Abstract: Improved methods, reagents, and kits for quantitation of HLA-DR expression on peripheral blood cells, particularly peripheral blood monocytes, are presented. Inclusion of a lysosomotropic amine, such as chloroquine, during staining stabilizes HLA-DR expression, and use of a novel anti-CD14 conjugate, anti-CD14-PerCP/CY5.5, permits the ready discrimination of monocytes. The improved methods, reagents, and kits may be used to assess immune competence, and to direct and monitor immunostimulatory therapies in septic patients exhibiting monocyte deactivation.

Abstract: The inventors herein disclose new heterobifunctional chromophores that are capable of coupling with two distinct moieties. One moiety may be either a signal-enhancing agent or a blocking agent. The second moiety may be one member of a specific binding pair. The invention is based in part on the surprising result that when a chromophore is used as a “cross-linker” between a signal-enhancing agent and a member of a binding pair (essentially being buried between the two), the signal of the chromophore is not quenched. This arrangement, wherein the chromophore acts simultaneously as a cross-linker and a detectable compound, provides significant advantages over previously known compounds since the chromophore is sterically hindered from interacting non-specifically with substances present in the test systems. Moreover, the chromophore can be used as a cross-linker with little or no loss of detectable signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser uses a refrigeration system to cool the water and an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. A time deactivates the refrigeration system and at about the same time activates the ozone generator and the blower. The blower continues to pump air for a selected time period after the ozone generator is shut down, the water in the reservoir having been sanitized. This action dispenses any ozone odor. The pump then shuts off and the refrigeration system resumes operation of cooling the water in the reservoir.

Abstract: Improved methods, reagents, and kits for quantitation of HLA-DR expression on peripheral blood cells, particularly peripheral blood monocytes, are presented. Inclusion of a lysosomotropic amine, such as chloroquine, during staining stabilizes HLA-DR expression, and use of a novel anti-CD14 conjugate, anti-CD14-PerCP/CY5.5, permits the ready discrimination of monocytes. The improved methods, reagents, and kits may be used to assess immune competence, and to direct and monitor immunostimulatory therapies in septic patients exhibiting monocyte deactivation.

Abstract: The inventors herein disclose new heterobifunctional chromophores that are capable of coupling with two distinct moieties. One moiety may be either a signal-enhancing agent or a blocking agent. The second moiety may be one member of a specific binding pair. The invention is based in part on the surprising result that when a chromophore is used as a "cross-linker" between a signal-enhancing agent and a member of a binding pair (essentially being buried between the two), the signal of the chromophore is not quenched. This arrangement, wherein the chromophore acts simultaneously as a cross-linker and a detectable compound, provides significant advantages over previously known compounds since the chromophore is sterically hindered from interacting non-specifically with substances present in the test systems. Moreover, the chromophore can be used as a cross-linker with little or no loss of detectable signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser uses a refrigeration system to cool the water and an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. A time deactivates the refrigeration system and at about the same time activates the ozone generator and the blower. The blower continues to pump air for a selected time period after the ozone generator is shut down, the water in the reservoir having been sanitized. This action dispenses any ozone odor. The pump then shuts off and the refrigeration system resumes operation of cooling the water in the reservoir.

Abstract: Cells fixed with a fixative, reduced with a Schiff's base reducing agent and then dried in the presence of .alpha.-.alpha.-trehalose retain their light scatter and fluorescence properties and may be used, when rehydrated, as standards or controls in cellular analysis.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to CD4. Included in the invention are specific 2'F RNA ligands to CD4 identified by the SELEX method.

Abstract: A rapid, simple method for preparing beads for calibrating flow cytometers which contain a known number of fluorophores per bead is presented. Briefly, the invention utilizes beads coated with a stable complex of a fluorophore and an enzyme. the enzymatic activity of a known number of beads gives an accurate measure of fluorophore density on those beads.

Abstract: A non-volatile storage module as utilized in a controller for directing a plurality of control registers of a host machine. The controller includes a central processor that is communicatively coupled through a system bus having control data, and address lines to the module and host machine. The non-volatile storage module includes a data memory operative to interface with the system bus for storing data, and for input-output of the data therefrom through the system bus upon command of the central processor. In addition, the module further includes a power storage unit coupled to the data memory for distributing a plurality of power signals from the host machine through a plurality of critical and non-critical power lines to the data memory for providing a power source that may be utilized therein for a power down condition and for sensing a power down condition on the critical power line from the power storage unit for the switching thereof to the data memory.