Abstract: Phosvitin or a modified phosvitin immobilised and coupled to a suitable matrix may be used for the separation and purification of proteins or polypeptides and in the removal of metal ions from biological material. If desired the phosvitin or modified phosvitin may be in the form of a metal chelate complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electrochemically measuring the concentration of fructosamine, or its high alkalinity eneaminol tautomer in a body fluid sample.

Abstract: Tightly focused beams of laser light are used as "optical tweezers" to trap and manipulate polarizable objects such as microspheres of glass or latex with diameters on the order of 4.5 .mu.m. When analytes are allowed to adhere to the microspheres, small quantities of these analytes can be manipulated, thus allowing their detection and quantitation even when amounts and concentrations of the analytes are extremely small. Illustrative examples include measuring the strength needed to break antibody-antigen bonds and the detection of DNA sequences.

Abstract: An accurate, stable, liquid lipoprotein control composition is provided. The control composition of the present invention preferably comprises lipoprotein, suffactant and a divalent cation. The control may further comprise a chelating agent. It has been surprisingly found that when suffactant and a divalent cation are added to lipoprotein, it performs like native lipoprotein in human serum, i.e. not aggregated or subject to matrix effects. In addition, the control composition of the present invention is stable for up to about 5 months at room temperature (about 22.degree. C.) and up to about 12 months when refrigerated (about 2.degree. C. to about 10.degree. C.). Methods of making and using the control composition are also provided.

Abstract: A cyanide-free method and reagent for determining the concentration of total hemoglobin in a whole blood sample accurately in less than 10 seconds comprising a ligand selected from the group consisting of imidiazole, imidazole derivatives, N-hydroxyacetamide, N-hydroxyl amine, pyridine, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyrimidine, purine, quinoline, and isoquinoline, and a surfactant with strong erythrolytic capability selected from the group consisting of lauryl dimethylamine oxide and octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol. The reagent pH is adjusted to about 11 to about 14. Rapid mixing of the reagent with a blood sample leads to the formation of a stable chromogen whose absorbance can be measured between 540 and 550 nm. The cyanide-free reagent is ideal for use on an automated high through-put clinical hematology analyzer.

Abstract: The system for transferring plasma to a test substrate comprises an applicator and the test substrate. The applicator includes a blood reservoir and a filter element which separates cellular components from the blood as plasma is passed to the test substrate. The test substrate includes an absorptive element which receives the plasma from the applicator. In one embodiment, measured amounts of plasma are transferred when the absorptive element becomes saturated, thus stopping the flow of plasma. In another embodiment, excess blood and cellular components are removed from the measured plasma by disengaging the applicator from the test substrate. In another embodiment, plasma transferred to the absorptive element is eluted from the absorptive element by subsequent application of an elution medium.

Abstract: A method for measuring .beta.-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucan in a sample wherein a reaction solution containing calcofluor and a sample containing .beta.-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucan are introduced in a reaction zone of a flow injection system and wherein a constant temperature of 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. is maintained at least between a site at which the reactant solution containing calcofluor is mixed with the sample containing .beta.-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucan, and a detector. When the amount of sample injected into the system is between 0.002 ml and 0.1 ml, the relationship between the void volume in the reaction zone and the amount of sample introduced into the system is determined as follows: when the void volume is less than 0.4 ml: 0.03.times.(void volume (ml))+0.0018.ltoreq.amount of sample (ml).ltoreq.0.066.times.(void volume (ml))+0.0018; when the void volume is 0.4 ml or more: 0.01.times.(void volume (ml))+0.0098.ltoreq.amount of sample (ml).ltoreq.0.026.times.(void volume (ml))+0.00178.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a processing part and a transferring part. In the processing part there are a plurality of stages in which a plurality of processing units are arranged in a row along a horizontal direction and the stages are arranged in a stack vertically. Thus, the processing units are arranged in matrix. The transferring part includes a plurality of horizontal transferring devices each movable in the horizontal direction and a vertical transferring device movable in the vertical direction. Hence, a substrate is movable both horizontally and vertically to be transferred to the desired processing unit.

Abstract: A swab is impregnated with a test reagent such that a test for a specific substance can be effected by rubbing the impregnated swab over the surface to be tested and then viewing the swab for a reagent reaction. The swab may have a hollow stem, and within the hollow stem is a cartridge within another cartridge. An activator solution is in one of the cartridges and a reagent is in another of the cartridges. A method for testing for a substance includes impregnating a swab, and rubbing the swab over a surface suspected of containing the substance. If the substance is present in the surface, a reaction with the substance produces an easily detectable color on the swab tip.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus has a vertical ultrasonic horn with an output tip at the low end thereof and an antiseptic solution holding receptacle that is disposed in a manner that a part of the horn is inside the holding receptacle and the output tip is below a bottom wall of the holding receptacle. An antiseptic solution is first supplied into the holding receptacle that temporarily holds the solution. The solution gradually and continuously flows out from the holding receptacle through outlet holes, which are located in the bottom wall of the holding receptacle and contiguous with the horn, onto the surface of the output tip of the horn so that the horn, while vibrating at the ultrasonic frequency, causes the antiseptic solution to be atomized on the output tip and changed into a state of mist with which the sterilization is performed.

Abstract: Sizing materials are applied to porous substrates to retain fluids in the substrate for a discrete period of time. After that time period, the fluid is substantially completely released from the porous substrate. Sizing materials include alkyl ketene dimers, fluorocarbon resins, and fatty acid chlorides.

Abstract: An air flow containing microorganisms including fungal spores is sterilized by heating the air flow to a sufficient temperature to weaken cellular walls of the microorganisms, inducing turbulence in the air flow; and providing in the air flow sufficient contact surface against which the microorganisms may hit and be destroyed at a flow rate and turbulence level of the air flow.

Abstract: Refuse is sterilized by a system in which refuse is placed into a dumpster, the dumpster having an injection manifold adjacent to the bottom. The dumpster is placed into an autoclave, and steam enters the autoclave and is directed through the injection manifold so that all the steam passes through the refuse. The pressure within the autoclave is controlled to remain relatively low, around 20 psi, and the steam is continued until the temperature is at least 212.degree. F.

Abstract: An applicator beam in a size press comprising a nip formed by a pair of press rolls between which a paper or board web is passed. The press rolls are provided with coating devices for spreading films of coating agent onto the faces of the rolls. The coating devices are mounted on applicator beams placed in the transverse direction of the machine. The applicator beams are linked pivotally on the frame of the size press or on the loading arms of a displaceable roll by a pivot shaft arranged transverse to the machine direction. The applicator beams are also provided with pivot cylinders by which the applicator beams can be pivoted between a closed position, i.e. the operating position, and an opened position, i.e. the service position.

Abstract: Apparatus, and process, for extracting organic fluids and solids specimens from weighed amounts of semi-solids and solids samples for collection, concentration and transfer to an analytic unit. The organic specimen is picked up by a probe assembly from a single compartment septum-sealed vial by heating and slurrying the sample, contacting with a gas; and then transferring the organic specimen with the gas to a collection device, e.g., a syringe or adsorbent trap. The specimen is then transported to an analytical instrument for analysis.

Abstract: Peripheral blood lymphocytes displayed a plurality of sizes and colors when exposed first to a fixative solution of C.I. basic blue 141, then to an aqueous alkaline solution of the same dye and subsequently treated with a neutral HEPES buffer solution containing small but effective amounts of various metal compounds. As confirmed with purified lymphocyte subpopulations obtained with a cell sorter, T helper cells (CD4) were small and their nuclei and cytoplasm stained deep blue. T cytotoxic/suppressor cells (CDS) were larger than T helper cells, their nuclei stained pale green or blue green and their cytoplasm contained a cluster of magenta colored granules. Used in the process described, basic blue 141 provides means of identifying and differentiating CD4 and CD8 cells under the ordinary light microscope without using monoclonal antibodies or fluorescence.

Abstract: A method, composition and test device for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a test device comprising a test pad, wherein the test pad includes a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of producing a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the ionic strength and the buffer capacity, and therefore the specific gravity, of the test sample. The reagent composition, comprising a strong polyelectrolyte, an indicator comprising: (i) a dye that is metachromatic and sensitive to pH changes, or (ii) or a combination of metachromatic dye and a pH indicator dye, in a suitable carrier, and buffered at a pH of 3 or less, is incorporated into a carrier matrix to provide a test pad of a device useful in an ionic strength or specific gravity assay of a test sample.

Abstract: A device in a size press comprising a nip formed by press rolls through which a paper or board web is passed. The press rolls are provided with coating devices for spreading films of a coating agent onto faces of the press rolls. The coating devices are mounted on applicator beams arranged transverse to the machine direction. The applicator beams are supported pivotally on the frame of the size press or on the loading arms of a displaceable press roll and are provided with pivot cylinders by which the applicator beams can be opened and closed in relation to the rolls corresponding to them. The applicator beams are further provided with catches supported directly or indirectly on bearings of the corresponding press rolls when the applicator beams are being closed by the pivot cylinders. At least one of the applicator beams of the size press is provided with catches at each end of the applicator beam and positioned in accordance with the position of the applicator beam.

Abstract: A luminometer comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and device for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a device for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a device for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.

Abstract: Hemoglobin is site-specifically crosslinked into its tetrameric form by reaction with a trifunctional reagent which combines electrostatic effects, steric effects and the presence of functional groups so that two of the functional groups react with specific sites on the hemoglobin whilst the third site is left free for reaction with endogenous nucleophilic compounds. A specific example of such a crosslinking reagent is trimesoyl tris(3,5-dibromosalicylate), TTDS, which effects specific crosslinking between the amino groups of lysine-82 on each respective .beta. sub-unit. While the crosslinking reagent TTDS has three available carboxyl groups for the crosslinking reaction, only two so react, leaving one free carboxyl for reaction with exogenous nucleophiles, e.g. to render the hemoglobin product useful as a carrier for nucleophilic compounds through the body's circulatory system.