Abstract: This invention relates to a method for collecting, concentrating and detecting microorganisms from difficult-to-separate environmental samples e.g. oil well samples and the like, for the purpose of their analysis or identification; and apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: This invention (FIGS. 1-4) relates to a pipette-syringe combination employing a wire probe attached to the syringe plunger to remove a cover provided over the pipette orifice. One edge of the protective cover is attached via an elastomeric strap to the pipette. When the cover is forced away from the pipette orifice, the elastomeric strap pulls the cover away from, and prevents return of the cover over, the pipette orifice. A suitable sample may then be drawn in the pipette at the location of the cover removal. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the protective cover is manually removed to obtain a surface growth sample by the wire probe and the sample retracted within the pipette. A quantity of nutrient broth is added to the pipette, the pipette sealed by manually replacing the protective cover, with subsequent incubation of the sealed pipette in an incubator.

Abstract: A method for determining air borne bacteria which includes successive steps of passing a volume of air by a timed suction pump through a membrane filter at a membrane passing velocity of not more than 15 cm/sec and under a constant transmembrane pressure of not more than 100 mmHg to collect the air borne bacteria on the surface of the membrane filter. The membrane filter has a multiplicity of minute holes and is provided on a medium-absorbing pad housed in a holder. A medium is injected into the medium-absorbing pad housed in said holder. The bacteria thus collected are incubated and the number of the colonies developed on the surface of said membrane filter is measured.

Abstract: Cells and the like, such as granular cells, granular microorganisms and gel beads which embrace cells or microorganisms, are arranged on a support member in a single layer. A detector detects each optical property of the cells and the like, and detectors detect each position of the cells and the like with respect to the structure. Data obtained by the detectors are stored in a memory device. According to the stored data, a controll device moves a pickup member relatively in the three dimensional directions with respect to the support member. The pickup member picks up any of the cells and the like which has a specific optical property via an adhesive. Each of the specific cells and the like which adheres to the pickup member is releasable from the pickup member.

Abstract: This culture dish comprises an axisymmetric receptacle (1) having a bottom on which is disposed a layer (2) of a culture medium and a movable lid (5), covering the receptacle (1) and having an internal face from which emerges a spreader (9), and structures associated with the receptacle and lid making it possible to transfer the lid (5) from a depositing position in which the spreader (9) is distant from the layer (2) to a spreading position in which it touches the layer (2), and which the structures are arranged such that the transfer requires two movements, in different directions, with respect to the receptacle (1), to be imparted to the lid (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of taxol dependent cells, e.g. Tax 2-4 CHO cell line, as the basis of a screen for taxol or taxol-like compounds.

Abstract: A method for receiving, distributing and storing a sample into numerous aliquots of small volume without air entrapment and with retention of aliquots when the device is manipulated and for the treatment of any or all of the aliquots with the same or different reagents and/or other chemical additives.

Abstract: A sterile inoculation assembly includes an inoculation device (20), a storage container (84) and a handling tool (60). The inoculation device (20) includes an elongated body (22) having an inoculation end (26) and an opposed gripping end (24). The container (84) is formed with at least one cavity (86) with an opening (88) thereto. The cavity (86) is dimensioned to receive the inoculation device (20) in an orientation which permits the gripping end (24) to be grasped through the opening (88). A sheet-like cover (98) is positioned across the opening (88) to seal it and to retain the inoculation device (20) in the cavity (86). The cover (98) is capable of being punctured for grasping of the gripping end (24) and removal of the inoculation device (20) by a handling tool (60). This handling tool (60) telescopically engages the gripping end (24) for releasible securement thereto.

Abstract: Micro-scale methods are applied in producing, maintaining, replicating, screening, manipulating and sub-cloning cell libraries. By means of the micro-scale methods of the invention, micro-libraries of single-cells or micro-colonies arranged in a definite two-dimensional pattern are produced, propagated, replicated, screened, examined and manipulated. It is feasible to sub-clone cells and micro-colonies from the micro-libraries, particularly those identified by screening and examining the micro-libraries, for the purposes of purification and large-scale cultivation. Automated and scaleable methods can be applied to screen practically any collection of cells attached to a surface. These methodologies are useful for making and screening on a micro-scale genomic libraries, cDNA libraries, and libraries of hybridoma cells, inter alia. Similar approaches employ such methods and micro-libraries for toxicological, pharmaceutical, mutagenetic and carcinogenic screening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and associated agents for measuring the presence and amount of advanced glycosylation endproducts in cells and fluids. The methods take advantage of the existence of receptors and receptor complexes for AGEs and include receptor-containing ligands comprising whole mesangial and other cells, mesangial cellular fragments and protein extracts therefrom. Competitive assays, sandwich assays and assays involving AGE antisera are disclosed. Numerous diagnostic applications are defined and test kits are also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention described in this disclosure relates to a cloned cDNA encoding the dopamine transporter protein usually found in certain neural cells. The invention is further directed to the purified dopamine transporter protein and its use as a biosensor material and immunogen for the production of anti-DAT1 antibodies. The disclosure also discusses methods for use of the cDNA for diagnostic and treatment applications, and methods for use of permanent cell lines transformed with the dopamine transporter cDNA for pharmaceutical screening. The use of anti-DAT1 antibodies as a diagnostic tool is also addressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a high time resolution study of a reaction pattern of a cell or cell aggregates by light transmission microscopy during perfusion by different media. The apparatus comprises a light transparent chamber defining a first space for receiving a medium and a second space for receiving a cell or cell aggregates. The first space and second space are separated by a transparent slide and communicate with one another through a slit shaped opening. The slit shaped opening allows a first medium in the first space, for instance a control medium, to be drawn through the cell space by an external pump. The control medium in the first space may be replaced by a different medium, for instance a cytotoxic drug, by pumping the control medium from the first space and replacing it with the test medium. Pumping the control medium out of the first space however does not remove the control medium from the second space.

Abstract: Non-carcinogenic asphalts and asphalt blending stocks are produced from reduced hydrocarbon feedstocks. Such non-carcinogenic products are produced by establishing a functional relationship between mutagenicity index and a physical property correlative of hydrocarbon type for the asphalt or asphalt blending stock and determining a critical physical property level which, when achieved, results in a product having a mutagenicity index of less than about 1.0. Process conditions are established so that a product stream achieving the desired physical property level can be produced. Non-carcinogenic asphalts and asphalt blending stocks are then processed utilizing the conditions so established.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exposing biological materials to gas-phase or gas-borne agents, including the steps of providing a chamber for supporting said biological materials, said chamber including wicking means configured and arranged to hold said biological materials and provide said cells with a wetting medium while allowing said gas-phase or gas-borne agents to directly interact with said biological materials, humidifying said chamber to a humidity between 95% and 100%, inclusive, placing said biological materials in said chamber on said wicking means, exposing said biological materials in said chamber to one or more said gas-phase or gas-borne agents while maintaining said humidity between 95% and 100%, inclusive, and assessing the effect of said exposing on said biological materials.

Abstract: An assembly for the separation by centrifugal force of biological agents from a suspension, which assembly includes (1) a first compartment including a first filtering means as a part of its surface, the first filtering means having pores capable of allowing the passage of the biological agents therethrough; and (2) a second compartment for receiving the biological agents that pass through the pores, the first compartment and the second compartment being securely attached together in such a manner that the spacial relationship among the first compartment, the second compartment, and the first filtering means remain the same throughout centrifugation of the assembly.

Abstract: A simple chemotaxis apparatus and method wherein surface tension, capillary action, and hydrophobic forces are used to hold cell suspensions, chemotactic factors, and control fluids in place on both membrane filters and chemotaxis plates. In one embodiment, chemotactic factors and controls are placed at preselected areas on the top surface of a bottom plate, while a membrane filter topped with cell suspensions is placed above the bottom plate so that the drops of chemotactic factors and controls contact the filter membrane directly below the locations of the cell suspensions. In another embodiment, the preselected locations on the bottom plate are rimmed wells that are filled with chemotactic factors and controls. Hydrophobic coating is used to limit fluid movement on the filter membrane and on the bottom plate. Occluding materials or monolayers of cells are used to further limit the gravitational fluid flow in the preferred embodiments.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for indicating the level of oral microbial activity comprising providing a sterile liquid for introduction into the oral cavity for swishing therein, providing a transparent vessel having therein an indicator which undergoes a characteristic color change in the presence of oxygen-consuming microbes and placing the swished liquid together with nutrients to enhance microbial growth in the vessel, whereby the indicator undergoes a color change as a function of time, which color change is an indication of the level of microbial activity in the swished expectorated liquid. The invention also provides a kit for use in carrying out the method comprising a sterile liquid, a transparent vessel for use in receiving the expectorate, and an indicator to be provided in the vessel to produce a visual indication of the level of microbial activity in the expectorated liquid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of culturing cells which produce products and identifying the thereby produced products, characterized in that the cells are cultured on the surface of a quantity of growth medium, which surface has been divided into a plurality of growth areas thereby limiting the amount of growth-medium which is available to the cells so that these reach metabolic stage in which said products are produced, and identifying the thereby produced products by an in situ screening procedure.

Abstract: The invention is a method for selectively isolating cells which secrete higher levels of monoclonal antibody than did the parental culture from which they were derived. The method is based on the membrane characteristics of the cell and requires the use of a cell sorter. At present, the invention's best mode utilizes fluorescent probes in conjunction with a fluorescence activated cell sorter. The method is based on the correlation of a high level of cell surface immunoglobulin with high monoclonal antibody secretion rates. The invention provides a predictable and rapid process for selecting high monoclonal antibody producing cells.

Abstract: A multiplate subculture solid media device is provided with a connection for internal flow communication with a liquid medium culture bottle. The device includes a large transparent screw cap on one face thereof to gain easy access to the plurality of media plates for direct examination and sample taking through the growth period. The cap may transparent and of a size allowing continuous examination during the growth period without any opening. Alternatively, the cap internal surface may include the solid media plates so that culture growth activity may be directly observed by easy removal of the cap. As a further feature of the invention, the screw cap may include an integral magnifying lens for enhancing the continuous examination of culture growth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and rapidly, retrieving counting and/or analyzing at least one selected population of cells or formed bodies, such as a white blood cell population and at least one subset thereof of a whole blood sample or portion thereof. A volume of a biological medium containing the white blood cells is prepared and at least one reactant specific or preferential at least to some selected biological cells is introduced thereto and rapidly mixed for a short period of time. A multipart blood cell analysis is obtained with a single sensing parameter by depleting at least one WBC subset population. The percentage of a desired WBC population subset or the overlapping of WBC subset populations also can be obtained by subtracting one or more obscuring WBC subset populations.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for the isolation of lymphocytes for use in the SCM test for the detection of cancer and other diseases and conditions. The method of the present invention can isolate either or both of the SCM-responding lymphocyte fractions from the same blood sample: the F2 fraction, with a buoyant density of 1.0590 g/cm.sup.3 to 1.0670 g/cm.sup.3 measured at 20.degree. C. in a solution having an osmolality of about 0.315 Osm/kg, and the F4 fraction, with a buoyant density of 1.0690 g/cm.sup.3 to 1.0730 g/cm.sup.3. These lymphocyte fractions are isolated in visible bands and are substantially free of lymphocytes having other buoyant densities. This avoids cross-contamination of the lymphocyte fractions with each other as well as with SCM non-responding lymphocytes. Several gradients useful in this isolation method are described. This isolation method can use as starting material either a blood sample depleted of phagocytic cells or the total population of lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for collecting and transporting biological specimens. The device provides an environment for maintaining substantial validity of a specimen during transport. The device comprises a tubular housing with an ampoule containing medium, a specimen collector and a sleeve positioned over the tubular housing. The sleeve is used to effectively break the ampoule so as to release medium into the tubular housing so as to keep a specimen substantially viable during transport.

Abstract: A method of determining populations of live, whole bacteria electrochemically. The bacteria are filtered, and the filtrate is employed in association with an electrochemical measuring unit to determine the bacteria density. In accordance with a flow-through method, the average signal over the predetermined time period of the test is employed, in conjunction with a constant, to determine the population. In accordance with the bypass method, reagent is passed through a bypass line to the electrochemical measuring unit, and the resulting signal is subtracted from the signal resulting from the filtrate, a constant being employed to correlate the resulting remainder with bacteria count. A changing-concentration method employs a changing concentration of bacteria in the same fluid to determine populations of bacteria. A saved-sample method employs a second test of the same filtrate, after a predetermined time period, to compensate for any contaminants that may be present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product to permit separation of cells in the domain of immunopurification and consisting of a finely divided carrier of a density lower than that of the medium from which such cells must be extracted, such carrier being covered with macromolecules capable of being specifically fixed to the cells to be extracted to which a priviliged orientation was given to enable fixation of such macromolecules.

Abstract: A method for determining an interacting culture medium concentration IAC of a growth-affecting substance in a volume of the culture medium related to growth of a microbial population deposited on a surface of the culture medium in accordance with the invention includes the steps of depositing the growth-affecting substance at a selected stock concentration SC in a programmed deposition on the surface of the culture medium such that the volume of the stock concentration at any deposited location on the surface of the culture medium is determinable; determining a transformation function TF which accounts for movement of the deposited growth-affecting substance through the culture medium; and calculating IAC as a function of SC and TF.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating at least one definitive biological reaction including increasing the accuracy of determinations made therefrom. The reaction involves selected viable biological cells which are prepared in a small sample volume and rapidly mixed with microspheres having antibody specific at least to specific ones of the cells bound thereto. The microspheres can be magnetic and the bound cells can be magnetically removed to analyze the remaining blood cell populations. The microspheres can be introduced sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: A culture media device comprised of a body member including self-supporting substrate, and coated on its upper surface with a layer of water-based adhesive composition and a layer of a cold-water-soluble powder, is provided. The culture media device can also include an optional cover sheet, covering at least a portion of the body member, and an air-permeable membrane affixed to the upper surface of the substrate to allow for the growth of aerobic microorganisms. In addition, processes of making and using the culture media device are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for manipulation of liquid microdroplets is disclosed. The process involves formation of microdroplets such that physical forces based on particular interactions of the microdroplets with a surrounding non-aqueous fluid results can be used to alter the position of the microdroplets.

Abstract: A sample of a biological tissue and/or fluid, particularly plant sap, may be taken by placing biological tissue such as a leaf between a layer which is adsorbent for detectable biological material (for example nitrocellulose) and a substrate and applying pressure to urge the adsorbent layer and the substrate towards each other, thereby causing detectable biological material to be adsorbed on the adsorbent layer. The invention thus provides a convenient method of obtaining, securing and transporting small samples of plant sap or other fluid or tissue to the laboratory for such purposes as analysis for plant viruses and other organisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and rapidly, retrieving, counting and/or analyzing at least one selected white blood cell population and/or subset thereof of a whole blood sample or portion thereof. A volume of a biological sample containing the white blood cells is prepared and at least one reactant specific or preferential at least to some selected biological cells is introduced thereto and rapidly mixed for a short period of time. The opacity and/or volume parameter of the cells can be modified and the mixture is then counted and analyzed in one or more steps to obtain the desired white blood cell population analysis.The biological sample can be a whole blood sample and the reactant can include or be a lyse or a monoclonal antibody bound to microspheres, which will bind to specific ones of the cells or a combination of lyse and microspheres with antibody bound thereto.

Abstract: A swift, accurate assay for the detection of salmonella contamination in a livestock environments, comprises sampling the floor of the livestock holding area with drag swabs for about 10 or more minutes, after which said swabs are maintained in a static condition, at reduced temperature, in the presence of double strength skim milk, until ready for testing. The swabs are transferred to a salmonella-preferential growth medium, such as tetrathionate broth and subsequently assayed. To reduce non-salmonella "look alike" or masking bacterial colonies, Novobiocin may be administered to the culture media.

Abstract: A simple chemotactic apparatus and method wherein surface tension is used to hold cell suspensions, chemotactic factors, and control fluids in place on membrane filters. In some embodiments, chemotaxis factors and controls are placed on one side of a membrane filter, and cell suspensions are placed on the other. Gravitational flow is limited by the effect of surface tension on the fluids. In some of the preferred embodiments, grids, sheets, or occluding materials are used to further limit the gravitational fluid flow.

Abstract: A multiplate subculture solid media device is provided with a connection for internal flow communication with a liquid medium culture bottle. The device includes a large transparent screw cap on one face thereof to gain easy access to the plurality of media plates for direct examination and sample taking through the growth period. The cap may transparent and of a size allowing continuous examination during the growth period without any opening. Alternatively, the cap internal surface may include the solid media plates so that culture growth activity may be directly observed by easy removal of the cap. As a further feature of the invention, the screw cap may include an integral magnifying lens for enhancing the continuous examination of culture growth.

Abstract: An improved plating media incorporates TERGITOL.RTM.4, an alkyl sodium sulfate biological detergent, in a Xylose-lysine agar base. The plating media may also include peptone and sulfapyridine to further inhibit Citrobacter growth. The media is highly preferential for Salmonella, giving a greater number of Salmonella positives, and reduced competitive organisms. When incorporated with drag swab methodology employing skim milk or evaporated milk as a holding media, which may advantageously include novobiocin to suppress unwanted bacterial growth, coupled with a tetrathionate-culturing broth or other selective enrichment broth, the plating media completes a highly sensitive assay for the detection of Salmonella, particularly keyed for poultry and livestock handling structures, and for veterinary and human clinical laboratory applications.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and reliable in vitro determination of the anticoccidial activity of chemotherapeutic agents. The invention involves incubating free-living sporozoites in a nutrient medium in the presence of the anticoccidial agent being assessed and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Living sporozoites reduce the above compound to the water-insoluble vivid-red formazan pigment but will not stain with trypan blue; dead sporozoites do not form this red pigment but will stain with trypan blue.

Abstract: A method of purifying LFA-3 using affinity chromatography. Purified LFA-3 is useful for quantitating or separating out CD-2-containing cells.

Abstract: This invention is to a method for detecting an amphiphilic antigen in a biological sample suspected of containing the amphiphilic antigen, which method comprises providing in combination a hydrophilic solid support modified to have a hydrophobic surface and an assay medium suspected of containing an amphiphilic antigen, incubating the combination under conditions sufficient for the amphiphilic antigen to bind to the hydrophobic surface, and determining the presence or amount of the amphiphilic antigen bound to the hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a novel means of producing mellein and 4-hydroxymellein. The subject invention further concerns a novel means for introducing phytotoxin, disrupting nutrient flow, and inducing selective mortality for population control of a pest plant species.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the treatment of particles or biological cells are disclosed, wherein the particles or cells are precipitated or ascended depending on the specific gravity of a liquid used, and the particles or cells are handled with the aid of a holding plate. A method and an apparatus for the fusion of particles or cells are also disclosed, wherein an electric voltage is loaded on a position between electrodes in a microchamber to fuse the particles or cells held in the microchamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which allows for receiving, distributing and storing a sample into numerous aliquots of small volume without air entrapment and with retention of aliquots when the device is manipulated. The device allows for the treatment of any or all of the aliquots with the same or different reagents and/or other chemical additives. The device comprises a housing for containing a body for guiding a sample into a plurality of wells without the need for pipetting aids, without multiple manipulations, without the retention of air and for retaining sample in the wells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of quantitatively determining the amount of bacterial endotoxin present in a periodontal pocket of a subject. The method comprises:a) obtaining a sample from the periodontal pocket of the subject;b) contacting the sample with an amebocyte lysate under conditions so as to activate an enzyme capable of cleaving a bond between an arginyl group and a nitrogen-containing group;c) contacting the activated enzyme with a substrate comprising an arginyl group and a suitable nitrogen-containing group bound to the arginyl group so as to form an amine;d) treating the resulting amine to produce a detectable product; ande) quantitatively determining the amount of product formed and thereby the amount of bacterial endotoxins present in the periodontal pocket.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a labelled target-specific virus where the binding sites on the virus are not inactivated by the label material. And a three-step process for detection of a targeted microorganism, the first step comprising contacting of labelled target-specific virus with a sample suspected of containing a target microorganism, the second step comprising the capture of the labelled virus/microorganism complexes onto a solid matrix, and the third step comprising the detection of said complexes on the solid matrix. The process is highly sensitive and can be used for rapid detection of target microorganisms in clinical, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and environmental samples. The invention further concerns a device and a kit based on the inventive process.

Abstract: A microbiological culture collection and transport device maintains viable organisms for periods of time longer than possible with existing sampling devices. It also allows recovery of detectable antigen at levels not achievable with conventional swabs. The new device has a sterile swabbing tip made with a non-toxic polyurethane foam having open cells at its exposed surface. It does not require a transport medium and can be used dry. The device may further include a sample inoculator to distribute organisms collected onto a solid or semi solid medium. Methods for collecting and transporting microbiological specimens and for recovering detectable antigen are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively recovering fetal cells from a maternal blood sample. The method comprises the following steps. Cells of the sample are combined with a first and a second antibody labeled with different fluorochromes for a period of time sufficient for antibody binding to produce labeled cells. The antibodies are specific for two different antigens expressed by two material HLA alleles. In a preferred embodiment, the alleles are of an HLA locus for which the woman is heterozygous. Cells having two different fluorescent labels are separated from cells having either a single fluorescent label or unlabeled cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The separated single-labeled and unlabeled cells are recovered. The separated fetal cells can be used in a variety of procedures including DNA amplification methods and karyotyping.

Abstract: A method of speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprises placing a paraffin coated slide in a receptacle containing a sterile aqueous solution inoculated with the specimen, analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of atypical Mycobacteria, and after the analysis step, if atypical Mycobacteria are determined to be present, performing at least one speciation assay to ascertain if the atypical Mycobacteria are MAI. A related apparatus is also disclosed for speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprising a paraffin-wax coated slide, a tube having a sterile aqueous solution contained therein, the tube adapted to hold the slide, and at least one speciation assay means for performing an assay to determine the presence or absence of MAI in the specimen after the specimen is introduced into the tube holding the solution and the slide.

Abstract: A culture medium device in the form of a sheet comprises a base sheet member composed of an upper sheet having a hydrophilic property such as filter paper, a lower sheet having a water repellent property covering a lower surface of the upper hydrophilic sheet and a sheet member having a water repellent property preferably in the form of a film having a character suitable for bacteria to be treated. A gel agent or gelatinizer containing bacteria culturing nutrient is dispersed on an upper surface of the upper hydrophilic sheet of the base sheet member and the gel agent or gelatinizer is absorbed in the upper hydrophilic sheet and then solidified. The upper water repellent sheet member is applied so as to cover the upper surface of the upper hydrophilic sheet of the base sheet member.

Abstract: Methodology is provided for identifying the presence of human T-lymphocyte progenitor cells. Human thymus tissue is depleted of endogenous lymphold cells, repopulated with a human cellular composition which is HLA mismatched with the thymus tissue and implanted into a vascularizable site in an immunocompromised host. After at least about 2 weeks, the tissue may be assayed for the presence of the HLA mismatched T-lymphocytes as indicative of human T-lymphocyte progenitors in this cellular composition.

Abstract: A process for biotechnological upgrading of shale oil in selectively removing damaging nitrogen-containing compounds comprising treating the raw shale oil with special microbial cultures having specific ability to degrade the harmful nitrogen-containing compounds, such as the amines, nitriles and heterocyclics as the quinolines and pyridines, and converting them into non-damaging components.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for the determination of analytes are disclosed, using water soluble cobalt(III) complexes and metallizable dyes to form cobalt(III) complexes of the metallizable dyes. Analytes which can be determined include enzymes, cells and biological reductants, such as NADH, NADPH and ascorbate. Amplification is provided since one equivalent of the analyte provides more than one equivalent of the detectable species.