Abstract: A method for the detection of the presence of inflammation in a patient by measuring the amount of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule (cICAM-1) in a sample of one or more bodily fluids of the patient and then comparing the amount of cICAM-1 in the sample to standards normal for the bodily fluid or fluids assayed. The amount of cICAM-1 can be measured using anti-ICAM-1 antibodies. Higher than normal amounts of cICAM-1 indicate the presence of inflammation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if a pregnant woman is at significant risk of carrying a fetus with Down syndrome, The method comprises measuring the pregnant woman's maternal blood levels of the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. The level of free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin individually or with other markers may be compared to reference data. A computerized apparatus for making the determination preferably using a probability density function generated from a set of reference data by a linear discriminant analysis procedure is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting fetal Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), trisomy 13, trisomy 18 and other chromosomal anomalies during prenatal screening by analyzing blood samples from a pregnant woman. More particularly the present invention relates to a method for improving detection efficiency in screening for the anomalies by measuring the amount of the free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and nicked or fragmented or aberrant forms of free beta (HCG), all of which are referenced throughout this application as free beta (HCG) in blood samples from pregnant women.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and an improved method utilizing them is disclosed for the preparation of an optically pure, L-amino acid from its D and D,L isomer forms. The process utilizes cell cultures that possess high aminotransferase activity that exhibits moderate selectivity in the conversion of D and L amino acids to their respective 2-keto acids as well as absolute stereospecificity in the conversion of the 2-keto acids to the L isomer alone.

Abstract: A screening method for fetal Down syndrome using free beta (HCG) as a marker. The maternal blood level of free beta (HCG) is measured and compared to reference data, at a similar gestational age, of the level of free beta (HCG) in pregnant women carrying a fetus with Down syndrome and pregnant women carrying an unaffected fetus. The method may advantageously be utilized during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Fragments of free beta and "nicked" free beta may also be utilized as markers.

Abstract: In a method of determining the presence of an endotoxin or endotoxin-like material in a sample, a) a sample is incubated with a component of horseshoe crab amoebocytes lysate or haemolymph or a synthetic analogue thereof, b) the incubated mixture of the sample and the component or analogue resulting from step a) is reacted with an antibody raised against the component or analogue or against a reaction product of the incubation of step a), and c) the presence of endotoxin or endotoxin-like material in the sample is determined by detecting any bound antibody in the reaction mixture of step b). In the method either the component or analogue or the antibody or the endotoxin or endotoxin-like material is coupled to a solid support.

Abstract: In the case of a process for the detection of the functionability of the kidney tubules, one specifically determines the content of THP in the urine as measure of the function of the kidney tubules. One uses this process for the control of the transplant rejection after a kidney transplantation, for the detection of blood supply disturbances of the kidney and of kidney damages produced by prior oxygen deficiency supply. Processes for determining kidney function by measuring Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) using a specific monoclonal antibody are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of assaying D-vanillylmandelic acid (D-VMA) contained in a specimen of a living organism through the following steps (A) to (D), and a reagent and a kit used for the assay, wherein a racemic mixture of VMA is used as the standard substance for preparing a calibration curve and a labeled anti-D-VMA antibody is used as the labeled anti-VMA antibody to specifically assay only D-VMA in the specimen:(A) the step of conducting a competitive reaction of VMA in the specimen and VMA in solid phase against the labeled anti-VMA antibody;(B) the step of separating the liquid phase from the solid phase;(C) the step of determining the quantity of labeling of the labeled anti-VMA antibody combined with the solid-phase VMA and that of other substances; and(D) the step of preparing a calibration curve or obtaining an equation by using a standard substance of a known concentration, calculating the concentration of VMA corresponding to the quantity of labeling determined in the s

Abstract: The invention concerns monoclonal antibodies which are directed against the thrombin/hirudin-complex and derivatives thereof, processes for their preparation, hybridoma cell lines secreting said monoclonal antibodies, and processes for the preparation of the hybridoma cell lines. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the monoclonal antibodies and/or their derivatives for the determination of the thrombin/hirudin-complex as well as to test kits comprising said monoclonal antibodies and/or their derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha. with high sensitivity, a hybridoma producing said monoclonal antibody, a method of establishing said hybridoma and an immunoassay method for 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha. using said monoclonal antibody.The monoclonal antibody of the present invention makes it possible to conveniently measure 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha., a stable metabolite of prostaglandin I.sub.2 thought of as reflecting the concentration changes therein, with specificity and high sensitivity. It is useful in determining the content of prostaglandin I.sub.2, which exhibits platelet aggregating inhibitory activity, vasodilating activity and other activities, in biological samples.

Abstract: Even when the specimen contains human granulocyte elastase in the form of a mixture of free elastase with an elastase-inhibitor complex or complexes, the present invention enables the total quantity of elastase in that specimen to be precisely detected. The inhibitor is added to free elastase to convert it into an elastase-inhibitor complex, whereby the quantity of elastase can be measured by immunoassay as the total amount including the previously existing elastase-inhibitor complex. It is possible to precisely measure the total amount of elastase in mucus collected from the cervical canal of a pregnant woman, sputum or a rinsed solution of bronchovesicular lavage in which free elastase is mixed with an elastase-inhibitor complex.

Abstract: A topical liquid formulation for treating lice or head infection is disclosed. The formulation contains active ingredients such as deltamethrin or permethrin in a lower alkyl ether of glycol.

Abstract: This invention provides a quantitative assay for determining the amount of a biologically active ligand selected from the group consisting of human chorionic gonadotropin and luetinizing hormone present in a sample comprising contacting the sample with both the receptor to which the ligand naturally binds in order to effect its biologicaly activity and a monoclonal antibody directed to the ligand or to a complex of the ligand and the receptor so as to form a complex of the ligand bound to both the receptor, at the site to which the ligand naturally binds to the receptor, and the monoclonal antibody. In the complex so formed, either the receptor or the monoclonal antibody is labeled with a detectable marker and a determination is made of the amount of labeled receptor or of labeled monoclonal antibody bound to the ligand or the amount of labeled receptor or of labeled monoclonal antibody not bound to the ligand, or both such amounts.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a patient with an autoimmune disease using monoclonal antibodies to quantitate the amount of 680 kd, 54 kd, 44 kd or 14 kd present, wherein an elevated amount of protein compared to a patient without the disease indicates the presence of autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Pesticide granules especially for delivering a biological pesticide in aquatic applications have a wax core and the pesticide secured to the core in a water dispersible or water soluble matrix. More specifically the pesticide composition is free flowing and water floatable with the biological pesticide being of the genus Bacillus and the coating matrix being proteinaceous.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of cross-linked hemoglobin free of active virus and having a P50 under physiologic conditions of at least 26 mm. Hg. are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, reagents and kits for detection of normal or ectopic pregnancy, the termination of pregnancy, or increased risk of preterm labor and rupture of membranes. Each embodiment involves sampling from the vaginal cavity, and determining the presence or absence of a specific analyte in the test sample. Sandwich or competition assay procedures can be used. Reagents and reagent kits for the above assays are included. The kit contains anti-(fetal fibronectin) antibody and an anti-fibronectin antibody.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of (2R,3S)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidic acids and esters thereof, which are synthetic intermediates for the production of the calcium antagonist diltiazem. The method involves the stereoselective enzymatic ester hydrolysis of racemic trans-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidic acid ester to yield the resolved 2R,3S compound as the ester. Membrane reactor methods and apparatus for the conduct of this enzymatic resolution process are also disclosed herein, as is the use of bisulfite anion in the aqueous reaction phase as a means of minimizing the inhibitory effect of an aldehyde reaction by-product on the reaction's progress.

Abstract: An immuno active substance immobilized on a carrier and stabilized by immersing the carrier in a solution of at least one of sugars and proteins can be used for measuring a physiologically active substance even after stored for a long period of time. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a synergistic mixture of a sugar and a protein as the stabilizing agents.

Abstract: Anti-anal leakage agents are used in combination with vitamin-fortified liquid fatty acid polyester compositions to provide pharmaceutical and food compositions for treating and/or preventing hypercholesterolemia while avoiding undesired anal leakage of the polyesters.