Abstract: An interactive, multi-media presentation viewing system and process for viewing educational or business presentations integrating presentation graphics in the form of presentation slides, video, audio, text, and other streaming media into a powerfully coordinated viewing experience for the end user. The viewing system is an aggregate of synchronized presentation graphics, video, and text displays employing a graphical user interface that allows the user to control all aspects of media playback.

Abstract: An interactive, multi-media presentation viewing system and process for viewing educational or business presentations integrating presentation graphics in the form of presentation slides, video, audio, text, and other streaming media into a powerfully coordinated viewing experience for the end user. The viewing system is an aggregate of synchronized presentation graphics, video, and text displays employing a graphical user interface that allows the user to control all aspects of media playback.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising novel reduced cortisol conjugates, methods for their preparation and use in immunoassays for cortisol. In another aspect, it relates to conjugates of reduced cortisol as immunogens or haptens for eliciting anti-cortisol or anti-reduced cortisol antibodies.

Abstract: A security system for selectively enabling and disabling the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The security system includes a security module which selectively interrupts current to or from crucial vehicle subsystems which are necessary for engine ignition or engine operation. The security module attaches and locks to the electrical terminal of a vehicle subsystem so that the security module cannot be removed from the engine compartment of a vehicle without removing the entire vehicle subsystem. Moreover, the security module covers and isolates the electrical terminal of the vehicle subsystem so as to electrically isolate the electrical terminal from unauthorized access. The security system further includes a controller and a switching element which are located within the security module for selectively controlling the flow of current from a conductive path to or from the vehicle subsystem which is sought to be controllably enabled and disabled.

Abstract: Specific binding ligands can be detected with an assay which utilizes an immobilized receptor for the ligand, an immobilized reporter enzyme, an inhibitor antibody and a a water-soluble conjugate of the ligand and an anti-inhibitor antibody. Both antibodies are specific for the reporter enzyme, but the antibodies affect enzymatic activity differently. The inhibitor antibody effectively shuts down the activity of the reporter enzyme when it is complexed thereto. The anti-inhibitor antibody binds to the reporter enzyme, does not affect the enzymatic activity, but prevents the binding of the inhibitor enzyme. This assay provides a direct correlation of the generated signal to the target specific binding ligand.

Abstract: One or more specific binding ligands can be detected with a competitive immunoassay which utilizes a water-soluble conjugate of ligand and reporter enzyme for each target ligand. Target ligand is allowed to compete for a first receptor with the conjugate. Uncomplexed conjugate is then contacted with an immobilized second receptor to form a reaction product which can be used to generate a detectable signal. This assay provides a direct correlation of the generated signal to the one or more target ligands.

Abstract: The signal generated in a specific binding assay wherein a peroxidase label is used to detect the resulting specific binding complex on a microporous filtration membrane can be modulated by contacting the signal forming reagents with a buffered solution of a hydroxamic acid or acyl hydrazine having the structureR--CO--NH--R'or an equivalent salt thereof, wherein R is aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aromatic nucleus, alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 5 to 10 carbon atoms in the ring, and R' is hydroxy or amino. This solution can be provided in a diagnostic test kit for use in various methods to detect a specific binding ligand. The result is improved signal stability and lowered background after the use of a high pH wash solution in the assay.

Abstract: A method has been developed for determining microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases which is highly sensitive and shows very low background and cross-reactivity among various closely related antigens. Antigen is extracted at relatively high pH, and either before or immediately after extraction, the antigen-containing specimen is mixed with a blocking composition having at least about 0.2 weight percent of a non-immunoreactive blocking protein. The pH of the resulting mixture is kept high when contacted with the antibodies specific to the antigen of interest. The compositions and components needed for the assay can be supplied in a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: An aqueous wash composition has been found useful in methods for determination of specific binding ligands. The composition is buffered to a pH of less than or equal to 6 or greater than or equal to 9. It also includes as its essential component at least about 0.1 weight percent of an anionic surfactant which is represented by the formula:[A-SO.sub.3+y ].sup.-(1+y) [X.sup.+m ].sub.nwherein A is a hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of at least about 180, X.sup.+m is hydrogen or a monovalent or divalent cation, m is 1 or 2, is 0 or 1, and n is 1 or 2 provided that m and n are not both 2. Optionally and preferably, the wash composition also includes a nonimmunoreactive protein. This wash composition is particularly useful in methods for determination of microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases. Such methods can be of a variety of formats, but immunometric assays are particularly useful. The wash composition can be included as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: Reagents have been prepared from water-insoluble polymeric particles to which are covalently attached avidin, biotin or an avidin or biotin derivative. The polymeric particles comprise a polymer on at least the outer surface which is derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive activated 2-substituted ethylsulfonyl, vinylsulfonyl or active halogen atom. Covalent attachment of avidin, biotin or an avidin or biotin derivative is effected either directly or indirectly through these reactive groups. The resulting reagent is useful in analytical elements and various analytical methods including agglutination and sandwich assays. The immobilized avidin, biotin or derivative can be used to complex with the corresponding biotin or avidin molecule which may be conjugated to a compound of biological interest.

Abstract: An extraction composition is described which is buffered to a pH from about 8 to about 11 and which contains from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of a water-soluble cationic surfactant which is a quaternary ammonium salt or a mixture thereof and from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of an anionic surfactant which has a sulfate anion having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and an alkali metal or ammonium cation. The extraction composition is used to extract antigens from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia. Extracted antigens are determined using immunological methods. The extraction composition can be supplied as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: An aqueous wash composition has been found useful in methods for determination of specific binding ligands. The composition is buffered to a pH of less than or equal to 6 or greater than or equal to 9. It also includes as its essential component at least about 0.1 weight percent of an anionic surfactant which is represented by the formula:[A-SO.sub.3+y ].sup.-(1+y) [X.sup.+m ].sub.nwherein A is a hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of at least about 180, X.sup.+m is hydrogen or a monovalent or divalent cation, m is 1 or 2, y is 0 or 1, and n is 1 or 2 provided that m and n are not both 2. Optionally and preferably, the wash composition also includes a nonimmunoreactive protein. This wash composition is particularly useful in methods for determination of microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases. Such methods can be of a variety of formats, but immunometric assays are particularly useful. The wash composition can be included as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: Antigens extracted from one or more serotypes of a Bacteroides microorganism are rapidly and sensitively detected when directly bound to a water-insoluble substrate. The bound antigens are detected by forming an immunological complex on the substrate when the antigen reacts with the appropriate antibody. The antibody-antigen complex can be detected directly or by means of a second antibody which is directed to the Bacteroides antibody. The entire assay can be carried out at room temperature in less than about 15 minutes.

Abstract: A water-insoluble microporous article comprises a microporous substrate having first and second outer surfaces. Affixed to at least one of those surfaces is a stabilized specific binding reagent admixed with certain hydrophilic, neutral or positively-charged binder materials. Particularly useful binder materials include certain quaternary polymers, vinylpyrrolidone polymers and acrylamide polymers. In this mixture, the reagent exhibits improved keeping stability compared to similar reagents used without binder materials. The reagent comprises water-insoluble particles to which are attached receptor molecules to a target ligand. Substantially none of the reagent is entrapped within the microporous substrate. This article is useful for the detection of a target ligand in an assay involving the specific binding reaction of the ligand with corresponding receptor molecules, and can be included in a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: A specific binding composition comprises a specific binding species and one or more water-soluble proteins or carbohydrates, substantially none of which has a pI greater than about 5. This composition provides improved sensitivity with lower background in diagnostic tests. Preferably, the species is labeled for detection, for example, with an exzyme. The composition can be included with a dye-providing composition in a diagnostic test kit for use in diagnostic methods.

Abstract: A dye-providing composition is useful in various diagnostic assays wherein a peroxidase-labeled specific binding species is used. This composition is substantially free of peroxidase and such labeled species, and comprises an imidazole leuco dye and 4'-hydroxyacetanilide present in an amount up to about 2.5 mmolar. This composition can be included as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: A test kit is used in an agglutination immunoassay to determine a multivalent immune species, such as Streptococcus A antigen, in a biological sample. The method includes contacting an aqueous solution of the species with an agglutination indicator reagent having receptor molecules reactive with the species to form an agglutinate of the reaction product of species and receptor. These receptor molecules are bound to polymeric particles which contain tracer molecules. The resulting agglutinate is captured on a microporous membrane which has an average pore size which is at least five times greater than the average diameter of the polymeric particles. Unagglutinated residual materials are washed through the membrane using a wash solution. This solution has a pH of from about 5 to about 10 and an ionic strength of at least about 0.25. Tracer is then determined either in the agglutinate or in the residual materials.

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: 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: A test kit useful for the determination of Streptococcus A antigen comprises: (i) an immunoreactive reagent comprising either Streptococcus A antigen or antibodies attached to water-insoluble particles, (ii) a substrate having thereon a dried, binder-free coating of a first extraction reagent, (iii) an aqueous solution of a second extraction reagent, and (iv) a neutralizing solution. Both extraction reagents combine to provide nitrous acid. In addition, an extraction device includes a water-insoluble container having affixed therein the first extraction reagent and an applicator means for collecting and depositing a biological specimen within the container. The extraction device and test kit are useful to the determination of Streptococcus A antigen in a biological specimen.