Abstract: A method for preparing a fecal sample for immunoassay testing comprising the steps of dispersing a sample of from 1 to less than 10 wt. % of a stool sample in an aqueous fecal test solution formulated with one or more preservatives, analyte stabilizing agents and endogenous interference reducing agents. The fecal solids are then permitted to settle to form a liquid phase substantially free from fecal solids, and the clarified liquid phase is removed to provide a test sample free from fecal solids. The fecal test solutions contain suitable stool stabilizers such as buffers and antimicrobial agents, analyte protecting agents such as proteolytic, reductive or oxidative enzyme inhibitors, endogenous assay interfering enzyme inhibitors such as a reducing agent, and non-specific binding inhibitors such as animal proteins. The stool sample should be fresh or be fresh frozen and thawed immediately before dispersion in the buffer solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for an early stage detection of three specific pregnancy-related disorders: preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery. According to the method, an antigen consisting of a specific human-derived placental soluble protein, known as PP-13, is determined by radioimmunoassay or ELISA. In the radioimmunoassay method, the PP-13 is labelled by a radioactive iodine and the bounded iodine is counted and correlated with standard curves. The best results are obtained when the protein to be labelled by radioactive iodine is present at a concentration of above 0.71 mg/ml. In case of the ELISA method, the quantitative determination of PP-13 is carried out with an alkaline phosphatase substrate and measured at an optical density of 405 nm.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for degradation of a halogenated hydrocarbon compound such as trichloroethylene (TCE) which utilizes a soluble methane monooxygenase or a bacterium comprising the monooxygenase. Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is a soluble methane monooxygenase-producing bacterium which when cultivated by continuous culturing comprising exposing the bacterium to a continuous-flow gas mixture of air and methane in a ratio of about 25:1-1:20, respectively. Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is capable of degrading TCE at rates from about 500-10,000 micromoles per hour per gram cells. The present method is useful to degrade halogenated hydrocarbon compounds such as TCE at initial concentrations up to 10,000 micromoles/l.

Abstract: A new circulating factor from the parathyroid gland of some hypertensive mammals have been isolated and characterized. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against this factor are usable as a screen for the presence of the factor. The factor is involved in the control of calcium uptake in cells. Hypertensive mammals may be treated to lower mean blood pressure by administering a calcium channel blocking agent together with one or both of a calcium supplement and Vitamin D. The hypotensive effect of this combination is synergistic and the dose response is more predictable than the administration of any of these agents singly. The factor has a molecular weight of 3,000 to 4,000 Daltons.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of epithelial lesions is provided wherein a sample of a body of fluid taken from an epithelial region suspected to have said lesions is tested for the presence of a proteolytic activity. The lesion is then treated by applying a therapeutically effective amount of a proteinase inhibitor in the form of a physiologically acceptable preparation, a pharmaceutical preparation of aprotinin being particularly preferred. A method for detecting allergic sensitivity is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells of neonatal or fetal blood that are cryopreserved, and the therapeutic uses of such stem and progenitor cells upon thawing. In particular, the present invention relates to the therapeutic use of fetal or neonatal stem cells for hematopoietic (or immune) reconstitution. Hematopoietic reconstitution with the cells of the invention can be valuable in the treatment or prevention of various diseases and disorders such as anemias, malignancies, autoimmune disorders, and various immune dysfunctions and deficiencies. In another embodiment, fetal or neonatal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells which contain a heterologous gene sequence can be used for hematopoietic reconstitution in gene therapy. In a preferred embodiment of he invention, neonatal or fetal blood cells that have been cryopreserved and thawed can be used for utologous (self) reconstitution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically forms a complex with TGF.alpha. in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections which has an affinity of a least 10.sup.7, and which is directed to the epitope to which monoclonal antibody 213-4.4 (ATCC No. HB9992) is directed. The invention further provides the above-described monoclonal antibody wherein the epitope consists essentially of amino acids 34-43 of TGF.alpha..Additionally, the invention concerns the monoclonal antibody 213-4.4 (ATCC No. HB9992).The invention also provides a method of detecting TGF.alpha. in tissue sections of a tissue in which normal tissue is characterized by the absence of TGF.alpha. and neoplastic tissue is characterized by the presence of TGF.alpha. in a subset of such neoplastic tissue which comprises contacting the tissue sections with an antibody directed to an epitope on TGF.alpha.

Abstract: A sandwich method, in which heparin coupled to a carrier, a sample and an antibody labeled with a labeling agent, brings about a high sensitivity for detecting and/or measuring FGF.

Abstract: The treatment of blood plasma to inactivate or destroy infective viruses, such as the cytomegalovirus CMV, by mixing the plasma with an effective amount of glycyrrhizic triterpenoid compounds is disclosed. Detergents, glycerol or ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid can be added to augment the affect of the glycyrrhizic triterpenoid compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides monoclonal antibodies useful for the detection of Sclerotinia infection of plants. Hybridoma producing the antibodies as well as materials and kits for carrying out the detection of the organisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel means for identifying selective control agents for weeds, pests, and microbes is provided. Novel compositions for the selective control of weeds, pests, and microbes are also provided. The critical elements in the novel method of the invention relate to the systematic and specific identification of points of diversity which exist between the target organism and the host or other non-target organisms. More specifically the process involves identifying a difference which exists between the metabolic pathway of a microbial or plant target organism and a non-target host specie and then preparing a control agent which perturbs the metabolic pathway of the target without significantly perturbing the metabolic pathway of the host.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the separation of seminal plasma from semen by means of a membrane. The invention also includes a method for the determination of enzymes such as acrosin and other components of semen. More specifically the membrane has a specific pore size and traps particles which can be immuno-tested.

Abstract: A method for determining normal intrauterine pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy comprises obtaining a test sample; and determining the presence of a fetal restricted antigen in the sample. The test sample is removed the vaginal cavity in the vicinity of the cervical canal and/or the cervical os. One fetal restricted antigen is fetal fibronectin.In one embodiment of this invention, the test sample is contacted with an insoluble support to which anti-(fetal restricted antigen) antibody is adhered, and the fetal restricted antigen binding to the support is determined. Alternatively, the test sample is contacted with an insoluble support to which is adhered an antibody which binds a class of substances including the fetal restricted antigen; and the fetal restricted antigen binding to the support is determined. Reagents and reagent kits are also included.

Abstract: An enhanced quantitative assay for chiro-inositol concentration can be used to determine insulin-resistance, or a predeposition to the development of insulin-resistance, in type I and type II diabetics. Spot urine or serum samples reflecting concentrations of chiro-inositol below about 1.0 micrograms/ml in urine or 0.1 micrograms/ml in serum are indicative of a predisposition to the development of insulin-resistance, while concentrations below about 0.3 micrograms/ml or 0.03 micrograms/ml in serum are associated with actual insulin-resistance symptoms. The assay can be employed for patient diagnosis, insulin therapy monitoring, and family screening.

Abstract: In a simultaneous marking specific binding assay for an analyte is a liquid sample, such as urine during pregnancy or fertile period test, wherein the liquid sample is simultaneously incubated with a first specific binding reagent immobilized on a solid phase carrier surface and with a second specific binding reagent dissolved or dispersed in the liquid sample and which bears a label by means of which the result of the assay can be determined, the improvement that prior to the incubation the second specific binding reagent is contained within a layer (2a) of readily soluble or dispersible solid material superimposed on the solid phase carrier surface (2a) on which the first specific binding reagent is immobilized.

Abstract: A method for measuring a biomass which comprises measuring an electric capacitance across at least one pair of electrodes attached to a bioreactor, and thereby continuously measuring a biomass of organisms (such as microorganism and plant or animal cells), which may or may not be immobilized in the bioreactor, according to the electric capacitance (dielectric permitivity) measured. The present invention permits one to measure on-line the quantities of microorgansisms or plant or animal cells without having to take samples from a bioreactor or culture tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a washing solution, which contains a complexing agent for metal ions, for solid-phase immunometric assays and to the use of this washing solution.

Abstract: Immunochemical assays for human amylase isoenzymes are disclosed. These assays utilize monoclonal antibodies which are produced from hybridoma cell lines and are specific for human salivary amylase and ovarian tumor amylase but not human pancreatic amylase. The assays involve reacting this monoclonal antibody with the unknown sample for the purpose of studying quantitatively and qualitatively the amylase isoenzymes present. The results from such assays are useful in the diagnosis of disease or ruling out disease. Antibody producing hybridoma cell lines and their production are described.

Abstract: A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of red blood cells which comprises the use of solutions including monosaccharide hexoses and pentoses, and biocompatible amphipathic polymers to permit the reconstitution of viable red blood cells. Also disclosed are lyophilized and reconstituted erythrocyte and hemosome containing compositions.

Abstract: Antibodies, hybridomas, and immunoassays relating to a fast homoargenine-sensitive alkaline phosphatase cancer complex in serum ("FHAP") are disclosed. FHAP is a disease (e.g. cancer) marker. One aspect of the disclosure is the measuring of the physical association of two different components of FHAP as part of the assay.