Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of hemoglobin in a biological sample, more particularly, the presence of blood in a fecal sample as an indicator of upper or lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

Abstract: It is often important for medical purposes to obtain nucleated fetal cells during pregnancy. For example, the procedures of amniocentesis or chrionic villae extraction are carried out for this purpose. But these methods are invasive, and carry a small but positive risk to the patient, and are complicated to perform. On the other hand, the purpose of my invention is to obtain nucleated fetal cells (fetal nucleated reticulocytes) from maternal blood, which eliminates the need for invasive methods. There are a small number of nucleated fetal red blood cells (reticulocytes) in maternal blood and my invention is a method and apparatus for separating these fetal cells from maternal blood.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A system for determining zinc protoporphyrin levels in whole blood using hematofluorometry without the need for oxygenation of the hemoglobin by derivatizing the hemoglobin to form a new compound having essentially the same spectral properties as oxygenated hemoglobin. A preferred reagent includes cyanide as the active ingredient.

Abstract: A multilayer analytical element for analysis of analyte in a liquid sample comprising a liquid sample-spreading layer, a reagent layer containing a diazonium salt, and a liquid-impermeable light-transmissive support, being laminated in this order, in which said reagent layer contains a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer having at least 10 molar % of a repeating unit selected from those consisting of a sulfoalkyl group and sulfophenyl group. The analytical element can be an element comprising a porous reagent layer containing a diazonium salt and the liquid-impermeable light-transmissive support, being laminated in this order.

Abstract: Unsaturated iron-binding capacity in serum can be measured colorimetrically rapidly and easily by using an auto analyzer and using a reagent mixture comprising excess iron ions, a reducing agent for iron ions, and a hydroxy acid and/or a salt of a hydroxy acid together with a color-forming reagent solution.

Abstract: A method for determining the iron-binding capability of transferrin, consisting in adding to the sample being tested a reagent composed of a solution of a ferric salt adsorbed onto a suspension of magnesium carbonate, centrifuging the mixture so obtained and measuring the iron blocked by transferrin in the supernatant. The method is preferably carried out by utilizing a particular composition consisting of a single reagent composed of a suspension of a solution of a ferric salt absorbed on magnesium carbonate, possibly a medium capable of maintaining the pH between 8 and 9, if desired, a colorimetric reagent for the determination of iron.