Abstract: Character of the envelope transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) was carried out using murine polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies or patient sera specific for HIV-2 proteins. A 80-Mr glycoprotein (gp80) was produced in HIV-2 infected cells along with three other glycoproteins that were recently reported: the extracellular glycoprotein (gp125), the envelope glycoprotein precursor (gp140), and the transient dimeric form of gp140 (gp300). The gp125 and gp80 were detectable after the synthesis of gp140 and the formation of gp300. Among these four glycoproteins, only gp80 and gp125 were associated with HIV-2 virions. As the other glycoproteins, gp80 was recognized by all HIV-2 positive sera. A murine polyclonal antibody raised against the purified gp300 recognized all four glycoproteins.

Abstract: Anti-viral material comprising a mannose-specific lectin obtained from a bulb of the plant family Amaryllidaceae, for example Narcissus pseudonarcissus, and the use of this material to produce a medicament and a vaccine. The material is effective against RNA viruses which contain glycoproteins with mannose (alpha-1>3) or (alpha-1>6) mannose linkages, for example HIV or HTLV such a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human T Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) and can also be used as a diagnostic.

Abstract: A process for handling a biological specimen for the analysis of nucleic acid sequences wherein the biological specimen is immobilized within a carrier device for controlled temperature conditions and the sequential addition of fluid treatments. The fluid treatments arm selected from lysing end denaturing solutions, wash or rinse solutions, reagents for nucleic acid amplification, electrophoresis and hybridization and labeling and detection reagents. The fluid treatments are unique to each specimen and the detection of target nucleic acid sequences is localized within the carrier device.

Abstract: In a known method of immunodiffusion, a sample containing a first agent such as an antigen is introduced into a well in a lamina of agarose gel containing a second agent such as a complementary antibody. The first agent diffuses through the gel and becomes releasably bound to the second agent and, when the concentrations of agents are optimal, the agents form an extended matrix incorporating light-scattering aggregates. The size of the visible matrix enables the concentration of one of the agents to be assessed when that of the other agent is known. Each aggregate comprises very large numbers of the molecules of the agents. The invention provides an improved method in which the second agent is attached to carrier means in the gel so that the carrier means constitutes part of the visible aggregations. The carrier means may constitute the gel itself and/or it may constitute particulate material such as polystyrene particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for studying the interaction of first and second molecules in a test solution containing fluorescently labeled molecules in addition to the first and second molecules, with the first molecules and the fluorescently labeled molecules being capable of binding with the second molecules. The apparatus comprises a flow channel having opposite, spaced apart walls, with at least one of the walls or a portion thereof being translucent or transparent. A porous matrix is retained in a fixed position between the walls of the flow channel and in direct contact with a translucent or transparent portion of the walls of the flow channel. A test solution flows through the flow channel and around the porous matrix so as to be in contact with the porous matrix.

Abstract: An optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor includes both a metal layer and an overlay or underlay material on its surface. Existing fiber based SPR devices are inherently incapable of monitoring aqueous systems which have a refractive index ranging between 1.33 and 1.35, and existing prism based SPR sensors have proved too cumbersome for online chemical and biochemical analyses. Inclusion of the overlay or underlay material on the SPR sensor allows monitoring media with a refractive index from 1.00 to the 1.39 barrier and above. Hence, the SPR sensor allows monitoring important biochemical and chemical aqueous processes where the media typically have a refractive index between 1.33 and 1.35. In operation, samples are simply applied to the sensing region of the SPR sensor where the metal layer and overlay or underlay materials are coated, introducing a polarized beam of light into the optical fiber, and detecting surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the diagnosis of non-healing ulcers in humans. Provided are methods for detecting the presence of non-healing ulcers by assaying for certain cell adhesion-related proteins or their degradation products in ulcer exudate. The methods of the present invention are useful as an initial, quick and inexpensive screening process for a condition which is often misdiagnosed. It has been discovered that in non-healing ulcers there appear to be proteases which degrade cell adhesion-related proteins, e.g., fibronectin and vitronectin. Protein separation techniques, such as electrophoresis, may be used in combination with immunoassay techniques to isolate and identify these degradation products, as well as the cell adhesion-related proteins themselves.

Abstract: An identification method, applicable to the identification of animals or inanimate objects, is described. The method takes advantage of the set of individual-specific antibodies that are part of the unique antibody repertoire present in animals, by reacting an effective amount of such antibodies with a particular panel, of n-dimensional array (where n is typically one or two) consisting of an effective amount of many different antigens (typically greater than one thousand), to give antibody-antigen complexes. The profile or pattern formed by the antigen-antibody complexes, termed an antibody fingerprint, when revealed by an effective amount of an appropriate detector molecule, is uniquely representative of a particular individual. The method can similarly be used to distinguish genetically, or otherwise similar individuals, or their body parts containing individual-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The matrix carrier is a hinged compartment facilitating automation of DNA- and RNA-based diagnostics and genetic surveillance and detection. Specimens are embedded in a matrix in the carrier. The matrix is then treated by one or more of the techniques such as amplification, electrophoresis, and hybridization as selected for the desired analysis and then the sample is treated to detect the cellular component.

Abstract: An improved simplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of viral, fungal, bacterial and parasitic diseases. The diagnostic test is designed for use in non-laboratory settings where the usual equipment and supplies, including running water, may not be available. Collected blood samples are applied to a previously prepared test plate having an antigen coating covered by a layer of agar. After incubation to cause antibodies from the samples to bind to the antigen coating, the agar layer is stripped off and a conjugate is applied in the form of a species specific enzyme-linked anti-immunoglobulin. After incubation to cause this conjugate to bind to the antibody-antigen coating, a previously prepared chromogen agar paper (CAP) impregnated with an enzyme substrate and acceptor, if needed, in agar is applied over the conjugate. After incubation to cause a color reaction, the results are read and interpreted in comparison with known standards.

Abstract: A test/control procedure and material is provided to facilitate standardization of immunostaining techniques and the assessment of their results. Pellets of an absorbent gel such as agar gel are caused to adsorb individual specific concentrations of an antigen of interest. The adsorbed antigens are confined to the individual pellets as by fixation or by enclosure in a diffusion-inhibiting barrier, and the pellets are installed in individual wells in a block of the gel in a manner to become integrated therein. The block may then be subjected to the same preparative routines as a tissue sample, sectioned and mounted like the sample, and then subjected to immunostaining by the same routine as the sample sections to provide a valid basis for assessment of the stained sample sections by comparison with the stained gel block sections. A gel block of suitable configuration is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dry transparent analytical elements can be used to determine analytes which have been separated by electrically induced migration through a solid medium, e.g. by electrophoresis, or which are intracellular enzymes. The dry transparent element is placed on a plate containing the analytes, and kept there until the analytes have reacted to produce a non-diffusible detectable species solely in the element. The element is removed and the detectable species is evaluated therein. The elements contain a water-insoluble binder material having an interactive composition dispersed therein which reacts with analyte to produce the non-diffusible species. The same electrophoretic plate can be used to successively determine the same or a plurality of analytes since it is not altered or destroyed by contact with the dry element.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is adapted for biochemical and similar testing on large area samples such as the gel of an electrophoresis apparatus. The gel is sandwiched between a pair of plates. One of the plates is of transparent material and, sandwiched between itself and the gel is a metal layer of a mosaic of silver dots. Light from a source is directed via a reflector and undergoes total internal reflection at the interfacce between the transparent plate and metal layer. The reflected light is passed via another reflector to a light detector. The equipment is arranged so that SPR occurs at the metal layer, which resonance is critically dependent upon the refractive index of the gel. The structure including the light source and detector, together with reflectors is caused to scan across the gel surface to enable a two-dimensional representation of the changes in refractive index across the gel to be built up. This enables the progress of sequencing to be monitored.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies reactive with oncogenic and activated ras p21 proteins containing aspartic acid or valine at position 13 and unreactive with normal ras p21 proteins containing glycine at position 13. The antibodies are secreted by hybridomas obtained by immunizing mice with synthetic peptides corresponding in amino acid sequence to positions 5-9 of normal ras p21 proteins, except having aspartic acid in place of glycine at position 13 and except for the addition of cysteine at the amino terminal end of the peptide. The antibodies and immunoreactive fragments are useful in the classification of malignant and premalignant lesions.

Abstract: The electrophoresis method of the present invention employs a media which contains uniformly dispersed liposomes of phospholipid, or combinations of phospholipid and neutral lipid, which contain chromogenic materials or dye precursers. After electrophoresis of a test sample, the liposomes are lysed and the chromogen or dye material released. The chromogen or dye can be any signal producing substance including a chromogenic agent, and enzyme, a fluorogenic agent, or a chemiluminescent agent, but a detectable signal occurs only where the staining material is in close proximity to specific enzymes, effectors, analytes, or other color-inducing agents which have migrated through the gel during electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method for separating biological molecules by subjection of said molecules to a separation system in a gel medium. The method most particularly involves the use of a gel slab suitable for such separations which is readily equilibrated with an appropriate solvent for the chosen separation system. An important aspect of the present invention involves the initial preparation of a gel slab comprising between about 0.5% and about 2.0% agarose and between about 1% and about 3.0% linear water-soluble and substantially nonionic polyacrylamide. A preferred gel slab of the present invention contains between about 1% and 3% agarose and about 3% linear, water-soluble, substantially nonionic polyacrylamide. The gel slabs of the present invention are preferably between about 1 mm and 0.5 mm in thickness.Said aged gel slab is then dried to produce a gel precursor sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an annular gel reactor suitable for the production and observation of spatiotemporal patterns created during a chemical reaction. The apparatus comprises a vessel having at least a first and second chamber separated one from the other by an annular polymer gel layer (or other fine porous medium) which is inert to the materials to be reacted but capable of allowing diffusion of the chemicals into it.

Abstract: A kit for simultaneous immunoassay of at least two items which comprises a development layer material comprising a development layer permitting development of a sample; at least two, preferably three or more, reagents supported in optional places on the development layer and individually containing an antibody or antigen different from those of the other reagents; and a concave sample-spotting place provided in the same place as one of the places where the aforesaid reagents are supported or in a place remote from all of these places. And a process for simultaneous immunoassay of at least two items which comprising utilizing said kit. The reagents supported in the above mentioned optional places are contained in microcapsules or liposomes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and observing spatial patterns in chemical reaction comprising a vessel having a laminate positioned in said vessel forming a chamber. The laminate comprises a polymer gel layer (or other porous medium) sandwiched between a transparent layer and an array of capillary tubes. The capillaries in the array are perpendicular to the gel surface in order to allow access to the gel from the chamber only in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the gel.

Abstract: An immunoassay comprisingimmobilizing antibody in a matrix for electrophoresis;immobilizing antigen in a measurement sample by subjecting the same to antigen antibody reaction with the above-mentioned immobilized antibody by a procedure of moving the antigen by electrophoresis;either moving labeled antibody to the above-mentioned immobilized antigen by electrophoresis to react the same with the immobilized antigen, or moving labeled antigen to the unreacted portion of the above-mentioned immobilized antibody by electrophoresis to react the same with the unreacted portion; andmeasuring the concentration of antigen in the sample, characterized byusing as a label for the labeled antibody or the labeled antigen an enzyme capable of coverting a substrate into a fluorescent substance,moving the substrate convertible into a fluorescent substance by said enzyme by electrophoresis,reacting the substrate with the label enzyme to convert the same into a fluorescent substance, andmeasuring the concentration of the fluore

Abstract: Mixtures of monoclonal antibodies which contain effective assaying amounts of each of at least two monoclonal antibodies that bind to different antigenic sites on the antigen and are capable under appropriate conditions of binding simultaneously to an antigen are useful in enhanced sensitivity assays for the antigen. By utilizing such mixtures in diagnostic assays for important antigens such as the polypeptide human chorionic gonadotropin enhanced sensitivity can be achieved as compared with assays employing individual monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Describes a process for controlling the polymerization and cross-linked density of electrophoretic gel products useful for separation of bioorganic molecules, which process utilizes photoinitiation. Photoinitiated polymerized gels afford the desired advantages of being ultra thin and having a high electrophoretic resolution with programmable porosity profiles.

Abstract: A radial immunodiffusion enzyme assay method for the simple estimation of immunoglobulins in humans and other animals, Agar test plates are provided including an underlying adherent coating of Staphylococcal Protein A antigen. Blood or blood serum samples from animals to be tested are placed in wells punched in the agar layer and allowed to incubate overnight. The agar gel is then removed. The resulting Protein A antigen layer with bound immunoglobulins from the samples is reacted with enzyme conjugated anti-immunoglobulin or enzyme conjugated Protein A. The reaction is visualized by overlaying the bound conjugate layer with agar containing a color producing enzyme substrate. The diameters of resulting colored zones permit estimation of total immunoglobulins. Methods of preparing Protein A antigen coated test plates are disclosed along with testing kits for carrying out the test procedure in the field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detection for serum antibody and/or microbial surface antigen by radial partition immunoassay. The method of this invention is applicable to (a) the evaluation of a clinical specimen for identification of a microorganism; (b) antimicrobial sensitivity assays for determination of an efficacious antibiotic for use against a specific microorganism; (c) a semi-quantitative determination of viral surface antigen; and, (d) a quantitative method for the determination of the presence of serum antibodies to microbial antigens. In each of the foregoing applications, the analyte of interest can be immobilized within a porous matrix (solid phase) by simple pipetting of the sample onto the prepared matrix. Appropriate reagents are subsequently applied to the matrix to effect immunochemical interaction of a labeled binding material to the surface antigen (or antibody) of the analyte of interest. The portion of the matrix within which such interaction takes place is termed the "reaction zone".

Abstract: An electroelution apparatus having at least one container for receiving a liquid, wherein the liquid volume of the container is less than 50 ml, a first electrode in the container on one side of the container and a second electrode in the container on the other side of the container, means for applying a sufficient voltage to the first and second electrodes to electrophoretically elute a charged biological molecule from a gel placed between the first and second electrodes, and means for interrupting the application of the voltage to the first and second electrodes. The elution time is 10 minutes or less, and the ratio of the volume of the gel to the volume of the liquid is greater than 1:100.

Abstract: A method and assay kit for determining the presence of an enzyme in a sample are provided. A sample suspected of containing the enzyme is applied to an image gel, which may be any conventional material, typically agarose gel. The sample may first be subjected to electrophoresis, or may be detected directly using the present invention. The image gel includes an immobilized phase capable of binding a product of the enzyme but not the substrate. By exposing the enzyme to substrate, and drawing the resulting reaction mixtures through the image gel, only the product is bound in the image gel. The presence of enzyme may then be determined by detecting the product in the image gel. In addition to developing electrophoresis gels, the method of the present invention will find great use in screening a plurality of complex mixtures which have been separated by other conventional techniques.

Abstract: A templet (10) is provided having a lower plate (11) which receives a carrier sheet having antigens immobilized thereon as transferred from an electrophoresis gel. An upper plate (12) having a plurality of parallel channels (22) formed therein, is placed over the lower plate such that the channels lie over the carrier sheet. The two plates (11, 12) are then pressed tightly together, as by engagement with screws (16) at the periphery of the plates. A bridge bar (28) extends over the central portion of the plate and pressure screws (30) are mounted to the bridge bar in position to engage and apply pressure to the top surface of the upper plate (12). Various antibody containing liquids are introduced into the various channels through holes (25) extending to the ends of the channels; the solutions are allowed to remain in contact with the antigens on the carrier sheet for a period of time, after which the liquid is withdrawn from the channels, and the plates separated.

Abstract: Describes a process for controlling the polymerization and cross-linked density of electrophoretic gel products useful for separation of bioorganic molecules, which process does not use initiators common to processes of the art. Electron beam polymerized gels afford the desired advantages of being ultra thin and having a high electrophoretic resolution with programmable porosity profiles.

Abstract: A component of a sample may be detected or quantitatively measured by an immunoreaction, namely causing a target substance-immunoreactive reagent labelled with a marker-reaction product and/or any remaining, unreacted, immunoreactive reagent to move while making use of capillarity, causing the reaction product or any remaining, unreacted, immunoreactive reagent to combine with a substance packed in a capillary tube, and is immobilized on a carrier and adapted to uptake labelled substance so as to immobilize the reaction product or any remaining, unreacted, immunoreactive reagent, and measuring the amount of the thus-immobilized labelled substance. Since reagents are all filled in the capillary tube, there is no such troublesome that the reagents have to be prepared and/or any extra reagents have to be discarded upon conducting the measurement. The immunoassay may be carried out at bed side in hospitals. An extremely small amount of the sample may be sufficient for its measurement.

Abstract: Methods for attaching one component of a ligand-anti-ligand pair onto a solid phase surface. The component may be attached to a photoactivatable cross-linker capable of coupling the component to a colloidal medium coating the surface or alternatively, the component may be coupled to a bead and held in place against the surface by an overlay of the colloidal media having voids and spaces smaller than the diameter of the particle but large enough to permit diffusion of the other of the ligand-anti-ligand pair to be detected.

Abstract: A process for the immunobacteriological detection of pathogenic germs possessing specific antigenic determinants, and a kit for carrying out the process, with the aid of a magnetic gel to which are coupled anti-specific antigenic determinant antibodies, characterized by the following steps:(a) a biological medium supposedly contaminated by a pathogenic germ possessing a specific antigenic determinant is brought into contact with particles of the magnetic gel,(b) the particles of magnetic gel are then removed by magnetic means and(c) are inoculated onto a nutrient agar medium,(d) the agar medium is incubated to develop culture colonies of the pathogenic germs;(e) areas containing serum containing antibodies specific to the pathogenic germ to be detected are formed in the agar,(f) the germs are lysed by means of lysing agents,(g) the lysate is incubated with the serum for a time enabling the serological antibody-antigen reaction to take place by immunodiffusion on the agar, and(h) the quantity of germs containe

Abstract: A composition for determining the fibrinogen content in plasma by electroimmunodiffusion, said composition essentially comprising heparin and agarose.

Abstract: A biologically active substance is incorporated in a unitary body with a magnetically responsive material for carrying out diffusion testing. These may be, microbiological, immunological, serological and other biochemical examinations. The body is applied against a substrate or medium by application of an external magnetic field and a reaction region is produced at the site of the body and is measured by means of a reader. In order to insure deposit of the body on the substrate a predetermined location and corresponding reading of the reaction region at such location, the support for the substrate and the dispenser and rear are provided with suitable releasable coupling and orienting devices such that the dispenser and reader can be respectively engaged and oriented on the support in predetermined secured positions.

Abstract: A preparation for the detection of chlamydial infections using lipopolysaccharide of Re-lipopolysaccharide mutants of gram-negative bacteria. The lipopolysaccharide preparation is used in the production of group-specific antibodies to chlamydiae for diagnostic purposes or for the demonstration of antibodies to chlamydial group antigen in specimens.

Abstract: An immunoassay method for measuring a concentration of an antigen for a short period of time by immobilizing an antibody over the whole zone of an effective supporting matrix for electrophoresis and fixing an antigen in a sample to be measured by electrophoresis for the antigen-antibody reaction between said immobilized antibody and said antigen.

Abstract: There is presented a novel immunological element suitable for an immunological assay of an antigen according to the so called two antibody method, which element having two separate sheets, one being a sheet for reaction in which the reaction for formation of antigen-antibody bounds is carried out and the antigen-antibody bounds formed are immobilized, the other being a F receptor sheet in which unreacted free labelled antigen is transferred at a controlled rate to be received for analysis. This element enables separation between the bounds and the free labelled antigen by a simple operation without cumbersome separation procedures and is also excellent in storability.

Abstract: There is disclosed an immunoassay comprising carrying out an immunological reaction by contacting a fluid sample with an element for immunoassay, having at least three layers of a first detecting layer, a blocking layer and a second detecting layer which are successively laminated, the element containing a substance capable of binding specifically to an immunologically active substance in a fluid sample only in either one of the first and the second detecting layers, and then measuring the detected quantities corresponding to the immunological reaction quantities from both of the first and the second detecting layers.The immunoassay by the use of the immunological analytical element according to this invention improves the precision immunoassay by measuring both of Bound and Free.

Abstract: For microbiological and other laboratory work in which an active substance is contacted with a substrate there is provided a container for the substrate and a divided carrying body with respective separated sections in sealed contact within the container such that the sections form separate regions with isolated substrate portions in each of the regions. The active substance is supported by the carrying body and is immersed in the respective isolated substrate regions so that it can be diffused into the substrate portions.

Abstract: A method for rapid diagnosis of gonorrhea is set forth comprising assay of the enzyme immunoglobulin A protease (IgAP). Immunoassays including radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies to IgAP are disclosed. A kit for early detection of gonorrhea is given. The assay and kit of the present invention may also be used in the detection of meningitis.

Abstract: A motility-immunoimmobilization method permits the detection of a particular motile organism, such as Salmonella, in a sample.

Abstract: A radial immunodiffusion enzyme assay method for the simple testing of pseudorabies antibodies in swine and other animals. Agar test plates are provided including an underlying adherent coating of solubilized non-infectious swine pseudorabies antigen. Blood or blood serum samples from affected animals are placed in wells punched in the agar layer and allowed to incubate overnight. The agar gel is then removed. The resulting antigen layer with bound antibodies from the samples is washed and reacted with enzyme conjugated anti-swine immunoglobulin. The reaction is visualized by overlaying the bound conjugate layer with agar containing a color producing enzyme substrate. The diameters of resulting colored zones are correlated with the titers obtained by the official virus neutralization test. Methods of preparing antigen and antigen coated test plates are disclosed along with testing kits for carrying out the test procedure in the field.

Abstract: Experiments designed to define the differences between an oncogene isolated from human bladder cancer cells and its corresponding proto-oncogene are described herein. By a series of in vitro recombinations, the difference was initially isolated to a 350 kb segment of DNA; sequencing defined the difference as a change in the Gly.sup.12 codon causing the p21 protein of the oncogene to contain valine at a location where the p21 protein of the proto-oncogene contained glycine. Assays for detecting carcinogenesis based on such differences are also described. In one type of assay, a restriction enzyme specific for either the altered or non-altered DNA segment of the genes are employed to detect carcinogenesis. In another type of assay, seralogical reagents, such as antibody specific for either p21 protein expressed from the proto-oncogene or oncogene, or a common site therein, are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the detection of antibodies in sera of AIDS and pre-AIDS patients and describes the biochemical and immunological analysis of antigens associated with the virus HTLV-III Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus. It is shown that antigens associated with the infection of human cells by this virus are specifically recognized by antibodies from AIDS patients. Specifically, HTLV-III isolated from AIDS patients and transmitted by cocultivation with an HT cell line is specifically detected by antibodies from human sera taken from AIDS patients. The method of detection of antibodies preferred is a strip radioimmunoassay (RIA) based on the Western Blot technique or an ELISA (an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

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: A device for determining the presence of antigens which comprises a first zone containing antigens and enzyme-linked antibodies which are capable of immunologically reacting with said antigens, said antibodies being positioned in said first zone such that they will be removed from said first zone when reacted with antigens passing through said first zone but not removed from said first zone in the absence of such antigens, and a second zone containing material capable of reacting with said enzyme-linked antibodies to produce a color forming reaction which indicates the presence of said antibodies.

Abstract: The method assesses the level of general and specific cellular immunocompetence by measuring the responses of individuals to antigens in vitro employing the phenomenon of Leukocyte Migration Inhibition (LMI). The present invention differs from the previously described LMI technique in that antigens are individually incorporated into the agarose of assay plates, requiring no preincubation of antigens with patient blood cell (leukocyte) suspensions. The LMI assay method described herein is a practical alternative to delayed hypersensitivity skin testing to identify cellular immune deficiency and avoids the risk and inconvenience of the skin test procedure. The method also allows in vitro diagnosis of Tuberculosis and monitoring of tumor therapy.

Abstract: A novel method of diagnosis of atherosclerosis comprises comparing the migration of endothelial cells or of cells of endothelium-like morphology in vitro, in the presence of serum from the person being examined, with the migration of identical cells in the presence of serum from healthy persons or of other standard sera, and interpreting a reduced migration in the presence of serum of the person being examined as being an indication of the possible existance of atherosclerosis in this person. The cell migration is measured for example on monolayer cell cultures of pig aorta endothelial cells or of Balb/c 3T3-A31 cells, in which cultures a portion of the cellular layer has been removed. An outfit for carrying out the method contains the materials and devices necessary for the purpose.

Abstract: An extract of adult Schistosome mansoni worms, obtained by incubation in 0.15 M sodium chloride-sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), contains protein, carbohydrates, and nucleic acid and/or by-products of the latter component and resolves into four major fractions by gel chromatography in G-100 and G-200 Sephadex columns. Immunodiffusion tests with rabbit anti-total extract serum reveal three precipitation lines corresponding to fractions I and II, and one with III or IV. Rabbits immunized with this total extract are found to be totally or partially (at least 77%) resistant to a challenge infection. The saline extract antigenic material is an effective vaccine for the treatment and immunization of schistosomiasis and other schistosome infections.