Abstract: Methods are provided for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), and for lowering the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts, which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs and their precedent glycotoxins are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs relative to non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke, and to the treatment of such individuals with agents capable of reacting with glycosylation products to either avert or diminish the accretion of AGEs in the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vivo and cross-reactive with advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vitro, and to methods of diagnosis and therapy based thereon. More particularly, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, reactive with in vivo produced advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof demonstrates an immunological binding characteristic of monoclonal antibodies selected from the group consisting of 4G9 as produced by hybridoma 4G9, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and assigned Accession Number CRL 11626, 2G6 as produced by hydridoma 2G6, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) on Dec. 19, 1995, and assigned Accession Number HB 12008, and BH4 as produced by hydridoma BH4, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) on Dec.

Abstract: Compounds useful in the production and analysis of monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts are 6-(N-carboxymethylamino)caproates of the formulaXO.sub.2 C--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --NH--CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 X (I)wherein X is hydrogen or an alkali metal salt cation. These compounds can be used in the production of such monoclonal antibodies, and to assess the purity and reactivity of AGE-antibodies produced for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs over non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke. Methods are also disclosed for the evaluation of the tobacco products to determine their storage status and organoleptic capacity and potential, as well as for the treatment of the ambient to lower AGE levels. For example, air or other samples may be taken and evaluated by a dosimeter or like device, to determine whether AGE levels exceed normal, after which measures could be implemented to remediate the ambient condition. All such methods and corresponding materials are contemplated and included.

Abstract: Methods are provided for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), and for lowering the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts, which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs and their precedent glycotoxins are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs relative to non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke, and to the treatment of such individuals with agents capable of reacting with glycosylation products to either avert or diminish the accretion of AGEs in the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vivo and cross-reactive with advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vitro, and to methods of diagnosis and therapy based thereon. More particularly, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, reactive with in vivo produced advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof demonstrates an immunological binding characteristic of monoclonal antibody 4G9 as produced by hybridoma 4G9, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and assigned Accession Number CRL 11626. In a specific embodiment, the 4G9 antibody is used in a sandwich ELISA to detect ApoB-AGE, IgG-AGE, collagen-AGE, serum-AGE peptides and proteins and urinary-AGE peptides and proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vivo and cross-reactive with advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vitro, and to methods of diagnosis and therapy based thereon. More particularly, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, reactive with in vivo produced advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof demonstrates an immunological binding characteristic of monoclonal antibody 4G9 as produced by hybridoma 4G9, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and assigned Accession Number CRL 11626. In a specific embodiment, the 4G9 antibody is used in a sandwich ELISA to detect ApoB-AGE, IgG-AGE, collagen-AGE, serum-AGE peptides and proteins and urinary-AGE peptides and proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vivo and cross-reactive with advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vitro, and to methods of diagnosis and therapy based thereon. More particularly, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, reactive with in vivo produced advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof demonstrates an immunological binding characteristic of monoclonal antibody 4G9 as produced by hybridoma 4G9, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and assigned Accession Number CRL 11626, on Apr. 27, 1994. In a specific embodiment, the 4G9 antibody is used in a sandwich ELISA to detect ApoB-AGE, IgG-AGE, collagen-AGE, serum-AGE peptides and proteins and urinary-AGE peptides and proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and disorders associate with advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGE) formation, such as diabetes and the ageing process. In particular, the invention is directed to detecting AGE-modified hemoglobin (Hb-AGE) for the foregoing purposes, and in improved assay therefore. The method involves diluting the sample in a dilution buffer, which dilution buffer comprises an anionic protein denaturing detergent at a concentration sufficient to denature hemoglobin-AGE without interfering in binding of reagents with hemoglobin-AGE the dilution buffer may also include a non-ionic surfactant at a concentration sufficient to facilitate detection of hemoglobin-AGE; and a denaturing agent at a concentration sufficient to denature hemoglobin-AGE and increase assay sensitivity, without denaturing binding of reagents to hemoglobin-AGE.

Abstract: Methods and kits for performing a ligand/anti-ligand assay are described. The ligand/anti-ligand assay comprises: (1) simultaneously carrying out the extraction of a ligand from a sample of cells or cells and reaction of the ligand with at least two anti-ligands therefor to form a detectable reaction product, and (2) detecting the reaction product.

Abstract: A sparger useful for introducing gas into a liquid is composed of one or more gas-permeable members positioned between a gas inlet means and a gas distribution means. A method and apparatus for culturing cells, eukaryotic cells and hybridomas in particular, wherein circulation of a liquid medium contained in the apparatus is achieved by gas introduced into the liquid medium by means of the aforementioned sparger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vivo and cross-reactive with advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vitro, and to methods of diagnosis and therapy based thereon. More particularly, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, reactive with in vivo produced advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof demonstrates an immunological binding characteristic of monoclonal antibody 4G9 as produced by hybridoma 4G9, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and assigned Accession Number CRL 11626, on Apr. 27, 1994. In a specific embodiment, the 4G9 antibody is used in a sandwich ELISA to detect ApoB-AGE, IgG-AGE, collagen-AGE, serum-AGE peptides and proteins and urinary-AGE peptides and proteins.