Abstract: Polymer or copolymer coated catalytic colloidal metal particles bound to a biomolecule such as an antibody, avidin, or streptavidin and kits containing such polymer or copolymer coated catalytic metal particles are useful for detecting the presence of the biomolecule in an assay such as an immunoassay.

Abstract: A method of radiochemical analysis having the steps of providing a solid phase extraction sheet material containing ion-specific sorptive or reactive particles in a porous matrix as carrier for the particles, and providing a fluid including an ion-containing radiochemical analyte, contacting the sheet material with the fluid for a time sufficient for the particles to selectively extract the analyte from the fluid, and analyzing the sheet material in a direct mode for quantitative or qualitative data relating to the radiochemical analyte. Solid phase extraction sheet materials and methods for their preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of hair analysis that provides an extensive history is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (1) releasing trapped hair from a hair follicle; and, (2) performing hair analysis on the released hair.

Abstract: A device for testing for the presence of lead on a painted surface includes a porous dauber formed from an absorbent sintered plastic. The dauber is preimpregnated with a powdered mixture containing rhodizonate dye which is activated by dipping the dauber in a small quantity of water. After activation, the dauber is rubbed on the surface and is then visually observed for a reaction with lead that may be in the surface. The device also includes an abrasive element that can be used to abrade the painted surface before contacting the same with the dauber.

Abstract: A non-invasive method to measure total body tissue iron stores comprising recovering iron released from total ferritin contained in a body fluid sample derived from a host, measuring the ferritin-iron in the total ferritin and thereby determining total body tissue iron stores. Such an assay is utilized for diagnosing negative iron balance as well as positive iron balance, wherein the latter promotes cancer, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and hepatic failure among other diseases, as well as the susceptibility to such diseases.

Abstract: A swab is impregnated with a test reagent such that a test for a specific substance can be effected by rubbing the impregnated swab over the surface to be tested and then viewing the swab for a reagent reaction. The swab may have a hollow stem, and within the hollow stem is a cartridge within another cartridge. An activator solution is in one of the cartridges and a reagent is in another of the cartridges. A method for testing for a substance includes impregnating a swab, and rubbing the swab over a surface suspected of containing the substance. If the substance is present in the surface, a reaction with the substance produces an easily detectable color on the swab tip.

Abstract: A simple, cost effective assay of iron is accomplished by using lactoferrin as part of a biosensor to detect iron in a sample. The lactoferrin releases protons when the iron is sequestered by the lactoferrin and the change in potential caused by the release of protons is measured by a potentiometer or pH sensing device. The sensing devices include the ion-selective or ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFET), a potentiometric device or the pH indicator papers.

Abstract: Methods of assaying for the presence or amount of a metal ion in a sample suspected of containing such ions. In one aspect, an enzyme amplified sandwich assay is provided which relies upon the ability of the analyte (metal ion) to form a complex with two complexing agents (chelators). In this assay, the first sandwich chelator is immobilized on a solid support, while the second sandwich chelator is linked to a reporter group (e.g., an enzyme). This assay combines the specific recognition of the analyte by the first and second sandwich chelators with the great signal amplification offered by the reporter group (e.g., enzyme). In another aspect, a competitive assay is provided that relies on the competitive inhibition of complex formation between the coating ligand (i.e., the chelator attached to the solid support) and the organometallic compound attached to the reporter group (e.g., enzyme) by the metal ions of interest present in the sample.

Abstract: A chemical moiety is disclosed which comprises a chemical, biochemical, or biological substance attached to one or more electrochemiluminescent organometallic compounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the substance is attached to one or more ruthenium-containing or osmium-containing luminescent organometallic compounds. Methods are disclosed for detecting very small amounts of the chemical moiety using chemiluminescent, electrochemiluminescent, and photoluminescent means. Compounds are disclosed which are useful for labelling substances of interest with ruthenium-containing and osmium-containing labels or other electrochemiluminescent labels. These labelled substances are useful in methods provided for detecting and quantifying analytes of interest in binding assays and competitive binding assays. The labelled substances are of particular use in homogeneous binding assays.

Abstract: The present invention measures serum iron by liberating iron from transferrin under acid conditions, and contacting a test sample with a reaction system which utilizes at least aconitase, a reducing reagent, citric acid, isocitrate dehydrogenase and (thio)NAD(P). According to the present invention, an accurate and efficient measurement of iron in the serum is possible, even for minute levels of iron. In addition, the present invention assays unsaturated iron binding capacity by adding excess iron to a test sample to bind iron to transferrin, binding the remaining unbound iron to aconitase, and measuring the activated aconitase. According to the present invention, a quick and easy assay of unsaturated iron binding capacity of body fluids, etc. is possible without the need for expert skill.

Abstract: A target-specie responsive regulation of water treatment agent feed is achieved by the monitoring of a subject target-specie indicator. A target specie in a sample taken from the system is selected as the subject target-specie indicator, or instead an incipient reagent is added to the system sample to form a subject target-specie indicator. Such a formed subject target-specie indicator comprises a combination of the incipient reagent and a target specie. The subject target-specie indicator might then monitored by fluorescence analysis of the sample to determine at least one fluorescence emission value that can be correlated to the in-system concentration of the target specie. In combination with an inert tracer, the system consumption for the target specie can be determined. A responsive adjustment of the in-system concentration of a water treatment agent can be made.

Abstract: Agents for the diagnosis or treatment of hypoxic cells comprise a bioreductive moiety such as 2-nitroimidazole, and a metal chelating moiety which is a bis-amine oxime of which a carbon atom adjacent a nitrogen atom is linked to the bioreductive moiety. A chelated metal atom or ion preferably Technetium-99m. The agent diffuses into cells where the 2-nitroimidazole is reduced thus trapping the chelated metal in the cell.

Abstract: Catalytic colloidal metal particles bound to a biomolecule such as an antibody, avidin, or streptavidin are useful for detecting the presence of the biomolecule in an assay such as an immunoassay.

Abstract: Novel magnetic resonance imaging agents comprise complexes of paramagnetic ions with hydrazide derivatives of polyaminocarboxylic acid chelating agents. The complexes are represented by the formula of: ##STR1## wherein A is --CHR.sup.2 --CHR.sup.3 -- or ##STR2## M.sup.+Z is a paramagnetic ion of an element with an atomic number of 21-29, 42-44 58-70, and a valence, Z, of +2 or +3; R.sup.1 groups may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of --O.sup.- and ##STR3## The R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 groups are as defined in the disclosure. These novel imaging agents are characterized by excellent NMR image-contrasting properties and by high solubilities in physiological solutions. A novel method of performing an NMR diagnostic procedure involves administering to a warm-blooded animal an effective amount of a complex as described above and then exposing the warm-blooded animal to an NMR imaging procedure, thereby imaging at least a portion of the body of the warm-blooded animal.

Abstract: A process for qualitative or quantitative determination of a reactive chemical contained in a liquid sample by forming doped sol-gel glass pellets from a metal alkoxide, arranging the porous doped sol-gel glass pellets in a glass tube, contacting a liquid sample containing a reactive chemical with the porous doped sol-gel glass pellets contained in the glass tube, and measuring a length of a stained portion of the glass tube resulting from a color change in the sol-gel glass pellets. The sol-gel glass pellets are formed by a gelling step conducted at room temperature in the presence of a colorimetric reagent dopant which produces a color change in the presence of the reactive chemical, and a drying step conducted at not greater than 41.degree. C. The doped sol-gel glass pellets contain the colorimetric reagent dopant encapsulated therein and the encapsulated colorimetric reagent dopant is color changeable in the presence of the reactive chemical in the pores of the doped sol-gel glass pellets.

Abstract: A swab is impregnated with a test reagent such that a test for a specific substance can be effected by rubbing the impregnated swab over the surface to be tested and then viewing the swab for a reagent reaction. The swab may have a hollow stem, and within the hollow stem is a cartridge within another cartridge. An activator solution is in one of the cartridges and a reagent is in another of the cartridges. A method for testing for a substance includes impregnating a swab, and rubbing the swab over a surface suspected of containing the substance. If the substance is present in the surface, a reaction with the substance produces an easily detectable color on the swab tip.

Abstract: A method, composition and test device for the semiquantitative determination of specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a reagent composition capable of producing a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the concentration of cations, and therefore the specific gravity, of the test sample. The reagent composition comprises: a) a polyvalent metal ion having a valence of at least two, like mercuric ion or calcium ion; b) an indicator capable of interacting with the polyvalent metal ion to provide a polyvalent metal ion-indicator complex having a first color; c) a buffer; and d) a suitable carrier. The reagent composition is used in a wet phase specific gravity assay or is incorporated into a carrier matrix, like filter paper, to provide a test pad useful in a dry phase specific gravity assay of a test sample, such as urine.

Abstract: An apparatus that conducts in situ analyses of fluids in real time is disclosed. The apparatus comprises bifurcated optic fibers, a pulsed light source, a light detector, a water-tight pressure case that houses the pulsed light source and the light detector, and a flow-through cell that receives one end of each bifurcated optic fiber. The flow-through cell may comprise a plurality of attached tube sections that define a volume which acts as a passageway for conducting fluids. One or more sections of the flow-through cell may be adapted to introduce a reagent into fluid flowing through the cell. Sections of the cell may contain potassium periodate and N,N-diethylaniline that are released into a fluid flowing through the passageway, enabling the spectrophotometer to analyze manganese (II) concentrations by monitoring the decrease in fluorescence accompanying the oxidation of DEA to 2 DEA'. The fluid may also be analyzed by measuring reflectance, absorption, turbidity, and fluorescence.

Abstract: A method, composition and test device for the semiquantitative determination of specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a reagent composition capable of producing a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the concentration of cations, and therefore the specific gravity, of the test sample. The reagent composition, comprises: a) a complexing agent, like a polyelectrolyte, an ion exchange material or a chelating agent, such as a copolymer of maleic acid and methyl vinyl ether; b) a polyvalent metal ion having a valence of at least two, like ferrous ion or cobaltous ion; c) an indicator capable of interacting with the polyvalent metal ion to provide a color transition, like calmagite or gallocyanine; and d) a suitable carrier. The reagent composition is used in a wet phase specific gravity assay or is incorporated into a carrier matrix, like filter paper, to provide a test pad useful in a dry phase specific gravity assay of a test sample, such as urine.

Abstract: A swab is impregnated with a test reagent such that a test for a specific substance can be effected by rubbing the impregnated swab over the surface to be tested and then viewing the swab for a reagent reaction. A method for testing for a substance includes impregnating a swab with a reagent, and rubbing the swab over a surface suspected of containing the substance. If the substance is present in the surface, a reaction with the substance produces an easily detectable color on the swab tip.

Abstract: Complex metal anions such as cobaltic hexacyanide are utilized as nonradioactive tracers in reservoir studies. Sensitive analytical procedures enable detection and measurement of very low tracer levels.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of ferrous ion in boiler waters is described. The method can be used to directly measure the rate of corrosion occurring in boiler waters, and can measure the corrosion rates in the presence of boiler water treatment chemicals. The method uses a complex formed between only ferrous ion and a chemical 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine-p,p'-disulfonic acid monohydrate reagent.

Abstract: A method for the colorimetic determination of zinc including the steps of:a) preparing a coloring reagent for zinc including1) an aqueous soluble 2-pyridylazoaminophenol derivative or a salt of a 2-pyridylazoaminophenol derivative, represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein 2 ) at least one surface active agent3) a masking agent for a metal,b) adding the coloring reagent solution to a sample solution containing zinc andc) measuring the absorbance of the solution at 555 nm.

Abstract: To determine iron in serum by the release of bound iron and reduction of the released iron to Fe.sup.2+, a first solution of a denaturing agent at a concentration of 1 to 8 mol/l is added to the serum, then a second solution is added which contains the color reagent and likewise a denaturing agent at a concentration of 1 to 8 mol/l and subsequently the colored complex is measured photometrically.

Abstract: A dry analysis element for the analysis of iron ions, which is improved in selectivity so that iron ions can be analyzed reliably at a high sensitivity without the interferences by the presence of hindering Cu.sup.2+ and/or Zn.sup.2+ ions. The analysis element comprises a detection reagent layer containing Nitro-PAPS acting as a chelating agent and a cationic compound, and a pre-treating layer containing a Cu.sup.2+ -specific chelating agent. The analysis element further includes a pH buffer for keeping the pH value of the detection reagent layer within the range of from pH 3.0 to 5.0. The pH adjusting buffer may be contained in either one of the detection reagent layer or the pre-treating layer, or may be contained in another layer. The detection reagent layer may be composed of a coloring reagent layer containing Nitro-PAPS acting as the chelating agent, and a diffusion-preventing layer laminated on the coloring reagent layer and containing the cationic compound.

Abstract: An automatic analytical apparatus in which a series of operations ranging from the sampling into a treating receptacle, pretreatment, analysis and discharge of a fluid sample to the preparation for the next analysis are repeated automatically in order, wherein the time-dependent variation of the composition is traced successively. This permits the presence of the composition variation or the course of the composition variation to be confirmed or the composition variation to be controlled, automatically.

Abstract: Concentrations of cobalt and copper of electrolysis solution for electrowinning of zinc can be measured any time during electrowinning operation by continuously sampling the solution, diluting it, adding coloring reagent to the flow of the solution and spectrophotometrically analyzing the solution.The cobalt and copper as deleterious impurities can be removed continuously and automatically by measuring their concentrations by the above method and adding precipitation reagents for them in an amount calculated by a microcomputer on the basis of said analysis.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers are useful in combination with cobalt(III) redox reagents. When incorporated with the polymers, the cobalt(III) reagents exhibit improved sensitivity compared to fresh solutions of the reagents. In preferred embodiments, the cobalt(III) reagents are coated on a support using the water soluble polymer as a binder. Small areas of the coated support are then cut out and placed in a buffer solution to provide a working reagent solution. The solution is particularly useful in the testing of urine for significant bacteriuria.

Abstract: A method utilizing a novel reagent for the assay (determination)of serum iron.The serum iron assay reagent is a single, stable reagent, which includes the chromogen chromazurol B (CAB), chromazurol S (CAS), or an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, rubidium or ammonium base addition salt of CAB or CAS, a surfactant that forms a ternary complex with iron and the chromogen, a buffer, and dimethylsulfoxide.

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.

Abstract: A method for the detection of trace transition elements and rare earth elements in a sample also containing alkali metals or alkaline earth elements. The sample is flowed through a chelator column which retains the transition elements and rare earth elements. Then a first eluent (e.g. ammonium acetate) is passed through the column to strip the alkali and alkaline earth metals retained on the column. Then a second eluent (e.g. a strong acid) is passed through the chelator column to remove the transition elements in a chelator effluent which flows through an ion exchange resin concentrator to retain only the transition elements and rare earth elements. Then, a chelator complexing agent (e.g. pyridine-2,6 dicarboxylic acid or an oxalate) flows through the concentrator column to remove the transition elements and rare earth elements.

Abstract: Single or multi-cell reservoir sensors with single illumination sources and one or more detectors per cell unit have an arrangement whereby a gaseous, vapor or liquid sample enters the cell body and interacts with a sensing solution to detect and quantify a given species. Entrance of the sample into the sensor is through an opening in the cell body which may be covered with a membrane to contain the sensing reagent and to presort the species entering the cell. Reservoir cells can be used with organic, inorganic or biochemical sensing materials. A variety of sensors as alcohol, drugs of abuse, organic halides, cyanide and inorganic ions are provided.

Abstract: Improved method and device for detection and semi-quantitative colorimetric determination of molybdate, ferric, and vanadate ions in aqueous solutions and coolant systems containing ethylene glycol and coolant additive. The disclosed device comprises of test strips of absorbent support carrier or water resistant film impregnated uniformly with a hydroxylamine salt and a polyhydroxy organic acid such as gallic acid or its derivatives. Molybdate ions result in an orange/brown colorataion, ferric and vanadate ions result in a grey-blue/black coloration with color intensity directly proportional to concentration of ions.

Abstract: The current invention is a method, kit and reagents for detecting cobalamins in a sample. The method involves introducing into the sample a first conjugate of a latex or latex-like solid phase linked to affinity purified intrinsic factor with a first linking group at least three angstroms long. The first conjugate and the bound cobalamins in the sample are then exposed to a second conjugate of a cobalamin linked to a detectable enzyme to produce second conjugate bound to first conjugate and unbound second conjugate. The enzyme activity associated either with the solid phase first conjugate or the unbound second conjugate is then detected. By linking affinity purified intrinsic factor to a latex or latex-like solid phase with a first linking group at least three angstroms long, an exzyme assay can be performed which detects levels of cobalamins in patient samples within or below normal ranges found in such samples.

Abstract: For the analysis of a sample in a method capable of wide application, the sample is reacted in a combustion reaction with elementary pure fluorine in a multiple molar excess in relation to the sample in a reactor of pure nickel so that the products of fluorination may be analyzed by spectrometry. A line spectrum can be produced in this manner, for example, from a silicon carbide sample combusted or reacted with elementary fluorine.

Abstract: Unsegmented, continuous flow analysis, FIA, has been modified for automated measurement of the amounts of metal and metalloids with volatile hydrides. The sample is injected into a continuous carrier flow of acid, and upon reaction with sodium borhydride in a mixing coil, a gaseous hydride is generated which is blown with a gas flow to a detector, preferably an electrically heated quartz tube, and the atomic absorption is measured. The chemical interferences from other substances have been eliminated to a substantial degree by kinetic discrimination. Samples of about 1-100 nanograms can be determined at a rate of 180 samples per hour and with a detection limit in the sub-ng range.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compounds of the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl andR.sup.2 denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, or a substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and their preparation. The compounds can be used in an iron assay system.

Abstract: A method for sequencing a strand of DNA, including the steps of: providing the strand of DNA; annealing the strand with a primer able to hybridize to the strand to give an annealed mixture; incubating the mixture with a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate, a DNA polymerase, and a chain terminating agent under conditions in which the polymerase causes the primer to be elongated to form a series of DNA products differing in length of the elongated primer, each DNA product having a chain terminating agent at its elongated end; the number of each DNA product being approximately the same for substantially all DNA products differing in length from 1 to 20 bases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of iron in body fluids by liberation of the bound iron, reduction to Fe.sup.2+, addition of a color system appropriate for the detection of iron and photometric measurement in a tenside-containing sample solution, wherein a fatty acid polyethylene glycol ester, an alkanol polyglycol ether and at least 1 mole/liter quanidine hydrochloride are added to the sample solution. The present invention also provides a reagent for the determination of iron in serum, containing a reducing agent, a color material system appropriate for the detection of iron and guanidine hydrochloride and at least one tenside, wherein it contains a fatty acid polyethylene glycol ester and a alkanol polyglycol ether.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general assay methodology suitable for the detection of organic analytes which are neither aldehydes nor ketones and for inorganic substances. The methodology utilizes prepared sensitized films of derivatizing agents and specific developer solutions for the selective and controlled formation of light scattering crystals whose presence serves as a qualitative and/or quantitative measure of the individual analyte of interest in the sample.

Abstract: A method for the analysis of a metal selected from gold, palladium and platinum, when present in solution as cyanide complex, using ion-interaction reverse phase liquid chomatography comprising concentrating the metal cyanide complex on a reverse phase concentrator column, washing the concentrator column to reduce the concentration of interfering species, stripping the metal cyanide complex onto an analytical reverse phase column, eluting the metal cyanide complex from the column, detecting and determining the concentration of the metal in solution by reference to suitable standards. This method has particular utility in the analysis of gold, platinum and palladium bearing cyanide solutions that arise in the carbon-in-pulp method of gold recovery. An apparatus which permits the rapid, accurate analysis of samples using this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid, microwave-based Kjeldahl digestion method wherein microwave energy is applied to an acid/sample mixture at the beginning of, and thereafter during the digestion. After the application of microwave energy is discontinued, the digestate is diluted by pulsed addition of water, followed by continuous addition of water. Dilution in this manner prevents a sudden surge in gas evolution, and eliminates the need for an intervening cooling step, thereby reducing processing time. Also provided is a method for fat separation from a fat-containing protein sample during the digestion.

Abstract: A method for quantitative analysis of hydrogen peroxide at a high precision is disclosed. The method comprises reacting a divalent cobalt compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of peroxidase or a substance similar to peroxidase to produce a trivalent cobalt compound, reacting the trivalent cobalt compound thus produced with a trivalent cobalt indicator to produced a colored complex, and subjecting the colored complex to colorimetric quantitative analysis. The method enables various enzymatic activities producing hydrogen peroxide by the reaction with substrates as well as the amount or activity of substances involving the known enzymatic reactions linked with such enzymatic reactions, of enzymes and coenzymes, to be quantitatively determined very easily at a high sensitivity at a wavelength of above 600 nm without the interference of hemoglobin, bilirubin, or turbidity.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the measurement of total iron binding capacity of blood serum or plasma comprises a container having a removable closure and containing a measured quantity of dried iron-saturating substance, which is adhered to the inner surface of the container or of the closure and a measured quantity of dried alumina. The invention further provides a simple, rapid and inexpensive method for measurement of total iron binding capacity using the apparatus.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for making a plurality of determinations of the local (site-specific) redox state of a liquid system, by employing a photoresponsive element, which can be independently irradiated at different sites to provide independently detectable signals.

Abstract: Certain methanol soluble ortho-benzo or -naphthoquinones are useful electron transfer agents. They are particularly useful in the detection of cells in urine.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for making a plurality of determinations of the local (site-specific) redox state of a liquid system, by employing a photoresponsive element, which can be independently irradiated at different sites to provide independently detectable signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromogenic reagent for determining the iron content and the iron-binding capacity of serum, comprising chromazurol B, a buffer for keeping the pH at 4.5-5, a surface-active substance in a concentration of at least 500 mg/l, a salt suitable for imparting an ionic strength expressed in terms of NaCl concentration of at least 100 g/l and an aminoacid suitable for selectively binding the Cu.sup.2+ ions, in a concentration expressed in terms of glycine concentration ranging between 1 and 40 g/l.

Abstract: A dry multilayer analytical element for determination of total ionic iron is disclosed. The element includes a dye which complexes with Fe.sup.+2. The dye has the structure ##STR1## R.sup.1 represents an electron donating group; or R.sup.1, together with the carbon to which it is attached, represents sufficient atoms to form a cyclic electron donating group fused to the phenyl group to which R.sup.1 is attached;R.sup.2 represents an electron withdrawing group; andR.sup.3 represents H, Cl, F, Br or OR.sup.4 wherein R.sup.4 represents a hydrocarbon having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A device for treating water to reduce the concentration of cations or anions therein includes a water-tight container (4) of flexible material, designed to be able to lie substantially flat (FIG. 3) when empty and having an aperture (5) for the introduction of liquid, a strainer (7) extending across the aperture, and a closure (6) for the aperture, and a quantity of ion-exchange material (b 8) occupying a minor proportion of the available interior volume of the container. A soil extraction outfit and a soil testing outfit are described, which incorporate the water treatment device.