Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to the analysis of biological samples. More particularly, the present invention is directed to automated sample analysis for paraproteins using immunosubtraction, capillary electrophoresis and Fourier transformation analysis.
Abstract:
Biological samples are analyzed for benzodiazepines in a single isocratic analysis using a chromatographic column system containing an immobilized enzyme reactor which cleaves glucuronic acid-conjugated benzodiazepines, an anion exchange column, a hydrophobic cation exchange column and a reverse-phase analytical column. Preferred methods of performing the analysis further involve the use of a hydrophobic cation exchange precolumn prior to the anion exchange column. The system readily lends itself to automation, automatic periodic sampling and benzodiazepine identification and quantification. The system is particularly well adapted to the determination and identification of benzodiazepines in urine samples.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an immunoassay for the detection of Borrelia specific IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies in biological samples suspected of Lyme infection. The immunoassay can be performed via a standard immunoassay format or on an automated platform. In various embodiments, the immunoassay uses one or more Borrelia specific chimeric peptides VlsE-FlaB (designated pFlaB-mV), VlsE-ErpP (designated pErp59-mV), VlsE-P35 (designated pP35-mV) alone or in combination with one or more outer surface protein C (Osp C) types B or I, p58 and DbpA. Other aspects of the invention provide antigen/substrate combinations and compositions comprising combinations of the disclosed peptides and/or proteins for use in the immunoassays described herein.
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:
Whole blood is analyzed for phenylalanine and tyrosine by first subjecting a specimen of the blood to the enzymatic action of phenylalanine ammonia lyase to selectively convert the two amino acids to trans-cinnamic and trans-coumaric acids, respectively, then analyzing the sample containing the converted acids by cation exchange chromatography.
Abstract:
An array of autoantibodies is quantitated in a patient sample and analyzed toward a diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases. The analysis uses any of various known pattern recognition techniques, for example k-nearest neighbor analysis, to compare the array of quantitation data to sets of data previously obtained from subjects having known systemic autoimmune diseases, thereby determining the particular disease(s) that the patient is suffering from as well as the degree of confidence or likelihood of accuracy of the determination. The method is effective in identifying a single disease and also in identifying two or more diseases simultaneously present. The method is readily susceptible to automated data processing, eliminating much of the human judgment and error that were previously entailed in diagnosing these diseases.
Abstract:
An array of autoantibodies is quantitated in a patient sample and analyzed toward a diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases. The analysis uses any of various known pattern recognition techniques to compare the array of quantitation data to sets of data previously obtained from subjects having known systemic autoimmune diseases, thereby determining the particular disease(s) that the patient is suffering from as well as the degree of confidence or likelihood of accuracy of the determination. The method is effective in identifying a single disease and also in identifying two or more diseases simultaneously present. The method is readily susceptible to automated data processing, eliminating much of the human judgment and error that were previously entailed in diagnosing these diseases.
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.
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. 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.