Abstract: A chemiluminescent reaction, which may be utilized as an immunoassay, carried out by 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione or its derivative, a peroxidase, and an oxidant, is enhanced by adding a phenolic compound such as (4-cyanomethylthio)phenol thereto. Especially, it is preferred that (4-cyanomethylthio)phenol is added to a mixture of luminol, horseradish peroxidase, and hydrogen peroxide to provide a significantly enhanced and stabilized luminescent reaction. Involving this enhanced luminescent reaction to an immunoassay, the sensitivity of the assay may be increased.

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: 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: 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: A dry analytical element can be used to sensitively and rapidly detect a wide variety of specific binding ligands in either a competitive binding or sandwich assay format. The assays are carried out using a peroxidase-labeled immunoreactant. The peroxidase label is stabilized with a 4-hydroxy or 4-alkoxyarylacetamide which is located in one or more zones of the element. Not only is the label stabilized with the stabilizer, but the assay is more sensitive.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions, test kits, test devices and methods can be used to detect hydrogen peroxide or peroxidase by generating a colorimetric or chemiluminescent signal in the presence of the analyte. Signal generation is enhanced by the presence of certain substituted 4-hydroxy- or 4-alkoxy-substituted phenyl or naphthyl electron transfer agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for collecting, concentrating and detecting microorganisms from difficult-to-separate environmental samples e.g. oil well samples and the like, for the purpose of their analysis or identification; and apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: The invention allows the generation and screening of a large population of peptides for the presence of peptides which bind a particular macromolecule or macromolecular complex with high affinity, and further allows the favored net synthesis of analyzable quantities of such peptides, by using as the "trap" a macromolecule or macromolecular complex for which binding of the peptide is desired. The starting mixture is preferably spiked with a peptide having some affinity for the target macromolecule so that mutation of the spike or "lead" peptide is favored. The development of improved binding peptides through scrambling may be dynamically monitored by initially binding the target with an insolubilized ligand, and then looking for an increase in the concentration of the target in the soluble phase as a result of the displacement of the reference ligand by scrambled peptides.

Abstract: A specific binding immunoassay method for reducing the "hook" effect for the measurement of C-Reactive Protein has been discovered for both solution and dry analytical elements comprising contacting a liquid sample containing C-reactive protein in the presence of calcium ions with (a) a first antibody Ab1 specific for C-reactive protein, Ab1 being immobilized on a water-insoluble substrate and (b) a labeled, unbound second antibody Ab2 specific for C-reactive protein to obtain a water-insoluble complex of Ab1, ligand, and Ab2; (2) separating the water-insoluble complex from the liquid sample and unreacted Ab2; and (3) measuring either the amount of Ab2 associated with said water-insoluble complex or the amount of unreacted Ab2 as an indication of the amount of C-reactive protein in the sample.

Abstract: Nonmetallic tetrapyrrole molecules are shown to catalyze the production of light by chemiluminescence in the presence of a signal solution at a pH from about 10.0 to about 14.0, having an appropriate oxidant or combination of oxidants and a luminescent reactant. The addition of an electron transport facilitator, a surfactant, a carbohydrate, and a chelating agent to the signal solution increases the output of light. These tetrapyrrole molecules are used alone or attached to haptens or macromolecules and are utilized as labels in the preparation of chemiluminescent, homogeneous or heterogeneous assays. They are also used in conjunction with other chemiluminescent label molecules to produce multiple analyte chemiluminescent assays. A chemiluminescent signal solution which comprises at a pH ranging from about 10.0 to about 14.

Abstract: A new and improved polymeric membrane for use in biological assays is provided. A blotting assay employing 1,2-dioxetanes as a source of chemiluminescence employs, as an improved membrane, a polymer comprised of at least one monomer of the formula: ##STR1## The membranes reduce background signal, improve sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles incorporating a series of two or more fluorescent dyes having overlapping excitation and emission spectra allowing efficient energy transfer from the excitation wavelength of the first dye in the series, transfer through the dyes in the series and re-emitted as an optical signal at the emission wavelength of last dye in the series, resulting in a desired effective Stokes shift which is controlled through selection of appropriate dyes.

Abstract: A substance having binding sites for at least two molecules may be detected within a sample. A molecule which can be recognized by the substance is labelled such that when at least two of the labelled molecules are bound the binding sites on the substance, the labels on the molecules electronically interact with each other and vary the wavelength dependance of their spectra. This variation in the spectra of the label can be detected. If the sample is suspected of containing the unlabelled form of a molecule, such as biotin or cocaine, a known amount of the above substance, along with a known amount of the corresponding labelled biotin or cocaine is added to the sample. In this instance, the amount of the suspect molecule in the sample is then determined by the extent to which the variation in the spectra of the label has been reduced. Alternatively, the present invention can be used to determine the binding characteristics of the substance within the sample.

Abstract: A method for assaying body fluid samples containing heparin and a diagnostic kit are described. Since the reactions go to completion, timing of the assay is not required. The sample is mixed with a heparin-dependent protease inhibitor and either a heparin-independent irreversible inhibitor or a protease substrate. The coagulation enzyme (protease) is then added in a limiting quantity and it either distributes between the heparin-dependent inhibitor and the heparin-indepedent irreversible inhibitor, or the heparin-dependent inhibitor and the protease substrate. The distribution pattern of complex formation of the protease with the two inhibitors or the level of product of the protease-catalyzed hydrolysis of the substrate are used as measures of the heparin activity. The irreversible inhibitor is a peptidyl chloromethyl ketone and the substrate is a synthetic chromogenic or fluorogenic compound that produces a readily measured signal.

Abstract: Antibodies are raised against immunogens which include an aromatic ring moiety, preferably the compound 6-aminohexyl-p-tolylacetamide, which immunologically cross-react with small aliphatic organic compounds. These antibodies are useful in immunoassay methods for detecting a class of very small organic molecules such as 1,1-dihaloethylene and 1,1,2-trihaloethylene, whether alone or as a functional group on another molecule. Such antibodies and methods provide important tools for detecting significant environmental pollutants.

Abstract: Detecting an immunoreactant in a liquid sample, by:mixing the liquid sample with an excess of a complementary immunoreactant capable of specifically binding to the immunoreactant to allow an immunoreaction to take place, in which the complementary immunoreactant is immobilized on insoluble carrier particles and labeled with an electrochemiluminescent substance that emits an electrochemiluminescent light by electrolytic oxidation in the presence of activated oxygen,applying an electric voltage to a pair of electrodes between which the mixture obtained above is placed, in the presence of activated oxygen to allow electrochemiluminescence to take place;measuring the emission of the electrochemiluminescent light; andcorrelating the presence of the immunoreactant with the amount of measured electrochemiluminescent light, is a highly accurate method, because the rate of change of the emission of luminescent light as a function of immunoreactant concentration in the sample is high.

Abstract: A mass biosensor method provides enhanced quantification of analyte concentrations in a sample. In a direct approach, an analyte is derivatized to form an analyte chelate and then specifically bound to a sensor. In an indirect approach, a complement of the analyte is derivatized to form a complement chelate which is then bound to a sensor. In a direct/indirect hybrid approach, an analog of the analyte is derivatized to form an analog chelate that is bound to a sensor in competition with the sample analyte. In all three approaches, mass measurements taken as the ligand chelate attaches to the sensor permit the concentration of the analyte in the sample to be calculated. Once measurement is completed, a dissociation treatment is applied to dissociate the derivatized species from the sensor so that the sensor can be reused. The effects of the dissociation treatment can be monitored using phosphorescence detection.

Abstract: N-substituted azetidinones are a class of inhibitors of human leukocytes elastase which are known to be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of antiinflammatory and antidegenerative diseases. In inhibiting elastase, the therapeutic agents are shown to form a characteristic stable complex with the enzyme. In the assay disclosed herein, the inhibitor-enzyme complex is advantageously hydrolyzed and specific product(s) of the hydrolysis are measured. The assays are useful in a clinical setting, for determining appropriate dosage and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.

Abstract: Hapten-biotin conjugates in which the hapten is linked with biotin via a spacer, which has 26 to 40 atoms in its chain and contains at least 5 heteroatoms, are novel and are suitable, in particular for use in a competitive homogeneous immunoassay in which the agglutination which occurs in the reaction is evaluated by turbidimetric or nephelometric measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluoroescence polarization immunoassay for determining the 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol content in body fluids, to the various components needed for preparing and carrying out such an assay, and to methods of making these components. Specifically, tracers, immunogens and antibodies are disclosed, as well as methods for preparing them. The assay is conducted by measuring the degree of polarization of plane polarized light that has been passed through a sample containing antiserum and tracer.