Abstract: Capping assemblies (2) of the type fitted to capping units (1a) in a machine for packaging containers filled with fluid or powdered products are equipped with a gripping apparatus (1) comprising a gripper (4) with three arms (5), each carrying an adapter (20) furnished with a pad (20b) offered in direct contact to the cap, through which the gripping action is applied. Each adapter (20) is secured to a fitting (17, 18) insertable into a socket (16) afforded by the bottom of a structural member (6) that forms the main part of each arm (5) and is hinged to the movable head of a relative capping assembly (2); when inserted into the structural member (6), the fitting (17, 18) is retained automatically by a snap lock mechanism (12) incorporated into the arm (5), which can be released subsequently by introducing the tip of a screwdriver into a slot (18a) created in the side of the fitting (17, 18) and levering the components apart.

Abstract: The present invention concerns stimulators of Activin and/or Inhibin for use in promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, together with medicaments and methods for promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.

Abstract: Single chain trimer (SCT) molecules are disclosed, comprising an MHC antigen peptide sequence, a ?2-microglobulin sequence and a full-length MHC class I heavy chain sequence, joined by linker sequences. Further described are nucleic acids encoding single chain trimers. Methods for expansion of antigen-specific T cell populations using single chain trimer molecules are also disclosed. In some configurations, these methods comprise co-culturing, in a first stage, CD8+ T cells from a donor with antigen presenting cells comprising an MHC antigen peptide, and co-culturing, in a second stage, the CD8+ T cells with cells comprising an SCT which has an MHC antigen peptide sequence identical to the sequence of the antigen peptide in the first stage. The methods can provide 10,000-100,000 fold expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells within about 28 days after establishing culture, and can yield over 1 billion antigen-specific CD8+ T cells expanded from an individual donor.

Abstract: This application provides a human protein AMSH having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 which is a novel signal transduction molecule interacting with the SH3 domain of cytokine based signal transduction molecule STAM; a gene encoding the above AMSH; a cDNA having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2; and antibody against AMSH.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous bakery products includes a carriage having opposed sealing jaws. Upper and lower webs of wrapping material extend between the jaws of the carriage along a bakery product path. Bakery products to be wrapped are advanced along the bakery product path between the webs of wrapping material and between the initially open jaws of the carriage. The jaws of the carriage are then closed to form transverse seals at the trailing edge of a leading package of bakery products and at the leading edge of a trailing package of bakery products. The carriage is advanced along the bakery product path during the sealing operation so that sealing of the bakery product packages is carried out on a continuous basis.