Abstract: Peptide substrates selected from the group consisting of (i) the tri- and tetra-peptides of the formulaQ-A.sub.1 -A.sub.2 -Gly-A.sub.4 -R (I)having SEQ ID NO: 1 in which Q is a group which blocks the N-termnal end of the peptide chain, A.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of Leu, Ile, Nle, Nva, CHA, CHG, CHT, Phe, Ala and Lys groups, where the basic side-group of the Lys residue is blocked with a suitable group which substantially removes the basic character of said side-group, A.sub.2 is a single bond, Asp or Glu, the carboxylic acid side-group of Asp and Glu being capable of esterification or amidation, A.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of Arg and Lys groups, and R is pNA; and (ii) their addition salts. These peptide substrates are useful in the determination of Factor Xa.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring the coagulation time of a blood sample placed in contact with an appropriate reagent is described. A vibratory field inside an insulating receptacle is generated. Voltage variations between two electrodes disposed in the receptacle are measured which are indicative of a change in viscosity of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a substance which inhibits the plasma proteins .alpha..sub.2 -AP and/or .alpha..sub.2 -M in the field of the determination and assay of plasminogen activators and inhibitors of said plasminogen activators. It relates in particular to a method of determining (i) a plasminogen activator selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs) and urokinase plasminogen activators (uPAs), and (ii) an inhibitor (PAI) of said plasminogen activator, said method, which involves converting plasminogen to plasmin and then assaying the plasmin resulting from said conversion, comprising inhibition of the plasma proteins .alpha..sub.2 -antiplasmin and/or .alpha..sub.2 -macroglobulin by means of a substance selected from the group consisting of metalloproteinase materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the determination of thrombocytopenia induced by an inductor drug such as heparin. According to the invention, a sample is mixed with a complex of an antigenic substance such as platelet factor 4 (pF4) and heparin to determine if the sample contains antibodies which react with the complex. The presence of these antibodies is indicative of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining, assaying and identifying strains of Candida and pathogenic strains belonging to species Torulopsis glabrata by means of chromogenic substrates of monoamino acid or peptide type without the isolation of the strains to be identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates, by way of novel industrial products, to peptide compounds selected from the group consisting of(i) the tripeptides of the formulaY--A.sub.1 --A.sub.2 --A.sub.3 --R (I)in whichY is H or an appropriate group blocking the N-terminal end,A.sub.1 is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of (2-oxothiazolidin-4-yl)carbonyl [abbreviated to THC], (2-oxotetrahydro-1,3-thiazin-5yl)carbonyl [abbreviated to TZC], thiazolidine-4-carbonyl [abbreviated to ATC] and (tetrahydro-1,3-thiazin-5-yl)carbonyl [abbreviated to AZC] residues,A.sub.2 is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of Pro, 3Hyp and 4Hyp residues, where the OH side-group of 3Hyp and 4Hyp is capable of being protected by an ether or ester protecting group,A.sub.3 is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of Arg and Lys residues, andR is a labeling means; and(ii) their addition salts.These novel compounds are useful as substrates in the determination of Protein C.

Abstract: The new invention relates, by way of novel industrial products, to compounds selected from(i) the symmetrical amino acids and peptides of the formulaR--A--B--CO--Q--CO--B--A--R (I)in whichQ is a polyalkylene glycol residue selected from the polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol residues of the formula--O[CH(X)CH.sub.2 O]--in which X is H or Me and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1,B is a single bond, a monoamino acid residue or a peptide chain comprising from 2 to 9 monoamino acid residues,A is a basic monoamino acid residue selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-amino acid residues containing a basic group on a side-chain, andR is a labeling means making it possible to develop the enzyme substance to be identified or assayed; and(ii) their addition salts.These novel compounds are useful as substrates for the assay of enzymes, especially proteases and peptidases.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for detecting a change of viscosity of a blood sample in time, comprising a drive element and a driven element having respective facing walls which define therebetween a chamber of calibrated volume adapted to receive a blood sample, the driven element being driven in relative rotation by the drive element with a relative slip which depends on the viscosity of the blood which provides coupling between the two elements and means for measuring the relative change of slip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the time of modification of the physical state of a fluid medium of the kind in which a ferromagnetic ball is placed in the bottom of a cup containing the fluid to be studied and driven with a periodic movement under the effect of an external magnetic field and in which the modifications of the movements of this ball, due to the modification, are detected. The method is characterized by the fact that the ball always follows at each period the same imposed path and in that the amplitude variations and/or the frequency of its movement are detected.