acid, and a compression vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the compression vehicle comprises a maltodextrin and lactose. The formulation can be compressed into an effervescent tablet system, which when placed in water effervesces in a relatively rapid dissolution releasing CO.sub.2 and resulting in a solution of monocalcium citrate.