Abstract: For use in a lipid-dependent diagnostic assay, a stable aqueous suspension of a phospholipid which normally has a hexagonal (HII) organization when dispersed in an aqueous medium without detergent, the suspension containing the phospholipid, a detergent, and an aqueous phase. In the stable suspension, the phospholipid remains in suspension at a temperature of 25° C. for at least one hour. The suspension is suitable for providing the phospholipid to an assay for lupus anticoagulants which includes the step of pre-incubating a test sample with the phospholipid.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) activity and for detecting inhibitors of MAP. The methods utilize a peptide comprising an N-terminal methionine which can be cleaved from the peptide by MAP, and a C-terminal detection moiety which is released by a second peptidase only if the N-terminal methionine has been cleaved from the peptide. When the peptide is combined with MAP and the second peptidase, the detection moiety is released, while the addition of a MAP inhibitor will inhibit the release of the detection moiety. Reaction mixes, peptides, and kits which are useful for practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The specification discloses purine nucleotide analogues which modulate cardiac muscle contractility and possess vasodilator activity. In addition, related methods of administration and the identity of receptors that bind these compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral care compositions and products comprising a dextranase and a mutanase, and optionally other enzymes.

Abstract: A process for determining a resistance to activated protein C of a test specimen of human plasma following the steps of: (1) mixing together (a) the test specimen of human plasma, (b) a reactant deficient in factor V which supplies at least most of the coagulation factors other than factor V, and (c) the venom of Crotalus viridis helleri which specifically activates factor X to Xa, and incubating the mixture of (a), (b) and (c) for at least one minute at a temperature of between 10 and 45° C.; (2) introducing into the incubated mixture(i) Ca2+ or (ii) Ca2++exogenic activated protein C; and (3) determining the coagulation time (i) in the absence of activated protein C and (ii) in the presence of activated protein C. Steps (1) to (3) are repeated, but replacing, in step (1), the test specimen with a normal plasma as control and correlating resistance to activated protein C by comparing the determinations made in steps for the test specimen and for the normal plasma.

Abstract: Methods of assaying for the presence of enzymatically active hydrolases (i.e., hydrolytic enzymes) in a sample or specimen are disclosed. In particular, a method of detecting candidiasis by assaying for the presence of enzymatically active aspartic protease in a sample is provided. In these methods, a sample or specimen is contacted with a solid support. The solid support with which the sample is contacted has a reporter enzyme (i.e., a signal generating enzyme) immobilized thereon. The reporter enzyme is immobilized on the solid support in a manner such that it is released from the solid support upon action of the enzymatically active hydrolase if the enzymatically active hydrolase is, in fact, present in the sample. The sample after having been contacted with the solid support is combined with an indicator. The indicator is any chemical species which is susceptible to a detectable change, usually a change in color, upon action of the reporter enzyme.

Abstract: A dental floss formed from a single hollow monofilament in the shape of a flattened tube. The monofilament is formed of a blend that includes a base polymer, a block copolymer and a compatibilizer.

Abstract: Synthetic media formulations are disclosed for use with blood preparations intended for in vivo use, including synthetic media formulations to be employed in conjunction with the photodecontamination of platelets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to presqualene diphosphate (PSDP) analogs having an active region of natural PSDP and a metabolic transformation region resistant to rapid intracellular inactivation in vivo. For example, PSDP and its stable analogs can inhibit neutrophil signal transduction events in cellular activation that result in the generation of active oxygen species, regulation of leukocyte adherence, both homotypic (leukocyte-leukocyte) or heterotypic adherence with leukocytes and epithelial cells of mucosal origin or endothelial cells of vascular origin. These analogs can also be used to regulate leukocyte-dependent tissue injury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aromatic cyanate ester compounds containing at least two rings linked by a group containing an unsaturated group. The present invention further relates to compositions and prepolymers of said novel aromatic cyanate ester compounds. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing said compounds and cured articles resulting from curable mixtures thereof.

Abstract: By a process comprising inhibiting LDH2, LDH3, LDH4 and LDH5 in a sample with a protease in the presence of a protein-denaturating agent and then determining LDH1 remaining uninhibited, LDH1 in the sample is easily determined.

Abstract: A desensitizing agent for the cleaning and treatment of sensitive teeth comprising a copolymer having repeating hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. Preferred examples include polysoaps such as: a monovalent salt of a hydrolyzed copolymer of an &agr;-olefin and maleic anhydride:, e.g., structually represented as: The copolymer forms micelles in aqueous dispersions such as toothpaste and mouthwash formulations. When applied thereon by brushing or rinsing or other method of application, the copolymers occlude the tubules and seal them off from the external oral environment and thereby alleviate the pain caused by the tooth's sensitivity.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (1) and salts thereof from a D- or L-hexose source is described. The process uses an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and peroxide oxidizing agent to convert the D- or L-hexose source to (1) by maintaining a low concentration of base and oxidizing agent in the reaction mixture at any one time and by maintaining a temperature between about 25° C. and 80° C. Upon acidification of the reaction mixture the 3-hydroxylactone is produced. The compound (1) is useful as a chemical intermediate to naturally occurring fatty acids and is used to prepare 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid-gamma-lactone (2) and furanone (3), particularly stereoisomers of these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to clarify and contrast stain intact biological tissue samples for microscopic analysis. Biological specimens are prepared for visual analysis by depigmenting specimen, staining the specimen non-specifically with fluorescent dye, and equilibrating the depigmented, non-specifically stained specimen in a clearing solution, wherein the refractive index of the clearing solution approximates that of the specimen. Visual analysis of the specimen can include, for example, determination of distribution, quantity and size of foreign material in the biological specimen. Also, the morphology of tissue surrounding foreign material can be assessed.

Abstract: Kit comprising biotin, fluorescent and chemiluminescent labeled vitamin D compounds are disclosed. The disclosed kit may be used in assays for the presence of vitamin D, its metabolites and vitamin D analogs in biological fluids.

Abstract: A method for the in vivo detection of urease-producing Helicobacter in the upper stomach is disclosed. The dense carrier is divided into two separate groups which are combined with separate reagent indicators, one of which also contains urea. The carriers are food soluble products, preferably sugar beads having a diameter of approximately 0.2 to 3.0 mm. The treated carriers and urea are encapsulated in a soluble capsule which is administered to a patient. The density of the carriers cause the capsule to migrate to the gastric mucosa, where the capsule, but not the reagents, is dissolved, placing the reagents and urea in direct contact with the gastric mucosa. The urea reacts with any urease present in the stomach by creating ammonia, which increases the pH in the immediate vicinity of the urea containing carrier and indicator beads. The two reagents react differently, through color change, to the increase in pH, which is viewed through use of an endoscope.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for quantitative measurement of a substrate with high accuracy by electrochemically oxidizing an electron mediator which has been reduced by enzyme reaction thereby determining the substrate concentration based on a current flowing during electrochemical oxidation from which adverse effects of an easy-to-oxidize substance on the oxidation process have been minimized. The quantitating method in accordance with the present invention comprises a first step for causing a substrate contained in a sample to react with a specific oxidoreductase to the substrate in the presence of an electron mediator in oxidized state, and a second step for electrochemically reducing the electron mediator in oxidized state which remains non-reduced by the enzyme reaction in the first step, thereby obtaining a current flowing during electrochemical reduction.

Abstract: The invented polymerizable alicyclic esters are shown by the following formula (1) or (2): wherein each of ring A, ring B, ring C, ring D, and ring E is a non-aromatic carbon ring, R is a polymerizable unsaturated group, and each of Ra1, Rb1, and Rc1 is, identical to or different from one another, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group which may be protected by a protective group, or an RCO2 group, where R has the same meaning as defined above. Each of the ring A, ring B, ring C, ring D, and ring E is, for example, a cyclopentane ring, a cyclohexane ring, or a bridged ring. R includes, for example, a vinyl group, an isopropenyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: A family of electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagents which can be synthesized by comparatively simple, inexpensive routes, and for which the reactivity can be varied according to need. A composition of matter according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a compound having the formula: in which A comprises H or F and B comprises F, SCF3, OCF3, OCHF2, S+(CF3)C6H5, NO2 or an NO2 substituent. In a second embodiment of the invention, a process for preparing a trifluoromethyl diphenylsulfonium triflate compound corresponding to the formula shown above comprises reacting phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfoxide or one of its derivatives with an aromatic compound in which A comprises H or F and B comprises H, F, SCF3, OCF3, OCHF2, S+(CF3)C6H5, NO2 or an NO2 substituent. In a third embodiment of the invention, a trifluoromethylation process comprises reacting a trifluoromethyl diphenylsulfonium triflate corresponding to the formula shown above with an electron rich substrate.

Abstract: The subject matter of the application is a method for the separation of non-HDL lipoproteins from biological fluids in a carrier through which liquids can flow. The carrier contains a precipitating agent for non-high density lipoproteins (non-HDLs).