Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting tacrolimus in a test blood sample to use in a tacrolimus quantification assay. The method of the present invention extracts tacrolimus in non-precipitating, non-denaturing aqueous environment, avoiding cumbersome manual pretreatment procedures or the use of organic solvents. The method of the present invention permits full automation of tacrolimus quantification assays.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides the asymmetric cyanine fluorescent dyes of formula I in which X, n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Y? are as defined in the specification. The present disclosure also provides conjugates of the fluorescent dyes, methods for preparation thereof, compositions comprising the fluorescent dyes, and methods for staining biological samples using the fluorescent dyes and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Novel compounds and their uses are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting free radicals, the compositions being spin trapping compounds comprising a nitrone having a detecting moiety and optionally having a targeting moiety for targeting the nitrone to an organ, a cell, an organelle or a molecule of interest for directly detecting free radicals, especially free radicals in biological samples.

Abstract: A diagnostic test strip vial has a container, a lid, and a plurality of diagnostic test strips. The container has a generally annular wall terminating at a base and at an open mouth. The lid has a top and a lifting tray connected to the top by a connector that is sufficiently long that the distance between the top and the lifting tray is at least as long as the length of a diagnostic test strip and sufficiently short that the top may engage the open mouth of the container to close the vial when the lifting tray is engaged with the inner side of the annular wall of the container. The test strips are disposed on the lifting tray which is sized to slidably engage the inner side of the annular wall of the container.

Abstract: Methods and compound useful for detecting a source of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed wherein a signalling compound of the formula: is reacted with peroxide. Sig is a non-polymeric organic group, B is a boron atom, and each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and aryl groups and can be joined together as a straight or branched alkylene chain forming a ring or as an aromatic ring. A detectable product compound of the formula Sig-OH or Sig-O?is produced and detected by measuring color, absorbance, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or bioluminescence. The signalling compound itself does not possess the detectable property or does so only to a very weak degree. The methods can be used as a detectable signal in assays for peroxide or peroxide-producing enzymes and in assays employing enzyme-labeled specific binding pairs.

Abstract: Provided is an impurity of mycophenolate mofetil, processes for its preparation and its use as a reference.

Abstract: Provided is an improved synthesis of quetiapine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Abstract: The method and apparatus rapidly separate drugs and their metabolites from saliva and, in a continuous sequence of steps, rapidly detect, identify and quantify them through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: The method and apparatus rapidly separate drugs and their metabolites from saliva and, in a continuous sequence of steps, rapidly detect, identify and quantify them through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method useful in the analysis of glycosylated proteins, in which a mixture containing glycosylated proteins and unglycosylated proteins is contacted with a resin that includes a nucleophile bound to a solid support via a linker. The contacting is performed under conditions sufficient to result in removal of the glycosyl group from the glycosylated proteins and to concomitantly result in the deglycosylated proteins covalently bound to the solid support. The deglycosylated proteins bound to the solid support may be rinsed to remove proteins that are not covalently bound to the solid support. The deglycosylated proteins are released from the solid support and may be subjected to further purification and/or analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for acquiring an infrared spectrum of a sample having or suspected to have an amide I band, an amide II band, an amide III band, an amide A band, an OH stretching region or a combination thereof. A representative method includes providing a sample; providing an internal reflecting element (IRE) with a functionalized tip; contacting the sample with the IRE to form a sample-IRE interface; directing a beam of infrared (IR) radiation through the IRE under conditions such that the IR radiation interacts with the sample-IRE interface once; recording a reflectance profile over a range of preselected frequencies, whereby an infrared spectrum of the of a sample having or suspected of having an amide I band, an amide II band, an amide III band, an amide A band, an OH stretching region or a combination thereof, disposed in an aqueous solution is acquired.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of isothiazolones in aqueous systems including removing sample interferences by lowering the pH of a sample collected from the aqueous system containing isothiazolones and filtering the sample, removing additional interferences by raising the pH and subsequent filtering, selectively adsorbing the isothiazolones in the sample desorbing the isothiazolones from the adsorbent, and comparing the absorbance of ultra-violet light of the desorbed sample to a standard of known concentration.

Abstract: Screening of items for the presence of contaminants, such as explosives residue, is accomplished by subjecting an item loaded into a pressure chamber to a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure conditions and rapidly decompressing the item to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The rapid decompression serves to scavenge vapors and particles from the exterior and interior of the item and any objects it contains. A sample of the vapors and particles removed from the item by the rapid decompression is sampled and is tested to determine whether a predetermined contaminant is present in the sample. Depending on the types of contaminants for which the sample is tested, it is possible to detect whether explosives, biological or chemical agents, and/or narcotics residues are present on or in the item being screened.

Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby the concentration of a blood substitute, such as cross-linked hemoglobin, in a serum or plasma specimen is rapidly and accurately identified and quantified. The method further takes the measured concentration of the blood substitute and uses it to correct for its effect, if any, on a measured analyte concentration, e.g., serum/plasma total protein. Further, the method allows for the determination of the concentration of true hemoglobin in the presence of blood substitutes. The method is carried out in respect of samples contained in a primary or secondary labelled tube, or a pipette tip used to dispense serum or plasma in a blood analyzer.

Abstract: Metabolites of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor prinomastat and their synthesis. These metabolites are: (3S)-N-hydroxy-4-(4-((1-oxy-pyrid-4-yl)oxy)benzenesulfonyl)-2,2-dimethyl-tetrahydro-2H-1,4-thiazine-3-carboxamide (M6); (3S)-2,2-dimethyl-1,1-dioxo-4-[4-(1-oxy-pyridin-4-yloxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-thiomorpholine-3-carboxylic acid amide (M7); (3S)-2,2-dimethyl-4-[4-(1-oxypyridin-4-yloxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-thiomorpholine-3-carboxylic acid amide (M8); (3S)-2,2-dimethyl-1,1-dioxo-4-[4-(pyridin-4-yloxy)-benzenesulfonyl]-thiomorpholine-3-carboxylic acid amide (M2); and (3S)-2,2-dimethyl-4-[4-(pyridin-4yloxy)-benzenesulfonyl)-thiomorphpline-3-carboxylic acid amide (M3).

Abstract: Screening of items for the presence of contaminants, such as explosives residue, is accomplished by subjecting an item loaded into a pressure chamber to a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure conditions and rapidly decompressing the item to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The rapid decompression serves to scavenge vapors and particles from the exterior and interior of the item and any objects it contains. A sample of the vapors and particles removed from the item by the rapid decompression is sampled and is tested to determine whether a predetermined contaminant is present in the sample. Depending on the types of contaminants for which the sample is tested, it is possible to detect whether explosives, biological or chemical agents, and/or narcotics residues are present on or in the item being screened.

Abstract: A system and method for desorption and ionization of analytes in an ablation medium. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of preparing a sample having analytes in a medium including at least one component, freezing the sample at a sufficiently low temperature so that at least part of the sample has a phase transition, and irradiating the frozen sample with short-pulse radiation to cause medium ablation and desorption and ionization of the analytes. The method further includes the steps of selecting a resonant vibrational mode of at least one component of the medium and selecting an energy source tuned to emit radiation substantially at the wavelength of the selected resonant vibrational mode. The medium is an electrophoresis medium having polyacrylamide. In one embodiment, the energy source is a laser, where the laser can be a free electron laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation. Alternatively, the laser can be a solid state laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for drug level detection by using a simplified and effective deproteinizing step from body fluids, such as plasma, blood, urine, saliva, tear fluid, followed by drug extraction and measurement using an accurate technique, such as a colorimetric assay or a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography method. In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to a method to quantify rifampicin in order to monitor its levels in body fluids and also to a Kit for rifampicin concentration measurement.

Abstract: According to one embodiment the invention concerns a process for a degradation of an epothilone C or a epothilone D, wherein an epothilone C or epothilone D is subjected to an olefin metathesis in the presence of ethylene and subsequently an optional ester hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention concerns the stabilization and amplification of electrochemiluminescence signals in detection methods.

Abstract: With rotating and translating a rotation-translation drum installed in a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometry interface to constitute a mass spectro-meter, a liquid sample incorporating a dissolved substance to be analyzed in its mass is emitted for the drum from a sample supplying nozzle of the mass spectrometry interface, and the dissolved substance is isolated as a spiral filament on the drum. Then, a laser beam is irradiated onto the filament from a laser source via a laser beam inlet situated at the vacuum chamber and thereby, the dissolved substance is ionized without exposing to the air.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the solvent extraction of analytes from a sample are provided. A solvent system is used to extract analytes under elevated temperatures and constant regulated pressures under dynamic conditions. The extracted analytes may then be further analyzed.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for detecting and analyzing controlled substances and the like are discussed including highly reactive sensor molecules which are coated on a spectroscopic sample surface (4) and which may chemically react with a given analyte to form a covalently bonded adduct with spectral characteristics unique to the new adduct. The techniques provide the basis of a detection system with high sensitivity and high specificity in which the surface can even be washed to remove interfering or nonreactive compounds. The sensor molecules which comprise the coating (8) may have three major components: a central molecular scaffold (“CMS”), a “tether” terminated by a surface attachment group “SAG,” and a reactive functional group “RFG” which may be highly reactive towards certain classes of molecules.

Abstract: It is discovered that a composition comprising at least one amine and at least one stabilizer may be useful in detecting the presence of an adulterant in a urine sample. Such adulterant includes an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides structure-based combinatorial libraries of compounds containing the functional group minima of picornaviruses including poliovirus and rhinovirus. The libraries can be used to screen for therapeutical antiviral compounds, e.g., anti-picornaviral capsid-binding compounds.

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of &agr;-hydroxy-&bgr;-amino acid and amide derivatives and &agr;-ketoamide derivatives and novel derivatives made by these methods are provided. These methods involve reacting a N-terminally blocked (protected) aminoaldehyde with an isonitrile and a carboxylic acid to give an amino-&agr;-acyloxy carboxamide. The acyloxy group may be removed to give the derivative. Alternatively the protecting group is removed and acyl shift occurs to give the derivative. These derivatives are useful in the synthesis of compounds such as peptidyl &agr;-ketoamides and &agr;-hydroxy-&bgr;-carboxylic acid and amide derivatives. Certain of these compounds have been reported to have activity as inhibitors of proteases, such as serine proteases and cysteine proteases.

Abstract: A simple screening method is provided for determining biological variations among individuals in a smoking cessation program so that a therapy regimen can be adjusted appropriately for each individual. The method includes the steps of having an individual intake a predetermined dose of nicotine, taking a saliva sample at a predetermined time subsequent to intake of the dose of nicotine, and measuring the nicotine and cotinine levels in the sample. Thereafter, a ratio is calculated which includes both the nicotine and cotinine levels as an indicator of the rate of nicotine metabolism of the individual being screened.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reagent and use of that reagent for detecting adulterants in aqueous samples, particularly in biological specimens such as urine samples using a diazo dye precursor such as N,N diethyl-1,4-phenylene diamine and a reagent such as creatinine to stabilize a colored intermediate formed by the reaction of the diamine with nitrite ions for a period sufficient to allow that color to be recorded and compared with a separate peak formed by a halogen-based oxidizing agent which may be present in solution.

Abstract: The present invention sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described. In one aspect of the invention, the method provides a means for affecting cholesterol biosynthesis or transport in a cell comprising contacting a cell with an effective amount of a compound that affects hedgehog, thereby affecting cholesterol biosynthesis or transport. The effect may be inhibition or stimulation of cholesterol biosynthesis or transport.

Abstract: A non-immunochemical method is disclosed for determining homocysteine in a sample. A combination of the sample and a first compound that comprises a cis-1,4-dioxo-2-butene moiety or hydrolytically derived precursor thereto is provided in a liquid medium. The combination is subjected to conditions under which homocysteine reacts with the cis-1,4-dioxo-2-butene moiety or hydrolytically derived precursor thereto to form a product, which is then detected without separation of the product from the medium. A second compound such as a mercaptan containing reagent or an antibody for cysteine can optionally be included to facilitate discrimination of the product formed from homocysteine from products formed from other amines in the sample. The product from the reaction of homocysteine has a six-member ring fused to an unsaturated five-member ring. The junction of the rings is comprised of the nitrogen of homocysteine and an atom that comprises a double bond.

Abstract: A hippocampal GluR5 receptor modulator, 2-amino-3-(3 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid (ATPA) is useful in methods of measuring the binding affinity of chemical compounds to GluR5 receptors.

Abstract: Test kit and method for discriminating cocaine and its salts from substances that falsely give a positive color reaction with Scott's thiocyanate reagent. As all Scott false positive substances have lower pKa values than cocaine, or in their basic from higher pKa values than the cocaine base, they can be discriminated from cocaine by a suitable pH test of the solution. The pH indicator is preferably organic or lipophilic so that it can be dissolved in a solvent immiscible with water. The partitioning of the organic cocaine base or its salt between an organic and water phase of specific pH is used to further distinguish the test substance.

Abstract: A high purity styrene-divinyl benzene resin is used for rapid solid phase extraction of drugs of abuse from body fluid samples. Simple extraction procedures are described which provide high recovery and selectivity for a wide variety of drugs. A convenient method of increasing flow rate in such solid phase extractions is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of cyanine dyes possessing lipophilic alkyl chains and either one or more reactive functional groups, bromo or chloro, or phenyl, sulfophenyl or polysulfophenyl substituents or combinations thereof. The dyes of the invention are useful for staining membranes in cells or isolated from cells, and are well-retained therein. Additionally, the reactive dyes of the invention are useful for preparing dye-conjugates, thereby conferring the membrane staining ability of the subject dye onto the resulting dye-conjugate.

Abstract: Fluorescent conjugates suitable for use in flow cytometry and other biological applications. The fluorescent conjugates comprise an antibody having a polymeric dye bound thereto. The polymeric dye is preferably enhanced by a hydrophobic and conformationally restrictive moiety either bound thereto or in close association therewith. The hydrophobic and conformationally restrictive moiety is preferably derived from a cyclodextrin. The polymeric dye comprises a polymeric entity having signal-generating groups, such as aminostyryl pyridinium dye residues attached thereto. The fluorescent conjugates exhibit exceptional stability characteristics and avoid many of the problems of energy transfer, bio-conjugability, and solubility.

Abstract: The present invention concerns new hydrophilic metal complexes and their use as luminescent marker groups in immunoassays.

Abstract: An assaying system for determining the presence of particular illicit substances in human physiological fluid, consisting of a collection cup, a collection cup lid, and a test card with assaying means, quality control means and adulteration detection means which is secured to the collection cup lid. The assaying means contemplate the addition of control positives such that a pre-determined number of assaying systems would be configured so that a false positive indication would be given by the assaying means in addition to any true positive results which may be present. Accordingly, it would initially be impossible to distinguish true test-positives from control positives, and thus the anonymity of a true test-positive donor individual would be protected. All donor individuals testing negative would be immediately discernible.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that can be used to (1) measure the level of polysaccharide in a sample; (2) measure the ability of a compound to degrade a polysaccharide; (3) measure the ability of a compound to modulate polysaccharide synthesis; and (4) identify or distinguish a polysaccharide, and hence organism, for diagnostic purposes in clinical medicine or research. The invention stems from Applicant's discovery that polysaccharides have multiple binding sites for polysaccharide binding moieties (PBM, e.g., wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)). In each method, one PBM links the polysaccharide to a substrate, and a tagged PBM is used to detect the polysaccharide. All of these methods can be carried out rapidly and quickly in the wells of a microtiter plate, thus permitting high through-put screening of samples or test compounds.

Abstract: A disposable assay device for assaying a sample has a body (10) including a reaction chamber (12) which contains or is adapted to receive an assay reagent sensitive to a component (e.g. nicotine metabolite) being assayed for in the sample. A sample collector/dispenser (20) has a sample collecting chamber (22) closed by an elastic membrane (24) and a downwardly projecting sampling and piercing tube (28), to enable a predetermined quantity of sample to be dispensed into the reaction chamber (12). The body (10) and the collector/dispenser (20) are non-detachably engageable together by engagement of rib (34) on collector/dispenser (20) with lip (18) on the body (10). A seal (32) seals the assembly to prevent leakage of the contents after use.

Abstract: A hand-held device for rapid colorimertic detection of explosives, narcotics, and other chemicals which can be accurately operated by non-skilled personnel and perform numerous tests in a quick sequential manner without exposing a user to hazardous reagents and without exposing sensitive reagents to deteriorating environmental conditions, the device comprising (a) a housing for handling and using the device, the housing including a sampling area an a testing area; (b) a roll of substrate for sampling materials suspected as including the chemical; (b) a feeding reel being rotatably connected to the housing, the feeding reel being for accommodating the roll of substrate; (c) at least one container for accommodating at least one detecting reagent, the at least one detecting reagent is for the colorimetric detection of the chemical; and (d) at least one dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined volume of the at least one reagent onto the substrate at the testing area.

Abstract: A improved method for preparing a concentrated meconium extract containing basic and acid-neutral target analytes present in a meconium sample suspected of containing the target analytes is provided. The meconium sample is extracted with a mixed solvent of acetonitrile and a volatile organic acid and the resulting organic phase is separated. The organic phase is diluted with water to provide an organic solution which is passed through a mixed mode solid phase extraction column having strong cation exchange and hydrophobic functionality. Acid-neutral and basic target analytes are sequentially eluted from the column and the eluates are combined to form a combined extract. The combined extract is evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in buffer to provide a clean concentrated neonatal meconium extract for use in qualitative and quantitative analyses.

Abstract: Immunoassay for isothiazolones based on monoclonal antibodies that react with isothiazolones, particularly, 5-chloro-2-methyl-3-isothiazolone, hybridomas that produce such antibodies, especially ATCC HB 11435, a method of preparing an immunogenic conjugate of isothiazolones and a macromolecule carrier, a method of producing monoclonal antibodies reactive with isothiazolones, and compositions comprising monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies reactive with isothiazolones.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting and identifying a non-volatile chemical substance, in which the chemical substance (when in a sample) is pyrolyzed into its gaseous components and then the gaseous components are monitored to determine whether or not specific gaseous components are present.

Abstract: New and improved methods for collecting neonatal meconium samples, preparing meconium specimens for testing and for chemically analyzing neonatal meconium samples to determine their chemical composition are provided. A novel extraction method is employed in accordance with the invention to provide a non-aqueous, concentrated "cocktail" meconium extract containing substantially all of many possible target analytes in a single extraction step. Preliminary screening by fluorescence polarization immunoassay methods may be performed on the cocktail extract to qualitatively determine the presence of the target analytes in the meconium sample. If a positive preliminary result is obtained, new and improved quantitative GC/MS confirmatory procedures are provided by this invention to unequivocally identify and quantitate the amount of target analyte present in the sample in terms of nanograms of analyte per gram of meconium tested.

Abstract: A compound of the structure ##STR1## R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each, independently, hydrogen or ##STR2## X is ##STR3## Y is ##STR4## Z is --CH.sub.2 --, --S--S--, or ##STR5## R.sup.3 is hydrogen, alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, --(CH.sub.2).sub.q CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, --(CH.sub.2).sub.r NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, carbamylalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, guanylalkyl, mercaptoalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, indolylmethyl, hydroxyphenylmethyl, imidazoylmethyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, or phenyl which is optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted;R.sup.4, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 are each, independently, hydrogen, alkyl, or arylalkyl;R.sup.5 is hydrogen, alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or phenyl which is optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted;h=0-1;j=0-1;m=0-6;n=0-6;p=0-10;q=0-10;r=0-6;with the proviso that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not both hydrogen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which is useful for inducing immunosuppression; in the treatment of transplantation rejection, host vs.

Abstract: A method of assaying for glycosyltransferase activity in a sample. In a first step, a sample is reacted with a first sugar donor and an acceptor substrate to produce a transferase product. The first sugar donor and acceptor substrate are selected such that the sugar from the first sugar donor is capable of being transferred to the acceptor substrate in the presence of the glycosyltransferase to be assayed. In a second step, the transferase product is reacted with a second sugar donor having a sugar which is labelled with a labelling agent and an enzyme which is capable of transferring the sugar from the second sugar donor to the transferase product to produce a labelled transferase product and which has a higher affinity for the glycosyltransferase product compared to the affinity of the glycosyltransferase for the acceptor substrate. The labelling agent activity of the labelled transferase product or unreacted second sugar donor is assayed to determine transferase activity in the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of rapidly checking surfaces for the presence of traces of specific compounds such as certain explosives and drugs. A hand-covering such as a cotton glove is used to wipe surfaces to pick up particles of the specific compound which may indicate the presence of larger amounts or previous contact of a surface by a person who has handled the compound. The particles are transferred--unheated--to collection surfaces of a hand-held sample probe by vacuuming of the gloved hand by the battery-operated probe. Heat is then supplied by a source external to the probe to vaporize the particles, and the vapors are analyzed by a suitable technique such as high speed gas chromatography. The method permits checking of surfaces for explosives at processing rates of up to several samples per minute.

Abstract: A self-contained unit test for qualitative identification of suspect substances including cocaine, heroin and cannabis, includes a visualization reagent having a compound which undergoes a visible color change when contacted by a suspect substance. The unit test further includes a pad formed from a bibulous material impregnated with the reagent and a unit package for containing the pad and maintaining the reagent in an as-filled, ready-to-use state during storage. A method for visualization of a suspect substance with a unit test of the present invention includes providing a unit test for a suspect substance which includes a visualization reagent for qualitative identification of a suspect substance impregnated on a pad formed from a bibulous material, and scaled in a unit package. The method further includes opening the package, and wiping the pad on as sample containing the suspect substance.