Abstract: This disclosure provides, inter alia, treatments and compositions that alter life span regulation and cellular responses to diseases and disorders by antagonizing the GH/IGF-1 axis. Also provided are methods of screening for agents that can modulate the GH/IGF-1 axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of identifying an biological age-associated marker. The method can include: providing a first organism having a first genotype and a second organism having a second genotype, wherein the first and second organisms are derived from the same species and are the same chronological age; and comparing a property associated with a biomolecule in the first organism to a property associated with the biomolecule in the second organism to identify a biomolecule having a preselected value for said property, thereby identifying the biomolecule as an biological age-associated marker.

Abstract: An immunoassay procedure for detection of analytes in urine wherein an immunological reaction is conducted in an aqueous phase containing the urine and a filterable immunocomposite containing an inherently colored gold sol particle is formed if the assay is positive. The colored, gold sol particle containing immunocomposite is collected for direct visual observation on a filter element.

Abstract: A simultaneous dual analyte assay for determining the fertile period of the human menstrual cycle. The assay utilizes a capture reaction component consisting of P-3-G immobilized on a microporous membrane, a blocking reaction component consisting of anti E.sub.1 -3-G antibody, a labelled reaction component consisting of gold particle labelled anti E.sub.1 -3-G antibody, and an ambifunctional reaction component consisting of a hybrid immunoreactive substance having an anti P-3-G antibody binding site and a plurality of E.sub.1 -3-G determinant binding sites. An aqueous sample containing P-3-G and E.sub.1 -3-G is contacted with the components and the assay is calibrated to provide a positive assay result only when the concentration of P-3-G in the sample is less than a predetermined concentration and the concentration of E.sub.

Abstract: An immunoassay procedure for detection of analytes in urine wherein an immunological reaction is conducted in an aqueous phase containing the urine and a filterable immunocomposite containing an inherently colored gold sol particle is formed if the assay is positive. The colored, gold sol particle containing immunocomposite is collected for direct visual observation on a filter element.

Abstract: Detection of bindable substances such as antibodies and antigens using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays having particular utility in home diagnostic applications. The preferred implementation of the invention is characterized by the steps of admixing a sample suspected of containing the bindable substance to be detected with an antibody-enzyme conjugate, immersing an antibody coated solid support into the mixture and then exposing the coated support to an activated chromogenic solution. The conjugate for use in the home diagnostic assay is preferably contained within a lyophilized mixture. The lyophilized mixture contains components which preserve the antibody-conjugate's reactivity and immunologic binding specificity even if the lyophilized mixture had been subjected to hot, humid environmental conditions. Active components in the lyophilized mixture include polyethylene glycol, sugars, and surfactant.