Abstract: Cross-linked hydrogel materials in the swollen state exhibit a range of nuclear magnetic resonance spin density values, spin-lattice or longitudinal relaxation (T.sub.1) values, and spin-spin or transverse relaxation (T.sub.2) values embracing that of the spectrum of values associated with animal and human tissues, thereby rendering such materials useful in nuclear magnetic resonance tomography equipment contrast determinations in physiological imaging and, as to those cross-linked hydrogel materials having T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 values substantially shorter than the surrounding tissue, such materials are useful as image contrast agents, for example, in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a fucosyl antigen charcterized in that an oligosaccharide contaning an .alpha.-fucoyransoyl-(1.fwdarw.3)-, -(1.fwdarw.4)- or -(1.fwdarw.6)-galactoyransoyl group and serving as a hapten is reacted wtih a carrier protein to obtain a carbohydrate antigen and to a process for producing from the antigen an antibody having specific reactivity with cells of cancers of the digestive system, especially human colon carcinoma cells, and murine teratocarcinoma cells.The invention also relates to a method of determining a cancer associated crabohydrate linkage with use of such antibody capable of specifically recognizing specific carbohydrate linkage and to a cancer diagnosing kit containing the antibody.

Abstract: A composition for therapeutic or diagnostic use in connection with the toxine of Shigella dysenteriae. As an active constituent the composition contains or consists of a compound having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an organic residue, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxi or a carbohydric residue with the proviso that R.sub.2 is not .beta.-D-GalNacp-(1-0) when R.sub.1 is D-Glc or -.beta.-D-Glcp-(1-0)-ceramide and that R.sub.2 is different from OH,.alpha.-D-GalNAcp-(1-3)-.beta.-D-GalNAcp-(1-0)-,.beta.-D-GalNAcp-(1-3)-.beta.-D-GalNAcp-(-0)-,.alpha.-L-Fucp-(1-2)-.beta.-D-Galp-(1-3)-.beta.-D-GalNAcp-(1-0)- and.alpha.-L-Fucp-(1-2)-.alpha.-D-Galp-(1-3)-(1-0)-;a method for therapeutic treatment; and the use of the composition for therapeutic treatment or diagnosis.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for the detection of an increased concentration of dehydrogenases and/or oxidases in the fluids of humans, animals or plants, which consists of a carrier which bonds a redox dyestuff, and a substance mixture, adjusted to a pH value in the acid range, of the substrate corresponding to the particular dehydrogenase, a hydrogen donor compound and at least one redox dyestuff is described. The device has the peculiarity that the carrier contains polar groups and the substance mixture for detecting exclusively pathologically increased concentrations of the particular dehydrogenase and/or oxidase is adjusted to a pH value of below 5.0. The device is suitable for diagnosing malignant growths in very different organs, for example in the female genital area.

Abstract: A detection probe comprising a hybridizable single stranded portion of nucleic acid connected with a non-hybridizable, single or double stranded nucleic acid portion, the non-hybridizable portion preferably including a recognition site for a particular protein.

Abstract: An enteral contrast medium useful for proton nuclear spin tomography contains at least one physiologically compatible paramagnetic compound in combination with a physiologically compatible, osmotically active substance, as well as a physiologically compatible base/buffer or buffer mixture with a pH value of 3 to 8, and, optionally, also a viscosity-raising material, all dissolved or suspended in water. It is excellently suitable for enhancing contrast in imaging, e.g., of the gastrointestinal tract by nuclear spin tomography.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the cytology of blood, bone marrow and lymph node cells and the method of differentiating, identifying and enumerating said cells among a plurality of cells of hematopoietic origin. More specifically, the invention is directed to the use of a single cationic sulfur-containing azo dye in solution capable of staining said cells in a fixative. The dye is a water soluble quaternary azo dye identified in the Color Index as Basic Blue 41 capable of staining a plurality of cells including malignant cells of hematopoietic origin wherein the stained cells acquire individual color characteristics permitting the differentiation, identification and enumeration of each stained cell. The stained cells obtained by the process of this invention have individual color characteristics which permit the identification and differentiation by use of various instruments including, for example, an image analyzer, microscope, photomicroscope, and the like.

Abstract: A specific binding assay composition and method for determining a ligand in a sample are disclosed. The composition comprises (a) a binding partner for the ligand; (b) a detection system which has at least two components; (c) a selectively accessible vesicle having a surface-incorporated ligand or ligand analog and a first component of the detection system therein; (d) a substance which modifies vesicle accessibility in response to binding of surface-associated ligand or ligand analog and binding partner; and (e) at least one additional component of the detection system which is reactive with the first component to produce a detectable response which is reduced by association of the binding partner and vesicle modifying substance with the variabily accessible vesicle. A decrease in signal is measured upon reaction as compared to the signal of unreacted vesicles.

Abstract: A fluora immuno assay system. A fluorescent labeled assay reagent is prepared by conjugating an assay reagent with a fluorescent labeling agent. The fluorescent labeling agent is a chlorophyll or a porphyrin having a Stokes shift of not less than 150 nanometers. Apparatus for detecting the presence of the labeling agent comprising an excitation source illuminating a vessel with a photodetector directly within the illuminated area is also shown. The photodetector is insensitive to the spectrum of the excitation source.

Abstract: The grouping of a sample of a streptococcus is identified by treating the sample with achromopeptidase prior to contacting the sample with a group-specific antibody bound to minute, insoluble carrier particles. A positive identification is indicated by agglutination of the carrier particles.

Abstract: Homologs of Diester-DTPA-Paramagnetic compounds (such as dimethyl acetyl diethylene triamine triacetic acid) provide excellent contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The magnetic dipole generated by the unpaired electron within the paramagnetic (PM) atom, causes a local reduction in the bulk magnetic field of the MRI system. The resulting shorting of the T1 (spin lattice) relaxation time in the local hydrogen protons within the area of interest, causes an intense "free induction signal" and a corresponding modulation in the collected scanning data. The tissue or organ of interest appears on the MRI display highlighted in white. Background tissue is displayed as darker or lower intensity greys. The ester homologs replace two carboxylic acids to form functional ester groups on the DTPA chelator. The homologs cause the Diester-DTPA-PM contrast agents to go into solution readily, and promotes organ selectivity.

Abstract: Homologs of Diamide-DTPA-Paramagnetic compounds (such as diamido acetyl diethylene triamine triacetic acid) provide excellent contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The magnetic dipole generated by the unpaired electron within the paramagnetic (PM) atom, causes a local reduction in the bulk magnetic field of the MR system. The resulting shorting of the T1 (spin lattice) relaxation time in the local hydrogen protons within the area of interest, causes an intense "free induction signal" and a corresponding modulation in the collected scanning data. The tissue or organ of interest appears on the MR display highlighted in white. Background tissue is displayed as darker or lower intensity greys. A surface highlighted image of the small and large intestine may be obtained by venous injection of the diamide contrast agent. The contrast agent is formed by replacing two carboxylic acids on the DTPA chelator with functional amide groups.

Abstract: The in-vivo effectiveness of cytostatic agents against immunological active tumors is determined by measuring immune markers and/or immune parameters in the serum before and up to 3 days after the application of the cytostatic agent. Preferably the deviation of coomplement binding capacity is used as immune parameter.

Abstract: A single polypeptide antigen that includes the amino acid residue sequence and epitope of a conformation-independent antigenic determinant and the amino acid residue sequence but lacks the epitope of a conformation-dependent antigenic determinant is disclosed as are methods of its manufacture and use and articles of manufacture using the same. The uses of the pre-S(2) region polypeptide encoded by the hepatitis B virus genome as a T cell proliferating agent and as a potentiator for enhancing the humoral immune response of animals that exhibit a low humoral response to an S region-containing immunogen are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an immunoassay, ultrafine particles having an average particle size of 0.2 .mu.m or smaller and sensitized with a substance, which has reactivity with the materials to induce a nonspecific immunoreaction, are added to a sample to inhibit the nonspecific immunoreaction. The above immunoassay can avoid the influence of nonspecific factors more effectively, thereby permitting accurate measuremens on the concentrations of antigens in samples such as blood, urine, body fluid and the like.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for determining a change in status of a multiple sclerosis victim. Particularly, the ratio of helper or suppressor T cell subsets having specific surface markers associated with proliferation is determined, where a particular ratio value is associated with a change in status.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of liver and/or spleen is provided employing encapsulated contrast agents in the form of microspheres having a biodegradeable matrix with the paramagnetic/ferromagnetic contrast agent dispersed therein. Ferromagnetic contrast agents such as magnetite are preferred. Ferromagnetic microspheres when administered intravenously segregate through the reticuloendothelial system in the liver and spleen where they reduce the T.sub.2 relaxation time to obtain improved MR imaging.

Abstract: A novel method for detecting and isolating DNA sequences commonly held by different DNA preparations or repeated or amplified within a complex genome has been provided. The DNA preparations of interest are digested with the same restriction enzyme and a portion of at least one preparation is labeled with .sup.32 P. The labeled and unlabeled DNA preparations are combined and electrophoresed in an agarose gel. Following electrophoresis, the DNA is denatured in situ and allowed to reanneal within the gel so that homologous DNA sequences present within restriction fragments of the same size can reanneal. After reannealing, unhybridized single-stranded DNA is digested in situ followed by detection of the reannealed DNA by autoradiography. When labeled and unlabeled DNAs are derived from different DNA preparations, only the restriction fragments commonly held by these two preparations are detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay procedure for detecting and quantifying interferon epsilon, a new composition of matter having selective antiviral activity on epithelial cells. The assay comprises incubating a preparation believed to contain interferon epsilon with human keratinocyte cells and with human fibroblast cells followed by a virus challenge. The presence of interferon epsilon is indicated if the preparation has antiviral activity on the keratinocytes but no detectable activity on the fibroblasts. The titer of the preparation may be determined by serially diluting it, incubating the dilution with subcultures of keratinocytes, challenging the subcultures with a virus, observing the viability of cells in the cultures, and comparing the results with a standard.

Abstract: A novel method of urine specimen preparation comprising intense centrifugation and a lipid wash mitigates or prevents loss of bacteria-containing sediment prior to examination. Modifications of the method facilitate examination of urines with interfering constituents such as glucose, phosphates, and soluble and insoluble proteins. By this method, bacteria have been found in the urine of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and essential hypertension. These bacteria were not detected in standard urine preparations. Administration of antibiotic agents effective against the bacteria detected, such as clindamycin, destroyed these bacteria and provided therapeutic relief.