Abstract:
Monoclonal antibodies are described which specifically bind to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), and more particularly to HEV ORF-3 antigen. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines which secrete these monoclonal antibodies, methods for using these monoclonal antibodies, and assay kits which contain these monoclonal antibodies.
Abstract:
Monoclonal antibodies are described which specifically bind to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), and more particularly to HEV orf-2 antigen. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines which secrete these monoclonal antibodies, methods for using these monoclonal antibodies, and assay kits which contain these monoclonal antibodies.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for collecting a cell sample from a liquid specimen utilizes a collection receptacle (10) in which the specimen is deposited, with a filter media (20) being placed in communication with a discharge port (14) in the collection receptacle (10) and a transfer device (40) for drawing specimen from the collection receptacle (10) and through the filter (20) for capturing the cellular component of the specimen on the filter media (20) for defining a cell sample for analysis. The collection receptacle (10), filter media (20) and carrier therefor (18) and the transfer device (40) may be supplied in kit form for use in a clinical environment. A hypobaric vessel may be used and the transfer device (40) and this vessel (40) may also serve as a disposal receptacle for the liquid specimen passed through the filter media (20).
Abstract:
An assay and test kit for the determination of LKM-1 autoantibodies in test samples suspected of containing anti-LKM-1 autoantibodies. The method uses a solid phase which preferably is a microparticle. The method is standardized and can be performed in automated systems, allowing quantitation of the amount of anti-LKM antibody in test samples.
Abstract:
Methods, devices, apparatus and kits for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid are provided. The apparatus is a one or two-tier thermal cycling device (16) that operates in conjunction with a reaction/detection unit (20). A sample (38) is loaded into a reaction chamber (30) of the device which is then mated with a detection chamber (32) to form the reaction/detection unit. A first heating element (90) of the thermal cycling apparatus applies a desired temperature to the reaction/detection device to amplify target nucleic acid in the sample. The reaction mixture is then transferred to the detection chamber by the second heating element (92) and amplified target nucleic acid is immobilized on a support in the detection chamber. Microprocessor control controls the heat applied by the second element independently of the heat applied by the first element. A detection system associated with the apparatus detects and analyzes the immobilized amplified nucleic acid target. Images are captured and digitized and subjected to statistical analysis to improve the accuracy of the method.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to oligonucleotide probes useful in detecting, e.g. by hybridization or the ligase chain reaction, Chlamydia trachomatis DNA in the presence of other related DNA. The present invention is also directed to methods of detecting Chlamydia trachomatis organisms in a sample using the ligase chain reaction.
Abstract:
A pharmaceutical tablet containing a therapeutically active compound and between 5 % and about 20 % by weight of an oil, preferably selected from vegetable, mineral, animal and edible oils, as well as a method for preparing such tablets. Such tablets provide for the controlled release of the therapeutically active compound from the tablet and also enhance the stability of some therapeutically active compounds.
Abstract:
An enteral feeding device (10) for feeding directly into the gastrointestinal tract is provided with a tube (12) having an outer (13) and an inner surface, and with the inner surface encompassing a feeding lumen (14) and being coated with a substituted and/or unsubstituted poly(p-xylene) polymer (50) to retard the deterioration and clogging of the device. Examples of such devices are nasogastric tubes, gastrostomy tubes and jejunostomy tubes.
Abstract:
Decapeptides substituted on the N-terminal nitrogen atom by acyl groups are potent antagonists of LHRH and are useful for suppressing the levels of sex hormones in mammals.
Abstract:
An assay, reagents and a test kit useful for detecting the presence of anti-HEV antibody which may be present in a test sample. The assay method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with at least one synthetic peptide which specifically binds anti-HEV antibody, for a time and under conditions sufficient to form peptide/antibody complexes; (b) contacting said peptide/antibody complexes with an indicator reagent which comprises a signal generating compound attached to an anti-human antibody, and incubating for a time and under conditions sufficient for peptide/antibody/antibody complexes to form; and (c) detecting a measurable signal to indicate the presence of anti-HEV in the test sample.