Abstract: Peptide fragments of certain apolipoproteins have been found to be both immunogenic and capable of eliciting antibodies with highly apolipoprotein-specific immunoreactivity. These antibodies, in labeled and unlabeled form, as well as the labeled synthetic peptide fragments, are useful in the production of immunodiagnostic procedures and kits for quantitating type-specific apolipoproteins. Both competitive assays and immunometric assays are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for making a plurality of determinations of the local (site-specific) redox state of a liquid system, by employing a photoresponsive element, which can be independently irradiated at different sites to provide independently detectable signals.

Abstract: Novel immunoassay which utilizes an enzyme linked ligand or receptor wherein the enzyme is bacterial luciferase; mercantile kit useful in performing said immunoassay; and compounds utilized in performing said assay.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for making a plurality of determinations of the local (site-specific) redox state of a liquid system, by employing a photoresponsive element, which can be independently irradiated at different sites to provide independently detectable signals.

Abstract: An improved method for the detection of tetrahydrocannabinol in human urine wherein the pigment melanin is precipitated out of the urine prior to analysis with a solution of nitroferricyanide so that the melanin does not interfere with the analysis. The value attributable to melanin can also be subtracted from the value obtained during the analysis of the urine. The precipitation of melanin prior to analysis or subtraction of the melanin value during analysis greatly reduces the occurrence of false positive test results for persons with dark skin.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence in a human of an integral membrane calcium-binding protein associated with essential hypertension which comprises isolating tissue from a human, treating the tissue to obtain integral membrane proteins, contacting the proteins thus obtained with a first antibody molecule which binds to the integral membrane calcium binding protein to form an detectable protein-antibody complex, and detecting the complex so formed.Further, methods for quantitatively determining the amount of an integral membrane calcium-binding protein and the messenger RNA encoding said protein, diagnostic methods for identifying individuals predisposed to essential hypertension, and protein and messenger RNA associated with said hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test carrier (1) for the analytical determination of a component of a body fluid with a base layer (2) and at least two planar test layers which, in the initial state of the test carrier, before carrying out the determination, are separate from one another but can be brought into contact with one another by external manipulation, wherein a first test layer (8) and a second test layer (10) are arranged on the base layer essentially next to one another but separated in the initial state by a gap, a contact element (11, 17, 18, 20) being provided which consists of a capillary-active material which is so dimensioned that it can bridge the gap (12) and which is so mounted and arranged that, in a first position, it cannot contact at least one of the test layers (8, 10) but, by external pressure, it can be brought into a second position in which it contacts both test layers in such a manner that a liquid exchange between the test layers is possible.

Abstract: For the diagnosis of diabetes, a glucosylated protein in a sample is measured by subjecting the sample to a reducing treatment and then detecting a compound, which contains one or more reduced glucosylated lysine residual groups, in accordance with an immunoassay technique in which the reduced glucosylated lysine residual groups are used as an epitope.

Abstract: A polyamide dyed with a reactive dye capable of absorbing incident light of the excitation waveband of a fluorophore or light of the emission waveband of the polyamide is provided for use in assays in which the presence or quantity of an analyte is being detected by fluorescence as a result of excitation of a fluorescent material at an excitation waveband of light and in which the excitation waveband impinges upon the polyamide.

Abstract: The peak verify time for kinetic nephelometric measurements of reactions between antigens and antibodies is adjusted as a function of the magnitude of the peak rate order to reduce the time required for peak verification. The scatter signal is zeroed following the end of the peak verification period and the reaction is tested for antigen excess. Reactions during the antigen excess check having rates that exceed a threshold value are accepted as being valid, and no additional measurements are made for such samples. Reactions during the antigen excess check having rates that are less than the threshold value are rejected as being in antigen excess. Samples found to be in antigen excess are diluted and then reanalyzed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chromatographic column for separating antigen-antibody complexes from the free antigens not bonded to the antibodies and/or for complete bonding of all marked substances in the immunological determination of antigens or haptens by radio-immunological, luminescence-immunological, fluorescence-immunological or enzyme-immunological determination methods in which a crepe-like tightly rolled filter paper of high degree of purity, in particular of regenerate cellulose, is pressed into a water-proof and water-tight envelope as nonpolar column material. According to the invention the chromatographic upright column comprises an upper reaction portion chargeable from above and a lower separation and measuring portion which are separated from each other by a perforable bottom, the column being fastened from below on the perforable bottom of the column.

Abstract: A method of detecting or determining the sequence of monomers which is a topographical equivalent of the ligand which is complementary to a particular receptor of interest, the method comprising the steps of:1. synthesizing a plurality of catamers, each said catamer being of the general formula:D.sub.2 --D.sub.1wherein D.sub.1 represents a designated monomer selected from a first set of monomers, and D.sub.2 represents a designated monomer selected from a second set of monomers which may be the same as or different to said first set of monomers; said plurality of catamers comprising catamers in which each designated monomer is systematically varied to contain members from the respective set of monomers;2. contacting each catamer with the receptor of interest, and,3. detecting or determining the presence or absence of binding between each catamer and said receptor.

Abstract: Inclusion in a blood sample of an isomer of glucose which is capable of replacing glucose in blood cell metabolism ensures accuracy of glucose assay.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence and/or amount (concentration) of an analyte in a sample is provided by forming a reaction medium containing (1) a sample; (2) a plurality of particles having a binding pair member bound to their surfaces; and (3) a monovalent complementary partner to the binding pair member to which is bound an analyte mimic or analyte binding partner; and detecting the presence or amount of agglutination of the particles in the reaction medium. In some cases a polyvalent receptor capable of binding to the analyte (and to the analyte mimic, if present) is also present in the reaction medium.

Abstract: A method for reducing false positives and to assay background noise in solid phase immunoassays utilizes a matrix coated on a solid support, which matrix contains an effective amount of a noise reduction component and an effective amount of noise balancing component. Optimization of the matrix composition is obtained by measuring parameters for its effectiveness which include sensitivity ratio, noise balance ratio, and signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A membrane structure useful in filtration and diagnostic tests includes a microporous membrane formed from a biologically inert material, such as a polyamide, and has a coating comprising one or more water-soluble proteins or carbohydrates. None of the proteins and carbohydrates in the coating has a pI greater than about 5. The membrane structure is prepared by contacting the microporous membrane with the appropriate protein or carbohydrate in an amount sufficient to provide a coating over the entire membrane surface without substantially diminishing the porosity of the membrane. The membrane structure is useful in various diagnostic test procedures, such as agglutination assays.

Abstract: The synthesis, composition and use of particles exemplified by microbeads of uniform size and character, with covalently bound biological molecules for biological simulation is disclosed.

Abstract: An agglutination reagent is prepared by covalently attaching an immunoreactive species to polymeric particles through reactive groups in the species. After attachment, the species is chemically modified with an acylating, alkylating or sulfonylating agent thereby modifying primary or secondary amino groups. The reagent can be used in agglutination assays for a number of analytes, inclusing Streptococcus A antigen, human retroviruses or antibodies, human chorionic gonadotropin and other antibodies or antigens.

Abstract: An immunoassay device comprising a support which has a substantially planar surface 14 on which is located an array of small, closely-spaced, discrete, antibody coated areas (spots) 17. A cover 16 is spaced from the support surface 14 and is positioned over the array of antibody coated spots 17. The cover is attached to the support surface to provide an enclosed chamber 30. In the cover there is at least one aperture communicating with the interior of the chamber 30 for introducing a liquid sample into the chamber. In addition, there is at least one additional aperture 34 in the cover, which also communicates with the interior of the chamber to allow air to escape upon introduction of the sample into the chamber. When a cell sample is introduced into the chamber it immediately fills the chamber and cells will settle uniformly over the matrix. The antibody-coated spots function as tiny immunoadsorbents for cells bearing antigens recognized by the antibody.

Abstract: A dispenser for and method of dispensing a concentrated cleaning solution from a solid block of a cleaning composition wherein the concentrated cleaning solution is dispensed at a substantially constant concentration during the entire useful life of the solid block of cleaning composition. The dispenser comprises (i) a spray nozzle for directing a uniform dissolving spray onto an exposed surface of the solid block of cleaning composition; and (ii) a spring or hydraulic piston coupled to the nozzle for biasing the nozzle towards the solid block and thereby maintaining a substantially constant distance between the nozzle and the exposed surface of the solid block of cleaning composition even though the exposed surface recedes due to dissolution by the dissolving spray.