Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing individuals as having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, e.g. familial or sporadic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The method provides a useful diagnostic tool which becomes particularly important when testing asymptomatic individuals suspected of having the disease. Symptomatic individuals have a much better chance of being diagnosed properly by a physician. Asymptomatic individuals from families having a history of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be selectively screened using the method of this invention allowing for a diagnosis prior to the appearance of any symptoms. Individuals having the mutation responsible for the disease may be counseled to take steps which hopefully would prolong their life, i.e. avoid rigorous exercise. The methodology used in the above method also has broad applicability and may be used to detect other disease-associated mutations in DNA obtained from subjects being tested for other disease-associated mutations.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions of oligonucleotide probes for use in the detection of bacteria associated with medical disorders of the human mouth, wherein said probes consist essentially of a segment of nucleic acid capable of selectively hybridizing under hybridizing conditions, to the 16S or 23S ribosomal RNA [rRNA] of said bacteria. Methods for detection, as well as diagnostic kits for the assay of these bacterium, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the replication and amplification of RNA sequences by thermoactive DNA polymerases. In a preferred embodiment, high temperature reverse transcription is coupled to nucleic acid amplification in a one tube, one enzyme procedure using a thermostable DNA polymerase. Methods for eliminating carry over contamination of amplifications due to prior reverse transcription reactions are also provided.

Abstract: A microbiological process for terminal hydroxylation of ethyl groups on aromatic 5- or 6-member ring heterocycles. The hydroxylation is performed with microorganisms which:(a) contain the genes of a Pseudomonas OCT plasmid which form an active alkane monooxygenase, and(b) form no active chromosomal or plasmid-coded alcohol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and reagent for measuring the total carbon dioxide content in a sample of body fluid. The improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of propylene glycol to the PEPC enzyme reagent to increase the activity of PEPC and maintaining the enzyme reagent at a substantially constant pH of about 6.0 to 7.0.

Abstract: A detection system for anaerobic micro-organisms involves the addition to a nutrient medium for the micro-organisms of an indicator species which is electrochemically reducible, soluble in the nutrient medium and consumed by the micro-organisms during growth. Two electrodes are immersed in the nutrient medium and changes in an electrical property of the nutrient medium are monitored. A preferred indicator species is riboflavin.

Abstract: The subject invention provides DNA oligomers complementary to portions of the flagellin gene of Borrelia burgdorferi which can be used to detect the organism, as well as other Borrelia species, in a sample. PCR technology can be used to amplify the portion of the flagellin gene which is then detected using a biotinylated probe provided by the subject invention.

Abstract: A cloned single-strand DNA encoding amino acid sequence for a eukaryotic transcription factor S-II is disclosed together with, a cloned double-strand DNA consisting of the single-strand DNA and its complementary single-strand DNA, a DNA fragment of the single- or double-strand DNA, a process for the preparation thereof, a plasmid, in which the double-strand DNA or its fragment is inserted, and a diagnosis of viral diseases and cancers.

Abstract: Bcl-3 gene sequences can be used to monitor the success of chemotherapy and to detect minimal residual disease in patients having hematopoietic malignancies. Bcl-3 sequences can also be used to identify new cellular oncogenes involved in hematopoietic cell malignancies by taking advantage of their adjacency to the bcl-3 promoter. Particular nucleic acid probes and primers are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: A method of staining a nucleic acid sequence which is fixed on a solid support is described wherein an enzymatic system which fixes this sequence is employed to detect it by non-radioactive labelling, the enzymatic system being subsequently reacted with chromogenic substrate to produce a colored product. A developer solution is used comprising a sulfur organic compound constituting the substrate which is adapted to be hydrolized by the enzyme to form an organic thiol, and a metallic compound, for example a gold compound. The metallic compound is soluble and stable in aqueous solution and can react with the organic thiol to form a metal-organic compound complex having a characteristic color which precipitates in situ, which metal-organic complex subsequently may be decolorized with a reducing agent to thus allow reuse of the solid support. A set, or kit, of reactants for carrying out the method also is disclosed.

Abstract: In situ transcription is provided by hybridizing cells or tissue with a primer, and extending the primer bound to any template mRNA or DNA with reverse transcriptase or DNA polymerase in the presence of labeled nucleotides, which allows for detection of cells containing the template. The resulting cDNA may be eluted and used in a polymerase chain reaction for isolation of the DNA, and/or the cDNA electrophoresed, which may provide for information concerning the sequence, or the like.