Abstract: A method for synthesizing oligonucleotides on a solid substrate. The method provides for the irradiation of a first predefined region of the substrate without irradiation of a first predefined region of the substrate. The irradiation of a second predefined region of the substrate. The irradiation step removes a protecting group therefrom. The substrate is contacted with a first nucleotide to couple the nucleotide to the substrate in the first predefined region. By repeating these steps, an array of diverse oligonucleotides is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An inventive bioassay method can be used to determine the presence in a fluid sample of a toxin having sodium channel-affecting activity. The method includes the steps of incubating a plurality of cultures of cells which are responsive in a dose-dependent manner to sodium channel-affecting toxins with (i) a medium comprising a solution of ouabain and veratridine and (ii) a portion of the fluid sample, each culture being incubated with a different concentration of the fluid sample; removing the medium and fluid sample from the cultures; incubating the cultures with a medium comprising an indicator which is acted upon by living cells to form a measurable product; measuring the amounts of product formed during the preceding step; and relating the amounts of product measured to a standard calibration curve to determine the presence of the toxin in the sample. The method is readily embodied in kit form and is amenable to automation.

Abstract: The invention relates to diagnosis of reactive conditions, such as malignant tumors. According to the invention, the amount of cellular fibronectin in a body fluid is determined, and an elevated amount is used as a marker for a reactive condition. The method is especially suitable for the diagnosis of carcinomas, such as colon carcinoma.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the detection of low numbers of a particular microorganism or microorganisms from a mixed population, the method comprising exposing the sample to a solid support to which antibodies specific for the organism(s) are adsorbed and either growing the bound organism(s) to a detectable level followed by immunoassay or releasing the organisms from the support followed by growth on a non-selective medium and observation of the resultant colonies. The invention also relates to test kits for performing these methods.

Abstract: In an erythrocyte agglutination assay, the agglutination reagent comprises at least one erythrocyte binding molecule coupled to at least one specific analyte binding molecule wherein the erythrocyte binding molecule does not cause agglutination when incubated with erythrocytes in the absence of analyte (in the case of a direct assay) or analyte binding reagent (in the case of an indirect assay). Preferably, the erythrocytes are endogenous to the blood sample to be tested, that is, a whole blood sample is assayed. Mixtures of conjugates and conjugates of analyte analogues with erythrocyte binding molecules may also be used as agglutination reagents. The reagents and their use in direct or indirect assays is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex of mammalian skeletal muscle and a method of isolating said complex. The components of the complex and methods of separating and isolating said components also pertain to the invention. In addition, the invention further relates to a method of diagnosing muscular dystrophy by detecting and quantifying the loss of a non-dystrophin component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex with said loss being indicative of muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Two subsets of Islet Cell Autoantibodies (ICA), termed restricted and non-restricted, have been identified. The expression of non-restricted ICA correlates with progression to type I diabetes, indicating that these individuals are at much greater risk than are individuals expressing restricted ICA. Differentiation between restricted or non-restricted ICA allows for more accurate prognosis of the development of type I diabetes. Restricted ICA react with beta cells of human and rat islets but not mouse, whereas non-restricted ICA react with humans rat and mouse islets. Restricted ICA can be substantially completely absorbed by incubation with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), whereas non-restricted ICA are partially or not at all absorbed by GAD. Restricted ICA react in a Stiff-Man Syndrome fashion including staining GABAergic neurons in brain sections and western blots of brain extracts, whereas non-restricted ICA does not react with either brain sections nor with GAD antigen in western blots.

Abstract: A technique for the synthesis of arrays of diverse polymers such as polypeptides and nucleic acids. The technique beneficially utilizes solid-phase chemistry techniques. Preferred embodiments utilize photolabile protecting groups, and photolithography. The technique forms polymers with monomer sequences and locations determined by the order of addition of monomers and the activation patterns formed on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent consisting of at least one enzyme and at least one other substance, which are covalently or noncovalently bound to a particle, which is smaller than or is equal to 1000 Angstrom in diameter. The invention also relates to method and use of the reagent for determination or studies of a cell or a virus or another component in a sample. According to the invention, these determinations are made with for example some ELISA-technique (competitive, sandwich, etc), employing the reagent preferably in the form of a suspension in buffered water, instead of and in the same way as described for soluble enzyme conjugates. The substance can be antibody, a lectin, avidin or an antigen, the enzyme can be for example peroxidase, alcaline phosphatase, and the particle can be an inorganic or an organic polymeric compound or a combination thereof, as, for example, tresyl-activated glycerylpropyl-silica.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved buffer solution for conducting an immunological method for measuring apoprotein of human tissue factor, and a kit therefor.

Abstract: An agglutination-based method for detecting and/or an analyte by allowing the agglutination reaction between the analyte, a carrier reagent, and an agglutinating agent to occur in the presence of a multivalent ligand.

Abstract: Novel nucleosides are provided having at least one hydrogen or hydroxide substitutent replaced by a .gamma.-emitting halogen. Methods of preparation of these nucleosides are provided and also a novel non-invasive method for the detection and measurement of tissue hypoxia in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides that immunologically mimic papillomavirus latent proteins and to antibodies and monoclonal antibodies that immunoreact with papillomavirus latent proteins. Systems and methods for detecting the presence and type of papillomavirus in a human subject are also described.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic unit is provided which employs a housing which provides for a sample port, and a channel which feeds the sample to an incubation area by means of capillary action. The incubation area is underneath an optically-clear window and comprises a lipid membrane which has optical properties, particularly fluorescent properties and usually a reagent. A reservoir at the end of the channel downstream from the incubation area receives the sample and waste washes, while on one side of the platform area is a reagent reservoir and on the other side a side waste reservoir, so that one can move the reagent from the reagent reservoir through the platform area into the waste reservoir. Various reagents may be contained within the unit and the necessary liquids added automatically by appropriate instrumentation, so as to have the assay carried out automatically, without technician involvement, providing an accurate and sensitive determination.

Abstract: At the initial diagnosis of sepsis (6-24 h before the development of ARDS), serum manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) levels and catalase activities are increased in septic patients who subsequently developed ARDS compared to septic patients who did not develop ARDS. Increases in MnSOD and catalase may be used to predict the occurrence of ARDS in septic patients with the same sensitivity, specificity and efficiency as parallel assessments of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Factor VIII levels. Evaluation of serum MnSOD and catalase as well as these other accessible markers facilitates identification of subsets of patients and allows prospective treatment of septic patients who are destined to develop ARDS.

Abstract: The presence or quantity of a selected subset of cells, which is part of a subpopulation of a mixed cell population, is determined by a method in which a detectable reporter substance is uniformly incorporated into substantially all cells of the subpopulation containing the subset of interest. The subset of interest is then affinity-separated by incubating a test sample of the mixed cell population containing the labeled subpopulation with a specific binding substance which selectively binds to characteristic determinants of the cell subset of interest. Occurrence of the reporter substance in the separated fraction is then detected, and correlated to a predetermined standard to determine the presence or quantity of the subset of interest within the cell population. According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided for quantitating two or more selected subsets of cells within a subpopulation of a mixed cell population.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the determination of urinary protein and creatinine in a single reaction vessel using a continuous process. The method involves adjusting the pH to a level suitable for carrying out an immuno assay for the protein and making such a determination by an immuno agglutination technique. Raising the pH to a level suitable for determining the creatinine quickly dissipates the cloudiness caused by the agglutination reaction, so that the creatinine determination can be carried out without delay.

Abstract: Radiolabelled polypeptides derived from the Viperidae disintegrins are provided as well as a method for the detection of venous and arterial thrombi, pulmonary emboli and tumors or abscesses that have a thrombus component. Compositions suitable for parenteral administration comprising the radiolabelled polypeptides and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of and compositions for early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of osteoarthritis using monoclonal antibodies which specifically recognize antigenic determinants on atypical chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains in body tissues and fluids, which determinants are markers of osteoarthritis.