Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluorescence polarization assay for opiate alkaloids and their metabolites, 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 making them. The tracers and the immunogens are made from substituted opiate alkaloids. A fluorescein moiety is included in the tracers, while a poly(amino acid) forms a part of the immunogens. The assay is conducted by measuring the degree of polarization retention of the fluorescence resulting when a sample mixed with antiserum and tracer is irradiated with plane-polarized light.

Abstract: Rapid differentiation between viable gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria is accomplished with certain polypeptide antibiotics which are used in combination with a compound which is normally reducible by the bacteria. The antibiotics selectively inhibit the reduction of the reducible compound by gram-positive bacteria but do not substantially affect the reducing capacity of the gram-negative bacteria. The particular antibiotics useful are cyclic polypeptides which affect the function of the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria. A particular polypeptide antibiotic, polymixin B, will distinguish Proteus bacteria from other gram-negative genera.

Abstract: Pteridine compounds, useful as diuretics, of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken alone are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring system or such a ring containing one or two further hetero atoms, or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: Proteinaceous, antigenic factor derived from a group C Streptococcus which is receptor for the Fc region of IgG, a method for its preparation and immunoassay and antigen detection methods employing the receptor.

Abstract: A method for conducting assays for an analyte, usually in a biological sample, utilizes reagents which contain biological ligands linked to fluorescein or a derivative of fluorescein through a linkage to the fluorescein nucleus selected from acetamido and thioacetamido. In these reagents, the fluorescence efficiency is improved over that obtained in the commonly used FITC-labeled reagents.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from other causes of human dementia by analyzing the cerebrospinal fluid of patients for proteins 130 and 131. The presence of these proteins indicates the presence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Abstract: Assay methods are provided for determining an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method is carried out using a composition that includes a conjugate of a first sbp member with a particle. A luminescer is reversibly associated with a nonaqueous phase of the particle. Where the first sbp member is not complementary to the analyte, a second sbp member that is capable of binding to the first sbp member is employed. Unbound conjugate is separated from conjugate that is bound to the analyte or to the second sbp member. A reagent for enhancing the detectability of the luminescer is added and the light emission of the luminescer acted on by the reagent is measured.

Abstract: Rapid differentiation between viable fungi (for example, yeast) and viable bacteria is accomplished with certain polyene antibiotics which are used in combination with a compound which is normally reducible by both the fungi and the bacteria. The antibiotics selectively and substantially inhibit the reduction of the reducible compound by the fungi but do not affect the reducing capacity of the bacteria. The particular antibiotics useful are polyenes which selectively affect the function of the cytoplasmic membrane of fungi.

Abstract: New immunosorbent enzyme assays are provided employing antibiotic keying agents for binding a molecular species to be detected to a test surface followed by binding of an antibody specific for the species and detection of the antibody-species binding. In accordance with preferred embodiments, soluble peptidoglycan is assayed in a fluid binding it to a test surface with vancomycin, reacting the bound material with a peptidoglycan specific antibody, and measuring the extent of the antibody reaction. Assessment of bodily fluids and fermenation broths for the presence of certain kinds of antibiotics is one object of this invention. Assessment of sera for the presence of antibodies that have specificity for soluble peptidoglycans is another object of this invention. Assessment of bodily states in mammals is another object of the invention.

Abstract: Fluorescent compounds which are conjugates of a biologically active moiety and an arylidene dye moiety. The compounds have a large Stokes shift and are useful in applications such as biological diagnostic elements.

Abstract: The interference of dehydroascorbic acid, an oxidation product of ascorbic acid, in analytical methods is reduced with the use of certain nitrogen-containing organic buffers. Dehydroascorbic acid tends to cause premature reduction of reducible compounds which are used to provide detectable species in the presence of an analyte. These organic buffers, as opposed to inorganic buffers, prevent premature reduction of the reducible compounds. An analytical method can be carried out in solution or in a dry analytical element.

Abstract: Rapid differentiation between viable gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria is accomplished with polyether antibiotics which are used in combination with a compound which is normally reducible by the bacteria. The antibiotics selectively and substantially inhibit the reduction of the reducible compound by gram-positive bacteria but do not substantially affect the reducing capacity of the gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: A support matrix generally useful for the immobilization of biologically active proteins is made by coating with a polymeric alcohol a core support of titania or a carbonaceous pyropolymer deposited on a high surface area refractory inorganic oxide, cross-linking the alcohol, and converting a portion of the hydroxyl moieties to sulfonate esters. Such supports covalently bind enzymes and antibodies via a strong carbon-nitrogen single bond to give, for example, an immobilized antibody system extremely resistant to leaching of the antibody, the cross-linked alcohol, or of metals from the core support.

Abstract: An assay for functional high molecular weight kininogen in plasma is provided. A plasma sample of unknown functional high molecular kininogen content is treated to inactivate plasma protease inhibitors and kallikrein, and is appropriately neutralized and diluted. Exogenous factor XIIa and factor XI are added to the sample to form a reaction mixture which is incubated with a contact-activating surface. The concentrations of factor XIIa and factor XI in the reaction mixture are selected such that the concentration of functional high molecular weight kininogen in the sample is rate-limiting in the HMWK-mediated activation of factor XI by factor XIIa. The amount of factor XIa generated in the sample, which under the conditions of the assay is directly proportional to the concentration of functional HMWK, may be determined by functional assay using an appropriate factor XIa substrate.

Abstract: Attenuated pseudorabies viruses are provided which comprise DNA including a sequence essential for replication of the attenuated virus, at least a portion of which is present in a sequence essential for replication of a naturally-occurring pseudorabies virus, from which at least a portion of a repeat sequence has been deleted. These viruses are useful as vaccines for immunizing animals against pseudorabies virus disease.The invention also provides methods of preparing attenuated pseudorabies viruses.

Abstract: Dimers which are either esters or amides of (1) a purpurin, a chlorin or a metal complex and (2) hematoporphyrin or a purpurin, a chlorin or a metal complex are disclosed. The purpines and their metal complexes have the structures of FIGS. 1, 7, 14-18, 29-38, 44-48 and 54-58 of the attached drawings. The chlorins and their metal complexes have the formulas of FIGS. 2, 8, 19-28, 39-43 or 49-53 of the attached drawings. Solutions of the purpurins, chlorins and metal complexes which are physiologically acceptable for intravenous administration are also disclosed, as are emulsions or suspensions of the solutions. The solvent for the solutions can be a product of the reaction of ethylene oxide with castor oil. A method for detecting and treating tumors in human and animal patients is also disclosed. The method comprises administering one of the dimers to the patient.

Abstract: Method for carrying out immunochemical assays for lipoproteins and/or apolipoproteins, wherein prior to the reaction of the sample with the appropriate anti(apolipoprotein) or anti(lipoprotein) antibody the pH of the sample is maintained at a non-denaturing value in a pretreatment step for exposing antigenic determinants, said non-denaturing value lying above pH 9.0 or below pH 3.0. After the pre-treatment step the pH is adjusted for immune reaction, so that then the immunochemical assay can be carried out in a manner known per se.

Abstract: Methods of preparing glucitollysinehemoglobin from a sample of glucohemoglobin containing stable and labile glucohemoglobins and for assaying for the presence of stable glucohemoglobin are disclosed, as is a diagnostic assay system useful for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: Novel 4-oxoguinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives having the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 represents a halogen or hydrogen atom, X.sup.2 represents a halogen or hydrogen atom, X.sup.3 represents a halogen atom, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, are disclosed. These compounds have excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and beneficial pharmacokinetic properties.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of animal or human tissue is enhanced when a paramagnetic pyrophosphate compound is administered intraveneously as a contrast agent. The contrast agent is particularly useful in magnetic resonance imaging of area of tissue calcification, such as acute myocardial infarctions. Specific localization of paramagnetic pyrophosphate in ischemic and necrotic muscle cells at the periphery of a myocardial infarction makes accurate localization and sizing of the central infarct and peri-infarct zones possible.