Abstract: The present invention provides methods and reagents for the estimation of the quantity of human DNA contained in a sample. Immobilized sample DNA is hybridized to a biotinylated oligonucleotide probe that hybridizes to a human genomic or mitochondria DNA sequence. The subsequent binding of streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase to the bound probe allows for chemiluminescent detection using a luminol-based reagent and X-ray film. In addition, the present invention provides methods and reagents to assess the quality of DNA contained in a sample. The sample is first size fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis, and then immobilized, hybridized to a biotinylated oligonucleotide probe, and detected using the chemiluminescent method as used in the quantity estimation methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A conveyor is useful for conveying cuvettes to one or more processing stations. The conveyor has a plate-shaped rotor magazine with a number of resilient retaining elements for releasably holding cuvettes along the periphery of the magazine. This allows the cuvettes to be inserted and removed by a simple linear motion. Preferably, the retaining elements are constructed to cover the openings in the cuvettes while they are being held along the periphery of the magazine.

Abstract: A novel process for producing tocopherols and their precursors is described.

Abstract: Novel, racemic and optically active phosphorus compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R signifies lower alkyl or lower alkoxy and R.sup.1 represents lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or substituted phenyl, are described.The compounds of formula I are useful in the form of complexes with a metal of Group VIII as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenations and for enantioselective hydrogen displacements in prochiral allylic systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds selected from the group consisting of the formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 and Ph are as described herein. These compounds are potent leukotriene B.sub.4 antagonists and are therefore useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A novel process for the manufacture of a cinnamic acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 signifies hydrogen or C.sub.1-8 -alkyl and R.sup.2 signifies hydrogen, C.sub.1-10 -alkyl, C.sub.1-10 -hydroxyalkyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-10 -alkyl, is described in which a 4-R.sup.1 O-halobenzene is reacted with acrylic add or an acrylic acid ester CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHCOOR.sup.2 using a heterogeneous palladium catalyst in the presence of the alkanoic acid ammonium salt formed from a C.sub.2-5 -alkanoic acid and an aliphatic mono-, di- or trialkylamine or heterocyclic amine. In the case of the manufacture of the cinnamic acid derivative I in which R.sup.2 signifies hydrogen, the reaction can be carried out in the presence of the amine in place of the alkanoic acid ammonium salt. A further aspect of the described invention comprises reacting the 4-R.sup.1 O-iodobenzene with the product of the Michael addition of an acrylic acid ester CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHCOOR.sup.2', wherein R.sup.

Abstract: A process for the production of a .beta.-aminoalcohol 2-[3(S)-amino-2(R)-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyl]-N-tert.butyl-decahydro-(4aS,8aS) -isoquinoline-3(S)-carboxamide of the formula ##STR1## via the oxazolidinone corresponding to the aminoalcohol 10, as well as intermediates occurring in this process.

Abstract: Chimeric polypeptides encoded by a DNA sequence having a first DNA subsequence coding for a fragment of at least one of the .alpha.- and/or .beta.-chain of the human interleukin-5 receptor, and a second DNA subsequence coding for the constant domains of a heavy- or a light-chain of a human immunoglobulin, or a fragment thereof are useful in treating illnesses with demonstrated eosinophilia.

Abstract: A microoptical sensor and a corresponding method for detecting chemical substances in a sample. The sample is brought into contact with the waveguiding layer of a planar optical waveguide. Coherent light is coupled into the waveguiding layer, propagates therein as a guided wave, and the latter is decoupled from the waveguiding layer. Both, coupling and decoupling of the light wave guided in the planar waveguide is effected by means of a multi-diffractive grating situated in the plane of the layer, i.e. a grating structure comprising two or more fundamental frequency components for in-coupling and out-coupling, respectively. The multi-diffractive grating coupler results in a directional separation of decoupled light from reflected, transmitted and directly diffracted sub-beams, respectively.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium Thermus species Z05. The enzyme has DNA polymerase, activity reverse transcriptase activity, and optionally 5'.fwdarw.3' exonuclease activity. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, and may be used with primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 denotes fluorine or chlorine and X.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl, 4-alkenyl, 2E-alkenyloxy or 3-alkenyloxy; n stands for the number 0 or 1; one of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- and the other of the groups Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a single covalent bond; and rings A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 each individually are substituted or unsubstituted trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which optionally 2 non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups are replaced by oxygen, or substituted or unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene, in which optionally 1 CH group or 2 CH groups is/are replaced by nitrogen; with the proviso that X.sup.2 denotes fluorine or chlorine and/or Y.sup.1 or Y.sup.2 denotes --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- when simultaneously X.sup.1 is fluorine and R.sup.1 is 3E-alkenyl,and their use for liquid crystalline mixtures and electro-optical purposes.

Abstract: A novel process for producing derivatives of the anti-tumor agent N.sup.4 -acyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine using the novel 5'-deoxy-5-fluoro-N.sup.4, 2'-0,3'-0-triacylcytidine derivatives as intermediates is provided.5-Deoxy-1,2,3-tri-0-acyl-.beta.-D-ribofuranoside is reacted with 5-fluorocytosine to produce 5'-deoxy-2',3'-di-0-acyl-5-fluorocytidine, followed by acylation, to produce the novel intermediate 5'-deoxy-5-flouro-N.sup.4,2'-0,3'-0-triacylcytidine. The acyl radicals of this intermediate are selectively de-0-acylated to obtain N.sup.4 -acyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine derivatives. From fluorocytosine, N.sup.4 -acyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine derivatives can be obtained through few steps in high yield, an in satisfactory purity.

Abstract: A novel process for the manufacture of .gamma.-acetoxytiglic aldehyde ("C.sub.5 -aldehyde"), which is known as an important starting material for the production of vitamin A acetate from a (.beta.-ionylidenethyl)triphenylphosphonium halide and C.sub.5 -aldehyde, comprises treating a pentenyn-3-ol of the formula HC.tbd.C--C(CH.sub.3)(OH)--CH.dbd.C(R).sub.2 (II), wherein both R's signify either hydrogen or methyl, with ozone, preferably in a lower alkanol R.sup.1 OH, wherein R.sup.1 signifies C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, to obtain an aldehyde 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-butynal of the formula HC.tbd.C--C(CH.sub.3)(OH)--CHO (III). The aldehyde III may be converted to the C.sub.5 -aldehyde by conventional means.

Abstract: A process is described for the manufacture of .beta.-ionone by the sulphuric acid-catalyzed cyclization of pseudoionone in a two-phase solvent system comprising concentrated sulphuric acid and a second solvent essentially immiscible with water, which process comprises using carbon dioxide liquefied under pressure as the second solvent. This process is carried out, inter alia, under a pressure of about 50 bar to about 150 bar and at temperatures from about -15.degree. C. to about +15.degree. C. prior to the subsequent stopping (quenching) of the cyclization reaction. The process in accordance with the invention is preferably carried out continuously and is an important intermediate stage in the synthesis of vitamin A.

Abstract: Novel alcohols of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.a is azido or phthalimido, R.sup.4 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 together are a trimethylene or tetramethylene group which is optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxycarbonylamino or acylamino or in which one --CH.sub.2 -- group is replaced by --NH--, --N(alkoxycarbonyl)-, --N(acyl)- or --S-- or which carries a fused cycloalkane, aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and R.sup.9 is alkoxycarbonyl, monoalkylcarbamoyl, monoaralkylcarbamoyl, monoarylcarbamoyl or a group of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 each is alkyl, are described along with a process for their manufacture. These alcohols are useful as intermediates, for example in the manufacture of amino acid derivatives having antiviral activity.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, hydroxy, or fluorine, and X is H.sub.2 are useful as agents for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders of the skin such as psoriasis, as agents for the treatment of cancer, such as, leukemia, and as agents for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as, acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl.sub.1-8, geminal alkyl.sub.1-3, unsubstituted or substituted aryl; X is alkylene, --CR.sub.1 .dbd.CR.sub.2 -- (E and/or Z), carbonyl, oxygen or sulfur, wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is alkyl.sub.1-3 and the other is hydrogen; Y is unsubstituted alkyl.sub.1-12 or substituted by one or more alkyl.sub.1-3 groups, or unsubstituted or substituted phenylalkyl .sub.1-3 ; or a salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable base, are described.The compound of formula I are potent inhibitors of phospholipase A.sub.2 (PLA.sub.2) and are therefore useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergy, arthritis, dermatitis, gout, pulmonary, myocardial ischemia and trauma induced inflammation, such as, spinal cord injury.

Abstract: Primers for amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences of the second and third exon of HLA Class I A gene and probes for identifying polymorphic sequences contained in the amplified DNA can be used in processes for typing homozygous or heterozygous samples from a variety of sources and for detecting allelic variants not distinguishable by serological methods. This HLA-A DNA typing system can be used in a forward or reverse dot-blot format that is simple and rapid to perform, produces detectable signals in minutes, and can be used for tissue typing, determining individual identity, and identifying disease susceptible individuals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for tagging and tracing materials using nucleic acids as taggants. The process of tagging involves altering a substance in a manner that allows for the subsequent identification of the substance by detecting the alteration. The alteration disclosed herein involves nucleic acids.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## which have antifungal activity.