Abstract: A stabilizer for maintaining a constant level of CO.sub.2 in coenzyme containing enzymatic CO.sub.2 diagnostic reagents is disclosed, comprising rate-limiting amounts of (a) the diagnostic reagents and (b) coenzyme-regenerating reagents, e.g., wherein (a) is malate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADH, and (b) is glucose dehydrogenase and glucose, as are methods of use and kits containing a diagnostic reagent and stabilizer.

Abstract: A rapid and effective method is provided for determining various genotypic and/or phenotypic characteristics of an unknown microbial organism in a non-destructive manner. Initially, a predetermined growth medium is inoculated with an unknown microbial organism to create a microbial culture and the culture is then scanned at a time after inoculation to obtain a spectral signature. This scanning step is conducted utilizing wavelengths over a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from 700-5000 nm. Thereafter, characterizing data of the unknown organism is determined from the spectral signature. This characterizing data of the unknown organism is compared with a preexisting library of characterizing data of known organisms with known characteristics, which library was made by scanning known organisms in the same manner as the unknown organism, to determine if there is a match between the characterizing data of the unknown organism and the characterizing data of a known organism contained in the library.

Abstract: A differential laser Doppler biospectrometer for monitoring microbiota movement in a medium, which, preferably is quiescent. One of the laser beams is shifted in frequency to enable monitoring of small movement data velocity and/or direction). Average size of individuals and growth rate of the total number of organisms in suspension can be obtained. Exogenous stimuli, such as electric and magnetic fields, trace chemical additions or EM radiation are provided at selected times in the natural rhythm circadian cycle of the microbiota, and several such stimuli can be applied simultaneously. The measurement system is so sensitive that it can detect movement changes due to very weak energy stimuli transmitted to microbiota free to move in an established zone. In addition, holographic recordings of the microbiota can be made.

Abstract: Colloidal particles are converted into magnetic microagglomerates via manipulation of their colloidal properties, thereby facilitating their separation from solution.

Abstract: A method for enhancing chemiluminescence which uses a heterocyclic compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an oxygen or sulfur atom or an imino group optionally substituted by 4-hydroxyphenyl, and R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are a hydrogen or halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, a heterocyclic group or the like in a luminescence system.

Abstract: A method for determining the function of a unique cytochrome activity of the type which uniquely catalyses the N-demethylation of erythromycin in a patient's body, the method including the steps of ingesting a known quantity of a N-methyl carbon labeled erythromycin solution, the N-methyl carbon demethylated from the erythromycin being metabolized to an exhaled carbon labeled metabolite. A sample of exhaled breath containing a known amount of exhaled carbon metabolite is collected at a known interval of time after ingestion of the erythomycin solution. The quantity of labeled carbon metabolite is detected in the exhaled sample to determine the rate of labeled carbon elimination after the known time interval as an indication of the unique cytochrome function.

Abstract: A material and method are described to reduce the non-specific binding of a labelled material, wherein the labelled material comprises a fluorochrome and a specific binding pair member. The invention is particularlly suited to the lysis of peripheral blood wherein a labelled material is used to identify and detect cell populations within a sample of blood.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a fungal infection within 1-2 hours comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a sample suspected of containing a peroxidase-containing fungus with a mixture which comprises (i) a peroxide from hydrogen peroxide and addition compounds thereof containing latent hydrogen peroxide; (ii) a scavenger to remove heavy metals which may potentially decompose said peroxide catalytically; (iii) an alkaline buffer solution having the capacity to maintain the pH at a value within the range of 9.5 to 14; and (iv) a colorless oxidizable substrate (such as tyrosine, .beta.-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-.alpha.-alamine (DOPA) or caffeic acid), which on reaction with oxygen at said pH value gives a visibly colored oxidation product; and (b) observing whether a color develops indicating the presence of peroxidase-containing fungus in the sample. Also included is a test kit for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A rapid and sensitive assay method for the detection of IgM antibody or the simultaneous detection of IgG and IgM antibody to retroviruses, including HIV-1 and HIV-2, and diagnostic test kits for carrying out the method is provided. According to the method of the invention, results are obtainable within 70 minutes.

Abstract: This process is essentially characterized by enzymatic reactions which are carried out under anaerobic conditions between a liquid growth medium for mycoplasms containing a dilution medium of the sample of fluid to be analyzed and, on the one hand, a first substrate comprising dehydrated urea or glucose in the presence of a color pH indicator also in dehydrated form and, on the other hand, a second substrate comprising arginine also in dehydrated form or glucose in the presence of a color pH indicator and that the speed of the enzymatic response is followed while noting the time corresponding to the color change of the indicators, the respective quantities of urea and arginine or of glucose, on the one hand, and the concentration and the nutrient composition of the said growth and dilution medium, on the other hand, being first selected and standardized in such a way that for Ureaplasma urealyticum present at a supra or sub-pathological rate, the color change of the indicator is or is not obtained after a giv

Abstract: Fluorogenic substrates and compositions containing the same are useful for detecting enzymatic activity within intact cells. The fluorogenic substrates are lysosomotropic derivatives of 2,3-dicyano-hydroquinone (DCH). These derivatives may be employed for detecting lysosomal enzymatic activity within intact cells using fluorescent microscopy and cytometry.

Abstract: A lipid represented by the following formula (I) can react with and immobilize a bioactive substance at functional group --Y--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --X:R--Y--(CH.sub.2)n--X (I)wherein X is a halogen atom, Y is --NHCO--, --COO--, or --O--, R is a lipid residue, n is an integer from 1 to 6. In order to immobilize a bioactive substance to this lipid, an SH group is preferably introduced to the bioactive substance. A liposome reagent comprising a liposome including a bioactive substance-immobilized composition containing at least the above lipids, a bioactive substance immobilized on the surface of the liposome, and a marker substance enclosed in the liposome does not cause a nonspecific reaction in a protein-containing sample such as blood or serum and hence is stable upon immunoassay. Therefore, with this liposome reagent, immunoassay can be performed with high accuracy and sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the elimination of ascorbic acid interference in assay systems, particularly assay systems based upon oxidase-peroxidase coupled reactions. When ascorbic acid is present in a sample, it can act as a reductant thereby interfering with an assay's reagent system. The present invention eliminates this inteference by quickly oxidizing any ascorbate thereby preventing ascorbate from acting as an unwanted reductant. The ascorbate is oxidized using a dual oxidant system comprising a water soluble polymer bound to Cu.sup.+2 and an organic or inorganic oxidant such as chromate, peroxide, or a N-halo derivative. This invention is surprisingly selective and generally will not itself interfere with the assay's reagent system. Furthermore, the present invention is so fast and efficient that it can be incorporated into a convenient format, such as a conventional "dip-and-read" reagent test strip system.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a specific binding member bound to first particles in a liquid medium is disclosed. The method comprises providing in combination (1) a liquid medium suspected of containing a specific binding member bound to first particles, (2) means for agglutinating the first particles in relation to the presence of the specific binding member, and (3) second particles having the same or a different specific binding member for said means for agglutinating bound thereto, thereby providing for said means to agglutinate the second particles. Agglutination of the first and second particles are separately detectible and distinguishable by spectroscopic measurement. The medium is incubated and agglutination of each of the particles is determined spectroscopically without separating the first and second particles.

Abstract: Method of assaying the apolipoprotein B (apo B) of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in serum enabling the performance successively, in a single operation, of separation of the LDLs from other lipoproteins containing apo-B by electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel having a controlled degree of cross-linking and assay of the apo-B of the LDLs thus separated by electro-immunodiffusion in an agarose gel containing anti-apo B. Samples are placed in wells formed in the acrylamide gel, and the height of the precipitation arcs in the agarose gel is measured.

Abstract: An immobilized hapten reagent for use in a specific binding assay for the determination of a hapten or binding analog thereof in a liquid test sample and methods for preparing and using the immobilized hapten reagent. The immobilized hapten reagent comprises a hapten moiety covalenty linked substantially only to the external surface of a gel particle. The immobilized hapten reagent is prepared by forming a reaction mixture comprising the hapten moiety and the carrier material in a nonswelling solvent wherein the gel particle is substantially impervious to the hapten moiety and wherein an analytically insignificant amount of the hapten moiety is nonspecifically bound to the gel particle. The immobilized hapten reagent is characterized by being substantially stable in aqueous solutions and exhibits an insignificant amount of leakage of the hapten moiety into a liquid test medium.