Abstract: Process for the determination of at least one of the isoenzymes of lactatedehydrogenase by visually observing and recording the conversion of lactate and nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide to pyruvate wherein said conversion is carried out at a buffer specific pH value of 6-6.5. The invention also encompasses test reagents for use in making such determinations and also diagnostic aids containing the same for use in detecting abnormal changes in the female genital tract and diagnostic methods utilizing such aids.

Abstract: A specific binding assay method employing, as a labeling substance, a reversibly binding enzyme modulator for the detection of a ligand in a liquid medium. The method follows conventional specific binding assay techniques of either the homogeneous or heterogeneous type wherein the liquid medium to be assayed is combined with reagent means that includes a labeled conjugate to form a binding reaction system having a bound-species and a free-species of the conjugate. The amount of conjugate resulting in the bound-species or the free-species is a function of the amount of ligand present in the liquid medium assayed. In the present invention, the labeled conjugate comprises a reversibly binding enzyme modulator covalently linked to a binding component of the binding reaction system.

Abstract: A method is provided for the determination of receptors, particularly antibodies, where a polyepitopic reagent is employed, at least one of the epitopes being specific for the receptor of interest. The epitopic sites are situated on the reagent, so that the binding of the receptor of interest to the reagent will sterically hinder binding of receptors other than the receptor of interest.In carrying out the assay, the sample suspected of containing the receptor of interest, the reagent, and a predetermined amount of receptors for the other epitopes are combined. Because of the steric inhibition to the simultaneous binding of the two different receptors, the amount of receptor of interest bound to the reagent will affect the amount of the other receptor which becomes bound to the reagent.

Abstract: Composition and method are provided for the pretreatment of serum prior to a thyroxine assay. Prior to carrying out of the assay, particularly an immunoassay or competitive protein-binding assay, the serum sample is combined with cyclodextrin preferably in combination with an hydroxylated aromatic carboxylic acid in a basic medium, in amounts sufficient to minimize interference with obtaining an accurate and reliable determination of polyiodothyronine in the serum. Normally, after the reagents have been added to the serum, a small incubation period is allowed, after which time the additional reagents may be added for carrying out the assay.

Abstract: Alkylating agents such as the sulphur and nitrogen mustard gases react with the silver salts of dialkyl or diaryl substituted thiophosphoric acids at ambient temperature, thereby producing cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds. This new reaction is applied to a few prior art detection reactions and determination procedures of cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds.

Abstract: Improvement in determination of an enzyme activity in a substance having an enzymatic activity which comprises employing an aromatic primary amine derivative as a substrate and an iron complex treated with a peroxide as a color reagent.

Abstract: A novel enzymatic reagent and method is provided for increasing the sensitivity of enzymatic substrate analyses using oxygen rate analyzers. The reagent is a buffered solution containing an enzyme which reacts specifically with oxygen and with the substrate being measured. The reagent also contains a salt or a combination of salts in quantities sufficient to reduce the solubility of oxygen in the reagent by at least thirty percent when compared to the solubility of oxygen in water. Upon being mixed with a specimen containing the specific enzyme substrate being measured, the enzyme catalyzes the reaction of the substrate and the oxygen. The rate of reaction of oxygen is measured, and the amount of total substrate is determined by means which translate the rate of oxygen consumption into the concentration of total substrate present in the specimen.

Abstract: Bacteria of the genus Neisseria can be detected in a sample by separating a lysate of the sample into two parts, incubating one part with a solution of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD) and 1,2-propanediol, incubating the other part with a solution of only the NAD, and then comparing the products of each incubation for reduction of NAD to NADH. A difference in NADH concentration indicates the presence of any enzyme specific to Neisseria, this enzyme having the capability of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing NAD. The structure of the enzyme is not completely understood but, because of those two characterizing properties, the nomenclature 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor is proposed herein.

Abstract: A self-supporting plastic structure having a plurality of through-passages, each passage being of cross-sectional shape and area such that walls thereof provide a large amount of surface area relative to a substantially small amount of space cross-sectional area, each through passage having an upper funnel portion for receiving liquid, and a small outlet aperture of a smallness sufficient to effect a retention of liquid drop(s) within space of the through-passage by capillary action in the absence of additionally added fluid which by weight thereof forces liquid from the outlet aperture, and a separate washer structure seatable above the plastic structure and having a main liquid-containable vessel defined with a plurality of open outlets in the base thereof aligned for feeding contained liquid into separate ones of the through-passages simultaneously for the concurrent washing of each and all and/or for concurrent adding of further reagent or the like simultaneously concurrently to each and all.

Abstract: Dehydrated potato granules are prepared by subjecting potato pieces to cooking, mashing, freezing, thawing, predrying to a moisture content of 35 to 45 percent, granulating and finally drying the product to a moisture content of not more than about 7%.

Abstract: A process for preparing an edible potato dough suitable for preparing French fried potatoes which closely resemble French fried potatoes prepared directly from fresh, raw potatoes, in which the unpeeled potatoes are first baked, then peeled, riced and formed into a potato dough.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the specific gravity or osmolality of a liquid containing a nonionic, ionizable solute are disclosed. The method comprises contacting the liquid with an ionizing agent, thus converting the solute to ionized species in the liquid, and contacting the liquid with test means capable of producing a detectable response, such as a color response, dependent upon the specific gravity or osmolality of the ionized liquid. The composition comprises an ionizing agent capable, upon contact with the liquid, of ionizing the solute therein, and a test means capable, upon contacting the liquid containing the solute in ionized form, of producing a detectable response which is a function of the specific gravity or osmolality of the liquid. The device comprises a carrier matrix incorporated with the test means and the ionizing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dietary salt composition for use as a replacement for salt in foods, and/or as a mineral supplement for use as a dietary adjunct, and method for its preparation, said salt composition to be physiologically balanced so that the proportion of components is such that a balanced composition of vital minerals is ensured and made available in the extracellular fluids of the body. A supplementary and important benefit is to provide adequate amounts of essential minerals which may be partly or marginally deficient in the diet, and which are essential for human nutrition. The basis for this composition is a combination of salts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in proportions represented by these cations in the extra-cellular fluid compartment of the body, said composition being a carrier for and supplemented by suitable amounts of some or all of the trace elements which are considered essential for human nutrition.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device which inhibits the growth of microorganisms on the surface of a primary sensor element, such as the oxygen permeable membrane of a dissolved oxygen cell or the electrode and junction surfaces of a pH cell, immersed in an aqueous culture of the microorganism. The device includes a source of an antiseptic or disinfectant having a slow aqueous dissolution rate that is supported by a carrier having a transport system to sweep the source across the surface to be protected and a drive system to actuate the transport mechanism in a repetitious or a cyclic fashion. In the preferred embodiment the antiseptic source is a copper or heavy metal plate on the end of a blade that is reciprocated across the exposed membrane surface of a dissolved oxygen cell by a spring biased electrical vibrator.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for the rapid detection of heart attacks in human patients which comprises passing patient blood serum through a chromatographic column, isolating and identifying the major portion of creatine phosphokinase-MB isoenzyme from the eluate by the inclusion of a green food color. The column may be recycled and reused.

Abstract: A process for treating peas or other green vegetables such that they may be canned in a manner to retain their green color. The process is characterized by the steps of maintaining the vegetable in a fresh state and in an aerobic environment such that it does not wilt and continues to respire aerobically up to the sterilization step, sterilizing the vegetable at a temperature between 250.degree. F, preferably 275.degree. F, and the scorching temperature of the vegetable for a sufficient amount of time to yield a commercially sterile vegetable, and sealing the vegetable in a container. The conventional blanching step is eliminated in this process but may be replaced by a hot water wash at a temperature below the thermal injury temperature of the vegetable. The process produces green color retained vegetables without the addition of dyes or chemicals (except for salt and sugar) to the can.

Abstract: A method for the determination of amylase, based on the cleavage of colorimetric, ultraviolet absorbing or fluorometric substances, commonly referred to as chromogenic substances as p-nitrophenol derivatives of oligosaccharides of chain length 4-10 glucose units. Oligosaccharides of this chain length are resistant to cleavage by .alpha. and/or .beta.-glucosidase and contain endo-.alpha.-1,4 linkages which are required for amylase activity. Cleavage of the .alpha.-1,4 bonds by amylase produces smaller fragments which are acted upon by .alpha.-glucosidase and/or .beta.-glucosidase to liberate a chromophore. The rate of appearance of the chromophore is proportional to amylase activity and lends itself to either rate or endpoint determinations. The qualitative or quantitative measurement of amylase concentrations in a sample is useful in medical diagnosis.

Abstract: Process for enzymatic analysis by the enzymatic reaction of a substance to be determined and measurement of the increase or decrease of a reaction component of the main reaction or subsequent reaction, comprising adding to a solution which contains dissolved therein the enzyme necessary for the reaction, a sample solution containing a substance to be determined, measuring a particular reaction component, and then circulating the enzyme solution through a reactor which completely removes the measured reaction component from the solution (or converts it to a non-disturbing product) and again mixing the enzyme solution, if necessary after replenishing the used up components, with a new sample solution.

Abstract: The ease and speed of known enzymatic assays of micro-amounts of urea is improved by a novel reagent assay comprising: urease, buffers, and an indicator dye, the improvement wherein a mixed buffer system is present which mitigates against the effects of temperature changes during the assay, and a novel method of determining released ammonia with an indicator dye and spectrophotometer.

Abstract: In a conventional method for the quantitative determination of substances, particularly in serum, which, by action of an oxidase thereon, combine with oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide and wherein the hydrogen peroxide formed is converted, in the presence of methanol and catalase, to formaldehyde, the formaldehyde is reacted with hydrazone in the presence of ferric chloride, and the dye thus formed is determined photometrically, the improvement comprising using as the hydrazone, 3-methyl-2-sulfonylbenzothiazolone-hydrazone; use of this hydrazone results in the formation of a very easily soluble dye and is suited for use in automatic analyzers.