306 PATENT ABSTRACTS

A modification of the PCR technique is described which allows fragments of RNA or DNA to be amplified without prior knowledge of their sequence. The technique can be used to amplify viral nucleic acids present in small amounts in clinical material allowing, for ex- ample, the diagnosis of a particular virus infec- tion or the discovery of new viruses.

5104793

METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN ANALYTE IN A LIQUID

SAMPLE USING A ZONED TEST DEVICE AND AN INHIBITOR FOR

A LABEL USED IN SAID METHOD

Harvey Buck assigned to Boehringer Mannheim Corporation

The invention relates to a heterogeneous immunoassay which is carried out using a multi- zoned test device. In particular, the invention in- volves the use of an inhibitor of a label which is used in the assay. The label which may be an en- zyme, is attached to a receptor such as an anti- body. The inhibitor is not acted upon by the label, but must be removed in order for a signal to be produced. Also described are test strips which can be used for the assay.

5104794

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF BILIRUBIN

AND A REAGENT THEREFOR

Hitoshi Kondo, Kazubiro Matsui, Hiroshi Suzuki, Uji, Japan assigned to Unitika Ltd; Iatron Laboratories Inc

Disclosed is a process for measuring an amount of all bilirubins in a specimen, comprising decon- jugating conjugated bilirubins with a reagent comprising an enzyme capable of deconjugation to form the unconjugated bilirubin, and deter- mining an amount of the unconjugated bilirubin in the specimen, and a reagent therefor. The pre- sent invention also provides a process for measuring an amount of the unconjugated bi- lirubin in a specimen, comprising oxidizing and eliminating conjugated bilirubins in the specimen with an oxidizing agent capable of ox- idizing bilirubins, in the presence of a metal ion forming a complex with the bilirubins and a sur- factant at pH 6.5 or less, and determining an

amount of the unconjugated bilirubin in the specimen, and a reagent therefor.

5104800

ONE-STEP CEPHALOSPORIN C AMIDASE ENZYME

Mark S Crawford, David B Finkelstein, John Rambosek assigned to Merck & Co Inc

A process for the one-step conversion of cephalosporin C and derivatives thereof to the corresponding 7-aminocephalosporanic acid and derivatives comprising treating said cephalosporin C and derivatives with a cephalosporin C amidase enzyme of a recited sequence, the DNA encoding said enzyme, and expression thereof in a suitable host, e.g., Bacil- lus species under the control of a suitable pro- moter.

5104802

HOLLOW FIBER CLINOSTAT FOR SIMULATING

MICROGRAVITY IN CELL CULTURE

Percy H Rhodes, Teresa Miller, Robert Snyder assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Na- tional Aeronautics and Space Administration

A clinostat for simulating microgravity on cell systems carried in a fiber fixedly mounted in a rotatable culture vessel. The clinostat is rotated horizontally along its longitudinal axis to simu- late microgravity or vertically as a control response. Cells are injected into the fiber and the ends of the fiber are sealed and secured to spaced end pieces of a fiber holder assembly which con- sists of the end pieces, a hollow fiber, a culture vessel and a tension spring with three alignment pins. The tension spring is positioned around the culture vessel with its ends abutting the end pieces and the alignment pins extend between the end pieces for alignment of the spring. After the fiber is secured, the spring is decompressed to maintain tension on the fiber while it is being rotated. This assures that the fiber remains aligned along the axis of rotation. The fiber as- sembly is placed in the culture vessel and culture medium is added. Tbe culture vessel is then in- serted into the rotatable portion of the clinostat and subjected to rotate at selected rpms. The internal diameter of the hollow fiber determines the distance the cells are from the axis of rota- tion.

PATENT ABSTRACTS 307

produce, upon enzyme cleavage, a chromogen exhibiting a large change in absorbance and a pKa below 7. Such substrates find use as in- dicators for the determination of enzyme analytes and enzymes used as markers in a variety of assays, including immunoassays.

5104665

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION OF WINE

Graham Fleet, Peter J Costello, Sydney, Australia assigned to Unisearch Limited

A process and equipment for the controlled malolactic fermentation of wine in which wine is introduced into a reaction vessel containing a concentration of at least 108 cfu/ml of a bacterial or yeast species that is capable of converting malic acid to lactic acid through a bacteria retaining filter. The wine is removed from the reaction vessel through a bacteria retaining filter after a predetermined residence time in the reac- tion vessel sufficient to allow the desired malolactic fermentation to take place. The pro- cess and equipment are preferably operated on a

continuous basis. The cells may be immobilized within the reaction vessel.

5104980

CHROMOGENIC DIBENZOXAZEPINONE AND

DIBENZOTHIAZEPINONE ENZYME SUBSTRATES

Paul F Corey assigned to Miles Inc

Chromogenic enzyme substrate compounds comprising a dibenz(b,e)( 1, 4)oxazepinone or dibenzo(b,e)( I ,4)thiazepinone nucleus having an enzyme-cleavable group such as a radical of a sugar, carboxylic acid, amino acid, peptide, phosphoric acid, or sulfuric acid. The substrate compounds are, in general, highly soluble in aqueous media and only slightly colored, and produce, upon enzyme cleavage, a chromogen exhibiting a large change in absorbance and a pKa below 7. Such substrates find use as in- dicators for the determination of enzyme analytes and enzymes used as markers in a variety of assays, including immunoassays.