Abstract: Organic and inorganic contaminants of an environmental sample are analyzed by the same GC-MS instrument by adding an oxidizing agent to the sample to oxidize metal or metal compounds to form metal ions. The metal ions are converted to chelate complexes and the chelate complexes are extracted into a supercritical fluid such as CO.sub.2. The metal chelate extract after flowing through a restrictor tube is directly injected into the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer, preferably containing a refractory metal filament such as rhenium to fragment the complex to release metal ions which are detected. This provides a fast, economical method for the analysis of metal contaminants in a sample and can be automated. An organic extract of the sample in conventional or supercritical fluid solvents can be detected in the same mass spectrometer, preferably after separation in a supercritical fluid chromatograph.

Abstract: A method and kit for extracting fungus from a plant. An extraction solution is combined with tissue from a plant and the combination is agitated, preferably by shaking, to extract a detectable amount of the fungus from the plant. The extraction solution is a solution containing a dilute acid and a detergent. The extract can then be neutralized without degradation of the fungus and subjected to analysis by immunoassay to detect the presence of pathogenic fungi. The method is particularly useful for the detection of Pyricularia oryzae on rice plants.

Abstract: A method and a device for the simultaneous and quantitative, flow cytometric analysis of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) and white blood cells (WBC) in a whole blood sample.

Abstract: In a method for mixing a small amount of a liquid sample with a second liquid, the liquid sample is first fed into a mixing vessel. Thereafter, the second liquid is discharged from an orifice of a second liquid pipette tip into the vessel, and the liquid sample and the second liquid are thereby stirred with each other. The small amount of the liquid sample is thus efficiently stirred by the second liquid and is thereby uniformly mixed with the second liquid. Also, the liquid sample and the second liquid are mixed with each other in an accurate mixing ratio.

Abstract: A system for determining the concentration of fructosamine in sera which consists of a first reagent in which a tetrazolium salt which reduces all reactive substances in sera including fructosamine and a second reagent which is responsive to all reactive substance in sera other than fructosamine. The difference in color change as between the two allows the determination of concentration of fructosamine.

Abstract: A reagent for analyzing leukocytes having at least one nonionic surfactant having an addition polymerization molar number of polyoxyethylene of 3 to 9, at least one cationic surfactant, and a buffer adjusting a pH value to 2.5 to 4.0, which can determine a cell size of and the morphological features of leukocytes contained in the blood sample.

Abstract: Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE) with laser-excited fluorescence detection has been found to be a fast, easy, and accurate method for directly measuring serum retinol. Due to its small sample requirements, the method may be used for finger-prick analysis.

Abstract: Biological preparations or specimens are treated for a subsequent microscopic inspection. For this purpose it is necessary that the inner structure that is to be studied does not change prior to and during inspection. It is thus necessary to subject the specimens to a chemical and/or mechanical pretreatment for increasing the permeability of the specimen surface to a fixation substance in the form of an aqueous solution that contains an aldehyde fixation agent, preferably a highly volatile fixation agent or substance. The exposure of the specimens to the fixation substance takes place by immersion and/or spraying and/or fumigation. The fixation agent is preferably volatile and in the form of an aldehyde proportion of about 5% by volume or of an acrolein proportion of about 10% by volume.

Abstract: A method that provides techniques for determination of urinary constituents (Blood (Red Blood Cells/Hemoglobin), Leukocytes, pH, Specific Gravity, Bacterial Reductase/Nitrite/Indole activity, Total Ketone Bodies, Protein, and Glucose) at low chemically significant levels with a carrier independent reagent system that can be placed on a high throughput autoanalyzers. Thus, giving the analyst the ability to run multiple urinary assays on a single sample of urine simultaneously with the ability to compare to reference standards on the same run. This system is designed to neutralize urinary interfering substances. This method is fast, efficient, an adaptable to many of the currently available discrete and continuous flow automated analyzers, effective at sample to reagent ratios of 1 to 13 or more. This method is applicable to samples with high turbidity, high ionic strength, high color content, wide pH extremes, and buffer strengths, among other interfering substances.

Abstract: A method of assessin glycated blood protein in a sample which comprises separating glycated and non-glycated protein using a liquid phase precipitation reagent, contacting the sample before or during the separation with a signal forming agent capable of binding preferentially to the glycated protein, and assessing the signal forming agents.

Abstract: A process for determining the concentration of washing-active substances in a wash liquor involving the steps of:(a) preparing a wash liquor containing washing-active substances;(b) adding a reducing sugar to the wash liquor in an amount proportional to the washing-active substances present in the wash liquor; and(c) measuring the content of reducing sugar present in the wash liquor.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for blood analysis which provides a rapid treatment of a blood sample so that it can be analysed for counting and classification of leukocytes. Leukocytes are permeablized by treatment with a surfactant solution and labeled, preferably with a fluorescent dye. The method provides labeled leukocytes that can be counted and classified by optical means, including flow cytometry by analysis of a fluorescence signal.

Abstract: Method for extracting an antigen from a micro-organism organism of the genus streptococcus contained in a sample including the steps of contacting the sample with reagents which generate hyponitrous acid, further contacting the sample with a base, or contacting the sample with hypochlorite, and neutralizing the sample.

Abstract: A reticulocyte analyzing method and apparatus in which a biological sample stream of ghosted red cells is passed into and through a point focused beam of light, such as laser light. A light detector structure is positioned with respect to the axis of the light beam to provide a light output pulse indicative of the passage of each cell. Electrically conductive contacts within the fluid stream can provide additional electrical pulse outputs of each cell. A staining reagent can be utilized with a ghosting reagent to further differentiate the reticulocytes. The light and the light and electronic produced output pulses or signals can be combined to define and quantify reticulocytes as distinct from other known cell types.

Abstract: Processes are provided for pretreating body fluid compositions and subsequently analyzing the pretreated body fluid compositions for analytes of interest. Processes for pretreating the compositions include providing size exclusion gel having a molecular weight fractionation range or a molecular weight exclusion such that the size exclusion gel is capable of excluding or fractionating the analytes of interest, and then causing the composition to contact the size exclusion gel in order to separate the analytes from low molecular weight composition components which interfere with the separation and analysis of the analytes of interest. Processes for analyzing pretreated compositions include electrophoretic methods such as capillary zone electrophoresis which involve the separation and detection of analytes of interest.

Abstract: A method and system for Very Low Temperature Ashing (VLTA). In one embodiment, there is provided a method of ashing solid fuel or combusted or partly combusted fuel or any organic and inorganic matrix which contains minerals in a furnace with a partial pressure less than atmospheric pressure including the step of mixing of oxygen and helium with a total pressure less than the atmospheric pressure and producing a plasma in which the mineral components in the samples are not being affected essentially, wherein the proportion of the gas mixture achieve a surface temperature not exceeding 150.degree. C. on the sample. In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a method of ashing solid fuel or combusted or partly combusted fuel or any organic and inorganic matrix which contains minerals in a surface with a plasma including the step of regulating the proportion between oxygen and helium by a reduction of oxygen content, wherein the surface temperature shall not exceed 150.degree. C.

Abstract: There is provided a method of quantitative assay for 1,5-anhydroglucitol in a specimen characterized by effectively removing maltose present in the specimen using .alpha.-glucosidase. Maltose present in a specimen is previously converted into glucose by the action of .alpha.-glucosidase derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus to remove the affect by maltose. Then 1,5-anhydroglucitol in the specimen is quantitatively determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel reagent compositions incorporating chlorophosphonazo III and a chelating agent and methods utilizing such compositions for the determination of magnesium and magnesium concurrently with calcium in an analytical sample as well as diagnostic test kits for such determinations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to use of an imidazo [4,5b] pyridinium molecule composed of a lysine and an arginine residue crosslinked with a pentose sugar for assessing the biological age of a tissue.

Abstract: Appendicitis can be detected in human beings suspected of having appendicitis by determining a threshold level of 10 mg/liter of .sigma.-hydroxyhippuric acid in the urine of such humans. This threshold level can be determined by qualitative, semiquantitative, or quantitative methods including HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography), TLC (thin layer chromatography), radioimmunoassay, colorimetric tests, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, monoclonal antibody tests, and enzymatic tests. The absence of appendicitis can be established by the presence of .sigma.-hydroxyhippuric acid in concentrations less than about 10 mg/liter in a urine sample.

Abstract: A method for the direct analysis of analyte indicative of marijuana exposure found in keratinized structures, e.g., hair, fingernails and toenails, which comprises preparing a mixture containing dithiothreitol or dithioerythritol, a protease suitable for the digestion of the keratin structure and a sample of the keratin structure; permitting the enzyme to at least substantially digest the sample of keratin structure to form a digest solution, followed by mixing the digest solution with a suspension of an ion exchange resin to remove an interfering, cross reacting substance naturally found in hair and finally subjecting the digest solution to analysis to determine the identity and amount of marijuana analyte in the keratin structure sample. To accelerate the method, cupric sulfate may be added to the mixture after degradation of the keratin sample in order to deactivate the activator. The enzyme may be a protease with papain, chymopapain, and proteinase K being preferred for use in the invention.

Abstract: The presence of fecal occult blood in a stool sample is detected by mixing a liquid stool sample with an acidic liquid, such as a phosphate/citrate buffer, to precipitate hematin from the solution. The precipitated hematin is separated and the presence or absence of hemoglobin is determined by exposing the solution to a peroxidase diagnostic assay. A positive response indicates the presence of blood originating in the lower gastrointestinal tract, a leading indicator of lower GI cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates methods of determining Entamoeba histolytica antigenic reference patterns of proteins recognized by sera from patients having amebic liver abscesses, patients having intestinal amebiasis and patients negative for any amebic disease and methods using these antigenic reference patterns for aiding in the differential diagnosis of a patient with amebic liver abscesses or intestinal ambiasis by detecting the presence of antibodies in a sample of human serum which bind to Entamoeba histolytica proteins identified in the antigenic reference patterns.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing cobalamin deficiency in warm-blooded animals is described. In one embodiment, this method comprises the measurement of methylmalonic acid levels in cerebral spinal fluid to determine if such levels exceed normal range. A finding of elevated levels indicates a cobalamin deficiency. In another embodiment, the method comprises the measurement of methylmalonic acid levels in cerebral spinal fluid and serum. A finding that the ratio of methylmalonic acid in cerebral spinal fluid to that in serum is above normal is indicative of a cobalamin deficiency. Additionally, a method for assessing the effectiveness of cobalamin therapy is described. The effectiveness of therapy is assessed by determining whether cerebral spinal fluid levels of methylmalonic acid have returned to normal, or by determining whether the ratio of methylmalonic acid in cerebral spinal fluid to that in serum has returned to normal range.

Abstract: A method for isolating nucleated fetal erythrocytes (NFEs) from a maternal blood sample by separating erythrocytes in the maternal blood sample from all other nucleated cells therein using a leukocyte depletion device; and isolating NFEs from nonnucleated maternal erythrocytes. Preferably the maternal blood is peripheral maternal blood. The isolated NFEs can then be analyzed for genetic disorders and the like, such as by in situ hybridization.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the net HDL cholesterol in the blood. The LDL and VLDL moieties are precipitated out and the remaining cholesterol content of the supernatant is measured. The free cholesterol content of the supernatant is separately measured and substracted from the total to obtain net HDL cholesterol. This value serves as a useful indicator for diagnosing vascular disease. A diet supplement and method for raising serum HDL is provided.

Abstract: An eliminating agent used for the measurement of the amount of glycosylated hemoglobins in a blood sample is provided. The eliminating agent comprises condensed phosphoric acids and/or the salts thereof as the main ingredient, wherein the agent eliminates labile glycosylated hemoglobin A.sub.1c into non-glycosylated hemoglobin and glucose. There is also provided a reagent comprising the eliminating agent and a hemolysis agent, which is used for the measurement of the amount of glycosylated hemoglobins; and an eluent comprising the eliminating agent, which is used for the separation of glycosylated hemoglobins in blood samples by ion-exchange chromatography to measure the amount of the glycosylated hemoglobins. A method for measuring the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin A.sub.1c in a blood sample involves the use of the eliminating agent, the reagent comprising the eliminating agent and the hemolysis agent, and/or the eluent.

Abstract: Process for the identification or determination of proteins by producing antibodies with the aid of peptides that are made immunogenic if necessary, and then using the resulting antibodies to determine the proteins of interest, starting with a sample that contains these and which is treated to liberate the said peptides, in which process the said peptide is so chosen that it matches a known amino acid sequence of the said protein and is used as a protein fragment that the protein can be made to release on enzymatic treatment, after which it is synthesized, the invention also relating to the applications of this process for the identification or the determination of proteins.

Abstract: A composition for detecting or quantitatively measuring a peroxide active material in a sample, containing an organic hydroperoxide, a chromogen, and an iron (111) complex of the formula: [(OOC-X-COO).sub.3 Fe]M.sub.3 in which X is an alkylene group:-(CH.sub.2).sub.n - (n=0-5) or an allyl group, and M is a monovalent cation, which can eliminate the influence of reducing compounds such as ascorbic acid contained in the sample.

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to the rapid preparation of a whole blood sample for photooptical analysis. In the preferred embodiments of this method, a whole blood sample, lytic reagent system and immunological stain (optional) are contacted with the sample in a common reaction vessel (i.e. cuvette or test tube), with gentle asymmetric vortex mixing, so as to maintain the particulate matter of the sample at an essentially homogeneous concentration throughout the sample. An aliquot of the contents of the reaction vessel can, thereafter, be analyzed for identification and/or quantification of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: White blood cells (WBC) were recovered from dried blood spots on Guthrie cards by a simple and efficient prototypic method. The mummified formed elements of dried blood on filter paper are first fixed, then the red blood cells laked in-situ. Last, the paper matrix is itself digested away with cellulase in acid buffer, releasing the partially rehydrated, mummified WBC and other cellular materials into suspension for collection and examination.

Abstract: A method for quantitating accurately 1,5-anhydroglucitol, fructose or amylase in a sample that contains galactose using an enzymatic determination involves a pretreatment which removes galactose from the sample by an enzyme reaction in which galactose is a substrate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlled continuous microwave digestion of samples of materials to prepare them for subsequent analyses or other chemical operations. The material to be analyzed, in finely divided form and mixed with digesting liquid, such as a strong acid, is charged as a slug into a flowing liquid carrier stream, usually water, which stream, containing the slug, is passed in a tube through a zone in which the tube and contents are subjected to microwave radiation, to heat the digesting liquid and the material to be digested to promote the digestion. The process and apparatus are modified by inclusion of detecting and controlling steps and corresponding apparatus components to detect a condition of the flowing liquid without physically contacting it, as by determining the dielectric constant of contents of the tube, or a related property of such contents at one or more locations of the tube, usually outside the microwave zone, and controlling operations of the process and apparatus accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of detecting hemolysis in a whole-blood sample, a method of determining an elevation in the potassium ion concentration of a whole-blood sample, an apparatus for detecting hemolysis and/or determining an elevation in the potassium ion concentration in a fluid sample, an apparatus for detecting hemolysis and/or determining an elevation in the potassium ion concentration in a whole-blood sample, and a single-use cartridge containing a plurality of microfabricated biosensors which further contains a hemolysis detection unit.

Abstract: A method for detecting a substance in a liquid sample involving precipitating a substance from the liquid sample and filtering it from the liquid sample. The precipitate is then contacted by an oxidizing agent and tested for the substance of interest by contacting the precipitate with a dye that forms a visible reaction when exposed to the substance.

Abstract: A reagent for measuring immature leukocytes which comprises: (1) a polyoxyethylene-based nonionic surfactant having the general formula (I) in a sufficient amount capable of fixing cytoplasms and cell membranes of immature leukocytes:R.sub.1 --R.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O ).sub.n --H (I)where R.sub.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having 10 to 25 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is --O--, --(C.sub.6 H.sub.4)--O-- or --COO--; and n is an integer of 10 to 40, (2) a solubilizing agent in a sufficient amount capable of damaging cell membranes of blood cells other than immature leukocytes and shrinking them, (3) an amino acid in a sufficient amount capable of stabilizing cytoplasm and cell membrane of immature leukocytes, and (4) an aqueous medium, which adjusts pH value in the range of 5.0 to 9.0, osmolarity in the range of 150 to 600 mOsm/kg and electric conductivity in the range of 6.0 to 9.0 mS/cm, respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides a measuring method and a device suitable for the quantitative analysis of metal elements contained in body fluids comprising:using the flow injection method for reacting a sample with a reagent in a tubule and analyzing the reacted solution. In essence, the present invention provides;a method for introducing a body fluid sample and a protein release reagent into a carrier solution, reacting the two solutions with one another in the tubule in order to liberate the protein contained in the body fluid sample, followed by introducing the reacted solution into a quantitative analysis means for determining and measuring the concentration of target metal(s) contained in the body fluid; anda quantitative analysis device for performing the foregoing method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the determination of therapeutic agents in blood. This method utilizes a solid phase extraction of the solute from plasma followed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography on a column of irregularly shaped C-18 modified silica. Comparison of the produced chromatogram with a standard curve provides a precise and accurate quantification of the amount of the solute in blood. Additionally, the extraction and chromatography steps can be readily automated for the rapid determination of multiple samples.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer for detecting substances such as narcotics and explosives, has inlets for a sample gas and a drift gas. The gas can be ambient air, bottled air, or another gas source. To ensure accuracy and prevent drifting of analyte peaks, the air is dried. A two stage dryer is provided comprising a first dryer, preferably a dryer which chills the air and removes water by condensation. This removes the bulk of the water. The second dryer includes a suitable absorbent, and reduces the water content to around 1-10 .mu.g/L, i.e. a level which will not substantially affect the performance of the IMS apparatus. The first dryer substantially reduces the load on the second dryer, and enables an extended period of use before the absorbent material in the second dryer either needs to be replaced or regenerated. The increased stability of calibrant and analyte peak positions allows detection windows to be narrowed, resulting in significantly lower false alarm rates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing limulus amoebocyte lysate substantially free from factor G which comprises bringing limulus amoebocyte lysate into contact with an insoluble carrier on which a (1.fwdarw.3)-.beta.-D-glucoside structural portion represented by the following formula [I] produced by depolymerizing and/or fractionating a carbohydrate chain is immobilized: ##STR1## wherein n represents an integer of 2 to 370.

Abstract: A dry phase device separates high density lipoprotein (HDL) from a blood (serum or plasma) sample. The device contains a fluid permeable material having dispersed therein finely divided, porous silica or silicate particles as selective absorbant for HDL. By combining the device with a second layer designed to remove very low density lipoproteins/chylomicrons from the blood, and a third layer containing means for quantitative cholesterol detection, there is provided a test device for the direct determination of low density lipoproteins cholesterol.

Abstract: A reagent denatures or eliminates factors interfering with biochemical reactions by simple treatment without requiring separation of any denatured product precipitate. The reagent makes it possible to assay, in particular, .beta.-glucan and endotoxin in blood-derived samples rapidly and efficiently with high sensitivity. The reagent includes a hexadimethrine compound and an alkali metal hydroxide or an alkali metal hydroxide as a main component. A method for assaying a substance specifically reacting with a Limulus reagent utilizing the reagent, an assay kit including at least the reagent and a Limulus reagent, and a method of diagnosing infectious diseases based on the results obtained by the assay method are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a measuring method for the quantitative flow injection analysis of metal elements contained in body fluids comprising introducing the protein liberated by the reaction of body fluid sample and protein-precipitating reagent into a separating membrane for preventing the passage of protein to separate and remove the liberated protein, and then introducing the reacted solution into quantitative analysis means for determining and measuring the concentration of target metal contained in the body fluid.

Abstract: Method for making available a desired nucleic acid contained in a biological sample, comprising the steps of acidifying said biological sample to a pH at which endogenous nucleases capable of degrading the desired nucleic acid(s) are inactive, contacting said biological sample with an exogenous acid protease active at said pH, incubating said sample until endogenous nuclease activities are reduced to insignificant levels, and raising the pH of the biological sample to a pH sufficient to render the exogenous protease less active.

Abstract: A method of measuring at least one of a catecholamine and its metabolite including a biological sample pretreatment process, a fluorescence inducing process of converting into a fluorescence inductor the at least one of a catecholamine and its metabolite in the biological sample subjected to pretreatment by means of a fluorescence inducing reagent, and a measuring process of separating and measuring said fluorescence inductor by liquid chromatography, said method being characterized by addition of a specified volume of maleimide before said process of making the biological sample fluorescent.

Abstract: A method of separating strontium from a sample of biomass potentially contaminated with various radionuclides. After the sample is reduced, dissociated, and carried on a first precipitate of actinides, the first precipitate is removed to leave a supernate. Next, oxalic acid is added to the supernate to cause a second precipitate of strontium and calcium. Then, after separating the second precipitate, nitric acid is added to the second precipitate to cause a third precipitate of strontium. The calcium remains in solution and is discarded to leave essentially the precipitate of strontium.

Abstract: An aqueous sample containing methylenebisthiocyanate or another compound capable of releasing an aldehyde is assayed by determining the amount of aldehyde released by conversion with respect to a sample from which existing aldehydes have been separated. An aqueous sample containing glutaraldehyde or another aldehyde which having at least 2 C atoms is assayed by adding an agent which gives a water-insoluble complex, and determining the amount of complex or, after regeneration, the aldehyde.

Abstract: An automated analysis system is provided for the determination of impurities in a liquified hydrocarbon stream. The system employs a hydrocarbon capture vessel for capturing a hydrocarbon sample, a water scrubbing vessel for extracting impurities from the hydrocarbon sample and a titration zone for analyzing the amount of impurities in the aqueous extract.

Abstract: In the elemental analysis of an analyte present in a sample by optical or mass spectrometry, a nebulizer sprays the liquid sample into a chamber which has a wall transparent to infra-red radiation. Infra-red radiation from a heater external to the chamber is focused on to the droplets of sample as they emerge from the nebulizer, disrupting the droplets into smaller ones and evaporating solvent from them as they pass through the chamber. The thus desolvated sample stream is delivered into a plasma and the reaction accuracy within the plasma is qualified by the spectrometer.

Abstract: A ventable container for materials to be heated (preferably digested) by microwave radiation includes a movable rupture diaphragm in a venting passageway in a closure or cover for such container. Such diaphragm is tightenable into place so that the container is sealed and in such sealed state is protected by the rupture diaphragm against pressures that could develop in the container that are higher than that for which it was designed. An important feature of the invention is that the rupture diaphragm is controllably movable, when desired, to open positions to vent the container during heating and afterward, and is resealable after venting. Because of the chemical reactivity of the reagents utilized in digestions an inner chemically resistant liner is desirably employed in conjunction with a physically stronger outer body, with the outer body giving the liner enough strength to withstand pressures developed during the heating.