Abstract: Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. Acute complications of Sickle cell anemia are treated symptomatically with analgesics and transfusions, and a prophylactic treatment of sickle cell crisis is long term application of hydroxyurea. According to the present invention, an N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) blocker is used for the treatment of sickle cell anemia and for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of sickle cell anemia. Moreover, a method for screening for a compound effective in the treatment of sickle cell anemia comprises contacting a candidate compound with the NMDAR and selecting said candidate compound as effective if it is found to selectively reduce activity of the NMDAR.

Abstract: The position of parallelepiped-shaped objects on a first receptacle is detected by means of a detection device using an optical reader operating on a position mark carrier which has two label portions intended to arise on different ones of two adjacent sides of the object, one of the sides being larger than the other. Each of the label portions has a respective identification mark so that not only does the label indicate the nature of the object, it also identifies which of the two adjacent faces of the object is being scanned by the optical reader. Furthermore, means are provided for measuring the distance of the optical reader from the scanned side of the object, by relying on angular deflection of a scanning beam at a given constant angular velocity and measurement of the time taken to scan the label portion which has a predetermined constant length.