Abstract: A method and apparatus for assaying a species in a biological sample fluid. The apparatus comprises an SAW device (1) comprising a slab (2) of piezoelectric material on the upper surface (5) of which is formed an input transducer (3) and an output transducer (4). A source of RF energy is applied to the input transducer to generate a surface acoustic wave. Applied to the surface (5) is a thin layer (8) of a material capable of binding a species to be assayed. The sample (13) to be tested is applied to the top of the layer (8). A collimated light beam (1) from a source (9) is applied to the thin film from underneath the slab (2) and is collected by a photodetector (12). When the slab (2) is energized, the vibration sets up an effective diffraction grating which is coupled to the thin film and acts to diffract the light beam (10) applied to it. The energy in the diffracted beam, as measured by the photodetector ( 12), is indicative of the progress and result of the reaction between the layer 8 and the sample.

Abstract: Fluorescent reagents useful as opioid receptor probes. Opioids labeled at the 3 position with fluorescers are useful in various in vivo and in vitro methods for the detection and quantification of receptor sites in tissue cells and subcellular particles.

Abstract: A digoxin derivative/immunogenic protein conjugate is disclosed which has the carbohydrate moiety of digoxin intact. Antibodies raised against this conjugate show minimal cross-reactivity to digoxin metabolites enabling the use as an antibody in the diagnostic analysis for digoxin when measured in the presence of its metabolites found in serum isolated from a human.

Abstract: A method of detecting and quantitating cell malignancy in biological tissue is provided and initially includes preparing a tissue sample having a substantially constant thickness. The tissue sample was impinged by filtered electromagnetic energy within an approximate bandwidth between 255.0-265.0 nm with a preferred wavelength of 260.0 nm. A standard Zeiss microscope was used to observe and measure the nuclear material with the microscope being fitted with quartz optics. The volume of nuclear material being examined was maintained relatively constant by selecting an aperture smaller in diameter than the magnified image of the nucleus being examined in combination with the subtantially uniform thickness of the tissue samples. The electromagnetic energy subsequent to being reflected from the tissue sample was passed through a second optical filter having an approximate filtering capacity in the range of 260.0 nm.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the synthesis by application of recombinant DNA technology of recombinant reovirus nonstructural protein sigma NS and its use as a non-specific binding agent for single stranded (ss) RNA's. This property of sigma NS protein can be employed when it is used as a reagent in protecting unstable RNA during extraction processes and more significantly as a reagent for the concentration of (ss) RNA samples for use in hybridization probe assays.

Abstract: A human monoclonal antibody that directly agglutinates type A human red blood cells is described. The exemplified antibody is an IgM and is produced by hybrid cells lines S-H22 and HHA1. The antibody is useful as an ABO typing reagent.

Abstract: An improved assay for measuring the quantity of Beta-lactam antibiotics, particularly valuable for measuring penicillin in milk. The assay includes the covalent-attachment of a penicillin to a penicillin-binding-protein bound to a matrix, the highly selective attachment of an antibody to such a conjugate, and the detection and measurement of the quantity of resulting antibody-complex material as a direct measure of the amount of penicillin in the milk being tested.

Abstract: A composition and a method for 5'-labelling polynucleotides undergoing solid phase synthesis wherein a phosphoramidite of an .omega.-hydroxylamine is condensed to a support-bound polynucleotide.

Abstract: An improved microbiological test tray is described which are provided with fasteners so that two or more of the trays may be joined together for ease in inoculation, incubation, lyophilization and reading. In another aspect of the invention an improved tray structure is described which provides openings for the flow of vapor during the lyophilization step so that a greater number of trays may be lyophilized at the same time and also that lyophilization may be carried out in a shorter period of time due to the improved vapor flow. In another aspect of the invention an improved test card is described in which the API 20 test strip is reshaped into a card of two rows of ten cupules conforming to the same pattern as other frequently used test trays. A holder tray is provided for the card and the holder is provided with connecting fasteners so that it and the test card may be joined into one or more additional test trays for ease in inoculation, incubation and reading.

Abstract: A new and useful fluorescent chromophore has been isolated and identified which has been observed in proteins exposed to glucose over time, and whose fluorescent properties closely resemble those of the polypeptide after it undergoes advanced glycosylation. The chromophore has been structurally identified and named 2-furoyl-4(5)-(2-furanyl)-1H-imidazole, and is believed to be one of the end products of extended nonenzymatic polypeptide glycosylation, which results in the state known as nonenzymatic browning (NEB). The measurement of this chromophore makes possible both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the degree of aging. Diagnostic and test kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the presence of a member of a specific binding pair ("sbp member") consisting of ligand and its homologous receptor in a sample suspected of containing the sbp member. The method comprises combining in an assay medium the sample and an opaque particle capable of agglutinating in the presence of the sbp member. The opaque particle has a particle size of from about 0.2 to 5.0 microns. Next, the assay medium is irradiated with light having a wavelength of from about 350 to 2000 nm, and the optical density of the assay medium is measured. A change in optical density indicates the presence of the sbp member in the sample. The method has particular application in the determination of an antibody in a sample, particularly an autoantibody, such as, for example, rheumatoid factor.

Abstract: A novel nucleic acid, arabinonucleic acid, is provided as a probe in nucleic acid assays. The arabinose moiety of the probe can be detected with anti-arabinose antibody-label conjugates.

Abstract: A method, reagents, and kit for determining the levels of D-1 receptor antagonistic activity of neuroleptic drugs. The method correlates competition between analyte and tritiated R-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepin-7-ol for binding to D-1 receptors in mammalian brain tissue.

Abstract: Polypeptides displaying the antigenicity of hepatitis B virus e antigens, DNA sequences coding for those polypeptides, antibodies to those polypeptides and methods of producing and using those polypeptides, antibodies and DNA sequences. The polypeptides and antibodies of this invention are characterized by their use in compositions and methods for detecting hepatitis B virus infective carriers and in evaluating the course of HBV-related active liver disease.

Abstract: A bovine pregnancy antigen, determined to be a glycoprotein, has been isolated and purified. If is diagnostic for the presence of pregnancy in cattle when detected by the use of antibodies to the antigen.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies specific to Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipopolysaccharide components having no cross-reactivity with N. meningitidis have been produced and found useful in the diagnosis of the presence of N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: This invention discloses the use of marker genes which do not involve antibiotics for environmental tracking of microorganisms. Such marker genes include chromogenic marker genes, and marker genes that allow a cell to proliferate on media containing a sole nutrient source which cannot be utilized by untransformed cells. Genetic transformation using such marker genes is used to create cells with two or more phenotypic traits that do not coexist in natural, untransformed cells. As one example, pseudonomad cells have been transformed with beta-galactosidase and lactose permease genes, to create cells which are (1) fluorescent, (2) able to hydrolyze X-gal or ONPG, and (3) capable of proliferation on lactose as a sole carbon source. Such cells are useful as soil inoculants, and their descendants can be tracked by using these characteristics. The marker genes may be placed under the control of inducible promoters.

Abstract: Mutagenic capability is determined by employing a shuttle vector having prokaryotic and eukaryotic origins, a prokaryotic marker an a gene capable of screening or selection in a prokaryote. The method involves introducing the vector into mammalian cells, exposing the cells to the candidate to be tested for mutagenicity for a time sufficient to allow lesions to occur, rescuing the vector by transforming into a prokaryotic host and screening for mutations of the gene.

Abstract: The use of pterins to increase the activity of lymphokines and other cell growth factors, and a diagnostic or theraupeutic preparation that contains pterins combined with lymphokines. Adding pterins to lymphokines can increase the activity of the lymphokines by 3 to 5 times.

Abstract: Vesicles comprising a matrix of lipid membranes prepared from lipid materials are useful in biomedical studies and immunoassays. A labeled species is encapsulated within the vesicles and released when the vesicles are lysed with a surface active agent. The outer surface of the vesicles is essentially free of the labeled species. Immunoassays can be carried out in solution or with a dry analytical element.