Abstract: A method is provided for detecting or quantitating each of a plurality of substances or at least one substance and an internal reference material or control material in a test sample using at least two different luminescent labelled conjugates. Each luminescent labelled conjugate being characterized in being activated to emit light under different process conditions. The invention also provides for test kits containing at least two different luminescent labelled conjugates for detecting or quantitating presence or absence of at least two substances or at least one substance an internal reference material or control material in a test sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for the monitoring of a column chromatography separation process includes a segmented column with a seal positioned at the joint defined by the segments of the column. A connector is provided for connecting the segments of the column together. The apparatus further includes a sensor for monitoring an analyte in an eluant within a separation zone of the column. The sensor includes a mesh grid made of optical fibers or metal wires which is placed so as to extend through the separation zone of the column. The metal wires or optical fibers extend through the seal of the joint in the segmented column and connect to signal processing and data analysis equipment for purposes of monitoring the movements and concentration of an analyte in an eluant at various locations within the column. Certain segments of the optical fibers or metal wires which make up the mesh grid are coated so as to be desensitized and other segments are uncoated for sensing the analyte.

Abstract: Tightly focused beams of laser light are used as "optical tweezers" to trap and manipulate polarizable objects such as microspheres of glass or latex with diameters on the order of 4.5 .mu.m. When analytes are allowed to adhere to the microspheres, small quantities of these analytes can be manipulated, thus allowing their detection and quantitation even when amounts and concentrations of the analytes are extremely small. Illustrative examples include measuring the strength needed to break antibody-antigen bonds and the detection of DNA sequences.

Abstract: A unitary multiple electrode sensor for detecting analytes in test samples and devices for using them. The unitary multiple electrode sensor includes a sensor support member and at least one electrode array being deposited on the sensor support member, the electrode array having sensor-activating chemical(s) attached to an embodient thereof. A test sample is applied to the electrode array to begin the test; and a sensor apparatus measures the test reaction which is occurring on the electrode array.

Abstract: A unitary multiple electrode sensor for detecting analytes in blood or blood component samples and devices for using them. The unitary multiple electrode sensor includes a sensor support member and at least one electrode array being deposited on the sensor support member, the electrode array having sensor-activating chemical(s) attached to an embodiment thereof. A test sample is applied to the electrode array to begin the test; and a sensor apparatus measures the test reaction which is occurring on the electrode array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogen peroxide production. More particularly, a novel process is disclosed that uses electromagnetic radiation a quinone autooxidation in a non-aqueous environment, i.e. ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing wine is characterized by:(a) copolymerizing formaldehyde and tannic acid attached to an insoluble carrier to form an immobilized tannic acid composite(b) contacting a wine having components which cause haze formation upon heating with the immobilized tannic acid for a period sufficient to remove the desired amount of haze components; and(c) separating the treated wine from the immobilized tannic acid.

Abstract: A process for removing tannins from wine is characterized by:(a) immobilizing gelatin to form a composite;(b) contacting a wine containing tannins with the immobilized gelatin composite; and(c) separating the wine from the composite.

Abstract: A process for reducing the color of a wine byimmobilizing gelatin to form an insoluble composite andcontacting a fluid selected from wine, grape juice, and grape must with the immobilized gelatin composite; andseparating the fluid from the insoluble composite.

Abstract: An immunoassay for the measurement of free thyroid hormone, i.e., thyroxine or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, in a liquid sample in which the thyroid hormone is present in both free and combined states, which immunoassay comprises the steps of:A. combining the sample with a labeled thyroid hormone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate which does not significantly interact with the thyroxine-binding globulin and thyroxine-binding prealbumin originally present in the sample and immobilized antibody which is specific for the thyroid hormone;B. incubating the resulting mixture;C. separating a solid phase from the liquid phase; andD. measuring the amount of labeled thyroid hormone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate present in either phase by means of the activity of the label.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with means for determining the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample, the method contemplating the release of an enzyme from the bacteria upon lysis which can be detected via the use of antibodies specific to the enzyme. Thus, inhibition of enzyme activity resulting from the presence of antibodies specific to the enzyme can be readily monitored. The enzyme released from the bacteria upon lysis is capable of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). The full structure of the enzyme is not understood but, because of those two substantive characteristics, the enzyme has been denominated 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase. In sum, the instant invention combines the sensitivity of an enzymatic reaction with the specificity of an immunoassay.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with two closely related assay methods for detecting the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample. Both of the methods utilize radiolabelled antibodies specific to the enzyme released upon lysis of the bacteria. In the first method, denominated immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), the enzyme is reacted with soluble purified radioactive antibodies. In the second method, known variously as "two-site IRMA", "junction test", or "sandwich technique", contemplates initial insolubilization of the enzyme and thereafter the reaction with soluble purified radioactive antibodies.The structure and composition of the enzyme released upon lysis of Neisseria bacteria are not fully comprehended but it has the capability of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). This has led to the name 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase being proposed for the enzyme.

Abstract: Bacteria of the genus Neisseria can be detected in a sample by testing for the presence of an enzyme capable of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing NAD (nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide). The complete structure of the enzyme is not known but, because of those two characterizing properties, the nomenclature 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor is proposed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to means for transporting clinical specimens wherein the activity thereof can be retained for relatively long periods of time. The crux of the invention resides in a liquid reagent capable of preserving or stabilizing the activity of a particular specimen. Where the clinical specimen is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the preferred liquid reagent consists of an aqueous mixture of cysteine and TRIS (Trihydroxymethylaminomethane) buffer. A convenient type of specimen collector comprises a swab. Again, where the clinical specimen is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the preferred swab consists of calcium alginate. An apparatus particularly useful for transporting specimens comprises a screw-capped container having a liquid reagent sealed into the bottom portion thereof capable of preserving the activity of a particular specimen, and a specimen collector attachable to the inside of said screw cap through a longitudinal element of sufficient length to immerse said collector into said liquid.

Abstract: Method for continuous production of H.sub.2 via the biophotolysis of water in a two step process using a reversibly reduceable cofactor and synergistic photometabolically active microorganisms. The rate of H.sub.2 production can be increased utilizing transition metal ions as catalysts.

Abstract: This invention relates to means for determining the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample, the method generally comprising reacting antibodies with an enzyme released during lysis of the fluid sample, and then testing for inhibition of activity of the enzyme. Inhibition of enzyme activity caused through the contact of antibodies specific to the enzyme can be readily detected. The enzyme released from Neisseria bacteria upon lysis possesses the faculty of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). Although the structure and behavior of the enzyme are not comprehended entirely, the above-mentioned faculty of the material has suggested the term 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor.The specific inventive feature of the instant method is the use of (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 to precipitate the antigen-antibody complex which thereby concentrates the enzymes and can remove possibly interfering materials.

Abstract: Bacteria of the genus Neisseria can be detected in a sample by separating a lysate of the sample into two parts, incubating one part with a solution of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD) and 1,2-propanediol, incubating the other part with a solution of only the NAD, and then comparing the products of each incubation for reduction of NAD to NADH. A difference in NADH concentration indicates the presence of any enzyme specific to Neisseria, this enzyme having the capability of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing NAD. The structure of the enzyme is not completely understood but, because of those two characterizing properties, the nomenclature 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor is proposed herein.

Abstract: Immunochemical composites consisting of saturating amounts of radio-labelled triiodothyronine (T.sub.3) or thyroxine (T.sub.4) complexed respectively to anti-T.sub.3 or anti-T.sub.4 antisera covalently coupled to suspendable porous glass particles via an intermediate silane coupling agent. The composites are pre-loaded into individual tubes used in solid phase radioimmunoassay of T.sub.3 or T.sub.4, requiring the addition of only test serum or standard, thereby minimizing chances of erroneous assay.

Abstract: The half-life of enzymes which have been immobilized by chemical coupling via silane coupling agents to inorganic carriers is increased significantly by using a carrier which has been treated to increase its water-durability. Treatment of the carrier comprises the steps of first coating the carrier with a solution containing a metal, the oxide of which is more water-durable than the carrier, and then firing the coated carrier to form a continuous metal oxide layer on the carrier surface. The treated carriers are then silanized for chemical coupling wih enzymes. Methods for preparing and using enzyme composites having the improved carrier are disclosed.

Abstract: Method of detecting and/or quantitating anti-virus antibodies comprising the steps of reacting serum containing an unknown amount of a given antibody, a known amount of the antibody (radioactively labelled), and a composite consisting of the antibodies coupled chemically through an intermediate silane coupling agent to a porous glass body, the composite having complexed thereto quantities of the virus; separating the composite from the reaction solution after a suitable reaction period; determining the radioactivity count of the separated composite or the remaining solution; and, relating the count to a standard curve.