Corning Glass Works

Howard H Weetall

William Hertl

Milton M Takeguchi

Sidney Yaverbaum

Frank B Ward

Donald J Lartigue

William H Tomb

The present invention relates to hydrogen peroxide production. More particularly, a novel process is disclosed that uses electromagnetic radiation a quinone autooxidation in a non-aqueous environment, i.e. ethylene glycol.

Hydrogen peroxide production using a non-aqueous system

A process for stabilizing wine is characterized by:

Wine stabilization using immobilized tannic acid

A process for removing tannins from wine is characterized by:

Process and compositions for removing tannins from wine

A process for reducing the color of a wine by

Process for removing natural colorants from wine

An immunoassay for the measurement of free thyroid hormone, i.e., thyroxine or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, in a liquid sample in which the thyroid hormone is present in both free and combined states, which immunoassay comprises the steps of:

Method for the measurement of free thyroxine or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine

This invention is concerned with means for determining the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample, the method contemplating the release of an enzyme from the bacteria upon lysis which can be detected via the use of antibodies specific to the enzyme. Thus, inhibition of enzyme activity resulting from the presence of antibodies specific to the enzyme can be readily monitored. The enzyme released from the bacteria upon lysis is capable of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). The full structure of the enzyme is not understood but, because of those two substantive characteristics, the enzyme has been denominated 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase. In sum, the instant invention combines the sensitivity of an enzymatic reaction with the specificity of an immunoassay.

Detection of Neisseria bacteria by immunoassay

This invention is concerned with two closely related assay methods for detecting the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample. Both of the methods utilize radiolabelled antibodies specific to the enzyme released upon lysis of the bacteria. In the first method, denominated immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), the enzyme is reacted with soluble purified radioactive antibodies. In the second method, known variously as 'two-site IRMA', 'junction test', or 'sandwich technique', contemplates initial insolubilization of the enzyme and thereafter the reaction with soluble purified radioactive antibodies. The structure and composition of the enzyme released upon lysis of Neisseria bacteria are not fully comprehended but it has the capability of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). This has led to the name 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase being proposed for the enzyme.

Immunological detection of Neisseria bacteria via labelled antibodies

Bacteria of the genus Neisseria can be detected in a sample by testing for the presence of an enzyme capable of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing NAD (nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide). The complete structure of the enzyme is not known but, because of those two characterizing properties, the nomenclature 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor is proposed herein.

Detecting Neisseria bacteria

This invention relates to means for transporting clinical specimens wherein the activity thereof can be retained for relatively long periods of time. The crux of the invention resides in a liquid reagent capable of preserving or stabilizing the activity of a particular specimen. Where the clinical specimen is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the preferred liquid reagent consists of an aqueous mixture of cysteine and TRIS (Trihydroxymethylaminomethane) buffer. A convenient type of specimen collector comprises a swab. Again, where the clinical specimen is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the preferred swab consists of calcium alginate. An apparatus particularly useful for transporting specimens comprises a screw-capped container having a liquid reagent sealed into the bottom portion thereof capable of preserving the activity of a particular specimen, and a specimen collector attachable to the inside of said screw cap through a longitudinal element of sufficient length to immerse said collector into said liquid. After a specimen has been obtained, the collector, attached to the screw cap, is forced through the seal into the liquid preservative as the screw cap is fastened tightly onto the container.

Transport system for clinical specimens

Method for continuous production of H.sub.2 via the biophotolysis of water in a two step process using a reversibly reduceable cofactor and synergistic photometabolically active microorganisms. The rate of H.sub.2 production can be increased utilizing transition metal ions as catalysts.

Biophotolysis of water

This invention relates to means for determining the presence of Neisseria bacteria in a fluid sample, the method generally comprising reacting antibodies with an enzyme released during lysis of the fluid sample, and then testing for inhibition of activity of the enzyme. Inhibition of enzyme activity caused through the contact of antibodies specific to the enzyme can be readily detected. The enzyme released from Neisseria bacteria upon lysis possesses the faculty of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD). Although the structure and behavior of the enzyme are not comprehended entirely, the above-mentioned faculty of the material has suggested the term 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor. The specific inventive feature of the instant method is the use of (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 to precipitate the antigen-antibody complex which thereby concentrates the enzymes and can remove possibly interfering materials.

Immunoassay of Neisseria bacteria via (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4

Bacteria of the genus Neisseria can be detected in a sample by separating a lysate of the sample into two parts, incubating one part with a solution of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD) and 1,2-propanediol, incubating the other part with a solution of only the NAD, and then comparing the products of each incubation for reduction of NAD to NADH. A difference in NADH concentration indicates the presence of any enzyme specific to Neisseria, this enzyme having the capability of oxidizing 1,2-propanediol and reducing NAD. The structure of the enzyme is not completely understood but, because of those two characterizing properties, the nomenclature 1,2-propanediol dehydrogenase therefor is proposed herein.

Comparative test for Neisseria

Immunochemical composites consisting of saturating amounts of radio-labelled triiodothyronine (T.sub.3) or thyroxine (T.sub.4) complexed respectively to anti-T.sub.3 or anti-T.sub.4 antisera covalently coupled to suspendable porous glass particles via an intermediate silane coupling agent. The composites are pre-loaded into individual tubes used in solid phase radioimmunoassay of T.sub.3 or T.sub.4, requiring the addition of only test serum or standard, thereby minimizing chances of erroneous assay.

Composite for biased solid phase radioimmunoassay of triiodothyronine

The half-life of enzymes which have been immobilized by chemical coupling via silane coupling agents to inorganic carriers is increased significantly by using a carrier which has been treated to increase its water-durability. Treatment of the carrier comprises the steps of first coating the carrier with a solution containing a metal, the oxide of which is more water-durable than the carrier, and then firing the coated carrier to form a continuous metal oxide layer on the carrier surface. The treated carriers are then silanized for chemical coupling wih enzymes. Methods for preparing and using enzyme composites having the improved carrier are disclosed.

Enzyme carriers

Method of detecting and/or quantitating anti-virus antibodies comprising the steps of reacting serum containing an unknown amount of a given antibody, a known amount of the antibody (radioactively labelled), and a composite consisting of the antibodies coupled chemically through an intermediate silane coupling agent to a porous glass body, the composite having complexed thereto quantities of the virus; separating the composite from the reaction solution after a suitable reaction period; determining the radioactivity count of the separated composite or the remaining solution; and, relating the count to a standard curve.

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Big Flats, NY, United States of America

Howard H Weetall