Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and process for conducting ligand receptor assays. The apparatus comprises a first member which is a membrane or a filter to which is bound a receptor for the ligand or which is capable of extracting cells carrying the ligand from a fluid sample. The apparatus further comprises a second member which is composed of absorbent material which acts when in contact with the first member to induce flow through the first member when a fluid sample is added to it. The apparatus is used to conduct assays by applying a sample to the upper surface of the first member to bind ligand in the sample by means of receptor fixed to the first member or, in certain cases, by extracting cellular material which has ligand associated with it. Addition of the sample is typically followed by addition of labeled antibody against the antigen being assayed followed by a washing step to remove unbound labeled receptor.

Abstract: An immunoassay is disclosed which measures the concentration of cyclosporin analytes in sample fluids. Also disclosed is radioiodinated cyclosporin having a specific activity greater than 50 ulCi/ug and fluorescent labeled cyclosporin, both of which is cross-reactive with cyclosporin analytes.

Abstract: A methodology for the detection of an analyte of interest in a fluid sample through the formation, growth, and optical detection of light scattering crystals. The methodology provides for direct assay and competitive binding assay protocols using pairs of specifically binding compositions and novel innovations in crystal growth technology to provide an analytical method which is useful in immunodiagnostic, environmental, and biochemical applications. The methodology and test kit apparatus provides rapid, reproducible, and accurate data and is sensitive for the detection of an analyte of interest present in the nanogram per milliliter range.

Abstract: A method for identifying and enumerating cells of a subclass of blood cells in relation to cells of another subclass of blood cells is provided. In the method a first subclass of blood cells is selectively tagged by incubating an aliquot of a blood sample with a first tagging agent. A second subclass of blood cells is selectively tagged by incubating the aliquot with a second tagging agent. The aliquot is then passed, without lysing of any subclasses of blood cells which are not of interest, substantially a cell at a time through an area of optical stimulation for the tagging agents. Light emitted by the tagging agents is detected, the detection being limited by gating to a threshold value related to a predetermined intensity of light by one of the tagging agents. Cells of the subclass are differentiated based on occurrence of emitted light from the tagging agents.

Abstract: A method of rapid determination of the isotype class for a panel of monoclonal antibodies is described. The assay comprises adsorbing on a solid support medium antibodies directed to specific immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. Once such isotype-specific antibodies are bound to the nitrocellulose paper, the treated strips can be incubated with the monoclonal antibody of interest. Upon formation of a complex between the specific iso-type antisera and the monoclonal antibody, the complex is visualized by reaction with a chromogenic substance. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the treated nitrocellulose strips are stored in kit form. Using these prepared strips, the isotyping assay can be performed in less than two hours with a minimum of technical manipulation and expenditure of reagents.

Abstract: Method to detect and/or determine the presence of cancer cells in mammals, including humans, and to monitor the progress of treatment for cancer. A human protein marker, the assay-marker, has been ascertained of the molecular weight 70,000-74,000, which is secreted by cancer cells at levels 10-fold or greater than that observed with normal cells. An assay is described where the assay-marker or an antigenically analogous protein, the analog-marker, is used to prepare antibodies to the assay-marker. The antibodies are then reacted with blood or serum samples to determine the level of the assay-marker in the sample. Thus, the assay essentially comprises (1) providing an antibody to the protein described above (2) reacting the antibody of step 1 with the sample to be tested and (3) measuring the level of the reacted antibody to detect and/or determine the presence and/or quantity of cancer cells.

Abstract: Hybrid cell line for production of monoclonal antibody to an antigen found on normal human suppressor T cells. The hybrid is formed by fusing splenocytes from immunized CAF.sub.1 mice with P3X63Ag8U1 myeloma cells. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of immunoassay of a selected substance in a liquid sample containing one or more other non-selected substances, each of these substances being comprised of at least two structurally different chains, the process comprising among others addition of a dissociating agent, such as for example a proteolytic enzyme, to the sample, mixing of the so-obtained liquid, inactivation of the dissociating agent, addition of antiserums, and determination of the amount of this selected substance in the liquid sample.

Abstract: Monoclonal Antibodies which are specific for a complex of a chelating agent and a metallic ion are described. The antibody has an association constant (K.sub.a) for the complex which is at least about ten times greater than the K.sub.a for the chelating agent alone or its complex with another metal.

Abstract: A process for producing an antibody having a high specificity to a first antigen and a low cross-reactivity with at least one second antigen, said first antigen comprising a desired antigenic determinant and said second antigen comprising at least one antigenic determinant which is structurally related to said desired antigenic determinant of said first antigen, which process comprises treating a mammal with a copolymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine coupled with said second antigen whereby to induce a substantially effective immunological tolerance to said second antigen and then immunizing said mammal with said first antigen. This process results in a higher productivity of a mammal cell capable of producing said desired antibody by culturing said mammal cell, for example, by forming a hybridoma with a suitable tumor cell and implanting the hybridoma into another mammal. The antibody or antiserum of this invention may with advantage be used for immunoassay such as radioimmunoassay.

Abstract: A method and reagent kit means are provided for assay of a selected antigen such as hCG or CEA in an aliquot of body fluid. The method comprises the steps of constituting the aliquot in a mixture comprising tracer (which may be an enzyme tracer or a radioactive tracer) conjugated with monoclonal antibody, and separate immobilized monoclonal antibody, incubating the mixture to enable separation of a solid phase antigen antibody conjugate in sandwich relation, and measuring the tracer content and corresponding antigen content of the aqueous phase or the solid phase. The antibody (conjugated and/or immobilized) comprises multiple monoclonal antibodies from different cell lines so that the specificity of the assay is enhanced, and the possibility of unrecognized antigen fragments is reduced.

Abstract: Recombinant E. coli clones which cell surface-express Legionella pneumophila antigens, a method for utilizing these clones for the detection of Legionella antibodies in a clinical sample, and a method for isolation of mono-specific anti-Legionella antibodies are disclosed. The recombinant clones are produced by ligating fragmented Legionella DNA to pBR322 which is then used to transform the appropriate E. coli host. Clones that cell surface-express individual Legionella antigens are selected by screening cellularly intact clones using anti-Legionella antibodies to probe for cell surface expression. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) is disclosed which utilizes the Legionella antigen-expressing clones to detect anti-Legionella antibodies.

Abstract: Cardiotonic fused aromatic bicyclic ring substituted thiazole compounds and their salts, methods for increasing cardiac contractility in humans and other mammals by the use of said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including said compounds and methods for compound preparation.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of detecting nucleic acid molecules employing cRNA probes in a pre-electrophoretic hybridization procedure. In addition to detecting the presence of nucleic acids an additional embodiment of the invention permits a determination of the size of said nucleic acids to be made.

Abstract: Plant protoplasts are suspended in a solution of sodium alginate which is thereafter thickened by the addition of a soluble calcium or lanthanum salt to produce a matrix with large pores permeable to water and gas in which the protoplasts are held. The resulting material, in tape or spheroid form, when stored in a nutrient solution, will prolong the senescence of the protoplasts and increase their sensitivity to polluting materials. When such ribbons or particles are exposed to a polluting environment for a particular period of time, the effect of pollution can be detected by measuring the evolution of ethane or measuring the blocking of the enzyme ribulose-diphosphate-carboxylase, in the latter case using carbon dioxide marked with .sup.14 C. A control experiment in which an identical indicator treated in an equivalent environment without pollutants reveals, by comparison, the effect of the pollution.

Abstract: Sacs comprising a compound having a hydrophilic peptide radical are prepared and are believed to have improved stability as a result of hydrogen bonding. The sacs, including a detectable marker and derivatized with a ligand may be used as a tracer in an assay.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing multiple subpopulations of cells from a single sample of cells of a variety of types comprises labeling particles with two or more marking agents. These particles are marked in a plurality of different pre-selected ratios of the agents ranging between zero percent and one hundred percent of each agent. Each such agent has distinguishing, quantifiable marking characteristics. The differently labeled particles are mixed with cells suspected of having specific receptors for the differently labeled particles. Each cell is analyzed to determine the ratio of any two identifiable marking characteristics associated with each cell so that is can be classified in a subpopulation category if its ratio of marking characteristics is related to one of the pre-selected ratios of marking agents.An apparatus for carrying out the above-described method is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: To determine whether a patient will react adversely when injected intravenously with an iodine-containing contrast media, a sample of the patient's whole blood, whole blood depleted of red blood cells or plasma is treated to activate complement, and the level of at least one product resulting from complement activation is quantified and compared to the level of that product obtained in patients of known reactivity to radiographic contrast media.

Abstract: A screening method for the determination of 10.sup.4 gram negative bacteria per milliliter of an undiluted urine sample and a unitary screening test device for the determination of at least 10.sup.5 gram negative bacteria per milliliter of an undiluted urine sample. The method and test device make use of Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) and a synthetic substrate containing a chromogenic or fluorogenic leaving group capable of being cleaved by activated lysate. This screening method and unitary screening device provide a quick, convenient, inexpensive indication of the possible presence of a urinary tract infection caused by gram negative bacteria.

Abstract: A method and assay kit for determining the presence of an enzyme in a sample are provided. A sample suspected of containing the enzyme is applied to an image gel, which may be any conventional material, typically agarose gel. The sample may first be subjected to electrophoresis, or may be detected directly using the present invention. The image gel includes an immobilized phase capable of binding a product of the enzyme but not the substrate. By exposing the enzyme to substrate, and drawing the resulting reaction mixtures through the image gel, only the product is bound in the image gel. The presence of enzyme may then be determined by detecting the product in the image gel. In addition to developing electrophoresis gels, the method of the present invention will find great use in screening a plurality of complex mixtures which have been separated by other conventional techniques.