Abstract: Detection methods and compositions of matter comprising an enzyme coupled to a nucleic acid are disclosed. A complex of the enzyme-nucleic acid hybridized to a nucleic acid to be detected is also disclosed. The nucleic acid is detected by measuring the activity of the enzyme.

Abstract: Nucleic acid fragments have been obtained from the genome of mycobacteria, and applications of the nucleic acid fragments in the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections are described. More particularly, the present invention concerns an isolated polynucleotide of the formula:5'-(SEQ ID NO: 1)-(formula III)-(SEQ ID NO: 2)-3'where formula III represents a polynucleotide containing nucleotides 343-1152 of SEQ ID NO: 3. Primers and probes based on the isolated polynucleotide, DNA complementary to any of the polynucleotides, primers or probes, a method of detecting and identifying at least one species or group of mycobacteria, and a kit, box, or coordinated set for conducting the method are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new probe for detecting a specified nucleic acid sequence. It consists of a recombinant DNA containing an insert complementary to the nucleic acid sequence to be detected and nuclecic acid sequences derived from the DNA (+) of phage M13, the bases which participate in the composition of this recombinant DNA, in particular the thymine groups, being replaced by 5-bromouracil groups. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing this probe, this method comprising the culturing of cell hosts, more especially E. coli, which are auxotrophic for thymine in a medium containing a limiting concentration of thymine and containing 5-bromouracil. After the requisite incubation time, the supernatant is removed and the probe is recovered from the bacterial cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pilot-controlled valve, especially for an anti-skid brake system, this system comprising at least one pressurized-fluid source (90, 115) and at least one pressure receiver, the valve comprising at least one pressurized-fluid inlet (86, 132) and comprising a piston mechanism (54, 114), sliding sealingly in a bore (52) and movable between a rest position and an active position under the effect of an actuating mechanism (17, 18), in order to control an isolating shutter (58, 66) between at least one of the pressurized-fluid sources (90, 115) and at least of the pressure receivers, and a discharge shutter (28) between at least one of the pressure receivers and a reservoir (15), the anti-skid brake system comprising a backfeed circuit including a flow restrictor between at least one of the pressurized-fluid sources (90, 115) and at least one of the pressure receivers.

Abstract: This method for immunological determination of amines in biological media consists of: (a) reacting a quinone (in particular, p-benzoquinone) with the amine (for example histamine) present in the test sample; (b) introducing into the medium a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes the amine-quinone reaction product formed; and (c) determining one of the forms of the monoclonal antibody present. When the quinone is used in the immobilized state, the monoclonal antibody present is determined in its complexed form with the amine-quinone reaction product (direct type method); when the quinone is used in the free state, the monoclonal antibody is determined in its free form (enzymoimmunometric method or competitive immunoenzymatic method).

Abstract: A process for the detection and assay of a biological substance by erythroadsorption by immobilizing a substance having a binding affinity for the biological substance to be assayed; incubating the immobilized substance with a liquid medium containing the biological substance to be assayed, forming a fixed substance; incubating the fixed substance with a coupling product comprising a specific ligand and a second ligand which binds with erythrocytes; adding erythrocytes; and determining the amount of erythrocytes bound to the coupling product. The determination of the amount of bound erythrocytes can be made visually with the naked eye or determined by lysis of the erythrocytes bound to the coupling product and quantitatively measuring the released hemoglobin. The specific ligand can be an antibody or an antigen and the second ligand capable of coupling erythrocytes can, for example, be red blood cell antibodies.

Abstract: A process for the detection of a biological substance immobilized on a support including(1) incubating, after washing, the substance immobilized on a support with the product of coupling of a specific ligand with a ligand capable of reacting with erythrocytes;(2) adding erythrocytes;(3) immersing the whole in a solution of a fixing agent and(4) measuring the erythroadsorption, after having turned the support over in order to permit the removal of the red cells which have not reacted.

Abstract: Method for detecting the possible presence of a DNA fragment, notably of a gene, in the midst of a complex sample of nucleic acids.It comprises the hybridization of the sought fragment with a RNA probe, this being, prior or subsequent to the hybridization reaction, modified by an enzyme.Application to seeking of particular genes or DNA fragments in the midst of a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conjugate of a specific ligand and a lectin, by covalent bonding.The product of the invention may, for example, be the conjugate of Concanavalin A and an antigen, a hapten, an antibody, a hormone or its receptor, an enzyme or its inhibitor or a lectin. Coupling being effected by means of glutaraldehyde or p-benzoquinone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic gel which is useful for immunoezymatic determinations.Said gel consisting, for example, of polyacrylamideagarose and magnetic particles, coupled with an antibody, can be used for rapid determinations of the antigens contained in a biological liquid, the presence of magnetic particles permitting rapid separation of the gel from the reaction medium by means of a magnetic field and considerably shortening the time required for determinations.