Abstract: In a case of a process for producing pourable spherical-segment-shaped packing material particles made of a plastic material which have an external convex and an internal concave surface, the plastic material is fed in by means of a feeding funnel through an opening in a bush surrounding the extrusion screw. The plastic material is plasticized and, because of the difference in speed existing over the cross section of the mass, comes out of an opening in the die with a bent surface. The extruded plastic material is cut off directly at the opening of the die and before any considerable expansion has taken place. In this case, the plastic material is pulled into a space between the extrusion screw and a bush (28) provided with longitudinal grooves (35) in the material pull-in zone (13). The result is a possibility for some of the plastic granules to escape into the longitudinal grooves (35) and an increased and steadier transport of material through the extruder (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a graft for a patient consisting of foreign skin provided with openings and segments of a piece of the patient's original skin inserted into the openings are disclosed. A piece of the patient's original skin is cut into segments arranged at specific locations in a system of coordinates. A backing, carrying foreign skin, is also placed within the system of co-ordinates and openings are cut into the foreign skin at similarly defined locations. The segments of the patient's original skin are then placed by mechanical means into the openings of the foreign skin.

Abstract: A device for heating infusion and transfusion solutions includes an automatically temperature controlled, electrically heated heat exchange unit having an exposed cylindrical outer surface provided with a helical groove removably receiving and holding with a clamping effect a flexible infusion tube through which the solution to be heated flows. A sleeve of thermal insulation material having its inner surface covered with an aluminum foil closely surrounds the outer surface of the unit and the tube seated in the groove. Safety clamps secured to casing portions at opposite ends of the heat exchange unit insure that the tube is held in the groove.

Abstract: A process for determining the pH value in the interior of a cell is descrd. This is accomplished by measurement of the emission of a fluorescent substance which is absorbed by the cell through incubation in a solution. The solution contains a compound of the said fluorescent substance; the fluorescent substance is separated from this compound in the cell by an enzyme present in the cell. The fluorescent substance selected is one such that the frequency of the emission maximum is dependent on the pH value. The compound of this fluorescent substance which is selected is one which is membrane penetrating. Measurement of the fluorescence is based on the principle of measurement of the frequency at which the emission maximum occurs. A fluorescent substance suitable for this purpose is 2,3-dicyano-1,4-hydroquinone. A suitable membrane penetrating compound is 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene or 1,4-dibutyryloxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene or 1,4-di(-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-1-alanyloxy)-2,3-dicyanobenzene.

Abstract: A fabric formed from fiber-like strands of hollow, transparent filaments which have been woven or otherwise joined together is disclosed. The hollow strands contain a liquid in which color-coded micromagnets are dispersed. The micromagnets are free to rotate within the filament, the fabric thereby being capable of changing colors, either selectively or totally, when an activating magnetic force causes the micromagnets therein to rotate. The fabric may incorporate, in place of color-coded micromagnets, other orientable bodies which are also capable of being oriented, as for example by an electromagnetic or electrostatic force field, to produce a visual display. Further, the fabric may comprise a material having one or more liquid filled veins, the liquid again containing color-coded micromagnets or orientable bodies dispersed therein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for coating metallic sheets which involves controlling the surface characteristics of the molten coating material in the area that the metal sheet enters and leaves so that the effect of contaminants on the coating operation will be minimized. The invention also pertains to an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: In the case of a process for producing pourable spherical-segment-shaped packing material particles (18) made of plastic which have an external convex and an internal concave surface, the plastic material is mixed with additives, such as bubble forming agents, coloring pigments and similar agents. The plastic material is fed, by means of a feeding funnel (17) into an extruder (14) through an opening in a bush (13) surrounding the extrusion screw. The plastic material plasticizes over the course of the extruder (14) and, because of the difference in speed existing over the cross section of the mass, comes out of an opening (15) in the die with a bent surface. The plastic material is cut off directly at the opening (15) of the die and before any considerable expansion has taken place. Before the processing of the plastic granules in the extruder (14) a bubble-forming agent (nucleation agent) is applied to their surface in a drum (5).

Abstract: A fabric formed from fiber-like strands of hollow, transparent filaments which have been woven or otherwise joined together is disclosed. The hollow strands contain a liquid in which color-coded micromagnets are dispersed. The micromagnets are free to rotate within the filament, the fabric thereby being capable of changing colors, either selectively or totally, when an activating magnetic force causes the micromagnets therein to rotate. The fabric may incorporate, in place of color-coded micromagnets, other orientable bodies which are also capable of being oriented, as for example by an electromagnetic or electrostatic force field, to produce a visual display. Further, the fabric may comprise a material having one or more liquid filled veins, the liquid again containing color-coded micromagnets or orientable bodies dispersed therein.

Abstract: A process for determining the pH value in the interior of a cell is described. This is accomplished by measurement of the emission of a fluorescent substance which is absorbed by the cell through incubation in a solution. The solution contains a compound of the said fluorescent substance; the fluorescent substance is separated from this compound in the cell by an enzyme present in the cell. The fluorescent substance selected is one such that the frequency of the emission maximum is dependent on the pH value. The compound of this fluorescent substance which is selected is one which is membrane penetrating. Measurement of the fluorescence is based on the principle of measurement of the frequency at which the emission maximum occurs. A fluorescent substance suitable for this purpose is 2,3-dicyano-1,4-hydroquinone. A suitable membrane penetrating compound is 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene or 1,4-dibutyryloxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene or 1,4-di(-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-1-alanyloxy)-2,3-dicyanobenzene.

Abstract: A process for determining the pH value in the interior of a cell is described. This is accomplished by measurement of the emission of a fluorescent substance which is absorbed by the cell through incubation in a solution. The solution contains a compound of the said fluorescent substance; the fluorescent substance is separated from this compound in the cell by an enzyme present in the cell. The fluorescent substance selected is one such that the frequency of the emission maximum is dependent on the pH value. The compound of this fluorescent substance which is selected is one which is membrane penetrating. Measurement of the fluorescence is based on the principle of measurement of the frequency at which the emission maximum occurs. A fluorescent substance suitable for this purpose is 2,3-dicyano-1,4-hydroquinone. A suitable membrane penetrating compound is 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene or 1,4-dibutyryloxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene or 1,4-di(-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-1-alanyloxy)-2,3-dicyanobenzene.

Abstract: Prostaglandin I.sub.2 analogues of the formula: ##STR1## [wherein the symbol between the carbon atoms in positions 5 and 6 represents a single or double bond, Y represents ethylene or trans-vinylene, R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 4 to 7 carbon atoms optionally substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl optionally substituted by chlorine, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl, a --C.sub.m H.sub.2m COOR.sup.7 group (wherein m represents an integer of from 1 to 12 and R.sup.7 represents alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms), a --C.sub.n H.sub.2n OR.sup.8 group (wherein n represents an integer of from 2 to 12 and R.sup.8 represents hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms) or a ##STR2## group (wherein R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 each represent alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is as hereinbefore defined), R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group, R.sup.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a natural mixture of Type I and Type II interferons which are produced by induction with measles vaccine virus in leukocyte cells obtained from human donors immune to measles, and methods for the preparation of such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Prophylaxis or treatment of interferon-sensitive diseases in a human is effected by the rectal or urogenital administration to a human of a liquid pharmaceutical composition of native human interferon (Types I and II), said liquid pharmaceutical composition not being clinically appropriate for intravenous or intramuscular injection.

Abstract: Hydrogels are prepared by subjecting to poymerization conditions an aqueous admixture comprising a major amount of an organic monomer which is characterized by a polymerizable ethylenic group ##STR1## as illustrated by N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or methoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate, and a minor amount of solubilized collagen. The reactants employed are at least partially soluble in the aqueous reaction medium. The hydrogels thus prepared are novel shaped articles having utility in the medical and cosmetic fields. Contact lenses of such hydrogels exhibit high water content, high oxygen permeability and good mechanical strength characteristics.

Abstract: Biologically stabilized compositions are prepared by subjecting to polymerization conditions an aqueous admixture comprising from 50 to about 70 weight percent solubilized collagen and from about 30 to less than 50 weight percent of an organic compound which is characterized by a polymerizable ethylenic group (>C.dbd.C<) as illustrated by N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or methoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate. The reactants employed are at least partially soluble in the aqueous reaction medium. The hydrogels thus prepared can be in the form of novel shaped articles having utility in the medical and cosmetic fields. Such hydrogels exhibit good biological stability, high water content, high oxygen permeability and sufficient mechanical strength characteristics to be useful as contact lenses.