Abstract: Monospecific polyclonal fibrinogen degradation product antibodies, their method of use, the methods to detect cancer and for monitoring the progress of anticancer treatment by immunochemically measuring the quantity of serum FDP in serum are disclosed. The present invention teaches that monospecific polyclonal FDP antibodies that bind to human fibrinogen degradation products (“FDP”) can be obtained by inoculating a laboratory animal with human FDP or human FDP derivatives to induce the production in the inoculated laboratory animal of at least one monospecific polyclonal antibody that binds to human FDP and isolating the monospecific polyclonal antibody. By generating anti-serum to FDP from immunogens and purifying said immunogens using affinity chromatography, increased levels of production of FDP antibodies over the prior art are achieved.

Abstract: Monospecific polyclonal fibrinogen degradation product antibodies, their method of use, the methods to detect cancer and for monitoring the progress of anticancer treatment by immunochemically measuring the quantity of serum FDP in serum are disclosed. The present invention teaches that monospecific polyclonal FDP antibodies that bind to human fibrinogen degradation products (“FDP”) can be obtained by inoculating a laboratory animal with human FDP or human FDP derivatives to induce the production in the inoculated laboratory animal of at least one monospecific polyclonal antibody that binds to human FDP and isolating the monospecific polyclonal antibody. By generating anti-serum to FDP from immunogens and purifying said immunogens using affinity chromatography, increased levels of production of FDP antibodies over the prior art are achieved.

Abstract: A method for preparation of immunoglobulin fragments by specific fragmentation of immunoglobulins, comprising treating a solution of immunoglobulins with a soluble protease so as to achieve substantially complete fragmentation of the immunoglobulins, followed by complexing the protease with a complexing agent (for example, antibody to the protease) to form a protease complex and separating the protease complex from the immunoglobulin fragments. Optionally, the protease (e.g., pepsin or papain) is inactivated prior to formation of the protease complex. In contrast to methods which use immobilized forms of the enzymes, the rate of cleavage and the final yields of F.sub.(ab) and F.sub.(ab')2 fragments are increased substantially.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a male end, a female end and an internal chamber defined by a filter adjacent the male and female ends. The cartridge is specifically designed to be stackable with additional cartridges, as the male end of one cartridge can close the female end of a different cartridge. The cartridges are useful in holding samples for analysis.

Abstract: A novel class of cross-linking agent, which comprises a monomeric organic compound having at least two hydroxyl groups each bonded to a different carbon atom, wherein said hydroxyl groups are activated by reaction with 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium toluene-4-sulfonate (FMP). Suitable monomeric organic compounds include diols and polyols. Such cross-linking agents may be conveniently prepared by reaction of the monomeric organic compound with FMP in a suitable solvent, followed by recovery of the resultant reaction products, e.g., via precipitation and filtration. The novel cross-linking agents have a wide variety of uses, including the interconnection of subunits of multimeric enzymes and the covalent immobilization of organic ligands to suitable carriers or supports.

Abstract: A novel class of cross-linking agent, which comprises a monomeric organic compound having at least two hydroxyl groups each bonded to a different carbon atom, wherein said hydroxyl groups are activated by reaction with 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium toluene-4-sulfonate (FMP). Suitable monomeric organic compounds include diols and polyols. Such cross-linking agents may be conveniently prepared by reaction of the monomeric organic compound with FMP in a suitable solvent, followed by recovery of the resultant reaction products, e.g., via precipitation and filtration. The novel cross-linking agents have a wide variety of uses, including the interconnection of subunits of multimeric enzymes and the covalent immobilization of organic ligands to suitable carriers or supports.

Abstract: A method for attachment of glycocompounds and glycoconjugates to hydrazide gels, wherein a solution of glycocompound or glycoconjugate containing a suitable oxidizing agent is brought into contact with the hydrazide gel without prior removal of the oxidizing agent. Suitably, the solution is introduced into a cartridge containing the hydrazide gel. In accordance with a first embodiment, this method requires relatively short incubations of about 30 minutes for oxidation of the glycosaccharide moiety of the glycocompound or glycoconjugate, followed by about 15 minutes for binding the oxidized glycocompound or glycoconjugate to the hydrazide gel. Pursuant to another embodiment, incubation with the oxidizing agent is carried out simultaneously with bringing the solution into contact with the gel (e.g., within the cartridge). Synthetic polymer gels with terminal hydrazide groups are particularly suitable for use in this method, as these gels are especially resistant to oxidizing agents such as sodium periodate.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds, methods for the preparation thereof and the use thereof in chromatographic methods for binding various biologically active materials non-covalently are disclosed. The class of compounds comprises the reaction product of a polymeric gel with a pyridine base, such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and a halogen-substituted pyridine, such as 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trifluoropyridine (DCTFP), which reaction product may in turn be optionally reacted with hydroxyl ions or specified low-molecular-weight compounds. These compounds are capable of selectively and efficiently binding proteins and other organic materials of interest non-covalently to a degree comparable or superior to the heretofore preferred natural affinity ligands, such as Protein A gels. The novel compounds find particular utility in purification and recovery of proteins such as serum albumin and immunoglobulins of various classes from crude sources, such as diluted serum samples from various species.

Abstract: The presence of an antigenic analyte ligand in a liquid sample is determined by (1) mixing the sample with a fluorescently labeled ligand immunologically complexed onto a solid phase supported antibody capable of exchanging the fluorescently labeled ligand with the analyte ligand in the sample and (2) measuring the fluorescence of the resulting liquid phase without measuring the fluorescence of the resulting solid phase and without separating the resulting solid phase from the resulting liquid phase.

Abstract: Immunoglobulins are purified by adsorption upon and adsorbent therefor using a buffer having a pH value of about pH 6 to pH 10 and containing at least one polycarboxylic acid in a concentration of about 0.5 M to about 0.9 M.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly useful as a sampling or test device includes a cartridge and a closure tubing adapted to close either or both ends of the cartridge and to serve as a conduit for liquids eluted from the cartridge.

Abstract: Thiol gels are prepared from hydroxyl containing polymers by forming a 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridoxy derivative of the polymer followed by reacting the derivative with sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate and reducing to produce a sulfhydryl substituted polymer. Alternatively, the derivative is reacted with dithiothreitol to produce a sulfhydryl substituted polymer having free sulfhydryl groups spaced from the polymer. The thiol gel can be activated by means of 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide and reacted with a free sulfhydryl containing biologically active ligand in order to provide an insolubilized ligand which can be used for various purposes including use as an immobilized biologically active material or use as a matrix in covalent chromatography.

Abstract: Immunoglobins are purified by adsorption upon an immobilized protein A adsorbent using a buffer having a pH of 7.5 to 10 and containing a combination of monovalent cations and polybasic anions in a concentration of about 0.6M to 1.75M.

Abstract: A matrix useful for immobilizing organic ligands, such as biologically active materials, is prepared by reacting a hydroxyl group containing polymer with polyethyleneimine.

Abstract: Organic ligands containing at least one primary or secondary amino group or sulfhydryl group are coupled to a polymeric carrier containing at least one hydroxyl group, by activating the polymeric carrier by treatment with 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium toluene-4-sulfonate and reacting the activated polymeric carrier with the organic ligand which is thereby bonded directly to a carbon atom of the polymeric carrier. The polymeric carrier can, for example, be a possibly cross-linked polysaccharide and the organic ligand is preferably a biologically active material such as a drug or protein. The coupling product is an affinity matrix which can be used for affinity purification, covalent chromatography and reversible or irreversible covalent immobilization of biologically active molecules. The coupling method can be performed under mild conditions not damaging sensitive molecules.

Abstract: A conjugate useful in determining the amount of antigen or antibody in a liquid sample, said conjugate having a marker, an immunoreactive component (i.e. antigen or antibody) bound to the marker and an insolubilizing binding component which is also bound to the marker. The insolubilizing binding component portion of the conjugate will react with an insolubilizing receptor to form a solid product of conjugate and receptor unless the conjugate reacts with the corresponding antigen or antibody to be analyzed in which event the conjugate will not react with the insolubilizing receptor. The conjugate will be added to a liquid sample containing an unknown amount of, for example, an antibody. A known amount of the corresponding antigen is also added which reacts with both the conjugate and antibody. After the reaction is complete, the liquid sample is contacted with the insolubilizing receptor.

Abstract: Flavin adenine dinucleotide-labeled conjugates of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Riboflavin--Phos).sub.2 Ribose represents the riboflavin-pyrophosphate-ribose residue in flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), --NH)L is a protein or polypeptide (e.g., an immunoglobulin) bound through an amino group thereof, n is an integer from 2 through 10, m is an integer from 1 through 10, and p is on the average from 1 to the number of available amino groups in L. The FAD-labeled conjugates are useful as reagents in specific binding assays (e.g., immunoassays) to determine the conjugated protein or polypeptide, or a specific binding analog or partner thereof, in liquid media.

Abstract: A .beta.-galactosyl-umbelliferone-labeled conjugate of the formula: ##STR1## wherein --NH)L is a protein or polypeptide, such as an immunoglobulin, bound through an amino group thereof, n is an integer from 2 through 10, m is an integer from 1 through 10, and p is on the average from 1 to the number of available amino groups in L. An intermediate in the synthesis of such labeled conjugate is also provided. The labeled conjugates are useful as reagents in specific binding assays (e.g., immunoassays) for determining the conjugated protein or polypeptide, or a specific binding analog or partner thereof, in liquid media.