Abstract: The invention relates to a method of predicting disease-free survival in cancer patients by relating the number and amount of stress response proteins in the cancer tissue to the probability of tumor recurrence. Particular heat shock/stress response proteins useful in the determination of tumor recurrence are the stress response proteins, hsp70, hsp90, hsp27, and glucose regulated protein grp94. Specific levels of the stress response proteins are identified, above which the probability of tumor recurrence is highly signficant. Kit methods are disclosed which could enable determination of the stress proteins by an antibody assay.

Abstract: A control slide for use in an immunoassay having a section of a cell pellet retained on the slide in a stable and substantially permanent formation which can be stored at room temperature. Further, the invention includes the method of making the control slide.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically developing, maintaining and repetitively duplicating a selectable predetermined temperature profile for replicating and amplifying a sequence of a stretch of DNA or RNA through use of a polymerase. An array of sample-containing vessels is supported in a reaction chamber through which a heat transfer medium in heat-exchange relationship with the vessels. The temperature of the air is controlled as a function of time to provide a preselectable sequence defining a temperature profile. The profile is cyclically repetitively reproduced to effect amplification of the desired sequence of DNA or RNA.

Abstract: In order to calibrate a measurement apparatus used for determining at least the pH and pCO.sub.2 values in aqueous media, two aqueous base solutions A and B with good storage stability are mixed at a defined ratio immediately prior to calibration, the desired pH and pCO.sub.2 values being provided for calibration of the measuring electrodes of the measurement apparatus only after chemical reaction of the base solutions A and B has taken place.

Abstract: A method and device for calibrating or checking the calibration of vertical photometers. The invention may also provide easy and convenient assay results for diagnostic profiles. The invention comprises pre-dispensed amounts of a suitable reagent, chosen for the particular use, disposed in a vessel with an amount of a wetting agent to yield a reproducible meniscus in the resulting control solution. The control solution is dried to leave a precise amount of dried reagent and other constituents in the vessel which can then be stored and distributed until subsequent use. The dried control solution can then be reconstituted to provide a standard having known absorbance and physical characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining transport characteristics across membranes and tissue sections comprises a plurality of cell blocks, where each cell block includes a pair of half-cells which hold the membrane or tissure section therebetween. A circulation path is provided in each half-cell block for exposing a fluid to one side of the membrane or tissue section. The cell blocks are maintained linearly within a base unit including a front plate and a back plate. The front and back plates are heated to maintain the cell blocks at a desired temperature.

Abstract: A lysing reagent is employed for stromatolysing the red cells in a blood sample and differentiating the leukocytes into subpopulations. The lysing reagent contains a dodecyltrimethylammonium halide and an aromatic second cationic agent which is either a benzyltrialkylammonium halide or an alkylpyridinium halide. In some methods, the lysing reagent is mixed in the reaction chamber with a major proportion of the diluent, and the blood sample with a minor proportion of the diluent is added to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A test device comprising beads with a reagent attached, the beads being physically fused to a support. The support includes a material selected to have a melting temperature significantly lower than that of the beads. Polyehtylene is a preferred example of such a material.

Abstract: An assay device and method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The device includes a porous-matrix reservoir which receives the sample to be assayed, and at least two reaction zones into which sample fluid is drawn from the reservoir. In an embodiment containing two reaction zones, a single-point standard curve which corrects for reduced-signal effects related to loss of reagent activity and linear inhibition effects, is used to determine analyte concentration. In an embodiment containing three reaction zones, a two-point standard curve which corrects for reduced-signal effects related loss of reagent activity and non-linear inhibition effects, is used to determine analyte concentration. Also disclosed is an apparatus which uses the device for automated or semi-automated analyte assay.

Abstract: A apparatus for injecting a solid microbial matter suspended in a liquid into a flow system utilizing a container having first and second chambers. The contents of the first chamber flows through an outlet and into a second chamber. The source microbial matter is supported in the first chamber and water is directed to the first chamber at a predetermined rate. The first chamber is maintained as a nutrient rich environment for the microbial matter while the second chamber is nutrient deficient. The outlet of the second chamber is directed to a flow system benefiting from the activity of the microbial matter.

Abstract: An element having a spacer for uniformly separating adjacent surfaces of elements defining a fluid flow path therebetween. The spacer comprises particles adhered to at least one of the surfaces. The invention is particularly useful in elements and apparatus for the removal of a substance from a fluid.

Abstract: An L-shaped mixing head for reaction injection molding apparatus comprises a first chamber wherein a plurality of reactive molding components are impingement mixed under high pressure. A second chamber intersecting with the first chamber quiets the resulting stream of mix product prior to its exiting the mixing head. The outlet end of the second chamber is defined by the inner surface of a sleeve, the material of which has a yield strength less than that of the materials of the mixing head body and the second plunger. Most preferably, the sleeve material is also chemically nonreactive with and nonadherent to the reactive molding components to be used therewith, both individually and as mixed.

Abstract: An apparatus for culturing animal cells, includes a diagnosis system to make it possible to diagnose by measuring sizes of the cells by means of image processing while a system of culturing the animal cells is cut off from the outside of the apparatus system, a control system to control the culture conditions of a culturing cistern on the basis of a result of the diagnosis, and a culture medium regenerating system to remove waste contents in a culture medium. In the apparatus of this invention, the culture system and diagnosis system are cut off from the outside of the apparatus system. Therefore, no infection of miscellaneous microorganism, etc., occurs, nor does consumption of valuable cells and products occur. Further, since it is possible to easily obtain data of the proportions of division potential-possessing cells and living cells, the environmental factors to the culturing cistern can be easily and instantly controlled based on the data, and therefore, the culturing efficiency can be enhanced.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a chemical reaction provides control of the temperature and volume of the reagents to improve the accuracy and precision in quantitative measurements of specific proteins and other immunochemistries in body fluids. The reaction occurs in a cuvette within a nephelometric optics module. A sensor senses the temperatures of reaction buffer liquids as they flow into the cuvette, and a heat exchanging device increases or decreases the temperatures of the buffer liquids. A control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor controls the heat exchanging device to maintain the temperature of the buffer liquids and the cuvette within a selected temperature range. The system may also include a sample pickup station, a sample probe for withdrawing a selected sample from the sample pickup station, a sample preparation station, and a sample transport for carrying said sample from the sample preparation station to the reaction cuvette.

Abstract: An analyte specific chemical sensor for determining an analyte in a test medium. The sensor comprises a sensing surface which is coated with reversible competitive recognition units (RCRUs) each of which contains as constituent components at least one receptor and at least one ligand, one of which components is an analyte analogue. In these RCRUs the receptor and the ligand are a priori connected to each other, directly or indirectly, in such configuration that even when, for example, an analyte analogue ligand is displaced from the receptor by an analyte ligand, the analogue will still be retained in relatively close proximity to the receptor. In addition, the relative positions of the receptor and the ligand in the RCRU are such that when no analytes are present or when the analyte concentration is at a low level, they are affinity conjugated by a specific affinity interaction.

Abstract: By culturing cells in an apparatus containing a first zone in which a cell suspended medium is present and a second zone in which liquid containing a physiological saline solution and/or nutrient sources is present, the first zone being separated from the second zone by a septum with characteristics, such as pores size or electrostatic charges, which impedes the cells from freely permeating through, while allowing at least one of nutrient sources, cell wastes or the product to move between the first zone and the second zone via the septum to proliferate cells in the first zone, wherein a flow rate via the septum is controlled in such a manner that the cell count moved from the first zone into the second zone via the septum does not exceed the cell count increased by cell growth in the first zone. Thus, cell culture at a high cell density can be achieved in a large scale.

Abstract: In an analytical method for determining the presene or concentration of analyte in a solution comprising detecting a dissolved detectable substance in solution by passing a solution containing a detectable substance through a detection device for determining the presence of concentration of detectable substance in the solution, the improvement including mixing the solution with one or more particulate reagents to form a suspension, thereby modifying the solution to yield a concentration of total detectable substance which correlates with the concentration of original analyte, and passing the solution through the detecting device. The particles can be used to replace an analyte with a detectable substance or an intermediate which can be reacted in solution to form a detectable substance. Alternatively, the particles can be used to suppress or remove an interfering substance.

Abstract: Blood coagulation factors are stabilized by addition of glycylglycine and/or glycylglycylglycine to blood or plasma in such an amount that they have no effect on a blood coagulation time.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a sample of colostrum or milk which is intended for immunochemical examination, by adding a stabilizing system which comprises the following components:(a) a microbiological preservative,(b) a buffer solution which buffers the sample at a pH between 5 and 8, preferably between 5.5 and 6.5, and(c) one or more non-ionic surface-active substances, the components (a), (b) and (c) being selected in such manner that they do not interfere with the immunochemical examination to be carried out. The invention also relates to the stabilization kit to be used for this purpose.

Abstract: A test plate apparatus is provided having at least one set of wells comprising two essentially parallel rows of wells and a central area between the wells. Each well has a first volume for housing means for effecting a fluid interaction process such as for cell growth and a second volume which permits addition or removal of liquid from the wells without disturbing the fluid interaction process.