Abstract: This invention relates to methods for evaluating or inhibiting the aggregation of a protein in an aqueous suspension including organopolysiloxane and medical articles coated with organopolysiloxane containing a protein solution including sugar and a non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-coated substrate, such as a slide, that is useful for immobilizing a sample. The invention is further provides methods of preparing such pre-coated substrates and methods of analyzing biological samples immobilized on such pre-coated substrate. The substrate is coated with a polycationic polymeric coating material specifically selected such that that coated substrate exhibits increased stability and prolonged shelf-life. Preferred polymeric coating materials include allylic or vinylic polymers having cationic groups thereon and having no more than a small percentage of peptidic monomeric linkages, particularly polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA).

Abstract: A sample compressor applies pressure to a sample collector and a sample application zone of a test strip to transfer a sample from the sample collector and a binding partner of an analyte to the sample application zone in a lateral flow device. At least one of the binding partners of the analyte is not located on the test strip prior to use of the lateral flow device. The test strip may be a universal test strip with no molecule that specifically binds the analyte is located on the test strip. The sample compressor may be a universal sample compressor also with no molecule that specifically binds the analyte on the sample compressor. The lateral flow device may also include one or more enhancement elements, where the enhancement elements bind to the analyte sandwich to increase a detection signal in the test zone.

Abstract: Provided is a bio-disc reading apparatus for reading information including product authentication of a bio-disc and assay site of a bio-disc, and an assay method using same.

Abstract: A first fuel and a second fuel are marked with a marker that can be detected quantitatively in a predetermined concentration range. The second fuel is marked with a binary marker. Decreased concentration of the quantitative marker, presence of a binary marker, or both may be indicative of a fuel that is altered (e.g., mixed, laundered, diluted, or adulterated). Testing a fuel includes testing the fuel for a presence of a first marker in the fuel in a predetermined concentration range, and testing the fuel for a presence of a second marker. The presence of the first marker in the predetermined concentration range and an absence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is unaltered. The presence of the first marker in the fuel in a concentration less than the predetermined concentration range or the presence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is altered.

Abstract: A method of collecting a specimen of the present invention is used in detecting upper digestive system disease. The method of collecting a specimen includes: a step of positioning sampling equipment in the duodenum of the subject into which duodenal juice is secreted, the sampling equipment being used to collect and store the duodenal juice; a step of collecting duodenal juice naturally secreted in the duodenum using the sampling equipment; and a step of stopping collection of the duodenal juice when collection quantity of the duodenal juice reaches a predetermined quantity which is 3.0 ml or less.

Abstract: A test element, for example in the form of an immunological test strip functioning according to the sandwich principle, for the fluorophoric detection of one or more analytes in a sample comprising an analyte detection zone and a combined control and calibration zone. The combined control and calibration zone include a fluorophore and binding partners for the specific binding of reagents labelled with a fluorophore. Furthermore, the invention concerns a method for calibrating an analyte-specific measurement signal, a method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample and the use of the test element for calibrating a signal generated in the analyte detection zone of a test element.

Abstract: A method of collecting a specimen of the present invention detects upper digestive system disease. The method of collecting a specimen includes: a step of administering a stimulant of pancreatic juice secretion or a stimulant of bile secretion to a subject; a step of positioning sampling equipment in the duodenum of the subject into which duodenal juice is secreted, the sampling equipment being used to collect and store the duodenal juice; a step of starting collection of the duodenal juice by the sampling equipment within five minutes from the administration of the stimulant of pancreatic juice secretion or the stimulant of bile secretion; and a step of stopping collection of the duodenal juice such that collection time for the duodenal juice is within five minutes from the start of collection.

Abstract: A universal chirality sensor based on immuno-recognition-driven nanoparticle assembly has been fabricated. The design of smart 10 nm AuNP-antigen and 20 nmAuNP-antibody described for the detection of aflatoxin B1. 10 nm AuNP-antigen and 20 nmAuNP-antibody assemble to symmetric plasmonic nanoparticle dimers, which induced CD signal. The addition of aflatoxin B1 to the chirality sensor resulted in transverse CD signal compared to a blank control as shown by CD measurements. This process also allowed the rapid and facile determination of concentrations of aflatoxin B1 in drinking water (tap water). Good linearity for all calibration curves was obtained, and the limit of detection (LOD) for aflatoxin B1 was 0.02 ng/mL in tap water.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluorescent substance-containing silica nanoparticles containing a fluorescent substance therein featured in that the surface of the silica nanoparticles is coated with a material having a bulk refractive index of from 1.60 to 4.00. The invention can provide fluorescent substance-containing silica nanoparticles excellent in long term storage stability and a biosubstance labeling agent employing the same.

Abstract: A sequential solid phase immunoassay and system is disclosed. The immunoassay utilizes the secondary antibody method for the detection of antibodies in a membrane-based test. The system comprises a test strip including a nitrocellulose membrane having an immobilized antigen in a capture zone on the membrane and a stabilized liquid secondary antibody conjugate. The sequential solid phase immunoassay is performed in a sequential manner with the addition of a fluid specimen being followed by the addition of the stabilized liquid secondary antibody conjugate. The sequential procedure using the system includes allowing the fluid specimen containing antibodies specific to the antigen to pass laterally from the test strip first end through the capture zone. The immobilized antigens in the capture zone capture antibodies specific to the antigen. The stabilized liquid secondary antibody conjugate then binds to the captured antibodies and can be detected visually or by a machine or reader.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for fixing biological samples, particularly fecal samples used in the diagnosis of parasitic infection. The fixative composition of the present invention includes a zinc salt, an organic acid and water and permits staining of biological samples without use of toxic compounds, such as formaldehyde and mercury-containing compounds and without the use of additives such as polyvinyl alcohol. The fixative composition and methods are compatible with many diagnostic assays, including trichrome stains, iron hematoxlin, ELISA, fluorescent assays, and lateral flow assays.

Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the animal to be imaged and which therefore undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to the animal. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.

Abstract: The invention provides, as contrast signal generators in MR imaging of the digestive tract, paramagnetic metal chelates of novel acrylic compounds of formula C(R1R2)═CR3—CO—Z—Z (1) and/or C(R1R2)═CR3—CO—Z—Z—Z—CO—CR3═C(R1R2) (2) in monomer, oligomer, homopolymer and copolymer forms, in which the R1, R2 and R3 represent H or saturated or unsaturated C1-10 aliphatic radicals optionally substituted by one or more OH groups; Z is a covalent bond or a linker spacer and A is a moiety capable of fixing a paramagnetic metal by chelation. Compounds of type (1) useful in the present invention are, for instance the polyalkylene-aminopolycarboxylic acids such as NTA, EDTA, DTPA, DOTA and like structures, possibly involving additional substituents; an example is the compound BOPTA which is a DTPA derivative carrying a benzyloxypropyl group.

Abstract: A method of imaging a spatial distribution of a noble gas by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry includes detecting a spatial distribution of at least one noble gas by NMR spectrometry and generating a representation of said spatial distribution of the noble gas. The noble gas is selected from noble gas isotopes having nuclear spin, preferably Xenon-129 and/or Helium-3. The noble gas is at least thermally or equilibrium polarized and is preferably hyperpolarized, most preferably hyperpolarized by optical (laser) pumping in the presence of an alkali metal or by metastability exchange. The generation of the representation of the noble gas spatial distribution includes at least one dimension, preferably 2 or 3 dimensions of the spatial distribution. The noble gas may be imaged according to the invention in chemical or biological systems, preferably in a human or animal subject or organ system or tissue thereof.

Abstract: Improved methods for providing an image of an internal region of a patient. Embodiments of the invention involve the administration to the patient of a contrast agent which comprises, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid, protein, polymer or surfactant, and a gas. The patient is scanned using ultrasound imaging to obtain a visible image of the region. In embodiments of the invention, the scanning step may comprise applying a first quantity of ultrasound energy to the patient to provide a first image, followed by the application substantially immediately thereafter of a second quantity of ultrasound energy to provide a second image. The first and second images are then processed. The methods are particularly useful for obtaining on-line images of the cardiovascular region which may be employed, for example, to diagnose the presence of diseased tissue in the cardiovascular region of a patient.

Abstract: The invention is characterized by the use in cosmetic compositions of one or more lipophilic derivatives of amino deoxyalditols corresponding to the general formula: in which: R1 is a saturated linear C14-C40 aliphatic radical; R2 is a hydrogen atom or a linear C1-C6 alkyl radical; X is an oxygen atom or a methylene radical; and n is an integer from 1 to 5; with the proviso that when X is a methylene radical R1 contains from 19 to 39 carbon atoms. Application to the preparation of cosmetic compositions for the treatment of keratinous substances and for buccodental hygiene.

Abstract: The invention relates to particulate contrast agents, especially contrast agents for MR imaging having a metal oxide core which is preferably superparamagnetic iron oxide. The particulate contrast agents are provided with a low coating density of a polyelectrolyte coating agent selected from structural polysaccharides and synthetic polymers, especially polyaminoacids. Unlike conventional coated particulates, the new particles have reduced or no effect on cardiovascular parameters, platelet depletion, complement activation and blood coagulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new anti-tumoral therapy agent based on liposome-encapsulated cytostatic agents and/or the metabolites thereof. The invention can be used in the pharmaceutical industry and in medicine. The aim of the invention is to build up drug targeting to combat cancer through suitable carrier systems. The invention is characterized by the fact that it clearly increases the concentration of cytostatic agents and residence time in tumors. At the same time, toxic side-effects on the remaining organs are reduced. The inventive agent contains PEG, immuno or immuno/PEG liposome-encapsulated cytostatic agents and/or the metabolites thereof, degradable starch particles and/or gelatin and/or nanoparticles, contrast agents containing iodine, gadolinium or magnetite. A preferred agent is characterized by the cytostatic agent Carboplatinum, encapsulated in SUV-PEG, starch particle Spherex or Gelfoam and the contrast agent Gadolinium-DTPA.

Abstract: The invention relates to gaseous microparticles for ultrasonic diagnosis, whose wall material is built up from block copolymers of polyesters of &agr;-, &bgr;- or &ggr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids with linear or star-shaped polyethylene glycols and optionally liquid crystals or whose wall material is built up from polyesters of &agr;-, &bgr;- or &ggr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids and liquid crystals, media that contain these particles for ultrasonic diagnosis, as well as a process for the production of the media and particles.