Abstract:
Identification and quantification of paraproteins in a sample is achieved by Fourier analysis of mobility-based electropherograms obtained from capillary electrophoresis. The use of a computer algorithm to analyze capillary electrophoresis data, provides the clinician with methods of detecting levels of paraproteins in serum as low as 0.05 g/dL. Additionally, an individual paraprotein can be located on an electropherogram and used to monitor its increased or decreased production in an individual.
Abstract:
Water-soluble polymer is added to the liquid phase in a heterogeneous immunoassay of serum, the polymer having monomers in common with monomers of the solid phase surface. This reduces non-specific binding of IgG's from the serum to the solid phase surface and thereby reduces the occurrence of false positive readings in the immunoassay.
Abstract:
Analyses of serum samples for the presence and amount of either of the two subunits of human Factor XIII protein are used as a means of eliminating a significant source of error that arises in the testing of serum and plasma. For serum samples, a negative result of an analysis for the presence of subunit a is a means of verifying that a sample is indeed serum, while a negative or positive result for subunit a serves to distinguish serum (negative) from plasma (positive). A positive result for the presence of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is either serum or plasma and not any other biological fluid. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is of the intended volume rather than having been reduced in volume due to improper sampling. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is also a means of verifying the dilution of a sample of either serum or plasma.