Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling tube comprising a glass tube (2) with two closed ends (3), the sampling tube (1) being filled, at least over a portion of the length of the tube, with an adsorption material (4), the adsorption material (4) being confined between two gas-permeable plugs (5). According to the invention, the plugs (5) are manufactured from completely inert material and no non-inert material is present in the sampling tube. The invention further relates to a sampling tube whose ends (3) are closed off with sealing caps (6) which are manufactured from TEFLON.RTM., the sealing caps (6) comprising an end portion (7) and a cylindrical stopper (8) integrally connected therewith, which stopper (8), at least locally, has an external diameter receivable with a proper fit in the interior of the glass tube (2), the end portion (7) having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the glass tube (2). The invention further describes a method for manufacturing such sampling tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for checking for tightness a closure or a connecting weld provided in a flexible fluid-filled hose, which device comprises two clamping members slidable relative to each other, forming in an inserted position a profile with at least one clamping space and an expansion space, as well as folding means, the arrangement being such that at least one hose portion can be folded and clamped in the at least one clamping space, so that the fluid present in the at least one hose portion is pressed to another hose portion including the closure or connecting weld to be checked, which other hose portion can expand in the expansion space.

Abstract: System for applying a pumpable substance (printing liquid) to running material webs, comprising a chambered doctor blade casing provided with a space for pumpable substance; an inlet and an outlet for pumpable substance; and at least two doctor blades detachably mounted on the chambered doctor blade casing, which blades bound an opening which, in operation, faces the outer circumference of a roller and which extends over the length of the chambered doctor blade casing, and the chambered doctor blade casing being sealed at its end faces by detachable seals.

Abstract: Methods of treating autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, are disclosed. The methods employ administration of interferon-tau (IFN.tau.) in a therapeutically-effective dose.

Abstract: Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) protease and assembly protein sequences are disclosed. Also disclosed are polynucleotides that encode the protease and assembly protein. The invention includes screening and detection methods, as well as KSHV protease inhibitory compositions.

Abstract: An ink chamber doctor blade for a printing machine, comprising a doctor blade box (10) forming an ink chamber, at least two doctor blade knives (11, 12) attached to the doctor blade box (10) and bounding an opening (13) which, during operation, points to the outer circumference of a printing cylinder or an ink transfer roller and extends over the length of the doctor blade box (10), two front end covers (2) detachably fitted to the respective front end of the doctor blade box (10) and sealing the ink chamber, and means for supplying and discharging ink, each front end cover (2) comprising a rigid cover basic body (25) and a sealing element held by it and coming to abut against the doctor blade knives (11, 12) and against the section of the outer circumference of the printing cylinder or the ink transfer roller located between these doctor blade knives, wherein the sealing element is formed by a flat two-layer sealing plate (20), the first layer (21) of which facing the doctor blade box (10) is made of a soft-

Abstract: Peptide antigens which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disclosed. Several of the antigens are immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals identified as having chronic and acute HCV infection. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting HCV infection in humans. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic peptides.

Abstract: A closing element intended for closing off an end of a capillary gas chromatography column comprises a closing body provided with a blind hole, which tapers over at least a portion of the length thereof, and the walls of the tapering portion of the hole include an angle with the centerline of the hole, this angle being so small that upon placement of the closing element on the end of the capillary gas chromatography column, a self-locking engagement between the end of the column and the closing element occurs. The closing element is manufactured from a form-retaining, inert, gastight material.

Abstract: An microparticle composition and its method of use in drug delivery and diagnostic applications are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of storing and administering drug compounds at high concentration in condensed-phase microparticles.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the sequence of a polynucleotide analyte. The method includes contacting the analyte with a position-addressable array of oligonucleotides, each anchored to a solid support and having a 5'proximal and 3'-distal orientation. The hybridized oligonucleotides are then extended by strand-directed polymerase, to produce labeled, extended oligonucleotides at positions of the array corresponding to sequence matches between the array oligonucleotides and analyte regions. The pattern of label in the array is used to analyze analyte sequence.

Abstract: An identification and characterization of a calcineurin interacting protein effective to enhance immunosuppressive effects of calcineurin-targeted immunosuppressants by potentiating an interaction of an immunophilin with calcineurin is described herein. One embodiment of the invention is the CNI polypeptide encoded by the CNI gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Polynucleotides encoding a CNI protein are also described. Also described are yeast cells carrying mutations in the CNI gene. Further, a method of identifying a small molecule immunosuppressant compound is described. The methods include the use of a cell-based two hybrid protein-protein interaction assay, wherein one of two fusion hybrid proteins in a cell contains a subunit of calcineurin, and the other of two fusion hybrid proteins contains an immunophilin.

Abstract: A method for producing an improved solid phase antigenic reagent useful in an immunoassay for detecting antibodies specific for a virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus, is disclosed which comprising the addition to a natural viral lysate a synthetic or recombinant viral protein or peptide. Also provided is an improved immunoassay utilizing the solid phase antigenic reagent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synthesizing biopolymers, such as polypeptides and polynucleotides. The apparatus includes plural reaction vessels in which subunit coupling to biopolymers in a particle suspension is carried out. The vessels are connected to common valving structure for use in mixing the suspension and removing suspension liquid. In one embodiment, a robotic arm in the apparatus is operable to transfer reaction solution to the reaction vessels, and to transfer particle suspensions from the reaction vessels to a mixing vessel and back to the reaction vessels. The method can be used to produce preferably equi-molar amounts of different-sequence biopolymers, such as polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: An microparticle composition and its method of use in drug delivery and diagnostic applications are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of storing and administering drug compounds at high concentration in condensed-phase microparticles.

Abstract: A luminometer is described comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a means for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a means for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.

Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is treated with dehydroepiandrosterone or its metabolite, sulfate ester, by itself or in combination with other therapies. Substantial improvement in SLE patients is observed during the course of treatment.