Abstract: Potassium channels Kv1.3 are known to be implicated in immunological diseases and graft rejections. Disclosed are peptides capable of blocking with high affinity and specificity potassium channels Kv1.3, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for their use to block Kv1.3 potassium channels, to treat various immunological conditions and to diagnostic applications. Methods for their chemical synthesis and correct folding are also disclosed. Exemplary peptides correspond to protein components (Vm23 and Vm24) isolated from the venom of the Mexican scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus smithi. Vm23 and Vm24 bind to hKv1.3 channels in an almost irreversible manner, showing a Kd value in the order of 3 picomolar range, when applied to human lymphocytes cultures in vitro. Vm24 was chemically synthesized and used in in vivo experiments to successfully treat sensitized rats (on the DTH-response).

Abstract: Potassium channels Kv1.3 are known to be implicated in immunological diseases and graft rejections. Disclosed are peptides capable of blocking with high affinity and specificity potassium channels Kv1.3, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for their use to block Kv1.3 potassium channels, to treat various immunological conditions and to diagnostic applications. Methods for their chemical synthesis and correct folding are also disclosed. Exemplary peptides correspond to protein components (Vm23 and Vm24) isolated from the venom of the Mexican scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus smithi. Vm23 and Vm24 bind to hKv1.3 channels in an almost irreversible manner, showing a Kd value in the order of 3 picomolar range, when applied to human lymphocytes cultures in vitro. Vm24 was chemically synthesized and used in in vivo experiments to successfully treat sensitized rats (on the DTH-response).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an equipment for the rapid determination of the spermium count of sperm samples and/or the ratio of the living spermia. The process comprises dissolving the fluorescent dyestuff propidium iodide in a buffer and measuring the intensity (F.sub.o), then adding the sperm sample and, after measurement of the intensity (F.sub.1) and addition of a cytoplasm membrane-permeabilizing agent, determining the intensity (F.sub.2), then adding a buffer and a permeabilizing agnet to the buffer and measuring the intensity (F.sub.3) and subsequently the intensity (F.sub.4) of the pure buffer and finally the intensity (F.sub.5) of the sperm mixture added to the buffer, and calculating the cell concentration by using the formula: ##EQU1## wherein .alpha.