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: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of hybridoma cells which secrete monoclonal antibodies specific for hirudin, the hybridoma cells themselves, the monoclonal antibodies specific for hirudin secreted by these hybridoma cells, derivatives thereof, and a process for the preparation of said antibodies and derivatives. These monoclonal anti-hirudin antibodies and their derivatives are useful for the determination of hirudin and as an antidote to hirudin. The invention also concerns test kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said monoclonal antibodies and/or derivatives.

Abstract: Process for the pancreatic lipase mediated transesterification method for the optical resolution of endo-norborneol; derived optically active 5-(3-(exo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrop yrimidin-2(1H)-ones; and stepwise process and intermediate therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the diagnosis of non-healing ulcers in humans. Provided are methods for detecting the presence of non-healing ulcers by assaying for certain cell adhesion-related proteins or their degradation products in ulcer exudate. The methods of the present invention are useful as an initial, quick and inexpensive screening process for a condition which is often misdiagnosed. It has been discovered that in non-healing ulcers there appear to be proteases which degrade cell adhesion-related proteins, e.g., fibronectin and vitronectin. Protein separation techniques, such as electrophoresis, may be used in combination with immunoassay techniques to isolate and identify these degradation products, as well as the cell adhesion-related proteins themselves.

Abstract: Inhibitors and activators of a protein whose expression affects a phenotypic characteristic of the cell, especially a cultural or morphological characteristic, are identified by their more pronounced effect on cells producing higher, usually non-naturally occurring, levels of the protein, than on cells producing little or none of the protein. In a preferred assay, the effect is observable with the naked eye.By this method, tamoxifen is identified as an inhibitor of PKC activity in cell culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent for determining (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucan comprising limulus amebocyte lysate and an antibody to an endotoxin-sensitive factor, or comprising endotoxin-sensitive factor-free lysate, which enables highly sensitive determination of mycotic (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucan present in biological samples such as blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid without any interference of endotoxin. Thus, deep mycosis difficult to detect can be rapidly diagnosed with a good reproducibility. Accordingly, the present invention greatly contributes to the clinical diagnosis. specifically the assay is aided by the removal of intefering endotoxin sentitive factor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting antibodies specific to non-protein antigens. The apparatus is an immunological plate containing a plurality of plastic projections coated with a non-protein material. Assays utilizing the plate are capable of stabilizing the non-protein antigens with detection levels for antibodies specific to the antigens on a nanogram level. A screening assay with the apparatus allows for early detection of exposure to non-protein materials. Specifically metallic elements are detected.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of diseases that result in the release of fragments of basement membrane, including fragments, intact molecules and/or complexes of basement membrane components, are disclosed. Detection of basement membrane fragments, intact molecules and/or complexes in a biological fluid by the immunological and physicochemical methods of the present invention allows the diagnosis of a variety of diseases, including cancers, collagen degenerative diseases, and hepatitis. Suitable biological fluids include urine, serum, synovial fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and rapidly, retrieving, counting and/or analyzing at least one selected white blood cell population and/or subset thereof of an aged whole blood sample or portion thereof. A volume of a biological sample containing the white blood cells is prepared and at least one reactant specific or preferential at least to some selected biological cells is introduced thereto and rapidly mixed for a short period of time. The total white blood cell populations and lymphocyte population are first electronically counted and then the neutrophil population including the aged neutrophil population is removed from the same or a second sample portion. The opacity and/or volume parameter of the cells then can be modified and the mixture then again is counted and analyzed in one or more steps to obtain the desired white blood cell population analysis.

Abstract: A method for determining the suitability of an organ for transplant by performing one or more tests on the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels in the organ prior to the transplant operation. Specifically hyaluronic acid is used as the measure to determine liver transplant effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a patient with an autoimmune disease comprising assaying a blood sample from a patient for increased levels of the carbohydrate moieties of one or more proteins, said increased level of one or more of said proteins indicating the presence of an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly sensitive diagnostic/prediagnostic test to identify persons at risk of a thrombotic event. Thrombotic events include myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, thromboembolic stroke pulmonary embolism deep venous and cardiovascular disease. The test is based on the early detection of elevated levels of resting platelet surface thrombospondin. The present invention also includes methods of determining the presence of thrombospondin on the surface TSP receptors of resting platelets in a biological sample. An anti-thrombospondin monoclonal antibody which is specific for thrombospondin on resting platelets is also disclosed. A diagnostic test in the form of a test kit for the determination of thrombospondin levels in a patient sample, and also for the prediagnosis of persons at risk for thrombotic events, is also described.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of infertility in mammalian male animals based upon failure of sperm to undergo successful capacitation. Sperm samples are given the opportunity to undergo capacitation and subsequently contacted with antibodies to fibronectin. Binding levels indicate the degree of capacitation and consequently the presence of infertility.

Abstract: A method for treating an immune system disorder in a human by administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of an active substance selected from the group consisting of PP14, derivatives of PP14, muteins of PP14, fragments of PP14, and subunits of PP14, to alleviate the immune system disorder.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing an immunogenic complex containing antigenic proteins and peptides with hydrophobic domains, whereby proteins or peptides from viruses, mycoplasmas, bacteria, parasites, animal cells with hydrophobic domains are mixed with one or more solubilizing agents, whereby complexes are formed between proteins or peptides and the solubilizing agent, where after the proteins or peptides are separated from solubilizing agent in the presence of, or are separated from, the solubilizing agent and directly transferred to a glycoside solution, containing one or more glycosides with hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains in a concentration of at least the critical micellar concentration, thereby forming a protein complex which is isolated and purified, characterized in that lipids are added before the complex is isolated and purified.

Abstract: A method for the visualization of serotonergic cells in the dorsal raphe of living nonhuman vertebrates by pretreatment with L-tryptophan significantly less than one hour prior to sacrifice reveals numerous structures and cell types hitherto unidentified when combined with immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, or serotonin tagged autoradiography in the light microscope.

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 a dried blood sample 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 dried blood samples from pregnant women.

Abstract: A sublethal assay is conducted to determine the presence of a stressor in the environment. An organism exposed to the environment is assayed for the presence of shock proteins, produced in response to environmental stress. The amount of stress protein can be quantified to give an indication of the concentration or amount of stressor, and qualified, by assay for various shock proteins, to give an indication as to the nature of the stressor. The health of an organism may be determined by the assay.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method for prolonging the shelf life of transfusible red blood cells by decreasing the effective osmolality of the suspending solution and increasing the intracellular pH of the cells prior to storage thereof. This invention also provides methods whereby the intracellular pH may be increased. These methods include collecting the cells in an anticoagulant at pH 7.0 or higher and/or washing, diluting or resuspending the cells prior to storage thereof in a biologically compatible buffered solution that contains at least one non-penetrating or substantially non-penetrating anion or non-electrolyte and is substantially free of chloride ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunological process for the determination of the luteinizing hormone (LH), wherein at least one monoclonal antibody is used which is directed against LH and cross-reacts with other glycoprotein hormones to an extent of less than 3%.The present invention also provides a reagent for the determination of the luteinizing hormone, wherein it contains at least one monoclonal antibody which is directed against LH and cross-reacts with other glycoprotein hormones to an extent of less than 3%.Furthermore, the present invention provides a monoclonal antibody against the luteinizing hormone and a process and a hybridoma cell line for producing it.